In this episode of 2 Girls with Grief, Nikki Spoelstra shares her powerful story of navigating grief, motherhood, and sobriety through some of life’s hardest moments—losing her mother, her child’s cancer diagnosis, and divorce. She opens up about:

• The ‘mother wound’ and how it shaped her healing journey.
• The grief of losing oneself and finding identity again.
• The power of service, self-compassion, and community in overcoming pain.
• Breaking stigmas around sobriety, co-parenting, and mental health.

Through raw honesty and deep reflection, Nikki inspires us to embrace healing, faith, and the strength in asking for support.

Find all things Nikki here

In this episode, Carm shares her journey of creating Girls Gotta Heal, inspired by her own experiences with grief and loss. Together, we explore the complexities of navigating grief, the importance of mental health, and the power of affirmations. Carm introduces her unique card deck designed to spark conversations about grief and emphasizes creating safe spaces for emotional healing. We also discuss anticipatory grief, the challenges of vulnerability, and the healing power of community, offering insights and support for anyone on their grief journey.

Check out more about Girls Gotta Heal here

In this episode, Rachel, Jessica, and Tripp tackle the emotional and logistical challenges that come with losing a loved one. They share deeply personal stories of loss and emphasize the importance of planning ahead to ease the burden on those left behind.

Key highlights include:

• The inspiration behind The Dead Book—a comprehensive resource designed to simplify end-of-life planning and manage the administrative tasks that follow a death.
• How grief impacts both the heart and the mind, and why support systems are crucial during these times.
• Practical steps for organizing important documents and wishes to reduce stress for loved ones.
• Breaking down the stigma around death and encouraging more open, honest conversations about end-of-life planning.
• Personal insights on how preparedness can bring a sense of control and peace amidst the chaos of loss.

This episode is a heartfelt exploration of how planning ahead can not only ease logistical challenges but also allow us to honor our loved ones in meaningful ways. Don’t miss this important conversation on changing how we approach grief, death, and planning for the future.

In Episode 2 of Season 2, Kendel and Rachel sit down with Brittany Spivey, their first guest of the season, for an inspiring and heartfelt conversation. Brittany opens up about her personal journey through grief after losing her mother, sharing how the loss profoundly reshaped her identity, mental health, and physical well-being. She dives into her struggles with weight gain, self-esteem, and the challenges of navigating grief, particularly during the holidays.

Brittany also explores the transformative power of affirmations and self-care in rebuilding her sense of self and finding healing. Throughout the episode, she offers valuable insights on how to create a new narrative after loss, providing a compassionate roadmap for those seeking to navigate grief and rediscover their purpose. Brittany's wisdom serves as a powerful reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is space for growth, transformation, and renewal.

Connect with Brittany Spivey here: https://linktr.ee/brittanydspivey

Looking for the book club? Episodes are now ⁠here⁠

Resources:

In Crisis? Call or text 988

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SAMHSA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Substance abuse and mental health Health services administration

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Dinner Party⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Not Your Parent’s Grief Group

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grief Share⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Grief and loss support groups

In this episode, Kendel and Rachel kick off Season Two with updates and reflections on their journey through grief. They discuss the evolution of their podcast, the importance of sharing grief stories, and the lessons learned from their experiences.

The conversation highlights the power of community, personal growth, and the excitement for new beginnings in 2025. In this conversation, Kendel and Rachel explore the profound impact of grief on their lives, discussing how loss reshapes priorities, planning, and personal growth. They emphasize the importance of community in navigating grief and the necessity of embracing change as a part of life. The discussion also touches on the misconceptions surrounding grief and the need for more open conversations about it.

Looking ahead to 2025, they share their excitement for new plans, including guest appearances and a focus on healing and personal development.

Looking for the book club? Episodes are now here

Resources:

In Crisis? Call or text 988

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SAMHSA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Substance abuse and mental health Health services administration

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Dinner Party⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Not Your Parent’s Grief Group

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grief Share⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Grief and loss support groups

This is a special holiday series we will be doing every Tuesday during the holiday season. We know the holidays are a hard time for grievers and wanted to create a space to share, learn and vent with each other during what can feel like a not so jolly season.

This episode discusses starting 2025 with a a more positive outlook on your grief.

Episode 3 of the Grief Book Club featuring "A Home For The Holidays" By Taylor Hahn, Complete book wrap up

Get your copy here: ⁠⁠https://amzn.to/4f7yV7F⁠⁠

Join our FB Group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠ht⁠⁠tps://⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/groups/1643454249552947⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join our Fable Book Club:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://fable.co/club/2-girls-with-grief-book-club-with-kendelr4-407379384274⁠⁠⁠⁠

This is a special holiday series we will be doing every Tuesday during the holiday season. We know the holidays are a hard time for grievers and wanted to create a space to share, learn and vent with each other during what can feel like a not so jolly season.

This episode discusses the First Christmas and if it is really the hardest the first year, second year or beyond.

Join us for a conversation with Taylor Hahn -- Lawyer, Mother and Author of "A Home For The Holidays"

Get your copy here: ⁠https://amzn.to/4f7yV7F⁠ or here or here ⁠https://bookshop.org/a/108716/9780593470701⁠

Join our Fable Book Club:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://fable.co/club/2-girls-with-grief-book-club-with-kendelr4-407379384274⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This is a special holiday series we will be doing every Tuesday during the holiday season. We know the holidays are a hard time for grievers and wanted to create a space to share, learn and vent with each other during what can feel like a not so jolly season.

In this episode Kendel & Rachel answer questions about grief and the holidays.

Follow us on

IG: @2girlswithgriefpod

Tik Tok: @2girlswithgriefpod

Youtube: @2girlswithgriefpod

Send your challenge answers to: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or any topics you would like us to discuss!

Join our FB Group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ht⁠⁠tps://⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/groups/1643454249552947⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Resources:

In Crisis? Call or text 988

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SAMHSA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Substance abuse and mental health Health services administration

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Dinner Party⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Not Your Parent’s Grief Group

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grief Share⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Grief and loss support groups