Grief & Happiness

Growing my garden and all the fruits and vegetables provides plenty to share.

Let's Connect:

• You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking here
• You can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.
• You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:
• You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking here
• Request your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide here

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Have you ever noticed kids' normal state is being joyful? They need something to happen for them to be sad, anxious, or worried. Yet when we become adults, it's the opposite; we are always worried, sad, and anxious, and only experience happiness when something happens. It makes you wonder... Why is that?

In today's episode, I'm thrilled to welcome the brilliant Ashish Kothari, Founder and CEO of Happiness Squad, the Author of "Hardwired for Happiness," and the Host of the Happiness Squad podcast. Before founding Happiness Squad, Ashish had the family, the house, the high-paying job, and every item of "the happiness list" checked, yet he lived stressed and overwhelmed. Instead of chasing happiness, Ashish started his journey by understanding what makes us suffer, and so his journey started.

Throughout this episode, we explore the concept of happiness from Ashish's unique perspective, and the factors contributing to anxiety and disengagement, and we discuss how to rewire our brain for happiness. Ashish also shares his thoughts on relying on mindfulness to cultivate awareness and reduce stress, explains why we've made unhappiness a habit, how to make happiness a habit, and much more.

Tune in and listen to episode 244 and learn why you should start by understanding what makes you unhappy before chasing happiness.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

A bit about Ashish's story and what led him to understand his unhappiness (1:30)

How and why do we let all the stressors of the world into our lives? (6:40)

Ashish talks about his Rewire Program, which helps people turn happiness into a habit (13:20)

We can experience grief and happiness, anger and compassion. Let's stay away from polarities (21:00)

Happiness is a choice (28:40)

Connect with Ashish Kothari:

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram

Happiness Squad Podcast

Ashish's Gift For You

Book: Ashish Kothari - Hardwired for Happiness: 9 Proven Practices to Overcome Stress and Live Your Best Life

Let's Connect:

Website

LinkedIn

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Pinterest

The Grief and Happiness Alliance

Book: Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Let's Connect:

• You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking here
• You can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.
• You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:
• You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking here
• Request your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide here

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How ready are you to embrace grief as a natural part of life?

In this episode together, I'm excited to bring Shauna Dukes back to the show. This time, the best-selling author of "Even If: A Holistic Approach to Grief & Living a Joy-Filled Life With Loss," joins us to talk about the liberating power of embracing grief, and how vulnerability opened a path right into her purpose. Shauna is an NTP (Nutritional Therapy Practitioner), Life Coach, Author, LMT(Licensed Massage Therapist), and is deeply in love with all things holistic.

Throughout this episode, Shauna talks with me about her grief journey after her book was published, and how she wrestled with the idea that grief was this massive, scary monster creeping in the dark that would forever chase her. She also talks about the Holistic Grief Academy for Mothers she created, how mothers who join the academy heal and become part of her healing process, and how it all changed when she realized grief isn't a monster but part of who she is.

Tune in and listen to episode 242 of Grief and Happiness and discover how to live a joy-filled life despite the sorrow of the most painful losses. 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• "If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans," Shauna talks about this new stage in her life (1:40)
• Often, we think we are the only ones grieving (5:50)
• Don't be scared of being vulnerable (9:10)
• Shauna talks about how she stopped herself from being an emotional zombie (13:20)
• What is the Holistic Grief Academy for Mothers and how it helps people dealing with the loss of a child (20:20)

Connect with Shauna Dukes:

• Website
• Book: Shauna Dukes - Even If: A Holistic Approach to Grief & Living a Joy-Filled Life With Loss 
• Instagram
• Holistic Grief Academy for Mothers

Let's Connect:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• Pinterest
• The Grief and Happiness Alliance
• Book: Emily Thiroux Threatt - Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Saying the right things to someone who is grieving can be a challenge.

Let's Connect:

• You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking here
• You can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.
• You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:
• You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking here
• Request your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide here

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How would you react if an unfortunate event forced you to step back from your dream job? Would you be able to transform grief into a fresh start?

In this episode, I'm joined by the Death Doula, Author, and Retired Police Officer Nicole Junkerman. After suffering a neck injury that forced her into early retirement from the police, Nicole chose to use the grief of losing her beloved career to create, help others, and find an answer to a new calling. She is the author of "Daddy's Home" and the founder of Positive Passing.

Throughout this episode, you'll hear about Nicole's unique journey from retired police officer to Death Doula, the extraordinary circumstances in which she got her job at the cemetery, and the mixed emotions she had while preparing a dear friend for their last goodbye. Nicole also talks about "Daddy's Home," a beautifully written children's book most of us wish we had when we were little to understand death and loss, and that was a cathartic, life-saving experience for her while grieving the loss of her career.

Tune in and listen to episode 240 of Grief and Happiness and learn more about Nicole's inspiring story and how resignifying grief helped her rebuild her life.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• About Nicole's unfortunate accident and the birth of her new career (1:30)
• Nicole talks about the harsh moment of preparing a friend for their last goodbye (4:10)
• How Positive Passing was born (6:00)
• Daddy's Home, the book we all wish we had growing up (12:50)
• What makes Nicole's book so powerful (19:00)
• Nicole and Emily talk about the therapeutic properties of writing (22:10)

Connect with Nicole Junkerman:

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Book: Nicole Junkerman - Daddy's Home

Let's Connect:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• Pinterest
• The Grief and Happiness Alliance
• Book: Emily Thiroux Threatt - Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here is an idea that can help you release that fear!

Let's Connect:

• You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking here
• You can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.
• You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:
• You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking here
• Request your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide here

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How can integrating personal experiences with creative writing can help us explore the complexities of grief and family separation? 

In this episode, I'm joined by the Editor and exceptional Writer Marion Agnew. Her diverse technical and creative writing background allows her to bring a unique perspective on grief, personal loss, and healing. Her latest work, "Making Up The Gods," is a sincere and thoughtful exploration of tragedy and recovery, new and old relationships, and a profound discussion about when to let the past rest. 

Throughout this episode, Marion shares vivid examples of writing's transformative power and how writing her latest novel helped navigate grief's intricacies, inspiring new ways of thinking about personal loss and healing. Marion also talks about the story behind writing her first book, "Reverberations," which was born of the need to understand, describe, and contain her mother's disease, the power of community when dealing with grief and loss, and much more.

Tune in and listen to episode 238 of Grief and Happiness and discover how creative writing can be a powerful tool for coping with grief and transforming personal loss into a source of inspiration and connection.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• A bit about Marion's background (1:00)
• What is "Making Up The Gods" about, and why did Marion decide to write it (2:30)
• Using writing as therapy (8:20)
• Using drawing and meditating as creative expressions (12:40)
• The importance of support systems when dealing with loved ones' illness (19:30)
• Why using creative writing as a coping mechanism is an excellent idea (23:30)
• Marion talks about the sharing spirit that reigns within the dementia community (25:40)

Connect with Marion Agnew:

• Website
• Instagram
• Book: Marion Agnew - Making Up the Gods
• Book: Marion Agnew - Reverberations: A Daughter's Meditations on Alzheimer's

Let's Connect:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• Pinterest
• The Grief and Happiness Alliance
• Book: Emily Thiroux Threatt - Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Spoiler alert: There is no ideal way, but there are some good suggestions to help in this short podcast.

Let's Connect:

• You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking here
• You can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.
• You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:
• You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking here
• Request your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide here

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions on murder and violent crimes. If this may trigger extreme emotional distress for you, you should skip today’s episode. 

Is it possible to find peace and healing in writing about our darkest moments?

In this episode, I'm joined by the multiple-award-winning and accomplished Author Ona Gritz. Ona is a talented writer and poet, blog editor for "Wordgathering," the recipient of "The Poetry Archive Now: Wordview 2020 Project," and the owner of an uncomplicated, sensitive, and touching writing style. Her latest work, the moving memoir, "Everywhere I Look," is a beautifully written love letter to her sister, brutally murdered in 1982, when Ona was 19 years old, and her sister, Angie, 25.

Throughout this episode, Ona talks about why she decided to uncover her sister's life and deal with the aftermath of her tragic murder. Ona also talks about why she chose prose to write about her sister's life as an accomplished poet, writing's role in her healing process, the undeniable healing properties of creative expression, and much more.

Tune in and listen to episode 236 of Grief and Happiness and discover how writing can help you navigate pain and grief and bring you closer to the loved ones you've lost.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Ona talks about her background and the tragic loss of her sister, Angie (1:00)
• How not knowing the details of her sister's death impacted Ona (3:10)
• Ona talks about the process of writing directly to Angie (7:20)
• How Ona explored her feelings of guilt and shame through writing (12:20)
• The cathartic and therapeutic aspects of writing about grief (19:40)

Connect with Ona Gritz:

• Website
• Instagram
• Book: Ona Gritz - Everywhere I Look
• Ona Gritz books

Let's Connect:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• Pinterest
• The Grief and Happiness Alliance
• Book: Emily Thiroux Threatt - Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.