In this episode, we chat with Cera Marquez, creator of CC Oddities by Cera. Cera channels her grief into art using ethically sourced bugs, bones, and natural elements—pieces that speak to both the fragility and resilience of life. With a deep respect for the cycles of life and death, Cera reminds us how even in endings, there is profound beauty to be found.

Find Cera

In Instagram @ccodditiesbycera

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ccodditiesbycera

On her Website shopccodditiesbycera.com

Podcast https://deathchatswithcera.buzzsprout.com/

Jonathan Niziol, model, athlete, trainer, and speaker joins Andrea and Rebecca for a conversation about how addiction was a distraction from grief. He shares how a series of losses put him on a self-destructive path until forgiveness, acceptance, and sharing his truth set him free.

Find Jonathan

https://www.jonathanniziolofficial.com/

On Instagram @jonathanniziol

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Jonathan-Niziol-Official/

TikTok @jonathanniziol

YouTube www.youtube.com/@jonathanniziol

Rebecca and Andrea talk with Aurena Green and Brianna Rose, sisters and co-creators of the incredible and beautiful card Deck - Planet Grief. 

Both trauma therapists, yoga instructors, and fellow grievers. They lost their bright, vibrant, vivacious mom after an 8-month battle with uterine carcinosarcoma. 

Her loss catalyzed an achingly profound and transformational grief journey for both of them. leading them on a path of unity, deeper connection, and creation. 

Planet Grief was released this year and this conversation explores all that the loss and creation has brought forth for them.

Find Planet Grief on:

https://www.instagram.com/planet.grief/

Get your own Planet Grief Card Deck

https://hackyournervoussystem.org/products/planetgrief

In this heartfelt episode, we’re joined by Matt Jacobson, the Co-Founder and CEO of LifeBooks, a powerful platform that helps families preserve the stories, voices, and legacies of loved ones who have died. Matt shares how the loss of his own father sparked a deep desire to create something lasting—something that would allow future generations to truly know the people they’ve lost. From that grief, LifeBooks was born. We explore how creating a LifeBook can be both a healing ritual and a meaningful legacy project. Whether you're navigating loss or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers a beautiful, tangible way to honor memory, connection, and love across generations.

Learn more about LifeBooks...

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifebooks.io

Website: https://lifebooks.io/

This beautiful conversation with Darnell Lamont Walker continues in Part II. 

Darnell shares more about the life of a writer for children's TV and the importance of exploring death even with young audiences. He also shares his (many) other creative endeavors, his love of travel, and reminds that thinking of our death...actually makes us happier, today.

Find Darnell 

online https://darnellwalker.com

On InstaGram @hello.darnell 

On FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/writeous/

On LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/darnellwalker/ 

Andrea and Rebecca sit down with the incredible Darnell Lamont Walker for an expansive interview about death, life, community, and connection. Spanning continents, topics, and genres there was little these three did not cover from Darnell's earliest days facilitating grief circles on the playground with friends remembering their friend who died suddenly, to his relationship with his grandparents, to traveling and the importance of his work as a writer for children's shows. Darnell shares his heart and wisdom in Part I of this two part interview.

Find Darnell 

online https://darnellwalker.com

On InstaGram @hello.darnell 

On FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/writeous/

On LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/darnellwalker/ 

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode discusses death by suicide. This can be triggering and overwhelming for any listener but particularly for those impacted by mental illness or suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling please call or text 988 for support, call your county crisis line, or for immediate help, dial 911. 

In this episode Rebecca and Andrea talk with Erin Mitchell, co-founder of Counseling for Couples and co-author of Too Tired to Fight, about growing up with a father who struggled with mental illness. Erin shares honestly about the impact of living in that shadow and the confusion and devastation when her father died by suicide. 

This important conversation brings death by suicide into the light and hopefully helps others to release any societal shame. All grief is worthy. 

Connect with Erin

On Instagram @couples.counseling.for.parents

Online: https://couplescounselingforparents.com/

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@couplescounselingforparents?si=TU5827o_3QANf7R2

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2dwvz1LIm3K2JPcm7RwubW?si=4FL0uzhDQLyAVVIaUyMpiQ

In this episode Rebecca and Andrea talk with Sy Montgomery, award winning author, adventurer, and naturalist. Sy shares how her love of nature and its many creatures has time and again re-enchanted her with the beauty and wonder that life has to offer. Through stories of her own beloved animals and those she has met along the way she captured our hearts and reminded us how feeling our grief helps us be good creatures.

Mentioned in this episode, Playing Possum: How Animals Understand Death, by Susan Monsó, can be found here:

https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691260761/playing-possum?srsltid=AfmBOoor72DhrOhOPjESsI47wrnBpdRaZ2GoJJs1J1es3qQSubOa5dQq

Find Sy

On Instagram @sytheauthor

On Facebook www.facebook.com/SyTheAuthor/

On X @Sytheauthor

And online at www.symontgomery.com

In this episode Andrea & Rebecca talk with Elizabeth (Liz) O'Donnell whose daughter, Aaliyah, was tragically stillborn. Liz faced not only this devastating loss, but also a system that denied her right to paid family leave. In the wake of tragedy, Liz created Aaliyah in Action a nonprofit that works to comfort & provide birthing people who have experienced baby loss with self-care items to help navigate life after loss. Their team focuses on immediately assisting families who have experienced stillbirth and pregnancy loss. 

A touching episode about loss, love, and the legacy a mother is leaving for her daughter.

Find Liz and Aaliyah in Action
Online: www.aaliyahinaction.org
On Instagram: @aaliyahinaction

In this episode Andrea and Rebecca chat with Becky Ellis, author of Little Avalanches, a memoir about her childhood as the daughter of a decorated World War II Combat Sergeant. Becky shares the fear, unpredictability, and chaos of a war fought at home. She also shares her journey to understand her father and her persistence to get his story and understand how his time in the war forever altered his life - and hers. It is a story of trauma, survival, understanding, and love.

Find Becky
www.beckyellis.net

On Intstagram @BeckyEllisAuthor

On Facebook