Tiriq Rashad Callaway is a spoken-word artist, recording poet, and storyteller whose work blends emotional depth, cinematic soundscapes, and lived experience. His EP When the HeArt Speaks earned official GRAMMY® consideration, and his latest album Kiss My Art has further solidified his voice across the poetry and music landscape.

Featured in Ebony Magazine and celebrated by the late Nikki Giovanni—who praised him as “a poet with vision beyond his years”—Tiriq uses vulnerability, narrative, and performance to explore grief, healing, identity, and purpose. He has also taken the TEDx stage, sharing his powerful perspective on innovation, compassion, and storytelling.

Through his art, Tiriq aims to move audiences toward connection, reflection, and emotional truth—one poem, performance, and project at a time."

Links & Socials:
• Website: tiriqrashad.com

Contact Kendra Rinaldi: https://www.griefgratitudeandthegrayinbetween.com/

Show Highlights:

• The Journal as a Best Friend: Growing up in a culture where "boys don't cry," Tiriq found his emotional outlet in a notebook, which became his "therapist and counselor" to process everything from childhood responsibilities to heartbreaks.
• A Hero’s Passing: Tiriq shares the tragic yet heroic story of his mother, who passed away in 2021 while stopping on a highway to save a stranger from a burning vehicle—a final act of service that defined her life.
• The "Tug of War" on Sacrifice: Reflecting on his mother's death, Tiriq discusses the internal conflict between honoring her selfless legacy and his own need to preserve his life for his children.
• The "Achilles Moment": After tearing his Achilles tendon and losing a corporate job opportunity, Tiriq was forced to sit still and reflect, leading him back to his true purpose of writing and creating his memoir.
• Navigating Compound Grief: Tiriq opens up about the immense weight of losing his brother, his mother, and his unborn daughter in a short span of time, and how he used art to heal.
• Self-Care is Not Selfish: Through his song "No Regrets," Tiriq emphasizes that prioritizing your own mental health is essential, as you cannot be a light for your family or community if you do not take care of yourself first.

Hannah Rumsey is a writer, certified Grief Educator, and the podcast host of Friends Missing Friends. After the death of her beloved friend Lauren in 2015, she noticed a stark lack of friend-loss resources. To fill this gap, she launched the Friends Missing Friends Collective—an affordable online membership for friend-loss grievers to get 1:1 and group support. Her mission is to speak out about this disenfranchised grief, and nurture a community where folks grieving friends feel seen, heard, and understood.

Contact Hannah Rumsey: : friendsmissingfriends.com

https://www.instagram.com/friendsmissingfriends/

 https://www.facebook.com/friendsmissingfriends 

Grief Groups through the Friends Missing Friends Collective: friendsmissingfriends.com/griefgroup

Contact Kenddra Rinaldi https://www.griefgratitudeandthegrayinbetween.com/

In this episode, we cover:

• The Gift of "One Last Summer": Hannah shares the beautiful story of meeting her friend Lauren at Interlochen Arts Camp and how Lauren, though younger, gave Hannah the gift of one last childhood summer before adulthood set in.

• The Trauma of Digital Grief: We discuss the jarring reality of finding out about a loved one's death via social media. Hannah recounts the heartbreaking moment she went to post a "Happy Birthday" message on Lauren's Facebook wall, only to discover "Rest in Peace" posts instead.

• Grief in Young Adulthood: We explore the unique disorientation of losing a peer at age 23. Hannah explains how this "out of order" loss shattered her ability to create a "five-year plan" because the concept of a future felt impossible to grasp.

• From Perfectionism to Improv: Hannah details her radical pivot from being a classical trumpet player to studying Improv comedy in Chicago. She explains how Improv became a survival mechanism, forcing her to live entirely in the "present moment" because looking ahead was too painful.

• Friend Loss as Disenfranchised Grief: We define "Disenfranchised Grief" and discuss why society often invalidates the loss of a friend. Hannah shares her frustration with Googling "friend loss support" and only finding resources for pet loss.

• Internalized Disenfranchisement: We talk about the concept of "Name it to Tame it." Hannah explains that because society didn't validate her pain, she began to feel like she was "going crazy" or overreacting, until she learned that her grief was real and valid.

• Friends Missing Friends: How Hannah turned her isolation into community by creating the Friends, Missing Friends Collective to support others navigating this specific type of loss.

In this vulnerable solo episode, I am sharing my heart regarding the emotional weight of these past few weeks. Recently, it really hit home for me when some teenagers from my daughter's school here in Texas died in a tragic sledding accident during a rare ice storm. When you combine a local tragedy like that with the grief of injustices, war, and shattered families happening all around the world, our nervous systems can tighten, and the collective grief can feel like too much to carry.

We often feel a pressure to speak up publicly or post on social media, fearing that if we don't, we aren't doing enough. But in this episode, I want to remind you that we are all part of an "ecosystem" of life—kind of like a potluck dinner where everyone brings a different dish. Some of us bring activism, while others bring art, prayer, laughter, or a quiet presence, and all of these roles are necessary for change.

In this episode, I touch on:

• The Pressure to Perform: Releasing the guilt of not publicly speaking out on every tragedy and understanding that your role might look different than someone else's.

• The Ecosystem of Change: How to identify if your role today is to be on the front lines, or if your role is to rest so you can hold space for others tomorrow.

• Nervous System Regulation: Why we need to pause when we feel overwhelmed—because if we are all crumbling, we can't hold anyone else up.

• Micro-Acts of Love: How small things, like smiling at a stranger, checking on a friend, or dropping off a meal, are powerful ways to tend to the collective grief.

• Curating Your Peace: The importance of breathing, moving your body, and setting boundaries around how much news and social media you consume.

I want to invite you to give yourself permission to feel whatever you are feeling—whether that is freezing, crying, or needing to retreat. We cannot fix everything, but we can always tend to someone.

Sending you all so much love.

https://www.griefgratitudeandthegrayinbetween.com/

Shari Ross is the author of Senior Living Made S.I.M.P.L.E.™ and creator of the companion workbook and toolkit designed to help families take clear, practical steps through the senior living journey with a clear path forward. She is also the founder of the Senior Living Made S.I.M.P.L.E.™ brand, where she has built a reputation for simplifying complex decisions and leading families toward the right solutions with compassion and expertise. 

An award-winning senior living sales specialist, Shari spent over a decade guiding hundreds of families through the challenges of assisted living, memory care, and long- term planning. Her expertise has made her a frequent guest on national podcasts and a featured speaker for organizations and events dedicated to aging, caregiving, and family transitions.

A graduate of NYU and long-time Southern California resident with East Coast roots, Shari combines her professional expertise with her personal journey. She continues to guide her own aging parents through their next steps while raising two young adult children, giving her an authentic, empathetic perspective that resonates deeply with the families she serves. 

Her mission is to transform aging from overwhelming to empowering. Through her signature S.I.M.P.L.E.™ Method, she equips families with a framework to make informed senior living decisions, helping them move forward with a clear path forward, dignity, and peace of mind.

https://www.seniorlivingmadesimple.com/    Amaon Book  Amazon Workbook  

IG @seniorlivingwithshari

Connect with Kendra Rinaldi to be a guest on the podcast or to joing the newsletter

Show Highlights:

• The S.I.M.P.L.E. Framework: Shari breaks down her acronym designed to guide families through the maze of senior living: Support, Information, Matching, Preparation, Letting Go, and Engagement.

• Redefining Identity: We discuss the profound shift that occurs when you allow professionals to take over the caregiving duties, enabling you to step back into your original role as a son, daughter, or spouse.

• Navigating Guilt and "Stuff": Shari explains the two layers of "Letting Go": releasing the physical accumulation of a lifetime and releasing the emotional weight of guilt that suggests you aren't doing enough.

• Language Matters: Why words like "facility" or "institution" create fear, and how shifting our vocabulary to "community" or "apartment" can change the tone of the conversation.

• The Grief of Relocation: We acknowledge that moving brings legitimate grief over the loss of a home and independence, even when it leads to a gain in community, safety, and purpose.

• Proactive vs. Reactive: The importance of having these difficult conversations early—before a fall or medical emergen

Ken Miller is a speaker, coach, and author whose life story is a powerful testament to the human capacity for betrayal, breakthrough, and becoming. Born into difficult circumstances and raised in a home marked by both love and trauma, Ken's early life was anything but easy. Despite the odds, he excelled academically, becoming a National Merit Scholar and eventually graduating from an Ivy League university—achievements that reflected his immense potential.

But life took a dark turn. Struggles with addiction and a series of poor decisions led Ken into a cycle of homelessness, incarceration, and despair. He went from prestigious classrooms to prison cells, from hopeful beginnings to rock bottom. Through it all, he carried the weight of regret and the fear that his story might end in tragedy. Yet, in the depths of that darkness, Ken made a decision that would change everything: to rebuild his life, one small, intentional choice at a time.

Released from prison with nothing but a box of belongings and $28 to his name, Ken began the long, challenging road of reclaiming his life. That journey, fueled by courage, accountability, and an unrelenting commitment to growth, led him to become the man he is today—a thriving entrepreneur, mentor, and voice of hope for those who feel trapped by their past.

Ken now uses his story to inspire others, proving that where you’ve been doesn’t have to determine where you’re going. He speaks to schools, organizations, and individuals across the country, sharing a message of identity, transformation, and the power of choice. His mission is clear: to show that no matter how far someone has fallen, it is always possible to rise, rebuild, and thrive.

www.kenmillerspeaks.com

Show Topics:

• The Broken Scholar: How a violent upbringing led an Ivy League student into a 30-year spiral of alcoholism and addiction.

• Shame vs. Guilt: Understanding the difference between being "shame-based" (a state of being) and "guilt-based" (a verb of action), and how this distinction saves lives.

• The Four Pillars of Wellness: How Ken rebuilt his life by focusing on his physical, intellectual, spiritual, and emotional health.

• Taking Power from Secrets: The necessity of "walking through the doors" of past trauma and turning on the light to find forgiveness and healing.

• Redefining Masculinity: The 1998 turning point when Ken heard the phrase "today I am a kind and gentle man" and decided to make that his life’s mission.

• From Survival to Service: Why Ken now focuses on being "good" rather than "great" and how he gives back through mentoring and speaking

Contact Kendra Rinaldi to be on the podcast or more information about the services she offers  and to  sign up for the newsletter. https://www.griefgratitudeandthegrayinbetween.com/

Natalia Varela, socia fundadora de ArteUmano, es una de las 230 instructoras internacionales certificada para llevar el trabajo del Dr. Joe Dispenza “NeuroChange Solutions” al mundo corporativo.

 Más de 25 años de experiencia en el mundo corporativo en las áreas de Recursos Humanos y Desarrollo Organizacional`. Está convencida que las organizaciones crecen de adentro hacia afuera. Por esta razón le apasiona ayudar a las personas en sus procesos de desarrollo, crecimiento y transformación. 

Por medio de conceptos y herramientas de neurociencia ayuda a las personas a comprender la conexión entre del cerebro con el cuerpo como parte fundamental para lograr cambios permanentes en cualquier ámbito de la vida.

www.arteumano.com
Intragram: arteumano_au

Puntos Destacados:

•Reprogramación Cerebral: El 95% de nuestros pensamientos son inconscientes y automáticos; a través de la neuroplasticidad, podemos "podar" conexiones antiguas y crear nuevos patrones de pensamiento.

• Acompañamiento en el Duelo: Natalia relata cómo la meditación junto a su padre en el hospital fue una herramienta sanadora que ayudó a ambos a reducir la ansiedad y encontrar paz antes de su partida.

• Ruptura de Adicciones Emocionales: El cuerpo se vuelve adicto a las hormonas del estrés (cortisol/adrenalina); la meditación permite observar y romper el ciclo vicioso de victimización o culpa.

• Supervivencia vs. Creación: Al meditar, pasamos del "modo supervivencia" (estrés persistente) al "modo creación", activando el sistema nervioso parasimpático para evitar enfermedades causadas por emociones atrapadas.

• Maternidad Consciente: Natalia utiliza la neurociencia para entender que los niños no tienen el cerebro totalmente desarrollado para controlarse; esto le permite ayudarlos a regularse en lugar de engancharse en sus conflictos.

• Herramientas Prácticas: Destaca el uso del "Diario de los 5 minutos" para iniciar el día con gratitud e intención, y la regla de los 90 segundos, que es el tiempo que tardan los químicos de una emoción en disminuir mediante la respiración.

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Si deseas mas informacion sobre los servicios que ofrece Kendra Rinaldi:

• Sesiones de Coaching de Duelo: Un espacio personalizado y seguro para trabajar en tu proceso individual.

• Eventos Virtuales: Talleres y encuentros diseñados para brindar apoyo y herramientas prácticas de sanación.

• Comparte tu historia: Este podcast es un espacio para la comunidad que hemos formado. Si sientes que tu testimonio puede ayudar a otros a transitar su dolor, me encantaría que fueras mi próximo invitado para relatar tu historia.

Puedes contactarme directamente [email protected]

https://www.griefgratitudeandthegrayinbetween.com/

Instagram: @griefgratitudepodcast

 Recuerda que, aunque el duelo es un proceso personal, no tienes que recorrerlo a solas.

Dr. Hugh A Jenkins  became both a Naturopathic and Chiropractic doctor after years of mentoring by Dr. Alvenia M. Fulton, ND, a pioneer of natural healing and the world authority on fasting. During his many years of practice and mentoring others he was able to assist many people through their journey to Health and Wellness.

Beginning in 2007, he wanted to write a book on fasting and prayer but felt that he did not have enough knowledge in his head to write a successful book. Since that time God has taken him through several life challenges of his body, mind, spirit and emotions to bring him where he is today.

One of his characteristics is that he is a master of Desert Dry Daddy Jokes. He consider  himself a sit-down comedian because he would not make it in stand-up.

https://www.facebook.com/hugh.a.jenkins

His Book on Amazon

From Grief to gratitude (his story of going from Grief to Gratitude)

Show Highlights

• The "Big G" Shift: A major highlight of the conversation is Dr. Jenkins’ philosophy of releasing the "little G" in grief to embrace the "big G" in gratitude. He argues that while chronic complaining creates a "poverty mindset," gratitude constitutes true riches and wealth.

• Healing from Within: As the author of Fasting and Prayer: God's Healing Therapies, Dr. Jenkins asserts that all diseases are "incurable" by external medicine alone; true healing is a spiritual process that occurs from the "inside out" when one connects with the "master healer" in the heart.

• Redefining Death as Ascension: Dr. Jenkins views the passing of his brother, David (DJ), not as death, but as "transcending" or "ascending". He shares a profound experience of meeting his brother’s spirit on a porch to receive the "spirit of philanthropy," which he defines as service to the community rather than just financial wealth.

• Spiritual Signs in Nature: To maintain a connection with his brother, Dr. Jenkins looks for signs from "God’s  creatures"  in nature. He identifies a dragonfly  as a spiritual messenger that guides him and has even visited him inside his home

Disclamer:  This episode of Grief, Gratitude, and the Gray in Between includes personal stories and perspectives on topics such as grief, health, and mental wellness. The views expressed by our guest  are his own and reflect individual experiences and professional philosophies—including his work with naturopathic medicine, fasting, and spiritual healing—which are not meant as medical advice.

As the host, I hold space for diverse voices and holistic perspectives, but this does not imply an endorsement of every viewpoint shared. Discussions regarding the "incurability" of disease or the use of fasting and prayer as "healing therapies" should be viewed as personal and spiritual insights rather than a substitute for professional medical consultation. Please listen with care and take only what resonates with you. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health regimen or medical treatments

Get in touch with f Kendra Rinaldi https://www.griefgratitudeandthegrayinbetween.com/

Rev. Kate J. Meyer, LPC, is an ordained minister and licensed professional counselor who has worked in both private practice and hospice care. She is passionate about bringing grief into the light so that all grievers know how to move forward in a healthy, life-giving manner. Kate is the author of the newly published Navigating the Waves of Grief and its predecessor Faith Doesn’t Erase Grief, along with The Red Couch and The Yellow Dress, the first two novels in her fiction series Lake Harbor Chronicles. Kate is a dog mom living with her husband in Western Michigan.

Facebook: @katejmeyer1  Instagram: @kate.j.meyer.author  TikTok:@katejmeyerauthor www.katejmeyer.com

 Show Highlights

• Finding the "Soul Spot": Reverend Kate Meyer shares how her path led her through youth ministry and seminary to healthcare chaplaincy and hospice, finally landing in bereavement care, which she recognizes as her "soul spot" where she feels truly energized.

• Faith Doesn't Erase Grief: Meyer discusses her book, Faith Doesn't Erase Grief, which addresses the guilt and conflict experienced by believers who feel they are "supposed to simply rejoice that my person is in heaven" instead of feeling sorrow. She emphasizes that grief is a "whole being experience" that must address physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects.

• Spirituality vs. Religion: The interview explores the difference between religion and spirituality, noting that grief significantly impacts spiritual topics like connection, meaning, purpose, and identity, regardless of religious affiliation.

• Grief is Non-Linear: Discussing her most recent book, Navigating the Waves of Grief, Meyer offers an active, non-linear framework structured by the broad themes of Connection, Emotions, Identity, and "Through". She cautions against using prescriptive models like the stages of grief, which were written for the dying, not the grievers.

• The "Both and" of Loss: Meyer explains that grief is a "both and" experience, meaning it is natural and okay to move forward, find happiness, and still miss the person who "was supposed to be at that event".

• Advice for Helpers: Meyer offers concrete advice for those supporting grievers, urging them to name the deceased person, avoid using the word "still," and make concrete offers of help, as the "grieving brain just can't handle" vague offers.

Get in touch with Kendra Rinaldi https://www.griefgratitudeandthegrayinbetween.com/

Follow on Instagram and send me a message about what takeaways you had from listening to this episode.

Danny Lesslie is a widower, devoted father of two daughters, and an entrepreneur whose life and work are deeply rooted in storytelling, resilience, and faith. As a coach, speaker, and writer, Danny brings authenticity and hope to audiences navigating life’s most difficult transitions.

He and his late wife, Raffaella Dobles, co-authored Thank You, Cancer, a powerful memoir that chronicles their shared journey through Raffaella’s five-year battle with Stage 4 cancer. Woven from Raffaella’s journal entries during her illness and Danny’s reflections after her passing, the book is both a tribute to a remarkable woman and a testament to the enduring strength of love.

https://dannylesslie.co/

Instagram @momentumwithdanny

Show Highlights

• Love and Humor as a "Safe Home": Danny shares how his wife, Raffaella, immediately caught his attention with her "lightning fast wit," a humor that became a "safe home" for them throughout their whole relationship, even to the "very, very end".

• Navigating Stage Four Cancer: Danny recounts the five-year battle with stage four vulvar cancer. Despite being "diametrically opposed" on treatment paths when the disease recurred, they chose unity, realizing that supporting Raffaella's choice was the most "powerful thing in our marriage".

• Miracles Through Sharing: The couple's financial resources were constantly "drained," forcing them to "swallow your ego" and share their story. Danny describes the "mind blowing" support they received, including a GoFundMe that raised over $50,000, which meant they could continue treatment and "make it through the next... years of struggle" [51, 20:34].

• Honoring the Legacy: Danny fulfilled their shared dream by writing the book, Thank You, Cancer, which intertwines his perspective with Raffaella's "original unedited words" and powerful moments of divine grace, ensuring that her remarkable story is told.

Connect with Kendra Rinaldi either for coaching or to be a guest on the podcast https://www.griefgratitudeandthegrayinbetween.com/

Debra Meyerson was previously a tenured professor at Stanford University, where she studied, wrote, lectured, and taught about diversity, gender, identity, and organizational change. In September 2010, her life and career were derailed by a severe stroke that initially left her paralyzed on the right side, and completely mute. Years of intensive therapy and a relentless work ethic enabled Deb to regain her independence, but she still lives with physical limitations and speech challenges. She wrote Identity Theft: Rediscovering Ourselves After Stroke to help other survivors and those closest to them navigate an emotional journey that she found very difficult—and rewarding.

Steve Zuckerman is Debra’s husband and life partner since 1988, and her care partner since her stroke in 2010. He had a successful first career as a business leader and then launched West Coast operations for Self-Help, a nationally recognized economic justice nonprofit. After co-founding Self-Help Federal Credit Union and serving as president for 12 years, Steve stepped out of his leadership role in 2020 to cofound and build Stroke Onward with Debra – working to catalyze change in the system of stroke care.

• Links:  To learn more about some of the things discussed in this podcast, please see the links below: Stroke Onward website: Stroke Onward Identity Theft: Rediscovering Ourselves After Stroke:  Identity Theft: Rediscovering Ourselves After Stroke Stroke Onward Community Circle (SOCC): Sign in | Stroke Onward Stroke Onward Gatherings: Stroke Onward | Gatherings WCNY Documentary:  Inclusive Sports | Stroke Across America: Trauma, Adaptation, Purpose | PBS

Episode Highlights

• The "Second Trauma": Debra discusses the identity crisis she faced when her university medical leave ended, forcing her to realize she could not return to her life as a tenured Stanford professor.

• Stroke as a Family Illness: The couple shares how trauma shifts family roles, including how their daughter learned that vulnerability is a form of strength rather than weakness.

• Toxic Positivity vs. Action: Steve and Debra explain why "sugary positivity" can be harmful and how practical help—like a friend volunteering to walk their dog—offers true support.

• Rehabilitation vs. Recovery: Steve highlights the gap in the medical system between physical rehabilitation (fixing function) and emotional recovery (rebuilding a rewarding life).

• Combatting Isolation: The hosts discuss their cross-country cycling trip, where they connected with some of the 7 million U.S. stroke survivors who often feel deeply isolated.

• New Tools for Aphasia: The discussion covers the second edition of their book, Identity Theft, which explores how AI voice technology can assist survivors.

Contact Kendra Rinaldi if you'd like more information about coaching with her, having her as a guest speaker  or being a guest the podcast. https://www.griefgratitudeandthegrayinbetween.com/