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In this griefsense episode, I’m joined by multi-hyphenate creator and caregiver Chris Punsalan, known by millions for his viral videos caring for his grandmother, Anicia Manipon.

For nearly 8 years, Chris showed the world what love looked like in real time - through routines, folded napkins, shared meals, and the small sacred acts of caregiving. Some of you may know him from TikTok, YouTube, or Instagram, where over 6 million people followed their journey.

But when she passed, a new journey began - one with less guidance and fewer viewers: grief.

In this episode, we talk about:
🧡 grieving in public + not crying at the funeral
🧡 the identity shift after caregiving ends
🧡 anticipatory grief + emotional guilt
🧡 taking care of our health + nurturing our hobbies
🧡 honoring Anicia’s legacy through content and culture
🧡 navigating social media as a grieving creator

Whether you're a caregiver, griever, content creator / entrepreneur — or all three — this conversation will hold you where you are.

You don't have to carry this alone. The griefsense community is here for you.

related video: https://youtu.be/NMq8P1e_xgs?si=wBXb1CJX7jSvVxbd

Follow Chris on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube.

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Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Grief and Growth
02:38 Navigating Personal Grief Experiences
05:23 Honoring Legacies Through Grief
08:30 The Impact of Caregiving on Identity
11:15 Finding Purpose in Grief
13:43 Anticipatory Grief and Its Complexities
16:33 Reinventing Life After Loss
19:36 Creating Grief Homes and Outlets
22:26 Reframing Grief Perspectives
32:15 Moving Forward with Grief
35:11 The Need for Authenticity
37:16 Legacy and Purpose
42:03 Creating Meaningful Content
48:32 Giving People Their Flowers
51:16 Cultural Integration in Content
55:59 Navigating the Creative Journey
01:01:16 Navigating Comments on Social media
01:04:00 The Impact of Metrics on Content Creation
01:07:12 The Invisible Metrics of Engagement
01:12:07 Living Authentically and Purposefully
01:16:37 Self-Care as an Act of Love
01:19:44 The Power of Vulnerability in Storytelling
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#ChrisPunsalan #griefsense #grief #caregiving #legacy #mentalhealth #creatorjourney #healing 

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In this powerful episode of griefsense, Kara Roselle, storyteller, DJ, and activist, joins Mimi to share what it means to be the living embodiment of legacy. Kara opens up about the loss of her mother, Alma Gordon, Chief and Historian of the Chappaquiddick Wampanoag Tribe, and how #grief became a portal for reclaiming land, voice, and joy.

From the fight for Indigenous #landback to healing through art, storytelling, and DJing, Kara reflects on love, #loss, and what it means to carry an unfinished dream forward.

💭 Whether you're grieving, reclaiming your roots, or learning how to keep going after loss - this one’s for you.


00:00 Introduction
00:36 Kara Roselle's Background and Work
03:25 Honoring Alma Gordon
05:11 Kara's Journey and Legacy
13:07 Grief and Creativity
25:35 Land Back Movement and Indigenous Rights
29:27 Exploring Indigenous Place Names
31:47 The Importance of Land Acknowledgement
33:11 Solidarity Across Movements
37:44 Finding Joy Amidst Struggle
42:36 The Power of LinkedIn
52:10 Navigating Grief and Advocacy
56:55 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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In this episode, I hold space to honor the bold and beautiful legacies of my best friend, Meghan Victoria Leroy, and my grandmother, Wela Sefa—two women who shaped me long before I had the words for who I was becoming. Their birthdays are this month, and this is my offering to them.

Meghan taught me what it means to live presently and loudly—to be bold, to dance, to wear bright colors, and to say exactly what’s on your mind without apology. She’s the reason I choose to live life by my own rules and why the color orange became my anchor in grief.

 Wela Sefa showed me the power of chosen family. She took my mom and I in without question after my dad died, and taught me how to build community rooted in joy, faith, and belonging. She’s why I know what it means to show up for people — and why coffee and dominoes will always feel like home.

We dive into what it means to reclaim safety as women in a world not built for us. I share personal lessons from both of them on self love, boldness, and creation and how those lessons continue to fuel my healing, my creativity, and my womanhood today.

How are you showing up boldly? Who are you choosing as family? And what legacy are you cultivating with your life?

Let’s sit with that, together.

Cheers to channeling your inner Meghan and Wela Sefa. 🌻✨

🎙️ Share your reflections: Comment on YouTube or leave a review on Spotify or Apple with your thoughts on the episode. Your voice matters, and I can’t wait to hear from you!

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In this episode, I hold space to honor the incredible legacy of my aunt, Gethzayda Cruz —Titi Tundra, aka Red T. Her love, intention, and community-centered spirit shaped me and so many others, and I reflect on how her legacy continues to inspire my own.

We dive into the difference between building a brand—curated and immediate—and cultivating a legacy—the stories and impact that live on long after we’re gone. I share personal lessons from Red T’s selflessness, reflections on nurturing relationships in every area of life, and actionable ways to channel that energy into your own connections.

How are you nurturing your relationships? Who inspires your legacy? Let’s reflect, connect, and build something lasting—together.

Cheers to channeling your inner Red T. 🌟

🎙️ Share your thoughts: Comment on YouTube or leave us a review on Spotify or Apple with your reflections on the episode. Your voice matters, and I can’t wait to hear from you!

p.s. if you'd like to read the obituary I put together for her and learn more about the incredible woman she was, you can read that here. 

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hey y'all... it's been a minute but I'm here now. I had tragic back to back loss last year. i'll update you on that soon. for now, here's a letter to those of us impacted by the wildfires in LA. consider it an invitation of grief. for all of us. 

sending love & light. 

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Hey griefsense familia! It's Mimi Gonzalez here, your host and the Zillennial Griever. In today’s episode, I’m joined by Tatiana Banks, a young widow who’s been finding her way through grief while raising her kids and falling in love again. 

Tatiana will share with us how she keeps the memory of her late husband alive, the day-to-day of dealing with grief, and how she’s connected with others through her stories after going viral on TikTok. It’s about the raw, unfiltered experiences that many of us go through but don’t always talk about.

So make yourself comfy, like you’re in your living room—or as we say in Spanish, in the sala—but this is the grief sala. Whether you’ve got your tea or a cafecito in hand, I want you to feel like you’re just chatting with close friends or family who really understand what it’s like.

We’re here to unpack all this together, explore what it means to support each other, and find those moments of joy amidst the pain. Let’s dive into this conversation with Tatiana be intentional as we sit with our grief, together. 

• Follow Tatiana on Tiktok
• Donate to the grief sala conference 

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Have you ever felt like you just want to give up? Well, don't because we need you. Your breakthrough is right around the corner!

Hey griefsense fam! Today, it’s just me sharing some big updates and life changes, and I’d love your thoughts. After wrestling with mental health challenges and nearly giving up, I’ve just won a startup pitch competition, which is a huge boost for our mission at griefsense. Amidst this, I've reconnected with my birth father's family, including meeting my grandfather who's now facing terminal illness. It's been a whirlwind of emotions, but these experiences are fueling my dedication to building griefsense and planning our largest event yet, the Grief Sala Fest. Stay tuned, and I hope to see you there!

Donate to The Grief Sala Fest to help make it a reality!

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what's up griefsense familia? Come chill with me and motivational speaker, mental health advocate, combat sports athlete, and mindset and performance coach Na Eun "Jiggy" Yoon as we explore the deep connections between grief, identity, and resilience. Today, Jiggy opens up about her role as a leading voice in the LGBTQ+ community and the youth mental health space, sharing insights from her personal healing and grieving journey.

Throughout the episode, Jiggy opens up about the painful loss of both her parents and how this profound grief influenced her life's path and her advocacy for youth mental health. We dive deep into the misconceptions surrounding hustle culture, emphasizing that true resilience often requires stepping back to embrace rest and self-compassion.

The conversation also touches on #griefsense—a nuanced awareness born from deep loss, which can transform our appreciation for life. We also reflect on the power of 'glimmers,' those small yet impactful moments of positivity that can light up our day. Have you heard of glimmers before? How does this show up in your life? 

Tune in to hear how Jiggy navigates the complexities of loss and identity, finding peace and purpose in authenticity and the legacy left behind by her parents. 

Follow & Connect with Jiggy: "where hustle & grind meet healing & grieving" 

• website
• instagram 
• listen to her podcast : SHIFT with Jiggy Yoon

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Step into a space where grief meets creativity in this enlightening conversation with Kat Primeau, aka the Good Grief Doula. Host Mimi Gonzalez and Kat dive into what it means to be death positive and how embracing grief can unlock creative expression and personal growth.

Kat opens up about growing up in hospice and how her own experiences with loss not only shaped her as an artist but also inspired her work in helping others navigate their grief. This episode explores the vital role of creativity—whether it's through music, art, or writing—in processing and honoring our deepest emotions.

Learn about Swedish death cleaning and how mindful practices like this can help us cope with and prepare for loss. Discover the importance of community and curiosity in finding support and new perspectives as you move through grief.

Whether you're a young artist struggling with loss or someone looking to understand grief’s impact on life and creativity, this episode offers insights and encouragement. Tune in to find out how embracing your grief can lead to unexpected gifts of inspiration and resilience.

Follow Kat on instagram 
Visit her website
Listen to her music

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Join us as Serge Nkusi, a young stand-up comedian from Rwanda, discusses how he channels his grief into creativity. Serge opens up about the loss of his brother Steve, a renowned track athlete, and how this tragedy has shaped his approach to life and mental health. He shares his journey of dealing with grief through humor, the role of authenticity in his work, and the practices that bring him peace and clarity. Serge’s story is not just about coping with loss but about using it as a spark for creativity and a way to honor those we love. He's making waves on social media with his content and inspiring people to tell their loved ones "I love you" before it's too late. 

Follow his content & journey on Instagram & Tiktok 

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