Show Highlights:

• Understanding Grief in Life Transitions: Kendra introduces the concept of grief not just as a response to loss, but as an emotion felt during significant life transitions, specifically focusing on children going to college This is a major change that can bring about complex emotions for both parents and teenagers.
• Kendra's Personal College Experience: Reflects on her own experience of leaving Colombia at 18 to attend college in the U.S., highlighting the different communication methods of the time (calling cards, letters) and how being in a new environment might have made her personal adjustment "easier" than for her family back home, who felt her absence more acutely in familiar surroundings.
• The Coexistence of Joy and Grief: Emphasizes that it's "okay to feel grief and also to be excited for your kids" as they embark on their college journey. The episode explores this "complex" emotional landscape where joy and sadness can exist simultaneously.
• Grief from a Student's Perspective: Discusses that teenagers themselves will also experience grief as they leave for college, particularly after returning home and realizing what they've missed, or when they miss their friends, relationships, and established routines.
• Validating and Honoring Emotions: Stresses the importance of naming these emotions as "grief" to acknowledge their multifaceted nature and the many other feelings (like regret) that can accompany it.
• Open Communication and Support: Encourages honest conversations with your children, letting them know you're excited for them but also miss them, which helps validate their own mixed emotions. Connecting with others who are experiencing similar changes is also vital.

• Invitation for Accompaniment: If you are going throgh a life transition and want someone to walk alongside you as you figure it out. Reach out for a FREE 15 min Discovery call 

email: [email protected]

Hey friends—this episode’s a little different. I went rogue and recorded it straight from my phone, just me sharing some raw, unfiltered thoughts on grief.

I talk about how grief isn’t just about big losses—it’s something we all feel, every single day. Even little things, like when dinner doesn’t turn out the way we hoped, can bring up that feeling. That’s why this podcast isn’t just for people going through major loss—it’s for everyone.

It’s wild to think it’s been over 5 years since I started this show. I’ve learned so much, and one big thing is this: if we wait until we feel “ready” to share our stories, we might miss the chance to help someone who needs to hear it right now. So I’m here to remind you—your gifts, your voice, your story? They matter. Don’t wait.

This episode is a gentle nudge that you’re not alone in what you’re feeling. I hope it helps you feel seen, and maybe inspires you to share your own story too. Grief is heavy, yes—but it doesn’t have to be depressing. There’s so much growth and connection that can come from it.

And hey—if you’re in the middle of a life transition and feel that little nudge to have someone walk alongside you as you figure out what this next chapter looks like, I’d be honored to connect. I offer a FREE discovery call to see if working together feels like the right fit. Just head over to my website to inquire and take that first step.

https://www.griefgratitudeandthegrayinbetween.com/resources

María Paulina tiene un título en educación y por más de 15 años enseñó a niños, adolescentes y adultos. Sin embargo, siguiendo las directrices de su alma, desde hace poco más de 10, se dedica a la comunicación intuitiva. Con el deseo de apoyar procesos de transformación en personas y animales a través de la comunicación intuitiva, precisamente, creó Amada Vida Mía… desde donde presta varios tipos de consultas y enseña comunicación animal, entre otras cosas. Y es la fundadora del Hogar Animal El Rincón. Además, María Paulina ha escrito 3 novelas tranformativas, un libro de autoayuda y un libro testimonial de edición limitada sobre la vida de un gran tenor colombiano. Porque escribir es algo que lleva dentro desde niña.

https://www.mariapaulina.co/

Canal de Youtube: https://youtube.com/@yosoymariapaulina?si=5SSE96nqhtVi9W15

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yosoymariapaulina?igsh=eGxwdjBiZjk3MDMy&utm_source=qr

Temas que hablamos:

• Experiencias Intuitivas Tempranas: Desde los cuatro años, María Paulina sintió un profundo "dolor de mundo" y vivió experiencias de desdoblamiento y viajes espontáneos a vidas pasadas, lo que transformó su visión de la existencia.

• Transición a la Comunicación Intuitiva: La grave enfermedad de su hija en 2014 la llevó a la meditación, abriendo sus canales para que seres fallecidos y animales comenzaran a comunicarse con ella, un proceso que describe como "soltar las riendas" y ser su yo auténtico.

• Nueva Percepción de la Muerte: Su comunicación con el "otro lado" ha transformado su relación con la muerte de dolorosa a una certeza de "plenitud absoluta" para quienes parten, aunque el dolor humano por la ausencia física sigue presente.

• Inquietudes Comunes de Clientes: La pregunta más frecuente que recibe es "¿están bien?" (personas o animales fallecidos), especialmente cuando la muerte fue por eutanasia, buscando aliviar la culpa y traer tranquilidad.

• Proceso de Comunicación: María Paulina no requiere objetos físicos (salvo foto de animales para centrar la energía); los seres se manifiestan con claridad solo durante las consultas, razón por la cual se describe como "comunicadora intuitiva" en lugar de médium.

• Mensaje de Animales Fallecidos (Honrar la Vida): Los animales que han partido piden a sus humanos "honrar la vida de ellos en lugar de sufrir su muerte", recordando su felicidad y contribuciones, lo que ayuda a cortar un hilo energético para su evolución.

• Mensaje de Animales Fallecidos (Animales "Atrapados"): Si persiste la inquietud sobre un animal fallecido, se recomienda buscar un comunicador animal que pueda liberarlo de un estado de "atrapamiento" del otro lado.

• Acompañar la Muerte Animal: Al acompañar a un animal moribundo, lo más importante es la "quietud energética" y un acompañamiento digno (calma, sosiego, poca interrupción física) para que su alma pueda desprenderse en un entorno amoroso.

Contacta a Kendra Rinaldi https://www.griefgratitudeandthegrayinbetween.com/

Grief can leave us feeling exposed, overwhelmed, and unsure of how to ask for what we need. In this solo episode, Kendra shares compassionate wisdom and practical tips for setting healthy boundaries and reaching out for support while grieving. Drawing from personal experience, she reminds listeners that protecting your energy isn’t selfish—it’s sacred. Whether you’re grieving now or supporting someone who is, this episode is a gentle guide for creating space to heal, one boundary at a time.

Contact Kendra Rinaldi if you'd like to be a guest or want to invite her as a guest speaker 

https://www.griefgratitudeandthegrayinbetween.com/

How can we support our teenagers when they're grieving—especially when their pain feels unreachable? In this  episode, Kendra speaks directly to parents navigating the delicate role of helping their teen through loss. Drawing from her own experiences of grieving as a young person, she offers practical, compassionate insights to help parents show up—not with perfect words, but with presence, patience, and love. Whether your teen is quiet, angry, or seems “fine,” this episode reminds you that your steady, caring presence can be an anchor through the storm.

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

Tony Stewart has made award-winning films for colleges and universities,, written software that received rave reviews in The New York Times and the New York Daily News, designed a grants-management application that was used by three of the five largest charities in the world, and led the development of an international standard for the messages involved in buying and selling advertisements, for which he spoke at conferences across Europe and North America. Carrying the Tiger is his first published book.

Tony and his late wife Lynn Kotula, a painter, traveled extensively in India and Southeast Asia, staying in small hotels off the beaten track and eating delicious food with their fingers when cutlery wasn’t available. Inspired by the experience of writing Carrying the Tiger, Tony is now studying to become a Certified Grief Educator.

www.tonystewartauthor.com

Show Highlights:

•Tony Stewart, author of Carrying the Tiger, shares his deeply personal memoir, chronicling his wife Lynn's 6.5-year battle with stage four cancer and his profound grief journey.

•Discover how Tony's daily writings to friends on CaringBridge evolved into his book, serving as a "love story told almost entirely by actions" that allowed Lynn to live fully despite her illness.

•Hear Tony describe the final weeks of Lynn's life in home hospice as "the best two weeks of my life," a "miraculous" time of deep physical care and spiritual connection.

•Learn about Lynn's powerful and comforting last words: "Don't bother me. I've got a lot to do," which left Tony with a sense of mystery and spiritual insight.

•Tony bravely discusses finding new love after immense loss, and the complexities of honoring Lynn's memory while opening his heart to a new relationship.

•Explore the meaningful origin of the book's title, "Carrying the Tiger," which stems from a Tai Chi concept of facing and making challenges less threatening.

•Gain insight into why Carrying the Tiger is described by readers as an inspiring and joy-filled experience, rather than a depressing one, despite its difficult subject matter.

Reachout to Kendra Rinaldi to be a guest or have her as a guest https://www.griefgratitudeandthegrayinbetween.com/

Beth  Bigler is a Pet Loss Grief Counselor, end-of-life animal companion doula, and pet chaplain. She works with individuals and families before, during, and after the loss of their beloved animal companion. She’s also known for her Instagram account @honoringouranimals where she shares daily original content and tips about pet loss grief which are a unique blend of tools, compassion, and “telling it like it is.” She works closely with animal care workers, veterinary professionals, and other pet industry brands on grief training and awareness. She is a regular contributor to podcasts, articles, and other media. Her debut book, Honoring Our Animals: 365 Meditations for Healing After Pet Loss is published by Quarto Books.  Beth is also a seasoned film/television professional, college instructor, and mom to a five-year-old son and two divine felines!

The best way to learn about Beth is through her Instagram @honoringouranimals or website: www.honoringouranimals.com

Other podcast episode with Beth

Recommended Pet Loss Books For Kids 6 and Under
Find Momo Everywhere by Andrew Knapp
Remembering by Xelena Gonzalez
The Tenth Good Thing About Barney by Judith Viorst
The Invisible Leash by Patrice Karst
Remembering Blue Fish (Daniel Tiger) by Becky Friedman

Show Highlights:

•Beth Bigler, a certified pet loss grief counselor, explains why pet loss is often a "disenfranchised grief," lacking societal acknowledgment despite being as intense, or even more profound, than human loss due to disrupted routines and deep emotional bonds.

•Gain insight into compassionate euthanasia, understanding it as a medical decision to ensure a "good death" for beloved pets, emphasizing dignity and avoiding suffering.

•Discover practical tools and strategies for coping with grief, including managing guilt and "what ifs," and developing self-compassion, noting how these skills are foundational life tools applicable to all major life events..

•Learn valuable tips for parents on supporting children through pet loss, advocating for honest, age-appropriate language, recognizing that children grieve in spurts, and involving them in memorializing rituals.

•Explore Beth's new book, "Honoring Our Animals: 365 Meditations for Healing After Loss," a practical resource offering daily guidance on coping, identity, and maintaining connection with beloved pets.

•Understand the power of maintaining daily rituals with your beloved, like greeting their photo, to comfort your brain and foster a sense of continuity after physical absence.

•Reflect on "anticipatory grief" and the concept that "your goodbye begins on day one," encouraging gratitude for every moment spent with your beloved animal.

Connect with Kendra Rinaldi at https://www.griefgratitudeandthegrayinbetween.com/

Pamela Blake, PhD, is the CEO of Utamatzi Inc, an independent publishing imprint dedicated to bringing creative, high-quality fiction to readers in the global marketplace. The initial offering is The Isaak Collection, which consists of five novels by her late husband, David Isaak.

Prior to forming Utamatzi several years ago, Dr. Blake was a Technical Fellow with The Boeing Company, from which she retired in 2020, after twenty years of employment. She is an expert in quantified performance assessment of imaging sensors and in the development and application of algorithms that exploit the underlying physics and phenomenology for automated feature and object recognition.

She holds a BA in Physics from Willamette University in Salem, OR, amd MS and PhD degrees in Geology/Geophysics from the University of Hawaii, Manoa. Dr. Blake resides in Huntington Beach, California. For more information, please consult: https://utamatzi.com.

Show Highlights: 

• Navigating Grief and Legacy: Join Dr. Pamela Blake, CEO of Utamatsi Inc., as she shares her profound journey of processing grief as a loss, not a wound, following the sudden passing of her lifelong companion, David Isaak.
• From Love Story to Literary Imprint: Discover how Pamela's desire to honor David's lifelong passion for writing led her to create Utamatsi Inc., publishing his five novels as The Isaac Collection.
• The Genesis of The Isaac Collection: Learn about David's dedication to writing his novels, the challenges he faced with traditional publishing, and the emotional success of his first published work, "Tomorrow Bill," which impressively charted on Amazon.
• Enduring Connection and Shared Life: Hear about Pamela and David's extraordinary relationship that began at age 14, their shared love for music and gardening, and how Pamela continues to feel David's presence and guidance in her daily life.
• Embracing New Chapters: Explore Pamela's remarkable pivot from a distinguished career at The Boeing Company to becoming a publisher, and her future plans to write a sequel to David's novel and a guide for aspiring self-publishers.
• Powerful Takeaways: Pamela offers poignant advice: "Don't wait to tell somebody you love of them," "Don't be afraid to tell your story," and the importance of finding a "driving force" through life's deepest challenges.

Contact Kendra Rinaldi to be a guest on the podcast or to have her on your podcast:

 https://www.griefgratitudeandthegrayinbetween.com/book-online

Lanny Vahlis, nacida y criada en Venezuela, llegó a Estados Unidos hace 15 años con el sueño de construir una nueva vida. Actualmente se desempeña como Gerente de Proyectos de Construcción e inversionista en bienes raíces, un camino profesional que ha construido con esfuerzo y determinación.

Más allá de su carrera, Lanny es madre de dos hijos, Jake y Derek, quienes representan su mayor fuente de motivación y fortaleza. Su historia de resiliencia está marcada por desafíos personales y profesionales, incluyendo su experiencia como inmigrante y su reciente proceso de sanación tras un diagnóstico de cáncer de mama.

Apasionada por las artes marciales, encuentra en el kickboxing y el jiu-jitsu su vía de escape para liberar el estrés y fortalecer tanto su cuerpo como su mente. A lo largo de los años, ha aprendido a equilibrar sus responsabilidades con su bienestar emocional y físico, estableciendo límites claros en su vida laboral y personal.

Hoy, Lanny vive con una renovada perspectiva, priorizando su salud, su familia y su crecimiento espiritual. A través de su historia, busca inspirar a otras mujeres a escuchar su cuerpo, cuidar su bienestar y vivir con propósito y equilibrio. Además, ha aprendido a trazar límites saludables en su vida, asegurando que su bienestar y el de su familia sean siempre su prioridad.

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/iamlannyvahlis/#

Resaltes de nuestra conversacion: 

• Presentación y contexto: trayectoria de Lanny como gerente de proyectos de construcción, madre de dos hijos y su experiencia como inmigrante en Estados Unidos.
• Diagnóstico y proceso médico: impacto del estrés en su salud, importancia de la prevención, diagnóstico temprano y tratamiento.
• Impacto emocional y familiar: emociones tras recibir la noticia, miedo e incertidumbre, afectación en su entorno cercano y su decisión de vivir el proceso con conciencia.
• Reconexión espiritual y mental: acercamiento a Dios, aprendizaje sobre la energía femenina y estrategias para gestionar pensamientos invasivos.
• Transformación en estilo de vida: cambios en alimentación, ejercicio, manejo del estrés y establecimiento de límites en su rutina laboral.
• Red de apoyo y conexiones: selección de personas positivas en su entorno, eliminación de relaciones que no sumaban y encuentros con amigas como fuente de apoyo.
• Aprendizajes y reflexiones finales: importancia de la prevención en la salud, gratitud por su proceso de transformación y resiliencia como herramienta de crecimiento personal

Contacta a Kendra Rinaldi para mas informacion sobre como ser invitado/a  en el podcast 

https://www.griefgratitudeandthegrayinbetween.com/

I felt compelled to write a Dear Griever type letter tonight. A letter for anyone who is in the midst of grief.  This is a  short episode of me reading it.

Grief is heavy, unpredictable and deeply personal, yet I wanted to share some love and compassion to anyone of you who are in the thick of the pain right now.  

I pray this brings you a bit of comfort. You are loved, you are seen.

Love,

Kendra