As I Live and Grieve®

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Summary:
It's no secret that discussing grief with children is often awkward and heart-wrenching, so much so that we turn to books for help. Listen in today as I talk with Tom Crice, author of Birds of a Feather: A Children's Story of Love, Loss, and What Came Next . In this gentle story, the topic of grief is subtle, assuming that role in life that our grief takes as we move through the phase of anger and on to acceptance. Additionally, I found the book filled with sensory words and phrases, as well as daily routines that provide so many "jumping off points" for discussions with our children or grandchildren. Tom describes his book as a "little chapter book" and you will find it appropriate even for a big brother or sister to read to his own little brother or sister, a chapter at a time.

Notes:
Throughout his life, Tom has been a writer. Five years ago he wrote Birds of a Feather, a children's story set in Texas after his grandfather died. It received excellent reviews from Kirkus and Booklist and is on the shelves of libraries across the USA and Canada, and even a few in Australia.  Tom lives in Providence RI with his wife Ellen, who is the illustrator of this gem of a children's book.

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

To Reach Tom:
Email:  [email protected] 
   


Credits: 
Music by Kevin MacLeod 

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!

Summary:
It’s my turn to speak - to tell my story in one piece instead a comment here and there. It’s also my turn to let you, the listener, know how much you have helped me. In providing resources for you, I found new and exciting alternatives, curious concepts, and inspirational ideas. It’s time for a break - for introspection, relaxation, and exploration. There will be a gap of 2-3 weeks until the next episode. Until then…

Take care of yourselves, as we all continue to live - and grieve.

❤️ Kathy

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

Credits: 
Music by Kevin MacLeod 

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!

Summary:
With the loss of a loved one, a person feels blindsided, devastated and often very alone, as it appears others around them just don't "get it." If we are lucky enough to find someone who does "get it," their words of support and encouragement make a huge difference in a grief journey. Gary Sturgis "gets it."

Comments:
Gary Sturgis survived the greatest loss of his life and now works as a Grief Specialist, Coach, Speaker, and Bereavement Facilitator. He is the author of SURVIVING - Finding Your Way from Grief to Healing , GRIEF - Hope in the Aftermath, and SURVIVING GRIEF - 365 Days A Year. He finds it an honor to help others find their way through the maze of grief to a place of peace. Using what he's learned on his own personal grief journey, Gary shares his insight and experiences to help guide people through the healing process after a significant loss.

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

To Reach Gary:
Website: SURVIVING GRIEF  www.sgrief.com
Facebook: SURVIVING GRIEF https://www.facebook.com/SurvivingGriefGarySturgis
Email: [email protected]

Credits: 
Music by Kevin MacLeod 

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!

Summary:
We've talked before about how you pass someone at the mall or grocery store that might be grieving, but we can't tell -- and how special it might be to quietly acknowledge to them that you empathize with them in their loss. Andre Roupp chats with me about how generations ago you could easily tell who was grieving by the clothes they wore, buntings draped on their houses. Grieving through the generations - listen in.

Notes:
Andre joined Roupp Funeral Home, Inc. as Funeral Director/Supervisor, in 1998.  He attended Washington & Jefferson College, Washington, PA, for two years, prior to earning an AAS in Mortuary Science from Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, in 1997.  Andre has been active in coaching boys' basketball at Mifflinburg High School since 1998, and as the head varsity coach since 2012. He is actively involved in community organizations such as the Mifflinburg Kiwanis Club, and enjoys playing golf.

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

To Reach Andre:
Website:  https://www.rouppfuneralhome.com
Phone:  570-966-2402
Email:  [email protected]

Credits: 
Music by Kevin MacLeod 

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!

Summary:
What is your first thought if someone suggested there was beauty to be found in our grief? I'm a lifelong skeptic, so I immediately thought "impossible." However, this does make sense. Listen in...

Notes:
Dorian Johnson is author of the book, The View from Above: One Fathers Memoir of Grief Guided to Grace, in which he describes retracing the trails his son hired one year ago to the day -- a hike from which his son never returned. Through Dorian's introspection he has connected life's virtues and documented them in a table modeled after the Periodic Table. Dorian is a motivational speaker, digital marketer, content creator, influencer and an award winning author.

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

To Reach Dorian:
Email: [email protected]
Facebook:               

Credits: 
Music by Kevin MacLeod 

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!

Summary:
Suicide has a stigma for grievers that only adds to the already horrifying burden. A sense of guilt, shame, and disgrace we cannot imagine makes grief even more unbearable. Alexandra Wyman chats with me today to help me, and you, better understand how complex this issue can be.

Notes:
Alexandra Wyman is an advocate and public speaker for resources in the aftermath of suicide. After she lost her husband to suicide in August of 2020, Alexandra found a need to change the language around suicide, and decided to write about it in her memoir, The Suicide Club: What To Do When Someone You Love Chooses Death.She has spoken at a variety of conferences including Bridging the Divide Suicide Prevention and Awareness Summit 2022, 2023 Northwest Conference on Childhood Grief, and has been accepted to present at the 2023 Military Social Work & Behavioral Health Conference and the International Association of Suicide Prevention Conference 2023 in Piran, Slovenia. Alexandra has her own podcast called, The Widow’s Club, practices pediatric occupational therapy and lives in Colorado with her son.

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

To Reach Alexandra:
Website:  https://www.forwardtojoy.com               

Credits: 
Music by Kevin MacLeod 

To learn more about Alexandra and her work, visit her website atwww.forwardtojoy.com.

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!

Summary:
Every so often you hear or see a commercial reminding you to put your affairs in order for your personal end of life so your loved ones won't have the burden of choosing what they think you wanted. The piece that is missing from this is that should you do it ahead of time, you are giving them a huge gift in their initial grief.  Whether "prepared" for your death or not, the actuality remains devastating for your loved ones after you die. When the task of making decisions about your wishes for a service, your burial, etc. are already done, they have a moment to catch their breath and treasure the love they have for you. Listen in as I chat with Corey and Katie...

Notes:
Corey and Katie entered widowhood in 2016.  Corey’s wife, Kris, died from pancreatic cancer, 16 months after being diagnosed.  They were married for 26 years and have four wonderful children – three daughters and one son.  There is one grandchild with another on the way.  Katie’s husband, Dave, passed away on Aug 11th 2016, 7 and a half months after being diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer.  Katie and Dave were married two weeks shy of 27 years. They have three amazing sons together.

Corey and Katie met and connected in a widow/widower support group and later married. One of the principles they learned from their own experiences and those of other surviving spouses is that the more prepared a surviving spouse is on a financial, legal, emotional, and practical level, the better they will adjust to widowhood.  With so many in their support group sharing hardships that could have been avoided with proper preparation, Corey and Katie decided to launch Prepare Your Affairs.  They provide digital tools as well as personal coaching to help families face the future with fortitude. 

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

To Reach Corey and Katie:
Website:  https://www.affairsinorder.com
Email: [email protected]
               

Credits: 
Music by Kevin MacLeod 

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!

Summary:
A recent change in the mental health field has upset therapists and grievers alike, as one type of grief was recently tagged with a DSM-5 diagnosis code, making it an official mental health disorder. Marj and I discuss this and come to a conclusion. See if you agree.

Notes:
Marj Smith, LCSW, has over 15 years of experience  with specialties in grief and life transitions, as well as a variety of challenges experienced as adults. She is a member of the Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC) and obtained her MSW in 2004 from Roberts Wesleyan University in Rochester, NY.  Her varied career has offered her the opportunity to develop skills in many settings. 

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

To Reach Marj:
Email:  [email protected]
Websites: 
   https://zencare.co/provider/therapist/marjorie-smith
   https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/1127612

Call or Email Marj for a free 15 minute consultation - (585) 728-4751

Credits: 
Music by Kevin MacLeod 

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!

Summary:
Join our conversation today as Cindy Burns offers her insight on grief.  She lost her husband 10 years, to the exact day, that she lost her father. Married 31 years, they raised 6 sons. In her grief, she felt alone, leaving her sons to grieve themselves without adding to their worry. Like many, she stuffed feelings, going on as she thought others expected her to. Years later, she was able to sort through many emotions and change her life.

Notes:
Cindy is a Grief Doula, a certified Life Purpose Life Coach and a Happiness Coach. She offers coaching and specialized programs to aid others in working through their grief to a new purpose in life.

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

To Reach Cindy:
Website:  https://www.cindyjburns.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!

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.