Not all grief is acknowledged, and not all losses are visible. Some grief is carried in silence—unspoken, unresolved, and often overlooked. In this episode of Break the Silence, Build a Future, we explore the quiet pain of grief that isn't tied to death but to loss that goes unrecognized: lost relationships, dreams that never came true, and versions of ourselves that no longer exist.

I share my personal experiences, including the grief of the future I imagined after my marriage ended, becoming a single mother in a new country, and the unspoken sorrow of watching my daughter suffer in an abusive relationship. Together, we uncover why we suppress grief? How it manifests in our lives, and ways to honor and carry our losses without letting them consume us.

As this season comes to an end, I invite you to subscribe to the podcast so you do not miss Season Three: Justice System from the Victim’s Perspective, launching May 7, 2025. Subscribers will also get a chance to join live recordings, ask questions in real time, and share their own stories on the podcast.

💛 Your grief matters. Your voice matters. You are not alone.

#GriefHealing

#UnspokenGrief

#HealingThroughLoss

#BreakTheSilencePodcast

#LifeAfterLoss

#CopingWithGrief

#HealingJourney

#RebuildingAfterTrauma

#SurvivorStories

#EmotionalHealing

Grief is not just about loss—it is love that still lingers, love that refuses to fade. In this episode, I explore how grief is a continuation of love, a connection that remains even when the person we love is gone. How do we carry grief as a reflection of love rather than as pain? How do we keep their presence alive in our lives? Join me as we explore grief as love remembered.

💛 Listen now and honor the love that never leaves.

#GriefIsLove

#HealingThroughGrief

#RememberingLovedOnes

#LifeAfterLoss

#GriefJourney

#HonoringMemory

#BreakTheSilencePodcast

#GriefHealing

#LoveBeyondLoss

#GriefSupport

Holding onto love, memories, and identity after loss—navigating the fear of forgetting while embracing healing. Grief isn’t just about loss—it’s about the fear of losing the memories, the voice, the presence of the person we love. In this deeply personal episode, I explore my struggle with the fear of forgetting my daughter and how trauma can overshadow the memories we desperately want to hold onto.

How do we preserve the essence of a loved one beyond their tragic passing? Why do some of us struggle to visualize or dream about them? And how can we honor their memory in a way that brings healing, rather than pain?

Join me as I navigate these difficult emotions and reflect on ways to keep their presence alive, even when the grief feels overwhelming.

✨ Tune in now for this powerful and emotional discussion.

Joining Fartumo Kusow are Rabbi Adam Chalom and Rabbi Jodi Kornfeld, leading voices in Humanistic Judaism, who bring a unique perspective on grief, healing, and the power of collective action. They share insights from their book, Contemporary Humanistic Judaism: Beliefs, Values, Practices, offering practical ways communities can provide tangible support beyond thoughts and prayers.

In this episode, we discuss:

🔹 How grief can feel like an identity shift and why community matters.

🔹 The humanist approach to grief—focusing on action, not just words.

🔹 Practical ways individuals and communities can support those in mourning.

🔹 Breaking the silence around grief and creating safe spaces for healing.

About Our Guests:

Rabbi Adam Chalom serves as the North American Dean of the International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism (IISHJ) and leads Kol Hadash Humanistic Congregation in Chicago. With degrees from Yale University and the University of Michigan, he was ordained by IISHJ in 2001.

Rabbi Jodi Kornfeld is the leader of Beth Chaverim Humanistic Jewish Community. She holds a Master’s and Doctor of Science in Jewish Studies from Spertus College and was ordained by IISHJ in 2009.

Together, they co-edited Contemporary Humanistic Judaism: Beliefs, Values, Practices, a groundbreaking exploration of modern Jewish identity and community support. Their work has been featured on various platforms, including the New Books Network Podcast.

Resources:

📖 Book: Contemporary Humanistic Judaism

📘 Study Guide

🎧 Podcast Interview on New Books Network

🔊 Tune in now for an insightful discussion on how we can build stronger, more compassionate communities for those experiencing grief.

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In Episode 13, Rebuilding After Loss: Who Am I Without This?, we dive into the identity shifts that grief demands. Losing someone, a relationship, or a dream often leaves us questioning who we are and how to move forward. This episode explores how to navigate these changes, embrace life again, and find purpose after loss. Together, we’ll discuss the fears, challenges, and small steps that lead to rebuilding a meaningful life—one that honors both our past and our future.

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In this episode of Break the Silence, Build a Future, I sit down with Molly Booker, a passionate advocate for authenticity, mental well-being, and embracing life's imperfections. We dive into the raw realities of grief, resilience, and how to navigate the messy, unpredictable nature of healing. Molly shares her personal journey of loss, growth, and finding purpose through the chaos.

If you've ever felt stuck in your pain or struggled to embrace your own story, this conversation will inspire you to find strength in the mess.
To reach Molly Booker: https://www.mollybooker.com/
To reach Fartumo Kusow: https://linktr.ee/fkusow

🎧 Tune in now and join the conversation!

#GriefHealing
 #Resilience 
#Authenticity 
#BreakTheSilencePodcast 
#MollyBooker 
#HealingJourney

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Healing doesn’t happen in isolation—it happens in connection. In this episode of Break the Silence, Build a Future, host Fartumo Kusow explores the transformative power of healing in community. Discover why shared experiences foster resilience, how they help break down isolation, and the practical steps to create spaces of connection and support.

Whether you’re navigating your own healing journey or supporting others, this episode offers valuable insights and encouragement to build stronger, more connected futures.
#HealingInCommunity
#SharedExperiences
#BreakTheSilencePodcast
#EmotionalResilience
#StrengthInConnection
#CollectiveHealing
#SupportiveSpaces
#GriefAndHealing
#EmpowermentThroughConnection
#MentalHealthAwarenes

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Loss reshapes our lives, challenging our sense of identity and purpose. In this episode of Break the Silence, Build a Future, host Fartumo Kusow explores the true meaning of resilience after loss—not as bouncing back, but as growing and rebuilding in the face of pain.

Join Fartumo as she shares insights on embracing vulnerability, finding strength in adversity, and redefining purpose after grief. Whether you’re navigating your own loss or supporting someone on their journey, this episode offers hope, encouragement, and practical steps to move forward.

Keywords:

#ResilienceAfterLoss
#GriefAndHealing
#StrengthInAdversity
#EmotionalResilience
#HealingJourney
#RebuildingAfterLoss
#VulnerabilityIsStrength
#TurnPainIntoPurpose
#BreakTheSilencePodcast
#HopeAndHealing

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In this episode of Break the Silence, Build a Future, host Fartumo Kusow explores the transformative power of storytelling. Sharing your story not only helps you heal, but it also creates a ripple effect—connecting with others, inspiring courage, and fostering a movement for change.

Fartumo reflects on the challenges and rewards of vulnerability, shares how her own story has impacted others, and offers tips on starting your own ripple effect. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about the power of owning your story and creating meaningful connections through your voice.

Chapters
00:00
The Power of Storytelling

09:27
Vulnerability and Connection

16:19
Challenges and Rewards of Sharing

20:29
Starting Your Own Ripple Effect

24:17
The Ripple Effect of Storytelling

#RippleEffect 
#OwnYourStory 
#HealingJourney 
#VulnerabilityIsStrength 
#StorytellingMatters 
#EmpowermentThroughStories
 #BreakTheSilencePodcast 
#MentalHealthAwareness 
#GriefSupport

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In this episode of 'Break the Silence, Build the Future', Fartumo Kusow delves into the emotional and psychological costs of avoiding grief, sharing her personal journey following the tragic loss of her daughter. She emphasizes the importance of confronting grief rather than suppressing it, discussing the profound impacts of avoidance on mental health and relationships. The episode serves as a guide for listeners to navigate their own grief, encouraging them to embrace their emotions and honor their losses as part of their healing journey.

Chapters

00:00
Introduction to Grief and Loss

01:15
Personal Journey of Grief

05:00
The Cost of Avoiding Grief

11:54
Facing Grief: Steps to Healing

15:36
Honoring Love and Loss

#GriefAwareness
#EmotionalHealing
#HealingJourney
#BreakTheSilencePodcast
#AvoidedGrief
#MentalHealthMatters
#FacingGrief
#TurningPainIntoPurpose
#GriefSupport
#ResilienceInGrief
#OwnYourStory
#GriefAndGrowth