Content note: This episode includes discussion of suicide, mental health struggles, and family estrangement.

In this weeks episode I’m joined by Ailbhe O'Donnell, who shares her experience of loss, survival, and the long-term impact of family estrangement.

Ailbhe speaks openly about loss in its many forms the loss of family connection, the loss of identity, the loss of belonging and what it means to grieve people who are still alive.

This episode also explores Alva’s journey through profound mental health struggles in her early adulthood, her experience of feeling unsupported at critical moments, and the slow, hard process of rebuilding a life rooted in self-worth, resilience, and compassion. At its heart, this is a conversation about survival, and learning how to become your own source of care when no one else can.

This episode does not seek to assign blame or make allegations about any individual. All reflections shared are from Ailbhe’s personal perspective, memory, and emotional experience and are presented as such.

Listener Care

This episode may be difficult for some listeners. Please take care while listening, pause if you need to, or skip this episode entirely if it feels like too much right now.

If this conversation brings anything up for you, support is available:

• Ireland: Samaritans — 116 123 (24/7)

• Contact your GP or local mental health services

• International listeners: please seek crisis or mental health support services in your own country

You don’t have to go through this alone.

After the Flowers – Grief Support Membership

If this episode has resonated with you, I’ve recently opened a gentle support space called After the Flowers, a low-cost monthly membership for people navigating grief in all its forms.

It’s a place to connect with other people who understand, take part in group conversations and live Zoom support calls, and access sessions designed to support the nervous system through grief, including breath work, meditation, EFT, and grounding practices. Members also receive exclusive access to podcast video episdoes and conversations.

There’s no pressure it’s simply there if and when it feels right for you.

You can join here

https://after-the-flowers.circle.so/checkout/after-the-flowers-membership