Heroes in Grief

Rosanne Norris embarked on a spiritual path, in 2018, after her thirty-year-old son, Lee, passed from an accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. She is an affiliate leader for an international, non-profit organization, called Helping Parents Heal, a support group for parents. Rosanne is the author of the book, beLEEve, a Journey of Loss, Healing, and Hope (2020), and a contributor to several antholo...

Dolores Cruz is the author of two books—Look Around: A Mother’s Journey from Grief and Despair to Healing and Hope, and A Bird Called Wisdom—both written after the sudden death of her 24-year-old son, Eric. She has also published two articles with HuffPost on the topic of grief. She is a Certified Grief Educator and has completed certification as a Grief Yoga instructor. Dolores continues to honor...

Christine Bailor-Goodlander, BA, RN, BCTMB, LMT, MLD-C, Transformational Life Coach, End of Life Doula: As a Transformational Life Coach, Christine has trained with The Nurse Coach Collective and The Brave Thinking Institute (Mary Morrisey). Helping individuals discover their limiting beliefs and assisting them in getting past them, is the goal of coaching. Facilitating the uncovering of the inter...

Soulmates Tom & Warren talk about Warren's angel child Nolan & his amazing talents, men's grief & the stigma of grief in our society. Links for Nolan: Nolan's Spotify Channel: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1yDDSqXwz4bwQ8pzWoDZ2T?si=haLI-hXMSQClRQ0MpN0Ryw Nolan Gibbons Memorial Fund: www.nolangibbons.org Helping Fathers Heal: https://www.facebook.com/groups/381539785967854 Helping Par...

Lisa K. Boehm’s life was forever changed when her daughter Katie died in a car accident. Despite the immense heartache, Lisa found a way to rebuild her life with gratitude and intentional living, honoring her daughter's memory. She is the author of  Journey to HEALING: A Mother’s Guide to Navigating Child Loss , a certified grief educator, and the creator of The Angel Moms Podcast, where she...

Sara Rian is an American poet, self-published author, mother, wife, licensed therapist, and griever living in Metro Detroit. She has been drawn to grief poetry ever since her mother's death in 2018. Her mother embraced the power of words through her own love notes and poems and had always wanted to publish a book. As a mental health professional, suicide loss survivor, and grieving human...

From Kelly...I am a Pet Loss Grief Coach and Certified Grief Educator, honored to walk with others through the challenging journey of pet loss. Having supported many individuals and families, and navigated my own losses, I am dedicated to addressing topics in pet loss that often go unspoken. My passion is in writing about the many unique aspect of pet loss and offering pet parents both compassiona...

Christina Stiverson is a certified grief coach, retired US Air Force officer, fitness professional, and President of Foundation for Addie’s Research. Christina became passionate about rare pediatric cancer research and helping other mothers through grief after her 3-year-old daughter passed away in 2016. Her transformational story recently captured the hearts of millions when she was featured by T...

Tom, Dolores & Anne-marie discuss the book Shining Light Parents Speak from Helping Parents Heal. What are the odds that the four mothers behind this book (all formerly strangers) each have a son ‘on the other side’, who passed in a single-vehicle vehicle accident? A hopeful new book launched at the annual conference for non-profit grief support group, Helping Parents Heal Inc, will help thous...

Liz Wolczko is a bereaved mom, sibling and daughter. Her journey with grief began in 1974 with the death of her oldest brother John. Liz’s 26-year-old daughter and only child, Joana, died in 2008, the same year she lost her sister-in-law and Mother. Liz and her mother Sally Ketchum, were pioneers in the Hospice movement, creating the first Hospice in Maryland in 1979, that was also the third in th...

Your host Tom Bender shares his story of the loss of his son Jeff & what has happened since. Very sorry to Michael G. Reccia, I pronounced his name wrong. The last name is pronounced "Ray-Cha" Links related to the episode: David Kessler's site: www.grief.com Helping Parents Heal: www.helpingparentsheal.org Helping Fathers Heal Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HelpingFathersHeal...

Gina Waterman is a certified Grief Recovery Specialist and Grief Coach who walks people through the Grief Recovery Method®, an evidence-based program that eases your emotional pain and shows you healthier ways to cope with life transitions. Her insights into grief and loss run deep. She has overcome emotional and physical pain that overlapped with her full-time family caregiving responsibilities (...

Tom & DeeAnn are both local award winning vocalists. Although not acquainted personally they were connected on social media. When Tom lost his son Jeff, DeAnn messaged him because she has also experienced the horror of losing her son William. Join with us as Tom & DeeAnn share their common plight in music & their losses. From DeeAnn's website: Hailing from a small steel town outside of...

Tom & Mark have an entertaining discussion about Mark's journey and his son Markus. A little about Mark... On November 3rd, 2000, my life changed forever when I got the phone call informing me that my son Markus had been in a serious car accident, and we needed to get to the hospital ASAP. I was 41 years old and owned a successful business in general aviation. I am a licensed aircraft mechanic...

Chelsea Ohlemiller is an author and speaker passionate about the awareness of grief’s impact. She has an active and engaging social media presence and is well-known for her blog, Happiness, Hope & Harsh Realities. Her first book titled, “Now That She’s Gone” will be released in August. She has been featured in the national bestseller “So God Made a Mother” and two Chicken Soup for the Sou...

Kelci Jager, a Certified Life Coach, Grief Coach, Registered Nurse, and Author of the book “A Million Miracles and the One That Never Came” found herself navigating the challenging terrain of grief when she lost her 40-year-old husband to leukemia. Left to pick up the pieces of her shattered life as a solo parent to their four sons, Kelci faced the fear of her children losing her too. However, her...

E13 Thanatologist Michaelene Dowers Tom & Michaelene discuss work in the death care industry & children's grief. Michaelene has a site for her work in each field; QuietusBee.com & Pollen. Care (links below). Quietus Bee: https://www.quietusbee.com/ Quietus Bee Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quietus_bee/ Pollen Curated Grief Support: https://pollen.care/ Pollen. Care Instagram: ht...

When Jennifer learned that her friend lost her son in a military training accident, she went from being grief-avoidant to becoming a grief educator, speaker and supporter.  Through customized workshops, conferences and speaking engagements, Jennifer is on a mission to exchange judgement with empathy and compassion by educating individuals and organizations on the importance of grief and...

Jason Tuttle is a former stay-at-home parent and married father of 2 kids with multiple physical and cognitive disabilities. Jason lost his 15 year old special needs son 01/28/22. From that day, Jason decided that he wanted to help others while he grieved. So, he created “Letters To Zachary” as an open, raw, vulnerable way to be an example sharing his feelings as well as help others to see a glimp...

E10 Karen Sibal Karen Sibal, MA, FMCHC is a functional medicine certified health coach, grief coach, author and mindset expert from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She helps people at midlife transform losses into lifelong gains. As the founder of the Seniors Grief Circle, a tribute project to her late father, Karen connects people on their grief journey with practical resources and compassionate help,...

Tom & Kelly discuss Kelly's new book called The Grief Experience . Kelly Daugherty, a seasoned social worker with over two decades in the clinical field, is a Fellow in Thanatology: the study of death, dying, and bereavement. Anchored in Malta, NY, she owns Greater Life Grief Counseling and the Center for Informed Grief, LLC. Her commitment to the domain of grief stems from her personal journe...

Tom & Jean discuss Jean's multiple losses; mother to cancer, father to cancer & sudden loss of her husband. All of it while trying to raise her children. How the losses led to her examining her spirituality, how it changed & motivated her to let her life transformation work to help others. Jean also has an upcoming book titled The Woke Widow, hmmm, is it what you think? Jean's links: I...

Rachel Tenpenny McGonigle ~ The Grief Gal Tom & Rachel discuss Rachel's tragic loss of her two baby girls and how that drove her to analyze her grieving process. She shares her determination and how it manifested itself in how she helps people with the holistic approach she incorporates. Rachel's bio: Rachel Tenpenny McGonigle is a life-after-loss coach and holistic grief support expert. After...

Tom & Jane discuss Jane's new book; The Fine Art of Grieving as well as such topics as the weirdness of grief! Jane's links: BOOK WEBSITE:  https://www.thefineartofgrieving.com/ JANE EDBERG WEBSITE:  https://www.janeedberg.com/ INSTAGRAM:  https://www.instagram.com/thefineartofgrieving/?hl=en JANE EDBERG FACEBOOK:  https://www.facebook.com/jane.edberg/ THE FINE ART OF GRIEV...

Tom & Andy discuss child loss & its aftermath as men in today's world. Andy shares what has helped him and also his involvement with Helping Parents Heal & Helping Fathers Heal. There are also some amazing stories of Andy's son Josh connecting with him from the spirit world. Andy is also one of the 25 dads who told their story in the new book; Helping Fathers Heal: Grief, Hope, and our...