Restorative Grief with Mandy Capehart

"How do we move forward with advocacy in these spaces where anger, grief, and politics seem so overwhelming?" The emotional toll of politics cannot be glossed over, and in my own life, I needed a whole new word for it. Angriefolitical explores the emotional collision of grief, anger, and politics, offering insights on how to navigate these charged conversations with empathy, self-awarene...

"This grief is so hard because we cannot control it." We’ve all experienced something unique in our grief stories, but when it comes to sibling loss, there are some aspects even the experts don’t understand. Sibling loss is a woefully underrepresented area of grief support, so when Annie Sklaver Orenstein lost her big brother, Ben, she realized her work as a qualitative researcher could be a great...

"Flourishing for me does not mean suffering for you." In this chat, we're unpacking how flourishing after loss is possible and SPOILER ALERT: It's not through the restriction and control of others around you. Links + Resources from this episode: Tyler VanderWeele's work on flourishing Dr. Carol Dweck's growth mindset book Become a Patron & get the episode workbook Join the Restorative Grief Pr...

"Validate, validate, validate." Lisa Sugarman wants you to know the struggles you experience are valid, but not permanent. The Boston-based author and crisis counselor with The Trevor Project is passionate about breaking stigmas around death by suicide and mental health. As a three-time suicide loss survivor, Lisa's message of validation, hope, and care is one you do not want to miss. Links + Reso...

“We do not teach the person to rely on our words and wisdom to heal, but to experience their own story and uncover the wisdom within it.” We are ending 2024 with a reminder on what it means to be with others in grief. SPOILER: It's not about reading all the right books before you show up. Links + Resources from this episode: Restorative Grief coaching Become a Patron Join the Restorative Grief Pro...

"The meaning is not found in the death; it is in us and in what we do after." Once we realize grief is not a linear process, what next steps can we take? David Kessler is well-known in the world of grief as a trustworthy voice on loss, and his latest workbook is an invitation into the very thing we need to heal. Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief Workbook is a chance for you to co-write you...

"Putting your story on paper, regardless of the format, transfers that emotional weight onto the page, giving you some distance from your pain." Journaling is a habit EVERYONE can benefit from, but because we're averse to the deeper work, we tend to hide from it. This week's episode is an offering for those of us pretending we're not ready ready - because you all have a story worth telling. Links...

"Say the things you need to say." When Theo Boyd first lost her mother to a horrific farm accident, she felt isolated. People heard her story, and immediately offered their own story to relate instead of sitting quietly at her side. In her book, My Grief is Not Like Yours, Theo recounts her unique grief journey by embracing the intensity and allowing herself to express the deeply persona...

"As people with a growth mindset, aimed toward healing, we don’t discount the little steps." If you want to find healing, you have to learn how to lean into resistance. This conversation is an invite into just that! Links + Resources from this episode: Become a Patron/Access the workbook Connect with Mandy Learn more about trauma-informed coaching

"What does self-compassion look like for me in this moment?" Author Jenai Auman wants you to speak up. When years of spiritual abuse became clear, Jenai's decision to push back resulted in a loss of her job and spiritual community. Now, she's sharing her story and inviting you to experience belonging in your faith in a whole new way. Links + Resources from this episode: Buy a cop...

"Grieving has taught me the profound lesson of recognizing how little I can control in life. In the midst of chaos, I realize that the key to maintaining a sense of connection lies in controlling my inner world." In this pre-holiday episode of Restorative Grief, we explore the importance of cultivating a strong inner connection amidst the chaos of the holiday season. Discover how grief c...

“Your suppressed emotions are your suppressed potential.” 3x USA Memory Champion John Graham wants you to recognize the energy within you to heal. As a memory champion and cognitive athlete, John quickly realized how cognitive exercises were limited in their ability to alleviate ongoing anxiety and daily panic attacks. In today’s conversation, we’re deep diving into a more holistic approach to man...

"It's time for the gatekeepers of grief work to retire. We're doing things differently now." Gatekeeping in grief work is not a new concept, but we're going to start pushing back in a way that changes the future of grief support. Listen for ways to disarm harmful hierarchies in grief and how you can reshape your advocacy as a grief supporter. Links + Resources from this episode: Become a Patron of...

"When you're ready, there is hope and support for you." While traveling abroad, Anne-Marie received an unexpected phone call informing her that her husband and best friend since age 19 had suddenly died of a brain aneurysm. When she realized her circle of support had no idea how to help her heal, she set out to redefine how to support widows through their grief. Anne-Marie Lockmyer i...

"We are becoming people who look grief square in the face to say, 'We see you, and we are not afraid.'" Season four of the podcast is here and I have a LOT of exciting things to share with you about what to expect and what you'll gain with Restorative Grief this year. Links + Resources from this episode: Episode transcript & top episodes from the past years P atreon.com/M...

"Get your sh*t together." Win Charles wants you to get your paperwork in place before it's too late. In our conversation, we explore the unique challenges faced by individuals with cerebral palsy when losing a loved one. Win Charles is an author, podcaster, and motivational speaker who experienced this firsthand after losing her mother in 2010 and her father in 2014. Win shares her journey of reco...

"We do not live or heal in isolation." Humans need support and interconnected resonance to heal, so if you're ready to get some of that (translated: healthy friendship), this episode offers an approachable communication strategy to rebuild your confidence in connection. Links + Resources from this episode: Patreon.com/MandyCapehart Restorative Grief Coaching Connect on social media

"We want growth that seeks liberation & healing for all." Felt grief around your beliefs in the last decade? You're not alone. Author, podcaster, and pastor Rohadi has developed an extensive body of work centered on decolonizing, liberating, and deconstructing western Christianity. Today, Rohadi is sharing about his journey from white evangelicalism to advocating for marginalized...

"Attachment trauma is a trauma of belonging." When we belong, we feel limitless in our healing work. Here's what to do if your sense of belonging needs to be reclaimed and healed, too. Links + Resources for this episode: Dr. Scott Lyon's work Dr. Diane Poole Heller's book Dr. Abi Blakeslee's work Patreon.com/MandyCapehart Learn more about Restorative Grief coaching

I'm taking a break this week! Please enjoy this rich conversation with one of my favorites, Dr. Lucy Hone. ------- Resiliency and hope are often complicated topics with grievers, but through her work as a thought leader of resilience psychology, Dr. Lucy Hone uncovered just how accessible both can be in the face of loss. After losing her 12-year-old daughter in a horrific motor accident, Lucy...

"The way this book brought my 'YES, ME TOO!' declaration to the surface meant I needed to share it far and wide." In my work, y'all ask for book recommendations often. Here's why these four are my favorites. Links + Resources for this episode: The Wild Edge of Sorrow by Francis Weller Bearing the Unbearable by Dr. Joanne Cacciatore As Long As You Need by J.S. Park Restora...

"What feels like a limit before you is only a door." Yasmine Cheyenne is a self-healing educator, mental wellness advocate, author, and motivational speaker who helps people cultivate daily practices to build healthy, joyful lives. Her latest book, "Wisdom of the Path: The Beautiful and Bumpy Ride to Healing and Trusting Our Inner Guide" is an engaging invitation into what is p...

"Even the short answer is not so simple." This sense of responsibility in the grief process of another person is genuine, real, and all too common. We've all asked it of ourselves. Let's see if this week's conversation can be a push toward healing for you, too. Links + Resources from this episode: MandyCapehart.com Join our Patreon for the workbook Restorative Grief:  the boo...

"We can trust that no matter what we believe, there's so much hope that will carry us." How can you learn to move forward after you've lost someone so foundational in life? Author Chelsea Ohlemiller is here to share about her new book and unpack the happiness, hope, and harsh realities of losing a loved one. Links + Resources for this episode: Order Chelsea's book Hope &...

"If there is one thing I understand about grief, it is that we are but blips on a radar." This week's essay is a quick share of my favorite advice from my biggest fan ever. Listen if you're ready to feel bold and to create meaning for your healing work. Links + Resources from this episode: My favorite art supply company Resources for grief support The Restorative Grief Project Jo...