In this episode of Good Grief, Dr. Christine Malone speaks with Hugh Flynn, author of SOMETHING SPECIAL BE, about the devastating family conflict that erupted when he sought conservatorship of his disabled brother, Aaron. What began as an effort to protect his brother’s well-being quickly turned into a bitter legal and emotional battle, exposing deep fractures within his family. Through writing his memoir, Hugh navigated the grief of losing not only his brother’s legal guardianship but also his trust in family. In this conversation, he reflects on the emotional toll of conservatorship battles, the unexpected grief of family estrangement, and the journey toward healing, while offering insights for those facing similar struggles. This powerful episode explores the cost of doing the right thing when it comes at a heartbreaking price.

Buy the Book: https://www.amazon.com/SOMETHING-SPECIAL-BE-brother-disabled-ebook/dp/B0F495YVXZ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2VA2E2MGJA8L5&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.7d6CeOIRgDrAjdUG_3rjZTynpadNFnJAgAnmAByxuglUAdryE8slB6VweozyAWHAe43VqERjCspRHIeU6-D5-pNGA0e5wMiBUmOZnoEZYs5-ow4ROv5RILd7vEHw6MeK9uh06q-qARlimkfTs4SzHBeMlRIz-SFY0VZFIcmMQfL27c7w8s-3BMMxm7orpQMB.ezPzsMVvN4tPvW19YBwMMuawkDAElys6V0u0u9IK2hY&dib_tag=se&keywords=something+special+be&qid=1747867990&s=books&sprefix=something+special+be%2Cstripbooks%2C151&sr=1-1

Author page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0F66S6JW5/about?ccs_id=07f8f55c-6104-4b7b-89b4-d4a751676e84

In this heartfelt episode of Good Grief, host Dr. Christine Malone sits down with AJ Coleman—widower, single father, and author of Keep Those Feet Moving—to explore his powerful journey through love, loss, and healing. After losing his wife Cory to brain cancer at just 33, AJ was left to raise their infant daughter while grappling with profound grief, anxiety, and life’s unpredictable setbacks. AJ shares how he transformed pain into purpose, offering practical guidance and emotional insight for anyone navigating deep personal loss. This episode is a moving reflection on resilience, fatherhood, and the quiet strength it takes to keep going.

In this deeply personal solo episode of Good Grief, Dr. Christine Malone shares reflections on Mother’s Day — a day that can bring joy, pain, longing, and silence. While it's often filled with celebration, Christine explores a side of the holiday we don't talk about enough: the grief of mothers who do not have children. Whether due to infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth, medical conditions, adoption barriers, estrangement, or life circumstances, this grief is real, valid, and often invisible. Christine also opens up about her own journey through infertility before becoming a mother, and invites listeners into a compassionate space for reflection and acknowledgment.

In this episode of Good Grief, Dr. Christine Malone met with Sarah Birnbach, award-winning author of A Daughter’s Kaddish: My Year of Grief, Devotion, and Healing, to discuss her deeply personal journey through loss, faith, and perseverance. After the passing of her beloved father, Sarah embarked on a year-long commitment to reciting the Mourner’s Kaddish twice a day in synagogue—a Jewish mourning ritual traditionally reserved for men. Through our conversation, we’ll explore how religious rituals can provide comfort in grief, the importance of community in healing, and how ancient traditions can still hold meaning in modern life. Sarah’s journey is a testament to resilience, faith, and the universal nature of mourning, reminding us that grief is deeply personal yet universally shared.

Learn more at: sarahbirnbach.com

Follow Sarah on: FB | IG | X | LinkedIn

In this week’s episode, Dr. Christine Malone interviews Jenny Leavitt, a grief recovery coach, author, and speaker dedicated to helping others process loss while staying connected to their values and personal growth. After experiencing profound grief herself, Jenny has made it her mission to provide resources and guidance for those struggling with loneliness, relationship challenges, and the emotional weight of loss.

Through heartfelt conversations, expert insights, and practical strategies, Jenny shares ways to overcome isolation, rebuild life after grief, and challenge common misconceptions about healing. Whether you’re looking for tools to navigate your grief journey or simply a reminder that you’re not alone, this episode offers support, encouragement, and hope.

In this episode of Good Grief, Dr. Christine Malone sits down with Holly Peppe, a leading authority and literary executor for the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Edna St. Vincent Millay, to explore the profound connection between poetry and grief. Holly shares her deeply personal journey of loss, reflecting on how poetry became a defining force in her healing process. Drawing from both her own experiences and Millay’s evocative works, she discusses how poetry gives voice to the unspoken emotions of sorrow, love, and remembrance, offering solace and understanding in the wake of loss. This heartfelt conversation is a must-listen for anyone who has turned to words for comfort, struggled to articulate their grief, or simply seeks to understand how poetry can illuminate the path to healing.

An Absence of Fear: https://www.amazon.com/Absence-Fear-Holly-Peppe/dp/B0DJPXFDPC

Sophie and the Swans: https://www.amazon.com/Sophie-Swans-Holly-Peppe/dp/1947187147 

In this week’s episode, we explore the unique challenges of navigating loss later in life with our guest Susan, a retired individual who recently experienced the profound loss of both parents. Susan shares her journey through grief, the emotional impact of losing loved ones in later years, and the unexpected challenges of adjusting to life without them. As time has passed, she has discovered the “gifts” that loss has revealed—lessons in resilience, deeper connections, and a renewed sense of purpose. Through reflections on aging, relationships, and personal growth, she offers wisdom and hope to others facing similar experiences, reminding us that even in profound loss, there can be moments of light, transformation, and meaning.

In this episode, Dr. Christine Malone interviews Jennifer Newberg, founder of It’s Lifey, shares her deeply personal journey of loss after losing her husband, Jack, almost 10 months ago. She discusses how her experience of widowhood led her to create a transformative retreat for young widows (ages 35-60)—a space designed for deep connection, shared understanding, and personal healing. We’ll explore why support systems are vital, the unique challenges of losing a spouse young, and how retreats like this can be life-changing.

https://itslifey.com/widow-retreat/

In this deeply moving episode of Good Grief, Dr. Christine Malone sits down with Steve Gamlin, a professional speaker whose love story once captivated audiences—including multiple appearances on Oprah’s XM Radio network. But on December 9, 2024, Steve’s life took an unexpected turn when he lost the love of his life suddenly and tragically, leaving him shattered and 3,000 miles from home.For 17+ years, Steve shared the story of how he and his partner reconnected, inspiring countless people with their journey of love. Now, he’s navigating a painful new chapter—one of grief, resilience, and finding meaning after loss. Through honest reflection, humor, acts of kindness, and grief counseling, he shares how he is learning to heal while continuing to inspire others.

Website: http://SteveGamlinSpeaker.com
Social Media:    

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/SteveGamlin
LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevegamlin/

In this week’s episode, Dr. Christine Malone sits down with Christina Dent, author of Curious: A Foster Mom's Discovery of an Unexpected Solution to Drugs and Addiction. Christina shares her journey as a foster mom and how it led her to explore the deep connection between grief, pain, and addiction. The conversation dives into how addiction often develops as a coping mechanism for unresolved grief and trauma, and Christina reveals the surprising solutions she discovered along the way. Together, they discuss compassion-based approaches to addiction, the importance of community support, and finding hope and healing after loss.

Listeners can request a FREE copy of Christina's book, Curious, by clicking this link:https://enditforgood.com/free-curious/

OR by emailing us at [email protected]