Grief is the New Normal Podcast with Dr. Heather Taylor

Breaking Barriers: Exploring Grief, Healing, and Racial Trauma with Ashley McGirt, LICSW In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor welcomes Ashley McGirt, LICSW and founder of the Therapy Fund Foundation. Ashley shares her personal journey into the field of mental health, driven by the loss of her grandmother and the systemic racial trauma impacting black and marginalized co...

Grieving the Person They Never Were In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor addresses a rarely discussed aspect of grief - mourning the version of a person that never existed. From unfulfilled roles and emotionally distant relationships to unresolved anger and relief, she explores the complex emotions that arise when grieving those you wished had been different. Dr. Taylor...

Navigating Grief and Cancer Through Children's Eyes: A Conversation with Irma Prosser In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor welcomes returning guest Irma Prosser to discuss her new children's book, 'Grandma Has No Hair.' The book, which portrays a child's perspective on a grandparent undergoing cancer treatment, aims to normalize the emotional and routine changes childre...

Navigating Grief in the Workplace with Dr. Heather Taylor In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal', Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed psychologist and grief specialist, addresses the pervasive issue of handling grief in the workplace. She highlights the inadequacies of current bereavement policies and the unrealistic expectations placed on grieving employees. Dr. Taylor discusses the profound imp...

Grief and the Social Battery: Navigating Energy Depletion In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor, a grief psychologist, delves into the exhausting nature of grief and its impact on social interactions. She introduces the concept of 'grief mode' and explains how it affects brain function and the nervous system, leading to extreme fatigue. Dr. Taylor discusses the importanc...

The Validity of Anger in Grief: Embracing the Fiery Side of Loss In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor discusses the often overlooked and misunderstood emotion of anger in the grieving process. Dr. Taylor emphasizes that anger is a natural and valid response to loss, challenging societal norms that view it as destructive or something to suppress. Throughout the episode,...

Navigating Collective Grief in Uncertain Times In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor discusses the pervasive sense of collective grief felt in today's political climate. She outlines how current events and political transitions contribute to a sense of loss, disillusionment, and identity crisis. Dr. Taylor addresses the compounded impact of personal and systemic grief, e...

Navigating Grief in the New Year: Season Two Kickoff In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor welcomes listeners to season two of the podcast, focusing on the complexities of dealing with grief as a new year begins. Dr. Taylor shares personal experiences and offers insights into managing grief without succumbing to societal pressures for New Year’s resolutions. She discusse...

Exploring Intergenerational Trauma with Katherine Vandervort In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor welcomes Katherine Vandervort, an LMHCA and former student making strides in the mental health field. They discuss the impact of intergenerational trauma on immigrant families, particularly focusing on the complex emotional dynamics experienced by the children of immigrants...

Exploring Grief through Transpersonal Psychology and Creative Practices with Dr. Jessica Thomas In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' hosted by Dr. Heather Taylor, the discussion features Dr. Jessica Thomas, a specialist in transpersonal psychology and grief therapy. Dr. Thomas explains how transpersonal psychology offers a broader understanding of grief through psycho-spiritual developmen...

Navigating Grief as a Single Parent In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal', Dr. Heather Taylor converses with Professor Lee Gernert-Larrea, a professor and licensed mental health counselor, about the challenges of parenting while grieving. They discuss the unique hurdles faced by single parents, the importance of self-care, and strategies for supporting children through grief. Lee shares her...

Navigating Holiday Grief with Dr. Jessica Rabon In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor speaks with Dr. Jessica Rabon, a licensed psychologist from South Carolina, about the complexities of experiencing grief during the holiday season. They discuss how grief manifests in various forms, such as death and non-death losses, and offer practical strategies for coping, including...

Navigating Grief-Aversaries and Honoring Loved Ones: A Personal Journey In the latest episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor explores the profound concept of 'grief-aversaries,' drawing from her personal experience of losing her brother 15 years ago. She recounts how her family's annual gatherings evolve, the meaningful rituals they've established, and the challenges of navigatin...

Anticipatory Grief and Coming Out: A Conversation with Miriam Cornell, LMFT In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor is joined by Miriam Cornell, LMFT from Minneapolis. They discuss the intersection of grief and the coming out process. Miriam shares their personal journey as a bisexual, non-binary individual and their professional experience working with clients navigating...

In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor speaks with licensed mental health counselor Sitara Marin about the complex interplay between grief and identity. They discuss how shifting roles, titles, and expectations in the wake of both death and non-death losses can impact one's sense of self. Sitara introduces her adapted tier model of grief, emphasizing the importance of acc...

Navigating Grief and Abortion with Compassion In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor welcomes Christine Slomski, a licensed professional counselor and reproductive grief specialist. Together, they explore the complex and nuanced relationship between abortion and grief. Christine shares her professional and personal journey in this field, discussing the importance of recog...

Why Postpartum Isn't All Bliss: Unpacking the Grief No One Warns You About with Hannah Carlsrud, LMHCA In this episode, Dr. Heather Taylor, a psychologist and grief specialist, engages in a profound discussion with Hannah Carlsrud, LMHCA, regarding the multifaceted experiences of postpartum life. They delve into the emotional challenges of transitioning into motherhood, such as the loss of one's p...

Grief is the New Normal: Embracing Nonlinear Grief with Polyvagal Theory In this enlightening episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor redefines the grieving process by integrating Deb Dana's polyvagal theory and the dual processing model. She challenges the traditional stage-based models of grief, presenting instead an understanding of how the nervous system—through ventral vagal,...

 In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor, a grief psychologist, is joined by Rebekah Thompson, her former doctoral student, who shares her personal and professional journey through infant loss. With the upcoming Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Day on October 15th, Rebekah offers insights into understanding and honoring this often misunderstood type of grief. They dis...

In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor is joined by Dr. Julie Bindeman, an expert in reproductive psychology, to discuss the intricate relationship between grief and reproductive health. Dr. Bindeman shares her personal journey and professional insights into reproductive psychology, highlighting the different ways grief manifests in this field. They explore the notion of...

In this episode of 'Grief Is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor discusses the subject of pet loss with special guest Dr. Adam Duberstein, a clinical psychologist specializing in grief, loss, and human development. They delve into the unique aspects of grieving a pet, share insights on anticipatory grief, and explore the multi-faceted ways pet loss can impact mental health. Highlighting the import...

Navigating Birthdays Through the Lens of Grief: A Reflective Journey In this special 30th episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed psychologist and grief specialist, delves into the complex emotions surrounding birthdays in the context of grief. Sharing personal anecdotes and reflective thoughts, Dr. Taylor explores the bittersweet nature of aging when loved ones are no...

In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor is joined by Erin Blechman to discuss deeply personal and sensitive topics, including child loss and suicide. Erin shares her heart-wrenching journey of losing her son Max to suicide and her subsequent path to healing, which includes writing a book titled 'My Unexpected Journey: Reflections After Losing My Son to Suicide' and becomin...

In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed psychologist and grief specialist, discusses the profound impact of losing a spouse or long-term partner. She explores the unique challenges this type of loss brings, from role changes to intense feelings of loneliness. Dr. Taylor offers insights on how to manage responsibilities, support oneself and others, and find ways...

Dr. Heather Taylor hosts a conversation with Ellen Benezra, LMHCA, a sex therapist, to explore the intersection of grief and sexuality. Ellen shares her journey to becoming a sex therapist and discusses how grief impacts individuals and couples in various ways, including libido changes and communication challenges. They also delve into how identity shifts, particularly with aging, can influence se...