Grief is the New Normal Podcast with Dr. Heather Taylor

*Trigger Warning: Sensitive Content Ahead In this episode of Grief is the New Normal (Episode 33), we speak with Kristina Spurlock, LMHC, about the deeply personal and painful realities of sexual assault trauma and grief. Please be advised: This conversation includes discussions of sexual violence, emotional trauma, and the grieving process that may be activating for some listeners. If you are cur...

Collective Grief: Navigating Pain in a Troubled World In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor discusses the concept of collective grief, highlighting the emotional toll of societal and systemic issues, especially on marginalized communities, amid political and social upheavals. She explains how grief manifests in various forms, such as burnout, rage, and emotional numbness...

Navigating Perinatal Loss: A Deep Dive with Caitlin Silverstein, LCSW In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal', Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed psychologist and grief specialist, converses with Caitlin Silverstein, LCSW, on her work and experiences with perinatal loss. Caitlin shares her journey from working with spinal cord injury patients in a busy NYC hospital to specializing in maternal men...

Navigating Empty Nest Grief: Identity, Transitions, and Self-Compassion In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed psychologist and grief specialist, delves into the complex emotions surrounding the empty nest transition. Dr. Taylor discusses the profound grief that can accompany this phase of life, even though it's often viewed as a joyful milestone. She addresse...

Navigating Grief: A Conversation with Moira Khan of Griefspan In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed psychologist and grief specialist, welcomes Moira Khan, an international grief educator and coach. Moira shares her personal journey through multiple losses, including the sudden death of her mother, brother, and father, and discusses her passion for grief educ...

Understanding and Validating Disenfranchised Grief In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed psychologist and grief specialist, addresses the topic of disenfranchised grief. This type of grief is often unrecognized or dismissed by society, which makes it feel particularly isolating. Dr. Taylor explains what disenfranchised grief is, provides examples including pe...

Grief, Humor, and the Long Arc of Healing: A Conversation with Rebecca Soffer of Modern Loss In this episode of Grief is the New Normal, Dr. Heather Taylor talks with Rebecca Soffer, the co-founder of the Modern Loss community. Rebecca shares her personal journey through grief after the loss of her parents and the inception of Modern Loss. They discuss the integration of humor in grief, the import...

Grieving Unmet Expectations: Navigating Life's Unexpected Turns In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed psychologist and grief specialist, addresses the often-overlooked grief of unmet expectations. She delves into the pain of life's deviations from our plans, the societal pressures that exacerbate these feelings, and offers practical advice for coping and movi...

Navigating Mother's Day Part 2: A Guide for Those Grieving Invisible Losses  In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor addresses the unique challenges faced by individuals grieving on Mother's Day, particularly those dealing with infertility, miscarriage, or the loss of a child. This is part two of the Mother's Day series. Dr. Taylor offers compassionate strategies on coping...

Navigating Mother's Day Amidst Grief: Part One In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed psychologist and grief specialist, discusses the complexities and emotional challenges that Mother's Day can bring for those grieving the loss of a mother or a mother figure. Dr. Taylor provides practical strategies for self-care, emphasizes the validity of all types of grief...

Navigating the Emotional Terrain of Retirement In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor explores the often overlooked grief associated with retirement. She delves into the identity shift and emotional fallout that can occur when leaving a career, whether planned or unexpected. Dr. Taylor shares personal anecdotes and client experiences to highlight the complexity of this li...

Navigating Infertility: Grief, Hope, and Support In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor speaks with Ahlia Kim, a licensed marriage family therapist specializing in infertility, about the grief tied to infertility and pregnancy loss. They discuss the emotional landscape of those struggling with infertility, the misunderstandings and stigmas surrounding it, and how it affec...

Navigating the Emotional Layers of Moving and Grief In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor explores the emotional complexities of moving. She emphasizes that relocating involves more than just physical changes; it's an emotional journey that often includes unexpected grief. Heather shares personal stories of her own moves, highlighting the significance of saying goodbye t...

Navigating the Complex Terrain of Grief with Chris Drew In this engaging conversation, life and mental health coach Chris Drew shares her insights on dealing with grief. Chris, who transitioned from a graphic designer to a coach, sheds light on the different facets of grief, whether from death or life transitions, and how it can manifest in various forms. The discussion covers practical approaches...

Anticipatory Grief: Understanding and Coping Before the Loss In this episode of Grief is the New Normal, Dr. Heather Taylor explores the complexities of anticipatory grief, which occurs before an actual loss. She defines it as a real and valid form of grief that can be emotionally exhausting and often misunderstood. Through a personal story about her grandmother, Dr. Taylor illustrates how anticip...

Navigating Grief: Understanding and Coping Over Time with Jen Reisinger, LMHC In this insightful episode, Dr. Heather Taylor welcomes back Jen Reisinger, LMHC, PMH-C to discuss the complex and unpredictable nature of grief. They explore how grief manifests at different times and in various forms, often catching people off guard. Using metaphors like ‘waves of grief’ and ‘tsunamis,’ they illustrate...

Navigating Grief with Chronic Illness: Redefining Your New Normal In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed psychologist and grief specialist, explores the often-overlooked grief associated with chronic illness. Dr. Taylor shares her own personal journey with postpartum cardiomyopathy and how it has reshaped her life. She discusses the multifaceted nature of this...

Navigating Family Systems and Grief In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor converses with Sarah Grace Stevenson, a licensed marriage and family therapist associate from Alabama. They delve into the pervasive nature of grief in family systems, examining how different family members process and express grief. Sarah Grace shares insights on the importance of intentionality i...

Confronting Death: Embracing Real Conversations About Grief In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed psychologist and grief specialist, dives deep into the societal discomfort surrounding death. Dr. Taylor discusses why it's crucial to normalize conversations about death and offers practical advice on how we can start doing so. She highlights the importance of u...

Navigating Perinatal Loss and Grief Support with Emily Guarnotta In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor is joined by Dr. Emily Guarnotta, a licensed psychologist and certified perinatal mental health provider (PMH-C) from South Carolina. They discuss the often overlooked grief associated with perinatal loss, including miscarriage and stillbirth. Dr. Emily shares her perso...

Grief's Emotional Math: Understanding Shifts in Relationships In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed psychologist and grief specialist, addresses the complex emotional dynamics that emerge through grief, particularly how relationships are affected. The discussion highlights 'emotional math'—the unexpected support and disappointments from people during grief. D...

Navigating Birth Trauma and NICU Experiences with Compassion: A Conversation with Lauren Hunter, LCSW, PMH-C In this episode, host Dr. Heather Taylor welcomes Lauren Hunter, an LCSW and PMH-C based in New York, to discuss the profound impacts of birth trauma and the NICU experience. Lauren shares her personal journey and professional insights into supporting women through fertility challenges, pre...

Navigating Identity Loss Through Grief In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal', Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed psychologist and grief specialist, dives deep into how grief affects not just the sense of loss but the sense of self. She discusses how losing someone can upend one's identity, disrupt roles, routines, and hobbies, and create a feeling of disconnection from the self. Dr. Taylor also...

Navigating Grief: A Conversation with Malisa Hepner, LCSW In this insightful episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor speaks with Malisa Hepner, an LCSW from Oklahoma, about the intricacies of grieving and how it affects daily functioning. Malisa shares her personal journey through significant losses and her professional experience in hospice care, emphasizing the isolating nature...

Grief, Burnout, and Compassion Fatigue: Navigating Emotional Exhaustion In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed psychologist and grief specialist, addresses the intersection of grief and burnout, particularly focusing on compassion fatigue. She discusses the exhausting nature of grief and the additional strain of caregiving roles, providing practical strategies...