Grief Refuge

There's a term in grief support called "disenfranchised grief." It means that your grief experience isn't accepted or doesn't fit in with the greater societal attitudes about how a death related loss is handled.  In essence, disenfranchised grief stops you from feeling fully supported. When you don't feel supported, the emotional pain progresses and you can feel more isolated and lonely. One aspec...

For many, there's a moment in grief when you realize the experience is much bigger than you. You realize grief can't be bottled up, avoided, or even controlled. You realize that grief is better served by befriending it, giving it space to better understand, and expressing it by sharing it with other people who won't judge you for feeling the way you feel. And then there's trauma… Trauma breaks tru...

In your grief, have you ever asked yourself "Who am I without my special person?" Have you thought about certain things that made your relationship complicated and how that might impact your grieving process? If so, you will love this guest interview with Kate Burns. On today's Grief Refuge podcast, Kate opens up to share some of the hard truths about the loss of her mother and the journey she's e...

In grief, some peoples' hearts are broken so wide open, that as they get repaired, their hearts fill with compassion. So much so that the innate desire to help others grows and gets louder and louder until it seems like there's no longer a choice. Something must be done to help.   Today's Grief Refuge podcast guest is Sadie Beyl. Sadie's life plans changed forever when her husband Paul died only 3...

There are times when words just can't explain what you are feeling. These are the times when your grief has too strong of a grip over you. These are also the times when moving your body to express your emotions is very helpful. The embodied movement helps to process grief, release tension, and help create internal shifts that make grief more manageable and bearable.  Today's Grief Refuge podcast g...

Call it an irony or even a paradox but grief has the power to pull you into more unknowns than what feels comfortable. Too much change is scary and the transitions are painful. Today's guest is Jan Owen. Jan is a licensed therapist in Alabama and the author of the book Fighting Forward . Jan shares more of her personal story and provides helpful guidance for anyone grieving and struggling with the...

Today's guest is Kari Eckart from Robbie's Hope foundation. Kari and her husband, Jason, are on a mission to end teen suicide and empower kids so that their voices are heard when they are struggling. Kari shares the loss of her son Robbie, experiences of "hold on, pain ends" (HOPE), and the ways Robbie's Hope Foundation helps teens feel seen and heard through suicidal ideation and other life chall...

Even though everyone's grief journey is unique, there are still expectations and preconceived notions for how someone is supposed to grieve. "How can I be strong? Am I grieving right? Is it okay to feel this way?" These are some of the things that men as widowed fathers can think and feel throughout their grief. Today's Grief Refuge podcast episode is an interview with Dr. Justin Yopp, psychologis...

Throughout the grief journey, there comes a time when you contemplate your purpose. You may feel more lost than ever or deeply inspired to be a source of hope and healing for others. "What do I do now?" becomes a fundamental question for how to move forward. The answer dictates whether grief takes over or if your story of loss can transform into a one of continued love. Today's Grief Refuge podcas...

The U.S. military serves as defense of the state and its interests against external armed threats. Many members lose their lives as part of active duty, other types of service, accidents, and other causes. What happens when everyday becomes a memorial for the families of the fallen? Today's episode is an interview with Laura Herzog, Founder of Honoring Our Fallen. Laura shares more about the organ...

Setting goals in life can be helpful. How helpful is setting goals in your grief? This episode explores the answer to this important question, offers some suggestions for goals to set, and also provides an alternative if setting goals doesn't feel right at this time.  If you need more grief support, download the Grief Refuge app for daily companionship, comfort, care, and compassionate guidance fo...

How is grief managed in the hospice setting? In this conversation with Helen Bauer and Jerry Fenter from "The Heart of Hospice," we discuss grief in hospice settings and how to help people live a high quality end of life experience. Do you need more grief support? Download the Grief Refuge app for daily companionship, comfort, care, and compassionate suggestions for managing grief (on iOS and Andr...

When you are grieving, faith can have a lasting impact on how you perceive the world. You can lose faith. You can grow in faith. On today's episode, Reid interviews Gary Roe, the author of several books on grief, about his source of faith and how he leans on it to navigate the challenging thoughts and feelings that grief brings to life. Do you need more grief support? Download the Grief Refuge app...

Guilt is a common emotion one feels in grief. This episode explains 5 different types of guilt that grievers often feel: Survivor Guilt, Relief-Guilt, Joy-Guilt, Magical Thinking, and Long Standing Personality Factors. An overview of each one is provided. Is grief making your grief feel worse? Download the Grief Refuge app for more support and comfort (on iOS and Android )

Sometimes you just need to process grief in a way that's different from the norm. Sometimes you need something more than talking through your feelings. Sometimes you need more than a good cry. Sometimes you need to do something that allows you to express exactly what you're feeling. On today's episode, Gabriela Georges from The Grief Cocoon shares her expertise in helping to hold space and time fo...

You may not recognize her name but you will know her sorrow. It is a tremendous honor to interview Patty Reis on the Grief Refuge Podcast. Patty is one of the rare people in this world who has felt the depths of despair and has made choices to be a source of light in someone else's dark- when it's needed most. Enjoy this meaningful interview: shared from one grieving Soul to another. Be sure to do...

Is there a way to live well, even while grieving? Grief Refuge welcomes Andrèa Grace Phillips from Griefway to share more about the loss of her son, Roman, and their continued relationship. Andrèa also shares how their connection and commitment to each other influences the services of Griefway: which includes grief guidance, support groups, and retreats for people in need. Be sure to download the...

It's often a watch or another piece of jewelry. It be can heirloom items as unique as giraffe statues or it can weigh over 900 lbs. Whatever the sentimental object is, it has meaning and it keeps a connection to the special person you lost. On this Grief Refuge podcast episode, Reid narrates an article he wrote with his grief companioning colleague, Belinda Kock, to speak to the hard decisions of...

In times of brokenness, weakness, and despair, it's not uncommon to have an experience that feels more than human. A connection to the Divine, communicating with a loved in Spirit form, and feelings of complete peace and grace: these are often labeled Transpersonal experiences.  On this Grief Refuge podcast episode, Reid interviews Scott Janssen about his social work in hospice and what is shared...

"Preparing for death doesn't mean you're ever prepared." A wise message from "Tina," a Grief Refuge community member who shares her story of adapting to life after the loss of her mother. Be sure to download the Grief Refuge app ( iOS and Android ) for more grief support.

It's hard to find support for your grief. It's even harder to find a community that can provide the support you need. On this episode, I interview Sara Cobb from My Grief Connection- who is putting her heart and Soul into making it easier to find your community of grief support.  Be sure to download the Grief Refuge app ( iOS or Android ) for grief support every day.

It's common to honor a loved one who has passed. How about honoring your grief? This episode talks you through what it means to honor your grief, why it's important, and how to do it.  Be sure to download the Grief Refuge app ( iOS and Android ) for more grief support.

Professionals call it "Prolonged Grief:" grief after the first year. It's taboo'd and can invoke feelings of shame if your grief still hurts. Karyn Arnold from Grief In Common joins me for a conversation about managing grief in the 2nd year of loss- when you can feel even more isolated because you're still grieving but the world has moved on.  Be sure to download the Grief Refuge app ( iOS and And...

Today, I'm sharing a personal story from my own experience. This story is one of many on the Grief Refuge app. If you're not getting enough grief support right now, download the app  ( iOS and Android ).

Parents are in a difficult situation when they have to hold their grief and the grief of their children. This episode is an interview with Mia Mendoza, Program Director at the Children's Grief Center of New Mexico. Mia shares more about the general ways children grieve and how adults can grieve around (and with) children. Be sure to download the Grief Refuge app ( iOS and Android ) for more grief...