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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:
Nina Rodriguez Social & Website:
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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
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Grief and Light™ is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, deeply human experience of loss and grief.
Grief-fluency is a life-affirming skill we were never taught. We're here to change that.
Hosted by grief-informed guide and sibling loss survivor Nina Rodriguez, the show fosters a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. At its heart is one belief: to grieve fully is to live fully.
Now in Season 5, with 130+ episodes, the show features changemakers, researchers, creatives, and leaders exploring loss, identity, uncertainty, and what it means to keep living when life changes.
Connect with Nina: Website · Instagram · Substack
Subscribe to the newsletter
🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · Signal Awards Silver Winner 2026 · TalkDeath Readers’ Choice Best Podcast 2025 · 2× Women Who Podcast Awards Winner · Podground Editor’s Pick 2026
DISCLAIMER: Grief and Light™ is hosted by a grief-informed guide, not a licensed therapist, doctor, or attorney. Nothing shared here is intended as therapy, medical advice, or legal counsel. Seek qualified support.
Full Disclaimer
...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:
Nina Rodriguez Social & Website:
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, deeply human experience of loss and grief.
Grief-fluency is a life-affirming skill we were never taught. We're here to change that.
Hosted by grief-informed guide and sibling loss survivor Nina Rodriguez, the show fosters a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. At its heart is one belief: to grieve fully is to live fully.
Now in Season 5, with 130+ episodes, the show features changemakers, researchers, creatives, and leaders exploring loss, identity, uncertainty, and what it means to keep living when life changes.
Connect with Nina: Website · Instagram · Substack
Subscribe to the newsletter
🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · Signal Awards Silver Winner 2026 · TalkDeath Readers’ Choice Best Podcast 2025 · 2× Women Who Podcast Awards Winner · Podground Editor’s Pick 2026
DISCLAIMER: Grief and Light™ is hosted by a grief-informed guide, not a licensed therapist, doctor, or attorney. Nothing shared here is intended as therapy, medical advice, or legal counsel. Seek qualified support.
Full Disclaimer
...Is it possible to begin grieving a loss after 30 years?
Join us as we delve into the profound impact of grief on our lives and the importance of opening up the conversation surrounding it.
Judy Lipson is the author of Celebration of Sisters: It Is Never Too Late To Grieve, winner of Literary Titan’s 2021 Silver Award.
The sole survivor of three sisters, Judy founded Celebration of Sisters, an annual ice-skating fundraiser benefiting Massachusetts General Hospital, and as a way to commemorate the lives and memories of her beloved sisters Margie and Jane.
Judy was the keynote speaker at The Bereaved Parents USA Conference in 2023, presented at The Compassionate Friends National Conference, appeared on The Open to Hope cable television program, and is a ForGrief speaker.
Her passion for figure skating secured the recipient of U.S. Figure Skating Association 2020 Get Up Award.
In her recent memoir, Judy states, “there is no recipe for grief. The instant you suffer a loss, your life is changed.”
Join us as we explore Judy's story of regaining her balance on the ice skating rink and in life after loss.
Judy Lipson Social and Website:
Nina Rodriguez Social & Website:
Disclaimer
#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, deeply human experience of loss and grief.
Grief-fluency is a life-affirming skill we were never taught. We're here to change that.
Hosted by grief-informed guide and sibling loss survivor Nina Rodriguez, the show fosters a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. At its heart is one belief: to grieve fully is to live fully.
Now in Season 5, with 130+ episodes, the show features changemakers, researchers, creatives, and leaders exploring loss, identity, uncertainty, and what it means to keep living when life changes.
Connect with Nina: Website · Instagram · Substack
Subscribe to the newsletter
🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · Signal Awards Silver Winner 2026 · TalkDeath Readers’ Choice Best Podcast 2025 · 2× Women Who Podcast Awards Winner · Podground Editor’s Pick 2026
DISCLAIMER: Grief and Light™ is hosted by a grief-informed guide, not a licensed therapist, doctor, or attorney. Nothing shared here is intended as therapy, medical advice, or legal counsel. Seek qualified support.
Full Disclaimer
...Welcome to the Season 2 of the Grief and Light Podcast!
Season 2 is a deliberate exploration of the "Anatomy of Grief," aiming to demystify the misunderstood aspects of grief and offer a platform for diverse voices to share their unique stories, resources, experience, education and more.
We're not just talking about grief; we're redefining what it means to be grief-informed.
By challenging societal norms and advocating for a grief-informed world, this season aims to provide valuable insights and support for individuals navigating the intricate and often misunderstood journey of loss, fostering a community that embraces the multifaceted nature of grief.
We'll feature guests who offer traditional, alternative, and sometimes controversial views on how to navigate the grief experience.
So grab your headphones, and join me as I share the behind-the-scenes of navigating the fifth holiday season without my brother, and give a glimpse into what's next.
Nina Rodriguez Social & Website:
Resource: 10 Core Principles of Being Grief-Informed (free download provided by the Dougy Center)
Disclaimer: https://www.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, deeply human experience of loss and grief.
Grief-fluency is a life-affirming skill we were never taught. We're here to change that.
Hosted by grief-informed guide and sibling loss survivor Nina Rodriguez, the show fosters a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. At its heart is one belief: to grieve fully is to live fully.
Now in Season 5, with 130+ episodes, the show features changemakers, researchers, creatives, and leaders exploring loss, identity, uncertainty, and what it means to keep living when life changes.
Connect with Nina: Website · Instagram · Substack
Subscribe to the newsletter
🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · Signal Awards Silver Winner 2026 · TalkDeath Readers’ Choice Best Podcast 2025 · 2× Women Who Podcast Awards Winner · Podground Editor’s Pick 2026
DISCLAIMER: Grief and Light™ is hosted by a grief-informed guide, not a licensed therapist, doctor, or attorney. Nothing shared here is intended as therapy, medical advice, or legal counsel. Seek qualified support.
Full Disclaimer
...A message for the new year…
I'm about to reveal a "secret" that's been a quiet cornerstone of my journey – a confession that feels like turning a page in our shared narrative.
As we stand at the threshold of a new year, I want to express my deepest gratitude to the soul tribe that has grown with me since the podcast's inception on March 30th, 2023.
The journey, which began as a personal exploration of my own grief, has evolved into something profound, a space of connection and authenticity that has touched lives in ways I could never have anticipated.
Now, as I stand at the intersection of past, present and future, I'm peeling back a layer of my identity to share a truth with you. This revelation is a stepping stone into a deeper exploration of the heart-centered work that has become the core of my existence, and to our connection.
I also offer an invitation of hope for the New Year and a beautiful poem by the incredible poet, Donna Ashworth, as we close out 2023.
Timestamps:
Nina Rodriguez Social & Website:
Disclaimer: https://www.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, deeply human experience of loss and grief.
Grief-fluency is a life-affirming skill we were never taught. We're here to change that.
Hosted by grief-informed guide and sibling loss survivor Nina Rodriguez, the show fosters a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. At its heart is one belief: to grieve fully is to live fully.
Now in Season 5, with 130+ episodes, the show features changemakers, researchers, creatives, and leaders exploring loss, identity, uncertainty, and what it means to keep living when life changes.
Connect with Nina: Website · Instagram · Substack
Subscribe to the newsletter
🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · Signal Awards Silver Winner 2026 · TalkDeath Readers’ Choice Best Podcast 2025 · 2× Women Who Podcast Awards Winner · Podground Editor’s Pick 2026
DISCLAIMER: Grief and Light™ is hosted by a grief-informed guide, not a licensed therapist, doctor, or attorney. Nothing shared here is intended as therapy, medical advice, or legal counsel. Seek qualified support.
Full Disclaimer
...What would you do if your only sibling, your sister, was diagnosed with a terminal illness the day after giving birth to her second child?
In this heartfelt episode, we embark on an intimate conversation with the remarkable Dr. Kelly S. Thompson, delving into the intricacies of her military upbringing and the unique sisterhood she shared with Meghan.
Kelly candidly shares the challenges of navigating a relationship affected by her sister's addiction, estrangement, and ultimately, the looming shadow of death following Meghan's terminal diagnosis.
Dr. Thompson is a retired military officer who holds an MFA and a Ph.D. in Creative Writing, and has been published in Chatelaine, Maclean’s, the Globe and Mail, and more.
Her debut memoir, GIRLS NEED NOT APPLY, was named a Globe and Mail Top 100 Book, and was an instant bestseller. She works as a mentor for the University of King’s College MFA in Creative Nonfiction.
Her second memoir, STILL, I CANNOT SAVE YOU, was released in 2023, and was also an instant bestseller in Canada. At once funny, raw, and heartbreaking, STILL, I CANNOT SAVE YOU, is a story about addiction, abuse, and tragedy, but above all, it is a powerful portrait of an enduring love between sisters.
In this emotional and personable discussion, we'll reflect on the enduring love between sisters, the impact of Meghan's diagnosis, and how Kelly crafts stories that resonate deeply with the universal human experience.
Get in touch with Dr. Kelly S. Thompson via:
BONUS! Check out her bull terrier, Ham, on Newsweek and follow him on Instagram! (He's kind of a big deal 😜)
Nina Rodriguez Social & Website:
Disclaimer: https://www.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, deeply human experience of loss and grief.
Grief-fluency is a life-affirming skill we were never taught. We're here to change that.
Hosted by grief-informed guide and sibling loss survivor Nina Rodriguez, the show fosters a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. At its heart is one belief: to grieve fully is to live fully.
Now in Season 5, with 130+ episodes, the show features changemakers, researchers, creatives, and leaders exploring loss, identity, uncertainty, and what it means to keep living when life changes.
Connect with Nina: Website · Instagram · Substack
Subscribe to the newsletter
🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · Signal Awards Silver Winner 2026 · TalkDeath Readers’ Choice Best Podcast 2025 · 2× Women Who Podcast Awards Winner · Podground Editor’s Pick 2026
DISCLAIMER: Grief and Light™ is hosted by a grief-informed guide, not a licensed therapist, doctor, or attorney. Nothing shared here is intended as therapy, medical advice, or legal counsel. Seek qualified support.
Full Disclaimer
...The sudden death of a parent, the loss of three close friends, and a sexual assault were among the catalysts of Jonathan Niziol’s 15-year spiral into alcohol, drugs, exercise addiction, anxiety and depression. His story, however, was kept hidden behind a carefully-constructed social media exterior, until now…
Raised in a serene Canadian farm, Jonathan Niziol's life is soon shadowed by the untimely loss of his mother, one day before his 21st birthday.
In this episode, Jonathan opens up about the heartbreak that sparked a transformative journey—a path marked by addiction, international modeling ventures, eating disorder, pancreatitis, sexual assault, and the triumphant stride of 16 1/2 years of sobriety to-date.
Amidst the heartbreaking lows, Jonathan's story takes an unexpected turn into the world of modeling, uncovering a tumultuous relationship with body image and a challenging connection with food.
In this candid conversation, he shares how embracing therapy in 2017 became the beacon of light that liberated him from the 15-year grasp of addiction and mental health disorders.
Join us as we explore the intricate layers of Jonathan's resilient spirit, shedding light on the triumphs that emerged from the depths of adversity.
Jonathan Niziol may be reached via:
Nina Rodriguez Social & Website:
Disclaimer: https://www.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, deeply human experience of loss and grief.
Grief-fluency is a life-affirming skill we were never taught. We're here to change that.
Hosted by grief-informed guide and sibling loss survivor Nina Rodriguez, the show fosters a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. At its heart is one belief: to grieve fully is to live fully.
Now in Season 5, with 130+ episodes, the show features changemakers, researchers, creatives, and leaders exploring loss, identity, uncertainty, and what it means to keep living when life changes.
Connect with Nina: Website · Instagram · Substack
Subscribe to the newsletter
🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · Signal Awards Silver Winner 2026 · TalkDeath Readers’ Choice Best Podcast 2025 · 2× Women Who Podcast Awards Winner · Podground Editor’s Pick 2026
DISCLAIMER: Grief and Light™ is hosted by a grief-informed guide, not a licensed therapist, doctor, or attorney. Nothing shared here is intended as therapy, medical advice, or legal counsel. Seek qualified support.
Full Disclaimer
...Join us for a magical conversation with Danielle Catherine Baker, a dedicated mother, women's health mentor, doula and female yoga teacher.
She lives nomadically with her family, hosts Women's Circle Online, and women's circles wherever she lands.
Danielle is also the host of the Depths of Motherhood Podcast, where she welcomes guests to raise awareness for undisturbed birth and conscious parenting.
Last month, Danielle released her book, “Reclaiming Circle: A Guide to Holding Women’s Circles”.
In this episode, she also shares her grief story following her brother’s death by suicide earlier this year, to create awareness, and share how her own practices of nervous system regulation, women's circles, and biomagnetic practices have supported her through the waves of grief.
Danielle Catherine Website & Social:
Nina Rodriguez Social & Website:
Disclaimer: https://www.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, deeply human experience of loss and grief.
Grief-fluency is a life-affirming skill we were never taught. We're here to change that.
Hosted by grief-informed guide and sibling loss survivor Nina Rodriguez, the show fosters a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. At its heart is one belief: to grieve fully is to live fully.
Now in Season 5, with 130+ episodes, the show features changemakers, researchers, creatives, and leaders exploring loss, identity, uncertainty, and what it means to keep living when life changes.
Connect with Nina: Website · Instagram · Substack
Subscribe to the newsletter
🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · Signal Awards Silver Winner 2026 · TalkDeath Readers’ Choice Best Podcast 2025 · 2× Women Who Podcast Awards Winner · Podground Editor’s Pick 2026
DISCLAIMER: Grief and Light™ is hosted by a grief-informed guide, not a licensed therapist, doctor, or attorney. Nothing shared here is intended as therapy, medical advice, or legal counsel. Seek qualified support.
Full Disclaimer
...Handle with care.
My intention is always to honor my guests’ truths, stories, their loved ones’ stories, and to deliver these heart-felt stories to you as a listener with care.
Some stories are more layered than others. In this episode, we hear from a brave sister, Brittany Merz, doing everything in her power to honor her beloved sister, Samantha, who, as of this recording, passed a mere 10 weeks ago.
You will hear an honest recount of the early grief days, in all of its heaviness and fogginess.
You will also hear details in this story that are not apt for everyone. So if you have children around, I encourage you to save this episode for another time when you can listen more privately. If you’re in the grips of early grief or are feeling generally overwhelmed and feel the need to pause, please do so.
I am not here to tell you when you’ve reached your capacity.
But I want to give a gentle warning that in doing my best to honor the painful truth of this story, parts of the recount can feel overwhelming as a listener.
The purpose of this podcast is to explore grief honestly and authentically, and sometimes that means sharing raw, uncomfortable, and painful truths.
So as always, listen with care and honor your thresholds.
As a grieving sister, I deeply empathized with Brittany’s story and completely understand her heart’s desire to share Samantha's story, create awareness about the reality of fentanyl poisonings ("Sonoma County's Silent Killer"), and share her truth as a grieving sister.
I hope you feel the unconditional love through the pain.
Nina Rodriguez Social & Website:
Disclaimer: https://www.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, deeply human experience of loss and grief.
Grief-fluency is a life-affirming skill we were never taught. We're here to change that.
Hosted by grief-informed guide and sibling loss survivor Nina Rodriguez, the show fosters a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. At its heart is one belief: to grieve fully is to live fully.
Now in Season 5, with 130+ episodes, the show features changemakers, researchers, creatives, and leaders exploring loss, identity, uncertainty, and what it means to keep living when life changes.
Connect with Nina: Website · Instagram · Substack
Subscribe to the newsletter
🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · Signal Awards Silver Winner 2026 · TalkDeath Readers’ Choice Best Podcast 2025 · 2× Women Who Podcast Awards Winner · Podground Editor’s Pick 2026
DISCLAIMER: Grief and Light™ is hosted by a grief-informed guide, not a licensed therapist, doctor, or attorney. Nothing shared here is intended as therapy, medical advice, or legal counsel. Seek qualified support.
Full Disclaimer
..."I never understood why when someone dies the bereaved post quotes with photos of nature — waves, sunsets, clouds, rain … and then my brother died. My only sibling.
And I found myself living somewhere between the earth and the sky, crying into the sunset, because I finally understood that nature is the only force capable of holding the magnitude of my grief. " - Nina Rodriguez
In the early years, I found that only nature had the capacity to hold the magnitude of my grief. So I leaned into it.
In this episode, I share a reflection about the power of grief to nurture and transmute our pain, and how moving forward requires us to surrender, slow down, and take tiny steps as we regain our footing around the shattered pieces of loss.
Join me in this exploration of grief and nature.
Nina Rodriguez Social & Website:
Disclaimer: https://www.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, deeply human experience of loss and grief.
Grief-fluency is a life-affirming skill we were never taught. We're here to change that.
Hosted by grief-informed guide and sibling loss survivor Nina Rodriguez, the show fosters a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. At its heart is one belief: to grieve fully is to live fully.
Now in Season 5, with 130+ episodes, the show features changemakers, researchers, creatives, and leaders exploring loss, identity, uncertainty, and what it means to keep living when life changes.
Connect with Nina: Website · Instagram · Substack
Subscribe to the newsletter
🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · Signal Awards Silver Winner 2026 · TalkDeath Readers’ Choice Best Podcast 2025 · 2× Women Who Podcast Awards Winner · Podground Editor’s Pick 2026
DISCLAIMER: Grief and Light™ is hosted by a grief-informed guide, not a licensed therapist, doctor, or attorney. Nothing shared here is intended as therapy, medical advice, or legal counsel. Seek qualified support.
Full Disclaimer
...From the publisher's feed
Grief-fluency is a life-affirming skill we were never taught. We're here to change that.
Welcome to Grief and Light™, an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the…
Created and hosted by Nina Rodriguez, a grief-informed guide and bereaved sister, this space is for those navigating life-altering loss and for anyone who wants to better understand grief and show up for someone who's grieving.
•••
After the sudden death of my younger brother, Yosef, one day after we celebrated his 32nd birthday, I found myself searching for answers. I was surprised by how little we talk about grief publicly, how much we misunderstand it, and how few tools we're given to navigate it.
That search became Grief and Light™, launched on March 30, 2023, and grew into a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world.
Now in Season 5, with 130+ episodes, the podcast features honest conversations with first-hand experiencers, authors, researchers, creatives, and changemakers.
Together, we explore the many faces of grief, the secondary losses that often go unnamed, and what it means to keep living when life changes. Because grief isn't something to fix, rush through, or leave behind. It's something we can learn to understand, navigate, and make room for.
Here, grief and hope can coexist. So can heartbreak and joy. This isn't about finding a silver lining or turning pain into a lesson. It's about making space for the full human experience, on our own terms.
My hope is that these conversations offer a little more language for what you're experiencing, a little more understanding for the people around you, and a reminder that to grieve fully is to live fully.
“We're all just walking each other home.” — Ram Dass
Thank you for being here.
We're in this together.
💜 Nina Rodriguez, forever Yosef's sister
Founder x Host | Grief and Light™
For more, visit griefandlight.com

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