What happens when a psychologist becomes the patient of grief herself? How do you go from burning candles through tears to writing a bestselling book on loss in just one month?

In this deeply moving episode of A Guide to After Life, Dr. Monika Wieliczko speaks with clinical psychologist and author Dr. Marianne Trent, whose personal journey through the loss of her father changed not only her heart—but also her professional path.

✨ Marianne shares:

The story behind The Grief Collective and how she rallied strangers and friends to create a raw, compassionate tapestry of grief experiences

What it's really like to mother young children while mourning a parent

How creativity (like candle-making) and community held her together during the most broken days

Her honest reflections on returning to work, being a grieving therapist, and what “functioning” looks like seven years later

Why grief doesn't have a hierarchy—and why every loss matters

How grief quietly reshapes our identity, and how to make room for new love without erasing the old

If you’ve ever wondered:

“Will I ever be okay again?”

“Am I allowed to grieve this much?”

“How do I hold grief and joy at the same time?”

…this episode is for you.

Tender, candid, and beautifully real—this is a conversation that will make you feel seen.

Resources:

Guest's Bio:

Dr Marianne Trent is a Clinical Psychologist in Private Practice. She specialises in Trauma, Grief, Anxiety & Depression. She supports the needs of Aspiring Psychologists and also helps coach psychologists to develop their own passive income streams. She is the lead author of The Grief Collective Book.

Social links:

Website: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/

Business fb: https://www.facebook.com/GoodThinkingPsychologicalServices

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-marianne-trent-psychology/

https://twitter.com/DrMarianneTrent

https://www.youtube.com/c/DrMarianneTrent 

https://www.tiktok.com/@drmariannetrent?lang=en

https://www.instagram.com/drmariannetrent/

What do you do when the pain is too much to bear? In this moving and unfiltered conversation, clinical psychologist Rosalind Coon joins host Dr. Monika Wieliczko to explore the devastating emotional terrain of loss that doesn’t always come through death—but feels just as unbearable.

Rosalind opens up about the sudden and traumatic end of her 25-year marriage, describing the intense grief, denial, and terror that followed. As two psychologists and fellow women in grief, Monika and Rosalind examine what it means to "sit with pain," why we are so resistant to emotional discomfort, and how true healing often begins where control ends.

Whether you’re grieving the death of a partner or navigating another form of profound loss, this episode is a powerful companion in the darkness. With honesty, clinical insight, and human connection, we uncover:

🔹 The psychological toll of ambiguous loss
🔹 Why growth in grief feels impossible—yet happens anyway
🔹 How to stay present with emotional pain (even when it feels unbearable)
🔹 The myth of “getting over it” and the reality of learning to carry it
🔹 Ways to foster self-compassion and resilience during crisis

✨ Key Quotes:

“I didn’t want to grow—I wanted my life back.” – Rosalind Coon
“You can’t be fully alive without making space for suffering.” – Dr. Monika Wieliczko
“There wasn’t a clear end. The end of a relationship can be a slow, unbearable unfolding.”

Resources:

- Unsure whether to see a psychologist, psychotherapist or counsellor or grief coach for grief support? Read this blog post to find out more.

Your Host’s BIO:

Dr Monika Wieliczko, Chartered Clinical Psychologist D.Clin.Psych, MSc, MA

Psychologist by profession, and a widow, in private.

Connect with me on social media:

Facebook 

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Death Matters Awareness Week Special 

Most of us avoid conversations about death—until we’re forced to have them. But what if talking about death could actually help us live more fully?

In this special episode for Death Matters Awareness Week (5–11 May 2025), clinical psychologist and widow Dr Monika Wieliczko sits down with existential psychotherapist Dr Ali Ross to explore how we can better support the dying, why talking about death doesn’t have to be morbid, and the unexpected gifts that come when we embrace our own mortality.

You’ll learn:

— How to start meaningful conversations with someone who is dying

— Why avoiding death talk increases fear and isolation

— The surprising ways mortality can deepen joy, presence, and purpose

This is a powerful listen for anyone grieving, caregiving, or simply curious about living more intentionally.

Resources:

- Unsure whether to see a psychologist, psychotherapist or counsellor or grief coach for grief support? Read this blog post to find out more.

Guest BIO:

Dr Ali Ross is an existential psychotherapist working with individuals, couples and adult families. Outside of private work I was a specialist psychotherapist in an NHS cancer and palliative care team. My doctorate was in military to civilian transition and I have worked across a range of sectors throughout my career, including domestic abuse prevention, for Child Line, Mind and a drug treatment service. This has given me a breadth of experience but I am particularly skilled in helping with anxiety, stress, bereavement, crisis of values, depression, confidence, panic, intimacy and relationship issues. While I have experience of working with children and young people I currently work exclusively with adults.

https://www.cayatherapy.co.uk

- Instagram

Your Host’s BIO:

Dr Monika Wieliczko, Chartered Clinical Psychologist D.Clin.Psych, MSc, MA

Psychologist by profession, and a widow, in private.

Connect with me on social media:

Facebook 

Instagram  

Linked In 

Life can sometimes throw us the most heart-wrenching curveballs. Losing a life partner is devastating enough, but when it's coupled with the challenges of infertility or the loss of shared dreams to build a family, the grief can feel overwhelming.

In our latest Guide to Afterlife podcast episode, we dive deep into this complex and often overlooked aspect of loss. Dr. Kara Davey, a clinical psychologist specializing in baby loss and infertility grief, joins us to shed light on:

• The unique challenges of grieving a partner while longing for parenthood • How trauma can complicate the grieving process • Ways to navigate conflicting emotions and societal expectations • Resources and support are available for those experiencing multiple losses

Resources:

Guest Bio:

Dr Kara Davey is an award-winning Clinical Psychologist accredited with the British Psychological Society, Health Care Professions Council and the EMDR Association. Kara spent a lot of her NHS career supporting individuals after difficult or traumatic life events.

She is now the founder of ‘Kara Clinical Psychologist in Sussex’ and ‘Dr Davey Coaching’. Kara has lived experience of recurrent miscarriage and Stillbirth and so is extremely passionate about supporting individuals experiencing infertility, traumatic grief and/or who have sadly become bereaved parents.

Your Host’s BIO:

Dr Monika Wieliczko, Chartered Clinical Psychologist D.Clin.Psych, MSc, MA

Psychologist by profession, and a widow, in private.

Connect with me on social media:

⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠

⁠⁠Instagram  ⁠⁠

⁠⁠Linked In ⁠

In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Monika Wieliczko explores the complex topic of assisted dying with Professor Susan Cadell, a leading researcher in grief and grief literacy. As the UK Parliament considers the terminally ill adult's end-of-life bill in early 2025, they discuss the ethical, emotional, and social dimensions of assisted dying, with insights from Canada where Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) has been legal since 2016. The conversation covers the grief experiences of those left behind, the importance of creating meaningful end-of-life narratives, and how having choices at the end of life impacts both the dying and their loved ones.

Key Topics

Guest Bio:

Susan Cadell, PhD, RSW (she/her) is a social work researcher and Professor in the School of Social Work at Renison University College, which is affiliated with University of Waterloo. Susan's research concerns death, dying and bereavement, particularly positive outcomes of caregiving and grief. Susan’s most recent projects concern grief in COVID, after Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD), and memorial tattoos. She is also the co-founder of Grief Matters, a national organization to promote grief literacy.

You can find out more about Susan’s research and get in touch with her here:

https://uwaterloo.ca/school-of-social-work/profiles/susan-cadell

Twitter and Instagram: @SusanCadell

Further information on assisted dying mentioned by Susan in the episode:

Resources:

- Unsure whether to see a psychologist, psychotherapist or counsellor or grief coach for grief support? Read this blog post to find out more.

Your Host’s BIO:

Dr Monika Wieliczko, Chartered Clinical Psychologist D.Clin.Psych, MSc, MA

Psychologist by profession, and a widow, in private.

Connect with me on social media:

Facebook 

Instagram  

Linked In 

Have you ever wondered why grief feels so physical? Why your heart races, your stomach churns, or your body aches after losing someone you love? And have you struggled to make sense of your physical health issued and did not know where to turn for support or felt dismissed by a medical professional? 

In our latest podcast episode of Guide to After Life, we dive deep into the often-overlooked physical aspects of grief with Dr. Lynsey Bennett, a GP with a special interest in bereavement care.

Here's what you'll learn:

We feel grief throughout our entire body. Dr. Bennett shares her personal and professional insights on navigating this complex journey. 

Guest's BIO:

Dr Lynsey Bennett is a GP and GP Trainer in a busy urban practice in Oxford since 2015, having previously trained and worked in London for many years. She loves the psychosocial side of general practice – walking alongside people during all sorts of life events - and the long-term relationships she develops with her patients. She has spent the last 18 months developing an educational resource for all primary care clinicians to help us better understand grief and provide bereavement care during our daily work and has presented her work to the Royal College of GPs, the NHS Education for Scotland Annual Bereavement Conferences 2023/2024 and the European Grief Conference in 2024.

A primary care approach to bereavement - Pulse Today - an article written by Lynsey. 

Resources:

Don't forget to subscribe to A Guide to After Life podcast list to be notified of more conversations about navigating grief: https://www.guidetoafterlife.com/podcast-signup

- Book a free 15-consultation with me to discuss the results of your Grief MOT

- Find out about Grief Group Therapy that I offer

- Unsure whether to see a psychologist, psychotherapist or counsellor or grief coach for grief support? Read this blog post to find out more.

Your Host’s BIO:

Dr Monika Wieliczko, Chartered Clinical Psychologist D.Clin.Psych, MSc, MA

Psychologist by profession, and a widow, in private.

Connect with me on social media:

Facebook 

Instagram  

Linked In 

Grieving parents often grapple with profound fear that they are failing their children amidst overwhelming loss and forgetting to prioritise their own emotional needs. In this powerful episode of A Guide to After Life, host Dr. Monika Wieliczko is joined by a clinical psychologist, Dr. Jade Redfern. Together, they delve into nurturing emotional resilience in children who have lost a parent and unpack the importance of emotional co-regulation for both parents and children. By supporting their own emotional well-being, parents can create a safe space where children feel secure and understood, ultimately fostering resilience in the face of grief.

Main Topics Discussed:

How grief manifests differently in children at various stages of development.

The crucial role emotional regulation plays for grieving parents and their children.

Creating a nurturing space that encourages authentic emotional expression.

The power of community support and co-regulation for families in grief.

Key Insights:

Children often feel they must shoulder the emotional burden of their surviving parent, intensifying their own grief.

Emotional regulation isn’t about always being calm but rather acknowledging and navigating a wide spectrum of feelings.

A structured environment with clear boundaries instills security in children as they mourn.

Validating emotions like anger and sadness is essential for children’s healthy emotional development.

Notable Quotes:

"Feelings want to be felt; they don't want to be fixed." — Dr. Jade Redfern

"As parents, we need to perceive ourselves as capable so we can foster resilience in our children." — Dr. Jade Redfern

"Children often look to us for emotional assurance: If you are okay, I am okay." — Dr. Jade Redfern

Free resources:

Jade's resources:

Jade's Resources: 

Guest's Bio:

Hi, I'm Jade a Clinical Psychologist, trauma-informed therapist, parenting coach and (imperfect) mum of three. 

I throw myself into life and work with ambition, heart and soul and I'm best known for my down-to-earth, compassionate, and insightful approach to therapy and coaching.

Child development and the parent-child relationship have always been a special interest of mine. However, it was when I became a parent myself, with the challenges and obstacles that I have overcome, that my passion for helping parents began. 

I am a huge believer that the greatest gift a parent can give their child is their peace and happiness. So, by helping parents develop greater self-awareness and understanding of how our childhood shapes our parenting, we can raise compassionate, confident children who thrive together. 

Your Host’s BIO:

Dr Monika Wieliczko, Chartered Clinical Psychologist D.Clin.Psych, MSc, MA

Psychologist by profession, and a widow, in private.

Connect with me on social media:

Facebook 

Instagram  

Linked In 

Join Dr. Monika Wieliczko in this heartfelt episode of "A Guide to After Life", where she interviews Debbie Weiss, a bestselling author, coach, and fellow widow. Debbie shares her transformative journey of caregiving, loss, and self-discovery, detailing how her new book, "The Sprinkle Effect", conveys powerful lessons derived from her life experiences. This episode is a compelling dialogue on resilience, personal responsibility, and the power of perspective in the face of grief.

Key Insights

Notable Quotes

Timestamps for Significant Segments

Relevant Resources

Your Host’s BIO:

Dr Monika Wieliczko, Chartered Clinical Psychologist D.Clin.Psych, MSc, MA

Psychologist by profession, and a widow, in private.

Connect with me on social media:

Facebook 

Instagram  

Linked In 

Guest's BIO:

My name is Debbie Weiss and I'm a bestselling author, speaker, coach, and course creator with over 60 years of experience overcoming life's challenges. Having lived through and overcome significant transitions, I know firsthand the power of resilience and positivity. As the author of the inspirational memoir "On Second Thought...Maybe I Can!" and the newly released book and accompanying workbook entitled "The Sprinkle Effect: A Guide to Creating a More Colorful and Fulfilling Life," I inspire others to take ownership of their lives regardless of their circumstances.

www.debbierweiss.com https://www.instagram.com/debbie.r.weiss/ https://www.tiktok.com/@debbierweiss

In this episode of A Guide to After Life, I am talking with Karen James, a young widow whose own experiences of loss turned her career around to focus on researching resilient grieving. The conversation delves into the concept of resilient grief—what it means to grieve in a healthy way, the importance of coping strategies, and how personal experiences shape the grieving process. Karen shares her journey after losing her husband Paul to a brain tumour, highlighting the complexities of widowhood at a young age and the need for supportive communities which she found through WAY a charity for young and widowed. 

Please consider taking part in a research study that Karen is conducting on resilience amongst young widows. If you have experienced a loss of a life partner consider spending two minutes of your time by clicking on the link. 

Key Insights:

Understanding Resilient Grief: Resilient grief involves harnessing coping mechanisms that allow individuals to live with their loss and even grow from it. Grieving doesn’t equate to forgetting; it's about integrating loss into one’s life.

Social Support: Emphasised the importance of finding community support among other young widows, which can provide validation and a sense of belonging during the grieving process.

Balancing Emotions: It’s vital to acknowledge both negative feelings of grief and seek moments of joy. Embracing small, daily pleasures can significantly alleviate the heaviness of grief.

Challenging Societal Norms: Widowhood is often misunderstood, with societal expectations surrounding grief creating additional pressure. Karen encourages a shift in mindset, allowing for personal definitions of grief and healing.

Resources:

Ready to move from surviving to thriving after loss? Visit guidetoafterlife.com to access our free Grief MOT program - your first-aid kit for grief.

Don't forget to subscribe to A Guide to After Life podcast list to be notified of more conversations about navigating grief: https://www.guidetoafterlife.com/podcast-signup

- Book a free 15-consultation with me to discuss the results of your Grief MOT

- Find out about Grief Group Therapy that I offer

- Unsure whether to see a psychologist, psychotherapist or counsellor or grief coach for grief support? Read this blog post to find out more.

Your Host’s BIO:

Dr Monika Wieliczko, Chartered Clinical Psychologist D.Clin.Psych, MSc, MA

Psychologist by profession, and a widow, in private.

Connect with me on social media:

Facebook 

Instagram  

Linked In 

Guest's BIO:

Karen James Expert by Experience - Biomedical scientist with a growing interest in psychology and bereavement research.

After losing my spouse at the age of 36, following a 20-year relationship, I faced the trauma of bereavement, which included a lack of support and the challenge of rebuilding my life. My firsthand experience of loss and seeking support from Widowed and Young (WAY), a charity focused on supporting individuals bereaved under the age of 51, coupled with my desire to help other young widows, has altered both my career path and life course.

I have previously volunteered for WAY as a northwest area contact and ambassador. I have written articles and given interviews for various media outlets, including newspapers, television, and radio shows. My motivation to help young widows, further coupled with a general interest in psychology, led me to complete an MSc in psychology conversion course, in which I am in the final stages of my research project. When appropriate, I centred my work around bereavement and widowhood, which I believe has contributed to my success in the MSc.

I have a particular interest in resilient grieving and positive adaptation after loss. I am currently looking to pursue a PhD in psychology with a focus on resilience and young widowhood. I hope to positively impact the experiences of future young widows and give back to this underrepresented community.

In this powerful episode of A Guide to Afterlife, Dr. Monika Wieliczko welcomes author Jessica Waite to discuss her memoir "The Widow's Guide to Dead Bastards." Jessica shares her journey of discovering her late husband's secrets after his sudden death and how she navigated the complex emotions of grief, anger, and healing.

This episode offers valuable insights for young widows dealing with complicated grief and the process of reclaiming one's life after loss.

Main Discussion Points:

- Jessica's story of loss and discovery

- The impact of uncovering secrets after a partner's death Navigating complicated grief and anger

- The importance of truth in the healing process

- The transformative power of grief and creative expression Rebuilding identity and finding hope after betrayal

Resources:

Ready to move from surviving to thriving after loss? Visit guidetoafterlife.com to access our free Grief MOT program - your first-aid kit for grief.

Don't forget to subscribe to A Guide to After Life podcast list to be notified of more conversations about navigating grief: https://www.guidetoafterlife.com/podcast-signup

- Book a free 15-consultation with me to discuss the results of your Grief MOT

- Find out about Grief Group Therapy that I offer

- Unsure whether to see a psychologist, psychotherapist or counsellor or grief coach for grief support? Read this blog post to find out more.

Guest Bio: Jessica Waite is the author of "The Widow's Guide to Dead Bastards." She lives in Canada and has an 18-year-old son. Jessica's memoir details her journey of grief, anger, and healing after discovering her late husband's secrets following his sudden death. Key Quotes: [00:34:37] Jessica Waite: "So, essentially, what it felt like after I found out these secrets was that my whole life had been a lie. And that if he was hiding so much and keeping such big secrets from me and lying to me, like, every single day, then how could I trust anything that he ever said and that everything must, like, have been a complete lie." [00:47:59] Jessica Waite: "He said if you don't mourn, you will grieve for the rest of your life and it's like being dead while you're still alive. And I was like, exactly. And I could see like I know people who have had that experience and I didn't want that for myself."

You can connect with Jessica through her website: https://www.jessicawaite.work/ and  Instagram. 

Your Host’s BIO:

Dr Monika Wieliczko, Chartered Clinical Psychologist D.Clin.Psych, MSc, MA

Psychologist by profession, and a widow, in private.

Connect with me on social media:

Facebook 

Instagram  

Linked In