SHARING OUR KNOWLEDGE

Sharing Our Stories and Experiences

Through my story and with the help of my contributors – friends, and family who have experienced loss in different ways –  we will share our stories of loss and living through grief. Together as a community, we have chosen to speak our truth and share our experiences to help others navigate these daunting paths of loss. With knowledge and understanding, we hope to help bring you through your own Journey to Grateful.

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EP13 – Growing Through Loss – Forward Motion

With fall on the horizon, a seasonal transition here in the midwest becomes more obvious. With the shift of cooler weather, we find change is necessary to accept and move through. In grief, similar transitions are experienced far more than I ever thought possible. I've found only one thing that helps these transitions other than support, and that's maintaining a forward motion… one step at a time. Join me as I discuss this week's Growing Through Loss series episode focusing on Forward Motion.

EP12 – Growing Through Loss – The School Year Begins Again

Welcome to my new weekly series, Growing Through Loss. This series is designed to strip back the typically planned podcast episode with a more off-the-cuff discussion of experiences I've had over the last week as they relate to my loss journey. This week I take an honest look at beginning a new school year once again without my teammate, my wife. I reflect on my lack of planning as it compares to my wife's and how I stumble – albeit slightly –  with picture day, supplies, and just the usual transition back to school. Lastly, I make certain not to come down too hard on myself and strongly suggest the same for you when you experience similar moments. We're not provided a handbook on how to deal with loss, nor how to move forward from that loss. We can only do the best we can do… and occasionally lean on others for a little help when needed. Lean on me and our community if you need guidance… this journey truly takes a village.

EP11 – An Honest New Perspective on Managing Grief

In this episode, I chat with my guest, Mary Ellen, about her new perspective on sharing grief, which allows us to navigate our grief in a healthy manner. We also examine many aspects of loss where we find the need to ask for help while identifying our need for normal and what that looks like for us individually. Mary Ellen lost her husband just over two and a half years ago while I have recently passed the one-year milestone. Our differing perspectives of where we are in our grief journeys allow us to find the similarities while providing me a few guideposts along the way as I discover where she is on her journey. As usual, our discussion flows freely as we also touch upon becoming a suddenly single parent, and much more.

EP10 – Suddenly Single Parenting

Although specific to those who have lost a spouse or partner who they have relied on to help with parenting, this episode examines another aspect of loss often overlooked. In the first days and weeks after loss, it's common to feel disorientated, and even more common to feel downright surprised at the many details of everyday life we took for granted when our spouse or partner was here. Parenting is one of which I knew – on the surface – would be a challenge and something I'd have to face head on, but one of which has continued to surprise me at every turn. Join me as I explain my experiences with becoming a suddenly single parent… I invite you to join the conversation on social or at journeytograteful.com to share your specific experiences as well. 

EP9 – A Healthy Path of Grief

In this episode, I welcome back a special guest, Mary Ellen to discuss our perspective grief journeys and to provide for our listener's guideposts to help anyone on their own path of grief. We touch upon how we have approached a more healthy path of grief, accepting grief bombs as they come, holding tight to memories that have helped to shape our lives and to make room for taking care of ourselves in our new life going and growing forward. Do you know of someone who has recently lost a loved one… share with this podcast and our contributor stories at JourneyToGrateful.com

EP8 – Approaching Milestones Head On

With nearly a year since the loss of my wife, I've had my fair share of milestones to push through and I've found only one way to deal with them. Head on. Pushing them down or away will not allow you to prepare for them in a manner that is healthy. However, there is one thing about milestones you must prepare yourself for… and that is the unexpected. No matter how well you think you've prepped for that upcoming milestone, something may surprise you that you hadn't considered. But then again, with my life full of unexpected grief bombs these past 11 months, I'm getting pretty used to the unexpected. Dig deep, hang on, and move forward with purpose. You've got this. 

EP7 – Early Grief – Leaning Into Grief

Join me as I and my guest, Mary Ellen, experience our first grief conversation. Our focus begins with early grief and the many ways we have personally navigated those first days and weeks of our grief. We explore the idea of the individuality of grief and how to best embrace the journey and the process. We offer suggestions of coping, as we have experienced it, and share our personal expressions of support which have meant the most to us while on our specific paths of loss. Lastly, we offer insights into what works best for us when receiving support and simple, inspiring reminders of how to take care of you.

EP6 – Walking With Grief: What Grief Looks Like

In this episode, you will join me on a walk and discuss with you What Grief Looks Like. This new format came about through a challenge from a fellow podcaster. I tend to walk to clear my head, so this friend suggested I walk away from my computer & notes, instead take you on a walk with me as I freely discuss the misconceptions of what typical grief looks like. I will share with you my experiences as well as other's who have shared similar encounters with well-meaning friends. Together, we will clear up a few inaccurate interpretations as to how grief is supposed to appear on the outside.

EP5 – Accepting Death Before it Happens

Although a loss, however it occurs, is a difficult thing to face, we discuss accepting death before it happens and what details are involved in doing so. With everything in life, there are positive and negative aspects to almost everything we experience. Could there be a positive aspect of the anticipation of a loss that could be considered a blessing? If so, how best can we handle this to make the most of the opportunity we are afforded?    Join me in this episode as we discuss a difficult subject and reveal its potential positive gifts. Admittedly death is not an easy experience to move through, but as we've discovered in past stories, many details of loss can provide the slightest positive experience. We examine this possibility and offer insights into how accepting loss before it happens, in a small way, can be a gift.

EP4 – An Unexpected Support Group

When it comes to support, we, as a family, have been very blessed. In numbers as well as types of support, our family and friends have truly been there for us through the illness and loss of my wife, Colleen to cancer. There is a group, however, that I feel the need to highlight as their constant support and heartfelt, thoughtfulness has simply been wonderful. It's not the usual adult friends, neighbors, or extended family, but rather, a younger group of which being a strong, consistent source of support and personal comfort is just not typically present.