Mourning Glory Grief Podcast

Show Notes  In this special bonus episode of the Morning Glory Podcast, Jennifer Thomas welcomes back bereavement doula and sociologist Abbey Jorgensen to discuss an upcoming summer book club centered on On Death and Dying by Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross. Together, they explore common misconceptions about the “five stages of grief,” the importance of discussing grief in community, and how loss shapes...

Show Notes  In the Season 6 finale, Jennifer and guest co-host and friend, Lisa Hendey, have a conversation centered on grief, faith, hope, surrender, healing, and the “seasons” of life, inspired by Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 (“There is a time for everything…”). Click HERE to watch the video of the episode on WCAT TV Scripture Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (Man Cannot Hit on the Right Time to Act) John 11:35 - “Jesu...

*NOTE: This episode was originally published in Season 2. Shownotes We talk a lot about grief and loss and suffering on the Mourning Glory Podcast but not just when it relates to death. Sometimes it is the loss of identity we may experience when we become parents or the loss of particular seasons of life. Listen as Jennifer discusses these topics and more, including how we can find the joy in lett...

Show Notes  The month of May is often referred to as the month of Mary as we celebrate Our Blessed Mother. Mary’s May crowning ceremonies are commonly found taking place throughout many Catholic churches. One of the ways we can grow closer to her is through the praying of the rosary. But there are other ways we can get to know Mary, especially under the many titles she has been given over the cent...

Show Notes  As we enter the month of May, we recognize that in our Catholic faith, it is a month dedicated to Mary. But it is also a month dedicated to Mental Health and awareness. And while there have been great strides made in terms of helping those who have suffered the loss of a loved one or are in any state of grief and sorrow, there are resources, how can we integrate our faith into our heal...

Show Notes  Nothing can prepare anyone for the loss of a loved one. As we continue to learn through the many stories we’ve heard here on the Mourning Glory Podcast, each loss is unique to each individual. But when a parent loses a child, it carries its own unique sense of loss for the parents and other family members. Where can people turn to find comfort, hope, and healing when grieving the loss...

*Click HERE to watch the interview on WCAT TV Shownotes We might often find ourselves going to the rote prayers of the Rosary or even the Divine Mercy Chaplet. While we may think they are separate, are they really so separate in terms of how we think of them? Or is there a way that God can bring us together through both of these prayers? Is there a way that they can, no pun intended, marry each ot...

Shownotes In this episode, host Jennifer Thomas and Johanna Stamps have a conversation about the ways in which grief can unite us. Johanna shares about a recent loss and how she has been moving forward with a different perspective as a grief coach who is also grieving by sharing the three L's she mentioned in a recent newsletter: First L : Let the tears flow Second L : Listen Third L: Look for...

** Trigger Warning : This episode may be sensitive to some listeners and viewers, as it discusses the topic of domestic abuse. Listener and viewer discretion is advised. ***Disclaimer : If you are a victim of domestic violence or domestic abuse seeking information or assistance or know someone who is, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). You can also text...

Special Note : As you know, we typically record our episodes in advance. This episode was recorded at the beginning of 2026 so you’ll hear a lot about being in a new year with focus on new beginnings. And while we are already well into Lent, Jodi Snowdon’s message is powerful no matter what season we find ourselves in. We hope you enjoy this episode.  *** Shownotes We’re in a New Year, new year’s...

Show Notes  When tragedy strikes a person or a family, a normal reaction is to feel overwhelmed. Consumed by grief, sorrow, even worry. But what happens when tragedy after tragedy emerges? How can we come to a place of feeling like God isn’t punishing us? How can we handle it when God gives us more than one Cross to carry?  When will this end? In this episode, Andrea interviews her friend, Denise...

*Click HERE to watch the video version of the interview on WCAT TV Show Notes  A child’s heart is a sacred place where an author writes with innocence for innocence.  It is a place to bury the treasures of faith, hope, love, wonder and beauty, inspiring hearts. When it comes to both the sacraments and the penitential season of Lent, how can we share our faith with our children while reminding them...

Show Notes  It can be difficult when you are in the midst of deep grief and sorrow to feel like you will ever find joy again. From special moments shared with loved ones who have now left us to the simple joy of their presence in our everyday lives, it can become overwhelming. How can we not only have faith and trust that we will experience joy again but that our joy will return greater than ever...

Show Notes  In some of our earlier episodes, Andrea and Jennifer stressed the importance of giving ourselves permission to grieve, even encouraging you, our dear listeners, that we give you permission to grieve. But we all know that doing something like that is easier said than done. Sometimes, we don’t even realize we haven’t taken the time to grieve a loss until years, even decades after a loss....

Show Notes  As we prepare to enter into the season of Lent, we can often become bogged down by the penitential nature of it. And while we talk a lot about grief, suffering, and loss on the show, we thought we’d take a different approach in this episode and focus on joy. Can joy and sorrow coexist? Is it possible to experience joy while we’re in the midst of sorrow? Join us as we explore The Myster...

Shownotes The Blessed Mother, is known to have appeared to people throughout history for various reasons and, as a result, is known under many different titles that commemorate life events, like Our Lady of Sorrows, which we’ve previously discussed. But in today’s episode we are going to be discussing another one of Mary's titles that is related to where she appeared as an apparition, Lourdes Fran...

Show Notes  When we lose someone, it can be easy to fall into the comparison trap, as we’ve mentioned in previous episodes. From the timelines of going through the emotions associated with grief to even how we seek help and who we seek help from. Yet even with the belief and acceptance of God’s goodness and perfect plan for us and for our departed loved ones, we may find it difficult ourselves to...

Shownotes Sometimes the death of a loved one can bring feelings of loss and force us to face the reality of our own mortality. Where can we turn to for comfort while we ponder these intense emotions? Who can help us and accompany us along our journeys of grief? How can Jesus, himself, help us to embrace a trusting and grateful perspective, even as we mourn our loss? And being open to God’s graces...

Show Notes  In the premier episode of Season 6, Jennifer and Andrea provide an update on how they did with their respective words of the year from last year before sharing their words for 2026.  Quotes ​“The origins of true courage are always found in humility and surrender .” Alexandria DeSanctis ( Evangelization Culture, issue #22 )  ​“Courage, courage, my daughters. Remember that God does not g...

Shownotes In the Finale episode of Season 5, Andrea and Jennifer share their own journeys of hope. Through personal pilgrimages and reflecting on the jubilee year, the ladies share new hopes for Christmas, lessons from grief and ways they’re moving into 2026.  Watch the video of this episode on WCAT TV presents the Mourning Glory S5 E15 Pilgrims of Hope with Andrea Bear and Jennifer Thomas Prayer...

Shownotes When we lose a loved one, we can often feel like we’ve lost a piece of ourselves. We might even feel like we’ve lost our identity because so much of who we were was tied to our loved one, whether it was as a wife, a mother, son, or daughter. How can we begin to figure out who we are without that person in our lives and, more importantly, who we are in God’s eyes?  Our Guest Dr. Jerry Woo...

*TRIGGER WARNING This episode discusses sensitive topics including loss through miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant loss. Certain portions of the episode might prove too graphic for some listeners. Shownotes In this week’s episode, Jennifer has a conversation with bereavement doula and sociologist, Dr. Abby Jorgensen to discuss the challenges faced by both lay people and the Church when it comes t...

Shownotes In this week’s episode, Andrea and Jennifer reflect on the impact grief can have on the holidays and share some tips inspired by St. Francis of Assisi’s Prayer for Peace. Tips  ​Let go of expectations  ​Be present for what is vs. what isn't ​Be patient with yourself ​Do something for someone else ​Let go of fear  ​Forgive ​Give thanks  ​Be steadfast and courageous ​Have hope  ​Be joyful ...

Shownotes Some of the most prolific writers often wrote based off of their own personal experiences and turned them into brilliant literary works. For author Flannery O’Connor, this proved true but not in such an obvious way. She experienced a great amount of grief throughout her life that fueled her in a way that ended up shaping and solidifying her faith, to the degree that she would not have ma...

Shownotes For the longest time, Jennifer thought purgatory was a place of limbo. Somewhere you went after you died and it was there that God determined whether or not you went to Heaven. She thought if you went to purgatory, you could still go to Hell. Thanks to learning more about the Catholic faith and, more specifically purgatory, Jennifer has come to realize this is not true. But it raises que...