Grief & Happiness

Getting lost in creating beautiful designs and colors can allow a healthy break from feelings of loss.

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.

Starting conversations about death and dying is not easy, but we know this is a fate each one of us will meet.

In today's episode, I'm joined by the Family Caregiver Consultant, Aging Life Care Manager, End-of-Life Doula, and Founder, Stefanie Elkins. Stefanie founded Be Present Care, where she offers guidance and support for life transitions, and Death over Drafts, a community she built by combining her two passions, crafting beer and welcoming conversations around death and dying.

Throughout this episode, Stefanie and I discuss the importance of encouraging end-of-life conversations. As we recognize why it is so hard to have them, Stefanie points out the multiple benefits of having a clear action plan before it is too late. You'll also hear Stefanie's thoughts on comfort care when curative care isn't an option, end-of-life planning, the beautiful story behind Death over Drafts, the importance of making final wishes known, and much more.

Tune in to episode 234 of Grief and Happiness and equip yourself with the tools needed to discuss death, dying, final wishes, and end-of-life planning.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Why comfort care is so important when medicine can't do anything else (6:00)
• The importance of discussing death and dying before it is too late (11:40)
• How end-of-life planning can make your and your loved ones' lives simpler and less painful (18:00)
• How to start discussing end-of-life planning (24:40)
• Stefanie talks about Death over Drafts and its beautiful community (32:40)
• Why creating readiness is so crucial (43:00)

Connect with Stefanie Elkins:

• Be Present Care
• YouTube
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Death Over Drafts

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.

In a world with so much violence and hate, focus on the love.

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.

Grief sucks; we can all agree on that. Yet, what is the best way to move from it, moving on or moving forward?

In this episode, I'm joined by the Life Purpose and Happiness Coach and Grief Doula, Cindy Burns. The death of her husband after battling lung cancer for five months brought a double dose of grief into her life: Her kids were grown-ups and had their own lives; they didn't "need her" anymore. Suddenly, her purpose for many years, being a wife and a mother, made no sense—she was alone, and her nest was empty.

Throughout this episode, you'll hear about Cindy's reinvention, struggles, challenges, and victories in reclaiming and reconnecting with her purpose and generous perspective on life. Cindy also talks about how journaling saved her, thinking of happiness as a choice, her passion for helping others find their purpose, the difference between moving on and moving forward, and much more.

Tune in and listen to episode 232 of Grief and Happiness and learn how to go through grief by moving forward and choosing to be happy.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• About Cindy's unexpected encounter with grief (3:10)
• How Cindy became a Life Purpose, Grief, and Happiness Coach (8:20)
• Happiness is a choice (17:30)
• About the countless benefits of putting pen to paper (23:20)
• Cindy talks about her desire to start a non-profit (28:50)
• Non-profits are second families (33:50)

Connect with Cindy Burns:

• Instagram
• Cindy's FREE Guided Grief Journal
• Facebook
• Widows & Widowers Support Group, Finding Purpose

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.

Write a letter to your mother for Mother’s Day even if she is no longer here with you.

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.

"... will there be joy again? Well, maybe, but it won't look the same as before because everything has a tint of grief. Yes, there's still sunshine. But it looks different, and so does everything. So, how do we incorporate grief and move on?" - Mark Nepo.

In today's special episode, I'm joined by one of my favorite people in the world, Mark Nepo. Mark is a best selling and award winning author who has moved and inspired readers and seekers all over the world. He has sold over one million copies of his #1 New York Times best seller, The Book of Awakening, and has also been recognized as a consummate storyteller and one of the finest spiritual guides of our time.

Throughout this episode, you'll experience a sample of Mark's delicate, comforting, and kind wisdom as we discuss coping with grief and loss. Mark shares his thoughts on the importance of self-discovery, social support strategies, and establishing a conversation with grief to cope with bereavement.

Mark shares practical tips on finding happiness in grief, incorporating pain into life, and healing by sharing experiences. Mark also analyzes the role stories have in our lives and shares dozens of golden nuggets on how to talk to and help people dealing with loss and grief.

Tune in to episode 230 and don't miss Mark's unique perspective on navigating the complexities of grief and finding happiness in it.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

What Mark considers his role as a writer to be (1:50)

Kindness is a quiet medicine (5:20)

Mark talks about what moved him to write about grief (9:20)

Repeating our stories is crucial as there is still so much to learn from them (17:00)

"What is it like to be you right now?" (23:00)

Mark's advice for those dealing with grief (27:40)

Connect with Mark Nepo:

Website

Instagram

YouTube

Facebook

Book: Mark Nepo - Falling Down and Getting Up: Discovering Your Inner Resilience and Strength

Mark Nepo's 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.

Remembering to care for yourself while grieving is essential. 

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.

Hope, happiness, joy, wholeness, purpose, or any other part of ourselves that we believe vanished in the wake of grief, will resurface in new forms. Embracing this new version of joy, happiness, or purpose is a beautiful way of welcoming another part of you impacted by grief. 

In today's episode, I have the pleasure of hosting Shelby Forsythia, a Grief Coach, Author, and Podcaster. Shelby's insightful and compassionate approach to grief is a guiding light that helps grievers navigate through the challenging terrain of death, divorce, diagnosis, and other significant life transitions.

Throughout this episode, you'll delve into Shelby's personal journey of grief, including the loss of her mother, the multiple issues it triggered on a personal level, and how she dealt with them. Shelby explains why she sees grief professionals as bearers of hope, underscores the importance of maintaining a long-term perspective when grappling with grief, and why having a voice to listen to from someone who went through grief is comforting and helpful, even in the absence of solutions.

Tune in to episode 228 and discover how to view life through the lens of grief, reinterpret the world around you, and rediscover your happiness following grief.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Shelby shares her grief story and her dominant emotion during that time (2:20)

Why listening to the voice of someone who gets grief is comforting (9:20)

Embracing joy, happiness, and purpose after grief (14:50)

The importance of keeping the end in mind while grieving (21:30)

Shelby’s relationship with happiness and joy following her mother’s death (31:00)

Resources:

Book: Shelby Forsythia - Your Grief, Your Way: A Year of Practical Guidance and Comfort After Loss

Book: Shelby Forsythia: Permission to Grieve: Creating Grace, Space, & Room to Breathe in the Aftermath of Loss

Dear Grief Guide podcast with Shelby Forsythia

Connect with Shelby Forsythia:

Website

Instagram

Facebook

LinkedIn

YouTube

TikTok

Let's Connect:

Website

LinkedIn

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Pinterest

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

Who you choose to listen to helps you find the support you desire.

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.

Is there a way to navigate grief and loss more effectively? Is it possible to reclaim your life and find peace amidst the pain? 

In today's episode, I'm joined by Grief Transformation Coach and Founder of Handling Grief, Ghulam Fernandes. Ghulam learned the hard way that time doesn't heal all. The unexpectedly painful loss of her brother made her realize she hadn't dealt with her mother's death, who passed away when she was only 13. Looking for answers to deal with the unresolved grief from her mother's death and facing her own mortality, she discovered an action-based, step-by-step process for handling grief, which, eventually, she used as a pillar to create her unique Handling Grief Programme. 

Throughout this episode, Ghulam and I discuss the differences between traditional grief counseling and Ghulam's approach, the lessons she learned from her grief experiences, and the importance of recognizing that every grief journey is unique. Ghulam also shares practical tips on supporting someone through grief, how to avoid unhelpful comments, and why practical help is much better than saying: "let me know if you need anything." 

Ghulam also shares her thoughts on resilience and finding happiness after loss, why it is crucial to recognize grief's long-term effects, the significance of staying in touch and providing ongoing support to grievers, and more.

Tune in to episode 226 and find out how to regain peace, productivity, passion for life, and a sense of purpose after grief. 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Why Ghulam became a grief specialist (2:10)

Ghulam's journey through multiple bereavements (6:10)

The impact of unresolved grief (9:20)

Common mistakes people make in supporting those dealing with loss (11:40)

The importance of acknowledging the uniqueness of each grief journey (18:50)

Ghulam shares practical tips to support someone dealing with grief and loss (24:10)

Why it is crucial to stay in touch and provide ongoing support (30:10)

Ghulam talks about challenges in the workplace when dealing with grief (33:40)

Resources Mentioned:

Free Guide: 10 Common Mistakes When Supporting Someone Dealing with Loss

Free Guide: 10 Common Mistakes When Handling Your Grief

Connect with Ghulam Fernandes:

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram

Facebook

Let's Connect:

Website

LinkedIn

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

The Grief and Happiness Alliance

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