Grief & Happiness

You never know when your last conversation will be with a loved one, so be sure in each conversation you have to make it filled with love.Let's Connect:You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide hereSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if grief was more than just sadness—what if it was a spectrum of emotions as rich and varied as a 152-color crayon box?In this episode, I'm joined by the Poet, Biographer, and Memoirist Molly Peacock. Molly shares her experiences of how her husband’s long illness and widowhood have informed her work, particularly in her new book The Widow’s Crayon Box. After her husband’s death, she realized she was not living the received idea of a widow’s mauve existence but instead was experiencing life with all 152 colors of the crayon box.Throughout this episode, Molly Peacock reflects on the societal expectations of grief being limited to a few emotions like sadness, but for her, it has been a complex and lively process. She highlights the transformative aspect of grief, where the mourner is not just in a state of loss but also in a state of personal evolution and rediscovering parts of themselves. She also reads a short excerpt from her poetry, illustrating how emotions in grief can be contradictory yet colorful. Finally, Molly touches on the importance of storytelling in the grieving process, both for processing one’s own emotions and for connecting with others who share similar experiences.Tune in and listen to episode 278 of Grief and Happiness, and learn how Molly challenges the conventional view of grief, showing how it can lead to a deeper understanding of life, self, and the richness of human emotions.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Introduction to Molly and the metaphor of using a 152-color crayon box to represent the emotions of grief (01:19)Finding vibrancy in loss (05:42)The grieving person’s transformation and the reclamation of the self (10:12)The structure and content of "The Widow's Crayon Box" (20:06)The importance of storytelling and listening to the grief journeys of others (27:35)Connect with Molly Peacock:WebsiteInstagramFacebookGet Molly Peacock’s Poetry on Amazon!Molly featured on CBC’s The Current in a documentary, What Can A Widow Be?Let's Connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagramTwitterPinterestThe Grief and Happiness AllianceBook: Emily Thiroux Threatt - Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How you can help.Let's Connect:You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide hereSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Grief does not only mean that someone has passed but it is also the loss of the path you thought you were going to take and the person you used to be but can not be anymore. In this episode, I’m joined by the Writer, Author, and Freelance Journalist, Julie Fingersh. Julie found her way back to writing once her career as a stay-at-home mother of two ended. In her braided memoir, “Stay”, she weaves together three family stories in which the clear common thread is the presence of grief. The book is an exploration of the complexity of family, love, and the impact family secrets have on generations. Throughout this episode, you will hear about how grief can stay hidden when mental illness or addiction is involved and what effects keeping secrets has on the well-being of the griever and the family. Julie also talks about the grief associated with letting go of kids for them to live their own lives and losing the job of a stay-at-home parent.  Plus, Julie discusses the balance between grief and happiness by sharing her journey of finding joy despite all the losses she endured. Tune in and listen to episode 276 of Grief and Happiness, and explore types of grief beyond the obvious loss and how to find healing and support.In This Episode, You Will Learn:What is Julie’s book about (4:33)Hidden grief when it involves mental illness and addiction (9:13)The grief of going from stage to stage in life (12:17)How grief is present in parenting (16:38)Finding healing and happiness in grief (22:13)How laughter and despair go hand in hand (26:50)Connect with Julie Fingersh:WebsiteInstagramFacebookLinkedInGet Julie's book!Let's Connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagramTwitterPinterestThe Grief and Happiness AllianceBook: Emily Thiroux Threatt - Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Be sure to share your treasured life stories with the family and friends you know would love to have them.Let's Connect:You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide hereSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does mourning and grieving look like if it is not the type of loss we can grieve independent of our physicality and is intimately tied to our bodies?In today’s episode, I'm joined by a certified DONA International Postpartum Doula and Grief Educator Eileen Santos Rosete. Experiencing pregnancy loss twice during her motherhood journey, Eileen is helping women feel seen, held, and honored. As part of her work, she authored the book, To Tend and To Hold, dedicated to women who went through perinatal loss. The book was born to support them in acknowledging the pregnancy and the end of it while undergoing postpartum without a living child. Throughout this episode, the importance of doulas, the need for cultural guidelines and resources supporting those who experience infant loss will be highlighted. You will learn about the added layer of bodily connection when it comes to perinatal loss. Eileen also talks about how others can hold space for this tender intersection of postpartum care, grief, and trauma. Plus, Eileen shares a personal story to emphasize that in the world of grief and grief literature the stance around darkness should be softened as there can be tremendous potential in it. Tune in and listen to episode 274 of Grief and Happiness, and learn to give the reverence to Womb Loss that it deserves as it happens within us and to us. In This Episode, You Will Learn:Doulas are having a moment (02:16)The uniqueness of pregnancy and infant loss (09:47)Caring for those who experience postpartum without a living child (14:07)Introducing the term Womb Loss (19:26)Softening the language around loss (23:26)Connect with Eileen Santos Rosete:WebsiteGet Eileen's book!InstagramLet's Connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagramTwitterPinterestThe Grief and Happiness AllianceBook: Emily Thiroux Threatt - Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Writing letters to my loved ones in my journal helps me to feel close to them.Let's Connect:You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide hereSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is it possible to talk about grief, honor our loved ones, and move forward with our grief without living in sorrow and despair?In today's special episode, I'm joined by the Author, Actor, Transformational Coach, and Grief Expert, James LaVeck. The loss of James' second husband changed not only the way he felt and perceived the loss of his first husband but also his whole perspective on grief and how people deal with loss. He authored three books on grief, and developed tools to help grievers deal with their sorrow and find the right community for them, among many other valuable resources, which can be found in his third book, "Grief Recovery for Adults."Throughout this episode, you'll hear about James' grief journey, how losing his second husband changed his perspective on grief, and why he feels the second loss put the first one in perspective, and helped him realize the first loss prepared him for the second one. James also shares his thoughts on "the right time" to start dating again after losing a loved one, and the resources he used to feel alive again when he felt half of him was gone after the loss of his first husband.Plus, James talks about finding gratitude and purpose in grief, the importance of finding new passions and aiming for growth, and much more.Tune in and listen to episode 272 and learn more about James LaVeck's unique and appealing way of looking at and dealing with grief.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Dealing with loss and moving forward (2:30)The benefits of finding gratitude and purpose in grief (6:20)Is there a "right time" to start dating again after losing your other half? (8:10)The healing power of sharing stories and connecting with a supportive community (17:20)Finding new passions and purpose in grief (19:40)James talks about some of the resources he shares in his third book, "Grief Recovery for Adults" (23:30)Connect with James LaVeck:WebsiteGet James' books!LinkedInInstagramYouTubeTikTokTwitterIMDbFacebookLet's Connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagramTwitterPinterestThe Grief and Happiness Alliance Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you know what your purpose is right now?  Listen to this to discover how to find or refine your purpose.Let's Connect:You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking hereYou can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide hereSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Losing the person who was the center pole of your tent will cause your tent to fall, regardless of whether or not you are a grief specialist. Being a grief specialist doesn't mean you are immune to grief; it means you are better equipped to go through it.In this episode, I'm joined by the Podcast Host, TEDx Speaker, and trauma-trained Psychotherapist Meghan Riordan Jarvis. As a grief specialist, Meghan focused her 20+ years of experience on understanding grief's multiple layers and finding new ways of supporting grievers. She authored two books about grief, "The End of the Hour," and "Can Anyone Tell Me?" hosts the popular blog and Podcast "Grief Is My Side Hustle," and offers a free writing workshop, "Grief Mates."Throughout this episode, Meghan shares her experiences of feeling lost while navigating grief as a grief specialist and the unexpected loss of her primary attachment that "took her tent down." Meghan also highlights the alarming lack of grief training for clinicians and doctors and accessible support for grievers, explains her six-component framework, the Grief Mentor Method, and much more.Tune in and listen to episode 270 of Grief and Happiness, and learn more about grief's complexities, the effects of losing primary attachments, and the unique challenges grief specialists face.In This Episode, You Will Learn:About Meghan's traumatic encounter with grief (2:00)Meghan talks about her latest book's purpose (4:30)Meghan and Emily discuss grief's different experiences (7:40)The Grief Mentor Method (14:30)About the lack of grief training for clinicians and doctors (24:00)Connect with Meghan Riordan Jarvis:WebsiteInstagramFacebookMediumGet Meghan's books!Let's Connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagramTwitterPinterestThe Grief and Happiness AllianceBook: Emily Thiroux Threatt - Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The sounds and vibrations from a myriad of instruments as well as human voice can come together for a beautiful self-care experience.Let's Connect:You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide hereSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Each grief experience is unique. Mourning the same person will take people on different ruts and even make them go on opposite paths. We all feel, process, and deal with pain in a particular way, and it is in that plurality that hundreds of healing techniques are born.In this episode, I'm joined by the Author, Speaker, Healer, and TV Host, Brenda L. Balding. Brenda's relationship with grief was always one of curiosity about how we heal from it, with emphasis on positive and reflective ways. Her background as a Registered Nurse adds a compelling yet little-discussed topic to the mix: the grief of the body parts we lose in surgeries.Throughout this episode, you'll hear about Brenda's unique approach to grief recovery, blending medical knowledge and creative, spiritual practices. Brenda also talks about the importance of addressing grief head-on, why relying on creative and artistic expressions to deal with bereavement is always a good idea, how to take care of spiritual and emotional energy during grief, and much more.Tune in and listen to episode 268 of Grief and Happiness, and discover how artistic expressions can help you balance feeling joy while still honoring your grief.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Brenda talks about the grief of missing body parts (2:50)About the emotional impact of medical procedures (4:30)How writing letters to those we mourn can help (7:10)Is it possible to use physical triggers for joy? (12:10)Brenda and Emily discuss happiness practices (13:20)Connect with Brenda L. Balding:WebsiteLinkedinFacebookGet Brenda's booksWatch Brenda on I Have Today with Diane FosterLet's Connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagramTwitterPinterestThe Grief and Happiness AllianceBook: Emily Thiroux Threatt - Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What do you have or do now that helps you to feel better?Let's Connect:You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are aspects of grief most people resist normalizing, like accepting it is not a linear path, and that can make us lash out at others in anger.In this episode, I'm joined by the Clinical Social Worker and Author Claire Willis. Claire has over 30 years of experience both as a volunteer and a social worker in hospice care and also leads bereavement, end-of-life support, and therapeutic writing groups.It was leading these groups she realized many of the attendants had this wrong idea that dealing with grief is a linear path, which motivated her to write her two books, "Opening To Grief" and "Lasting Words."Throughout this episode, Claire sheds light on little-known aspects of grief, like the anger it can provoke, and invites us to normalize its various expressions. You'll also hear about why she believes grievers are not alone as long as they can ways to express themselves, what is a Sudden Temporary Upsurge of Grief, and why you shouldn't worry if you experience one.Plus, Claire talks about ambiguous loss, primary and secondary loss, shares practical resources for holding grief, and much more.Tune in and listen to episode 266 of Grief and Happiness, and take a step further in understanding the multiple expressions of grief and how to better deal with them.In This Episode, You Will Learn:There is no linear path in grief (1:30)Being angry and lashing out might become part of a grieving process (4:50)Grief and its cultural blockages (9:30)How to deal with ambiguous loss (11:40)Sudden Temporary Upsurge of grief (16:20)Claire shares actionable tips for holding grief (19:50)Connect with Claire Willis:WebsiteInstagramFacebookBook: Claire Willis - Opening to Grief: Finding Your Way from Loss to PeaceBook: Claire Willis - Lasting Words: A Guide to Finding Meaning Toward the Close of LifeLet's Connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagramTwitterPinterestThe Grief and Happiness AllianceBook: Emily Thiroux Threatt - Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Let's Connect:You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide hereSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is it possible to express the pain of losing a soulmate through words?In this episode, I'm joined by the Family Law Attorney and Writer Michael Sudman. Michael started writing health updates to family and friends when his soulmate, Sheryl, got diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. After Sheryl passed, Michael kept writing, yet he transformed those health updates into beautifully written poetry and (thankfully!) decided to keep sharing them. Using his incredible talent to resignify everyday observations into deep messages about life, love, grief, and healing, Michael shares his art with 240 people each day, and, through his spontaneous and heartfelt words, inspires others to find beauty, hope, and connection even in the darkest times.Throughout this episode, you'll hear about Michael's unique approach to coping with grief through daily writing and how he found solace, connection, and healing through his art. You'll also hear three beautiful poems written by Michael about optimism, life's unpredictability, and simplicity that represent perfectly how art, writing, and poetry are ideal tools for resignifying grief and much more.Tune in and listen to episode 264 of Grief and Happiness, and enjoy Michael's incredible talent to transform unique perspectives and ideas into a beautiful art form.In This Episode, You Will Learn:About how Michael's "Today's Thought" started (2:50)Three is golden in them (4:20)Michael's poem about life's unpredictability (6:00)Hopeful, happy, praying, peaceful, summer nights... (14:40)Michael talks about what writing these poems does for him (17:50)Connect with Michael Sudman:LinkedInBook: Michael Sudman - A 62-Day Journey: Love, Light, and GraceLet's Connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagramTwitterPinterestThe Grief and Happiness AllianceBook: Emily Thiroux Threatt - Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Let's Connect:You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide hereSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Only those who have been in the process of making, loving, and losing family can talk about what it feels like, yet all of us can learn from it.In today's episode, I'm joined by the Author, Advocate, Speaker, and Podcaster Jessica Fein. Jessica's relationship with grief started when she lost her sister, who was only three years older, at the age of 27. Several years later, her daughter was diagnosed with a rare disease, taking Jessica and her family through a chaotic journey of heart-wrenching challenges, relentless battles, love, laughter, and lessons about life, grief, and the indomitable human spirit.Throughout this episode, you'll hear Jessica's thoughts on caring for loved ones with special needs and the significance of finding ways to include them in daily life. She also talks about Dalia, her daughter, who was diagnosed with MERRF syndrome, her family's life before and after the diagnosis, the deep connection between grief and creativity, and much more.Tune in and listen to episode 262 of Grief and Happiness, and learn more about Jessica's powerful journey through the profound joys and painful challenges of love and loss.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Jessica talks about the diagnosis that changed her and her family's lives (1:40)About Dalia's determination to BE in this world (5:10)Grief has many layers, and it is different for each one of us (10:00)Figuring out how to integrate losses (16:50)Self-care can be a two-edged sword (22:10)Creativity and grief go really well together (24:50)Connect with Jessica Fein:WebsiteInstagramBook: Jessica Fein - Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken GenesI Don't Know How You Do It podcastLet's Connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagramTwitterPinterestThe Grief and Happiness AllianceBook: Emily Thiroux Threatt - Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Let's Connect:You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide hereSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if you knew the exact moment you were going to die; would that knowledge change the way you live today?Meet Mark Dowie, Author of "Judith Letting Go," a book that tells the story of the beautiful friendship between him and Judith Tannenbaum, a poet who, after being diagnosed with an incurable disease that caused her a lot of pain, decided to transition on her own terms.In this episode, Mark shares details of his intimate experience with Judith and the deeply transformative experience of knowing when and where she would die. Mark is an Investigative Historian, a Journalist, one of the Founding Members of the Mesa Refuge board, a former publisher and editor of Mother Jones magazine, and the former editor-at-large of InterNation.Throughout this episode, you'll also hear about the revolutionizing concept of Death Cafe, where people gather to enjoy coffee, eat cake, and discuss death. Mark also shares his thoughts on the importance of confronting mortality as a way to enrich life, explore end-of-life options, and use those skills to provide comfort and reduce the fear of the inevitable.Tune in and listen to episode 260 of Grief and Happiness, and discover how one man's profound friendship with a terminally ill poet transformed his understanding of life and death.In This Episode, You Will Learn:About Mark, Judith, and the world's smallest Death Cafe (4:10)How Death Cafes can expand people's perception of transitioning (6:40)How did Mark and Judith's friendship start (7:50)About different approaches to end-of-life celebrations (11:00)Why Judith's death wasn't suicide (14:40)Death can teach us more about life than life itself (21:40)Connect with Mark Dowie:Book: Mark Dowie - Judith Letting Go: Six Months in the World's Smallest Death CafeGet Mark Dowie's booksLet's Connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagramTwitterPinterestThe Grief and Happiness AllianceBook: Emily Thiroux Threatt - Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How can you change your morning routine?Let's Connect:You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide hereSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How hard is it to regain the sense of self and purpose after a traumatic divorce?The intense emotional pain of divorce can be as debilitating as physical pain, and, in many cases, it can materialize in our bodies. Becoming aware of this pain and seeking professional support is crucial for healing.In today's episode, I'm joined by Ben Brown, who shares his experiences navigating the deep emotional turmoil that follows a divorce. Ben is a Sales Coach, Author, and Speaker with over 20 years of experience selling anything from stocks to cars to medical devices. As a successful entrepreneur, father of two, former Marine, and mentor, Ben brings a unique perspective on resilience and personal growth.Throughout our conversation, Ben talks about the physical manifestations of emotional pain, the importance of looking for professional help to deal with it, and practical steps to start healing after divorce. Ben also shares his thoughts on why navigating divorce is so hard, offers valuable tools to overcome the grief of divorce, and much more.Tune in and listen to episode 258 of Grief and Happiness, learn more about Ben Brown's grief story, and gain tools to rebuild your life after a traumatic divorce.In This Episode, You Will Learn:A bit about Ben's background and the beginning of his grief story (2:00)Learning that it takes time to heal from divorce the hard way (5:30)You are all alone in the world after one statement (10:00)About Ben's healing journey from experiencing physical pain to thrive (14:50)How storytelling can help you heal (19:40)Nothing means nothing unless you attach an emotion to it (24:10)Connect with Ben Brown:LinkedInInstagramFacebookLet's Connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagramTwitterPinterestThe Grief and Happiness AllianceBook: Emily Thiroux Threatt - Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen to learn how to use writing to deal with your feelings.Let's Connect:You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide hereSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is it possible to transform the heaviness of grief into something magical?One of the most common experiences in grief is the overwhelming sense of isolation and misunderstanding. Our guest, Ellie Bambury, developed a unique way to address these feelings and help people feel seen and supported.Ellie Bambury is a New Zealand-based Soul-first Grief Guide, the Founder of Glitter and Grief, a Keynote Speaker, an Event Facilitator, and a Funeral and End Of Life Celebrant. Ellie's background in filmmaking and storytelling helped her develop unique and innovative ways of exploring grief through various themes and interactive practices.Throughout this episode, Ellie and Emily discuss the transformative power of grief and explore the possibilities of finding light and growth in the darkest moments. You'll also hear about the multifaceted nature of grief, the importance of creating personal rituals, and how to support different age groups struggling with grief.Tune in and listen to episode 254 of Grief and Happiness, and discover how to turn the weight of grief into a source of strength and transformation. Join Ellie and Emily as they explore unique rituals, personal growth, and the hidden magic within the grieving process.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Ellie talks about her calling and why she started working with grief (1:40)About Ellie's potent work with grief and young people (7:40)Decluttering and organizing personal belongings after a loss (14:00)Ellie talks about the relationship between grief, healing, and creative expression (23:30)Emily and Ellie talk about grief, guilt, and finding joy through creativity (29:00)Connect with Ellie Bambury:WebsiteLinkedInInstagramFacebookEmail: [email protected]'s Connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagramTwitterPinterestThe Grief and Happiness AllianceBook: Emily Thiroux Threatt - Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Often in grief, we forget how precious we are. Take good care of yourself!Let's Connect:You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide hereSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How can talking about our loved ones who passed bring comfort during times of grief?In today's episode, I'm joined by Kandiee Campbell, a Transformational Therapist and Grief Counselor, Author, and Host of the Awaken Hope Radio Show. Through her compassionate approach to grief, Kandiee offers comfort and relief to grievers, helping them to heal from the inside out.We had a fantastic conversation about connection, the different shapes and colors of grief, and the transformative power of acts of kindness. Kandiee also shared her thoughts on how most people approach and offer help to grievers, the benefits of putting pen to paper and expressing our feelings and emotions to process pain, and the importance of being present, listening, and offering specific, thoughtful support instead of generic condolences.Tune in and listen to episode 254 of Grief and Happiness, and discover how to transform your healing journey through the simple act of smiling, practicing gratitude, and understanding the many facets of grief.In This Episode, You Will Learn:The pandemic's impact on people's behavior and mental health (2:40)Why developing a gratitude practice is crucial (4:50)The positive effect of smiling at others (6:40)Random acts of kindness and their impact on grievers (8:50)What is the right thing to say to someone grieving (10:30)The importance of ongoing support and regular check-ins (14:00)Why it is crucial to recognize and acknowledge different kinds of grief (22:00)The importance of allowing ourselves to grieve (24:00)Connect with Kandiee Campbell:WebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLet's Connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagramTwitterPinterestThe Grief and Happiness AllianceBook: Emily Thiroux Threatt - Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Would your loved one want you to be happy?Let's Connect:You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide hereSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today's episode, I’m joined by Natasha Trujillo, Ph.D., a Counseling and Sports Psychologist and acclaimed author. Natasha is also a grief and loss specialist who works with Olympic athletes, helping them deal with perfectionism, eating disorders, and other challenges they might face in their professional lives. Despite her many years of experience assisting others to navigate grief, she felt lost after two major losses hit her in a short time. Dealing with those heavy blows led her to challenge old beliefs, instilling in her the need to write about why we avoid talking about death, intergenerational trauma, and the pain remembering the loss of a loved one causes.  Throughout this episode, Natasha and I talk about the importance of exploring and discussing family dynamics and unresolved issues to understand how we deal with our ‘stuff’ and conduct ourselves in the context of grief and loss. You'll also hear about Natasha's beautifully written book, how putting her thoughts and feelings on paper helped her deal with them, the crucial relevance of fomenting deeper connections, why we should be initiating uncomfortable conversations, and so much more.Tune in to episode 252 of Grief and Happiness to discover the liberating power of initiating challenging conversations and consciously addressing the unspoken.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Natasha talks about how she came up with the idea for her book (5:00)Uncomfortable doesn't mean we can't talk about it (8:40)You never know what can come up once you decide to talk things out (14:00)Natasha talks about the sense of gratitude she experienced after her book was published (22:10)How putting thoughts and feelings on paper helped Natasha (26:00)The importance of learning to deal with life's highs and lows (28:40)Connect with Dr. Natasha Trujillo:WebsiteLinkedInInstagramFacebookBook: Dr. Natasha Trujillo - And She Was Never the Same Again: A Multigenerational MemoirLet's Connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagramTwitterPinterestThe Grief and Happiness AllianceBook: Emily Thiroux Threatt - Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Always advocate for bereavement leave.Let's Connect:You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide hereSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When an adult son dies, it is usually expected that the other siblings take on heavy duties like identifying a body, planning funerals, or even getting the terrible news first and being responsible for breaking it to the parents. This is done to alleviate the monumental pain of losing a child, but only few consider the extreme pain a sibling endures.In this episode, I'm joined by Cultural Researcher, Author, and brilliant Storyteller Annie Sklaver Orenstein. After Annie's brother was killed in Afghanistan, she went to every bookstore looking for something that could help her deal with her pain, often overshadowed by her parents' pain. Not finding a single piece of literature on sibling pain was her key motivation to pen "Always a Sibling: The Forgotten Mourner's Guide to Grief," a book she wished she had 15 years ago.Throughout this episode, you'll hear Annie's unique perspective on grieving a sibling, why it often goes unacknowledged, what coping mechanisms she developed, and the thought process that led her to write a book. You'll also hear Annie's thoughts on the therapeutic value of putting feelings and emotions on paper, acknowledging and accepting grief's diversity, rejecting the idea of right and wrong forms of grieving, and so much more.Tune in to episode 250 of Grief and Happiness to learn more about the thoughtful and practical resource Annie Sklaver Orenstein created for forgotten grievers.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Annie talks about what most sibling grievers have to deal with during their loss (2:30)What readers can find in "Always A Sibling" (8:20)Why write a book about it? Annie talks about how writing about her grief helped her get through it (14:30)Is there a right or wrong way to grieve? (20:30)"It's just not helpful for me.". Annie shares a valuable lesson she got from an honest answer (26:20)Connect with Annie Sklaver Orenstein:WebsiteLinkedInInstagramBook: Annie Sklaver Orenstein - Always a Sibling: The Forgotten Mourner's Guide to GriefLet's Connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagramTwitterPinterestThe Grief and Happiness AllianceBook: Emily Thiroux Threatt - Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you feel stuck now, don’t despair. When you are ready, open your hear and allow people back in.Let's Connect:You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide hereSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Let me know if you need anything is a phrase people usually mean when they say it, yet grievers will never say what they need. Some don't have the energy to, and others might not be aware of what exactly they need.In today’s episode, I'm joined by Certified Business Coach, Founder and CEO of Essential Coaching, and grief survivor, Andrea Betschart. Andrea lost her husband about 9 years ago in a mountain climbing accident in the Netherlands. The loss of her husband didn't take away her love for the mountains, where she feels powerful and safe; instead, it helped her find her inner strength, enticed her resilience, and brought a wonderful opportunity to learn how to manage her emotions.Throughout this episode, you'll hear about Andrea's unique approach to grief, and her methods to cope with the loss of her husband. Andrea also talks about her relationship with the mountains, where she and her husband taught their children to climb, why she kept mountain climbing despite the sorrow she might encounter there sometimes, and the beautiful dynamic she developed with her children to deal with sadness.Tune in to episode 248 of Grief and Happiness to discover new ways of offering support and care for those in pain. You'll also hear Andrea's thoughts on what to do and say and what to avoid doing and saying to grievers, how to provide help to those in pain, and so much more.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Andrea talks about how meeting inspiring people saved her life (2:50)Grief and happiness is about emotional management (9:50)How to figure out what grievers need (14:00)Andrea talks about what made her feel lighter after her husband's death (21:50)How to support someone dealing with grief (26:00)Connect with Andrea Betschart:WebsiteLinkedInEmail: [email protected]'s Connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagramTwitterPinterestThe Grief and Happiness AllianceBook: Emily Thiroux Threatt - Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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In Spanish, the word for remember is "recordar," which comes from the Latin "recordari," which translates to "take through the heart again." That is one of the beautiful things about grief: we get to choose how we take our lost loved ones through the heart again. Our guest, Cleo Childs, certainly found a beautiful way to remember her mother, who transitioned six years after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's.In this episode, we learn about Cleo Childs' grief journey, the unique bond with her mother, and the beautiful form of art her loss gave birth to. Cleo recently launched "Moving With," her first spoken word album, which combines her kind, poignant, and heartfelt poetry with beautifully played music.Throughout this episode, Cleo talks about the almost automatic relief she felt after writing the first two lines of a poem on a piece of paper, her need for writing almost everywhere she was, and the beautiful piece she came up with while shopping at a Costco. You'll also hear about Cleo's unique way of connecting with her mother through kindness, how she went from being angry with God to finding peace and acceptance in her mother's death, and much more.Tune in and listen to episode 246 of Grief and Happiness and learn more about Cleo's beautiful ability to craft grief-relieving poems.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Art as a coping mechanism (2:40)Finding the sound for "disillusionment with God" (5:00)Cleo talks about the relief she felt right after writing two lines on a piece of paper (13:00)A beautiful piece of art written at Costco (20:10)Cleo talks about how lonely grief can be (26:10)Finding peace and acceptance (27:20)Cleo talks about how she connects with her mother through kindness (30:30)Connect with Cleo Childs:WebsiteListen to Moving With on YouTubeLet's Connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagramTwitterPinterestThe Grief and Happiness AllianceBook: Emily Thiroux Threatt - Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Growing my garden and all the fruits and vegetables provides plenty to share.Let's Connect:You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide hereSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever noticed kids' normal state is being joyful? They need something to happen for them to be sad, anxious, or worried. Yet when we become adults, it's the opposite; we are always worried, sad, and anxious, and only experience happiness when something happens. It makes you wonder... Why is that?In today's episode, I'm thrilled to welcome the brilliant Ashish Kothari, Founder and CEO of Happiness Squad, the Author of "Hardwired for Happiness," and the Host of the Happiness Squad podcast. Before founding Happiness Squad, Ashish had the family, the house, the high-paying job, and every item of "the happiness list" checked, yet he lived stressed and overwhelmed. Instead of chasing happiness, Ashish started his journey by understanding what makes us suffer, and so his journey started.Throughout this episode, we explore the concept of happiness from Ashish's unique perspective, and the factors contributing to anxiety and disengagement, and we discuss how to rewire our brain for happiness. Ashish also shares his thoughts on relying on mindfulness to cultivate awareness and reduce stress, explains why we've made unhappiness a habit, how to make happiness a habit, and much more.Tune in and listen to episode 244 and learn why you should start by understanding what makes you unhappy before chasing happiness.In This Episode, You Will Learn:A bit about Ashish's story and what led him to understand his unhappiness (1:30)How and why do we let all the stressors of the world into our lives? (6:40)Ashish talks about his Rewire Program, which helps people turn happiness into a habit (13:20)We can experience grief and happiness, anger and compassion. Let's stay away from polarities (21:00)Happiness is a choice (28:40)Connect with Ashish Kothari:WebsiteLinkedInInstagramHappiness Squad PodcastAshish's Gift For YouBook: Ashish Kothari - Hardwired for Happiness: 9 Proven Practices to Overcome Stress and Live Your Best LifeLet's Connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagramTwitterPinterestThe Grief and Happiness AllianceBook: Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Let's Connect:You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide hereSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How ready are you to embrace grief as a natural part of life?In this episode together, I'm excited to bring Shauna Dukes back to the show. This time, the best-selling author of "Even If: A Holistic Approach to Grief & Living a Joy-Filled Life With Loss," joins us to talk about the liberating power of embracing grief, and how vulnerability opened a path right into her purpose. Shauna is an NTP (Nutritional Therapy Practitioner), Life Coach, Author, LMT(Licensed Massage Therapist), and is deeply in love with all things holistic.Throughout this episode, Shauna talks with me about her grief journey after her book was published, and how she wrestled with the idea that grief was this massive, scary monster creeping in the dark that would forever chase her. She also talks about the Holistic Grief Academy for Mothers she created, how mothers who join the academy heal and become part of her healing process, and how it all changed when she realized grief isn't a monster but part of who she is.Tune in and listen to episode 242 of Grief and Happiness and discover how to live a joy-filled life despite the sorrow of the most painful losses. In This Episode, You Will Learn:"If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans," Shauna talks about this new stage in her life (1:40)Often, we think we are the only ones grieving (5:50)Don't be scared of being vulnerable (9:10)Shauna talks about how she stopped herself from being an emotional zombie (13:20)What is the Holistic Grief Academy for Mothers and how it helps people dealing with the loss of a child (20:20)Connect with Shauna Dukes:WebsiteBook: Shauna Dukes - Even If: A Holistic Approach to Grief & Living a Joy-Filled Life With Loss InstagramHolistic Grief Academy for MothersLet's Connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagramTwitterPinterestThe Grief and Happiness AllianceBook: Emily Thiroux Threatt - Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Saying the right things to someone who is grieving can be a challenge.Let's Connect:You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide hereSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How would you react if an unfortunate event forced you to step back from your dream job? Would you be able to transform grief into a fresh start?In this episode, I'm joined by the Death Doula, Author, and Retired Police Officer Nicole Junkerman. After suffering a neck injury that forced her into early retirement from the police, Nicole chose to use the grief of losing her beloved career to create, help others, and find an answer to a new calling. She is the author of "Daddy's Home" and the founder of Positive Passing.Throughout this episode, you'll hear about Nicole's unique journey from retired police officer to Death Doula, the extraordinary circumstances in which she got her job at the cemetery, and the mixed emotions she had while preparing a dear friend for their last goodbye. Nicole also talks about "Daddy's Home," a beautifully written children's book most of us wish we had when we were little to understand death and loss, and that was a cathartic, life-saving experience for her while grieving the loss of her career.Tune in and listen to episode 240 of Grief and Happiness and learn more about Nicole's inspiring story and how resignifying grief helped her rebuild her life.In This Episode, You Will Learn:About Nicole's unfortunate accident and the birth of her new career (1:30)Nicole talks about the harsh moment of preparing a friend for their last goodbye (4:10)How Positive Passing was born (6:00)Daddy's Home, the book we all wish we had growing up (12:50)What makes Nicole's book so powerful (19:00)Nicole and Emily talk about the therapeutic properties of writing (22:10)Connect with Nicole Junkerman:WebsiteInstagramFacebookBook: Nicole Junkerman - Daddy's HomeLet's Connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagramTwitterPinterestThe Grief and Happiness AllianceBook: Emily Thiroux Threatt - Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here is an idea that can help you release that fear!Let's Connect:You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide hereSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How can integrating personal experiences with creative writing can help us explore the complexities of grief and family separation? In this episode, I'm joined by the Editor and exceptional Writer Marion Agnew. Her diverse technical and creative writing background allows her to bring a unique perspective on grief, personal loss, and healing. Her latest work, "Making Up The Gods," is a sincere and thoughtful exploration of tragedy and recovery, new and old relationships, and a profound discussion about when to let the past rest. Throughout this episode, Marion shares vivid examples of writing's transformative power and how writing her latest novel helped navigate grief's intricacies, inspiring new ways of thinking about personal loss and healing. Marion also talks about the story behind writing her first book, "Reverberations," which was born of the need to understand, describe, and contain her mother's disease, the power of community when dealing with grief and loss, and much more.Tune in and listen to episode 238 of Grief and Happiness and discover how creative writing can be a powerful tool for coping with grief and transforming personal loss into a source of inspiration and connection.In This Episode, You Will Learn:A bit about Marion's background (1:00)What is "Making Up The Gods" about, and why did Marion decide to write it (2:30)Using writing as therapy (8:20)Using drawing and meditating as creative expressions (12:40)The importance of support systems when dealing with loved ones' illness (19:30)Why using creative writing as a coping mechanism is an excellent idea (23:30)Marion talks about the sharing spirit that reigns within the dementia community (25:40)Connect with Marion Agnew:WebsiteInstagramBook: Marion Agnew - Making Up the GodsBook: Marion Agnew - Reverberations: A Daughter's Meditations on Alzheimer'sLet's Connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagramTwitterPinterestThe Grief and Happiness AllianceBook: Emily Thiroux Threatt - Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Spoiler alert: There is no ideal way, but there are some good suggestions to help in this short podcast.Let's Connect:You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide hereSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions on murder and violent crimes. If this may trigger extreme emotional distress for you, you should skip today’s episode. Is it possible to find peace and healing in writing about our darkest moments?In this episode, I'm joined by the multiple-award-winning and accomplished Author Ona Gritz. Ona is a talented writer and poet, blog editor for "Wordgathering," the recipient of "The Poetry Archive Now: Wordview 2020 Project," and the owner of an uncomplicated, sensitive, and touching writing style. Her latest work, the moving memoir, "Everywhere I Look," is a beautifully written love letter to her sister, brutally murdered in 1982, when Ona was 19 years old, and her sister, Angie, 25.Throughout this episode, Ona talks about why she decided to uncover her sister's life and deal with the aftermath of her tragic murder. Ona also talks about why she chose prose to write about her sister's life as an accomplished poet, writing's role in her healing process, the undeniable healing properties of creative expression, and much more.Tune in and listen to episode 236 of Grief and Happiness and discover how writing can help you navigate pain and grief and bring you closer to the loved ones you've lost.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Ona talks about her background and the tragic loss of her sister, Angie (1:00)How not knowing the details of her sister's death impacted Ona (3:10)Ona talks about the process of writing directly to Angie (7:20)How Ona explored her feelings of guilt and shame through writing (12:20)The cathartic and therapeutic aspects of writing about grief (19:40)Connect with Ona Gritz:WebsiteInstagramBook: Ona Gritz - Everywhere I LookOna Gritz booksLet's Connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagramTwitterPinterestThe Grief and Happiness AllianceBook: Emily Thiroux Threatt - Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Getting lost in creating beautiful designs and colors can allow a healthy break from feelings of loss.Let's Connect:You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide hereSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Starting conversations about death and dying is not easy, but we know this is a fate each one of us will meet.In today's episode, I'm joined by the Family Caregiver Consultant, Aging Life Care Manager, End-of-Life Doula, and Founder, Stefanie Elkins. Stefanie founded Be Present Care, where she offers guidance and support for life transitions, and Death over Drafts, a community she built by combining her two passions, crafting beer and welcoming conversations around death and dying.Throughout this episode, Stefanie and I discuss the importance of encouraging end-of-life conversations. As we recognize why it is so hard to have them, Stefanie points out the multiple benefits of having a clear action plan before it is too late. You'll also hear Stefanie's thoughts on comfort care when curative care isn't an option, end-of-life planning, the beautiful story behind Death over Drafts, the importance of making final wishes known, and much more.Tune in to episode 234 of Grief and Happiness and equip yourself with the tools needed to discuss death, dying, final wishes, and end-of-life planning.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Why comfort care is so important when medicine can't do anything else (6:00)The importance of discussing death and dying before it is too late (11:40)How end-of-life planning can make your and your loved ones' lives simpler and less painful (18:00)How to start discussing end-of-life planning (24:40)Stefanie talks about Death over Drafts and its beautiful community (32:40)Why creating readiness is so crucial (43:00)Connect with Stefanie Elkins:Be Present CareYouTubeLinkedInFacebookDeath Over DraftsLet's Connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagramTwitterPinterestThe Grief and Happiness AllianceBook: Emily Thiroux Threatt - Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a world with so much violence and hate, focus on the love.Let's Connect:You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide hereSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Grief sucks; we can all agree on that. Yet, what is the best way to move from it, moving on or moving forward?In this episode, I'm joined by the Life Purpose and Happiness Coach and Grief Doula, Cindy Burns. The death of her husband after battling lung cancer for five months brought a double dose of grief into her life: Her kids were grown-ups and had their own lives; they didn't "need her" anymore. Suddenly, her purpose for many years, being a wife and a mother, made no sense—she was alone, and her nest was empty.Throughout this episode, you'll hear about Cindy's reinvention, struggles, challenges, and victories in reclaiming and reconnecting with her purpose and generous perspective on life. Cindy also talks about how journaling saved her, thinking of happiness as a choice, her passion for helping others find their purpose, the difference between moving on and moving forward, and much more.Tune in and listen to episode 232 of Grief and Happiness and learn how to go through grief by moving forward and choosing to be happy.In This Episode, You Will Learn:About Cindy's unexpected encounter with grief (3:10)How Cindy became a Life Purpose, Grief, and Happiness Coach (8:20)Happiness is a choice (17:30)About the countless benefits of putting pen to paper (23:20)Cindy talks about her desire to start a non-profit (28:50)Non-profits are second families (33:50)Connect with Cindy Burns:InstagramCindy's FREE Guided Grief JournalFacebookWidows & Widowers Support Group, Finding PurposeLet's Connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagramTwitterPinterestThe Grief and Happiness AllianceBook: Emily Thiroux Threatt - Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Write a letter to your mother for Mother’s Day even if she is no longer here with you.Let's Connect:You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide hereSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"... will there be joy again? Well, maybe, but it won't look the same as before because everything has a tint of grief. Yes, there's still sunshine. But it looks different, and so does everything. So, how do we incorporate grief and move on?" - Mark Nepo.In today's special episode, I'm joined by one of my favorite people in the world, Mark Nepo. Mark is a best selling and award winning author who has moved and inspired readers and seekers all over the world. He has sold over one million copies of his #1 New York Times best seller, The Book of Awakening, and has also been recognized as a consummate storyteller and one of the finest spiritual guides of our time.Throughout this episode, you'll experience a sample of Mark's delicate, comforting, and kind wisdom as we discuss coping with grief and loss. Mark shares his thoughts on the importance of self-discovery, social support strategies, and establishing a conversation with grief to cope with bereavement.Mark shares practical tips on finding happiness in grief, incorporating pain into life, and healing by sharing experiences. Mark also analyzes the role stories have in our lives and shares dozens of golden nuggets on how to talk to and help people dealing with loss and grief.Tune in to episode 230 and don't miss Mark's unique perspective on navigating the complexities of grief and finding happiness in it.In This Episode, You Will Learn:What Mark considers his role as a writer to be (1:50)Kindness is a quiet medicine (5:20)Mark talks about what moved him to write about grief (9:20)Repeating our stories is crucial as there is still so much to learn from them (17:00)"What is it like to be you right now?" (23:00)Mark's advice for those dealing with grief (27:40)Connect with Mark Nepo:WebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookBook: Mark Nepo - Falling Down and Getting Up: Discovering Your Inner Resilience and StrengthMark Nepo's BooksLet's Connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagramTwitterPinterestThe Grief and Happiness AllianceBook: Emily Thiroux Threatt - Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.