Grief, Gratitude & The Gray in Between

Moira Khan is an International Certified Grief Educator & Cosch, originally from New Zealand, now living in Spain.  Her story is one of tragedy to resilience and purpose, after the death of her mother, brother and father in a space of 5 years.  All whilst becoming a new mother, moving to a non-English speaking country and battling physical ailments with the condition, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.  Now Moira helps grieving individuals navigate their grief journey via 1:1 and group support.

www.griefspan.com

https://www.instagram.com/griefspaneducation?igsh=ejA5b3ZvZTFsanF3&utm_source=qr

Show Highlights:

• Moira Khan shares her deeply personal story of navigating multiple layers of loss while balancing the complexities of motherhood.
• The emotional challenges of being away from loved ones during pivotal moments, including the heartbreaking experience of losing her mother while six weeks pregnant.
• The devastation of her brother’s untimely passing and the grief of informing her father, all while managing physical and emotional limitations after childbirth.
• Reflections on generational grief, parenting with loss, and how trauma influences the next generation.
• The concept of "shadowed milestones," where key life events are intertwined with the memory of loved ones, and how Moira coped with turning the same age as her late brother.
• Exploring signs, spiritual connections, and how loved ones continue to show up in our lives through meaningful moments and symbols.
• Moira's powerful belief in healing through legacy—how honoring her parents and brother has been integral to her healing journey.
• Practical insights from Moira’s work supporting others in grief, emphasizing the importance of accompaniment and creating safe spaces to lean into difficult emotions without judgment.

Contact Kendra Rinaldi for coaching or to be a guest https://www.griefgratitudeandthegrayinbetween.com/

Shana Belyeu, founder of Speak on Suicide (www.speakonsuicide.com), began her grief journey after the tragic loss of her 15-year-old son, Adam, to suicide.  Shana is driven by a promise to Adam that his story wouldn’t end with his death.  She has dedicated herself to sharing his life, the impact of his loss, and her own path toward healing.  Through her advocacy, she fosters open and honest conversations about suicide and mental health, challenging the stigma that too often silences these topics.  Through her grief, Shana has found gratitude – for the love that remains, the lives she touches, and the support of those who have walked beside her in this journey.  By speaking out, Shana hopes to remind others that even in the darkest moments, hope and healing are possible.

Contact and social media:

www.speakonsuicide.com

[email protected]

instagram.com/speakonsuicide

facebook.com/speakonsuicide

Show Notes:

• Adam’s life, his unique challenges, and his incredible resilience.
• The stigma surrounding suicide and the importance of open conversations.
• The emotional complexity of grief—how joy and sorrow often coexist.
• Shana’s journey toward healing and how Adam’s legacy inspires her advocacy work.   This episode highlights the intersection of love, grief, mental health, and the courageous act of sharing one’s story for the greater good.
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ANNIE SKLAVER ORENSTEIN is a qualitative researcher, oral historian, and storyteller who has spent over a decade collecting stories from people around the world. Her work has been featured on NBC Nightly News, Comedy Central, Huffington Post, Politico, TIME, and Mother.ly. In 2020, driven by a desire to share these stories beyond the walls of corporate America, Annie founded Dispatch from Daybreak, a collection of letters written by womxn to their earlier selves. She lives in Connecticut with her husband, children, dog, and chickens.

After her brother was killed by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan, Annie Sklaver Orenstein was heartbroken and unmoored. Standing in the grief section of her local bookstore, she searched for guides on how to work through her grief as a mourning sibling—and found nothing.

More than 4 million American adults each year will lose a sibling, yet there isn't a modern resource guide available that speaks directly to this type of grief that at times can be overshadowed by grieving parents and spouses and made even more difficult by the complexities of sibling dynamics.

In ALWAYS A SIBLING: The Forgotten Mourner's Guide to Grief (Hachette Go, 9780306831492, 5/28/24, 272 pp, HC, $30), Annie uses her own story and those of others to create the empathic, thoughtful, practical resource that she sought. Divided into three sections: With, Without, and Within, it creates a framework that enables the reader to ground themselves in order to process and validate this often overlooked grief. Annie guides readers to capture the memories and emotions of life with their now-deceased sibling, then moves to addressing the grieving process in detail as they navigate life without them. Ultimately, readers will find ways to experience their sibling's presence within themselves and acknowledge their legacy.

With practical strategies rooted in proven grief processing techniques, trauma recovery, and psychoanalysis, ALWAYS A SIBLING supports mourners through the unique experience of sibling loss.

Key Subjects Covered:

• The historical significance of mourning rituals and how they validated grief in public spaces.
• The "dual loss" of sibling grief, where family dynamics and parental relationships inevitably shift.
• Annie's reflections on the societal minimization of grief and the pressure to move on quickly.
• The psychological weight of generational trauma and anticipatory grief in parenting.
• How Annie’s research and interviews with over 350 individuals informed the creation of her book.
• The Mourners User Manual (M.U.M.) as a tool for navigating grief thoughtfully.

https://www.annieorenstein.com/

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

Jessica Fein hosts the"I Don't Know How You Do It" podcast, featuring conversations with people whose lives seem unimaginable and who often hearthat very thing. Her writing, which explores grief, resilience, and the unbreakablebonds of family, has appeared in The New York Times, Psychology Today,Newsweek, The Boston Globe, HuffPost, Scary Mommy,and other leading publications. Her work encompasses hope and humor, grit and grace – the tools that make up her personal survival kit. Jessica Fein writes the Grace in Grief column for Psychology Today and is aTEDx Speaker on Grief Literacy. She is the author of Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and BrokenGenes. InBreath Taking, Jessica Fein takes readers on a powerful journey through the profound joys and heart-wrenching challenges of love and loss. Jessica lost her daughter to rare disease in 2022.

https://www.jessicafeinstories.com

In this heartfelt episode, Kendra interviews Jessica Fein, author of Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken Genes. Jessica shares her deeply personal journey, touching on themes of loss, resilience, and the powerful lessons she's learned through motherhood and advocacy.

Key themes include:

• Navigating a Rare Diagnosis: Jessica reflects on raising her daughter Dalia, who was diagnosed with MERRF syndrome (Myoclonic Epilepsy with Ragged Red Fibers), an ultra-rare mitochondrial disorder affecting only two in a million people.
• Ambiguous Grief: The emotional complexity of grieving someone who is still alive and how discovering the term brought healing and clarity.
• Adoption Journey: Jessica’s path to becoming a mother through adopting three children from Guatemala and the challenges and joys that shaped her family.
• Family Dynamics and Advocacy: Insights into caregiving partnerships, societal expectations, and the importance of acknowledging emotions openly within the family.
• Healing Through Connection and Legacy: How meaningful gestures, like planting a Dahlia garden in honor of her daughter, and finding community with others facing profound challenges have provided solace and strength.
• Writing as a Tool for Processing Grief: Jessica shares how writing her memoir and essays has been a therapeutic way to process her experiences and connect with others.

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

Sarah St. John is a somatic practitioner, grief advocate, and host of the MotherGrief podcast, where she explores the many losses—both tangible and intangible—that exist within matrescence. She bridges nervous system regulation, embodied grief integration, and holistic healing to support those navigating deep loss.

She is the author of 21 Days of Healing, co-author of Resilience Redefined, and the founder of Empath Coach, a 10-in-1 holistic healer certification program. Her mission is deeply personal, rooted in the loss of both her brothers to suicide and addiction, as well as multiple miscarriages. Now a mother to two little girls, she is leading a movement to support mothers in healing their nervous systems.

Her newest venture, Poppy, is a 6-acre therapeutic flower farm in Loveland, Colorado, dedicated to reimagining how we experience loss and healing.

https://poppyflowerfarm.com/

https://theuncensoredempath.com/mama-nervous-system-reset

https://www.instagram.com/sarahsaintjohn/

Show Highlights Summary:

1. Introduction to Sarah St. John: Sarah's work as a somatic practitioner, grief advocate, and host of the MotherGrief podcast.
2. Motherhood and Work Balance: Sarah discusses balancing motherhood and being an online entrepreneur, and the importance of being a visible role model for her children.
3. Creative Power and Motherhood: How motherhood has shaped Sarah's identity and creativity, and her desire to show her daughters a different path.
4. Impact of Motherhood on Personal Identity: The concept of matrescence and its impact on women as Sarah reflects on how each pregnancy and child has transformed her.
5. Cultural Perspectives on Motherhood: Exploring how different cultures honor motherhood and the need for more recognition in Western society.
6. Navigating Societal Expectations: Discussion on the history of women's roles and the evolving expectations of mothers, and the mental load carried by them.
7. Reimagining Gender Roles: Insights from "Fair Play" by Eve Rodski on the mental load carried by women and the need to redistribute household responsibilities.
8. Challenges of Modern Motherhood: The overstimulation and dysregulation faced by modern mothers and the importance of addressing the mental load.
9. Personal Stories of Loss and Healing: Sarah's deeply personal stories, including the grief associated with her brothers' deaths, an unexpected pregnancy, subsequent abortion, and miscarriages.
10. Integrating Grief into Family Life: How Sarah incorporates the memory of her brothers into her daughters' lives and the importance of acknowledging deceased family members.

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

Anne Marie Farage Smith is a lifelong animal lover and an advocate for all animals. She holds a Master of Science degree in mental health counseling from St. John Fisher University and a Master of Science degree in education from Nazareth University, and is a Pet Loss Grief Counseling Trained Professional. As a licensed mental health counselor and educator in private practice, she has offered clinical guidance to many individuals and groups experiencing grief and loss. She currently resides in Rochester, NY, where she enjoys spending time with her family, visiting local parks with her dog, Jazzy, traveling, and pursuing creative activities. Her book  Healing Wisdom for Pet Loss: An Animal Lover’s Guide to Grief  is available at any bookstore.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Anne Marie's journey as an animal lover and advocate.
• The emotional impact of losing a beloved pet and how it parallels other forms of grief.
• Practical strategies for coping with pet loss and finding healing.
• Insights from Anne Marie's book, Healing Wisdom for Pet Loss: An Animal Lover’s Guide to Grief.
• The importance of acknowledging and honoring the grief that comes with pet loss.
• Anne Marie’s experiences in her private practice, offering support to those dealing with loss.

https://farage-smith.com/

Contact Kendra Rinaldi to be a guest on her podcast: https://www.griefgratitudeandthegrayinbetween.com/

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Kimberly Byers is the CEO of ByHers Peace of Mind, LLC. A company empowering clients to find PEACE in their over-burden lives! Ms. Kim is an Author, Transformational Speaker/Coach, and Mentor, who influences clients to find better ways to regain clarity and commitment to self-care! This 28-year Army Retired senior Non-Commissioned Officer has been interviewed by local radio stations on how she balances her busy life and still makes time for others. As a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer in the Army, she has had her share of dealing with crisis/trauma, including hurt, pain, and loss. All of this is why she focuses on adversity with her clients. Adversity can become challenging when you are unsure how to handle life's mishaps. My job is to show additional ways to get moving again in life, where you pull up, push out, and begin to live again. 

www.byherspom.com

Breakdown Synopsis for Show Notes In this episode, Kendra Rinaldi sits down with Kimberly Byers, the CEO of By Hers Peace of Mind LLC, to discuss her journey from grief to peace. Kimberly is a transformational speaker, coach, mentor, and author of the book "From Grief to Peace." Join us as we delve into:

• Introduction:  Meet Kimberly Byers and learn about her diverse roles and achievements.
• Background:    Kimberly shares her upbringing, family dynamics, and how her childhood      shaped her journey.
• Personal  Loss: The impact of losing her mother and brother, and how it  transformed her life.
• Industry      Insights: Kimberly talks about her company, By Hers Peace of Mind  LLC, and how it helps clients find peace.
• Grief  Journey: The seven steps that helped Kimberly navigate her grief and      find peace, including seeking professional help, journaling, and      understanding that it's okay to not be okay.
• Family  Connections: Heartwarming stories of Kimberly's son feeling the presence of his grandmother and how they maintain a connection with her  spirit.
• Transformation   and Advice: How Kimberly's life has transformed since her mother's      passing, and her advice for others experiencing grief.

Tune in to hear Kimberly Byers' inspiring story and discover the steps she took to transform her grief into peace.

Contact Kendra Rinaldi to be a guest on the podcast https://www.griefgratitudeandthegrayinbetween.com/book-online

Naomi Riley is a brain injury survivor turned influential motivational speaker, who has catalyzed change in mental health and education reform. She is the founder of Text Pledge, a nonprofit in Greater Grand Rapids, MI, that seeks to change the world one pledge at a time. Their 10 pledges focus on ending some of the worst social issues affecting the communities, from distracted driving to gun violence. Each pledge challenges members to practice compassion, speak up when they witness injustice, and help others in times of crisis.

Contact Kendra Rinaldi to be a guest on the podcast or coaching https://www.griefgratitudeandthegrayinbetween.com/

Marelda Rodrigues is a thought leader in Grief Wellness, and believes deeply that suffering in grief is optional.  She developed her version of Grief Massage, from idea to reality, after a life changing conversation with a client. Her whole person wellness approach includes massage therapy, nutrition, movement, mindset, connection and sleep. She specializes in helping women in their 50s feel seen and heard as they navigate numerous life changes, transitions and growth through grief, so they can realize the dream they didn’t know they had.

Connect with Marelda Rodrigues https://mareldarodrigues.com/

 Her Book: https://mareldarodrigues.com/the-abcs-of-grief-wellness/

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

Lori Ann Wood lives with her husband in an empty nest in beautiful

northwest Arkansas. After discovering a serious heart condition almost too

late, Lori Ann writes and speaks to encourage deep faith questions along the

detours of life. Her work has been published in several anthologies and

dozens of print and online venues, including Bella Grace Magazine and The

New York Times. Lori Ann’s award-winning book, Divine Detour: The Path

You’d Never Choose Can Lead to the Faith You’ve Always Wanted, was

published by CrossRiver Media, and is available on Amazon in print and

audio form https://www.amazon.com/Divine-Detour-choose-always-

wanted/dp/1936501759/. 

You can watch a book trailer and read the first chapter free on her website at https://loriannwood.com/books/. 

https://loriannwood.com/

https://www.instagram.com/loriannwood/

https://www.facebook.com/DivinelyDetoured

Freebie link:

If you’re on a detour, and find it difficult to communicate with God, get her

free gift, 5 Prayers & Promises When You Can’t Talk to God, at

https://loriannwood.com/hope/.

Contact Kendra Rinaldi to be a guest on her podcast or to have as a guest on your podcast or event.  https://www.griefgratitudeandthegrayinbetween.com/