Deathly Honest

This episode begins in a place you might not expect: the end of baseball season. But as Kelli Lyles reveals, sometimes the things that crack our hearts open aren't funerals or anniversaries — they're the quiet endings that sneak up on us. Join Kelli as she unpacks what happens when nostalgia, October memories, and one emotional Game 7 collide… and how grief can rise in the most ordinary and surpri...

As the days grow shorter and autumn settles in, Kelli explores the idea of seasonal grief—the way shifting seasons and anniversaries stir memories our bodies still hold. In this episode, she reflects on fall as both cozy and complicated, sharing personal stories of loss, nostalgia around her children’s birthdays, and the deep emotions tied to October after losing both parents that month. It’s an h...

On this episode of Deathly Honest, Kelli reflects on the emotional terrain of “bird launching”—her tender term for the experience of raising children and sending them into the world. She shares her own story of transitioning from active motherhood to the quieter role of observer, and the unexpected grief that comes with it. This is a deeply honest conversation about letting go, holding on, and the...

Grief doesn’t only show up after a death—it can live with us for a lifetime when we've been shaped by a narcissistic parent. In this episode of Deathly Honest, Kelli Lyles explores the deep, often invisible grief that comes from having a mother who could never truly see, love, or nurture you. She discusses what this kind of loss feels like, how it impacts our sense of self, and what healing might...

On this episode of Deathly Honest, Kelli talks about life, lately, and the new projects she has coming down the line. She touches on "bird launching," motherhood and postpartum grief, and daughters of narcissistic mothers. Deathly Honest is an invitation to explore the complexities of aging, dying, death and grief. Join Kelli Lyles, grief counselor, gerontologist and certified death midwife, as sh...

Kelli is joined by her first guest, Leanna, who gets deathly honest about losing her dad to cancer.  Deathly Honest is an invitation to explore the complexities of aging, dying, death and grief. Join Kelli Lyles, grief counselor, gerontologist and certified death midwife, as she gently (and sometimes hilariously) holds space through every experience. Visit https://kellilyles.com to learn more abou...

Meet your host, Kelli Lyles — grief counselor, gerontologist, and certified death midwife—as she embarks on a deeply personal journey that was always within her. In this debut episode, Kelli shares the inspiration behind Deathly Honest and her mission to create open, unfiltered conversations about death, dying, grief, and aging. Her goal is simple: to bring honesty, compassion, and a little levity...

Here's what to expect from Kelli Lyles – grief counselor, gerontologist, certified death midwife, and the host of Deathly Honest!   Deathly Honest is an invitation to explore the complexities of aging, dying, death and grief. Join Kelli Lyles, grief counselor, gerontologist and certified death midwife, as she gently (and sometimes hilariously) holds space through every experience. Visit https://ke...