By Tom Bender
5
33 ratings
The podcast currently has 24 episodes available.
From Kelly...I am a Pet Loss Grief Coach and Certified Grief Educator, honored to walk with others through the challenging journey of pet loss. Having supported many individuals and families, and navigated my own losses, I am dedicated to addressing topics in pet loss that often go unspoken. My passion is in writing about the many unique aspect of pet loss and offering pet parents both compassionate understanding and valuable insights.
Kelly's website: www.griefeverafter.com
Grief Ever After Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/griefeverafter
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Please consider supporting the podcast here: https://buymeacoffee.com/heroesingrief
Heroes in Grief: www.heroesingrief.com
Contact Tom: [email protected]
You also can help support Heroes in Grief by using our affiliate links to wherever you do your online shopping or ordering. Message Tom at [email protected] to inquire or get a link. No extra charges or any cost to you!
Visit the Heroes in Grief shop for products discussed on the podcast & Tom's suggestions: https://linktr.ee/heroesingrief/shop
Thank you!!!
Christina Stiverson is a certified grief coach, retired US Air Force officer, fitness professional, and President of Foundation for Addie’s Research. Christina became passionate about rare pediatric cancer research and helping other mothers through grief after her 3-year-old daughter passed away in 2016. Her transformational story recently captured the hearts of millions when she was featured by Tony Robbins on his Time to Rise Summit. Amidst her volunteer work and coaching business, Christina finds immense joy in her life as a wife and mother to her three beautiful girls.
In this episode Christina shares her story of how she turned the worst moment of her life into her most rewarding, and how she reshaped the pain of her daughter’s death. She also talks with us about her experience taking an end-of-life class and how it helps her live more in the present moment.
Combined with her extensive background, personal story, and gratitude mindset, Christina is dedicated to helping others lead an extraordinary life empowered by loss and driven by self-discovery.
Episode Links:
Coaching Website: https://www.graduategrief.com
Foundation for Addie’s Research: https://www.addiesresearch.org
Tony Robbins Priming: https://www.tonyrobbins.com/priming
Christina’s e-mail: [email protected]
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Heroes in Grief: www.heroesingrief.com
Contact Tom: [email protected]
Help support Heroes in Grief by using our affiliate links to wherever you do your online shopping or ordering. Message Tom at [email protected] to inquire or get a link. No extra charges or any cost to you!
Visit the Heroes in Grief shop for products discussed on the podcast & Tom's suggestions: https://linktr.ee/heroesingrief/shop
You can also directly support us here: https://buymeacoffee.com/heroesingrief
Thank you!!!
Tom, Dolores & Anne-marie discuss the book Shining Light Parents Speak from Helping Parents Heal.
What are the odds that the four mothers behind this book (all formerly strangers) each have a son ‘on the other side’, who passed in a single-vehicle vehicle accident?
A hopeful new book launched at the annual conference for non-profit grief support group, Helping Parents Heal Inc, will help thousands of parents globally who have lost a child – as well as many others living with profound grief.
Based on interviews with 130 parents around the world, the book was created by four ‘shining light’ parents who have each had children cross over, and published by Mark Pitstick MA DC,1 who has a long-term interest in afterlife research.
A child’s passing is said to be the most difficult of all losses, and yet these 130 ‘shining light parents have each managed to infuse their lives with meaning, love, joy and grace.
Some have lost multiple children; others have lost only children – all precious souls who continue to communicate and make their presence known from the other side.
Free Kindle download of the book until 10/1//24: https://amzn.to/3ztnRmG
Anne-marie's links:
Instagram at artforharry_by_annemarie (www.instagram.com/artforharry_by_annemarie/)
TikTok at Art for Harry (www.tiktok.com/@artfofnhf9k)
Dolores' link:
Website: https://www.doloreslookaround.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dolores-cruz-9505054b/
Blog: https://doloreslookaround.blogspot.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dolorescruzauthor/
Book: Look Around: A Mother's Journey from Grief and Despair to Healing and Hope
Book: A Bird Called Wisdom: Poems on Grief, Transformation, and Renewal
Helping Parents Heal: www.helpingparentsheal.org
Mark Pitstick: Soul Proof - If you really knew, how would you live?
Suzanne Giesemann: www.suzannegiesmann.com
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Heroes in Grief: www.heroesingrief.com
Contact Tom: [email protected]
Help support Heroes in Grief by using our affiliate links to wherever you do your online shopping or ordering. Message Tom at [email protected] to inquire or get a link. No extra charges or any cost to you!
Visit the Heroes in Grief shop for products discussed on the podcast & Tom's suggestions: https://linktr.ee/heroesingrief/shop
You can also directly support us here: https://buymeacoffee.com/heroesingrief
Thank you!!!
Liz Wolczko is a bereaved mom, sibling and daughter. Her journey with grief began in 1974 with the death of her oldest brother John. Liz’s 26-year-old daughter and only child, Joana, died in 2008, the same year she lost her sister-in-law and Mother.
Liz and her mother Sally Ketchum, were pioneers in the Hospice movement, creating the first Hospice in Maryland in 1979, that was also the third in the US. Liz didn’t stop there – she was part of creating one of the first Hospices in Southern New Hampshire. As a Hospice Volunteer Coordinator, she recruited and trained volunteers to sit with dying patients.
Shortly after her daughter Joana’s death, Liz became a member of Compassionate Friends, a National non-profit support group for bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents. After benefiting as a member, she became a Facilitator for both the Nashua and Manchester, NH Chapters and Treasurer for the Manadnock Chapter in Peterborough, NH.
In 2023, Compassionate Friends afforded Liz the opportunity become a Grief Educator, certified by world-renowned Grief Expert, David Kessler. Liz went on to study with Emmy-nominated, Public Speaking Coach Rachel Hanfling in her signature program, “Own the Power of Your Story”.
Next up for Liz – turning our grief-denying society into a grief-accepting society by creating a program for high school and college students.
To collaborate with Liz, book her for speaking engagements or to become a client in her private Grief Educator practice, contact her at [email protected]. Follow
@LizKetchumWolczko on Facebook and Instagram.
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization: www.NHPCO.org
Link to Compassionate Friends: The Compassionate Friends Non-Profit Organization for Grief
David Kessler: www.grief.com
Rachel Hanfling (Coach for Public Speaking etc.): https://www.rachelhanfling.com/
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Heroes in Grief: www.heroesingrief.com
Contact Tom: [email protected]
Help support Heroes in Grief by using our affiliate links to wherever you do your online shopping or ordering. Message Tom at [email protected] to inquire or get a link. No extra charges or any cost to you!
Visit the Heroes in Grief shop for products discussed on the podcast & Tom's suggestions: https://linktr.ee/heroesingrief/shop
You can also directly support us here: https://buymeacoffee.com/heroesingrief
Thank you!!!
Your host Tom Bender shares his story of the loss of his son Jeff & what has happened since. Very sorry to Michael G. Reccia, I pronounced his name wrong. The last name is pronounced "Ray-Cha"
Links related to the episode:
David Kessler's site: www.grief.com
Helping Parents Heal: www.helpingparentsheal.org
Helping Fathers Heal Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HelpingFathersHeal
Michael G. Reccia's YouTube Channel for learning how to meditate: https://www.youtube.com/@step-by-stepcourseinhigher2727
Link to support Heroes in Grief: https://buymeacoffee.com/heroesingrief
Tom's email: [email protected]
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Heroes in Grief: www.heroesingrief.com
Help support Heroes in Grief by using our affiliate links to wherever you do your online shopping or ordering. Message Tom at [email protected] to inquire or get a link. No extra charges or any cost to you!
Visit the Heroes in Grief shop for products discussed on the podcast & Tom's suggestions: https://linktr.ee/heroesingrief/shop
You can also directly support us here: https://buymeacoffee.com/heroesingrief
Thank you!!!
Gina Waterman is a certified Grief Recovery Specialist and Grief Coach who walks people through the Grief Recovery Method®, an evidence-based program that eases your emotional pain and shows you healthier ways to cope with life transitions. Her insights into grief and loss run deep. She has overcome emotional and physical pain that overlapped with her full-time family caregiving responsibilities (for her son with autism and brain trauma). After her divorce 6 years ago, she found GRM and it was so transformative that she decided to get certified and take it to the community. She specializes in caring for caregivers, knowing how much unresolved grief affects the entire family.
For over 15 years, Gina has been an active advocate in the DFW disability community, always looking for ways to connect the silos of support groups (autism, Down Syndrome, IDD). She is sought after for her expertise in navigating divorce and special needs, helping children grieve, and co-parenting ‘with a side of autism.’
She has a B.S. in Technical Communication from the Rochester Institute of Technology. Gina worked in the oil and gas business both in Tech Comm and software training for over 15 years. Originally from New Jersey, she has lived in Dallas since 2002.
Episode links:
Grief Recovery Method: https://www.griefrecoverymethod.com/grms/gina-perales-waterman
Grief Recovery Method programs: https://www.griefrecoverymethod.com/our-programs
Loss of Life Advocates: Grief Help in Texas | LOLA
Feeling Free Again podcast by Cole James, President of Grief Recovery Institute: https://www.youtube.com/@Griefrecoverymethod
Gina's email: [email protected]
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Heroes in Grief: www.heroesingrief.com
Help support Heroes in Grief by using our affiliate links to wherever you do your online shopping or ordering. Message Tom at [email protected] to inquire or get a link. No extra charges or any cost to you!
Visit the Heroes in Grief shop for products discussed on the podcast & Tom's suggestions: https://linktr.ee/heroesingrief/shop
You can also directly support us here: https://buymeacoffee.com/heroesingrief
Thank you!!!
Tom & DeeAnn are both local award winning vocalists. Although not acquainted personally they were connected on social media. When Tom lost his son Jeff, DeAnn messaged him because she has also experienced the horror of losing her son William.
Join with us as Tom & DeeAnn share their common plight in music & their losses.
From DeeAnn's website:
Hailing from a small steel town outside of Buffalo, DeeAnn was raised in a musical family, learning standards that would eventually become part of her repertoire. In addition to the smooth vocal stylings of her father Frank, she was inspired early on by Buffalo Blue Note legend, DoDo Green and attended multiple jazz jams. During her early days as a pop/rock singer, she won Best Female Vocalist at the Buffalo Music Awards two years in a row. Her later success as a country artist earned her placements on numerous radio CD compilations, resulting in airplay throughout the U.S and Europe. When she returned to music as a jazz-blues singer in the mid-2010’s, she won Best Female Blues Vocalist at the Buffalo Night Life Music Awards and her 2019 EP Stay Here won Best Jazz CD from JazzBuffalo.org.
The singer soon had a painful story to tell. The tragedy of losing her 23-year-old son William Michael Tompkins to a motorcycle accident, after she and Odel had completed most of the tracks of “It’s My Time’ threw DeeAnn’s life into a tailspin and delayed the project indefinitely. Her original concept was to record an album of old standards, and the two had 90 percent of them.
When DeeAnn came back to the project she added a few new, very personal songs, starting with a heartrending, gospel-influenced version of “You Are My Sunshine”, a song she sang to William to put him to sleep when he was a child. Odel’s sensitive yet rousing and inspirational production features members of the Buffalo Philharmonic String Quartet (Roman Mekhulnov).
DeeAnn's website: https://deeannmusic.com/
Link to support her son William's Scholarship Fund (click dropdown on "Designation" and select "William Michael Tompkins '16 Scholarship Fund"): https://www.canisiushigh.org/support/gift
DeeAnn's "It's My Time" album: https://music.apple.com/us/album/its-my-time/1692844770
DeeAnn on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3TQejr5SYcgEAec0DJDaEb?si=gXj1hudfQXO_G-gSg0Mtcw
YouTube link to William's Song: https://youtu.be/K7ONV7IUmIU?feature=shared
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Heroes in Grief: www.heroesingrief.com
Help support Heroes in Grief by using our affiliate links to wherever you do your online shopping or ordering. Message Tom at [email protected] to inquire or get a link. No extra charges or any cost to you!
Visit the Heroes in Grief shop for products discussed on the podcast & Tom's suggestions: https://linktr.ee/heroesingrief/shop
You can also directly support us here: https://buymeacoffee.com/heroesingrief
Thank you!!!
Tom & Mark have an entertaining discussion about Mark's journey and his son Markus.
A little about Mark...
On November 3rd, 2000, my life changed forever when I got the phone call informing me that my son Markus had been in a serious car accident, and we needed to get to the hospital ASAP.
I was 41 years old and owned a successful business in general aviation. I am a licensed aircraft mechanic with inspection authorization by the FAA. I have ratings and certificates to operate multi engine aircraft in instrument conditions. I have worked in research and development for various projects in aviation and have also assisted in the investigations of several fatal aircraft accidents. Things must make sense to me on a scientific and practical level proven by facts and evidence.
I have spent a lot of time researching how any of the events following the phone call could make sense on any level. I still have questions however I have found a lot of scientific data and enough consistent circumstantial evidence.
Is it possible that us parents who have a child depart before us are given an opportunity to explore a fascinating though scary world where the real truth lies?
The main link to the Markus Project: https://cardinaltoys.com/collections/themarkusproject
The Markus Project on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMarkusProject
More about Mark's beliefs:
https://cardinaltoys.com/blogs/news/proof-that-its-known-when-we-get-here-and-when-we-will-leave
https://cardinaltoys.com/blogs/news/why-do-we-believe-what-we-believe
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Heroes in Grief: www.heroesingrief.com
Help support Heroes in Grief by using our affiliate links to wherever you do your online shopping or ordering. Message Tom at [email protected] to inquire or get a link. No extra charges or any cost to you!
Visit the Heroes in Grief shop for products discussed on the podcast & Tom's suggestions: https://linktr.ee/heroesingrief/shop
You can also directly support us here: https://buymeacoffee.com/heroesingrief
Thank you!!!
Chelsea Ohlemiller is an author and speaker passionate about the awareness of grief’s impact. She has an active and engaging social media presence and is well-known for her blog, Happiness, Hope & Harsh Realities. Her first book titled, “Now That She’s Gone” will be released in August. She has been featured in the national bestseller “So God Made a Mother” and two Chicken Soup for the Soul books. She’s also been published online by platforms such as Her View From Home, Christianity.com, (in)courage, Love What Matters, Scary Mommy and more. She lives in Indianapolis with her husband and three children, which are the driving force behind all that she does.
Links:
Book: https://hopeandharshrealities.com/book/
Facebook: @hopeandharshrealities
Instagram: @hopeandharshrealities
TikTok: @chelseaohlemiller
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Heroes in Grief: www.heroesingrief.com
Help support Heroes in Grief by using our affiliate links to wherever you do your online shopping or ordering. Message Tom at [email protected] to inquire or get a link. No extra charges or any cost to you!
Visit the Heroes in Grief shop for products discussed on the podcast & Tom's suggestions: https://linktr.ee/heroesingrief/shop
You can also directly support us here: https://buymeacoffee.com/heroesingrief
Thank you!!!
Kelci Jager, a Certified Life Coach, Grief Coach, Registered Nurse, and Author of the book “A Million Miracles and the One That Never Came” found herself navigating the challenging terrain of grief when she lost her 40-year-old husband to leukemia. Left to pick up the pieces of her shattered life as a solo parent to their four sons, Kelci faced the fear of her children losing her too. However, her determination to RISE and thrive became her driving force. With a blend of professional expertise and a deeply personal journey as a widow and solo parent, Kelci possesses a strong foundation and a unique perspective. She is passionately committed to providing support and guiding others on their grief journey.
Website: RISEwithgrief.com
Social Media:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/kelci.calljager
Instagram: www.instagram.com/kelci.jager/
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kelci-jager-6a3788a0/
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Heroes in Grief: www.heroesingrief.com
Help support Heroes in Grief by using our affiliate links to wherever you do your online shopping or ordering. Message Tom at [email protected] to inquire or get a link. No extra charges or any cost to you!
Visit the Heroes in Grief shop for products discussed on the podcast & Tom's suggestions: https://linktr.ee/heroesingrief/shop
You can also directly support us here: https://buymeacoffee.com/heroesingrief
Thank you!!!
The podcast currently has 24 episodes available.