Permission To Breathe

In this powerful episode of A Seat at the Table: Stories of Mother Grief , Dr. Tammy Isaac welcomes guest Likeythia Blackmon, who shares the deeply personal story of her mother’s tragic accident—an incident that forever altered their relationship. Though her mother survived, the woman Likeythia once knew was never the same. Together, we explore the complex layers of ambiguous grief, the emotional...

In this powerful episode of A Seat at the Table: Stories of Mother Grief , Dr. Tammy Isaac welcomes guest Rebecca Foster, who vulnerably shares her experience of losing her 13-year-old son to leukemia at the age of 21. Rebecca’s story is one of deep pain, enduring love, and the sacred promise she made to her son before he passed: “Don’t forget me." Together, we explore what it means to live a...

Series: A Seat at the Table: Stories of Mother Grief In this deeply personal opening to the A Seat at the Table mini-series, Dr. Tammy Isaac shares her own sacred story of loss—the day her birthday became the same day her mother passed away. With tenderness and spiritual insight, she reflects on what it means to hold both joy and sorrow in the same breath, how grief shaped her calling as a chaplai...

Today, we’re talking about something that many experience but few feel safe enough to discuss: the connection between grief and suicide. Whether you’re someone grieving the loss of a loved one to suicide, or someone who has found yourself in a dark place during grief, I want you to know—you’re not alone.

In this deeply compassionate episode, Dr. Tammy Isaac explores the often overlooked grief that accompanies chronic pain—especially when healing doesn’t come. From the emotional toll of invisible suffering to the spiritual wrestling it stirs, this episode offers validation, comfort, and community for those living with pain that never goes away. With insights from research, reflections on faith, and...

In this episode of Permission to Breathe , we hold sacred space to reflect on the deep grief that follows the loss of a leader — be it a beloved pastor, a trusted mentor, or a public figure who shaped our worldview. These are the people who poured into us, guided us, and sometimes carried us through spiritual, emotional, or even cultural seasons. Their absence can leave us feeling unmoored. Let’s...

Grief doesn’t always come from your own loss—sometimes, it’s what you carry for others. The weight. The weariness. The silent ache. This episode is for the strong ones. The supporters. The souls who feel deeply even when the world tells them not to. You don’t have to explain your grief. You just need space to name it—and breathe.

In this heartfelt episode, Dr. Tammy Isaac explores the often overlooked but deeply felt reality of workplace grief—the emotional weight we carry when we lose a job, miss a promotion, watch a beloved boss leave, or witness the culture of our workplace shift. Whether you're grieving a dream that didn’t come true, a team that felt like family, or a role that once gave your life meaning, this epi...

In this special Women’s History Month episode of Permission to Breathe , Dr. Tammy Isaac holds sacred space for the tender intersection of grief and growth. As women, we often carry deep loss while still showing up—as nurturers, leaders, and healers. But what happens when we give ourselves permission to grieve and to bloom? This is your permission to cry, to rise, to rest, and to bloom—right where...

In this episode of Permission to Breathe , Dr. Tammy Isaac explores the impact of grief on the brain and why so many people experience brain fog, that frustrating mental cloudiness that makes it hard to focus, remember things, or think clearly.

Grief doesn’t just bring sadness—it can make us feel profoundly alone, even when surrounded by people. In this episode, Dr. Tammy Isaac explores the deep connection between grief and loneliness , why loss can make us feel disconnected, and how we can begin to rebuild meaningful relationships. Drawing from research by Dr. Vivek Murthy on the three dimensions of human connection—intimate, relational...

In this heartfelt episode of Permission to Breathe Podcast , Dr. Tammy Isaac reflects on anniversary grief as she approaches March 5th—a day that marks her birthday, the ninth anniversary of her mother’s passing, and Ash Wednesday. She explores: 1. What anniversary grief is and why it happens 2. How the body remembers before the mind does 3. The emotional, psychological, and spiritual weight of mi...

Grief is universal, but for Black communities, it carries a unique weight—shaped by generational trauma, cultural silence, and societal expectations. In this Black History Month episode of Permission to Breathe Podcast , Dr. Tammy Isaac explores the complexities of grieving while Black.

Valentine’s Day has come and gone, but for many, the emotions it stirred still linger. In this episode of Permission to Breathe , Dr. Tammy Isaac explores the pain that can arise around this holiday—grief for a loved one who is no longer here, heartbreak from a relationship that ended, or the quiet loneliness of feeling unseen.

In this episode of the Permission to Breathe Podcast , Dr. Tammy Isaac explores the powerful connection between grief, emotional pain, and heart health. She shares personal experiences, including the loss of her mother to congestive heart failure and her own hospitalization from grief-related stress. We’ll discuss Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy , also known as Broken Heart Syndrome , a condition that mi...

Welcome to the final episode of Season 1 of the Permission to Breathe Podcast . It’s been an incredible journey, hasn’t it? Over the past few months, we’ve explored so many profound and tender aspects of grief and the human experience. From learning how to embrace our emotions, to discussing the interplay of grief and breathing, each episode has been a step toward giving ourselves the permission t...

The holidays are a season of light and joy for many, but for some, it can feel like a season of heaviness—a time when the weight of sadness seems to linger. Maybe you’re not quite sure what you’re feeling or why. Is it grief? Is it the holiday blues? Or is it a mix of both? In this episode, we’ll explore how to recognize and understand the holiday blues, how it differs from deeper grief, and what...

For many of us, the holiday season can be both a reminder of what we’ve lost and an opportunity to discover our inner strength. This episode is for anyone who’s looking to navigate these mixed emotions, balancing grief with resilience, and finding those moments of peace amidst the celebrations. Today, we’ll talk about honoring our loved ones while also taking small steps toward healing.

Today we’re starting a special series on the holiday season, a time that can be uniquely challenging for those of us who are grieving. The holiday season brings joy for many, but it also highlights absences for others. While the world lights up with festive cheer, those who are grieving may feel a bit more isolated, even overwhelmed. Today, I want to invite you to explore these feelings, knowing t...

This episode is one I think so many of us can relate to. We’re diving into the complex relationship between grief and depression. These two emotions are often tangled together, and it can be hard to separate them but knowing the differences can be a powerful tool for healing.

In today’s episode, we’re diving into a deeply personal and emotional topic: Breast cancer and the grief journey that often accompanies it. Whether it’s the grief that comes with a diagnosis, changes in physical and emotional health, or the loss of a loved one, this journey is different for everyone but no less significant.”

"Grief is a deeply personal journey, but when a family experiences loss together, it’s something we all carry in different ways. Sometimes, the hardest part of grieving as a family is balancing your own grief while supporting others through theirs. Today, we’ll explore how families can create a space where everyone feels supported and heard—where grieving together becomes a pathway toward healing...

Grief is an incredibly personal and challenging journey that can leave individuals feeling lost, isolated, and overwhelmed. Often, we may not know what to say or do when someone we care about is grieving, but there are ways we can be present and offer meaningful support. In today’s episode, we’ll explore the importance of being mindful and compassionate in these moments. We’ll discuss how we can v...

This episode explores the significant connection between grief and physical health, addressing how grief impacts both emotional and physical well-being. It highlights the toll grief can take on the body, including stress responses, a weakened immune system, and common physical symptoms such as fatigue and disrupted sleep patterns. Emphasizing the importance of self-care, this episode offers practi...

The podcast provides an overview of grief, explaining that grief is a natural and personal response to loss. It emphasizes that grief can manifest in various forms, such as anticipatory or complicated grief, and highlights that each person experiences grief differently.