GRIEF AND LIGHT

Is it possible to begin grieving a loss after 30 years? Join us as we delve into the profound impact of grief on our lives and the importance of opening up the conversation surrounding it. Judy Lipson is the author of Celebration of Sisters: It Is Never Too Late To Grieve , winner of Literary Titan’s 2021 Silver Award. The sole survivor of three sisters, Judy founded Celebration of Sisters , an an...

Welcome to the Season 2 of the Grief and Light Podcast! Season 2 is a deliberate exploration of the "Anatomy of Grief," aiming to demystify the misunderstood aspects of grief and offer a platform for diverse voices to share their unique stories, resources, experience, education and more. We're not just talking about grief; we're redefining what it means to be grief-informed. By...

A message for the new year… I'm about to reveal a "secret" that's been a quiet cornerstone of my journey – a confession that feels like turning a page in our shared narrative.  As we stand at the threshold of a new year, I want to express my deepest gratitude to the soul tribe that has grown with me since the podcast's inception on March 30th, 2023.  The journey, which beg...

What would you do if your only sibling, your sister, was diagnosed with a terminal illness the day after giving birth to her second child? In this heartfelt episode, we embark on an intimate conversation with the remarkable Dr. Kelly S. Thompson , delving into the intricacies of her military upbringing and the unique sisterhood she shared with Meghan. Kelly candidly shares the challenges of naviga...

The sudden death of a parent, the loss of three close friends, and a sexual assault were among the catalysts of Jonathan Niziol’s 15-year spiral into alcohol, drugs, exercise addiction, anxiety and depression. His story, however, was kept hidden behind a carefully-constructed social media exterior, until now… Raised in a serene Canadian farm, Jonathan Niziol's life is soon shadowed by the unt...

Join us for a magical conversation with Danielle Catherine Baker, a dedicated mother, women's health mentor, doula and female yoga teacher. She lives nomadically with her family, hosts Women's Circle Online, and women's circles wherever she lands. Danielle is also the host of the Depths of Motherhood Podcast , where she welcomes guests to raise awareness for undisturbed birth and co...

Handle with care.  My intention is always to honor my guests’ truths, stories, their loved ones’ stories, and to deliver these heart-felt stories to you as a listener with care. Some stories are more layered than others. In this episode, we hear from a brave sister, Brittany Merz, doing everything in her power to honor her beloved sister, Samantha, who, as of this recording, passed a mere 10 weeks...

"I never understood why when someone dies the bereaved post quotes with photos of nature — waves, sunsets, clouds, rain … and then my brother died. My only sibling.  And I found myself living somewhere between the earth and the sky, crying into the sunset, because I finally understood that nature is the only force capable of holding the magnitude of my grief. " - Nina Rodriguez In the ea...

Meet Andrianna, a remarkable young woman who experienced the heartbreaking loss of her brother, Christopher, just three years ago. This devastating loss, along with having to navigate a complex relationship with her mother, shaped her path and mission to create a community of support and understanding.  Andrianna is a certified family life educator, holds a B.S in Human Development & Family St...

In this heartfelt conversation, my husband, Cesar, and I delve into the complex dynamics of adult sibling loss, and how it has tested, strengthened, and reshaped our relationship. You will hear a candid exploration of the grief journey from a husband's perspective, providing unique insights into the challenges and triumphs of grieving as a couple. We share our experiences, discussing the init...

In this episode, we explore how grief can transform and redefine our personal boundaries, either drawing them closer or pushing them further away, as well as how grief triggers, such as anger or sadness, can serve as indicators of these shifting boundaries. The episode also highlights the challenge of communicating these changing boundaries to others, and emphasizes the importance of honoring them...

Watch the video on YouTube *** This episode is dedicated to our brothers and sisters in Lāhainā, Maui , who suffered the tremendous loss of their lives, loved ones, homes, and life as they knew it as a result of the catastrophic wildfires on August 2023. We encourage you to support the ongoing rescue and relief efforts. Here are some organizations making a difference: The Maui Strong Fund from the...

Buy the book here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C4M137BJ I have the honor of introducing a remarkable guest whose life story is a testament to resilience, self-discovery, healing generational trauma, and the power of love. Her name is Amanda McKoy Flanagan , and she is an author, podcast co-host, a mother, wife, and a life-long spiritual seeker. In this episode, we’re talking spirituality, personal...

The Ripple Effect: Conversations For Change Series EP.8 Breaking the Silence on Preventable Stillbirth with Domenique Rice, TJ's Mom In this moving episode, we have the honor of sitting down with Domenique Rice , a remarkable woman, friend, and Director of Operations for Push for Empowered Pregnancy , who unapologetically shares her story of enduring the devastating birth and stillbirth of he...

Welcome to the first of a series of episodes called, " The Ripple Effect: Conversations for Change ," where we explore pressing issues, and highlight inspiring individuals making a difference. In this powerful episode, we delve into the critical topics of fentanyl, overdose prevention, harm reduction, recovery and hope. Shining a light on these topics and addressing them openly and hones...

What is the difference between pain and suffering in grief? Grief is an unwelcome companion that we never invite into our lives. It barges in unannounced, shattering our world and leaving us to pick up the pieces.  It feels as if a part of us has been torn away, leaving behind an emptiness that seems impossible to fill. But here's the thing, while the pain is undeniably real, the suffering ca...

Father’s Day is around the corner, and if you know a father who has lost their son or daughter, or if you’ve lost your father, then you know it’s simply not the same. Like many holidays, Father’s Day highlights the absence of our loved one no longer with us, and while many try to make it a joyful experience, fathers are often left to mask their feelings and suffer in silence. Many men have been ta...

Grief is such a common experience, and yet we seem to understand so little about it.  For decades, many believe the "stages of grief" are the only way to "recover" from a loss -- a sort of process to complete so you can "go on with life".  The bereaved and grieving know all too well this is not how it actually works. In this episode, we'll look at the history and...

This episode is about people who say the darndest things to people who have suffered the loss of a loved one. We live in a grief-averse society where big feelings and emotions are to be pushed away so we can move on with our lives. Because of this, we are often ill-equipped to care for the bereaved and grieving. The result? Grievers end up on the receiving end of hurtful and awful “advice” or “sup...

It's the week after Easter Sunday and Sibling Grief Monday. How's your grief hangover? I hope you're taking care of yourself. In this episode, I share a physical grief-related experience that let me to understand one of the deepest truths about grief -- that grief is not this OR that; it's this AND that. I named this concept "felicitreza", or happy-sadness in English....

Welcome to my podcast launch!  This is a space created for you by someone who gets it – your grief; your foundation-shattering reality;  and the question of what the heck do we do with all of these shattered pieces of life and loss around us. It’s also for the listener who wants to better understand their loved one who is grieving, perhaps wants to learn how to help, or just wants to be more grief...