Is there hope in loss? Yes. Absolutely. My conversation with copywriter turned novelist JJ Elliot is an exploration of her experience losing her mom to suicide, then having that open doors to her helping others.

Subconsciously, the loss of her mom led to her novel about a group of women who lose a friend by her own hand. Those friends take that loss to celebrate their own lives. JJ's goal in writing her book was to get people to laugh and cry at the same time, which is exactly what I did when I talked to JJ. 

Resources Mentioned

• Anne Sexton poetry
• Sylvia Plath poetry
• Simone Biles Rising
• Naomi Osaka
• JJ’s Lit Hub Magazine Article: Murder is a Plot Point, Suicide Isn’t
• She Writes Press
• Laura Munson’s Writing Retreat
• Zibby Awards
• Kauai Writers Conference 

Connect With the Guest

• Website: jjelliott.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/jjelliott

Mother being a ubiquitous term, I've wanted to take the direction of the podcast in a way to celebrate the mother we all share, Mother Nature. I cannot think of a better person to launch this exploration than with Kevin Grange.

Kevin is one of those people that when he starts talking I can't stop asking questions or listening to his stories. A former paramedic in Yellowstone and Grand Teton, Kevin has seen it all. He has been charged by grizzlies, rescued people gored by bison, and so much more. It's his love of nature and the most fearsome predator, Ursus Arctos, that inspires his work. A brilliant writer, he has stories for days. 

There existed a mother in nature so steadfast and strong and nurturing that she also deserves a celebration on About Your Mother. When the international star known as Grizzly Bear 399 died, I knew I had to honor her. The 28 year old female became an ambassador for the species because of her age, prolific reproduction, and for living so close to the community of Jackson, Wyoming.

She produced at least 18 offspring, including a set of quadruplets, during her remarkably long life. She not only inspired millions, she inspired Kevin. Me too. 

Resources Mentioned

Dr. Chris Servheen

Grizzly 399 Documentary

Connect With the Guest

Kevin’s Book: Grizzly Confidential

Website: https://www.kevingrange.com/ 

For nearly three years, I've been sharing stories of survival, hope, and love launched from the word mother, a ubiquitous term that is so deeply rooted in all of our becomings. This universal topic, the influence our mother's story has on our own life, has caught on with so many, and in many ways, this conversation has no limits. I truly believe if you want to get to know someone, ask them about their mother.

Today, my own book is available! I put my heart and soul into. I bled at the keyboard for years. I worked with some of the greats in the industry to ensure my first book was truly the best I could do at the time.

Buy Now >>

The memoir is written for you to show you the power our mothers and maternal lineage have on the shape of our lives to also show you that everyone has a story to tell every story, no matter how ordinary or not has value.

You can buy my book, Both Sides of Then: Finding Love After Abandonment on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0D58C23DV?tag=simonsayscom

Learn more about the podcast at byjennifergriffith.com/category/podcast

Immersing ourselves in a culture is exhilarating and can change our view of the world. What happens when you are an American marrying into a Chinese family? What could go wrong? Good Chinese Wife is a memoir that explores Susan Blumberg-Kason's life integrating into a Chinese family and her thrilling search for agency.

Connect with Susan

susanbkason.com

Good Chinese Wife

Learn more about the podcast at byjennifergriffith.com/category/podcast

Life changing conversations can happen at any time in our lives—but what if you are 14 and your mother reveals a secret that upends your adolescence and sends you on a decades long journey to untangle from the world she brought you in, the world you were happy to be a part of? Adrienne Brodeur's best selling book, Wild Game, examines the price she paid to be her mother's confidant and helper in an epic affair with her husband's closest friend. The story doesn't end there. 

Connect with Adrienne
https://www.adriennebrodeur.com/
instagram.com/adriennebrodeur
adriennebrodeur.com/little-monsters

Learn more about the podcast at byjennifergriffith.com/category/podcast

The experiences of our ancestors are passed down through generations. Nowhere is this more prevalent than in our connection with our mothers. Our mothers carry us, and we carry them in some ways. For Agata Izabela Brewer, it was living with her alcoholic mother that inspired a desire to know how hunger and trauma several generations ago shaped her mother's attitude toward nurturing.

In her memoir, The Hunger Book from Communist Poland, Agata brings us into the harsh reality of living with a mother who survived the war. But was deeply affected by its aftermath. Our conversation is a look into her work, but also a stark reminder about how conflicts in the world will impact us for generations to come.


Connect with Agata

agatabrewer.com

The Hunger Book

facebook.com/agata.szczeszakbrewer


Learn more about the podcast at byjennifergriffith.com/category/podcast

Christy Warren never imagined the unexpected twist her career would take. The weight of her experiences as a firefighter ultimately led to an unexpected battle with PTSD, but her resilience and honesty shed light on the often overlooked emotional toll that many frontline workers face. As she opens up about her journey, Christy's raw account brings to light the urgent need for comprehensive mental health support within the first responder community. Listen in as Christy's story sparks a greater understanding and support for those who selflessly serve and protect our communities.

If you or a first responder you know are battling PTSD, reach out to their department for guidance on support. The West Coast Post-Trauma Retreat is another powerful resource to consider.

Mentioned in this Episode
West Coast Post Trauma Retreat
The Firefighter Deconstructed
Flash Point: A Firefighter’s Journey through PTSD

Connect with Christy
Christyewarren.com
instagram.com/christyewarren

Learn more about the podcast at byjennifergriffith.com/category/podcast

In the blink of an eye, Charlotte Maya's life took an unexpected turn when she lost her husband by suicide, leaving her grappling with a series of emotions. From empathy to rage to overwhelming guilt, she found herself navigating uncharted territory in the wake of tragedy.

Maya's story is one of resilience and hope, highlighting how being honest with our experience can help others heal. Amidst the darkness, a guiding light emerged, offering a poignant realization that shifted the course of her healing journey. In this episode, we discuss how the power of community and beautiful people are helping hands in the healing journey.

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, you can find support by dialing 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or go to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline website.

Connect with Charlotte
charlotte-maya.com
Sushi Tuesdays
Charlotte's Modern Love Essay

Learn more about the podcast at byjennifergriffith.com/category/podcast

Do you long for the freedom of a sober lifestyle in a world that constantly celebrates alcohol? Laura McKowen joins us in this conversation to share her own experience and journey to sobriety. By unraveling the complexities of societal pressures, Laura will guide you towards a life of clarity, strength, and sobriety. Get ready to discover the solution that will empower you to thrive in a society that may not fully understand the beauty of living alcohol-free.

Connect with Laura
www.lauramckowen.com
We Are The Luckiest: The Surprising Magic of a Sober Life
The Luckiest Club
@laura_mckowen

Mentioned in this Episode
https://www.aa.org/

Learn more about the podcast at byjennifergriffith.com/category/podcast

On this Mother's Day, I want to celebrate not only my guests, but also the lessons I've learned from having my show for almost two years. In my dozens of interviews with guests and casual conversations with people, I have learned that our mothers are the beginning of our identity, who we are is inherently linked to the woman who carried us directly and indirectly. The decisions they made in their lives shape our early existence, which determines who we become. 

If we're lucky, our mother's hands are the first hands to hold us, their eyes the first we gaze upon. A mother's love is a love that knows no limits. Again, if we are lucky. If we are fortunate to have a mother who is balanced and in control of their mind, heart and life, we have the chance to not only survive, but thrive. If our mothers are broken, there is a chance they will break us to prove their brokenness. Children are strong and have endless resilience even in the most troublesome environments, they can thrive. 

As a mother myself, I'm aware of the cracks within my spirit, and how they spill over in plain view of my son. The reality is we were never that far away from where we began, yet we get up every day with the best intentions, and always strive to do right by our children. Life gives us the opportunity to rise above our circumstances, every person I've interviewed has found a way to go beyond the experiences of their childhood and create a beautiful life.

Learn more about the podcast at byjennifergriffith.com/category/podcast