As I Live and Grieve®

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What happens when faith collides with grief? For Pastor Amanda McNeil, this question became deeply personal during her journey through infertility. This conversation delves into the complex relationship between faith and loss, offering wisdom for anyone questioning their spiritual foundations after experiencing grief. Amanda, who serves as both a pastor and counselor, brings a rare dual perspective—acknowledging that anger, doubt, and questioning are natural parts of the grieving process that don't indicate spiritual failure.

"God can handle our anger," she reassures listeners, emphasizing that presenting one face to the public while struggling privately is a common experience, especially for those in spiritual leadership. The discussion expands beyond loss related to death, exploring how grief manifests in various life transitions—from divorce to job loss to retirement. Amanda offers practical guidance for helping children develop emotional language through everyday losses, demonstrating how these experiences can build resilience from an early age.

Perhaps most compelling is Amanda's neurological perspective on grief, explaining how our brains function differently when processing trauma. "We aren't designed to live in survival mode indefinitely," she notes, illuminating why avoidance strategies ultimately fail to heal our deepest wounds.

Whether you're questioning your faith after loss, supporting someone through grief, or simply seeking to understand the complex interplay between spirituality and suffering, this conversation offers gentle wisdom without easy answers. Amanda's approach—meeting people where they are without judgment—provides a roadmap for walking alongside others through their darkest valleys while honoring their unique spiritual journey.

Contact:
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To Reach Amanda:
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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. 

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When Christina Napoleon lost her husband to cancer while raising their six-year-old daughter, she found herself without a roadmap. A successful finance professional accustomed to checklists and clear directives, she suddenly faced the disorienting reality of grief with no instruction manual. This experience—followed by the losses of her mother and father—eventually led her to a profound moment of decision at the beach, watching waves crash against the shoreline.

"Those waves are just like grief waves," Christina shares, describing the pivotal moment she decided she no longer wanted to remain "at the bottom of the darkest ocean floor." Instead, she committed to learning how to swim through her grief and find light again—not just for herself, but for her daughter who needed her mother back.

Christina's journey from corporate finance to certified grief educator and coach reveals powerful insights about widow's fog, the challenges of decision-making during grief, and the importance of incremental healing. Her innovative "Power of One" approach began with just one minute of walking each morning, gradually expanding to thirty minutes as she slowly reconnected with the world around her.

Now the author of "The Positive Widow" and founder of a 10,000-member Facebook community, Christina shares why traditional grief counseling often falls short for widows, how unprocessed grief eventually demands attention, and why finding the right support makes all the difference. She explains that moving forward with joy doesn't mean leaving loved ones behind—we can experience both gratitude and grief simultaneously as we rebuild our lives after devastating loss.

Ready to transform your grief journey? Explore Christina's book, coaching programs, and free grief guides designed specifically for widows navigating life after loss. 

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

To Reach Christina:
Email:  [email protected]
Website:  www.thepositivewidow.com

Social Media: thepositivewidow on all platforms

 
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. 

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Grief doesn't have to be an endless journey through darkness. What if there's another way to look at loss—one that acknowledges pain while making space for joy? Marie Alessi, bestselling author, TEDx speaker, and Memorial Manager, joins us to shatter the most persistent myths about grief. Having lost both her father at age 20 and her beloved husband Rob after 12 years of marriage, Marie speaks with the authority of lived experience rather than just academic understanding.

"Everything around grief right now was heavy and dark," Marie explains, challenging the common narrative that grief is something from which you never heal. Instead, she offers a refreshing perspective: grief and joy can coexist. The journey isn't about avoiding grief or pretending it doesn't hurt—it's about giving yourself permission to experience happiness again without guilt.

Marie introduces powerful concepts like reframing our language (saying "there's a space in my heart" rather than "a hole"). Kathy feels that grief is a transformational opportunity similar to a caterpillar becoming a butterfly, and understanding that grief is "merely love with no place to go." This last insight provides a practical focal point—finding new places to direct that love.

Marie illuminates the opportunity within the pain. Through her books—"Loving Life After Loss," "Happy Healing," and her prompted journal "Sparks of Joy"—she provides practical guidance for moving from grief to relief.

Take the first step toward healing by changing your position both physically and mentally when negativity overwhelms you. Remember that your loved one would want you to embrace the precious life you still have, and give yourself permission to be okay again.

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

To Reach Marie:
Website:  www.mariealessi.com
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Podcast:  Unsilence Grief

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. 

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Claire Schwartz returns to our podcast with a groundbreaking framework for understanding grief recovery - the TAPER technique. For many grieving people, the question "How do I know if I'm getting better?" becomes a haunting refrain as days blur together in what feels like endless pain.

Drawing from her 18 years of grief counseling experience, Claire unpacks each element of her systematic approach. What makes this conversation particularly powerful is how Claire addresses the misconception that grief healing follows a predictable timeline. She compassionately explains that while grief never completely disappears, its intensity does gradually taper - hence the technique's name. 

The TAPER framework applies beyond death-related grief to any significant loss - divorce, job changes, empty nest transitions, or natural disasters - making this episode relevant for anyone navigating major life changes. Whether you're in the raw early stages of grief or years into your journey but feeling stuck, this episode offers both validation and practical guidance. 

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

To Reach Claire:
Email:  [email protected]
Website:  https://www.youcanhealyourgrief.com

 
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. 

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When Ann Hince found her mother dead on the bathroom floor at age 19, she had no idea the impact this trauma would have on her body and mind for decades to come. In this deeply moving conversation, Ann reveals how her grief journey led to an extraordinary physical and emotional transformation through a technique called Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) or "tapping."

Ann's story begins with multiple traumas – being adopted after birth, experiencing a house fire at four, witnessing accidents, enduring boarding school isolation, and dealing with alcoholic parents before finding her mother deceased. What makes her story remarkable isn't just the hardships she endured, but how she discovered that grief had physically shaped her body for nearly twenty years without her conscious awareness.

The breakthrough came when she learned to tap on specific meridian points while expressing difficult emotions, creating an "interrupt" in her nervous system that allowed stored trauma to release. "The tapping causes an interrupt into your nervous system," Ann explains. "You're used to telling a story and feeling these emotions. Your body goes into an automatic response. Tapping interrupts that and allows that energy to release."

For those struggling with their own grief journey, Ann offers both practical techniques and the gentle reminder that healing doesn't require expensive therapies or medications – sometimes the simplest approaches create the most profound transformation. Her story reminds us that our bodies hold not just our pain, but also the keys to our healing.

Ready to explore how tapping might help your grief journey? Check out Anne's free "Blueprint to Profound Inner Peace" on her website or join her upcoming virtual retreat designed specifically for processing loss.

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

To Reach Erin:
Website: Ann Hince's Website
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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. 

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When AJ Coleman's wife was diagnosed with cancer while their daughter was just two months old, his life trajectory changed forever. Following his wife's passing, he found himself navigating the complex terrain of grief while simultaneously learning to be both mother and father to a young daughter who would never have her own memories of her mom.

AJ shares how the title of his book "Keep Those Feet Moving" emerged from an unexpected moment – choosing to take a different route home to avoid waiting for a freight train. This simple decision became a powerful metaphor for his approach to grief: no matter what challenges arise, forward movement is essential. "When you come to a stopping point and don't know where to go, that's when your thoughts catch up to you. As long as there's action behind your driving force, you can accomplish anything."

The discussion delves into the unique aspects of supporting a child through grief when they have no living memory of the person they've lost. AJ's transparency about difficult moments – like when his daughter was asked to make a Mother's Day card at preschool – illuminates the unexpected challenges grieving families face. His thoughtful approaches, from maintaining relationships with maternal grandparents to using careful terminology ("illness" instead of "sick"), offer valuable insights for anyone helping children navigate loss.

Perhaps most profound is AJ's perspective on transformation through grief. "Grief is a part of what you're going through, but it's not who you are," he reminds us. This distinction between experiencing grief and being defined by it provides a crucial framework for seeing beyond current pain toward future possibility. Through honest sharing and gentle humor, this episode validates the grief experience while offering genuine hope that by keeping those feet moving, we can forge meaningful lives that honor those we've lost.

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

To Reach AJ:
www.keepthosefeetmoving.com

www.facebook.com/keepthosefeetmoving

www.instagram.com/keepthosefeetmoving/

 
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. 

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Medical advocacy isn't just helpful—it can be life-saving. When Erin Galyean lost her father to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 1997, she couldn't have known that 20 years later, her sister Megan would face the same diagnosis, complicated by a rare and aggressive lung disease. Through these painful experiences, Erin discovered that her professional background in pharmaceutical sales and communication training provided her with unique skills to advocate effectively within the healthcare system.

The heart of effective advocacy lies in masterful questioning. Throughout our conversation, Erin shares powerful techniques for transforming closed-ended questions that might yield only yes/no answers into open-ended questions that extract comprehensive information from busy healthcare providers. This simple shift—asking "What side effects should we watch for?" instead of "Are there side effects?"—can dramatically improve the quality of care your loved one receives.

Ready to become a more effective advocate? Visit BadassAdvocate.com to explore Erin's books and her new interactive journal "Getting Through This Together," designed to create meaningful connections and lasting memories with seriously ill loved ones. Remember: your advocacy today could save a life tomorrow—maybe even your own.

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

To Reach Erin:
Website: www.badassadvocate.com
Email:  [email protected]
Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/badassadvocate (@badassadvocate)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/71141242/admin/dashboard/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/badassadvocate/# (@badassadvocate)
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eringalyean?lang=en (@eringalyean)
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/badassadvocate/

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. 

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Dating after loss creates a turbulent emotional landscape. In this candid conversation, returning guest John Polo and I explore the fears, hopes, and practical realities of seeking new connections after being widowed.

Our discussion reveals why dating feels so terrifying—from worries about becoming a caretaker again to navigating unfamiliar dating apps decades after last being single. John offers wisdom drawn from his own journey and his work coaching grieving individuals through relationship transitions: "You can dip your toe in the pool, say 'I'm not ready,' and take it back out."

For the first time publicly, I share my evolving perspective on dating seven years after losing my husband. While previously adamant about never dating again, I've begun reconsidering what companionship might look like in this chapter of life. This shift highlights an important truth about grief—our needs and readiness change over time in ways we can't always predict.

The conversation extends beyond romantic partnerships to the profound importance of human connection in all forms. John shares beautiful stories of creating friendships through simple conversations with strangers, reminding us that we're "one hello, one smile away from a new friend, a new love."

Whether you're considering dating, helping someone who is, or simply curious about life after devastating loss, this episode offers practical guidance for moving forward with both courage and self-compassion. The path forward isn't about replacing what was lost, but about honoring your journey while remaining open to life's continuing possibilities.

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

To Reach John:
Email:  [email protected]
Website:  johnpolocoaching.com

 
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. 

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What happens when life's most profound losses lead to unexpected growth? Join us as we sit down with Judith Kambia Obatusa, affectionately known as JKO, to explore her incredible journey through grief and resilience. Having experienced the unimaginable with the loss of her children and sister, JKO shares how her Nigerian-Canadian heritage and the memory of her father continue to shape her mission of empowering women. She will inspire you with her commitment to finding joy and purpose amidst heartbreak.

Our conversation takes a heart-wrenching yet hopeful turn as we discuss the impact of losing a child on one's faith. Grief is a deeply personal journey, and JKO reminds us of the importance of embracing it fully. We talk about the healing power of community support, the significance of cherishing earthly relationships, and the vital role of a personal connection with a higher power. As we introduce JKO's podcast, "Messy Can't Stop Her," our discussion emphasizes the need for mothers to heal for the sake of their children and the world. We conclude with a heartfelt prayer, offering guidance and solace to listeners navigating their own paths through grief.

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

To Reach JKO:
Podcast: https://messycantstopher.buzzsprout.com/

Blogs: www.brokenandbraced.blogspot.com

www.judithmusing.blogspot.com

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!

Grief is a journey that no parent ever wishes to take, yet it is one that our guest, Larry, navigates with profound insight and courage. As a former Rolling Stone Magazine editor, Larry found solace in writing after the tragic loss of his son, Rob, to suicide. This episode offers a heartfelt exploration of how grief can transform parents, endowing them with extraordinary resilience and strength. Larry shares his journey of becoming "extraordinary" and how his book, "A Space in the Heart: A Survival Guide for Grieving Parents," came to life as a vital part of his healing process.

We unpack the emotional layers of grief, drawing on the metaphor of metamorphosis to describe the personal transformation that occurs. Larry also delves into the curious absence of a term for parents who have lost a child. We discuss the controversial notion of labeling grief as a mental health disorder and emphasize recognizing grief as a natural process while acknowledging the importance of support for those who might need it.

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

To Reach Larry:

 Email: [email protected]

 Website:  www.griefforguys.com

Instagram: @lcarlat 

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.