Good Grief

In this powerful episode of Good Grief, Dr. Christine Malone welcomes Nicole Gruendl—life coach, speaker, and grieving mother—to share the heartbreaking story of losing her son, Korey. Nicole opens up about the devastating day he died, the long and painful wait for answers, and the emotional toll of navigating a flawed system with shifting medical narratives. She speaks candidly about the re-traumatization of new revelations, the strength it took to advocate for truth, and how journaling and writing became her lifeline. Nicole is now channeling her grief into purpose with her upcoming book and workbook, The Loss of My Sun, created to support mothers navigating the unimaginable. With grace and resilience, she reflects on carrying Korey's memory forward, finding meaning through connection, and her message to mothers still waiting in the dark for answers.

Korey's song https://open.spotify.com/album/1l4D8TchEF15cOOsAaNhhS?si=2ij6IkpjTJWKV5-93An55Q

In this episode, we welcome historian and former tech CEO Ron Gruner to discuss his forthcoming book, COVID WARS: America’s Struggle Over Public Health and Personal Freedom. Gruner offers a data-rich and thought-provoking exploration of how the United States, despite its global leadership in science and medicine, suffered one of the highest death tolls and economic collapses during the COVID-19 pandemic. We dive into the origins of the virus, the country’s polarized response, the consequences of disinformation, and how historical context helps us understand what went wrong—and what we must do better next time.

RonaldGruner.com

In this gripping episode of Good Grief, Dr. Christine Malone welcomes Brenda Coffee, author of Maya Blue, to share her extraordinary journey of surviving love, betrayal, danger, and profound loss. Brenda recounts how a fairy-tale marriage to a technology pioneer spiraled into a life marked by addiction, high-stakes risks, and personal abandonment. From navigating the eerie "Spy House on the Hill" to surviving a terrifying encounter with Guatemalan soldiers, Brenda’s story is a breathtaking testament to resilience and self-reclamation. Together, Christine and Brenda explore the emotional tipping points that led to reclaiming her voice, grieving unimaginable losses, enduring breast cancer, and finding the courage to live fully again. This conversation reminds us that true survival is not just about escaping darkness, but about rediscovering the light within.

Website: https://www.brenda-coffee.com/

Blog: https://1010parkplace.com/

Book: https://a.co/d/3BhssRp

In this week’s episode, Dr. Christine Malone interviews Kim Cantin, author of Where Yellow Flowers Bloom, to share her extraordinary story of loss, resilience, and hope.Kim recounts the night of the devastating Montecito mudflows of 2018, which claimed the lives of her husband and son and left her and her daughter forever changed. She opens up about her relentless search for her son, the unexpected signs that kept her going, and the profound ways in which love endures beyond loss. Through grief, Kim found purpose in storytelling, healing, and honoring the memory of those she lost. Listeners will hear about the power of signs, the strength of community, and the ways we can rebuild after profound tragedy. Join us for a conversation filled with raw honesty, hope, and the enduring beauty of love that never fades.

https://kimcantin.com/

https://a.co/d/emVtSUQ
https://www.audible.com/author/Kim-Cantin/B0BZZSV1H9

In this refreshingly unconventional episode of Good Grief, Dr. Christine Malone sets the stage for a soulful, humorous, and deeply transformative conversation with Justin L. Shaw—mystical comedian, stand-up philosopher, and author of Sourcery 101: 13 Rungs to a Higher Elevation of Consciousness. Christine opens with a heartfelt welcome and acknowledgment of the profound layers of grief Justin has experienced, including the loss of his mother, sister, childhood friend, and son in just four years. As they dive in, listeners are introduced to Justin’s journey through trauma, addiction, and spiritual awakening—and how humor, Source energy, and radical self-honesty became his tools for healing. Get ready for an episode that blends grief, consciousness, and comedy in ways you’ve never heard before.

www.awakenthesourcerer.com

https://www.instagram.com/sourcerer_13/

In this episode of Good Grief, Dr. Christine Malone speaks with Pamela Blake, publisher of The Isaak Collection, a five-novel series written by her late husband, David. After David's sudden passing at the age of 67 from a massive stroke, Pamela made the courageous decision to publish his work—not only as a tribute to his life but as a way to navigate her own grief.What started as an intimate act of remembrance has since evolved into something much greater, garnering hundreds of reader reviews and critical acclaim. Pamela shares the emotional journey of bringing her husband's words to the world, how storytelling can be a powerful tool for healing, and the profound ways in which we can honor loved ones who have passed.

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

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