“Grieving room is endangered in a culture that thinks it is more helpful to rush past grief than to lean into it.”

Leanne Friesen is the brilliant soul behind the groundbreaking book, "Grieving Room: Making Space for All the Hard Things After Death and Loss."

As the curator of the popular Instagram platform, @grieving.room, she has cultivated a nurturing space for those navigating the tumultuous waters of grief.

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Click here to watch on YouTube
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With a profound understanding that grief defies easy solutions, Leanne advocates for the power of creating room for the complexities of grief, rather than rushing to fix or diminish it.

Drawing upon her extensive experience as an ordained minister and grief educator spanning over two decades, Leanne offers invaluable insights into the sacred process of grief, and how the cognitive understanding of loss and grief falls short of the lived experience.

She learned this heartbreaking reality after the loss of her sister, Roxanne, after an eight-year battle with melanoma.

In this episode, we discuss imperfect goodbyes, sibling loss, living the "are you serious?!" era after loss, making room to grieve, and so much more!

Leanne Friesen Social & Website:

• Instagram: @grieving.room & @leanne_friesen
• Buy GRIEVING ROOM book
• Website: leanfriessen.com

Nina Rodriguez Social & Website:

• Instagram: @griefandlight
• Website: griefandlight.com
• Ways to Work with Me
• Subscribe to my newsletter

Disclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

#griefandlight #griefandlightpodcast

Interested in sponsoring an episode? Contact us via [email protected].

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Grief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 

🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's Pick

New episodes wherever you watch or listen.

Connect with Nina Rodriguez:

• griefandlight.com
• @griefandlight
• Resting Grief Face on Substack

Thank you for listening! 

If this conversation resonated with you:

✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it
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Disclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

"Grief is not this OR that; it's this AND that." - Nina Rodriguez

Grief thrusts us into the messy middle, which in time may become the magical middle.

But what the heck is it anyway?! The irony of this universal experience is that it's so unique to each experiencer, the answer of what is it depends on who you ask.

That said, there are some words, descriptions and frameworks that seem to describe aspects of big-picture GRIEF, that when understood, may give us the tools needed to understand and navigate through this nuanced experience.

Grief is love with nowhere to go...
AND unique to each person...
AND nuanced...
AND it lasts forever...
AND dynamic, evolving as we evolve...
AND...

This episode gets a little nerdy, AND it's great for those of us who seek to understand this life experience.

I also check in, providing updates on new and upcoming developments.

Tune in and DM me on Instagram @griefandlight to let me know what you think!
 
Referenced in this Episode:

• EP. 27 | Grieving with Grace: Dr. Mekel Harris' Grief-Informed Approach to Relaxing into the Pain
• EP. 22 | Anatomy of Grief Series: What's your grief bias?
• EP. 21 | Grace on Ice: Skating through Sibing Grief 30 Years Delayed with Judy Lipson
• Book | The Anatomy of Grief: How the Brain, Heart, and Body Can Heal After Loss

Nina Rodriguez Social & Website:

• Instagram: @griefandlight
• Website: griefandlight.com
• Ways to Work with Me
• Subscribe to my newsletter

Disclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

#griefandlight #griefandlightpodcast

Interested in sponsoring an episode? Contact us via [email protected].

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Grief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 

🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's Pick

New episodes wherever you watch or listen.

Connect with Nina Rodriguez:

• griefandlight.com
• @griefandlight
• Resting Grief Face on Substack

Thank you for listening! 

If this conversation resonated with you:

✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it
✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation
✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more hearts

Disclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

There are losses that rearrange our understanding of life and how we show up in the world.

The death of a young person, a baby, a spouse or a sibling can be particularly devastating, due to the traumatic and out-of-order elements surrounding the loss.

Surviving  one loss can feel unbearable. But all four?

Today’s guest shares her story of immense loss — a journey marked by the departure of her one-year-old son, Garret, her beloved husband, Jack, her resilient brother, Seth, and her sister-in-law, Brooke.

In her own profound grief, Angie Hanson found solace in a mission to change the narrative around grief, to bring light into the darkest moments, and to offer genuine support to those walking the path of loss.

She founded Butterflies + Halos, a greeting card company that seeks to bridge the gap between sympathy and understanding, between condolence and companionship.

Through her story, Angie illuminates the way forward for those grappling with their own losses, and offers insight into how we can better support one another through life's most challenging moments.


Angie Hanson Social & Website:

• Website: butterfliesandhalos.com
• Shop Cards
• Book coming soon!

Nina Rodriguez Social & Website:

• Instagram: @griefandlight
• Threads: @griefandlight
• Website: griefandlight.com
• Ways to Work with Me
• Subscribe to my newsletter

Disclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

Some of the conversation includes candid recounts of sensitive matters related to loss of loved ones. Listener discretion is advised.

#griefandlight #griefandlightpodcast

Interested in sponsoring an episode? Contact us via [email protected].

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Grief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 

🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's Pick

New episodes wherever you watch or listen.

Connect with Nina Rodriguez:

• griefandlight.com
• @griefandlight
• Resting Grief Face on Substack

Thank you for listening! 

If this conversation resonated with you:

✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it
✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation
✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more hearts

Disclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

Clinically Trained, Mystically Guided.

Casey Stevens embodies the philosophy encapsulated in this motto. She is a Spiritual Psychotherapist and Consciousness Coach, and founder of Shrink Bigger.

Casey shares her deeply personal journey of transformation, from navigating the loss of her husband and ensuing grief to embracing her true calling as an embodied healer. Through candid reflections and profound insights, Casey delves into the fusion of clinical expertise with mystical guidance, offering listeners a glimpse into her unique approach to healing and transformation.

Throughout the conversation, Casey explores the intricacies of her holistic therapeutic framework, which honors the interconnectedness of the bio-psycho-social-spiritual aspects of human experience. Drawing from her own experiences and clinical practice, she sheds light on the importance of shadow work, inner child work, family triangulation dynamics, organizing your energy, and conscious awareness in the process of healing and self-discovery.

Listeners are invited to explore the transformative power of quantum healing principles and learn practical techniques for cultivating mindfulness, self-awareness, and alignment with one's true self. Through her inspiring journey and compassionate wisdom, Casey offers hope and guidance to those navigating their own paths of healing and transformation.


Casey Steven Social & Website:

• Instagram: @shrinkbigger
• Website: shrinkbigger.com
• Services
• Book a Session
• Free Inner Gold Meditation

Nina Rodriguez Social & Website:

• Instagram: @griefandlight
• Threads: @griefandlight
• Website: griefandlight.com
• Ways to Work with Me
• Subscribe to my newsletter

Disclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

#griefandlight #griefandlightpodcast

Interested in sponsoring an episode? Contact us via [email protected].

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Grief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 

🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's Pick

New episodes wherever you watch or listen.

Connect with Nina Rodriguez:

• griefandlight.com
• @griefandlight
• Resting Grief Face on Substack

Thank you for listening! 

If this conversation resonated with you:

✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it
✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation
✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more hearts

Disclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

How does grief impact our mental health, and what strategies can we employ to nurture our well-being through times of loss and transition?

Join us as we explore the intersection of grief and mental health with the amazing Dr. Mekel Harris, Memphis-based licensed psychologist helping other perfectly imperfect folks navigate life's challenges in order to grow in lifestyle, love, leadership, and loyalties to God, self, and others. She also shares insights into her own grief experience and the ripple effect it had on her career after the loss of her beloved mother to pancreatic cancer.

            GIFT: 5 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Grief-Informed Clinician

She holds a B.A. in Psychology from Baylor University, an M.A. in Psychology from Houston Baptist University, and a Ph.D. in Clinical/School Psychology from the University of Houston, and further honed her skills through a pre-doctoral internship and post-doctoral fellowship at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

She serves diverse communities through hospital-based programs, higher education, and her private practice, Harris Psychological Services, LLC.

Dr. Harris' is co-founder of Bloomwell Partners, LLC, empowering organizations with the tools to support those navigating grief in the workplace.

She is also an author and speaker, having presented at over 30 conferences worldwide, and a TEDx Talk.

Her memoir, "Relaxing Into the Pain: My Journey Into Grief & Beyond," offers profound insights into the human experience of loss.

A sought-after expert, Dr. Harris has shared her wisdom through various media platforms, including Equanimity Magazine and The Washington Post. Her advocacy for mental health extends to her role as VP of the Board of AIMHITN, and as a recurring guest on FOX13 Memphis.

Let's delve into the heart of grief and the transformative power of relaxing into our grief.

Dr. Mekel Harris Social & Website:

• Instagram: @drmekel
• Website: mekelharrisphd.com
• Bloomwell: growwithbloomwell.com
• 5 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Grief-Informed Clinician
• The Grief Anatomy Toolkit

Nina Rodriguez Social & Website:

• @griefandlight
• griefandlight.com
• Work with Me
• Subscribe to my newsletter

Disclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

Interested in sponsoring an episode? Contact us at [email protected].

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Grief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 

🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's Pick

New episodes wherever you watch or listen.

Connect with Nina Rodriguez:

• griefandlight.com
• @griefandlight
• Resting Grief Face on Substack

Thank you for listening! 

If this conversation resonated with you:

✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it
✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation
✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more hearts

Disclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

"Everybody else rushed me past the agony, but grief is the one and only voice that told me, 'take as long as you need'." J.S. Park – As Long As You Need

Life-altering loss and grief can alter our perception of time, an effect experienced by many grievers that I like to call "grief time". 

Grief time is non-linear, both a blink and an eternity. Grief also demands your time and attention, whether in the moment or after decades delayed.

In this episode, we delve into how our perception of time, and how we dedicate time to processing our grief can have long-lasting effects and outcomes. We discuss practical actionable steps and tools to help anchor us to the present moment and normalize this common phenomenon experienced by many.

Episodes & Article Referenced:

• EP.1 The Call & The Calling | Losing your only sibling | Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy, Broken-Heart Syndrome
• Harvard Health Article about Tako-tsubo heart: https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/takotsubo-cardiomyopathy-broken-heart-syndrome
• Grace on Ice: Skating through Sibling Grief 30 Years Delayed feat. Judy Lipson

Nina Rodriguez Social & Website:

• Instagram: @griefandlight
• Threads: @griefandlight
• Website: griefandlight.com
• Ways to Work with Me
• Subscribe to my newsletter

Disclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

#griefandlight #griefandlightpodcast

Interested in sponsoring an episode? Contact us via [email protected].

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Grief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 

🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's Pick

New episodes wherever you watch or listen.

Connect with Nina Rodriguez:

• griefandlight.com
• @griefandlight
• Resting Grief Face on Substack

Thank you for listening! 

If this conversation resonated with you:

✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it
✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation
✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more hearts

Disclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

How can a mother move forward after the life-altering death of her son?

Is it even possible?

Our guest is on a mission to bring hope to those who navigate the challenging journey of grief, the trauma of loving someone suffering from substance use disorder, and the reality of life after losing a child.

Kathy Wagner is a grief-focused writer and author, and a mother of three grown children who understands the profound pain of loss. Her journey includes the devastating experience of losing her son Tristan to fentanyl poisoning in 2017.

Since that time, Wagner has advocated for improved access to quality addiction
recovery services and was a grief support group facilitator for Healing Hearts Canada.

In this episode, we discuss her beautiful memoir, "Here With You: A Memoir of Love, Family, and Addiction," where she candidly shares the highs, lows, and the beautiful resilience that emerged from her family's journey through addiction, recovery, and ultimately, loss.

Kathy's essays have found their way into The New York Times, Best Health Magazine, The Globe and Mail, and The Sun Magazine, and her first book is making waves with its release in Canada, as well as in the U.S. and worldwide (available Spring 2024).

Get ready for a touching and inspiring conversation with a woman who's turned her pain into a beacon of hope for others.

Kathy Wagner Social & Website:

• Website: kwagnerwrites.com
• Kathy Wagner's Essays
• Order HERE WITH YOU
• Follow on Facebook
• Instagram: @kwagnerwrites

Nina Rodriguez Social & Website:

• Instagram: @griefandlight
• Threads: @griefandlight
• Website: griefandlight.com
• Ways to Work with Me
• Subscribe to my newsletter

Disclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

#griefandlight #griefandlightpodcast

Want to sponsor an episode? Contact us via [email protected].

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Grief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 

🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's Pick

New episodes wherever you watch or listen.

Connect with Nina Rodriguez:

• griefandlight.com
• @griefandlight
• Resting Grief Face on Substack

Thank you for listening! 

If this conversation resonated with you:

✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it
✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation
✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more hearts

Disclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

In this deeply introspective episode, Catherine Baars opens up about her personal experiences with grief, especially in the context of navigating a complex relationship with her father, whom she lost a mere six months as of this recording. 

For as long as she can remember, Cat's relationship with her father was strained due to his substance use disorder, which eventually led to their estrangement and a final reconciliation before he passed.

She bravely shares insights into the delicate interplay between death and spirituality, shedding light on her own healing journey from religious trauma.

As a professional astrologer, Cat guides others towards understanding their life's purpose through dedicated readings based on each individual's birth chart.

Through her unique perspective and lived experience, she offers a message of hope, healing, and resilience to anyone grappling with life's profound changes and challenges. 

Catherine Baars Social & Website:

• Personalised Astrology Readings by Cat
• TikTok: @cats_astrology
• Instagram: @cats_astrology

Nina Rodriguez Social & Website:

• Instagram: @griefandlight
• Threads: @griefandlight
• Website: griefandlight.com
• Ways to Work with Me
• Subscribe to my newsletter

Disclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

#griefandlight #griefandlightpodcast

Want to sponsor an episode? Contact us via [email protected].

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Grief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 

🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's Pick

New episodes wherever you watch or listen.

Connect with Nina Rodriguez:

• griefandlight.com
• @griefandlight
• Resting Grief Face on Substack

Thank you for listening! 

If this conversation resonated with you:

✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it
✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation
✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more hearts

Disclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

Carlos Duran, shares his inspiring story, from the turbulent streets of Wheehawk, New Jersey, to the mountains of Costa Rica. His story is a testament to the power of transformation through nature and plant-based medicine, and the resilience of the human spirit.

Growing up, Carlos faced the challenges of a violent and abusive household that left him feeling separate, disconnected, and profoundly alone.

His journey took an unexpected turn when he found himself in the serene landscapes of Costa Rica. There, fate led him to a Shaman who introduced him to Yagè, the Colombian form of Ayahuasca. The transformative power of this ancient plant medicine became evident during a 45-minute trek up the side of a mountain to his first ceremony. In that sacred space, he underwent true spiritual healing and a radical transformation that altered the course of his life.

Under the guidance of Taita Juanito, Carlos has spent the last decade immersed in the study and practice of Yage, evolving from a hustler to a healer.

Co-founder of Four Visions, founder of Savage Encounter (a men’s retreat) and Operation Purify (a veteran’s retreat), he passionately shares the profound healing potential of this sacred medicine with the world. 

Carlos Duran is a living testament to the transformative power within each of us, and continues to inspire others to embrace their own path to healing and connection.

Carlos Duran Social & Website:

• Carlos Duran's Website
• Instagram @carlosduranlive
• Savage Encounter (Men's Retreat)
• Operation Purify (Veteran's Retreat)
• Cycles of the Moon hosted by Grandmother Jairsagua Farutiva Gacheta

Nina Rodriguez Social & Website:

• Instagram: @griefandlight
• Threads: @griefandlight
• Website: griefandlight.com
• Ways to Work with Me
• Subscribe to my newsletter

Full Disclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

The information shared in this episode does not constitute real medical or legal advice, nor imply endorsement of programs, products, or methodologies. If you are concerned about your health in any way, always consult a medical practitioner. You are responsible for your own decisions and actions. 

#griefandlight #griefandlightpodcast

Want to sponsor an episode? Contact us via [email protected].

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Grief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 

🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's Pick

New episodes wherever you watch or listen.

Connect with Nina Rodriguez:

• griefandlight.com
• @griefandlight
• Resting Grief Face on Substack

Thank you for listening! 

If this conversation resonated with you:

✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it
✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation
✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more hearts

Disclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

What is your grief bias? 

(Hint: You have one. We all do.)

Our beliefs about grief, or grief biases, define how we show up for ourselves and each other. They become particularly evident when we experience a loss or life-altering circumstances.

Inspired by the profound insights gained from Megan Devine's Grief Care Professional Certificate Program, this episode peels back the layers of treating grief as a disease or personal failing, the societal pressures and expectations that shape our collective experience, and what role our grief-phobic culture plays in the epidemic of loneliness.

I invite you to explore your own grief biases, challenge them, and cultivate curiosity as we improve how we navigate the nuances of grief.

To answer the question in the episode, DM me on Instagram at @griefandlight.

Sources referenced in the episode:

•  CIGNA study on loneliness
• The Loneliness Epidemic Persists: A Post-Pandemic Look at the State of Loneliness among U.S. Adults

Nina Rodriguez Social & Website:

• Instagram: @griefandlight
• Threads: @griefandlight
• Website: griefandlight.com
• Ways to Work with Me
• Subscribe to my newsletter

Disclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

#griefandlight #griefandlightpodcast

Want to sponsor an episode? Contact us via [email protected].

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Grief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 

🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's Pick

New episodes wherever you watch or listen.

Connect with Nina Rodriguez:

• griefandlight.com
• @griefandlight
• Resting Grief Face on Substack

Thank you for listening! 

If this conversation resonated with you:

✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it
✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation
✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more hearts

Disclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers