Good Grief: Life After Loss

In this episode, host Skylar Jackenthal shares, for the first time, the full story of losing her brother, Sam. From her family’s time in Australia to the heartbreaking realization that Sam wasn’t coming home, Skylar reflects on the moments that still live vividly in her memory ten years later. This raw and deeply personal episode isn’t easy, but it’s an important one. By finally sharing her story,...

In this episode, host Skylar Jackenthal reflects on the parts of grief that haven’t softened, even ten years after losing her brother, Sam. From everyday reminders like ski edits and songs, to future milestones he’ll never see, Skylar shares the places where grief still aches deeply. She reminds listeners that it’s okay if some wounds never fully heal - sometimes, the ache is just another form of...

In this episode, Skylar reflects on the ten lessons she has learned in the ten years since losing her brother, Sam. From the weight of anniversaries to the importance of relationships, and from finding compassion to discovering her own strength, Skylar shares the truths grief has taught her over the past decade. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After L...

In the third episode of the 3-part series, What to Do With What’s Left, Skylar opens up her memory box for her brother Sam. From cologne and baby blankets to poems and even hospital utensils, each item tells a story of love, loss, and connection. Skylar explores why memory boxes matter, how to create one, and the comfort they can bring in grief. What about you? Share the most strange or unexpected...

In the second episode of this 3-part series, Skylar dives into the everyday belongings our loved ones leave behind, from clothes hanging in the closet, bedrooms frozen in time, and even the phones that still hold their texts, photos, and memories. Skylar shares her own story of facing these moments after losing her brother Sam, and explores the mix of emotions they bring - comfort, heartbreak, and...

In this deeply moving episode, Skylar sits down with Linh Luu, who survived a tragic and preventable car accident that took the lives of her boyfriend, Misha Romanenko, and her beloved dog, Keeper. Linh shares her journey of living again after profound loss, and coping with the waves of grief, navigating painful words from others, and finding healing through advocacy. From her brave decision to sh...

In the first episode of this 3-part series, What to Do With What’s Left, Skylar explores one of the most surreal and emotional parts of early grief: ashes. She shares personal stories from losing her brother Sam, the strange reality of receiving his ashes, and the quiet, often unspoken decisions families face around burial vs. cremation and how that choice can shape how we grieve. Skylar walks lis...

What happens when you return - year after year - to the place where your person lived, and where their presence still lingers? In this episode, Skylar shares what it’s like to be home in Park City, almost ten years after losing her brother Sam. She reflects on the comfort of being surrounded by people who knew him, the power of talking about loss openly, and how grief and love can continue to live...

In this episode, Skylar opens up about the quiet assumptions people make about grievers, and why those assumptions often miss the mark. After losing her brother Sam, some people held back from sharing their own struggles, believing nothing could compare to her loss. Others saw her as fragile or defined entirely by her grief. Skylar shares her personal experience navigating these perceptions and of...

What happens when your grief ruins a good time? Skylar shares the story of how a backyard Fourth of July party - and one unexpected Katy Perry song - triggered a tidal wave of emotion. She opens up about the invisible ache of grieving in public, the mental gymnastics of pretending you’re fine, and the isolation that lingers years after a loss. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe!...

Audrey shares her experience of losing her mom unexpectedly to suicide. She discusses the shock of sudden loss, the guilt and “what ifs” that followed, and the steps that helped her begin to heal. This episode offers an honest and tender conversation about life after unimaginable loss. **This podcast is marked "explicit" due to the sensitive nature of the topic of suicide. There is no profanity or...

People mean well, but sometimes the things they say after a loss hurt more than they help. In this episode, Skylar shares the most common phrases not to say to someone who is grieving, why they can be harmful, and what to say instead. Whether you’re grieving or supporting someone who is, this is a must listen. Whats something someone said to you after loss that hurt or helped? Comment down below!...

Skylar opens up about the guilt of growing after loss - wondering if the best things in her life, like her TEDx Talk, getting into her dream college, and this podcast, only happened because her brother Sam died. Skylar asks the hard questions many grievers are afraid to voice: Would I be who I am if my brother hadn’t died? Do I only stand out because of my grief?  If you’ve ever felt guilt for gro...

In this episode, Skylar reflects on what would’ve been her brother Sam’s 26th birthday and the upcoming Father’s Day—two reminders of love and loss. She shares why honoring the people we’ve lost still matters, even as the years go on, and explores the pressure to “feel it” in a certain way. From lighting candles to making their favorite meal, Skylar offers gentle ideas for creating personal ritual...

In this heartfelt episode, Skylar sits down with Sam Walsh, the founder of the Grief Group at Park City High School and a key figure in her own grief journey. Sam shares how the group began, what it’s been like to support grieving teens over the years, and the lessons she’s learned about holding space for young people navigating loss. With warmth, wisdom, and deep compassion, Sam offers thoughtful...

The first year after loss is full of heartbreak, but it’s also full of support. People check in. They remember. They hold space for your pain. But what happens after that first anniversary passes? When the texts slow down, the world moves on, and you’re left facing birthdays, holidays, and milestones without them - quietly, and often alone. In this episode, Skylar talks about the surprising realit...

What do you say when someone asks if you have any siblings, or what your parents do for work, and the truth is, they’ve died? In this episode, we explore the quiet but painful moments when loss collides with small talk. Skylar shares personal reflections on the tension between telling the truth and protecting yourself, the awkwardness of unexpected grief conversations, and the invisible weight beh...

In this first episode of Good Grief: Life After Loss, I’m introducing myself, Skylar, and sharing the story behind this podcast. I talk about losing my brother Sam, how that loss shaped me, and why I decided to create this space for young people who are grieving. You’ll hear what to expect from future episodes, including solo reflections, guest interviews, and real conversations about what grief l...