It's All About the Story: Personal Grief Stories

One Man’s Mission to Break down a Disease He Lives With Daily The best way to be educated about dementia is to learn from a person who is on the dementia journey themselves. Tune in and learn from Jim Mann, recent recipient of an Honorary Doctor of Law degree from the University of British Columbia, in recognition for his dedicated advocacy work in helping break down the stigma that can often surr...

Dr. Stuart MacDonald shares the significant research findings from an in-depth study conducted at the University of Victoria, BC. The researchers' goal was to examine the impact of singing in a choir on people with dementia, their caregivers, students and friends. Group singing, as it turns out, has many more benefits than singing solo. Tune in and discover how group singing not only impacts...

Hear three kids' points of view on how COVID has impacted them. Connor (age 9), Ella (age 7) and Jake (age 5) tell us what life has been like for them this past 10 months and the one word that sums up what we all long for in 2021.  Keeara, their mom, will share how the children have managed, what they've learned as a family and how they plan to face an uncertain future in the midst of th...

We tell many stories when we get together during holiday celebrations. Some, we have heard many times and other new stories are waiting to be happen. This year, the familiar stories of the past may not easily be shared because of our situation. In this episode, Rick Bergh unpacks the unexpected grief that comes as a result of not being able to tell the stories of the past that connect us and why r...

What is it about the holidays that we most look forward to? Friends? Family gatherings? Re-connecting with those we don't get to see during the year? But this year will be different... If you find yourself grieving, you are not alone in your grief. In this episode, Rick Bergh unpacks the unexpected grief that comes as a result of missing community - that sense of connecting. Why is connecting...

Are you sad about the holidays this year? Do you know why you are sad? I mean, apart from the fact that you can't meet together with family and friends as in past years? In this episode, Rick Bergh unpacks the unexpected grief that comes as a result of missing community - that sense of belonging. Why is belonging so important to us? What does it have to do with grief?

The Mystery of the Giving Toques Where did they come from? Do you know? They were dropped off in a van. Three huge garbage bags full. Hundreds of colorful knitted winter toques. But who made them? Where did they come from? No one seems to know. It’s a mystery. Meet Sharon Rottier a home care nurse in Westlock, Alberta.   

Bereavement educator and counselor, Rick Bergh, reflects upon the grief that so many of us are experiencing at the hands of COVID-19 as we prepare for Christmas. Learn about the grief reaction that’s turning our time of celebration and joy into a sense of sadness – and how to deal with it. Rick will help us prepare for a COVID Christmas, encouraging us to plan ahead for a very different Yuletide t...

How do you handle loss when it takes you by storm?  One woman’s journey with multiple loss and her new story of joy and love. When I first spoke with Autumn Tolle-Jackson, I said to myself, this is too much for one person.  It’s not fair. Autumn experienced two miscarriages, a cousin, grandfather, husband and a child die within a very short period of time. And then when I heard Autumn  talk about...

 In this podcast, Rick Bergh reflects upon the rich traditions and rituals surrounding Remembrance Day.  He invites us to consider our own grief and mourning practices as we take a closer look at how Canada honors its war veterans and remembers those who gave their lives for our freedom.

By the age of 22, Maria-Teresa Allaire had experienced the death of her mom, her dad and her fiancée. A ritual found in her family heritage introduced her to the significance of the Day of the Dead which set her on a course of heathy grieving. Once you hear Teresa’s story, you may even want to consider how to include this celebration in your own life. It’s a way to remember loved ones who have die...

Thanksgiving Weekend and Grief But how can I be thankful? Bereavement educator and grief counselor, Rick Bergh, reflects upon the challenge of grief on the holiday of Thanksgiving. He shares the wisdom from his first wife, Pam, that continues to impact him every Thanksgiving weekend. He also talks about the importance of family conversations that need to include both a recognition of the loss as w...

How One Funeral Home Has Adapted as a Result of COVID-19 Exploring loss from both sides Those in the funeral industry experience loss every day. The calling to be a funeral director is a vocation that requires deep compassion and the ability to be present when difficult emotions are expressed by family members who are grieving. What happens when your profession and industry are turned upside down...

Unknown Gifts in COVID How one caregiver discovered that her husband had a new talent  She had a whiteboard in her kitchen for to-do and grocery lists. When she came home, it was covered in bright artwork that was created by her husband who has Loui body disease.. Ever since then, he’s created many works for art and their home has become a gallery for his newfound talent and joy, even in the midst...

The road with dementia is filled with many challenges and uncertainties already. But what happens when you add into the mix one other challenge: COVID-19.  Come and hear from Maria Howard, CEO of the Alzheimer Society of B.C. as she shares some of the extra challenges those with dementia and their caregivers have been forced to deal with the last seven months and then provides some practical advic...

Lockdown How I coped when I couldn’t see my partner and the surprise event that I didn’t expect It’s hard enough being away from a loved one who has memory loss and who is a resident at an extended care facility. But what if you couldn’t visit them at all because of COVID restrictions?  How do you cope with that? Susan-Rose and Bram were among those who had to manage that all-too-frequent scenario...

Keep on Singing Why do people keep on coming back for more? A dementia choir in Victoria rose to the occasion, figuring out the technology in order to keep on singing and then recording O Canada in their own homes – the version used by the Alzheimer Society of Canada’s for its Walk for Alzheimer’s. The choir has continued to sing (online) throughout this pandemic.  Listen to Erica Phare-Bergh the...

Priscila is a high school student. Two and a half years ago, she and some of her peers volunteered to sing in a choir. It was a choir for people with dementia and caregivers.  Little did Priscila know that these choristers would give her a peak into their world and inspire her to write and publish a book about her experience as a 17-year old.  You’ll be intrigued by her story. Meet: Priscila Kumar

Your friend posts on Facebook that their loved one has just died. You feel you have to say something or click on an emoji to respond. Have you ever considered if the words that you just wrote on their Facebook page were helpful or not? Are you interested as to which words are generally gratefully received by a grieving person? In this episode we will examine some of the most helpful words people c...

Why you don’t recover from grief and don’t have to Is it time to speak a different language when we talk about grief to ourselves and with those around us? Ricks wife Erica  interviews Rick to share an important component in his grief philosophy reflecting back this past week on the 12 anniversary of his first wife Pam’s death.  

Lyme Disease and Loss The grief of not knowing and the fear of wondering what’s ahead Meet Candice Bentley-Bergh.  Grief and loss enter our lives in many different forms. How about waiting ten years for a diagnosis in the prime of your young adult life? Tune it to It’s All About the Story and be inspired by a young women’s perseverance and determination to never give up, despite her many challenge...

The Church and Loss During COVID Understanding the grief of parishioner and priest alike Meet Bishop Charlie Masters – Anglican Network in Canada The church is an important place for many individuals. Gathering together as a community is a significant part of many people’s weekly routine and support system. Priests and pastors, whose role it is to engage church members, have been learning how best...

Retirement During COVID Is the send-off the same? Meet Chris Havers Retirement comes to all of us at some point in our lives. We prepare for it. We look forward to it. We get ready to say goodbye to a career and hello to a new life moving forward. But what if your retirement time frame happened to land during COVID-19 when getting together is an important part of our transition? COVID is challengi...

Dying During COVID The changing face of hospice care Meet Pansy Angevine A hospice is a special place. It’s a final home for loved ones to live out the last days of their life in compassionate care and love. It is a place to gather as family and friends and to have those final conversations with the people we love before they die.  COVID-19 has thrown a curve ball into the role of hospice. Come an...

Seniors in Social Isolation Bringing hope to our elderly Meet Shelley Morris Seniors in care centers are experiencing many types of loss due to COVID-19 restrictions. As CEO of one of Victoria’s most successful seniors’ residences, Shelley knows how tough isolation can be for our seniors. What are these difficult days bringing to staff, residents and families? How can we be sensitive to their need...