Podcast

Loss doesn’t just change our world — it changes who we are. In this episode, we’ll explore one of the most unsettling questions after loss: Who am I now without them? When a spouse, partner, parent, or loved one dies, our sense of identity can feel fractured. The roles we once filled no longer fit, and the person we were before grief feels far away. Together, we’ll talk about what it means to live in that in-between space — no longer who we were, but not yet who we’re becoming — and how, with time and compassion, we can begin to rediscover ourselves. Whether you’re early in your grief or years down the road still searching for your footing, this conversation is an invitation to see yourself not as lost, but as becoming.

When we lose someone we love, it’s not just their absence we grieve. Friendships shift. Traditions unravel. Financial strain. Roles we once filled suddenly disappear. These are the secondary losses — the hidden griefs that surface long after the initial shock has passed.

In this episode, we’ll explore those quieter, often unspoken parts of loss: the relationships that fade, the routines that change, and the identities we’re forced to rebuild. Together, we’ll shine a light on what often goes unseen — validating both those just beginning to feel these losses and those still navigating them years later. Because acknowledging them isn’t a sign of weakness — it’s a step toward healing, understanding, and reclaiming the life that still waits ahead.

Grief doesn’t just show up on anniversaries or holidays — it can sneak into the grocery store, the car ride home, or a favorite recipe. In this episode, we’ll talk about how the most ordinary moments can suddenly carry extraordinary weight, and how to give yourself grace when grief feels like it’s everywhere.

When someone you love is grieving, it’s hard to know what to say—or what not to say. In this episode of Journey to Grateful, I explore the power of words during times of loss and how our intentions, though kind, can sometimes fall short. Learn how to offer genuine comfort, what phrases to avoid, and how presence and empathy can mean far more than perfect words ever could. This episode is for anyone wanting to better support a grieving friend or family member, reminding us all that words, actions, and even silence each have the power to heal when used with love and care.

As the season turns to autumn, grief can feel sharper. The falling leaves, shorter days, and cooler nights echo the endings we carry inside. In this episode, I explore how the shadows of this season—memories, loneliness, and the anticipation of holidays—can stir grief, while the light of autumn offers small comforts and reminders of beauty. I share reflections, simple practices, and ways we can let autumn teach us to hold both sorrow and gratitude at once.

In this episode of Journey to Grateful, I explore the often-misunderstood difference between “moving on” and “moving forward” after loss. While the phrase “move on” suggests leaving our loved ones behind, the reality is far different. Moving forward means carrying their love, their influence, and their memory with us into the life we are still building. I share personal reflections — from childhood observations of grief to my own experience of losing a spouse — and why embracing the past while living in the present is not only possible, but necessary. Join me as we uncover how to live fully while honoring those who remain part of us, always.

In this episode of Journey to Grateful, I share a deeply personal truth I’ve discovered in grief: that honoring our loved ones doesn’t mean staying stuck in mourning them. It means finding the courage to live fully, carrying their memory with us in every step forward. I talk about the tension between grief and guilt, and how we can shift the question from “Am I allowed to move forward?” to “How can I carry them forward with me?” If you’ve ever wondered whether finding joy again betrays the one you’ve lost, this episode is for you.

Grief comes in many forms — the loss of a spouse, a child, a parent, a sibling, or a close friend. Each loss is devastating in its own way, yet too often we fall into the trap of comparing one grief to another. In this episode of Journey to Grateful, I explore why grief should never be measured against someone else’s pain and how compassion allows us to connect across different kinds of loss.

Through the lens of “same storm, different boats,” I share why it’s important to honor every grief story without judgment and how choosing to witness another’s pain instead of comparing it can create deeper healing for us all.

If you’ve ever felt like someone dismissed your grief, or if you’ve caught yourself comparing your loss to another’s, this episode is a reminder: different losses, different pain, but the same need — to discover how to keep going.

The decision of whether — or when — to take off your wedding ring after losing a spouse is one of the most personal and emotional choices we face in grief. It’s not simply about jewelry; it’s about love, identity, and how we choose to honor the life we shared. In this episode, we’ll explore the many layers of this struggle: the pressure of outside expectations, the deep symbolism of the ring, and how timing looks different for everyone. I’ll also share my own journey with this decision and the private, intentional way I approached removing my ring one year after Colleen’s passing. Together, we’ll uncover why there is no right or wrong choice — only what feels true for you — and how you can permit yourself to move forward in a way that honors both your love and your grief.

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.