Grief & Grit

Greer and Simonie sit down with Jordan Arogeti, co-founder and CEO of SupportNow and host of the podcast Moms Like Me, to explore what it really means to show up for people in crisis.   Jordan shares how a simple idea — born from countless “cash and casserole” moments during COVID — evolved into a platform that helps people offer meaningful, practical support during life’s hardest seasons. From or...

How do you keep living after the unthinkable? In this episode of Grief & Grit, we sit down with Rachael Strauss, who shares the heartbreaking yet profoundly human story of losing her younger brother, Herschel Siegel, to suicide at just 24 years old.   Rachael paints a vivid picture of Herschel’s vibrant, magnetic personality — and the painful reality of his mental health struggles, which deepe...

In this episode of Grief & Grit, we sit down with Lynn Handmacher Chanin, who lost her 16-year-old son Benjamin to suicide 15 years ago. With candor, strength, and grace, Lynn shares how she navigated the initial shock, the unbearable grief, and the long road toward healing.   Through Ben’s story, Lynn challenges us to change the way we talk about suicide. She discusses the importance of langu...

Simonie and Greer sit down with Mitch Cohen, widower, rabbi, grief counselor, and co-author of Men in Grief: Stories of Growth Through Struggles with Trauma and Loss, for an intimate and vulnerable conversation about losing his wife, Suzette, by suicide. Mitch reflects on Suzette’s life, the challenges she faced as the child of Holocaust survivors, and the ways mental health, menopause, and silenc...

In this powerful and heart-opening episode of Grief & Grit, Greer and Simonie sit down with Ashley Jones, photographer, author, and founder of the Momento Foundation . Ashley shares the deeply personal story of losing her daughter Skylar to SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy) and how that loss led her to create an organization that offers terminal families the priceless gift of photography and remem...

We’re turning one! 🥳 In this anniversary episode, co-hosts Greer and Simonie reflect on a full year of Grief & Grit — the laughs, the tears, and the behind-the-scenes chaos (yes, someone forgot to hit record… more than once).   They share how the podcast began, what they’ve learned from each other and their guests, and how grief has shaped them, and this community. Whether you’ve been here si...

Summer is supposed to be all sunshine, pool days, and BBQs. But what happens when your grief doesn’t take a seasonal break? In this episode, Greer and Simonie talk candidly about the unexpected emotional weight summer can bring after loss. From sunscreen mishaps to solo parenting challenges, canceled travel traditions, and the haunting contrast between sunny skies and inner gloom, they unpack it a...

In this episode, we sit down with Kurt Moore, a widowed dad raising two kids while navigating life after the death of his wife, Emily. With both humor and honesty, Kurt shares how his personal history of grief—including losing his own father as a teenager—shaped the way he’s parented through unimaginable loss.   We talk about how kids grieve—often saying the things adults are too afraid to admit—w...

In this episode of Grief & Grit, Greer and Simonie dive into a topic that every griever has faced: the well-meaning but hurtful things people say after a loss. They discuss why some common phrases — like “everything happens for a reason” or “they’re in a better place” — can feel dismissive and painful.   Greer and Simonie share personal stories, including Greer’s reflections on the fourth anni...

Grief doesn’t always stem from death. Sometimes, it’s the end of a marriage, the loss of a dream, or the shift in your identity that brings you to your knees. In this episode of Grief & Grit, we sit down with Justin Milrad, a divorce coach, father, and someone who has experienced the pain of divorce firsthand. Divorce is a kind of grief that isn’t often talked about in the same way as other lo...

In this poignant episode of Grief & Grit, we sit down with Debbie Derby and Barry Rabinowitz, parents of Ashira—a vibrant, fearless, and joy-filled young woman whose sudden passing left an unimaginable void, but also a powerful legacy. Ashira, whose name means I will sing, was a force of light. She danced through life—literally and metaphorically—lifting others with her humor, confidence, and...

When grief hits, the last thing many of us feel ready to face is “the stuff” left behind—clothing, toiletries, papers, and memory-soaked objects that now carry the weight of absence. In this heart-opening episode, we sit down with Michelle Cooper, Certified Professional Organizer and founder of Put It There , to explore the emotional and logistical layers of decluttering after loss.   Michelle sha...

In this episode of Grief & Grit, we sit down with David Pritchard, a devoted father who lost his 17-year-old son, Nick, to suicide nearly 13 years ago. David bravely shares his heartbreaking yet inspiring journey through grief, reflecting on the shock, devastation, and lingering questions that come with losing a child in such an unexpected way.   David opens up about the overwhelming guilt, th...

Getting Back Up - Resilience in the Face of Grief 🌟   In this Grief & Grit episode, Greer and Simonie explore the emotional rollercoaster of physical and emotional falls. When Greer unexpectedly sprains her ankle, the incident triggers past traumas and reignites deep-seated grief. 🚑💔 Listen as they share how such moments demand both physical recovery and emotional resilience, offering perso...

Dating after loss—whether from death, divorce, or the end of a significant relationship—can feel like stepping into a whole new world. In this episode of Grief & Grit, Greer and Simonie get real about navigating the dating scene post-loss. From hilarious mishaps (hello, water guy and the man who wouldn’t board a plane!) to the emotional complexities of finding love again, they share their expe...

Rituals provide structure, comfort, and connection in the midst of grief. In this episode of Grief & Grit, Greer and Simonie explore the profound role rituals play in honoring and remembering loved ones after loss. They are joined by grief expert Carol Shutley from the Momento Foundation , who shares insights into how rituals—both small and large—can offer grounding and healing.   Carol discus...

In this insightful and moving episode of Grief & Grit, we dive deep into signs, mediumship, and the unseen connections that bring comfort to those who are grieving. Greer and Simonie are joined by The Intuitive Therapist, Janis R. Cohen, a gifted psychic medium and therapist who shares her journey of embracing her intuitive gifts and helping others find healing and closure. Janis explains how...

As we step into 2025, Greer Mendel and Simonie Levy welcome special guest Heather Markle, certified resilience coach and educator, to discuss a refreshing approach to the new year: setting intentions instead of resolutions. In this candid and empowering conversation, Heather shares her journey of resilience through grief and how practices like choosing a word of the year and the transformative “Bu...

In this episode of Grief & Grit, Greer and Simonie explore the intersection of grief and anxiety with special guest Shann Vander Leek from the Anxiety Slayer podcast. Shann shares her insights on how grief-related anxiety manifests, from panic attacks and hyper-awareness of mortality to the overwhelming fear of an uncertain future. Greer and Simonie open up about their personal experiences wit...

The holiday season can be one of the most challenging times for those grieving the loss of a loved one. In this episode of Grief & Grit, co-hosts Greer Mendel and Simonie Levy share their personal stories of navigating winter holidays after losing their spouses. They offer compassionate guidance, from letting go of painful traditions to creating new ones that honor your loved one's memory. Dis...

As Thanksgiving approaches, Greer and Simonie dive into the complex relationship between grief and gratitude in this episode of Grief & Grit. They share personal stories about transforming the holiday into a time of remembrance and thanks. Greer reflects on her struggles with Thanksgiving after Jarrod’s passing, while Simonie talks about the impact of her late husband Mark’s leukemia diagnosis...

In this impactful episode of Grief & Grit, we welcome Lane Pease, Director of Education & Innovative Programming at Kate’s Club. Lane shares her personal grief journey and explains how Kate’s Club supports children and teens who have lost a caregiver or sibling. As we recognize National Children’s Grief Awareness Day, observed every year on the Thursday before Thanksgiving, we dive into th...

In this Grief & Grit episode, Greer and Simonie welcome Shann Vander Leek, co-host of Anxiety Slayer and their podcast coach. Shann opens up about her journey of grieving a complicated relationship with her father. She shares the difficult decision to take a decade-long break to heal, the boundaries she needed to set, and the personal growth that led to a renewed bond before his passing. Greer...

In this special Halloween-themed episode of Grief & Grit, Greer and Simonie dive into the idea of the "mask" we wear in grief. Just as people wear costumes to conceal their true identity on Halloween, we often hide our true emotions behind a mask when dealing with grief. The discussion covers the different masks we put on—from the strong, happy, or busy personas to the deep disconnect from our...

In this touching episode of Grief & Grit, we continue our series for Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month with a very special guest, Sarah Jarvis. Sarah shares her deeply personal and emotional journey through infertility, the grief of unmet expectations, and the transformative experience of building her family through surrogacy and adoption. Sarah’s story is one of resilience, love, and...