How can we unlock joy after loss?
This episode explores the possibility of experiencing joy after loss and provides guidance on incorporating self-compassion and joy into the grieving process. It emphasizes the importance of honoring each moment, leaning into curiosity, and rewarding the questions that arise. Nina shares tips for cultivating joy, such as setting reminders for gratitude and using mantras, and discusses the complexities of feeling joy after loss, including guilt, betrayal, and the recognition of all the things the loved one will never experience.
Join us as we discuss grounding techniques, reducing stress, and adding gentleness and lightness to daily life. This episode is a compassionate guide for anyone navigating the delicate balance of grief and joy.
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Watch the Video on YouTube
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Takeaways :
- Experiencing joy after loss is possible and a sign of readiness for the next step forward in the grieving process.
- Honoring each moment and leaning into curiosity can help incorporate self-compassion and joy into the grieving process.
- Setting reminders to practice gratitude and affirmations can create an anchor for joy and make it safe to feel joy again.
- Feeling joy after loss can be complex and may involve fear, guilt, and a sense of betrayal, but it is still possible and can evolve over time.
- Finding one's own path to joy and embracing the fullness of the grief experience is important.
- Feeling joy after loss can be complex, involving feelings of guilt, betrayal, and sadness.
- Creating a sense of community and support is essential in the journey towards joy after loss.
- Letting light and joy into one's life slowly and gently can help navigate the vulnerability and risks associated with feeling joy after loss.
- Grounding oneself, reducing stress, and adding gentleness and lightness to daily life can contribute to the experience of joy after loss.
About Nina Rodriguez:
Nina is founder and host of the Grief and Light Podcast, created after the unexpected loss of her only sibling, as an authentic exploration of grief and life after loss. Through each conversation, she aims to give a voice to the griever’s experience, and foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world.
Beyond the podcast, Nina extends her heart-centered support through monthly circles, personalized mentorship, speaking engagements, active presence on social media, and forthcoming in-person retreats.
She regularly contributes to Get Griefy Magazine and has completed the Grief Care Professional Certificate Program under renowned psychotherapist and best-selling author, Megan Devine.
Let's connect!
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Megan Gluth-Bohan's path to success has been anything but a straight line, shaped by her challenging upbringing and personal struggles. Growing up in rural Iowa below the poverty line, Megan faced dysfunction, trauma, and difficult circumstances. She struggled with alcohol and drug use, which led to her getting kicked out of college. However, she eventually turned her life around, went back to college, and graduated with a degree in history. Megan's journey continued with law school, where she faced the devastating loss of her first wife to ovarian cancer. This led her down a path of grief and self-destruction, but she eventually found hope and healing in the Pacific Northwest. She met her second wife and started to rebuild her life, eventually becoming the CEO of a company in Seattle. Megan Gluth-Bohan shares her journey of overcoming addiction and building a successful career as a CEO. After getting sober, she took a job as a lawyer and eventually became the president and CEO of a chemical company. She bought the company from her boss and navigated the challenges of leading a business through a global pandemic. Megan emphasizes the importance of self-accountability, personal discipline, and taking care of oneself as a leader. She believes in human-centered capitalism and values the humanity and grit in each person. Megan encourages others to keep going and shares her contact information for further connection.
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Click Here to Watch on YouTube
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Takeaways:
- Success is possible even when starting from challenging circumstances
- Grief and loss can lead to self-destructive behaviors, and they can become your starting point
- Finding hope and healing takes time and gradual progress
- Support from loved ones and community is crucial in overcoming challenges
- Moving to a new environment can provide a fresh start and opportunities for growth
- Self-accountability and personal discipline are important qualities for leaders
- Human-centered capitalism values the humanity and potential in each person
- Sharing personal stories and experiences can inspire and support others
- It's important to keep going and not give up, even in the face of challenges
Megan Gluth-Bohan's Social & Website:
Nina Rodriguez Social & Website:
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Please contact me via IG @griefandlight, via email at nina@griefandlight.com.
Camille Sapara Barton, author of 'Tending Grief, Embodied Rituals for Holding Our Sorrow and Growing Cultures of Caring Community,' discusses the importance of tending to grief and creating communal spaces for grief.
They emphasize the need to process grief through the body, and draw inspiration from the grief rituals of the Dagara people, who see grief as a generative force that supports the well-being of the community. They also highlight the significance of incorporating joy and pleasure into social movements, and the importance of creating spaces for the full range of emotions.
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Click here to watch on YouTube
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Takeaways
- Unprocessed emotions can impact our ability to collaborate with others.
- Tending grief can help build trust and create communal spaces.
- The Dagara people view grief as a generative force and hold regular grief rituals for the health of the community.
- Processing grief through the body is important for behavior and internal change.
- Creating intentional spaces for communal grief tending can foster connection and empathy.
- Collective grief work has the potential to bring about transformative change. The resilience toolkit and the GenGrief toolkit are embodied frameworks for navigating stress and grief.
- Safety and facilitation are crucial when practicing these tools in group settings.
- Dance and movement can be powerful tools for processing emotions and connecting to ancestral wisdom.
- Incorporating joy and pleasure in social movements is essential for sustainability and longevity.
- Tending to personal and collective grief can lead to a more beautiful and interconnected future.
Camille Sapara Barton Social & Websites
Nina Rodriguez Social & Website
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In this conversation, Blair Kaplan Venables, a grief and resilience expert, shares her personal journey of resilience and how she turned her pain into purpose after experiencing multiple losses, including the loss of both parents and a pregnancy. She discusses the concept of resilience and defines it as 'bouncing forward' from a challenging experience.
Blair also introduces the Navigating Grief Framework, which consists of five tools she developed to help others navigate their own healing process. She emphasizes the importance of strengthening the resilience muscle and highlights the role of community and rituals in the grief process.
ABOUT BLAIR:
Blair is a grief and resilience expert, and the Founder of The Global Resilience Project. Her expertise has been featured in media outlets, including Forbes, CBC Radio, Entrepreneur, and Thrive Global.
She is the host of the Radical Resilience podcast, a motivational speaker and bestselling author, specializing in helping people strengthen their resilience muscle, and guiding grieving high-performers with her 'Navigating Grief Framework'.
USA Today listed Blair as one of the top 10 conscious female leaders to watch. The International Association of Top Professionals named her "Top Grief and Resilience Expert of the Year" in 2024.
Her life story will be showcased on a new show called “My Story” airing on Apple TV+. And she is on a mission to change lives and spark transformation, with a goal of empowering 88 million people by August 2025.
- Website: theglobalresilienceproject.com
- Instagram: @blairfromblairland
Nina Rodriguez Social & Website
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The first five years of grief:
- Year One: Shock and Fog
- Year Two: Year of Permanence
- Year Three: The Year of Inflammation and New Normals
- Year Four: The Pivot Year
- Year Five: The Year of Rebirth
In this episode, Nina Rodriguez reflects on the first five years of her grief journey after the loss of her brother. She shares the different stages and experiences she went through, and discusses the importance of allowing grief to unfold in its own time, and the physical impact it can have on the body. Nina also emphasizes the need for self-care and finding joy amidst grief. The episode concludes with a preview of what to expect in the upcoming season of the podcast.
Takeaways
- Grief is a journey that unfolds in its own time and can be different for everyone.
- The first five years of grief can be characterized by different stages and experiences.
- Allowing grief to be felt and processed is important for healing.
- Grief can have physical effects on the body, and self-care is crucial.
- Finding joy and embracing new normals can be part of the grief journey.
- Sharing stories and experiences can create a more grief-informed and supportive world.
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction and Catching Up
09:51 Reflecting on the First Five Years of Grief
11:44 Year One: Shock and Fog
16:55 Year Two: Year of Permanence
21:12 Year Three: The Year of Inflammation and New Normals
23:16 Year Four: The Pivot Year
26:06 Year Five: The Year of Rebirth
30:44 Preview of Season Three
Related Episodes
Nina Rodriguez Social & Website
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Janet Gwilliam-Wright , a grief awareness advocate and educator, shares her personal experience of losing her mother and how it shaped her life.
She launched the Mother Love Project as a platform for motherless daughters to share their stories, and co-founded Bloomwell Partners, a global training and consulting firm working to build more compassionate and grief-informed workspaces.
In this conversation, Janet discusses the importance of honoring and remembering our loved ones, the complexities of grief, and the need for support and understanding in the workplace.
Janet also shares the two main aspects of her work: consulting and training.
She helps organizations build grief-informed cultures through policies and practices, and provides grief education and training for managers and leaders. The training includes workshops and webinars, and focuses on a six-part framework with monthly coaching calls.
Janet emphasizes the importance of addressing various types of grief, including those not related to death. She also highlights the impact of grief-informed practices on employee retention, recruitment, and overall well-being.
Takeaways
- Grief is complex and nuanced, and it is important to allow ourselves to feel all of the emotions that come with it.
- Support and community are crucial in the grieving process, and connecting with others who have had similar experiences can be incredibly healing.
- The workplace often lacks understanding and support for grieving employees, and there is a need for more compassionate and grief-informed workspaces.
- Managers and leaders play a key role in supporting grieving employees, and training and resources should be provided to help them navigate these situations.
- Grief-informed cultures can be built through policies and practices in organizations.
- Grief education and training for managers and leaders is crucial.
- Different types of grief, beyond the loss of a person, should be addressed.
- Grief-informed practices can improve employee retention, recruitment, and overall well-being.
- Supporting employees through grief and loss not only benefits individuals, but also creates more compassionate and engaged workplaces and communities.
Janet GWilliam Wright's Social & Website:
Nina Rodriguez Social & Website:
Thank you for listening! Please share with someone you love.
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Please contact me via IG @griefandlight, via email at nina@griefandlight.com.
Lauren "Lolo" Paz, founder of A Soulful Sorrow, discusses the profound journey of grief and finding healing, meaning, and spiritual reconnection after pregnancy loss.
She highlights the lack of resources and support for women navigating this complex terrain, and emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to healing, addressing the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of grief.
Lolo delves into the challenges of shame and guilt often associated with pregnancy loss, advocating for validation and permission to grieve. Nina and Lolo explore the power of therapy, somatic practices, nature, and rituals in the healing process, underscoring the transformative impact of community and support in navigating the journey of grief with compassion and resilience.
Takeaways:
- Pregnancy loss is a deeply complex and emotional experience that often lacks resources and support.
- Women need validation and permission to acknowledge and process their grief after pregnancy loss.
- The physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of pregnancy loss can challenge a woman's identity and sense of worth.
- A holistic approach to healing, including therapy, mind-body practices, and self-care, is essential for navigating the grief journey.
- There is a need for frameworks and tools to help women honor their grief, find meaning, and integrate their loss into their lives.
- Grief is a lifelong companion that should be embraced and learned from, rather than overcome.
- Creating a safe space to acknowledge and process grief is essential for healing.
- Nature can be a powerful source of healing and support in the grieving process.
- Rituals and ceremonies can provide meaning and help honor lost babies.
- Community and support are crucial in navigating the complexities of grief.
Lauren Paz's Social & Websites:
Referenced in Episode:
- Nurtured by nature: Letting nature carry the magnitude of our grief (Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Other Platforms)
Nina Rodriguez Social & Website:
- Instagram: @griefandlight
- Website: griefandlight.com
- Grief & Light Podcast
- Subscribe to my newsletter
Disclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers
#griefandlight #griefandlightpodcast
I
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How do we free ourselves when we’re confined?
How can we heal from the trauma of our lived experiences?
THE OCEAN INSIDE ME is an award-winning and Amazon best-selling, spiritual memoir about healing racial trauma as a person of color incarcerated in an almost all-white prison. Amidst harsh conditions and blatant racism, R.G. Shore learned to meditate by going into his body, befriending his shadow, and learning to sit with the traumas held by his younger self.
Through his journey within, R.G. Shore learned to love and accept the cause of his deepest pain -- his brown body. His prison radio became the conduit by which he transcended the limitations of prison. The static white noise helped transform a world of concrete and injustice into a world where he could connect to nature and find healing through the element of water.
His embodied spiritual journey eventually led him to studying law, where he advocated for the very men who oppressed him.
A Master in meditation, R.G. Shore found a way to liberate his inner child in the most unlikely place, and is now offering a path for you to find healing as well.
This spiritual memoir also offers practical guided steps for you to begin your healing journey.
R.G. Shore Social & Website:
- Instagram: @northwest_wisdom
- Website: northwestwisdom.org
- Buy the Award-Winning Book
- Masterclass: Healing Trauma Through Visual Meditation
- Book a Reiki and Spiritual Counseling Session
- Jessie Shore Yoga
- Contact: r.g.shore@northwestwisdom.org
Referenced in Episode:
- Race, Space, and Resistance in America's Whitest Big City
- Oxford Academic Article
- “The Racist History of Portland, the Whitest City in America” published in The Atlantic
- Study: Portland is one of whitest cities in US
Nina Rodriguez Social & Website:
- Instagram: @griefandlight
- Website: griefandlight.com
- Ways to Work with Me
- 1:1 Grief Support
- Grief & Light Podcast
- Subscribe to my newsletter
Thank you for listening! Please share with someone you love.
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Please contact me via IG @griefandlight, via email at nina@griefandlight.com.
“Not everything happens for a reason, but sacred gifts MAY be found in everything that happens – even (and especially) in the most painful things.” – Not Another Self-Help Book
That’s a quote from the newly published Amazon best-seller titled, "Not Another Self-Help Book: Finding Gifts in the Midst of Life's Sh*t," by guest, Lindsey Kane Leaverton, who bravely shares her personal journey through grief, loss, and trauma, navigating life's challenges with resilience and humor.
A multifaceted individual, Lindsey serves as the director of wealth management at a boutique financial planning firm in Austin.
She has seven recorded albums under her belt, is a self-taught guitarist and vocalist, a mother of three, an Amazon best-selling author, and has been featured on The Today Show, The New York Times, People Magazine, and TIME.
Beyond her professional pursuits, she has a strong sense of faith, a vibrant personality, and not-so-secretly dreams of pursuing a career as a stand-up comedian someday.
In this candid episode, we delve into various pivotal moments that shaped Lindsey's life and personal story, including undergoing conversion therapy, reconciling her faith and lived reality within a conservative religious community, experiencing various traumas, losses, and finding the little miracles and hope in life's most challenging moments.
Lindsey Kane Leaverton's Social & Website:
- Website: notanotherselfhelpbook.com
- Get the book on Amazon
- She's a Lot Interview Series
- Instagram: @lindseykaneleaverton
- Listen on SoundCloud
Nina Rodriguez Social & Website:
- Instagram: @griefandlight
- Website: griefandlight.com
- Ways to Work with Me
- 1:1 Grief Support
- Grief & Light Podcast
- Subscribe to my newsletter
Disclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers
#griefandlight #griefandlightpodcast
Interested in sponsoring an episode? Contact us via info@griefandlight.com.
Thank you for listening! Please share with someone you love.
Want your story featured in a podcast episode?
Please contact me via IG @griefandlight, via email at nina@griefandlight.com.
What role does movement play in grief?
Emily P. Bingham is a certified grief educator, grief coach, widow, and founder of moveTHRU, which she created after the loss of her husband, Ian, in 2019 to Uveal Melanoma.
moveTHRU was born as a way to create new meaning out of her tragedy by helping others heal.
Her book -- LOVE AND GRIEF: Find Healing, Meaning & Purpose in Life After Loss -- teaches readers how to survive early grief, how to find meaning and purpose as you grow from this experience, and how to rebuild a life where you ultimately thrive.
Emily has worked with hundreds of clients in both private and coaching groups. Additionally, she has reached millions of followers through her social media content.
Her goal is to help anyone who has experienced a loss embrace grief through movement and mindset.
In this open conversation, Emily shares her journey from caretaker of her beloved husband Ian, to newly bereaved widow and mother of two under the age of 3, to how she rebuilt her life helping others, and how she's ultimately thriving through grief and love.
Her story is ultimately one of resilience, surrendering, and deeply understanding that "nothing is ever lost".
Emily P. Bingham's Social & Website:
- Website: movethrugrief.com
- Instagram: @emilypbingham
- TikTok
- Buy the book: LOVE AND GRIEF
Nina Rodriguez Social & Website:
- Instagram: @griefandlight
- Website: griefandlight.com
- Ways to Work with Me
- Subscribe to my newsletter
Episodes of topics referenced in this episode:
- Continuing Bonds: Death ends a life, but not a relationship
- The pain is real, but the suffering is optional
- Grief and personal boundaries
Disclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers
#griefandlight #griefandlightpodcast
Interested in sponsoring an episode? Contact us via info@griefandlight.com.
Thank you for listening! Please share with someone you love.
Want your story featured in a podcast episode?
Please contact me via IG @griefandlight, via email at nina@griefandlight.com.
In this episode, we deep dive into the reality of experiencing life's duality in its fullness as guest, Kera Sanchez, experienced both the birth of her daughter and the unexpected loss of her mother only a few days apart.
She shares how her grief left her with no choice but to turn "lemons into lemonade" as she learned to navigate loss and joy through the power of dark humor and community.
Kera channeled her love for her mother through her creative gifts, creating legacy journals, a first-of-its-kind magazine for grievers, and a welcoming space for all through her social media channels.
Kera Sanchez is a High School Spanish teacher in the Chicago area, a wife, and mom of two. After her mom unexpectedly died while on vacation in Italy at the age of 57, she dove deep into a grief journey, where she channeled her unexpressed love in the form of the Legacy Letters guided journal, offering a way to write and leave handwritten legacies of love, advice, and support for loved ones, to ensure families all over the world don't have to face unexpected loss without a legacy left behind. She also released a second journal, "No Legacy Lost", a guided memory and grief journal. Through her Instagram community, she pokes fun at her grief journey with relatable memes and dark humor. In early 2024, she launched Get Griefy Magazine, as a community outlet for grievers to publish their poetry, writing, art, photography, and more.
Kera Sanchez Social & Website:
- Website: getgriefymagazine.com
- Subscribe to GET GRIEFY Magazine
- Instagram: @getgriefymagazine
- Website: legacylettersjournal.com
- Purchase the Journal
- Instagram: @legacylettersjournal
Nina Rodriguez Social & Website:
- Instagram: @griefandlight
- Website: griefandlight.com
- Ways to Work with Me
- Subscribe to my newsletter
Disclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers
#griefandlight #griefandlightpodcast
Interested in sponsoring an episode? Contact us via info@griefandlight.com.
Thank you for listening! Please share with someone you love.
Want your story featured in a podcast episode?
Please contact me via IG @griefandlight, via email at nina@griefandlight.com.
Trigger Warning: Discussion of sensitive topics. Listener discretion is advised.
What role does creative expression play in navigating the complexities of grief?
Eileen Kielty, founder of Kaia Evolutions, a culmination of her life’s work and a love letter to her sister, Katie, who died by suicide in June of 2019.
She has degrees in both dance and psychology, as well as extensive training in somatic integration, embodiment and intimacy practices, and is passionate about consent-driven spaces with an emphasis on social justice.
She recognizes the importance of illuminating the darker, often hidden, parts of the human experience through sharing openly and authentically, as we’re not meant to do this alone. Eileen believes in the power of creative expression and its ability to reveal the unspoken language of being alive; that the body always knows, and that movement is our direct connection to our deepest truth.
In this candid episode, Eileen shares her perspective and experience as a surviving sibling, and trauma survivor, as well as how the creative expression of dance and movement has helped her and her clients navigate some of life's biggest challenges.
Eileen Kielty's Social & Website:
- Website: kaiaevolutions.com
- Instagram: @kaia.evolutions & @ekielty
- Offerings (use code GRIEFANDLIGHT for 22% discount on H.O.P.E. Coaching)
Nina Rodriguez Social & Website:
- Instagram: @griefandlight
- Website: griefandlight.com
- Ways to Work with Me
- Subscribe to my newsletter
Disclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers
#griefandlight #griefandlightpodcast
Interested in sponsoring an episode? Contact us via info@griefandlight.com.
Thank you for listening! Please share with someone you love.
Want your story featured in a podcast episode?
Please contact me via IG @griefandlight, via email at nina@griefandlight.com.
“Grieving room is endangered in a culture that thinks it is more helpful to rush past grief than to lean into it.”
Leanne Friesen is the brilliant soul behind the groundbreaking book, "Grieving Room: Making Space for All the Hard Things After Death and Loss."
As the curator of the popular Instagram platform, @grieving.room, she has cultivated a nurturing space for those navigating the tumultuous waters of grief.
With a profound understanding that grief defies easy solutions, Leanne advocates for the power of creating room for the complexities of grief, rather than rushing to fix or diminish it.
Drawing upon her extensive experience as an ordained minister and grief educator spanning over two decades, Leanne offers invaluable insights into the sacred process of grief, and how the cognitive understanding of loss and grief falls short of the lived experience.
She learned this heartbreaking reality after the loss of her sister, Roxanne, after an eight-year battle with melanoma.
In this episode, we discuss imperfect goodbyes, sibling loss, living the "are you serious?!" era after loss, making room to grieve, and so much more!
Leanne Friesen Social & Website:
- Instagram: @grieving.room & @leanne_friesen
- Buy GRIEVING ROOM book
- Website: leanfriessen.com
Nina Rodriguez Social & Website:
- Instagram: @griefandlight
- Website: griefandlight.com
- Ways to Work with Me
- Subscribe to my newsletter
Disclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers
#griefandlight #griefandlightpodcast
Interested in sponsoring an episode? Contact us via info@griefandlight.com.
Thank you for listening! Please share with someone you love.
Want your story featured in a podcast episode?
Please contact me via IG @griefandlight, via email at nina@griefandlight.com.
"Grief is not this OR that; it's this AND that." - Nina Rodriguez
Grief thrusts us into the messy middle, which in time may become the magical middle.
But what the heck is it anyway?! The irony of this universal experience is that it's so unique to each experiencer, the answer of what is it depends on who you ask.
That said, there are some words, descriptions and frameworks that seem to describe aspects of big-picture GRIEF, that when understood, may give us the tools needed to understand and navigate through this nuanced experience.
Grief is love with nowhere to go...
AND unique to each person...
AND nuanced...
AND it lasts forever...
AND dynamic, evolving as we evolve...
AND...
This episode gets a little nerdy, AND it's great for those of us who seek to understand this life experience.
I also check in, providing updates on new and upcoming developments.
Tune in and DM me on Instagram @griefandlight to let me know what you think!
Referenced in this Episode:
- EP. 27 | Grieving with Grace: Dr. Mekel Harris' Grief-Informed Approach to Relaxing into the Pain
- EP. 22 | Anatomy of Grief Series: What's your grief bias?
- EP. 21 | Grace on Ice: Skating through Sibing Grief 30 Years Delayed with Judy Lipson
- Book | The Anatomy of Grief: How the Brain, Heart, and Body Can Heal After Loss
Nina Rodriguez Social & Website:
- Instagram: @griefandlight
- Website: griefandlight.com
- Ways to Work with Me
- Subscribe to my newsletter
Disclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers
#griefandlight #griefandlightpodcast
Interested in sponsoring an episode? Contact us via info@griefandlight.com.
Thank you for listening! Please share with someone you love.
Want your story featured in a podcast episode?
Please contact me via IG @griefandlight, via email at nina@griefandlight.com.
There are losses that rearrange our understanding of life and how we show up in the world.
The death of a young person, a baby, a spouse or a sibling can be particularly devastating, due to the traumatic and out-of-order elements surrounding the loss.
Surviving one loss can feel unbearable. But all four?
Today’s guest shares her story of immense loss — a journey marked by the departure of her one-year-old son, Garret, her beloved husband, Jack, her resilient brother, Seth, and her sister-in-law, Brooke.
In her own profound grief, Angie Hanson found solace in a mission to change the narrative around grief, to bring light into the darkest moments, and to offer genuine support to those walking the path of loss.
She founded Butterflies + Halos, a greeting card company that seeks to bridge the gap between sympathy and understanding, between condolence and companionship.
Through her story, Angie illuminates the way forward for those grappling with their own losses, and offers insight into how we can better support one another through life's most challenging moments.
Angie Hanson Social & Website:
Nina Rodriguez Social & Website:
- Instagram: @griefandlight
- Threads: @griefandlight
- Website: griefandlight.com
- Ways to Work with Me
- Subscribe to my newsletter
Disclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers
Some of the conversation includes candid recounts of sensitive matters related to loss of loved ones. Listener discretion is advised.
#griefandlight #griefandlightpodcast
Interested in sponsoring an episode? Contact us via info@griefandlight.com.
Thank you for listening! Please share with someone you love.
Want your story featured in a podcast episode?
Please contact me via IG @griefandlight, via email at nina@griefandlight.com.
Clinically Trained, Mystically Guided.
Casey Stevens embodies the philosophy encapsulated in this motto. She is a Spiritual Psychotherapist and Consciousness Coach, and founder of Shrink Bigger.
Casey shares her deeply personal journey of transformation, from navigating the loss of her husband and ensuing grief to embracing her true calling as an embodied healer. Through candid reflections and profound insights, Casey delves into the fusion of clinical expertise with mystical guidance, offering listeners a glimpse into her unique approach to healing and transformation.
Throughout the conversation, Casey explores the intricacies of her holistic therapeutic framework, which honors the interconnectedness of the bio-psycho-social-spiritual aspects of human experience. Drawing from her own experiences and clinical practice, she sheds light on the importance of shadow work, inner child work, family triangulation dynamics, organizing your energy, and conscious awareness in the process of healing and self-discovery.
Listeners are invited to explore the transformative power of quantum healing principles and learn practical techniques for cultivating mindfulness, self-awareness, and alignment with one's true self. Through her inspiring journey and compassionate wisdom, Casey offers hope and guidance to those navigating their own paths of healing and transformation.
Casey Steven Social & Website:
- Instagram: @shrinkbigger
- Website: shrinkbigger.com
- Services
- Book a Session
- Free Inner Gold Meditation
Nina Rodriguez Social & Website:
- Instagram: @griefandlight
- Threads: @griefandlight
- Website: griefandlight.com
- Ways to Work with Me
- Subscribe to my newsletter
Disclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers
#griefandlight #griefandlightpodcast
Interested in sponsoring an episode? Contact us via info@griefandlight.com.
Thank you for listening! Please share with someone you love.
Want your story featured in a podcast episode?
Please contact me via IG @griefandlight, via email at nina@griefandlight.com.
How does grief impact our mental health, and what strategies can we employ to nurture our well-being through times of loss and transition?
Join us as we explore the intersection of grief and mental health with the amazing Dr. Mekel Harris, Memphis-based licensed psychologist helping other perfectly imperfect folks navigate life's challenges in order to grow in lifestyle, love, leadership, and loyalties to God, self, and others. She also shares insights into her own grief experience and the ripple effect it had on her career after the loss of her beloved mother to pancreatic cancer.
GIFT: 5 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Grief-Informed Clinician
She holds a B.A. in Psychology from Baylor University, an M.A. in Psychology from Houston Baptist University, and a Ph.D. in Clinical/School Psychology from the University of Houston, and further honed her skills through a pre-doctoral internship and post-doctoral fellowship at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
She serves diverse communities through hospital-based programs, higher education, and her private practice, Harris Psychological Services, LLC.
Dr. Harris' is co-founder of Bloomwell Partners, LLC, empowering organizations with the tools to support those navigating grief in the workplace.
She is also an author and speaker, having presented at over 30 conferences worldwide, and a TEDx Talk.
Her memoir, "Relaxing Into the Pain: My Journey Into Grief & Beyond," offers profound insights into the human experience of loss.
A sought-after expert, Dr. Harris has shared her wisdom through various media platforms, including Equanimity Magazine and The Washington Post. Her advocacy for mental health extends to her role as VP of the Board of AIMHITN, and as a recurring guest on FOX13 Memphis.
Let's delve into the heart of grief and the transformative power of relaxing into our grief.
Dr. Mekel Harris Social & Website:
- Instagram: @drmekel
- Website: mekelharrisphd.com
- Bloomwell: growwithbloomwell.com
- 5 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Grief-Informed Clinician
- The Grief Anatomy Toolkit
Nina Rodriguez Social & Website:
Disclaimer: griefandlight.com/safet
Thank you for listening! Please share with someone you love.
Want your story featured in a podcast episode?
Please contact me via IG @griefandlight, via email at nina@griefandlight.com.
"Everybody else rushed me past the agony, but grief is the one and only voice that told me, 'take as long as you need'." J.S. Park – As Long As You Need
Life-altering loss and grief can alter our perception of time, an effect experienced by many grievers that I like to call "grief time".
Grief time is non-linear, both a blink and an eternity. Grief also demands your time and attention, whether in the moment or after decades delayed.
In this episode, we delve into how our perception of time, and how we dedicate time to processing our grief can have long-lasting effects and outcomes. We discuss practical actionable steps and tools to help anchor us to the present moment and normalize this common phenomenon experienced by many.
Episodes & Article Referenced:
- EP.1 The Call & The Calling | Losing your only sibling | Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy, Broken-Heart Syndrome
- Harvard Health Article about Tako-tsubo heart: https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/takotsubo-cardiomyopathy-broken-heart-syndrome
- Grace on Ice: Skating through Sibling Grief 30 Years Delayed feat. Judy Lipson
Nina Rodriguez Social & Website:
- Instagram: @griefandlight
- Threads: @griefandlight
- Website: griefandlight.com
- Ways to Work with Me
- Subscribe to my newsletter
Disclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers
#griefandlight #griefandlightpodcast
Interested in sponsoring an episode? Contact us via info@griefandlight.com.
Thank you for listening! Please share with someone you love.
Want your story featured in a podcast episode?
Please contact me via IG @griefandlight, via email at nina@griefandlight.com.
How can a mother move forward after the life-altering death of her son?
Is it even possible?
Our guest is on a mission to bring hope to those who navigate the challenging journey of grief, the trauma of loving someone suffering from substance use disorder, and the reality of life after losing a child.
Kathy Wagner is a grief-focused writer and author, and a mother of three grown children who understands the profound pain of loss. Her journey includes the devastating experience of losing her son Tristan to fentanyl poisoning in 2017.
Since that time, Wagner has advocated for improved access to quality addiction
recovery services and was a grief support group facilitator for Healing Hearts Canada.
In this episode, we discuss her beautiful memoir, "Here With You: A Memoir of Love, Family, and Addiction," where she candidly shares the highs, lows, and the beautiful resilience that emerged from her family's journey through addiction, recovery, and ultimately, loss.
Kathy's essays have found their way into The New York Times, Best Health Magazine, The Globe and Mail, and The Sun Magazine, and her first book is making waves with its release in Canada, as well as in the U.S. and worldwide (available Spring 2024).
Get ready for a touching and inspiring conversation with a woman who's turned her pain into a beacon of hope for others.
Kathy Wagner Social & Website:
- Website: kwagnerwrites.com
- Kathy Wagner's Essays
- Order HERE WITH YOU
- Follow on Facebook
- Instagram: @kwagnerwrites
Nina Rodriguez Social & Website:
- Instagram: @griefandlight
- Threads: @griefandlight
- Website: griefandlight.com
- Ways to Work with Me
- Subscribe to my newsletter
Disclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers
#griefandlight #griefandlightpodcast
Want to sponsor an episode? Contact us via info@griefandlight.com.
Thank you for listening! Please share with someone you love.
Want your story featured in a podcast episode?
Please contact me via IG @griefandlight, via email at nina@griefandlight.com.
In this deeply introspective episode, Catherine Baars opens up about her personal experiences with grief, especially in the context of navigating a complex relationship with her father, whom she lost a mere six months as of this recording.
For as long as she can remember, Cat's relationship with her father was strained due to his substance use disorder, which eventually led to their estrangement and a final reconciliation before he passed.
She bravely shares insights into the delicate interplay between death and spirituality, shedding light on her own healing journey from religious trauma.
As a professional astrologer, Cat guides others towards understanding their life's purpose through dedicated readings based on each individual's birth chart.
Through her unique perspective and lived experience, she offers a message of hope, healing, and resilience to anyone grappling with life's profound changes and challenges.
Catherine Baars Social & Website:
- Personalised Astrology Readings by Cat
- TikTok: @cats_astrology
- Instagram: @cats_astrology
Nina Rodriguez Social & Website:
- Instagram: @griefandlight
- Threads: @griefandlight
- Website: griefandlight.com
- Ways to Work with Me
- Subscribe to my newsletter
Disclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers
#griefandlight #griefandlightpodcast
Want to sponsor an episode? Contact us via info@griefandlight.com.
Thank you for listening! Please share with someone you love.
Want your story featured in a podcast episode?
Please contact me via IG @griefandlight, via email at nina@griefandlight.com.
Carlos Duran, shares his inspiring story, from the turbulent streets of Wheehawk, New Jersey, to the mountains of Costa Rica. His story is a testament to the power of transformation through nature and plant-based medicine, and the resilience of the human spirit.
Growing up, Carlos faced the challenges of a violent and abusive household that left him feeling separate, disconnected, and profoundly alone.
His journey took an unexpected turn when he found himself in the serene landscapes of Costa Rica. There, fate led him to a Shaman who introduced him to Yagè, the Colombian form of Ayahuasca. The transformative power of this ancient plant medicine became evident during a 45-minute trek up the side of a mountain to his first ceremony. In that sacred space, he underwent true spiritual healing and a radical transformation that altered the course of his life.
Under the guidance of Taita Juanito, Carlos has spent the last decade immersed in the study and practice of Yage, evolving from a hustler to a healer.
Co-founder of Four Visions, founder of Savage Encounter (a men’s retreat) and Operation Purify (a veteran’s retreat), he passionately shares the profound healing potential of this sacred medicine with the world.
Carlos Duran is a living testament to the transformative power within each of us, and continues to inspire others to embrace their own path to healing and connection.
Carlos Duran Social & Website:
- Carlos Duran's Website
- Instagram @carlosduranlive
- Savage Encounter (Men's Retreat)
- Operation Purify (Veteran's Retreat)
- Cycles of the Moon hosted by Grandmother Jairsagua Farutiva Gacheta
Nina Rodriguez Social & Website:
- Instagram: @griefandlight
- Threads: @griefandlight
- Website: griefandlight.com
- Ways to Work with Me
- Subscribe to my newsletter
Full Disclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers
The information shared in this episode does not constitute real medical or legal advice, nor imply endorsement of programs, products, or methodologies. If you are concerned about your health in any way, always consult a medical practitioner. You are responsible for your own decisions and actions.
#griefandlight #griefandlightpodcast
Want to sponsor an episode? Contact us via info@griefandlight.com.
Thank you for listening! Please share with someone you love.
Want your story featured in a podcast episode?
Please contact me via IG @griefandlight, via email at nina@griefandlight.com.
What is your grief bias?
(Hint: You have one. We all do.)
Our beliefs about grief, or grief biases, define how we show up for ourselves and each other. They become particularly evident when we experience a loss or life-altering circumstances.
Inspired by the profound insights gained from Megan Devine's Grief Care Professional Certificate Program, this episode peels back the layers of treating grief as a disease or personal failing, the societal pressures and expectations that shape our collective experience, and what role our grief-phobic culture plays in the epidemic of loneliness.
I invite you to explore your own grief biases, challenge them, and cultivate curiosity as we improve how we navigate the nuances of grief.
To answer the question in the episode, DM me on Instagram at @griefandlight.
Sources referenced in the episode:
- CIGNA study on loneliness
- The Loneliness Epidemic Persists: A Post-Pandemic Look at the State of Loneliness among U.S. Adults
Nina Rodriguez Social & Website:
- Instagram: @griefandlight
- Threads: @griefandlight
- Website: griefandlight.com
- Ways to Work with Me
- Subscribe to my newsletter
Disclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers
#griefandlight #griefandlightpodcast
Want to sponsor an episode? Contact us via info@griefandlight.com.
Thank you for listening! Please share with someone you love.
Want your story featured in a podcast episode?
Please contact me via IG @griefandlight, via email at nina@griefandlight.com.
Is it possible to begin grieving a loss after 30 years?
Join us as we delve into the profound impact of grief on our lives and the importance of opening up the conversation surrounding it.
Judy Lipson is the author of Celebration of Sisters: It Is Never Too Late To Grieve, winner of Literary Titan’s 2021 Silver Award.
The sole survivor of three sisters, Judy founded Celebration of Sisters, an annual ice-skating fundraiser benefiting Massachusetts General Hospital, and as a way to commemorate the lives and memories of her beloved sisters Margie and Jane.
Judy was the keynote speaker at The Bereaved Parents USA Conference in 2023, presented at The Compassionate Friends National Conference, appeared on The Open to Hope cable television program, and is a ForGrief speaker.
Her passion for figure skating secured the recipient of U.S. Figure Skating Association 2020 Get Up Award.
In her recent memoir, Judy states, “there is no recipe for grief. The instant you suffer a loss, your life is changed.”
Join us as we explore Judy's story of regaining her balance on the ice skating rink and in life after loss.
Judy Lipson Social and Website:
- Massachusetts General Hospital, beneficiary of the Celebration of Sisters
- Website: judylipson.org
- Judy's Ice Skating Performance
Nina Rodriguez Social & Website:
- Instagram: @griefandlight
- Threads: @griefandlight
- Website: griefandlight.com
- Ways to Work with Me
- Subscribe to my newsletter
Disclaimer
#griefandlight #griefandlightpodcast
Want to sponsor an episode? Contact us via info@griefandlight.com.
Thank you for listening! Please share with someone you love.
Want your story featured in a podcast episode?
Please contact me via IG @griefandlight, via email at nina@griefandlight.com.
Welcome to the Season 2 of the Grief and Light Podcast!
Season 2 is a deliberate exploration of the "Anatomy of Grief," aiming to demystify the misunderstood aspects of grief and offer a platform for diverse voices to share their unique stories, resources, experience, education and more.
We're not just talking about grief; we're redefining what it means to be grief-informed.
By challenging societal norms and advocating for a grief-informed world, this season aims to provide valuable insights and support for individuals navigating the intricate and often misunderstood journey of loss, fostering a community that embraces the multifaceted nature of grief.
We'll feature guests who offer traditional, alternative, and sometimes controversial views on how to navigate the grief experience.
So grab your headphones, and join me as I share the behind-the-scenes of navigating the fifth holiday season without my brother, and give a glimpse into what's next.
Nina Rodriguez Social & Website:
- Instagram: @griefandlight
- Threads: @griefandlight
- Website: griefandlight.com
- Ways to Work with Me
- Subscribe to my newsletter
Resource: 10 Core Principles of Being Grief-Informed (free download provided by the Dougy Center)
Disclaimer: https://www.griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers
#griefandlight #griefandlightpodcast
Want to sponsor an episode? Contact us via info@griefandlight.com.
Thank you for listening! Please share with someone you love.
Want your story featured in a podcast episode?
Please contact me via IG @griefandlight, via email at nina@griefandlight.com.
A message for the new year…
I'm about to reveal a "secret" that's been a quiet cornerstone of my journey – a confession that feels like turning a page in our shared narrative.
As we stand at the threshold of a new year, I want to express my deepest gratitude to the soul tribe that has grown with me since the podcast's inception on March 30th, 2023.
The journey, which began as a personal exploration of my own grief, has evolved into something profound, a space of connection and authenticity that has touched lives in ways I could never have anticipated.
Now, as I stand at the intersection of past, present and future, I'm peeling back a layer of my identity to share a truth with you. This revelation is a stepping stone into a deeper exploration of the heart-centered work that has become the core of my existence, and to our connection.
I also offer an invitation of hope for the New Year and a beautiful poem by the incredible poet, Donna Ashworth, as we close out 2023.
Timestamps:
- 0:15 Introduction & Personal Journey in 2023
- 2:04 Evolution of the Grief and Light Podcast
- 2:47 Confession: Revealing the real name
- 7:20 Key takeaways from the Grief & Light Podcast Guests in 2023
- 10:47 Clarity and Alignment in 2023
- 12:09 Invitation of Hope for 2024
- 15:36 What's next for Grief & Light?
- 16:29 Closing and Poem by Donna Ashworth
Nina Rodriguez Social & Website:
- Instagram: @griefandlight
- Threads: @griefandlight
- Website: griefandlight.com
- Ways to Work with Me
- 1:1 Heart-to-Heart 12-week Grief Support
- Subscribe to my newsletter
Disclaimer: https://www.griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers
#griefandlight #griefandlightpodcast
Want to sponsor an episode? Contact us via info@griefandlight.com.
Thank you for listening! Please share with someone you love.
Want your story featured in a podcast episode?
Please contact me via IG @griefandlight, via email at nina@griefandlight.com.
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Is Joy Possible After Loss?
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Start Where You Are: Megan Gluth-Bohan's transformation from struggle to success
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TENDING GRIEF: The healing power of care in community with Camille Sapara Barton
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Grief and Resilience: Tools for 'Bouncing Forward' after Loss with Blair Kaplan Venables
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The First Five Years of Grief | Season 3 Premiere
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Compassionate Leadership: On a mission to build compassionate organizations | Janet Gwilliam-Wright's Story
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Soulful Sorrow: A Holistic Approach to Healing after Pregnancy Loss | Lauren Paz' Story
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Finding Freedom: Healing Racial Trauma through the Ocean Within | R.G. Shore’s Story
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LOVE, LOSS & LOL: Finding the gifts in the midst of life’s sh*t with Lindsey Kane Leaverton
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LOVE AND GRIEF: How Emily P. Bingham learned to MoveTHRU grief as a young widow
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"To Kera - Love, Mom" | Getting Griefy and Leaving No Legacy Behind with Kera Sanchez
44:00
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The Alchemy of E-Motion: Navigating Sibling Loss and Trauma Through Movement and Intuition with Eileen Kielty
1:17:52
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GRIEVING ROOM: Sibling loss, imperfect goodbyes and making space for grief with Leanne Friesen
1:04:23
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"Anatomy of Grief" Series | What the heck is grief anyway?!
48:26
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Butterflies and Halos: Angie’s Story of Love, Loss, and Legacy
46:42
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Quantum Healing: Bridging Science and Spirituality with Casey Stevens
48:01
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Grieving with Grace: Dr. Mekel Harris' Grief-Informed Approach to Relaxing into the Pain
56:44
"Anatomy of Grief" Series | Grief Time is Not Linear
29:42
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From Heartache to Hope: Kathy Wagner's memoir HERE WITH YOU
54:08
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Cat's Cosmic Compass: Navigating Loss, Faith, Forgiveness, and Freedom
59:47
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Sacred Encounters: Carlos Duran's transformation "from gangster to healer"
50:16
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"Anatomy of Grief" Series | What's your grief bias?
24:28
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Grace on Ice: Skating through Sibling Grief 30 Years Delayed | Judy Lipson
40:07
Season 2 Premiere: Demystifying the "Anatomy of Grief" Series
24:41
I have a confession... and an invitation for the New Year
18:15