It’s time for grief to come out of the basement, or wherever we have stuffed it to avoid talking about it. When you suffer a loss you need support, comfort, and a safe place to heal. What you are experiencing is painful but normal, unique but similar, surreal but very, very real. As grief advocates we understand and want to provide support, knowledge and comfort as you continue to live and grieve. Host, Kathy Gleason; Producer, Kelly Keck. www.asiliveandgrieve.com
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Embracing Grief Through Spiritual Formation
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32:01Send us some LOVE! The journey through grief often challenges our deepest spiritual beliefs. When devastating loss shatters our world, many find themselves wrestling with profound questions about meaning, purpose, and connection. What happens when our faith feels broken alongside our hearts? Becky McCoy knows this territory well. After losing her h…
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Send us some LOVE! Sarah Mayfield brings a uniquely powerful perspective to the conversation about children's grief – she's both a former elementary school counselor and a bereaved mother who watched her four-year-old son navigate the sudden loss of his younger brother. When Sarah's 18-month-old son Elliot died unexpectedly in his sleep, she faced …
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Send us some LOVE! When was the last time you found yourself in a safe space to talk about grief? In this heartfelt conversation, Kathy welcomes back Nick Gaylord, host of "Our Dead Dads" podcast, for a candid exploration of grief community and the transformative power of shared stories. Nick opens up about creating his unconventionally-named podca…
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Send us some LOVE! When Pam Baker's husband John was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer with no cure, their lives changed forever. For three years, she navigated the complex terrain of caregiving for a terminally ill spouse while raising four children, including two with cystic fibrosis. The journey transformed her unde…
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Send us some LOVE! What happens when we die? And more importantly, what happens when souls get stuck between worlds? In this mind-expanding conversation, metaphysical author Tina Erwin pulls back the veil between life and death, sharing profound insights gained from helping thousands of ghosts cross over. Drawing from her experiences as a naval off…
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Send us some LOVE! Have you ever felt guilty for laughing while grieving? That moment when humor breaks through your sorrow, and you wonder if it's okay to smile? Nancy Weil, with over 18 years in grief support, joins us to explore why these moments aren't just okay—they're necessary for healing. Nancy shares the science behind laughter's healing p…
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Send us some LOVE! What happens when we finally stop running from our grief and instead learn to metabolize it? Grief Tender, Ayla Casey, joins us for a soul-nourishing conversation about reclaiming our power in the face of profound loss. At the heart of this episode lies a revolutionary perspective: our grief, when properly tended, can transform i…
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Send us some LOVE! The space between devastating loss and finding meaning again often seems impossible to navigate. Steve Gamlin takes us on his extraordinary journey through that landscape after suddenly losing his wife Tina in December 2023 while traveling abroad. With remarkable candor and unexpected moments of joy, Steve reveals how their 17.5-…
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Send us some LOVE! When Lisa Espinoza said goodbye to her son Chandler as he left for work on his BMX bike in December 2018, she had no idea that casual "I love you" would be their final exchange. Hours later, a call from the hospital began an 18-day journey that would end with the unthinkable—the loss of her vibrant, adventure-seeking 23-year-old …
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God, Grief, and Gin: A Spiritual Survivor's Tale
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27:41Send us some LOVE! What happens when everything you love disappears? For Gina Economopoulos, this wasn't a hypothetical question but the reality she faced repeatedly throughout her extraordinary life journey. Gina's path defies easy categorization—bartender turned Catholic nun for twelve years, then back to bartending again. But the thread connecti…
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When Childhood Grief Meets Spiritual Healing
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43:19Send us some LOVE! The journey through grief often begins long before we realize it. For Cindy Bain, it started at age five when she witnessed her father's fatal heart attack and secretly believed she caused his death by failing to open a bottle of ginger ale he requested during his distress. This powerful episode reveals how childhood grief can sh…
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Send us some LOVE! Death isn't the end—it's a transformation. What if our consciousness is like a glass of ocean water that, when poured back into the sea, becomes one with its source again? This profound conversation with Michael Hirshorne, author of "Taking a Chance on Life," challenges our understanding of what happens when we die and how we mig…
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The Other Side of the Gun: PTSD and Grief
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38:11Send us some LOVE! At just 17, Susan Snow's world shattered when her father, an LAPD detective, was assassinated in front of her brother's elementary school. That night changed everything and launched Susan into 14 years of undiagnosed PTSD, creating a life where she merely existed rather than lived. Susan takes us through her harrowing journey wit…
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Send us some LOVE! Imagine a place where your grief doesn't need to be hidden, where joy and sorrow can peacefully coexist, and where everyone around you truly understands the weight you carry. That's the revolutionary concept behind The Grief Cruise, created by Linda Findlay after her own devastating loss of a newborn daughter more than three deca…
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Send us some LOVE! What happens when everything in your life changes at once? For Angela Clement, retirement plans with her husband transformed into a cancer diagnosis, and then widowhood. Rather than remain stuck in her grief, Angela followed a calling toward energy healing that had fascinated her since witnessing a healer help her son years earli…
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When the Grief Therapist Becomes the Grieving Therapist
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32:20Send us some LOVE! When the person who helps others through grief suddenly faces devastating loss themselves, what happens? Steve Moore, a licensed clinical professional counselor with 22 years of experience, joins us to share his powerful journey through grief after losing his wife MaryAnn in August 2024. Steve brings a uniquely qualified perspect…
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Send us some LOVE! Kathy welcomes Erin Whalen, founder of Compassionate Coaching, for a fascinating exploration of how innovative approaches to storytelling and communication can transform the caregiving experience. Drawing from her background in professional acting, Erin reveals how Playback Theater—a unique art form where actors immediately perfo…
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Send us some LOVE! Rebecca Schaper's journey through grief has led her to become a powerful storyteller, filmmaker, and author who transforms pain into purpose. Growing up with alcoholic parents and a brother struggling with schizophrenia, Rebecca's early life was marked by trauma that many would find impossible to overcome. Yet she describes these…
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Send us some LOVE! What happens when you combine profound grief experiences with deep expertise in human relationships? Jonathan, a dating and relationship coach specializing in midlife relationships, shares how developing what he calls "emotional scaffolding" through self-love became his lifeline through multiple devastating losses. Seven years ag…
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Send us some LOVE! What happens when grief intersects with identity? In this powerful episode, memoir writer Kelly Wilk takes us deep into her experience as a queer widow, revealing layers of complexity that many grievers never have to face. After losing her wife Kara when she was just 34, Kelly found herself navigating not only overwhelming grief …
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Send us some LOVE! What happens when faith collides with grief? For Pastor Amanda McNeil, this question became deeply personal during her journey through infertility. This conversation delves into the complex relationship between faith and loss, offering wisdom for anyone questioning their spiritual foundations after experiencing grief. Amanda, who…
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Send us some LOVE! When Christina Napoleon lost her husband to cancer while raising their six-year-old daughter, she found herself without a roadmap. A successful finance professional accustomed to checklists and clear directives, she suddenly faced the disorienting reality of grief with no instruction manual. This experience—followed by the losses…
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Send us some LOVE! Grief doesn't have to be an endless journey through darkness. What if there's another way to look at loss—one that acknowledges pain while making space for joy? Marie Alessi, bestselling author, TEDx speaker, and Memorial Manager, joins us to shatter the most persistent myths about grief. Having lost both her father at age 20 and…
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Send us some LOVE! Claire Schwartz returns to our podcast with a groundbreaking framework for understanding grief recovery - the TAPER technique. For many grieving people, the question "How do I know if I'm getting better?" becomes a haunting refrain as days blur together in what feels like endless pain. Drawing from her 18 years of grief counselin…
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Send us some LOVE! When Ann Hince found her mother dead on the bathroom floor at age 19, she had no idea the impact this trauma would have on her body and mind for decades to come. In this deeply moving conversation, Ann reveals how her grief journey led to an extraordinary physical and emotional transformation through a technique called Emotional …
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Send us some LOVE! When AJ Coleman's wife was diagnosed with cancer while their daughter was just two months old, his life trajectory changed forever. Following his wife's passing, he found himself navigating the complex terrain of grief while simultaneously learning to be both mother and father to a young daughter who would never have her own memo…
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Be a BadAss Advocate - Weekend Wisdom Series #1
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38:47Send us some LOVE! Medical advocacy isn't just helpful—it can be life-saving. When Erin Galyean lost her father to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 1997, she couldn't have known that 20 years later, her sister Megan would face the same diagnosis, complicated by a rare and aggressive lung disease. Through these painful experiences, Erin discovered that her…
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Dating/Repartnering - with Open Heart and Mind
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30:57Send us some LOVE! Dating after loss creates a turbulent emotional landscape. In this candid conversation, returning guest John Polo and I explore the fears, hopes, and practical realities of seeking new connections after being widowed. Our discussion reveals why dating feels so terrifying—from worries about becoming a caretaker again to navigating…
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Send us some LOVE! What happens when life's most profound losses lead to unexpected growth? Join us as we sit down with Judith Kambia Obatusa, affectionately known as JKO, to explore her incredible journey through grief and resilience. Having experienced the unimaginable with the loss of her children and sister, JKO shares how her Nigerian-Canadian…
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Send us some LOVE! Grief is a journey that no parent ever wishes to take, yet it is one that our guest, Larry, navigates with profound insight and courage. As a former Rolling Stone Magazine editor, Larry found solace in writing after the tragic loss of his son, Rob, to suicide. This episode offers a heartfelt exploration of how grief can transform…
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Send us some LOVE! What role does acceptance play in healing from profound grief? Join us as we sit down with Chris Mamone, an acceptance coach whose personal experiences with loss have shaped his mission to help others navigate their journey through sorrow. Chris opens up about the heart-wrenching losses of his grandfather and infant son, sharing …
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Send us some LOVE! What happens when music becomes your lifeline through life’s toughest moments? Join us as we welcome Ken Rutley, a dedicated music enthusiast and recent widower, to share his poignant story of finding solace in melodies after the passing of his beloved wife, Lindy. Ken's heartfelt recounting reveals how songs serve as an emotiona…
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Send us some LOVE! Discover how one doctor's mission could reshape the primary care landscape as Dr. Robert Smith joins us to uncover the critical gaps in mental health advocacy. With primary care physicians shouldering 75% of mental health care responsibilities, Dr. Smith exposes the alarming consequences of inadequate training, resulting in misdi…
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Send us some LOVE! Facing the decision of what to do with a loved one's ashes can be an emotional and daunting task. I found myself in this position with my late husband Tom's ashes sitting on a shelf for years. Our episode today features David Perotto from Bartolomeo and Perotto Funeral Homes, who shares a wealth of knowledge about the various opt…
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Neurodiverse Grief: Humor, Support, & Healing
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33:52Send us some LOVE! How do neurodiverse individuals manage the intricate journey of grief? Carolyn Jenkins returns to shed light on this profound question, drawing from her rich expertise in special education and personal experience as a widowed mom. She shares touching anecdotes and practical advice on how neurodiverse people uniquely adapt to ever…
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Send us some LOVE! What happens when life's challenges lead you to discover your true purpose? In this episode, we sit down with Caren Paskel, who shares her personal transformation from an anxious, introverted child into a yoga teacher and abstract artist. Caren's candid revelations about her ongoing battles with depression and self-doubt highligh…
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Send us some LOVE! Can you turn heartbreak into healing? Discover the remarkable journey of Claudia Castillo, author of "Symphony of the Soul," as she finds strength after the devastating loss of her son. Her story is a testament to the power of maintaining an open heart and mind, providing a beacon of hope for others seeking solace and spiritual c…
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Send us some LOVE! Sibling grief is a deeply personal journey that often feels overlooked, yet its impact is profound and lasting. Join us as we engage with Annie Orenstein, a tech researcher and author of "Always a Sibling: The Forgotten Mourner's Guide to Grief," to uncover the complex emotions surrounding the loss of a sibling. Annie shares her …
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Send us some LOVE! Today, we're joined by Tara Wild, who shares an extraordinary story that unfolds during the pandemic. As Tara and her husband, Darcy, navigate the challenges brought by COVID-19, they discover the value of family time amidst the chaos. The narrative takes a heart-wrenching turn with Darcy's mysterious disappearance, prompting a c…
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Send us some LOVE! The conversation delves into the complexities of navigating grief after the holidays, focusing on practical strategies for healing and reflection. Listeners are encouraged to embrace creativity, set attainable goals, and seek community support to facilitate their journey through grief. • Importance of processing emotions after th…
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Send us some LOVE! Imagine realizing in your 50s that the challenges you've been facing your entire life are actually symptoms of ADHD. That's exactly what happened to our guest, Carolyn Jenkins, a veteran special education teacher with more than four decades of experience. Carolyn shines a light on the often-misunderstood concept of neurodiversity…
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Send us some LOVE! Discover how spirituality can be a beacon of light during times of loss with Catherine Duncan, an integrative spiritual consultant, ordained minister, and former hospice chaplain. Catherine shares her wisdom on finding meaning beyond religion, emphasizing the importance of presence and consciousness to navigate life's inevitable …
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Getting Through the Holidays - HOLIDAY BONUS EPISODE!
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42:52Send us some LOVE! Shelby Forsythia, the grief coach renowned for her compassionate wisdom, returns us for a special holiday episode of "As I Live and Grieve." She shares her personal journey into the world of grief, a journey that began amidst the chaos of what she calls her "four years of Hell" in college. Shelby unveils her G-R-I-E-F method, a c…
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Holiday Reflections: A Message from Your Departed Loved One
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9:03Send us some LOVE! As we navigate the holiday season, I take a moment to share my personal reflections and explore how these times can stir both joy and heartache. This solo episode offers a heartfelt letter from an imagined perspective of our late loved ones, challenging the notion that the holidays must always be joyous and perfect. Let this mess…
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Send us some LOVE! Emily Thiroux Threatt's journey through loss and love offers an intense tale of resilience and renewal. From her cherished days with her first husband, Jacques Thoreau, a passionate bioethicist, to the unexpected path that led her to her second husband, whom she met through an online encounter, Emily's story is rich with life les…
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Send us some LOVE! John Polo returns to "As I Live and Grieve," bringing with him a moving account of enduring love and transformation. Discover the compelling ways love can persist beyond loss, and how John found the courage to open his heart again to his fiancée, Allie, all while honoring the memory of Michelle. We also touch upon the challenges …
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Send us some LOVE! How do you find the strength to rebuild your life after an unexpected tragedy? Today we sit down with Clarissa Maul, a remarried widow and dedicated bereavement advocate, who opens up about her harrowing journey following the sudden death of her husband, Rob, in a 2019 hiking accident. From her days as a homeschooling mom and com…
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Listen to the Silence, with Gina Gale Gray
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31:29Send us some LOVE! Have you ever felt that silence holds more than just the absence of sound? In this heartfelt episode, Gina Gale Gray opens up about her astonishing journey with her son, Spencer, who taught her the unique language of telepathic communication. Despite living without the ability to speak or move independently for 23 years, Spencer …
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Traumatic Grief and the Younger Generation
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29:21Send us some LOVE! Ever wondered how to effectively support children and teens through the unimaginable pain of traumatic loss? Join us as we sit down with Jennifer Levin, a licensed therapist who specializes in traumatic grief, to uncover the essential steps needed for crisis support and stabilization. Jennifer enlightens us on the particular need…
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Send us some LOVE! Imagine starting a podcast from a light-hearted joke among friends, only to find it transforming into a deeply meaningful project. That's exactly what happened to Nick Gaylord, the creator of "Our Dead Dads." Join us as we welcome Nick back to share the deeply personal story behind his podcast, which began with humorous banter am…
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