Grief Gratitude & Greatness

During a spring break family vacation, Annie Adams' 15-year-old became ill, was rushed to the hospital and diagnosed with leukemia. Before the end of the week, Zenzi died in a hospital far from home. Sarah speaks with Annie about the surreal experience of this happening while on vacation, and how she and her husband were tasked with bringing their child's body home. Annie also discusses the significance of Zenzi's gender identity amidst the chaos of loss.

Annie Adams is a mother, teacher, and believer in the inherent beauty of all children and teens. Annie and her husband Marc established the Portland, Oregon chapter of Helping Parents Heal, an organization for parents, grandparents, siblings, and others who have experienced the loss of a loved one who died too young. She and Marc volunteer at The Dougy Center and Camp Erin, a free camp for grieving children. Annie also recommends Compassionate Friends, a support group for those who have lost a child.

Grief Gratitude & Greatness is hosted by Sarah Shaoul and is a production of Recursive Delete Audio/Visual in Portland, Oregon.

This episode was produced & edited by Jack Saturn, with additional production by Sarah. The music was by Samantha Jensen.

If you appreciate the show, support us on Patreon!

If you have a story of your own that you’d like to share or topics you’d like to hear more about, we’d love to hear from you! Call or text our show at 503-454-6646, or send us a message via the contact link on our website at https://griefgratitudegreatness.com/ .

We're also on Instagram (@griefgratitudegreat) and Facebook.

Frances Badalamenti's debut novel I Don’t Blame You tells of the instability a young girl experiences when her mother’s mental and physical health decline after divorce. The novel closely reflects Fran’s own experience of a lost childhood. Sarah speaks to Fran about the grief she felt losing her mother, which was coupled with the joy of becoming a mother herself.

Frances Badalamenti lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband and son. Her personal essays, interviews and short fiction have been featured in Longreads, Volume 1 Brooklyn, The Rumpus, and Mutha Magazine. In addition to her own committed writing practice, she holds a master’s degree in counseling psychology and works with other writers and creatives on their process.

Grief Gratitude & Greatness is hosted by Sarah Shaoul and is a production of Recursive Delete Audio/Visual in Portland, Oregon.

This episode was produced & edited by Jack Saturn, with additional production by Sarah. The music was by Samantha Jensen.

If you appreciate the show, support us on Patreon!

If you have a story of your own that you’d like to share or topics you’d like to hear more about, we’d love to hear from you! Call or text our show at 503-454-6646, or send us a message via the contact link on our website at https://griefgratitudegreatness.com/ .

We're also on Instagram (@griefgratitudegreat) and Facebook.

Sarah speaks to scholar Carol Ferris about how we can look to Astrology to understand grief, our relationship to the natural world and coming to terms with our own mortality. While Carol believes that our culture and our country are dying, she offers hope of a return to living in sync with natural cycles of life.

Carol Ferris, M.A., practices astrology in Portland, Oregon, where she consults with clients; teaches and tutors; and writes. She completed her Masters in Interdisciplinary Studies at Marylhurst University, Lake Oswego, Oregon, in 2013. The title of her thesis, "The Sky's Body: Constellations and Medicine" reflects her ongoing interest in the nature-based medicine and governance thinking of the ancient Near East and Chinese philosophers and astrologers.

Grief Gratitude & Greatness is hosted by Sarah Shaoul and is a production of Recursive Delete Audio/Visual in Portland, Oregon.

This episode was produced & edited by Jack Saturn, with additional production by Sarah. The music was by Samantha Jensen.

If you appreciate the show, support us on Patreon!

If you have a story of your own that you’d like to share or topics you’d like to hear more about, we’d love to hear from you! Call or text our show at 503-454-6646, or send us a message via the contact link on our website at https://griefgratitudegreatness.com/ .

We're also on Instagram (@griefgratitudegreat) and Facebook.

Sarah will be helping to facilitate the Pause Breath Restore retreat on the Oregon Coast, November 8th-11th, 2019. Are you a woman experiencing grief, surviving grief or looking to explore your grief further? We have 12 spaces available and more information can be found at https://pausebreatherestore.com/ .

Having experienced the pregnancy, birth and loss of a medically fragile infant, Heather Campbell went on to pursue a career in nursing. Sarah speaks to Heather about juggling parenting a young child alongside all the responsibilities and outcomes of caring for a baby with CHARGE syndrome.

Heather Campbell is a registered nurse with over 20 years in women's health and infertility. Through her work and experiences she is able to help couples through their own losses.

Grief Gratitude & Greatness is hosted by Sarah Shaoul and is a production of Recursive Delete Audio/Visual in Portland, Oregon.

This episode was produced & edited by Jack Saturn, with additional production by Sarah. The music was by Samantha Jensen.

If you appreciate the show, support us on Patreon!

If you have a story of your own that you’d like to share or topics you’d like to hear more about, we’d love to hear from you! Call or text our show at 503-454-6646, or send us a message via the contact link on our website at https://griefgratitudegreatness.com/ .

We're also on Instagram (@griefgratitudegreat) and Facebook.

Sarah will be helping to facilitate the Pause Breath Restore retreat on the Oregon Coast, November 8th-11th, 2019. Are you a woman experiencing grief, surviving grief or looking to explore your grief further? We have 12 spaces available and more information can be found at https://pausebreatherestore.com/ .

An accomplished singer-songwriter, Logan Lynn overcame childhood sexual abuse and addiction to advocate for himself and others. Sarah speaks with Logan about his music and his passion for LGBTQ rights.

Logan Lynn is a musician, writer, producer, mental health advocate, LGBT activist, filmmaker and a former host on the Logo TV network.

Grief Gratitude & Greatness is hosted by Sarah Shaoul and is a production of Recursive Delete Audio/Visual in Portland, Oregon.

This episode was produced & edited by Jack Saturn, with additional production by Sarah. The music was by Samantha Jensen.

If you appreciate the show, support us on Patreon!

If you have a story of your own that you’d like to share or topics you’d like to hear more about, we’d love to hear from you! Call or text our show at 503-454-6646, or send us a message via the contact link on our website at https://griefgratitudegreatness.com/ .

We're also on Instagram (@griefgratitudegreat) and Facebook.

Sarah will be helping to facilitate the Pause Breath Restore retreat on the Oregon Coast, November 8th-11th, 2019. Are you a woman experiencing grief, surviving grief or looking to explore your grief further? We have 12 spaces available and more information can be found at https://pausebreatherestore.com/ .

Julia Evans left her home state of California to pursue nursing and a fresh start. Sarah speaks to Julia about how the disfunction of her mother's mental health followed her, and the grief she experienced as she lost the mom she came to care for.

Julia Evans, RN, BSN, CNRN is a Neuroscience ICU nurse at OHSU in Portland, OR. She has worked in memory care, skilled nursing and acute care, all with a focus in Neurosurgery/Neurology. Outside of medicine, she loves the outdoors and all things culinary, just like her mom, Lisa.

Grief Gratitude & Greatness is hosted by Sarah Shaoul and is a production of Recursive Delete Audio/Visual in Portland, Oregon.

This episode was produced & edited by Jack Saturn, with additional production by Sarah. The music was by Samantha Jensen.

If you appreciate the show, support us on Patreon!

If you have a story of your own that you’d like to share or topics you’d like to hear more about, we’d love to hear from you! Call or text our show at 503-454-6646, or send us a message via the contact link on our website at https://griefgratitudegreatness.com/ .

We're also on Instagram (@griefgratitudegreat) and Facebook.

Sarah will be helping to facilitate the Pause Breath Restore retreat on the Oregon Coast, November 8th-11th, 2019. Are you a woman experiencing grief, surviving grief or looking to explore your grief further? We have 12 spaces available and more information can be found at https://pausebreatherestore.com/ .

Rebekah Van Pelt — or The Brave One, as her cape reads — is a mother of 4 children who transformed the birthday gift of a cape into a daily uniform. She redefines herself with this comforting cloak, countering her childhood trauma. Sarah speaks with Rebekah about her unusual childhood and how she embraces a path to healing.

Rebekah Van Pelt is learning to embrace both the joyful and hard moments each day brings accompanied by her trusty red cape that reminds her who she is and not to take it all too seriously.

Grief Gratitude & Greatness is hosted by Sarah Shaoul and is a production of Recursive Delete Audio/Visual in Portland, Oregon.

This episode was produced & edited by Jack Saturn, with additional production by Sarah. The music was by Samantha Jensen.

If you appreciate the show, support us on Patreon!

If you have a story of your own that you’d like to share or topics you’d like to hear more about, we’d love to hear from you! Call or text our show at 503-454-6646, or send us a message via the contact link on our website at https://griefgratitudegreatness.com/ .

We're also on Instagram (@griefgratitudegreat) and Facebook.

Sarah will be helping to facilitate the Pause Breath Restore retreat on the Oregon Coast, November 8th-11th, 2019. Are you a woman experiencing grief, surviving grief or looking to explore your grief further? We have 12 spaces available and more information can be found at https://pausebreatherestore.com/ .

Met with the losses of her father and a number of peers in the art community, contemporary artist Marne Lucas shifted her focus from sexuality to death. Working as a death doula, she emphasizes art's importance to our humanity. Sarah speaks with Marne about her Bardo ∞ Project, where she works with dying artists to help them complete their legacy projects.

Marne Lucas is New York-based multidisciplinary artist and end-of-life doula whose investigations are at the intersection of art, feminism and health, working in conceptual overlaps: life’s energy, beauty, the body, identity, intimacy and mortality. Bardo ∞ Project, Lucas’ current social practice endeavor, explores creativity as a form of spiritual palliative care, collaborating with terminally ill artists and hospice patients.

Grief Gratitude & Greatness is hosted by Sarah Shaoul and is a production of Recursive Delete Audio/Visual in Portland, Oregon.

This episode was produced & edited by Jack Saturn, with additional production by Sarah. The music was by Samantha Jensen.

If you appreciate the show, support us on Patreon!

If you have a story of your own that you’d like to share or topics you’d like to hear more about, we’d love to hear from you! Call or text our show at 503-454-6646, or send us a message via the contact link on our website at https://griefgratitudegreatness.com/ .

We're also on Instagram (@griefgratitudegreat) and Facebook.

Sarah will be helping to facilitate the Pause Breath Restore retreat on the Oregon Coast, October 3rd-6th. Are you a woman experiencing grief, surviving grief or looking to explore your grief further? We have 12 spaces available and more information can be found at https://pausebreatherestore.com/ .

Our guest has experienced a great deal of loss, including her husband's unexpected death and the murder of her son. Raising a large family as a single mother, Kimberely Dixon perseveres with her naturally warm and engaging personality. Sarah speaks with Kim about her experiences and her choice to forgive.

Kimberely Dixon is a speaker, advocate, writer and life coach living in Portland, Oregon.

Grief Gratitude & Greatness is hosted by Sarah Shaoul and is a production of Recursive Delete Audio/Visual in Portland, Oregon.

This episode was produced & edited by Jack Saturn, with additional production by Sarah. The music was by Samantha Jensen.

If you appreciate the show, support us on Patreon!

If you have a story of your own that you’d like to share or topics you’d like to hear more about, we’d love to hear from you! Call or text our show at 503-454-6646, or send us a message via the contact link on our website at https://griefgratitudegreatness.com/ .

We're also on Instagram (@griefgratitudegreat) and Facebook.

Sarah will be helping to facilitate the Pause Breath Restore retreat on the Oregon Coast, October 3rd-6th. Are you a woman experiencing grief, surviving grief or looking to explore your grief further? We have 12 spaces available and more information can be found at https://pausebreatherestore.com/ .

David F. Walker overcame the early loss of his father and activated his love of comics to become a successful comic book writer, filmmaker and publisher. Sarah speaks with David about his experiences with grief and how it has informed his storytelling.

David F. Walker is a comic book and graphic novelist who has worked for Marvel, DC, Image, and Random House. He also teaches at Portland State University.

Grief Gratitude & Greatness is hosted by Sarah Shaoul and is a production of Recursive Delete Audio/Visual in Portland, Oregon.

This episode was produced & edited by Jack Saturn, with additional production by Sarah. The music was by Samantha Jensen.

If you appreciate the show, support us on Patreon!

If you have a story of your own that you’d like to share or topics you’d like to hear more about, we’d love to hear from you! Call or text our show at 503-454-6646, or send us a message via the contact link on our website at https://griefgratitudegreatness.com/ .

We're also on Instagram (@griefgratitudegreat) and Facebook.