The Living Loss: Navigating Life Transitions & Invisible Grief

The Living Loss Podcast is officially on summer break! While we recharge, we are replaying some of the most impactful conversations from Season One. Keeping it real, society gives us rituals for romantic breakups and family passing, but there is no public script or timeline for the ache of losing a close friend. Whether the friendship experienced a gradual fade, a sudden ghosting, or a shift becau...

Have you ever felt the quiet, exhausting helplessness of desperately trying to save someone you love? It is a very specific kind of pain, and a heavy grief that the world rarely validates. In this special Summer Series replay, we revisit a deeply moving conversation with licensed mental health counselor and author Joel Asencio about his book, How Much Could a Clementine Weigh? . While we touch on...

What a journey it has been! In this Season 1 finale, we take a look back at the past 24 episodes of The Living Loss Podcast . As licensed mental health counselors, we dive deep into the quiet, complex griefs that don’t come with a funeral because you truly cannot heal what you don’t acknowledge. From behind-the-scenes blunders (like trying not to look like Casper under the studio lights) to the pr...

In this episode licensed mental health counselors Daiana Bernard and Cassandra Harris-Towner sit down with certified grief educator, best-selling author, and international speaker Heidi Dunstan. Following the sudden loss of her husband in 2018, Heidi discovered firsthand how ill-equipped society is to handle deep pain. In this deeply moving and practical conversation, Heidi shares the unintentiona...

In this episode, Daiana and Cassandra dive deep into a form of disenfranchised grief that is rarely spoken about: the invisible emotional toll and identity crisis tied to hearing loss. From the daily exhaustion of listening fatigue to the isolation of feeling left out, we explore why this quiet loss cuts so deep and how we can begin to validate the pain it causes. We are joined by the incredible V...

This episode explores the complex nature of quiet, unacknowledged griefs and the trap of waiting for a perfect future self to find happiness. Cassandra and Daiana share personal insights and practical strategies for living in the present, releasing unrealistic expectations, and embracing self-compassion. Key Topics: The illusion of future happiness and the trap of waiting for the 'perfect' time Th...

Please Note: This episode contains discussions of domestic violence, relationship trauma, and complex grief. Our conversation is meant for educational and empowering purposes, but we understand these topics can be heavy. Please protect your peace and prioritize your well-being as you listen. In this episode of The Living Loss Podcast , host Daiana Bernard sits down with advocate Melissa Issa to ex...

In this heartfelt interview, Suzy McNamara shares her profound journey through the grief of losing her husband to early onset Alzheimer's and her sister unexpectedly. She explores the nuances of ambiguous loss, caregiver burden, and finding love and purpose amidst profound grief, offering valuable insights and hope for those navigating similar paths. Connect With Us: Join the Community : We’re bui...

Daiana and Cassandra, with special guest Lee Horton-Carter, retired psychotherapist, explore the concept of ambiguous loss and family estrangement, shedding light on the psychological and emotional impact of living with estrangement. We would like to mention that today’s conversation does touch on the subject of sexual abuse and could be triggering to some listeners. It is not the overall focus bu...

If you've ever wondered why the second year of grief feels harder than the first, or how to survive the holidays after a loss , this episode is for you. Daiana and Cassandra reunite to explore the complex grief tied to holidays, traditions, and milestones. They dive into the "quiet losses" we often overlook and offer a guide to supporting yourself and others through these heavy transitions. In thi...

In this heartfelt episode, Cassandra Harris-Towner and guest Adam Greenbaum explore the profound grief of losing beloved pets, the societal minimization of pet loss, and the importance of infrastructure and support for pet owners. They share personal stories, insights on disenfranchised grief, and practical lessons on honoring pet memories and supporting others through loss. Adam Greenbaum the fou...

In this heartfelt episode, Cassandra Harris-Towner interviews Shruti Trivedi about living with the complex grief of pregnancy and baby loss. They explore the nuances of ambiguous loss, delayed grief, and practical frameworks for healing, emphasizing the importance of validation, self-care, and community support. Connect With Us: We’re building a space where every loss is seen. Email us your story....

In this replay Daiana shares personal insights on grief brain, relationship dynamics, and practical coping strategies. She briefly explores navigating grief, emotional exhaustion, and the importance of self-compassion during difficult times. In this episode, Cassandra and Daiana delve into the complexities of grief, particularly focusing on the concept of 'grief brain' and its effects on mental cl...

Daiana shares a personal update about taking time off to grieve and be with family. She then delves into the psychology of grief, highlighting the cognitive reorganization and the different types of grief experiences. The conversation provides clarity and comfort to the audience. Replay: The Living Loss Podcast explores the complexities of non-death grief, shedding light on different types of non-...

The Living Loss Podcast explores the complex grief experienced in eating disorders, addressing topics such as ambiguous loss, disenfranchised grief, shame, identity, and the impact on relationships. It delves into coping mechanisms, the recovery paradox, and the importance of supporting individuals with eating disorders. The podcast emphasizes the normalcy of grief in recovery and the need to hono...

In this episode of The Living Loss, Daiana Bernard and Cassandra Harris-Towner sit down with author Joel Asensio for a deeply moving conversation about the types of grief that often go unacknowledged. We dive into the "unseen" side of suffering, from the heavy fog of depression to the complexities of loving someone through their darkest mental health struggles. Joel shares the heart behind his nov...

Parenting is a series of beautiful hellos and quiet, heavy goodbyes. In this episode, we’re diving into the "living losses" that come with raising children—the grief of outgrowing a stage, the shift in our own identities as they gain independence, and the bittersweet reality of watching the versions of our kids we once knew slip away to make room for who they are becoming. Join Daiana and Cassandr...

The Living Loss podcast explores the quiet, complex grief of friendship loss and the impact it has on identity, closure, and emotional trust. The conversation delves into the emotional impact of ambiguous loss, disenfranchised grief, and the challenge of finding closure in relationships. It also highlights the significance of friendship loss and the emotional flexibility it can provide, along with...

In this episode of the Living Loss podcast, hosts Cassandra and Daiana explore the often-overlooked grief associated with alopecia, a condition that leads to hair loss and can profoundly impact identity and self-image. They are joined by Brigid, who shares her personal journey with alopecia, discussing the emotional toll of camouflaging her hair loss, the challenges of dating, and the journey towa...

In this episode of the Living Loss Podcast, Cassandra and Daiana delve into the complexities of grief, particularly focusing on the concept of 'grief brain' and its effects on mental clarity. They discuss empathy fatigue, a common experience among therapists and caregivers, and the importance of utilizing distress tolerance skills to manage emotional surges. The conversation shifts to the role of...

In this episode, we explore the complex and often invisible grief experienced by siblings of loved ones with disabilities or chronic illnesses. Suyapa Ulloa shares her personal journey, cultural influences like Marianismo, and practical insights on unlearning caregiving roles to embrace self-care and authentic identity. Chapters 00:00 Unpacking Ambiguous Loss 05:47 The Unlearning Process 11:54 The...

In this episode of the Living Loss Podcast, hosts Daiana and Cassandra engage in a heartfelt conversation with Eliana Perez about the unique grief of feeling like a permanent outsider. Eliana shares her journey from Brooklyn to the Dominican Republic and back to the United States, exploring the complexities of identity, culture shock, and the challenges of navigating dual identities. The discussio...

In this episode of the Living Loss podcast, hosts Cassandra and Daiana delve into the quiet, complex griefs experienced by a generation shaped by 9-11, the recession, and the global pandemic. The hosts explore the concept of widening the window of tolerance to find glimmers of joy amidst chaos, while also addressing the impact of collective trauma, delayed grief, radical honesty, and reducing sham...

The Living Loss Podcast hosts, Daiana and Cassandra, unpack the concepts of collective and cumulative grief, discussing the impact of global events on 80s babies and Millennials. They explore the window of tolerance, hyperarousal, and the challenges of parenting in the face of uncertainty and trauma. The conversation delves into the resilience and strength gained through decades of uncertainty, hi...

In this episode, licensed mental health counselors Daiana Bernard and Cassandra Harris-Towner explore the emotional complexity of the post-holiday season and the unique "heaviness" that remains once the decorations are put away. We dive into the post-holiday letdown and why the end of the season can feel like a heavy emotional drop, alongside "the ghost of who you were"—the phenomenon where return...