What happens when a small community experiences another devastating loss?

This week, I’m reflecting on grief from a perspective I’ve never had before: not as the person at the center of a loss, but as someone watching a community rally around a family going through something I know all too well.

After losing my brother Sam ten years ago, I know what it feels like to have your most private pain become a very public one. But this time, I was on the outside, and it gave me a new perspective on community, grief, and the complicated ways we show up for one another.

Because grief doesn’t happen in a vacuum. One loss can bring another back to the surface, especially in a community that has already experienced so much of it.

There’s no perfect way to grieve, and no perfect way to support someone who is grieving. But there are ways we can show up: gently, consistently, and without expecting anything in return.

Because sometimes, all we can do is carry them, and carry each other.

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Note: This is a republished archive episode from 2025. We're bringing back some of our most impactful conversations for new listeners while we prepare new episodes.

In this deeply moving episode, Skylar sits down with Linh Luu, who survived a tragic and preventable car accident that took the lives of her boyfriend, Misha Romanenko, and her beloved dog, Keeper. Linh shares her journey of living again after profound loss, and coping with the waves of grief, navigating painful words from others, and finding healing through advocacy.

From her brave decision to share her story openly on TikTok, to the unexpected moments that have shaped her path, Linh’s story is one of resilience, love, and the fight for justice. Whether you’re grieving yourself or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers hope, compassion, and a reminder that even in the darkest times, healing is possible.

Links:

• ABC 7 News Article

• SFDA’s email: [email protected] 

• DA Brooke Jenkins X profile: https://x.com/brookejenkinssf?s=21

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In this episode of Good Grief, Skylar sits down with Jason, who takes us back to his late twenties, when he lost his mom, Connie, after her four-year battle with breast cancer. Jason opens up about the almost eight years he spent avoiding his grief entirely — pushing it down, numbing it, refusing to face it. He shares what finally changed: getting sober, walking into therapy, and choosing to do the hard work of grieving head-on. Now, Jason is on the other side of that journey — able to feel connected to his mom again, open to the signs she sends him, and genuinely at peace. This conversation is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to begin healing. Jason also shares a clip from the song, “I Go Through” by O.A.R., and how it inspired him to stop avoiding grief and instead face it head-on. 

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Sam would have turned 27 on June 12th. Instead of spending the day grieving her brother, Skylar spent it buried in work, preparing for a company-wide presentation, answering messages, and racing through a packed schedule. Before she knew it, the day was over, and she never had the chance to truly grieve.

In this episode, Skylar opens up about the guilt of feeling disconnected from grief, the pressure to honor important dates a certain way, and what happens when life gets so busy that grief gets pushed aside. Because sometimes, grief doesn't disappear, it just gets lost in the calendar. 

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Grief doesn't just affect your heart—it affects your brain, your body, your routines, and your mental health.

In this episode, Skylar talks about something we don't discuss nearly enough: the mental health of grievers. From "grief brain" and brain fog to the dark thoughts that can sometimes creep in after loss, we'll explore how grief impacts us far beyond sadness.

Whether your loss was recent or years ago, this episode is a reminder that taking care of yourself isn't forgetting the person you lost—it's part of learning how to carry them with you.

Mental Health Resources:

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One year ago, Skylar hit publish on the very first episode of Good Grief: Life After Loss — and today, one year and 41 episodes later, she's reflecting on everything this podcast has taught her. From the loneliness she felt as a 14-year-old grieving her brother Sam, to the weeks she was too exhausted to talk about grief and questioned whether she was even qualified to be here, to the unexpected gift of finding community through her listeners — this episode is an honest look at what a year of hosting a grief podcast has really been like. If you've ever felt alone in your grief, this one's for you.

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Mother’s Day can be beautiful, but for a lot of people, it’s also incredibly complicated.

In this episode, Skylar talks about the uncomfortable reality of grief on days that the world expects you to celebrate. From losing a mother or child, to infertility, strained relationships, or simply feeling the absence of someone who should still be here, this episode explores the many ways grief can quietly show up on Mother’s Day.

When grief meets school, the impact goes far beyond sadness. This week, Skylar shares what returning to 9th grade after losing her brother Sam really looked like; feeling too far behind to recover, dropping classes, hiding in the library, losing motivation, and struggling to care about grades when her world had completely changed. She also reflects on how grief affected her confidence, future opportunities, and relationship with learning for years to come. This episode is for anyone who has ever tried to succeed in school while carrying the weight of grief.

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In this week’s episode, Skylar opens up about the complicated reality of grieving in a world that often feels uncomfortable with loss.

Inspired by a quote from comedian Michael Cruz Kayne, she explores what it feels like to want to share stories, memories, and laughter about her brother Sam, only to feel like she has to manage other people’s reactions. From awkward conversations with new friends to the quiet ways grief can make someone feel silenced, this episode is an honest look at the pressure grievers face to make their pain more palatable for everyone else.

This conversation is about giving grief more space: space to remember, to laugh, to tell the story, and to keep talking about the people we love—without apology.

Michael Cruz Kayne:

Link to the Instagram clip

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In this deeply personal episode, Skylar sits down with her dad, Ron Jackenthal, for an honest conversation about grief, purpose, and what it means to rebuild a life after unimaginable loss.

After the sudden death of his son Sam, Ron’s world was completely reshaped. Once focused on a successful career in sales, he made the life-altering decision to step away and dedicate himself fully to creating the Live Like Sam Foundation—an organization committed to honoring Sam’s life and supporting others navigating grief.

In this episode, Ron reflects on who he was before the loss, how grief changed him as a father and as a person, and the moment he realized he needed to do something with his pain. Together, he and Skylar explore how loss transformed their relationship, the complexities of parenting after tragedy, and the balance of carrying both deep grief and deep love.

This conversation offers a powerful perspective for anyone navigating loss—especially parents—and for those searching for meaning, purpose, and connection in the aftermath of heartbreak.

Contact & Resources:

Livelikesam.org

Email: [email protected] 

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The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the change. Media Network or its partners.