Lighting the Path: A New Concept of Hospice Care

In this deeply personal and insightful episode, Dr. Jerry L. Woodbridge—educator, author of children's books on grief, and widow—talks about her journey through loss after the death of her husband in 2004. With honesty and wisdom, Dr. Woodbridge shares how grief showed up in unexpected ways and how she learned to navigate the emotional "buzz" that often accompanies profound loss. One of the most p...

In this episode, host Jerry Fenter welcomes Katie Ransdell, a certified child life specialist and founder of Grief Garden, for a thoughtful conversation about supporting children through grief. Katie shares the personal and professional journey that led her to create Grief Garden, a space designed to help children process loss in developmentally appropriate and compassionate ways. Drawing from her...

In this episode, we sit down with child life specialist Katie Ransdell to explore how children experience grief and how hospice professionals can better support them. Katie shares her journey into the field of child life, practical insights for working with grieving children, and meaningful stories from her work that highlight the power of presence and connection. About Our Guest Katie Ransdell is...

In this episode, Dawn Delaloye returns to talk about  Reflekta , a digital platform designed to help people preserve memories, stories, and legacies of the people they love. Dawn shares the origin story of Reflekta, the need the founders saw, and the mission that continues to shape their work: giving people a meaningful way to remember, honor, and stay connected with loved ones through story and i...

In this episode of Lighting the Path, grief and bereavement specialist Dawn Delaloye, PhD, shares the story of how she was drawn into walking alongside people in seasons of deep loss. She gently introduces the idea of anticipatory grief—the kind of grief that shows up before a death or major loss—and talks about when it can surface for patients, caregivers, and families who know that change is com...

In this deeply moving episode of  Lighting the Path , Jerry Fenter sits down with Jason Rosenthal—attorney turned therapist, author, and widower of acclaimed writer Amy Krouse Rosenthal. Just ten days before her death from ovarian cancer in 2017, Amy published a now-viral New York Times essay titled  "You May Want to Marry My Husband."  In it, she lovingly encouraged Jason to find happiness again...

In this episode of  Lighting the Path , host Jerry Fenter talks with  Melissa Lunardini , Chief Clinical Officer at  Help Texts , about transforming grief support through technology. Help Texts is a pioneering service that sends thoughtful, personalized messages to people experiencing grief and loss — and just as importantly, to their friends and family who want to offer meaningful support but may...

Children experience grief differently from adults—yet their feelings are just as deep and real. In this episode of  Lighting the Path ,  Melissa Lunardini, Chief Clinical Officer for Help Texts and nationally recognized expert in children's grief, explores how we can better support children and teens who are grieving. Drawing on her 20 years of experience, Melissa dispels common myths about how ch...

In this follow-up episode of  Lighting the Path , host Jerry Fenter continues the conversation with  Kera Sanchez , founder and editor of  Get Griefy  magazine. Kera shares how the idea for the magazine first came to her—quite literally—in the shower. Though she had no formal background in journalism, her passion for helping others share their stories of grief and loss led her to create a publicat...

When grief meets creativity, something powerful can emerge. In this episode of  Lighting the Path , host Jerry Fenter talks with  Kera Sanchez , founder and editor of  Get Griefy —a heartfelt online and print magazine that explores grief, healing, and creative expression. Kera begins by sharing the deeply personal story of her mother's sudden death while traveling abroad. The timing and circumstan...

Licensed professional counselor and grief specialist Chuck Olliff returns to the podcast.  Chuck has been leading bereavement support groups for more than 20 years, and in this episode he explains why grief support groups play such an important role in healing and connection after loss. He walks listeners through the six key topics  he covers in his  six-week virtual grief groups , offering valuab...

In this episode of  Lighting the Path , host Jerry Fenter welcomes  Chuck Olliff , a Licensed Professional Counselor and grief specialist with more than 25 years of experience leading grief support groups. Chuck shares the story of how his journey into grief counseling began unexpectedly — when a local funeral director asked him to facilitate a series of grief groups for families coping with loss....

In this episode of  Lighting the Path , Jerry sits down with Dr. Emma Jones, author of  The Phoenix Blueprint , to talk about resilience, burnout, and the emotional tools needed to thrive as a caregiver. Dr. Jones shares what inspired her to write the book and opens up about the real causes of burnout among healthcare professionals—factors that reach far beyond workload and long hours. She introdu...

In this episode of  Lighting the Path , hospice and palliative care physician Dr. Emma Jones shares her personal experience of spiraling into burnout and the moment that forced her to confront the depth of her mental and emotional exhaustion. Drawing from her book,  The Phoenix Blueprint: Emerging Stronger from the Blaze of Healthcare , she reflects on how perfectionism, overwork, and the culture...

In this encore episode, grief specialist Gary Roe discusses how survivors can manage feelings of guilt after the death of a loved one. Roe explores the difference between guilt and regret and offers methods for finding forgiveness and reducing emotional baggage. Guilt vs. Regret Roe explains that while often used interchangeably, guilt and regret are distinct emotions: - Guilt is the feeling we ex...

Enjoy this encore episode from Lighting the Path and Harbor Healthcare System.  The holiday season is loaded with hopes and dreams and expectations.  For those who are providing care for someone on hospice the holidays can be difficult to manage.  Rosalind Hall-Hiner is the System Director of Social Workers for Harbor Hospice and Beacon Hospice.  In this episode she shares ways that caregivers can...

Enjoy this encore episode about how to manage grief during the holidays with Harbor Hospice chaplain and bereavement counselor, Polly Stock. For many people the holidays are not a season of joy and cheer, but a time of grief and sadness.  Holidays are times when families come together and the death of an important person in the family can make holidays feel heavy.  In this episode, Polly Stock, Be...

Enjoy this encore episode about how to manage grief during the holidays with grief specialist Gary Roe.    In this podcast episode featuring grief specialist  Gary Roe , the discussion centers on managing grief during the holidays, a time often marked by intensified emotions for those experiencing loss. Here are the key points covered in the episode: Why Grief Intensifies During the Holidays Emoti...

Author and dementia advocate  Tracy Cram Perkins  joins this episode of  Lighting the Path  to share the heart and purpose behind her book,  Dementia Home Care: How to Prepare Before, During, and After . Inspired by a moving comment from her father, Tracy walks listeners through what it means to truly prepare for the dementia caregiving journey. She explains the value of creating a  "survivor's bi...

In this episode Jerry welcomes  Tracy Cram Perkins , author of  Dementia Home Care: How to Prepare Before, During, and After . Tracy describes what it was like to be thrust into the role of caregiver—first for one loved one, and eventually for four family members living with dementia or Alzheimer's disease. Drawing from years of firsthand experience, she shares the lessons, mistakes, and moments o...

In this episode of  Lighting the Path , Jerry sits down with Shari Ross , a senior living specialist and author of  Senior Living Made S.I.M.P.L.E. . Shari brings years of experience helping families navigate the difficult — and often emotional — decisions about finding the right living environment for their senior loved ones. Her book uses the acronym  S.I.M.P.L.E.  — Support, Information, Matchi...

In this episode Shari Ross breaks down the biggest myths and misconceptions about senior living, providing clarity and reassurance for families facing difficult choices. Drawing from her personal experiences helping her own parents and in-laws, Shari shares practical strategies—including how to approach honest conversations about advance directives and long-term wishes. Shari tells the story of he...

In this touching episode, guest  Larry W. Robinson —renowned faith-based media personality and author of  Sacred Steps, A Faith-Filled Journey Through Transition into Eternity —offers a deeply personal account of his mother's final chapter and the powerful legacy she leaves behind.  Larry shares how his mother's journey led her to Harbor Hospice in Lake Charles, a facility known for providing comf...

Debbie Compton, caregiver advocate, author, and founder of The Purple Vine, joins Lighting the Path to share her story and expertise. In this episode, Debbie discusses how her experience as a caregiver sparked the creation of The Purple Vine and explains the meaningful inspiration behind its name. She highlights the resources available on her website, including her books about caregiving, coloring...

In this episode, we're joined by Debbie Compton—author, caregiving advocate, and the founder of The Purple Vine. Debbie brings compassion and hard-won wisdom from years spent caring for her father, her mother, and her mother-in-law. Debbie opens up about the personal journey that led her to leave her job in order to become a full-time caregiver. Like many, she initially saw herself as simply "a da...