I Want To Call My Mom

Today, I'm sharing one of my favorite coping mechanisms and one of my most cherished creative projects. The Traveling Journal with my Aunt Kathleen and Aunt Rosie. I was in a particularly low moment, when I saw a video with this idea of creatively connecting with someone you love from afar. It has turned into such a beautiful thing for my Aunts and me and I hope this episode inspires you to reach...

Sarah is talking with us today about her Grandpa Robert, or Pépé, who passed away in 2020. We get into the impact of the phrase "I love you", the role father figures play in our lives, comparing this loss to the one of her biological father at a young age, and building your own family and support system after experiencing a death.

Another book recommendation today as I'm talking about Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner. This is a memoir about growing up as a Korean American, her mother's cancer diagnosis and death, coping through grief with food, and finding her own identity. As I read it, I felt deeply connected to my own mother and her love of cooking and enjoying food. I hope it resonates with you, too. I apologize in a...

In 2017, Kristine experienced every parent's worst nightmare, the death of her youngest child, Colton. In our episode today, Kristine opens up about advocating for Colton while he was sick, the emotions since his passing, motherhood after loss and helping other grieving parents. She also highlights the power of social media communities and how they can help in your darkest times.

Ashes to ashes and...what the heck do I do with this stuff? In the mini today, I'm sharing what I have done with my Mom's remains and other options of what you could do. I share a couple websites that are wonderful resources, spiritpieces.com and partingstone.com. I also read a journal entry from one of the days I spread my Mom's ashes, and of course, get a little emotional too. Comment on today's...

Dedicating this mini episode to my friend, Katrina, and her girl, Kierra. I'm talking about the importance of pets in our lives, the impacts their deaths can have and highlighting an amazing resource: www.rainbowsbridge.com

In this episode, Christian talks about his Grandpa Lonnie. After Chris’s biological dad left the family, Lonnie took on the father figure role in Christian’s life. We talk about that dynamic, trying to make our deceased loved ones proud and navigating loss during times when your personal relationships are going through changes.

In this mini episode, I had the honor of talking with Lindsay Cercone, who is a Death Doula in the Boston area. Lindsay explains what exactly a Death Doula is, the schooling she went through, her experience thus far, and her goal of normalizing the death conversation. You can find Lindsay on Instagram @ritualrootsholistic and on her website www.ritualroots.net

Today, Wendy tells us all about the life and love of her mom, Gwynna, who passed away unexpectedly in 2013. We discuss the extremely difficult day that she passed and how it impacted Wendy, Gwynna’s own struggles when her own mom died, and the power of a strong, tight knit family.

Today’s mini episode is all about my favorite coping mechanism: yoga and meditation. I talk about what got me into my practice, my personal recommendations if you’re newly into yoga, and trying aerial yoga. Enjoy and namaste!

Alycia shares the love and loss of two extremely important men in her life. Her older brother, Dougie, and her dad, Doug SR, who passed within 7 weeks of each other in 2011. We discuss grieving differently for separate people, managing anger after loss and the importance of honoring your loved ones in the little ways. You can find Alycia on Instagram @heavenaffiliated_alyciabolanes and on TikTok @...

On the first not-so-mini, mini episode, I had the great pleasure of speaking with Psychic Medium, Alycia Bolanes. Alycia’s firsthand experience with grief motivated her to help others through mediumship. We talk about connecting to Spirit, handling skeptics, the dreams she has for her future, and so much more. You can find Alycia on Instagram @heavenaffiliated_alyciabolanes and on TikTok @alyciabo...

For our first Father’s Day episode, I had the great pleasure of talking with Tim about his dad, Guy. We discuss his dad being diagnosed with ALS (before the ice bucket challenge), finding his way out of self alienation and into his safe coping mechanisms, and becoming a father without his father physically beside him. One big take away: it’s okay to cry with your kids! Also, you can see Tim’s art...

**BOOK REC TIME!** Today, I’m talking about the first book I read that helped me understand my grief and my fear of death a little more. “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes & Other Lessons from the Crematory” by Caitlin Doughty

In this episode, my brother and I are talking together for the very first time about our mom, Colleen; her life, her death and the lasting effects she had on both of us. We get extremely honest and open about our childhood, generational alcoholism, and finding our ways to healthy coping mechanisms. Trigger warning at the top of the episode.

From being first known as Decoration Day for Civil War Soldiers, to now the Memorial Day we all know today. It’s been an interesting evolution of the holiday with an important message of respect and love.

In this episode, Brandy shares her close relationship with her grandma, Mimi. We talk about the importance of having a strong network when you’re grieving, grief dreaming and the importance of taking care of your mental health. There is a trigger warning at the top of this episode, so please be sure to listen to that before hearing about the beautiful life of Mimi.

Happy Mother’s Day! I went to Reddit with a question, how do you celebrate holidays/birthdays while still honoring your lost loved ones? Today’s episode dives into some of my favorite ideas of how to get through the emotional, yet important dates.

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Happy birthday to one of my best friends, Jesse! And happy belated May the 4th be with you! No guest or mini episode this week, but keep an eye out for some more amazing interviews coming so very soon! Contact callmymompod@gmail.com to become a future guest on the show.

Colleen’s journal explains the nickname for my sweet Grandma Marjorie and I talk about the task of memorializing our loved ones.

For this episode, we’re remembering Cheyenne’s Great Aunt Wanda, who lived to the amazing age of 94. We discuss mourning someone who had such a long life, Cheyenne’s experience with Postpartum Depression while grieving, and keeping Wanda’s memory alive for Cheyenne’s children who weren’t able to meet her.

The title says it all. This week, I’m sharing some tips I learned while writing Colleen’s obituary and giving pointers to anyone who has to take on this task.

In this special episode, Kathleen remembers her mother Marjorie, also known as my Grandma Pudgie. We discuss the impact of losing your mother in your young adulthood and how it impacts grieving others later on. We also speak on understanding each loss is different, but just as important to allow yourself the grace to grieve.

Happy Easter to those who celebrate! Today’s mini is about family traditions. What is something special you did with your loved one that made an impact on you?

During this episode, Chelsea talks about losing a friend as a young adult and how finding a true support system helped her cope with his death and continue to build her life. We also talk about the importance of not letting other people’s judgments on your grieving interfere with your healing process. The resource discussed in this episode is the short story, Make the Chili by Pam Berg.