Grief & Happiness

What tools do you use to process your grief? Writing can be incredibly therapeutic and helpful when working through the many emotions that come with grief. 

In this twenty fifth episode together, I am joined by the inspiring Caroline Nadine Helsing. Caroline is the author of the book Unapologetic: Tales of the Original Party Crasher in which she tells stories about her mother who passed away. In Caroline’s memoir-biography, she includes funny stories from her mother's life, some of which include crashing parties, being with celebrities in NYC, living in Hawaii, and more. This not only is an inside look at her mother’s beautiful life but also the lessons that she taught Caroline along the way. 

Throughout this episode,  Caroline and I talk about how writing her book, Unapologetic: Tales of the Original Party Crasher, helped her work through her emotions surrounding her mother’s death. She talks about what her writing process was like, why she incorporated humor within the book, and the signs that her mother has sent her since she died. 

Tune in and listen to the twenty fifth episode of Grief and Happiness, and join me in learning how Caroline has used writing to help her navigate the grief and happiness that she experienced after the death of her mother. 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Caroline’s experience writing her book, Unapologetic (2:40)
• Caroline’s experience moving from Hawaii back to California (14:35)
• Why Caroline incorporated humor into her book (19:32)
• How Caroline’s mother sends her signs (28:30)

Connect with Caroline 

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Twitter

Let's Connect:

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

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

How do you nurture your soul? Each of us have our own unique trauma and grief and it’s important to give yourself grace, embrace your grief, and ignite your inner spirit so you can find inner peace.  

In this twenty fourth episode together, I am joined by the wonderful Lydia Knorr.  After being widowed without warning, navigating cancer, and overcoming a period of unhealthy coping mechanisms, Lydia began to incorporate a holistic approach to well-being that focused on the health of her body, mind and soul.  Through this approach, Lydia began to see incredible benefits which inspired her to create her program, Discovering Y.O.U. (Your Own Uniqueness) where she delivers keynotes and workshops in the areas of personal growth, connection to self and positive change. Lydia has recently published her book, Ignite Your Inner Spirit, which is full of stories of discovering the spirit-to self-connection and inspiring ways of communicating with the truest essence of you.

Throughout this episode,  Lydia and I talk about how the loss of her husband led her to finding inner peace and connecting to her spirit. She shares her thoughts and advice around following your intuition, giving yourself time to grieve, how happiness takes practice, why death is meant to teach us lessons, and more. Lydia is passionate about nurturing her well-being and throughout this episode she shares how she has learned to be happy despite losing her husband and the other challenges she has been through. 

Tune in and listen to the twenty fourth episode of Grief and Happiness, and join me in learning how Lydia’s grief journey led her to ignite her inner spirit!

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• About Lydia’s experience losing her husband  (0:54)
• To take note of the energy that inspires you and drains you (14:25)
• Lydia’s advice for listening to your intuition (18:52)
• That being in a happy mindset takes practice (23:39)
• A key moment in Lydia’s journey (25:29)

Connect with Lydia 

• Instagram
• Website
• Facebook
• Book - Ignite Your Inner Spirit 

Let's Connect:

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

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

Are you seeking a deeper meaning for life? Understanding the science and spirituality behind the human consciousness will lead to a spiritual transformation. 

In this twenty third episode together, I am joined by the incredible Dr. Eben Alexander. Dr. Alexander is an academically acclaimed  neurosurgeon and author of Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon’s Journey into the Afterlife,  Living in a Mindful Universe: A Neurosurgeon’s Journey into the Heart of Consciousness, and The Map of Heaven: How Science, Religion and Ordinary People are Proving the Afterlife. In 2008, Dr. Alexander was driven into a coma by a rare and mysterious bacterial meningo-encephalitis of unknown cause. After waking up on the seventh day, Dr. Alexander began to write about this near-death experience and started reading others. Through understanding the commonalities between his journey and so many others reported throughout the world, Dr. Alexander soon realized that consciousness is at the root of all existence.

Throughout this episode,  Dr. Alexander and I have an amazing conversation about his scientific and spiritual discoveries about consciousness, reality, and near-death experiences. He shares his personal near-death experience, the recent scientific evidence that supports spiritual beliefs, what the common theme is among near-death experiences, and how we can all achieve the same spiritual awakening without having a near-death experience. 

Tune in and listen to the twenty third episode of Grief and Happiness, and join me in learning from Dr. Eben Alexander!

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• That science and spirituality strengthen each other (3:35)
• The common theme between near death experiences (8:10)
• About Dr. Alexander’s story (10:18)
• Dr. Alexander’s explanation of consciousness (20:42)
• That you don’t need an NDE for the same spiritual awakening (35:50)

Connect with Dr. Alexander

• Website
• Books
• Facebook

Let's Connect:

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

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

Are you comfortable openly talking about grief? Accepting that loss is inevitable and embracing grief can be incredibly healing, but we first have to open up the conversation about it. 

In this twenty second episode together, I am joined by the wonderful Reverend Rich Carlini who is an ordained Unity minister and currently serves the Unity congregation in Davis, California.  He is also the senior minister of an alternative ministry, Transform Myself Inc., A Unity Ministry. Rich is a co-host of The Healing Power of Grief on Unity Online Radio. He teaches Ministry at the End-of-Life for both UWSI and UUMS.  He has been a registered nurse for over 40 years, 25 of them in hospice and palliative care.

Throughout this episode,  Reverend Rich and I talk about the importance of being open to grief and challenging society’s ideas of what grief looks like. He shares what his background is, the grief that he has experienced throughout his life, how life and death are comparable, what his teachings consist of, and so much more. 

Tune in and listen to the twenty second episode of Grief and Happiness, and join me in learning from Revered Rich about the healing power of grief! 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• About Reverend Rich’s background (1:27)
• Reverend Rich’s thoughts on being open to grieve (7:17)
• About Reverend Rich’s current teachings (14:16)
• Reverend Rich’s explanation of life and death being comparable (19:57)
• Reverend Rich’s reflection on his parents passing (27:45)

Connect with Reverend Rich 

• Unity Center of Davis Website
• Transform Myself Inc Website
• Unity Online Radio

Let's Connect:

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

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

Growth and change are inevitable throughout our lives, so it’s important to understand that it is normal to have a different experience processing grief within each stage of life. 

In this twenty first episode together, I am joined by Barby Ingle, best-selling author and reality personality. Barby lives with multiple rare and chronic diseases; reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), migralepsy, PALB2-var breast cancer, valley fever, endometriosis and other pain disorders. Barby’s best-selling book, From Wheels to Heals, demonstrates that it is possible to find successful treatment options for those living with chronic pain.  Barby is a chronic pain educator, motivational speaker, patient advocate, and president of the International Pain Foundation. 

Throughout this episode, Barby and I talk about everything she has learned about grief from both loss and living with chronic pain. She explains her different grief experiences after losing her father, mother, grandmother, various boyfriends, a childhood classmate, and others. Barby opens up and shares how she has continued to choose happiness each day and the grief that comes with living with chronic pain. I hope this conversation with Barby reminds you that we all process grief differently and no one way is right or wrong. 

Tune in and listen to the twenty first episode of Grief and Happiness, and join me in learning Barby Ingle's inspiring story. 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Barby’s perspective of grief and happiness (1:16)
• How grief is different for children and adults (11:23)
• About Barby’s loss of her father (14:06)
• How writing her book helped Barby practice peace (19:33)
• Barby’s grief around living with chronic pain (21:54)

Connect with Barby Ingle

• Books
• Blog
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• Website

Let's Connect:

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

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

Losing a partner is devastating. However, hearing stories of how other widows and widowers were able to live in both grief and happiness is an inspiring reminder that we are all capable of loving more than one person in our lifetime.  

In this twentieth episode together, I am joined by Jessica Ayers. In 2014, she lost her husband, Justin, to a stray bullet three days after giving birth to their infant son. Jessica turned to writing throughout her grief journey, and she began publishing a blog, The Singing Widow, in 2015, and it's since been named a top 10 widow blog by Feedspot for five years in a row. Jessica’s creative and lighthearted videos about grief, infertility, and mental health issues on her Instagram account reach up to 6 million people weekly. Later this year, Jessica plans to self-publish her first book, a survival guide after losing a spouse. 

 Throughout this episode, Jessica and I have a wonderful conversation about her journey to finding love and happiness again after losing her first husband Justin. She reflects on the initial years after becoming a widow, her emotions about getting remarried, the stigma about widows moving on, and more.  Jessica’s story is a reminder that you deserve to find love again after loss.  

 Tune in and listen to the twentieth episode of Grief and Happiness, and join me in learning from the inspirational Jessica Ayers! 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Who Jessica is (1:01)
• Jessica’s reflection on her grief (4:46)
• About Jessica’s new marriage(6:38)
• The stigma that widows have (9:!5)
• About Jessica’s upcoming book (20:21)

Connect with Jessica Ayers 

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook

Let's Connect:

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

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

Trigger Warning: This episode talks about murder and suicide

In this nineteenth episode together, I am joined by Kate Vrastak. Kate was left an orphan at the age of 13, when murders took her her entire family in one night. She is a powerful role model for those learning to live in grief and happiness, as she has since found forgiveness for the murders. Today, Kate is a Motivational Speaker, author of 2 International Best Selling books Ignite Possibilities and Ignite the Hunger in You where she shares what she has learned throughout her life after suffering from immense trauma and tragedy. Kate is certified in Canadian Social Services, Grief Therapy, Suicide Prevention, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Shamanism, Reiki, and is the CEO of Sacred Roots Coaching.

 Throughout this episode, Kate and I have an incredible conversation about her grief and happiness journey. Kate talks about the tragedy that she has endured throughout her life, how she found the strength to forgive the murderers, the value of self-care, how to begin healing your nervous system, and so much more. Kate has developed effortless processes that allow individuals to forgive and fall in love with themselves and I am sure her insights will inspire you. 

 Tune in and listen to the nineteenth episode of Grief and Happiness, and join me in learning how Kate has courageously faced her grief and forgiveness. 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• About Kate’s experience with loss and tragedy (1:45)
• The mission of Kate’s book, Ignite the Hunger in You (10:52)
• How Kate has used Neuro Linguistic programming as a tool (12:08)
• That it’s never too late to have hope (25:05)
• The importance of forgiveness (32:26)

Connect with Kate Vrastak

• Instagram
• Clubhouse
• Website
• Facebook
• LinkedIn

Let's Connect:

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

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

Do you remember where you were on September 11, 2001? Grief fell over the world that morning as the planes crashed through the Twin Towers. 

In this eighteenth episode together, I am so excited to be joined by the inspiring Inez Ribustello. Inez is the author of the book, Life After Windows, a memoir about how 9/11 completely changed the direction of her life. Throughout the memoir, Inez explains her experience getting her dream job that was located on the top floor of the Twin Towers to the horrors of watching the Twin Towers fall 2 years later. I cannot imagine experiencing what Inez went through and I am grateful for her courage in sharing her story with the world. 

 Throughout this episode, Inez details the grief that she went through when she lost countless coworkers and loved friends in the attacks on 9/11 and how her career dreams were forever changed. Inez shares how she began to move forward,  where her career has taken her since, and the power of community that played into her grief and happiness journey. 

Tune in and listen to the eighteenth episode of Grief and Happiness, and join me in learning Inez’s perspective on grief and happiness after 9/11 changed her life forever. 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Inez’s experience on 911 (1:27)
• How Inez began moving forward (9:10)
• Where Inez took her career afterwards (18:30)
• An excerpt from Inez’s book, Life After Windows (25:16)

Connect with Inez Ribustello

• Book - Life After Windows 
• Instagram

Let's Connect:

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

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

What tools have helped you to express and move through the emotions of grief and happiness? Whether it is writing, speaking, support groups, or the many other tools and resources, lean into what helps you process your feelings. 

In this seventeenth episode together, I am so excited to be joined by the wonderful John Polo.  In January of 2016, John lost his wife, Michelle, to cancer. This loss led John into intense and deep grieving consumed by desperation and despair, and he held on long enough until he found hope. And he slowly rebuilt, turning to writing to process his emotions.  Today John helps others through his social media, books, coaching, workshops, speeches and podcasts.  He is the author of three books, host of two podcasts and has worked with clients on thousands of coaching sessions. From grief to dating, self-growth and everything in between, John offers a style of coaching that is personalized and unique for each individual.

 Throughout this episode, John vulnerably shares the story of losing his wife Michelle to cancer. He talks about the benefits that writing has provided him throughout his grieving, what his perspective is on grief and happiness, why we have to be our own biggest supporter during grief, and so much more. I really enjoyed this conversation with John and I hope his insights and lessons help you along your grief and happiness journey. 

Tune in and listen to the seventeenth episode, and join me in learning how John continues to live with grief and happiness since losing his wife Michelle. 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• About John’s grief journey (1:32)
• About the writing workshops John hosts (6:42)
• John’s perspective on grief and happiness (12:30)
• The power of expressing support (17:30)
• To become your own biggest supporter throughout your grief (31:11)

Connect with John Polo 

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Podcast - My Person Died Too
• Podcast - Gonna Love Me 2
• Books 

Let's Connect:

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

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

How do you know when you’re ready to graduate from the pain of your grief?

In this sixteenth episode together, I am so excited to have the inspiring Sherrie Dunlevy with me today. Sherrie is a former NBC News Anchor where she covered the Wheeling, WV area for nearly 30 years both on television and radio. Today she is a best selling author, inspirational speaker, Founder of the Graduating Grief Academy, and host of the Graduating Grief podcast. 

Sherrie’s book “How Can I Help?” was written to help people know what to say and do when the people they love and care about are hurting. As a bereaved mother, Sherrie is on a mission to remind people that it is possible to graduate from grief and live in purpose, passion, and joy! 

Throughout this episode, Sherrie talks about her grief journey after losing her son that has led her to pursue a grief focused career. Sherrie explains the value that she provides in her book, How Can I Help?, how she helps others to move past their pain through the Graduating Grief Academy, and ultimately why it’s important to embrace the light that you have and release the pain. We often hear the phrase “time heals everything”, but that mindset just keeps us stuck in our pain. If we want to move beyond the pain of grief, we have to take action to move from living in darkness to light. 

Tune in and listen to the sixteenth episode of Grief and Happiness, and join me in learning from Sherrie about graduating from grief!  

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• How Sherrie became inspired to do the grief work she is doing today (4:06)
• About Sherrie’s book, How Can I Help? (13:58)
• The two myths about grief (17:14)
• About the Graduating Grief Academy (20:19)
• To graduate from darkness to light (31:00)
• That there are gifts within your grief experience (36:36)

Connect with Sherrie Dunlevy  

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Podcast - Graduating Grief 
• Book- How Can I Help?

Let's Connect:

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

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