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The journey through grief often challenges our deepest spiritual beliefs. When devastating loss shatters our world, many find themselves wrestling with profound questions about meaning, purpose, and connection. What happens when our faith feels broken alongside our hearts?

Becky McCoy knows this territory well. After losing her husband while eight months pregnant with their second child, she embarked on a decade-long journey of rediscovery—not just of herself, but of her spiritual foundations. 

This conversation explores how spiritual formation offers pathways through grief that honor our full emotional experience. Becky shares how healthy anger acknowledges the wrongness of our loss, while teaching us that not all suffering has meaning or cause. This perspective liberates us from the exhausting cycle of guilt, shame, and self-blame that often accompanies grief.

We delve into practical spiritual practices—from traditional meditation and prayer to creative expressions like storytelling and art appreciation—that help us process grief in body, mind, and spirit. 

For anyone questioning their faith after loss or seeking deeper meaning in their suffering, this episode offers compassionate guidance. Whether you're drawn to traditional spiritual practices or searching for new ways to connect with yourself and something greater, Becky's insights illuminate how spiritual formation can transform grief's darkness into unexpected wisdom.

Contact:
www.asiliveandgrieve.com
[email protected]
Facebook:  As I Live and Grieve
Instagram:  @asiliveandgrieve
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To Contact Becky:
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Credits: 
Music by Kevin MacLeod 

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Copyright 2020, by As I Live and Grieve

The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.

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Sarah Mayfield brings a uniquely powerful perspective to the conversation about children's grief – she's both a former elementary school counselor and a bereaved mother who watched her four-year-old son navigate the sudden loss of his younger brother.

When Sarah's 18-month-old son Elliot died unexpectedly in his sleep, she faced not only her own devastating grief but also the challenge of helping her living son Bradley understand and process what had happened. Despite her professional background, nothing had prepared her for guiding a child through sibling loss while managing her own raw emotions.

What makes this episode particularly valuable is Sarah's candid sharing about the realities of childhood grief. She challenges the well-meaning but dismissive comments like "he's too young to remember" or "kids are resilient" that often minimize children's grief experiences. Instead, she offers practical insights about using direct language, answering repeated questions with patience, and creating meaningful rituals that honor the person who died.

Sarah's experience led her to write "The Sure Thing," a beautiful children's book that illustrates how a child can continue to "live that love" for a sibling who has died. Beyond the touching story itself, the book provides valuable resources for grieving families, including 30 suggested activities for honoring lost loved ones and templates for children to express their feelings.

Perhaps the most comforting message Sarah shares is that while the trauma of loss may diminish with time, the love never does. 

Contact:
www.asiliveandgrieve.com
[email protected]
Facebook:  As I Live and Grieve
Instagram:  @asiliveandgrieve
YouTube:  asiliveandgrieve
TikTok: @asiliveandgrieve

To Reach Sarah:
https://www.livethatlove.com/

Credits: 
Music by Kevin MacLeod 

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Copyright 2020, by As I Live and Grieve

The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.

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When was the last time you found yourself in a safe space to talk about grief? In this heartfelt conversation, Kathy welcomes back Nick Gaylord, host of "Our Dead Dads" podcast, for a candid exploration of grief community and the transformative power of shared stories.

Nick opens up about creating his unconventionally-named podcast after his father's death left him struggling with unexpected anger and communication challenges. Despite seeking therapy himself, he recognized how many people lack access to professional grief support due to financial barriers or societal stigma. His solution? Build a platform where anyone could find connection through honest grief conversations without judgment or cost.

The discussion takes a powerful turn when Nick shares insights from his most impactful interviews—conversations with Gabby Petito's parents and Sandy Hook father Robbie Parker. These stories highlight how public tragedies create additional layers of grief, yet also showcase the resilience of those who transform devastating loss into meaningful action. Nick's upcoming participation in the Gabby Petito Foundation's charity golf event demonstrates how grief communities extend beyond podcast conversations into real-world connection and purpose.

Perhaps most revealing is Kathy's personal evolution with death conversations. She recounts arranging "escape calls" to avoid her mother's funeral planning discussions, only to later find herself hosting a grief podcast after gradual exposure through hospice work transformed her relationship with mortality. This journey from avoidance to advocacy perfectly captures why these conversations matter—they create safe spaces for others still struggling to face their grief.

Both hosts emphasize that grief isn't something we can outrun or drink away—it must be processed and moved through. As Nick poignantly puts it, "If we're going to jump off the cliff into the abyss, then let's all hold hands on the way down." 

Contact:
www.asiliveandgrieve.com
[email protected]
Facebook:  As I Live and Grieve
Instagram:  @asiliveandgrieve
YouTube:  asiliveandgrieve
TikTok: @asiliveandgrieve

To Reach Nick:
Website:  http://www.ourdeaddads.com
E-mail : [email protected]

 
Credits: 
Music by Kevin MacLeod 

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Copyright 2020, by As I Live and Grieve

The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.

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When Pam Baker's husband John was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer with no cure, their lives changed forever. For three years, she navigated the complex terrain of caregiving for a terminally ill spouse while raising four children, including two with cystic fibrosis. The journey transformed her understanding of grief and ultimately sparked a mission to create spaces where widows could genuinely connect.

"I didn't fit in the single women scene because they're talking about how much they hate their ex-husbands, and I didn't really fit in the couple scene because I'm like a third wheel," Pam explains. This realization led her to create Widows Who Wine (W-I-N-E), a community that started with a simple Facebook post and has grown to nearly 350 members. Unlike traditional grief support groups, which Pam found often kept people stuck in their grief, her community focuses on building friendships and finding joy while acknowledging the shared experience of loss. The concept proved so successful she's developed an app to help widows connect across geographic boundaries.

During our conversation, Pam shares the deeply personal coping mechanisms that helped her survive, including late-night crying sessions to specific songs that allowed her to empty her emotional "rain barrel." We explore the myth that anticipatory grief makes post-death mourning easier, the challenges of raising children through loss, and how Pam channeled her experience into practical resources like her book "Where's the Key to the Safe" and podcasts that preserve authentic stories of loved ones.

Connect with Pam at widowswhowine.com, find her app in major app stores, or read her book "Where's the Key to the Safe" available on Amazon. Her story reminds us that while grief never truly leaves us, we can learn to live alongside it in ways that honor our losses while creating space for new connections and even joy.

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Copyright 2020, by As I Live and Grieve

The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.

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What happens when we die? And more importantly, what happens when souls get stuck between worlds? In this mind-expanding conversation, metaphysical author Tina Erwin pulls back the veil between life and death, sharing profound insights gained from helping thousands of ghosts cross over.

Drawing from her experiences as a naval officer who delivered death notifications and her own psychic abilities, Tina reveals the physics of death with remarkable clarity. When her six-year-old niece died suddenly, Tina's understanding of the afterlife transformed from theoretical to deeply personal. She explains how many souls, particularly children, accident victims, and those who die by suicide, often don't realize they've died and remain confused in what she calls the "fourth dimension" – a transitional space between our physical world and the light beyond.

The stories Tina shares are both heartbreaking and healing: a producer killed in a car accident who can't accept her death because of pending appointments; a little girl who follows different children home from school seeking connection; and infants who remain with their mothers or siblings, causing unexplained sensations of "not being alone" in their bodies.

Most powerfully, Tina explains how anyone can help their departed loved ones cross over through what she calls "The Crossing Over Prayer" – no medium required. This compassionate act not only helps the deceased but often brings tremendous healing to those left behind. When a ghost crosses over into the embracing light, both the departed soul and those still grieving experience a profound shift. As Tina puts it, "It's not quantifiable, but something changes."

Whether you're a skeptic or a believer, this conversation connects the dots between physics, spirituality, and the human experience of grief. By understanding what happens after death, we can transform our relationship with loss and perhaps find new ways to help those we love – even beyond the veil.

Visit GhostHelpers.com to access Tina's books, the Crossing Over Prayer, and resources to help both you and your loved ones find peace.

Contact:
www.asiliveandgrieve.com
[email protected]
Facebook:  As I Live and Grieve
Instagram:  @asiliveandgrieve
YouTube:  asiliveandgrieve
TikTok: @asiliveandgrieve

To Contact Tina:
Tina Erwin's Website
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LinkedIn

Credits: 
Music by Kevin MacLeod 

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Copyright 2020, by As I Live and Grieve

The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.

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Have you ever felt guilty for laughing while grieving? That moment when humor breaks through your sorrow, and you wonder if it's okay to smile? Nancy Weil, with over 18 years in grief support, joins us to explore why these moments aren't just okay—they're necessary for healing.

Nancy shares the science behind laughter's healing power during grief: it boosts our depleted immune systems, reduces stress hormones, and improves memory retention when we're struggling with "grief fog." But beyond the physiological benefits, laughter serves as a momentary respite, bringing us into the present when grief typically has us looking backward with regret or forward with fear. As Nancy explains, "When we laugh, we're here now and we get relief for a moment."

The conversation flows naturally into the importance of storytelling and creating rituals. Nancy encourages grievers to collect and share stories about their loved ones—not just the milestone moments, but the small, everyday details that truly capture who they were. These stories become treasured inheritances for future generations and help us process our grief by celebrating the fullness of our loved ones' lives. Similarly, personal rituals—whether visiting a gravesite, baking a favorite recipe, or simply raising a cup of coffee in remembrance—provide meaningful ways to honor our connections.

Throughout the episode, host Kathy shares her own experience of laughing spontaneously during her husband's funeral when a friend placed a cup of Tim Horton's coffee on the podium—a meaningful symbol of their daily ritual together. This moment of unexpected joy amidst profound grief perfectly illustrates Nancy's message: grief contains multitudes of emotions that can coexist, sometimes in the same moment.

Nancy concludes with her motto, "You don't have to grieve alone," and invites listeners to join her free online grief support group. In community, what seems unbearable becomes bearable as we hold space for each other's pain and, sometimes, unexpected moments of joy. 

Contact:
www.asiliveandgrieve.com
[email protected]
Facebook:  As I Live and Grieve
Instagram:  @asiliveandgrieve
YouTube:  asiliveandgrieve
TikTok: @asiliveandgrieve

To Contact  Nancy:
Email: [email protected]
Website: thelaughacademy.com

Credits: 
Music by Kevin MacLeod 

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Copyright 2020, by As I Live and Grieve

The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.

Send us some LOVE!

What happens when we finally stop running from our grief and instead learn to metabolize it? Grief Tender, Ayla Casey, joins us for a soul-nourishing conversation about reclaiming our power in the face of profound loss.

At the heart of this episode lies a revolutionary perspective: our grief, when properly tended, can transform into nourishment rather than remain as pain. Casey eloquently describes how "healing begins within," drawing a powerful parallel between physical wound healing and emotional recovery. Just as a wound must heal from the inside out to prevent infection, our grief requires acknowledgment at its core before authentic healing can occur.

The concept of "metabolizing grief" emerges as a centerpiece of our conversation. Casey explains that grief lives in our bodies and, like food, must be processed to provide sustenance. When we create space for our grief to move through us rather than becoming stagnant, it can transform into other expressions of love—whether through advocacy, creative endeavors, or deeper human connection.

Many of us have unconsciously "outsourced our power" by numbing or masking our emotions, especially during difficult seasons of caregiving or loss. Casey shares her personal journey of maintaining self-care practices like yoga and journaling while supporting her husband through terminal cancer. These weren't luxuries but necessities that enabled her to remain present through his illness and her subsequent grief.

For those feeling stuck or uncertain how to move forward, Casey offers a refreshing invitation: be curious. There's no one-size-fits-all approach to grieving, but there are countless modalities and practices available to explore. Whether through professional support, community connection, or personal rituals, the path forward becomes clearer when we listen to what our bodies and hearts truly need.

Reach out to Ayla at [email protected] to learn about her 90-day mentorship program, end-of-life doula services, or her special workshop for listeners called "The Return Session" focused on reclaiming your personal power during grief.

Contact:
www.asiliveandgrieve.com
[email protected]
Facebook:  As I Live and Grieve
Instagram:  @asiliveandgrieve
YouTube:  asiliveandgrieve
TikTok: @asiliveandgrieve

To Contact Ayla:
Ayla Casey's Website
Instagram
LinkedIn
Reddit
Substack

Credits: 
Music by Kevin MacLeod 

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Copyright 2020, by As I Live and Grieve

The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.

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The space between devastating loss and finding meaning again often seems impossible to navigate. Steve Gamlin takes us on his extraordinary journey through that landscape after suddenly losing his wife Tina in December 2023 while traveling abroad. With remarkable candor and unexpected moments of joy, Steve reveals how their 17.5-year love story continues beyond physical separation.

What makes this conversation truly special is Steve's ability to intertwine heart-wrenching grief with profound gratitude. He shares how Tina had gently prepared him for her passing, saying "I'm going first because I don't want to be here without you." Even as he processed the shock of her sudden death, Steve discovered how she'd already been his "blue-eyed angel" - leaving him with exactly what he needed when he found himself alone in a foreign country.

The emotional centerpiece of their story involves sticky notes - the small, everyday expressions of love they exchanged throughout their relationship. After Tina's passing, Steve discovered she'd kept every single one he'd written her. He transformed these treasured mementos into a framed collage, creating both a tribute and a tangible connection to their enduring bond.

Steve explains how visualization techniques helped him process grief and find direction when everything seemed lost. His approach focuses not just on material goals but on emotional wellbeing, core values, and meaningful connections - elements that become even more crucial when navigating loss. He offers practical insights for listeners struggling to recognize signs from loved ones who have passed, encouraging us to quiet the analytical mind and simply be present to the nudges and coincidences that might actually be something more.

Contact:
www.asiliveandgrieve.com
[email protected]
Facebook:  As I Live and Grieve
Instagram:  @asiliveandgrieve
YouTube:  asiliveandgrieve
TikTok: @asiliveandgrieve

To Contact Steve:
Steve Gamlin's Website
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Instagram

Credits: 
Music by Kevin MacLeod 

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Copyright 2020, by As I Live and Grieve

The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.

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When Lisa Espinoza said goodbye to her son Chandler as he left for work on his BMX bike in December 2018, she had no idea that casual "I love you" would be their final exchange. Hours later, a call from the hospital began an 18-day journey that would end with the unthinkable—the loss of her vibrant, adventure-seeking 23-year-old son to catastrophic brain injuries.

Facing grief's crushing weight, Lisa made a remarkable choice. She began writing—first on CaringBridge to update loved ones during Chandler's hospitalization, then continuing daily for a full year after his death. This practice became both her lifeline and eventually her book, "First Brush Your Teeth: Grief and Hope in Real Time," offering readers a raw, unfiltered journey through early grief without the retrospective polish most memoirs contain.

Lisa's perspective on grief challenges conventional wisdom. She shares how her family has preserved Chandler's presence in their lives, speaking his name freely and naturally at gatherings. When her young granddaughter (whose middle name is Chandler) recently asked innocent questions about "fixing" the uncle she never met, it triggered another layer of grief—watching her children and grandchildren process this profound absence. Yet these painful moments coexist with Lisa's powerful message that joy remains possible even after devastating loss. Wearing a ring inscribed with "WWCD" (What Would Chandler Do), she reminds herself that truly honoring her son means embracing life rather than creating a mausoleum of grief.

Whether you're navigating your own grief journey or supporting someone who is, Lisa's compassionate wisdom offers a roadmap for putting one foot in front of the other. Start with the simplest self-care—brush your teeth, then perhaps get dressed, maybe take a walk. These small steps, taken day after day, become the path forward through unimaginable loss. Reach out to Lisa through her website for grief coaching or simply to connect with someone who truly understands.

Contact:
www.asiliveandgrieve.com
[email protected]
Facebook:  As I Live and Grieve
Instagram:  @asiliveandgrieve
YouTube:  asiliveandgrieve
TikTok: @asiliveandgrieve

To Reach Lisa:
Website: 
First, Brush Your Teeth — Lisa Espinoza - Author, Coach, and Speaker

 
Credits: 
Music by Kevin MacLeod 

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Copyright 2020, by As I Live and Grieve

The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.

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What happens when everything you love disappears? For Gina Economopoulos, this wasn't a hypothetical question but the reality she faced repeatedly throughout her extraordinary life journey.

Gina's path defies easy categorization—bartender turned Catholic nun for twelve years, then back to bartending again. But the thread connecting these dramatic life transitions is grief in its many forms. At 23, she lost her mother to cancer, a devastating blow that propelled her toward religious life seeking meaning and purpose. After twelve years and taking final vows, Gina experienced what she describes as "like a divorce" when she left the religious community following emotional abuse.

Just when she was rebuilding her life, she fell in love with Danny, an alcoholic who died just one month before their wedding day. This final loss plunged her into what she calls "complicated grief"—a state where she "simply existed" rather than lived. "The smile on my face was wiped away," she shares, revealing how she believed her purpose in life was merely to suffer.

The turning point came unexpectedly through Alcoholics Anonymous. Initially attending meetings to understand why Danny died while others recovered, Gina eventually recognized her own alcoholism. Through the program's structure and community, she learned to process grief in healthier ways, confront suppressed emotions, and rebuild her spirituality on more authentic terms.

Today, over ten years sober, Gina has transformed her multiple losses into purpose as an end-of-life doula, supporting dying people and their grieving families. She's authored her first book "Shake the Dust Off your Feet and Walk," sharing her journey of resilience and hope.

Perhaps her most powerful message is the permission she gives others to feel the full range of grief emotions without judgment. "It's okay to feel it," she emphasizes. Equally important is her reminder that finding joy after devastating loss is possible—and not a betrayal of those we've lost.

Contact:
www.asiliveandgrieve.com
[email protected]
Facebook:  As I Live and Grieve
Instagram:  @asiliveandgrieve
YouTube:  asiliveandgrieve
TikTok: @asiliveandgrieve

To Reach Gina:
Gina Economopoulos's Website

Credits: 
Music by Kevin MacLeod 

Support the show

Copyright 2020, by As I Live and Grieve

The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.