September 11, 2024, will mark five years since Yosef’s passing. In this episode, I take a moment to reflect on how grief and life have shifted, what challenges each year presented, and discuss the importance of allowing grief to unfold in our own personal timeline.

This episode is one that I wish I would have been able to listen to in my early grief, particularly in years one and two.... READ MORE

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 .... READ MORE

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 impact of incorporating joy and pleasure into social movements, and the importance of creating spaces for .... READ MORE

From rock bottom to CEO, 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, however, she eventually turned her life around .... READ MORE

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 .... READ MORE

Margo shares her journey of grief after the death of her son, Jimmy. She discusses Jimmy's resilience during his illness, and the moments that shaped her perspective on motherhood and loss.

She delves into the challenges of grief in the workplace—how to support grieving colleagues ... READ MORE

In this conversation, Oscar 'O.G.' Guerrero shares his story as a father navigating the devastating and sudden loss of his two-year-old son, Ollie, and how he has found a way to channel his grief into helping other men heal from trauma and loss ... READ MORE

Dr. Joshua Black, leading grief and bereavement researcher, speaker, and host of the Grief Dreams Podcast, shares his journey into the field of grief dreams (e.g., dreams of the deceased), and the profound insights they offer into the grieving process and continuing connections beyond ... READ MORE

More than 4 million American adults each year will lose a sibling, yet there wasn’t a modern resource guide available that speaks directly to this type of grief that can be overshadowed by grieving parents and spouses, and made even more difficult by the complexities of sibling dynamics — until now ... READ MORE

Join us for a powerful conversation with Moira Khan, a Certified Grief Educator and creator of GriefSpan, an online grief support community. After losing her mother, brother, and father within just five years, Moira faced the immense challenge of being the last remaining member of her  ... READ MORE

Multidisciplinary artist, creative grief guide, and podcast host, Gabriela Georges, talks about her journey through loss and how it has shaped her work. She shares the profound influence of her mother, Samira, who passed away shortly after a cancer diagnosis when Gaby was only 20, and how this loss inspired her to create The Grief Cocoon, a podcast and space for individuals to ... READ MORE

Nina reflects on her journey through grief as she commemorates the fifth anniversary of her brother's passing. She shares personal insights on the emotional complexities surrounding grief anniversaries, the importance of creating meaningful rituals, and the impact of her brother's life on her own. Through a poignant reading of the speech she delivered at his memorial, Nina emphasizes the interconnectedness of life and the enduring legacy of love and remembrance ... READ MORE

In this episode, Annah Elizabeth, founder of the Five Facets of Healing™, discusses the complexities of grief, the importance of recognizing personal loss, and the journey of healing. Annah shares her own experiences with loss, including the death of her son and the betrayal of loved ones, and how these events shaped... READ MORE

In this episode, Charniah Wilson shares her journey of navigating grief after the sudden loss of her partner, Ken. Cha discusses how she channeled her grief into creativity through her platform 'Grief is Ghetto,' and 'Cha's Random Thoughts,' where she combines humor and healing. The conversation explores the complexities of grief, the importance of community support, and ... READ MORE

Nina discusses the importance of community, the differences between one-on-one support, and peer-led and specialist-led support groups, and addresses common fears associated with sharing grief in a group setting. She addresses common fears associated with joining support groups and the benefits of professional facilitation in creating a safe and nurturing environment for sharing experiences.... READ MORE

Rebecca Feinglos is a certified grief support specialist and founder of Grieve Leave. After experiencing the death of both parents and navigating the end of her marriage, Rebecca took a courageous year-long 'grieve leave' to fully immerse herself in healing. Together, they delve into the non-linear nature of grief, the powerful impact of loss on identity, and the contrasting experiences of anticipatory versus sudden grief..... READ MORE

Matt Gilhooly shares his profound journey through grief, beginning with the sudden loss of his mother at a young age. He reflects on how this pivotal moment shaped his life and the way he processes emotions. The discussion delves into the complexities of grief, the impact of childhood trauma, and the perfectionist tendencies that can arise from a desire to mask pain. Matt also contrasts his experiences with anticipatory loss, particularly with his grandmother, highlighting the importance of open communication and the profound grief associated with losing his pet, Mikey, highlighting ... READ MORE

In this deeply moving episode, grief educator Erin Blechman opens up about her profound journey through loss after the death of her son, Max. Erin invites us into her experience of navigating the unique pain of suicide loss, sharing stories of Max’s life, his struggles, and the love that continues to shape her every day. She candidly explores the complexities of grief, the strength it takes to push past well-meaning but hurtful platitudes, and the necessity of compassion when facing ... READ MORE

In this heartfelt conversation, award-winning poet and author, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, shares her journey of navigating grief after the sudden loss of her son, Finn, in 2021, followed by the loss of her father. Through poetry and reflection, she explores the themes of grief, surrender, love, the natural world, and the transformative power of writing. The episode delves into the nuances of grief, and the ways in which creativity can serve as a sacred anchoring practice as we learn to meet what is with curiosity, and how to carry our person's "love light" after loss... READ MORE

oined by guests Michael Vinton and Tina Chevalier, two of the three co-founders of Impacted Survivors of Murder Suicide, this episode explores the complexities, layers, and stigma surrounding loss related to murder-suicide, the unique challenges faced by survivors, and the role of media in shaping public perception... READ MORE

Dr. Monica Krishnan shares her profound journey through grief, self-discovery, and healing after losing her husband to brain cancer. She discusses her experiences with high-functioning depression, the importance of support systems, and her advocacy work in mental health, and shares her new children's book, 'Finding Pockets of Sunshine,' .... READ MORE

Brian D. Smith is a Certified Grief Educator, Positive Intelligence Coach, and Life Purpose Coach, dedicated to helping people rediscover their true nature and purpose. After the passing of his daughter, Shayna, at the age of 15, in 2015, Brian deepened his study of death and the afterlife, which he had been exploring for nearly two decades. Since Shayna's passing, he has made it his mission to support others dealing with loss, and to help people rediscover who ... READ MORE

In this episode of the Grief and Light podcast, host Nina Rodriguez discusses the complexities of experiencing grief during the holiday season. She emphasizes the normalization of grief, especially during times that are typically associated with joy and celebration. Nina shares various coping strategies, the importance of acknowledging one's feelings, and the healing power of creating new traditions, reclaiming a sense of agency, communicating our needs, and ... READ MORE

In this reflective episode of Grief and Light, Nina Rodriguez delves into the process of embracing a new sense of self after experiencing loss and life-altering change, offering insights and encouragement as we transition into 2025. As the new year approaches, she reflects on the ways grief reshapes our identity and forces us to confront changes we may not have chosen, emphasizing how it shapes identity, perspective, and ... READ MORE