GRIEF AND LIGHT

In this episode, host Nina Rodriguez engages in a heartfelt conversation with Brian D. Smith , a certified grief educator, life purpose coach, author, speaker, and host of the Grief2Growth Podcast . They explore the profound themes of grief, loss, and the journey towards healing. Brian shares his personal experience of losing his daughter Shayna and how it transformed his understanding of life, de...

In this conversation, Dr. Monica Krishnan shares her profound journey through grief, self-discovery, and healing after losing her husband to brain cancer. She discusses her experiences with high-functioning depression, the importance of support systems, and her advocacy work in mental health. Dr. Krishnan emphasizes the need for open conversations about grief, especially among children, and the ro...

This episode addresses the complex and sensitive topic of murder-suicide and its profound impact on survivors, which may be activating for some listeners. We aim to approach these topics with care and respect, highlighting the need for community support and open dialogue. If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide or in crisis, help is available: Call or text 988 , the Suicide...

In this heartfelt conversation, award-winning poet and author, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, shares her journey of navigating grief after the sudden loss of her son, Finn, in 2021, followed by the loss of her father. Through poetry and reflection, she explores the themes of grief, surrender, love, the natural world, and the transformative power of writing. The episode delves into the nuances of grief...

In this deeply moving episode, grief educator Erin Blechman opens up about her profound journey through loss after the death of her son, Max. Erin invites us into her experience of navigating the unique pain of suicide loss, sharing stories of Max’s life, his struggles, and the love that continues to shape her every day. She candidly explores the complexities of grief, the strength it takes to pus...

In remembrance of the goodest boy, Mikey. Matt Gilhooly shares his profound journey through grief, beginning with the sudden loss of his mother at a young age. He reflects on how this pivotal moment shaped his life and the way he processes emotions. The discussion delves into the complexities of grief, the impact of childhood trauma, and the perfectionist tendencies that can arise from a desire to...

Host, Nina Rodriguez, sits down with Rebecca Feinglos, a certified grief support specialist and founder of Grieve Leave , to explore her profound journey through loss. After experiencing the death of both parents and navigating the end of her marriage, Rebecca took a courageous year-long 'grieve leave' to fully immerse herself in healing. Together, they delve into the non-linear nature o...

Host Nina Rodriguez explores the complexities of grief and the various support options available for those navigating loss. She discusses the importance of community, the differences between one-on-one support , and peer-led and specialist-led support groups , and addresses common fears associated with sharing grief in a group setting. She addresses common fears associated with joining support gro...

In this episode, Nina Rodriguez speaks with Charniah Wilson , who shares her journey of navigating grief after the sudden loss of her partner, Ken. Cha discusses how she channeled her grief into creativity through her platform ' Grief is Ghetto , ' and 'Cha's Random Thoughts,' where she combines humor and healing. The conversation explores the complexities of grief, the im...

In this episode, host Nina Rodriguez speaks with Annah Elizabeth, a grief coach and founder of the Five Facets of Healing ™. They discuss the complexities of grief, the importance of recognizing personal loss, and the journey of healing. Annah shares her own experiences with loss, including the death of her son and the betrayal of loved ones, and how these events shaped her understanding of grief....

Host, Nina Rodriguez, reflects on her journey through grief as she commemorates the fifth anniversary of her brother's passing. She shares personal insights on the emotional complexities surrounding grief anniversaries, the importance of creating meaningful rituals, and the impact of her brother's life on her own. Through a poignant reading of the speech she delivered at his memorial, Ni...

Multidisciplinary artist, creative grief guide, and podcast host, Gabriela Georges, talks about her journey through loss and how it has shaped her work. She shares the profound influence of her mother, Samira, who passed away shortly after a cancer diagnosis when Gaby was only 20, and how this loss inspired her to create The Grief Cocoon , a podcast and space for individuals to process their grief...

Join us for a powerful conversation with Moira Khan , a Certified Grief Educator and creator of GriefSpan , an online grief support community. After losing her mother, brother, and father within just five years, Moira faced the immense challenge of being the last remaining member of her immediate family. *** Click here to watch the video on YouTube *** In this episode, she reflects on the impact o...

In this deeply resonant episode, Annie Sklaver Orenstein, the insightful author of ' Always a Sibling: The Forgotten Mourners Guide to Grief , ' dives into the often-overlooked experience of sibling grief—a complex journey that’s rarely given the attention it deserves. Annie bravely shares her personal story of losing her brother Ben, a heart-wrenching loss that ignited her passion to cr...

Dr. Joshua Black , leading grief and bereavement researcher, speaker, and host of the Grief Dreams Podcast , shares his journey into the field of grief dreams (e.g., dreams of the deceased), and the profound insights they offer into the grieving process and continuing connections beyond death. *** Click here to watch on YouTube *** Dr. Black also explores the statistics and research findings on gr...

In this conversation, Oscar 'O.G.' Guerrero shares his story as a father navigating the devastating and sudden loss of his two-year-old son, Ollie, and how he has found a way to channel his grief into helping other men heal from trauma and loss. *** Watch this episode on YouTube *** Oscar delves into the immediate challenges and trauma faced after the loss, the process of forgiveness, dr...

"The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea.” This quote by Isak Dinesen inspired today’s guest, Margot Fowkes , to create Salt Water , a virtual community where grievers can share their stories and honor their loved ones. Margo is the founder and president of OnTarget Consulting and author of the award-winning book, LEADING THROUGH LOSS: HOW TO NAVIGATE GRIEF AT WORK , hel...

How can we unlock joy after loss?  This episode explores the possibility of experiencing joy after loss and provides guidance on incorporating self-compassion and joy into the grieving process. It emphasizes the importance of honoring each moment, leaning into curiosity, and rewarding the questions that arise. Nina shares tips for cultivating joy, such as setting reminders for gratitude and using...

Megan Gluth-Bohan 's path to success has been anything but a straight line, shaped by her challenging upbringing and personal struggles. Growing up in rural Iowa below the poverty line, Megan faced dysfunction, trauma, and difficult circumstances. She struggled with alcohol and drug use, which led to her getting kicked out of college. However, she eventually turned her life around, went back...

Camille Sapara Barton , author of ' Tending Grief, Embodied Rituals for Holding Our Sorrow and Growing Cultures of Caring Community ,' discusses the importance of tending to grief and creating communal spaces for grief. They emphasize the need to process grief through the body, and draw inspiration from the grief rituals of the Dagara people, who see grief as a generative force that supp...

In this conversation, Blair Kaplan Venables , a grief and resilience expert, shares her personal journey of resilience and how she turned her pain into purpose after experiencing multiple losses, including the loss of both parents and a pregnancy. She discusses the concept of resilience and defines it as 'bouncing forward' from a challenging experience. Blair also introduces the Navigati...

The first five years of grief: Year One: Shock and Fog Year Two: Year of Permanence Year Three: The Year of Inflammation and New Normals Year Four: The Pivot Year Year Five: The Year of Rebirth In this episode, Nina Rodriguez reflects on the first five years of her grief journey after the loss of her brother. She shares the different stages and experiences she went through, and discusses the impor...

Janet Gwilliam-Wright , a grief awareness advocate and educator, shares her personal experience of losing her mother and how it shaped her life. She launched the Mother Love Project as a platform for motherless daughters to share their stories, and co-founded Bloomwell Partners , a global training and consulting firm working to build more compassionate and grief-informed workspaces. In this conver...

Lauren "Lolo" Paz , founder of A Soulful Sorrow , discusses the profound journey of grief and finding healing, meaning, and spiritual reconnection after pregnancy loss. *** Click here to watch on YouTube *** She highlights the lack of resources and support for women navigating this complex terrain, and emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to healing, addressing the physical,...

“Not everything happens for a reason, but sacred gifts MAY be found in everything that happens – even (and especially) in the most painful things.”  – Not Another Self-Help Book That’s a quote from the newly published Amazon best-seller titled, "Not Another Self-Help Book: Finding Gifts in the Midst of Life's Sh*t," by guest, Lindsey Kane Leaverton,   who bravely shares her personal...