Podcast

Losing someone you love doesn’t just take them from your life — it can feel like it takes you from yourself. In this heartfelt episode, I share how the death of my wife, Colleen, left me questioning who I was without her, and how grief reshapes our identity in quiet, complicated ways. From the roles we lose — spouse, partner, parent, child — to the slow, tentative steps of rediscovering who we are, I offer honesty, compassion, and hope for anyone feeling unmoored by loss. Whether you’ve lost a spouse, a parent, a child, or someone else who helped define your sense of self, this conversation reminds you that while grief changes you, it also gives you the chance to meet a new version of yourself — one still shaped by love, even in their absence.

What happens when the world moves on, but your grief hasn’t? In this episode of Journey to Grateful, I reflect on the silence that often follows loss—when friends and family return to their normal routines, while you’re left navigating a reality that will never be the same.

Now, more than five years after my wife Colleen’s passing, I share how grief continues to show up in unexpected ways, including during a recent milestone moment: moving my son to college. While many see such moments as purely joyful, they can also reopen the wound of absence, reminding us of the chapters we were meant to share with those we’ve lost.

This conversation explores the ache of feeling left behind, the weight of disenfranchised grief, and why grief can still feel raw years later. I also offer ways to stay grounded when the support fades—through speaking their name, finding new circles of understanding, and creating small rituals to keep love present.

If you’ve ever felt like your grief is “too much” or wondered why it still hurts long after others think it should have eased, this episode is a reminder: grief has no timeline, and neither does love.

Grief doesn’t always come just once—it circles back when we least expect it. In this deeply personal episode, Tim shares the recent and sudden loss of a dear friend and how that grief ripples through his life, touching memories, love, and family all over again. From navigating the emotions of supporting a grieving family to confronting the echoes of his own loss, this conversation is a reminder that grief doesn’t follow a timeline—and neither does healing. Whether you’re walking through a fresh loss or supporting someone who is, this episode speaks to the heart of what it means to simply show up and be present in the hardest moments.

Milestones can carry a surprising weight in the grieving process. Birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays — even the quiet, ordinary dates that hold personal meaning — can stir up emotions we thought we’d tucked away. In this episode, we will explore how these moments can both ache with what’s missing and glow with the warmth of what was. Through personal stories, including the first anniversary of my wife Colleen’s passing, I'll share honest reflections on why milestone dates can be so powerful, and how we can face them with intention, tenderness, and love.

There’s no schedule for grief—yet so many of us feel the pressure to “move on” as weeks, months, or even years pass. In this heartfelt episode, Tim opens up about a recent, unexpected wave of emotion that reminded him just how present grief can still be, even five years later. Through a personal story of love, remembrance, and shared community, he explores why grief doesn’t expire, how it evolves over time, and why releasing the timeline can open the door to deeper, more honest healing.

Grief doesn’t just break your heart — it takes a toll on your entire body. In this episode of Journey to Grateful, host Tim Bigonia explores the physical symptoms of grief that often go unspoken: the fatigue, the brain fog, the muscle aches, the anxiety, and the general feeling that something just isn’t right.

If you’ve recently experienced a loss, you may be wondering why your body feels so off. You’re not alone. Grief activates our stress responses, affects our sleep, and shows up in ways we never expected — and understanding these changes is an important part of healing.

This episode shares personal insight and gentle guidance to help you recognize your body’s signals and respond with compassion instead of frustration. Whether you’re early in your grief or walking alongside someone who is, this episode offers validation, understanding, and a reminder: your body remembers because your love was real.

Topics in this episode include:

• Why grief causes fatigue, brain fog, and body aches

• The link between grief and anxiety

• How trauma and loss affect your nervous system

• Gentle ways to listen to your body and support your healing

Not all grief is tied to a moment or memory. Sometimes, the deepest pain comes from what never happened — the words left unsaid, the milestones missed, and the future you thought you’d share with someone you loved.

In this episode of Journey to Grateful, we delve into the quiet, often unspoken aspect of grief: invisible losses. These are the “almosts,” the “what-ifs,” and the “we never got to…” moments that live in the background of our mourning.

If you’ve ever felt the ache of a missed goodbye or the emptiness of a dream unfulfilled, this conversation is for you.

In this episode of Journey to Grateful, I explore the powerful truth behind “It’s okay not to be okay.” I'll share why embracing your messy, honest feelings is not only normal but essential to healing. I'll also provide a heartfelt invitation to let go of the need to “be strong” and find real strength in simply being real. Today you will discover that it is truly okay not to be okay.

When a parent dies, teens face a unique, often silent struggle — and the surviving parent is left to guide them while carrying their own grief. In this heartfelt episode, Tim explores how parents can support their teen’s grief journey with compassion and patience, while helping them move forward in a healthy, authentic way. Learn how to hold space for your teen’s emotions, encourage an ongoing connection with their lost parent, and remind them that simply being themselves is enough. If you’re navigating life after loss with your child, this conversation offers gentle guidance and hope.

We’re taught that men should be strong, stoic, and unbreakable — especially after losing a spouse. But real strength isn’t about hiding your pain; it’s about having the courage to feel it. In this episode, we explore what it means for men to show up fully in their grief, why vulnerability is a true sign of strength, and how embracing your emotions can help you build a new, more authentic life. Real men grieve — and it’s time we talk about it.