See My Grief - A Podcast from Conversations with Kelly

This episode highlights the importance of reaching out for and accepting support after the death of a loved one. Jeffrey and Kelly interviewed Carolyn Kinzel, executive director of Brighter Days Grief Center in Eden Prairie, MInnesota. Brighter Days exists to support all members of the family throughout their bereavement experience. Since our interview, the center has acquired the Youth Grief Serv...

A special edition of the CWK podcast for these unusual times with Covid amid Thanksgiving and the holidays. These days can be extremely isolating. While we may be physically apart, we can still find ways to connect psychologically and socially. We are meant to connect as humans. It only takes one person to change our day for the better. We wish all of our listeners the best of the season, filled w...

In this episode, Jeffrey and Kelly discuss the way grief can manifest in our physical body. Grief can surface as physical symptoms such as pain, muscle aches and discomfort. It is always important to be seen by your medical provider to rule out disease, however. Hear Kelly share how her grief often manifests in her chest and heart which is common given her mom died from a heart attack. As always,...

In this episode, Jeffrey and Kelly have a conversation about the gift of time beyond it being a cliché. From years of working in end of life care, Kelly shares some of her insights to instill within us that each moment is what we have. No matter the length of our life, these moments are meaningful. It is beautiful to realize how truly profound even the simplest experiences can be.

In this episode Jeffrey and Kelly talk about the conversations Kelly has had with hundreds of dying people at the end of their lives. Because so many common themes have been presented by the dying, we feel they can apply to the majority of situations whether an expected or unexpected death occurred. We are each worthy of our grief...and even moments of joy. Our loved ones want us to continue livin...

In this episode, Jeffrey and Kelly have a conversation about the way to healing is to travel through and with all emotions. It is common that we judge ourselves for emotions we have, even the positive ones. Rather than judge, we encourage you to drop into your heart space and feel. What if we embraced our emotions like we do a small child who is hurting? In our individual worlds we are allowed to...

In this episode Jeffrey and Kelly speak with their guest, Bryan Piatt, co-founder of Refresh Network , about his mental health story and what he encourages us all to to consider when opening up about our struggles. Because we are more alike than different, likely someone in your life can identify with your story. We are meant to be connected as humans in our struggles and our joys. Thank you for t...

In this episode Jeffrey and Kelly talk about how loss upon loss impacts us. With COVID-19 and the unrest in our country, we are all experiencing grief overload. We come into these times with our own stories and losses. These must be honored as well. We are wishing each person the chance to be heard and validated.  Wishing you safety and peace, always.

In this follow-up episode about caregiving in times of crisis, Kelly and Jeffrey invite Dan back to the studio to hear how time has helped shape his perspectives. Whatever our situation during challenge or loss, we become aware that our emotions are fluid and ever-changing. We realize we are different today than we were before. Our response to being a caregiver can surprise us and those we love, i...

This episode was recorded as the coronavirus was emerging as a worldwide threat. As we strive to cope with the present reality of COVID-19, we hope you find this content timely and relatable. Today Jeffrey and Kelly welcome their guest, Dan, to the studio. Dan shares his experience caregiving for his father who became seriously ill while out of the country. The uncertainty, fear, anger and guilt t...

In this episode, Kelly and Jeffrey explore what it means to be present as a caregiver when someone is ill. Jeffrey shares a personal story about his own chronic illness -- and his experience with the caregivers who showed up at the time of diagnosis. When you are called upon to be a caregiver, there isn't a guide on how to do it. Will you say the right thing? What exactly should you do? How can yo...

In this episode Kelly and Jeffrey have a meaningful discussion about the elements of loss often left unsaid. As an individual in this society we are conditioned about how and what is legitimate to grieve -- and what we should share with others. Kelly walks us through all grief reactions. Sometimes when we lose someone, we are not grieving for a beautiful connection, rather a connection we never ha...

In  this episode, Jeffrey and Kelly discuss some ideas on how we can honor those who have died. Our love shows up in many ways as we travel through the weeks, months and years trying to navigate life without our loved ones. Kelly shares how saying the name of the one you miss is a powerful way to honor them. Our loved ones both want us to always remember them and continue living our lives. Grief i...

In this episode Kelly and Jeffrey have a meaningful discussion about the many poignant lessons Kelly has learned from many years working with people who are terminally ill. There are many beautiful ways to look at life when your lens is more focused on what matters the most. We get to choose how we spend our energy each day. Find your simple joys each day.

In this episode Kelly talks with Jeffrey about his experiences visiting two different people who were at the end of their life. We know this is a sacred time in someone’s life, therefore, we can pressure ourselves to act or be a certain way. Jeffrey and Kelly discuss some beautiful ways that may help in finding a more comfortable approach to the visit. Hear Jeffrey transparently share his fears an...

In this episode Jeffrey starts off reading a beautiful passage on gratitude written by a dear friend of CWK, Judy E. Judy wrote this for Kelly’s book, A Comforted Heart . In this podcast we learn that moments change with gratitude. Although we are not expected to be grateful all the time, we can each have moments in our days that, if present, we can appreciate. Kelly discusses a practice that can...

In this episode we learn hope is something available to all of us regardless of where we are in life. We discuss how hope can be thought of a something that is unattainable and not realistic. Rather, hope is a mental break from negativity and fear. It is available to each of us until the end of life.----more----Hope changes over time; it does not end. We all have access to hope even in the darkest...

In this episode of Conversations with Kelly you will discover that when we invest intensely in a relationship we will naturally grieve deeply when the relationship changes or is lost. Grief is a reaction to a loss while the loss is the event itself. This is an important distinction because when we view grief as an event, we naturally expect it to have a beginning, a middle and an end. Grief, howev...

In this, our inaugural episode of the Conversations with Kelly podcast, you will learn how healing is possible for all of us no matter what struggles we are experiencing or what stage of life we are in. Healing comes in the form of forgiveness of self and of others, gratitude, apologies and love. Love is an antidote for much of what we suffer from. Forgiveness is not about condoning the hurt of an...