Have you ever imagined seeing a loved one age or encountering them again in the physical world after they've passed? What if that encounter happens because you see their face every time you look in the mirror? In this episode, I sit down with Shelby Forsythia to discuss this multi-layered experience and what it’s like for her to resemble her mom so closely.

Shelby shares her unique perspective on grief, offering insightful tips and activities to help you connect with and process your own grief. Whether it's through heartfelt stories or unconventional practices like screaming for 30 minutes to screamo music, Shelby’s approach is insightful, compassionate, and practical.

We touch on so many topics in this episode, even pregancy loss. This episode was a full circle moment as Shelby was one of the first people that helped me on my own grief journey.

Join us as we explore the intersections of grief and identity, including the experience of identifying as queer while navigating the grieving process. Shelby’s story is a powerful reminder that grief can bring unexpected connections and profound personal growth.

Also tune in to hear Shelby’s grief love story and discover new ways to embrace and understand your own grief journey.

Say Hello to Shelby on Instagram @shelbyforsythia

https://www.shelbyforsythia.com/

Would love to say hello to you! Let me know what you think about this episode and say hello @helloimgrieving

https://helloimgrieving.com/

As promised the link to Chris Paul’s book, “61: Life Lessons From Papa, On And Off The Court”  https://www.amazon.com/Sixty-One-Life-Lessons-Papa-Court/dp/1250276713 

Say Hello To Isabel Knight The Death Designer

Do you know your rights when it comes to planning a funeral? In this enlightening episode, we dive deep into the essential knowledge you need during one of life's most challenging moments. Join us as we talk with Isabel Knight, a dedicated advocate fighting for transparency and fairness in the funeral industry. Learn about the ongoing efforts to change the Funeral Rule, ensuring that all options and fees are fully disclosed to consumers when a loved one passes away.

This episode isn't just about legislation—it's an invitation to ask yourself profound questions that can spark meaningful conversations. Discover the intriguing history of funeral practices, uncover the often-overlooked hospital body release policies, and explore the fascinating idea of body retrieval from medical examiners. 

Did you know that cemeteries are filling up faster than you might think?  We also discuss sustainable burial practices, highlighting how you can make environmentally conscious decisions. From traditional to green burials, we provide insights into the visual and practical differences, helping you understand all your options like alkaline hydrolysis for your loved one's remains? Whether you're looking for a thought-provoking discussion or practical information on how to plan for your death, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in to empower yourself with the knowledge that could change the way you approach end-of-life planning.

Watch at the end on Spotify or YouTube and see the visuals that Isabel shares with us to explain sustainable burials.

Say Hello to Isabel on Instagram @thedeathdesigner

https://www.thedeathdesigner.com/

Here is the link to the book Isabel discusses that can help plan a home death from the National Home Funeral Alliance 

https://www.homefuneralalliance.org/ 

https://www.homefuneralalliance.org/home-funeral-guidebook.html 

Would love to say hello to you! Let me know what you think about this episode and say hello @helloimgrieving

https://helloimgrieving.com/

In this episode, we are joined by the intriguing "Death Engineer," Marielle Cuison, an expert navigating the cultural and generational impacts of death and grief. This engaging conversation explores opening up dialogues about mortality, offering practical tips on planning for one's own death, and injecting humor into the often somber topic of death. Which I cant wait until you hear what hot Cheetos has to do with planning a funeral! Our guest shares insights on celebrating life, from meaningful rituals to leaving a lasting legacy. The discussion takes an look into eco-friendly alternatives and conscious choices for the body after death. Join us for a thought-provoking and light-hearted journey into the realms of life, death, and the spaces in between, as we uncover the wisdom and wit of the Death Engineer. Also, for those Gen Z'ers (and everyone else) I think we should start the hashtag #doitfortheplot! Find out what that means in this episode.

Say Hello to Marielle on Instagram @thedeathengineer

Would love to say hello to you! Let me know what you think about this episode and say hello @helloimgrieving.com

If you're wondering about the coffee mug check out www.helloimgrieving.com

Soon to be featured on VICE, Mangda Sengvanhpheng is one intriguing leaders in the grief sapce. Lets just start out with the fact that she has created a grief potion, yes a potion to help people release and connect to their grief. We talk rituals, mysticsm, and intersectionality of identity. If you are wondering what BACII means, it comes from traditional Laotian baci ceremonies performed at gatherings of birth, life, and death. During the ritual, people wish baci, or “blessings,” onto others in an act of true compassion, unity and connection. Listen and I know you will connect to all we discuss.

Say Hello to Mangda and learn more about BACII:

www.bacii.co

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0cpa_Ktg8iXWFRlH6FT1Zw

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/hellobacii

INSTAGRAM: @_bacii

Would love to hear from you! Please say hello on Instargram @helloimgrieving

www.helloimgrieving.com

What is grief like 30 years later? I sat down with Barri Leiner Grant, Founder of The Memory Circle as she gives us this exact insight on what grief looks like after many years have passed and as a motherless daughter. Barri brings some fun and brightness to the conversation on grief and also share so many ways to continue the relationship. Grant also discusses the idea of searching for our loved ones in our relationship not only with others in our lives but also in the world. We also discuss the beauty of grief through connection.

Say Hello to Barri: www.thememorycircle.com

SUBSTACK:https://barri.substack.com/

Instagram: @thememorycircle

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/132181931161167

Would love to hear from you and say hello!

Instagram: @helloimgrieving

Website: www.helloimgrieving.com

When someone dies, what do you decide to keep and what do you do with all the objects left behind? Charlene Lam asked herself this question when her mother died and decided to curate an exhibition on the items she chose. There is so much more to this story and we discuss all the attachments we have to these objects, what they represent, and how they can help us continue bonds with our loved ones. We also talk about what happens when you finds things you did not know about and learn more about your person. Lam also empowers people to see the beauty in all the mess and how anyone can curate something beautiful to share their grief and the people that have died with others. This episode will definitely make you think about grief differently. Share this with someone who you thinks need to hear this.

Say hello to Charlene

https://www.youtube.com/ @thegriefgallery  

​​https://www.instagram.com/curating_grief

https://twitter.com/curating_grief

I would love to say hello to you!

Follow for more and say hello on Instagram @helloimgrieving

www.helloimgrieving.com

Briana Simmons is a Life Cycle Facilitator and Founder of Unearthing Tradition. What is that you ask? Well, listen to this episode and you definitely have a new perspective on both life and death. This conversation had me talking everything from Beyonce to Biking for Black Babies, to knowing your worth. Briana shares not only her story of grief after the death of her mother. She shares so beautifully how she cares for people when they are welcoming new life into this world and standing by their side when people leave this world. I know you are going to want to share this episode with others. Seriously there were so many gems dropped and I know you will take away as much as I did.

Say hello to Briana: Instagram @unearthingtradition

Website: www.unearthingtradition.com

I would love to say hello to you too! Follow and say hello on Instagram @helloimgrieving or www.helloimgrieving.com

Let me know what resonated with you in this episode and what other topics I should discuss.

Gina Moffa, LCSW is the author of Moving On Doesn't Mean Letting Go: A Modern Guide To Navigating Loss and also a a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in trauma and grief. In this episodes she offers insights on different types of therapy, the connection between grief and trauma, and offers different methods to approach grief through writing. We discuss all types of loss and all the ups and downs. You are not going to want to miss her response to my question at the very end! The entire interview is filled with so many great observations and knowledge about grief and how we can coexist with it. You can learn a lot by listening and share this episode.

Say Hello To Gina: Instagram @⁠ginamoffalcsw⁠

Website: https://ginamoffa.com/

Let me know what resonated with you in this episde and say hello on Instagram ⁠@helloimgrieving⁠ 

This is going to be an interesting conversation! Things may get a little weird in this episode, but hey grief is very weird to say the least. If you want to talk about aliens, mysticism, and what being truly human is and how this connects to grief, this episode is for you. And even if you think its not for you... listen anyways! Whenever I listen to Vinh;Paul I come away with this feeling of enlightenment and he allows me to get to a place of higher thinking and insightful reflection. Grief is a truly human expereinces that opens you up and changes you in so many ways. Listen to this and take some time to answer the questions that Vinh Paul and I provide to help you take that next step to saying hello to grief. Also give him a call...really do it and you get another chance to hear that velvety voice of his!

Vinh;Paul Ha—yes, with a semicolon—is a first-generation Viet born in the Bay Area, California, currently residing on Chumash and Tongva land (Los Angeles). He is a futurist, healer, trained mediator, coach, and colloquially amongst contemporaries: Mystic Daddē of the Daddē Hotline (864) 71-DADDĒ where he gives quick, queer, dad-like advice. He has over 20 years of experience working in education and nonprofits, with additional learning as a death doula and ICF-certified coach. His practice is rooted in intersectional unity, abolition, and bringing somatic comfort, ease, and rest to all queer//trans//non-white people. The best way to experience him and his work is to request a conversation.

Say hello to Vinh;Paul:

www.vinhpaulha.com

@mysticdade.com

Love talking about the signs we receive and that we may not recieve. How can you stay connected to your loved ones after they die? We talk about all of this on todays episode. Patty also brings in the things we dont tend to talk about with grief, is that there are some things we dont like to say out loud. For example, we talk about the relief we may feel or that maybe the person that died didnt have the best relationship or maybe treated you badly. We talk so many things from anticipatory grief to complicated grief.

Patty Montoya is a Psychic Medium, Energy Healer, Anticipatory Grief Coach, Death Doula, and so much more! She is the founder of Titipoza (Tee-tee-po-zuh), a space created to help people process grief and transition. Titipoza was created after experiencing the loss of Patty’s brother, mom, and grandparents. Patty provides the services she did not have while anticipating the loss of her family members. Patty believes we are all working through our traumas and grief, and we come to this earth to learn, heal, and then teach. Using energy healing, spirits, or tarot card, she supports transitioning from grief or trauma into inner peace and confidence​​.

Say hell to Patty at:

www.titipoza.com

@titipozacoach

https://www.youtube.com/@titipoza

https://www.facebook.com/titipozahealer/

Let me know what you resonated with you and what other topics you would like to learn about.

Say hello to me @helloimgrieving

www.helloimgrieving.com