Grief Heals

Grief Heals

By Lisa Michelle Zega | Jump Up and Down ProductionsHealth & FitnessMental Health
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Grief Heals episodes

  • Grief's Radical Invitation: Slowing Down to Uncover Love and Gratitude

    A sweet friend and client sent me, "The Hidden Messages of Water," by Masaru Emoto. The treasure I received from the author and water is


    Love and Gratitude


    https://a.co/d/bSAS7zQ



    This has me thinking about the radical invitation of grief.


    What if grief’s invitation is to


    Slow.


    Down.


    When I get slow. I mean slow enough to notice that I breathe. Slow enough to notice that I see.


    Every time I get slow, Love and Gratitude emerge.


    Even when I’m entering my deepest losses, love and gratitude arise when I get slow.


    Grief has a powerful tendency to arrest us, to slow us down in a way that can feel overwhelming.


    I wonder if it feels overwhelming because we don’t have a place to hold it in a culture that prizes productivity above people.


    On the other hand, a storm might be called overwhelming, though there is a sense that storms are part of the natural world and won’t last forever.


    We somehow know that there is a flow and calm becomes storm and storm becomes calm – like it’s part of the same cycle.


    This book has me thinking about the cost of moving fast and reflecting on what that has meant for me and those around me. It also has me looking at slowing down in new ways.


    As you listen to this episode, I invite you to consider:


    How has grief invited you to slow down and become more present?


    How does slowing down help your communication and interactions with yourself? Loved ones?



    I believe that saying yes to grief's radical invitation, opens us up to a deeper understanding of ourselves, our connections, and the beauty that lies within our experiences.


    Have a listen here and please share it with a friend!



    24 min
  • Grief, Rest and Dreaming Awake

    Today’s episode was inspired by a Christmas gift I received from my dear friend Michelle - The Nap Ministry's Rest Deck, created by Tricia Hersey.

    I explore how her entreaty to rest as a form of resistance against the "grind culture" connects with embracing grief to humanize humanity.

    I share how my experience of pushing away grief resonates with her assertion that grind culture is a collaboration between capitalism and white supremacy.

    And how grief’s sacred doorway is an invitation to life. 

    Tricia's work reveals the beauty and liberation found by entering our own and ancestral grief. She reminds us that resting and dreaming connects us to our divinity and one another. 

    Click below to learn more about her hallowed work: 

    https://thenapministry.wordpress.com/

    May this episode nourish your soul and taste our oneness.

    29 min
  • 2025 - Circle of Life, I AM, and Cherished Belonging

    OKAY.


    However you are coming into the New Year —- WELCOME!


    Imagine getting to be where you are, how you are, exactly as you are – and welcoming all of you to this space. The happy, sad, good, bad – whatever concoction of duality you notice, what might it be like to practice welcoming all of your experience?


    You know what helps me practice welcoming all of my experience? I think of everything as moving around a circle.


    Ha! The Circle of Life. Cue Lion King lyrics.


    It's the circle of life

    And it moves us all

    Through despair and hope

    Through faith and love

    'Til we find our place

    On the path unwinding

    In the circle

    The circle of life


    Our seasons really do operate in a circle. Winter becomes spring, spring becomes summer, summer to fall, fall to winter. And ohhhhh. Think of all that happens in the rich, beautiful, vibrant darkness of the soil.


    When do the fallen leaves of winter become the spirited buds of spring? Life feeding new life underground…


    Until. New. Life. Emerges.


    Join the Grief Heals conversation on this first episode of 2025 where we talk about


    Being with what is


    The Reticular Activating System


    Life as a circle


    Creating an “I AM” for the new year


    The "I am" statement is a powerful way to foster belonging and connection in the new year. It’s a simple way to embrace yourself and others in the year ahead because it helps you cultivate authenticity, stay grounded, and open to meaningful connections.


    Join the conversation on our substack! http://griefheals.substack.com


    28 min
  • Investing in Loss for Personal Profit

    Host Lisa Michelle Zega talks about the importance of embracing and investing in personal loss and grief as a path to growth and profit, both for the individual and one's broader ecosystem. In the course of this, Lisa reflects on her childhood experiences and the stories they have held onto and explores how letting go of these narratives and welcoming all parts of oneself can lead to greater compassion, connection, and wholeness. The episode emphasizes the value of self-reflection, self-hypnosis practices, and a curious, non-judgmental approach to one's own history and inner landscape.


    Questions for Further Reflection

    1. What personal stories or losses have you been most invested in holding onto? How might you approach those with more curiosity and openness to letting go?

    2. In what ways have you witnessed unwitnessed loss or grief in your own life or in the larger societal/historical context? How could embracing that loss lead to greater connection and understanding?

    3. What parts of yourself have you previously judged or pushed away? How might welcoming and honoring those aspects lead to more self-compassion and growth?

    4. How could the self-hypnosis practice described be adapted or expanded to further support your own process of investing in loss and accessing deeper wisdom and insight?

    5. What are the potential "profits" - whether personal, relational or societal - that could emerge from a willingness to truly grieve and let go of cherished narratives or identities?

      6. 40 min
    6. Resilience in the Face of Grief

      In this thought-provoking episode of Grief Heals, host Lisa Michelle Zega embarks on a profound exploration of the interconnectedness of all things. Drawing insights from the natural world, Zega delves into the intricate web of human systems and emotions, highlighting the ways in which grief, joy, and resilience are inextricably linked. Through reflections on brain development, the cycles of nature, and the power of physical and emotional resistance, Zega invites listeners to consider grief not as an isolated experience, but as a manifestation of the deep love that binds us all.


      Questions for Further Reflection

      1. How has your understanding of grief shifted after considering the interconnectedness of emotions and systems within the self and the larger ecosystem?

      2. In what ways have you experienced the "death and resurrection" cycles that the speaker describes, and how have those cycles informed your personal growth?

      3. What does it mean to you to "lean into the wind" of life's challenges, and how can cultivating that mindset support your healing process?

      4. How might considering the role of resistance and struggle in natural systems, like the trees in the biosphere study, change the way you approach personal growth and transformation?

      5. What insights from the speaker's reflections on brain development and the impact of environment could be applied to supporting mental health and emotional well-being?

      6. How can an understanding of interdependence and the interconnected self inform the way we offer compassion and support to those experiencing grief or other life challenges?

      7. What practices or mindset shifts might you explore to deepen your sense of connection to the larger web of life, and how could that impact your relationship with grief?

        8. 26 min
      8. Grief, Witness, and the Celebration of Unique Brilliance

        In this episode, Lisa Michelle Zega explores the themes of grief, personal growth, and the importance of being witnessed and celebrated for one's unique brilliance. She reflects on leading a workshop for individuals re-entering the workforce, where she was deeply moved by the profound wisdom and perspectives shared by the participants. She connects this experience to the broader idea that grief can stem from not being seen and heard in our full individuality, rather than being forced to conform to societal norms. The episode emphasizes the healing power of creating spaces where people can reconnect with their authentic selves and the collective brilliance that emerges when we honor each person's distinct gifts.

        Questions for Further Reflection

        1. How can we create more spaces and opportunities for people to be witnessed and celebrated for their unique brilliance and perspectives, rather than feeling pressured to conform?

        2. What are some of the ways that dominant cultural narratives and expectations can suppress or bury our individual genius and creativity? How can we work to uncover and amplify those suppressed parts of ourselves?

        3. In what ways have you experienced grief or a sense of loss related to not feeling seen, heard, or valued for who you truly are? How might reframing that grief as a longing to be witnessed change the way you approach it?

        4. What are some practical strategies for helping others, or ourselves, reconnect with the core essence of who they are, especially when it has been obscured by trauma, stress, or societal conditioning?

        5. How can we foster more collective experiences of honoring and learning from each person's distinct gifts, rather than pitting people against each other or promoting a singular "right" way of being?

          6. 27 min
        6. Collective Grief

          Host Lisa Michelle Zega leads a thoughtful and introspective discussion on the state of the United States and the human condition. Zega explores themes of unity, division, grief, and the need for collective healing and understanding. She reflects on the complex history of the country, the lasting impacts of systemic oppression, and the importance of expanding our capacity for empathy, compassion, and love. Zega draws connections between individual and collective experiences, highlighting how our internal states and unresolved traumas manifest externally. She emphasizes the power we have to change our own mindsets and states of being, in order to show up more fully for one another and work towards positive change.

          Questions for Further Reflection

          1. How can we cultivate a deeper sense of interconnectedness and empathy within our communities and society as a whole?

          2. What steps can we take to better understand and acknowledge the historical injustices and systemic oppression that have shaped the current landscape?

          3. In what ways can we each work to expand our emotional resources and resilience, and how might that contribute to collective healing?

          4. What role does personal growth and development play in our ability to show up for one another and create positive change?

          5. How might recognizing our shared humanity, beyond national or other divisive identities, help us move towards a more just and equitable future?

          6. What practical strategies can we implement to foster more compassion, love, and collective mourning in response to societal challenges?

            7. 37 min
          7. Navigating Transition and Transformation

            Lisa Michelle Zega explores the process of navigating life transitions and personal growth and in the process highlights the role of grief and the need to let go of idealized expectations. The importance of self-compassion and embracing one's human limitations is emphasized as part of the journey of expansion and transformation. The collaborative nature of this transformative work is also discussed. Underlying these ideas is the concept that expanding into one's true, divine nature involves a process of "death and rebirth."


            Questions for Further Reflection

            1. How can we cultivate self-compassion and patience when facing our own human limitations during times of transition or instability?

            2. What role can collaborative relationships play in supporting personal growth and transformation?

            3. In what ways can the concept of "death and rebirth" be applied to our own journeys of expanding into our true, divine nature?

            4. How can acknowledging and embracing grief and loss open us up to new possibilities and a deeper connection with ourselves and others?

            5. What practices or mindsets can help us let go of idealized expectations and engage more fully with the realities of our current relationships and circumstances?

              6. 29 min
            6. Reimagination

              In this episode, Lisa Michelle Zega explores the powerful role that self-shaming and reimagination can play in the grieving process. Lisa shares personal experiences and insights on how being present to our own suffering, rather than trying to undo the past, can open us up to deeper self-compassion and the ability to create new, enriching experiences. The discussion touches on the importance of embracing the messiness of life, allowing ourselves to fully feel our emotions, and using the power of reimagination to find closure and nourish new growth. Throughout, Lisa emphasizes the synergy between being present to ourselves and being present to others with kindness and love.

              1. How have you experienced the pull of "should-ing" yourself in the face of grief or difficult experiences? How can you practice being more present to your actual experience rather than trying to undo the past?

              2. In what ways have you found the process of reimagining or re-living past experiences to be helpful in your own healing and growth? What new perspectives or insights have emerged through this process?

              3. How might embracing the messiness and imperfections of life and relationships open you up to deeper self-compassion and connection with others? What would it look like to let go of the need to curate your experiences?

              4. What are some concrete ways you can nurture the "soil" of your life, allowing past experiences to compost and feed new growth and opportunities? How can you be more intentional about metabolizing rather than suppressing difficult emotions?

              5. How can the power of reimagination help you find closure, complete unfinished conversations, or give yourself the experiences you wish you had in moments of loss or regret? What might that process look like for you?

                6. 26 min
              6. Healing Wounds with Compassion

                In this thought-provoking conversation, Lisa Michelle Zega explores the profound connection between grief and love. Lisa delves into the idea that true healing requires us to be present to our own suffering, allowing love to enter and minister to our wounds. Through personal stories and reflections, Lisa unpacks how facing our pain with self-compassion can open the door to deeper relationships, forgiveness, and the ability to genuinely love ourselves and others. Lisa's discussion illuminates the transformative power that arises when we are willing to confront our grief, rather than avoid or resent it. Listeners are invited to consider how embracing the fullness of their emotional experiences, as Lisa has done, can lead to greater wholeness and the capacity to let their light shine.
                Links


                Lisa's website: https://legityou.com/

                Neal DeGrasse Tyson on the mobeus strip:

                hw_dungeoncanyon17c_h_en_87 (youtube.com)
                Questions for Further Reflection

                1. How have you experienced the relationship between grief and love in your own life? Can you identify moments where facing your pain allowed for deeper compassion and connection?

                2. What does it mean to you to "enter your own wounds" and allow love to minister there? What practices or mindsets support this process of self-compassion?

                3. Lisa spoke about the transformative power of not retaliating against those who have hurt us. How might choosing forgiveness over resentment open up new possibilities in your relationships?

                4. In what ways have you struggled to fully receive love from others, perhaps due to unresolved pain or shame? How might tending to those inner wounds unlock your capacity for deeper intimacy?

                5. Lisa reflected on the connection between light and darkness, and how they can share the same intention for our growth. How have you witnessed this interplay of opposites in your own life experiences?

                6. What insights from Lisa's exploration of grief as love might inspire you to approach your own losses, transitions or seasons of suffering with more openness and self-care?

                  7. 41 min

                About Grief Heals

                From the publisher's feed

                We live in a grief-phobic society which tends to minimize loss and avoid the grief that leads to healing. Lisa Michelle Zega, a professionally trained and experienced grief coach, discusses loss and…