Grief Gratitude & Greatness

Julia Evans left her home state of California to pursue nursing and a fresh start. Sarah speaks to Julia about how the disfunction of her mother's mental health followed her, and the grief she experienced as she lost the mom she came to care for. Julia Evans, RN, BSN, CNRN is a Neuroscience ICU nurse at OHSU in Portland, OR. She has worked in memory care, skilled nursing and acute care, all with a...

Rebekah Van Pelt — or The Brave One, as her cape reads — is a mother of 4 children who transformed the birthday gift of a cape into a daily uniform. She redefines herself with this comforting cloak, countering her childhood trauma. Sarah speaks with Rebekah about her unusual childhood and how she embraces a path to healing. Rebekah Van Pelt is learning to embrace both the joyful and hard moments e...

Met with the losses of her father and a number of peers in the art community, contemporary artist Marne Lucas shifted her focus from sexuality to death. Working as a death doula, she emphasizes art's importance to our humanity. Sarah speaks with Marne about her Bardo ∞ Project, where she works with dying artists to help them complete their legacy projects. Marne Lucas is New York-based multidiscip...

Our guest has experienced a great deal of loss, including her husband's unexpected death and the murder of her son. Raising a large family as a single mother, Kimberely Dixon perseveres with her naturally warm and engaging personality. Sarah speaks with Kim about her experiences and her choice to forgive. Kimberely Dixon is a speaker, advocate, writer and life coach living in Portland, Oregon. Gri...

David F. Walker overcame the early loss of his father and activated his love of comics to become a successful comic book writer, filmmaker and publisher. Sarah speaks with David about his experiences with grief and how it has informed his storytelling. David F. Walker is a comic book and graphic novelist who has worked for Marvel, DC, Image, and Random House. He also teaches at Portland State Univ...

Faced with the death of her husband, Carole set the intention of writing each day, revealing the almost unfathomable beauty the world continues to provide — even in widowhood. Sarah speaks to Carole about her writing, which she published as a book, Singing Beyond Sorrow: A Year Of Grief, Gratitude & Grace. Carole Marie Downing is a heart-centered writer, facilitator, and coach who is passionat...

There are artists who address our grief with their talents; Lori Mason is one of those people. She creates memorial quilts assembled from the ephemera of those who have died. Sarah speaks with Lori about her inspiration and process, and about her own experiences with grief. Lori Mason is a quilt artist/textile designer specializing in creating memory quilts from the clothing of the deceased. She l...

As a chef and restaurant owner, Tommy learned his trade working with some of the most recognizable names in the culinary world. His industry is only now coming to terms with its prevalence of alcohol and drug abuse. Sarah speaks with Tommy about grief and learns that much of his healing has come from addressing his own addiction. Tommy Habetz makes food at Bunk and Pizza Jerk . He loves his mom —...

As a Korean-born adoptee, Beth grew up in a predominantly white, Christian community. Her middle-American childhood was one where she never really fit in. Sarah speaks with Beth about the complexities of incomplete grief as an adoptee and a woman of color. Beth Haworth-Kaufka is a writer and researcher. She has published in various journals and magazines and is currently working on a novel. Grief...

Sometimes we unconsciously make choices based on what others feel is best for us, even though it's not what we really want. Sarah speaks to Clarice about how an unwelcome diagnosis allowed her to begin living for herself. Clarice Connolly is is a women's empowerment coach and podcast host. Clarice leads a twice monthly support group for individuals with herpes. Check Portland H Meetup for more inf...

When you meet Rashida, it's surprising to learn that she's a police officer. Her unique position with the Portland Police Bureau allows her to serve as a community organizer and healer for families struggling through traumatic events. Sarah speaks with Rashida about her assignment and what it looks like when the police serve as social workers. Grief Gratitude & Greatness is hosted by Sarah Sha...

Alden knows how to make a funny and bold first impression, and is forthcoming and full of levity while describing his deeply personal experience with grief. Sarah speaks to Alden about how he is able to connect, heal and experience joy after losing his son. Grief Gratitude & Greatness is hosted by Sarah Shaoul and is a production of Recursive Delete Audio/Visual in Portland, Oregon. This episo...

As a young woman, Marci experienced some bizarre and painful physical sensations, which turned out to be symptoms of two different auto-immune diseases. She didn't allow her diagnosis to change her life, even as it posed great challenges. Sarah speaks to Marci about the stress of living with her condition and finding solace in her creative process. Marci shares photos of her paintings on Instagram...

Sometimes the stories we learn about our families are revised to spare survivors the mental wounds of the past. Seth is working on a memoir to fill in the missing emotional depth of his stoic family's story. Sarah speaks to Seth about the unexpected triggers of grief and the complexities of generational trauma. Seth Lorinczi is a Portland-based writer. His essay “Who Won The War?” is referenced in...

As a writer, and as someone who has experienced loss herself, Jamie recognized an opportunity to create a new business. She writes interesting, compelling obituaries that more fully memorialize deceased individuals. Sarah speaks to Jamie about her essays, her interesting childhood, and the similarities between grief and mental illness. Jamie Passaro is a writer based in Eugene, Oregon. Grief Grati...

As a young boy, Rozzell experienced the loss of two family members in a very unusual way. Sarah speaks to him about living with the unknown, how his instinct for survival exists in tandem with his grief, and the way his art brings him closer to those taken from him. Grief Gratitude & Greatness is hosted by Sarah Shaoul and is a production of Recursive Delete Audio/Visual in Portland, Oregon. T...

Sally shares her remarkable story of love and loss while navigating solo motherhood. Sarah speaks to her about the halcyon days of her youthful romance with her first husband, single parenting and finding new love. Grief Gratitude & Greatness is hosted by Sarah Shaoul and is a production of Recursive Delete Audio/Visual in Portland, Oregon. This episode was produced & edited by Jack Saturn...

Sarah speaks to Kevin about emotional rewards and the lessons learned during his time as a hospice volunteer. Grief Gratitude & Greatness is hosted by Sarah Shaoul and is a production of Recursive Delete Audio/Visual in Portland, Oregon. This episode was produced & edited by Jack Saturn, with additional production by Sarah. The music was by Samantha Jensen. Visit us at https://griefgratitu...

A father looks to humor and community in managing without his late wife. Sarah speaks to John about his discoveries as a widower and single dad. Grief Gratitude & Greatness is hosted by Sarah Shaoul and is a production of Recursive Delete Audio/Visual in Portland, Oregon. This episode was produced & edited by Jack Saturn, with additional production by Sarah. The music was by Samantha Jense...

A passionate, adventurous and youthful marriage is transformed in an afternoon. Sarah speaks to a forever-young widow about her perseverance and how she discovered the greatest love in motherhood. Grief Gratitude & Greatness is hosted by Sarah Shaoul and is a production of Recursive Delete Audio/Visual in Portland, Oregon. This episode was produced & edited by Jack Saturn, with additional...

Confronted with the suicide of his sister, this former pro skater uses his skills to raise funds for suicide awareness and prevention. Sarah speaks to him about his loss and his efforts to help others. Grief Gratitude & Greatness is hosted by Sarah Shaoul and is a production of Recursive Delete Audio/Visual in Portland, Oregon. This episode was produced & edited by Jack Saturn, with additi...

Loss drove Cara from family, marriage and community to a completely new life. In dialogue with Sarah, she speaks about being a single mother, and our responsibility to hold space for one another. Grief Gratitude & Greatness is hosted by Sarah Shaoul and is a production of Recursive Delete Audio/Visual in Portland, Oregon. This episode was produced & edited by Jack Saturn, with additional p...

Grief, Gratitude and Greatness explores the different ways we grieve, the gratitude that allows us to keep going, and the greatness we attain, one conversation at a time. Essayist and coach Sarah Shaoul talks with guests who share compelling stories about loss and the lessons associated with their experiences. This introductory episode features brief, tantalizing snippets from the first six episod...