Good Grief

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]

In this episode, we sit down with Narene Stokes Crosby, Sheila Albers, and Susan Berardi to discuss their powerful book Mothers in Arms. This book tells the heartbreaking yet inspiring story of two mothers—one Black, one white—who formed a deep friendship after their sons, Ryan Stokes and John Albers, were killed by police. Despite coming from different racial and socioeconomic backgrounds, their shared grief led them to take on a corrupt system and demand justice for their sons. This conversation will explore their grief, resilience, activism, and the power of allyship while also shedding light on the realities of police violence, systemic cover-ups, and the emotional toll on families left behind.

Author website - https://www.susanberardi.com/

The Guardian article tells the story of the two sons' shootings and the mothers' friendship. Police killed their sons. Their unmovable friendship uncovered a system of lies | US policing | The Guardian

In this week’s episode, Dr. Christine Malone interviews Cathy Nesbitt, a Health and Wellness Advocate, Laughter Yoga Teacher, and Laughter Ambassador, to explore an unconventional yet powerful approach to healing—laughter.Cathy shares her heartfelt journey of grief and resilience, from the deep bond she formed with her mother-in-law through Laughter Yoga to the symbolic ways she honors her memory today. With humor and wisdom, she discusses how laughter can be a transformative tool for processing grief, managing stress, and reconnecting with joy.Listeners will gain practical insights on incorporating laughter into daily life, using symbolic reminders to stay connected with loved ones, and embracing resilience even in the face of profound loss. Join us for an episode that proves healing and joy can coexist—even through the tears.

https://www.cathyscomposters.com/

https://www.cathysclub.com/

https://www.cathyssprouters.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathynesbitt/

https://www.youtube.com/@CathyLaughter

In this week’s episode, Dr. Christine Malone explores the emotional and controversial topic of Baby Boxes, safe surrender locations for newborns under Safe Haven laws. Dr. Malone highlights the political implications of Baby Boxes, questioning whether they offer real solutions or serve as performative compassion that ignores the struggles of women in crisis. Concerns include lack of maternal support, the cost of installation, and potential medical risks for surrendered babies, as well as the broader societal message that women are left to navigate these situations alone. Ultimately, Good Grief challenges listeners to ask: Are Baby Boxes truly lifesaving, or do they reveal the many ways society continues to fail women in crisis?

Safe Haven site: https://www.shbb.org/parents-in-crisis

Recent news article about concerns over baby boxes: https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/local-news/investigations/baby-boxes-are-supposed-to-keep-newborns-safe-what-has-doctors-and-child-welfare-experts-so-concerned

NPR article on the impact of strict abortion laws: https://19thnews.org/2023/08/abortion-ban-states-pregnancy-centers-medical-care/

In this week’s episode, Dr. Christine Malone interviews Kelly Meloche, a Funeral Celebrant and author of Leaving Your Light On: Inspirational Stories of Unforgettable Lives, to explore the profound role of storytelling in grief and healing.

Kelly shares her journey into funeral celebrancy, highlighting how personalized ceremonies can offer deep comfort and meaning to grieving families. She discusses the power of honoring legacies through unique services, the growing movement of living funerals, and how shifting our perspective on death can foster healing and connection.

Listeners will gain insights into creating intentional ceremonies, embracing gratitude in grief, and finding ways to celebrate life even in loss. Join us for an inspiring conversation about remembering, honoring, and preserving the stories of those we love.

www.kellymeloche.com

[email protected]

https://kellymeloche.com/product/leaving-your-light-on/