Julie interviews Moira Hutchinson, an energy healer and intuitive coach from Newfoundland who is also a hypnotherapist, meditation teacher, Qigong teacher, and tarot reader, and a grief specialist at a holistic cancer support clinic. Moira shares the recent loss of her husband Jim after about a year of worsening illness and a rapid decline following hospitalization and transfer to a specialist center in the main city, where he died about a week and a half later. She describes the shock of sudden loss, the ongoing experience of re-grieving through triggers and anniversaries, and sensing Jim's continued presence. Moira recounts his final days, including a phone call where he said, “If this is it, I love you,” her visit where they laughed together, his slipping in and out of consciousness, a week on life support without regaining consciousness, and her decision to remove life support while supported by her sister-in-law and compassionate hospital staff. She explains the memorials that followed—an online tribute, a church service in Ontario arranged by his sister, and a Quaker-style Zoom memorial of shared silence and stories with her family. Moira also shares personal rituals, including continuing Jim's tradition of honoring his mother with a special bottle of single malt whiskey, and walking the property barefoot to acknowledge places he loved. The conversation emphasizes that grief is not prescriptive, that crying can be a needed release, and that grief is another aspect of love. Moira introduces her new book and 10-day Insight Timer course, both titled "Mending the Heart: A Gentle Approach to Grief," created from her search for what felt comforting in her own grieving process, and closes by encouraging listeners to trust their own path and return to the wisdom of the heart.

00:00 Welcome + Meet Moira Hutchinson (energy healer & intuitive coach)

01:15 How we met: light language group, community & collective ripple effects

02:59 Moira's work in cancer support & grief: the power of simply holding space

05:21 Her husband's illness and sudden passing: the shock of losing your person

08:38 Presence after loss & letting grief be non-prescriptive (crying, music, release)

10:58 Love story highlights: tarot jokes, 28 years together & milestone triggers

13:54 Rituals that keep him close: the whiskey toast, walking the property, ocean energy

17:15 Sacred timing & end-of-life realities: relief, contracts, and their final words

20:18 One Last Day of Laughter Before the Decline

21:26 Life Support Decisions & Letting Him Go

22:37 Staying to the End—Then Leaving to Protect the Memory

25:09 After the Hospital: Food, Hotel, Sleep, and the Drive Home

26:07 Memorials Across Distance: Online Tribute, Church Service, Quaker Silence

28:23 Continuing Bonds: Quaker Connections & Story-Sharing Circles

29:24 Creating 'Mending the Heart'—Book + 10-Day Grief Course

31:46 A Gentle Philosophy of Grief (and All the Forms Loss Can Take)

34:31 Meaning, Signs, and the Ripple Effect—Closing Reflections

37:12 Final Takeaway: Trust Your Own Grief Path

In this episode of the Hidden Gifts of Loss Podcast, host Julie speaks with her friend Benjie Hook about their shared experience of grief following the recent passing of Benjie's mother, a close friend of Julie's. Benjie reflects on his six-year journey through grief, which began with a significant breakup and the simultaneous decline of both his parents' health. He shares the profound impact of his mother's death, culminating in a green burial and memorial that deeply honored her life. Benjie discusses how these experiences have led him to a newfound appreciation for life, mindfulness, and meditation, which he now incorporates into his work as a therapeutic case manager. He describes how meditative practices have had transformative effects on his clients, bridging them to calmer, more intentional states of mind. The conversation also touches on the importance of community and human connection in navigating grief and finding hidden gifts in loss.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

00:58 Remembering Benjie's Mom

01:13 The Green Burial Experience

02:53 Benjie's Journey Through Grief

04:03 Witnessing Parental Illness

06:18 Life Changes and Reflections

18:36 Mindfulness and Meditation

19:29 New Job and Meditation Practice

23:31 Profound Client Experiences

31:47 Harry Potter and the Superpower of Love

35:37 Embracing Change and Love

36:49 Authenticity and Imposter Syndrome

37:48 Meditation and Mindfulness

39:39 Facing Mortality and Grief

41:11 Finding Inspiration in Others

43:10 The Healing Power of Community

50:25 Navigating Career and Purpose

01:03:38 The Journey of Grief and Acceptance

01:09:08 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections

 Golden Chords by Deacon is the song Benjie refers to

In this heartfelt episode of Hidden Gifts of Last, the host welcomes Daniel, a remarkable young man from Uganda who shares his inspiring story of overcoming adversity. Abandoned as a street child, Daniel found hope and purpose through his talent for soccer. With the support of a kind mentor, he pursued education and eventually founded Street Kids Uganda, a charity that feeds, clothes, and educates street children. Daniel talks about his current efforts to organize a Christmas party for the kids and his plans to buy land to create a self-sustaining farm and shelter for them. Despite limited resources and no external support, Daniel's unwavering dedication to helping vulnerable children shines throughout the conversation. Listeners are encouraged to support his mission through donations and spreading the word.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

00:11 Meet Daniel: A Story of Resilience

00:31 From Street Child to Soccer Talent

00:38 The Birth of Street Kids Uganda

01:27 Daniel's Daily Life and Mission

04:16 Challenges and Hopes for the Future

06:29 Spreading the Word and Seeking Support

12:30 Final Thoughts and How you can help.

Street Kids Uganda Website:

⁠https://streetkidsinitiaveuganda.org/⁠

Donate Here:

⁠https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=2U4JGAMP97LZW⁠

In this episode of the Hidden Gifts of Loss podcast, the host welcomes Barbara Wansbrough, author of the book 'Wild Things'. The book is a touching collection of letters to Barbara's late sister, intertwined with reflections on nature and her daily hikes. Barbara shares poignant stories about coping with her sister's illness and passing, the solace she found in hiking with her dog Bartleby, and the unexpected connections she made through memorial shrines along her trail. The discussion delves into themes of grief, loss, and spiritual connections, highlighting how nature and unexpected relationships can aid in processing sorrow. Barbara also reads a heartfelt letter from her book and shares anecdotes that resonate deeply with the host. The episode is filled with moments of vulnerability, reflections on family, and the power of nature to heal and connect.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest

00:51 Barbara's Inspiration and Writing Journey

02:56 The Impact of Loss and Grief

05:28 Creating Memorials and Finding Solace

07:57 The Role of Nature and Companionship

10:58 Reflections on the Pandemic and Personal Loss

14:56 The Healing Power of Connection and Support

21:32 Navigating Grief During the Pandemic

29:46 Struggles with Oliver's Health

30:55 Coping with Parenting Challenges

31:50 The Power of Al-Anon

33:23 Reflections on Childhood and Parenting

36:17 The Healing Power of Writing

38:59 Book Launch and Events

41:16 A Magical Connection with a Stranger

54:24 Concluding Thoughts and Gratitude

https://www.instagram.com/wildthingsfragments/

In this episode of the Hidden Gifts of Loss podcast, hosts Heather and Julie welcome Tami Pitetti Sanders, who shares her transformative journey through grief after losing her father and dog. Tami discusses how these profound losses awakened unexpected spiritual gifts and led to a deeper connection with intuitive awareness, spirit, and healing. Once a physical therapist, Tami now helps others by channeling messages from loved ones and interpreting spiritual signs, providing comfort and insight to those dealing with loss. The hosts and Tami explore the validation of spiritual signs, the impact of grief on personal growth, and Tami's unique method of conducting spiritual readings through photos. Tami generously offers listeners a special rate for her readings if they mention the podcast.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

01:41 Tami's Early Intuition and Career

03:18 Traumatic Events and Career Shift

05:45 Loss and Spiritual Awakening

08:02 Signs and Symbols from the Afterlife

14:20 Embracing and Developing Spiritual Gifts

18:57 Sharing the Gift and Helping Others

32:02 Experiences with Mediumship and Readings

34:37 Dealing with Skepticism and Finding Support

42:10 The Importance of Signs and Messages from the Deceased

49:28 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Connect with Tami on Instagram @divinelensreadings

Mention the podcast to receive a reading for $44

In this deeply personal and vulnerable episode of The Hidden Gifts of Loss, Julie welcomes her wife Leslie to the podcast for the very first time. Together with co-host Heather, they explore a different kind of loss—one that came not from death, but from an unexpected medical complication.

After a knee replacement surgery, Leslie experienced foot drop due to nerve damage, leading to excruciating pain, loss of mobility, and a long, uncertain recovery. She shares what it was like to wake up from surgery knowing immediately that something was wrong, and the months of intense nerve pain that followed. Heather joins the conversation with her own story of experiencing a similar surgical complication, offering unique understanding and solidarity.

Together, they reflect on the ripple effects of this experience—from the anger and helplessness that come with watching a loved one suffer, to the surprising hidden gifts that slowly emerged: deeper presence, the rediscovery of simple joys, stronger community support, and the healing power of love and resilience.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that loss takes many forms—not just death—and yet the journey through pain and limitation can still reveal gifts of transformation, connection, and renewed perspective. If you've ever faced an unexpected medical setback, or supported someone who has, you'll find comfort and strength in this honest dialogue.

Julie and Heather have a heartfelt conversation about why self-trust is so fragile and how we relearn it. They use real childhood examples — the parent who dismisses a crying child, the early years of being “moldable” — to show how messages like “your feelings are wrong” become internal rules. They trace how that programming affects adult relationships, decision making, and how we respond to red flags.

Loss and caregiving features in the discussion as a catalyst for perspective shifts: walking through the grief of a loved one can create compassion for previous generations and accelerate reconnection to self. Heather and Julie describe oneness as the integration of 3D life and spirit — a state where you feel whole, present, and not attached to identities, thoughts, or other people's projections.

The episode ends with a guided meditation by Heather — a visualized “forest of loss” that helps listeners shed inherited expectations, hear their inner voice, and whisper “I trust you — I hear you — I am home.”

How to Use This Episode

Listen to the guided meditation at the end when you're in a quiet, safe place.

Journal after the episode: What small red flags have I noticed recently? What one tiny step can I celebrate today?

Try the “feathers/clouds” technique when your mind gets noisy: place thoughts in a cloud and watch them pass.

If this episode helped you, please:

Subscribe to Hidden Gifts of Loss.

Rate & review — it helps others find the show.

Share the episode with someone who's relearning to trust themselves.

Welcome to Season 2, Episode 2 of the Hidden Gifts of Loss Podcast with Julie and Heather. In this conversation, we explore the idea of oneness and how it shapes our experience of loss. What if nothing is ever truly lost? What if grief invites us to move beyond attachment and into deeper connection—with ourselves, with others, and with spirit?

Heather shares her personal journey of integrating her “3D self” with her spirit self, and how this has shifted her perspective on identity, fear, and attachment. Together, we reflect on how losing someone—or even an identity—can shake us, yet also reconfigure us into a more connected way of being.

We talk about the difference between attachment (rooted in fear) and connection (rooted in love), how to trust our inner knowing, and why grief can be a portal that reveals hidden gifts.

Stay tuned until the end, where we introduce a closing reflection you can take with you: Loss transforms when we dare to look deeper. What hidden gift are you ready to unveil?

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

How oneness shifts our perspective on grief and loss

The difference between attachment and connection

Why we struggle to trust our inner knowing—and how to reclaim it

How grief reshapes our identity and shows us new possibilities

A preview of Heather's upcoming guided meditation to help deepen connection

Resources & Next Steps:

Subscribe to the podcast for more conversations on grief, healing, and hidden gifts.

Share this episode with a friend who may need encouragement in their own journey through loss.

Welcome to Season Two of the Hidden Gifts of Loss Podcast! This season brings something special—host Julie Trainer is joined by her new co-host, Heather Mullen. Though neither of them can quite remember exactly how they first met (maybe through a mutual friend, maybe in an online community, or maybe across lifetimes!), the connection was instant and undeniable.

In this episode, Julie and Heather talk about:

How their friendship evolved into a co-hosting partnership.

Why loss isn't limited to death—it can take many forms, from illness to life changes.

The deep healing presence of animals and the surprising ways pets become medicine in our lives.

Julie's newly published story about her beloved cat, Maxwell, and the hidden gift he left behind.

Heather's reflections on her family dog as a gentle healer, absorbing and transforming the pain of those around him.

How grief and love open us to hidden gifts like self-trust, intuition, and deeper connection with others.

The power of trust and allow—living from love instead of fear.

Toward the end, Julie and Heather share five possible podcast outros (with a lot of laughter) and invite listeners to vote for their favorite.

✨ Whether you've experienced the loss of a loved one, a pet, your health, or simply a shift in life as you knew it, this season is about exploring how loss cracks us open and reveals the hidden gifts waiting to emerge.

Resources & Links Mentioned

Join the Hidden Gifts of Loss Facebook Group to connect and share your reflections.

Julie's first published story appears in Women Like Me: The Quiet Ones Who Saved Us (community book project)

We'd love to hear from you!
Which of the five possible podcast outros resonated with you? Comment on Spotify, Apple, or in the Facebook group.

New episodes drop weekly. Subscribe so you don't miss the stories, the wisdom, and the light we'll uncover together this season.

In this deeply moving episode of Hidden Gifts of Loss, Julie welcomes Adrienne Bender—author of The Almost Miracle Years. Adrienne 's story is one of unimaginable heartbreak, resilience, and ultimately, hope.

Adrienne became a mother at just 17, putting herself through university while raising her son, and later building a career as a registered psychiatric nurse. What unfolded in the years to come would test every ounce of her strength.

She shares openly about:

Navigating early motherhood, education, and career while raising two children.

Her daughter's AML leukemia diagnosis at age eight, and the grueling years of treatment, remission, relapse, and eventual loss to GVHD in 2018.

Her son's battle with addiction, his near-miraculous recovery, return to school, and devastating death from fentanyl poisoning in 2023.

Enduring the deaths of her father, grandfather, and uncle in quick succession—all while working full-time and being the caretaker for her family.

How grief brought her to her knees but also gave her moments of grace, resilience, and miracles worth remembering.

Why she wrote The Almost Miracle Years—a book about survival, the fleeting beauty of small victories, and finding joy in the darkest times.

Adrienne 's journey is heartbreaking yet inspiring, reminding us that even when “the overall big picture is not good,” it is still possible to notice the hidden gifts—the small mercies, the fleeting rainbows in the storm.

Learn more about Adrienne Bender and The Almost Miracle Years: https://a.co/d/7Ut8moz