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HOW TO DEAL WITH GRIEF AND TRAUMA is completely self-funded, produced, and edited by me, Nathalie Himmelrich.
Consider making a small donation to support the Podcast: bit.ly/SupportGTPodcast. Thank you! 

For more information, please visit Nathalie’s website, join the podcast’s Instagram page, and subscribe to the newsletter to receive updates on future episodes here.

Today’s guest on the How to Deal with Grief and Trauma podcast is Dr. Richard Blake. Richard and I first met as colleagues during a year-long holistic counselling course. Over the months, we not only connected through the rich and layered material being taught, but also on a more personal level. What immediately stood out to me was Richard’s thoughtful, inquisitive nature—his ability to question what many simply accept as truth, and his willingness to dig deeper into the human experience. I’ve always appreciated the way he sees the world, with both curiosity and compassion. His perspective brings depth and nuance to conversations around healing, and I’m grateful to have him here today to share his insights into grief, trauma, and the transformative potential of truly being with what is.

Dr. Richard Blake holds a PhD in Transpersonal Psychology and was the lead investigator on the largest randomised controlled trial ever conducted on Conscious Connected Breathwork. He specialises in using altered states of consciousness—including breathwork, nature immersion, plant medicine, and ketogenic nutrition—as tools for deep trauma healing and nervous system regulation. 

A passionate advocate for evolving the field of mental health, Dr. Blake believes in moving beyond relying solely on medication and talk therapy to embrace holistic, somatic, and biohacking-based approaches. His work is grounded in both rigorous scientific research and personal experience.

As the co-host of the RUNGA Radio podcast, he also emphasises the critical role of intentional community in healing and personal transformation.

• IG: @the_breath_geek
• Website: www.runga.co
• Global Professional Breathwork Alliance: https://breathworkalliance.com/

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+++ Check out the new Podcast with Tori Press: What the Mental Health?! https://bit.ly/PodWTMH +++

HOW TO DEAL WITH GRIEF AND TRAUMA is completely self-funded, produced, and edited by me, Nathalie Himmelrich.
Consider making a small donation to support the Podcast: bit.ly/SupportGTPodcast. Thank you! 

For more information, please visit Nathalie’s website, join the podcast’s Instagram page, and subscribe to the newsletter to receive updates on future episodes here.

In this special celebration episode, host Nathalie Himmelrich pauses to honour a heartfelt milestone: three years of How to Deal with Grief and Trauma, featuring over 100 powerful episodes and more than 60,000 downloads from listeners around the world.

From humble beginnings to a global community, Nathalie reflects on the podcast’s journey, the deeply personal stories shared by guests, the healing ripple effects, and her profound gratitude to everyone who has walked this path alongside her.

This is more than a milestone—it's a love letter to every listener, every guest, and every grieving heart that’s found resonance and connection in these conversations.

Whether you’ve been here from the start or just discovered the show, this episode is an invitation to pause, breathe, and remember: you are not alone.

In this episode, Nathalie shares:

• The origin story of the podcast and its mission
• Reflections on the most powerful moments and voices shared
• The impact of the podcast on clients, guests, and the broader community
• Messages of thanks to listeners, supporters, and fellow travellers
• Her hopes and vision for the future of the show

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Support the show:

• Become a supporter of the show! Starting at $3/month
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Send us a text

+++ Check out the new Podcast with Tori Press: What the Mental Health?! https://bit.ly/PodWTMH +++

HOW TO DEAL WITH GRIEF AND TRAUMA is completely self-funded, produced, and edited by me, Nathalie Himmelrich.
Consider making a small donation to support the Podcast: bit.ly/SupportGTPodcast. Thank you! 

For more information, please visit Nathalie’s website, join the podcast’s Instagram page, and subscribe to the newsletter to receive updates on future episodes here.

Today’s guest on the podcast is Theresa Bruno. As the podcast continues to grow, I often receive guest suggestions, but Theresa stood out. It was her presence and authenticity on her Soul Talk podcast that truly sparked my interest. There was something about the way she held space for difficult conversations that resonated deeply with me. Theresa brings a grounded, soulful approach to grief, healing, and transformation—one that blends vulnerability with strength. I know her voice and story will touch many of you listening.

Theresa Bruno is an author, speaker, coach, and the host of The Soul Talks Podcast.  A trained classical pianist and accomplished entrepreneur, she previously led a successful marketing firm and founded Jordan Alexander Jewelry, a high-end jewelry brand with a devoted celebrity following. Her designs have adorned icons such as Oprah, Julia Roberts, Jennifer Hudson, Pink, and Michelle Obama, who named her one of her favourite designers.

When Theresa lost her husband to suicide, the loss reshaped her perspective on success, resilience, and what it truly means to rebuild. She found herself navigating survival, grappling with grief, searching for meaning, and ultimately discovering a deeper purpose. Now, Theresa is dedicated to helping others find their way through loss and transformation. Through her writing, speaking, and coaching, she offers a compassionate, real-world approach to healing and reinvention. She is a regular guest on television, radio, and podcasts and is the author of the book, He’s Not Coming Back: Rewriting Life After Loss—A Path to Healing.

• Website: www.soultalkswiththeresa.com
• YouTube: www.youtube.com/@SoulTalkswithTheresa
• IG

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+++ Check out the new Podcast with Tori Press: What the Mental Health?! https://bit.ly/PodWTMH +++

HOW TO DEAL WITH GRIEF AND TRAUMA is completely self-funded, produced, and edited by me, Nathalie Himmelrich.
Consider making a small donation to support the Podcast: bit.ly/SupportGTPodcast. Thank you! 

For more information, please visit Nathalie’s website, join the podcast’s Instagram page, and subscribe to the newsletter to receive updates on future episodes here.

Today’s guest on the How to Deal with Grief and Trauma podcast is Colin Campbell. I first heard about Colin through a former guest who was deeply moved by an article he had written. Her words piqued my curiosity, and when I finally read Colin’s piece, I immediately understood why—it was powerful, honest, and deeply human. We later crossed paths through mutual colleagues, and it became clear that we shared not just a passion for helping others navigate grief, but also the personal experience of child loss. That shared bond drew me to connect with him more personally, and I knew I wanted to invite him onto the podcast. Colin brings a heartfelt and courageous voice to conversations around grief, and I’m honoured to have him here today to share his story, insights, and the wisdom he's gained on his journey through unimaginable loss.

Colin Campbell is a writer and director for theatre and film. He was nominated for an Academy Award for Seraglio, a short film he wrote and directed with his lovely and talented wife, Gail Lerner. He has taught Theatre and/or Filmmaking at Chapman University, Loyola Marymount University, Cal Poly Pomona University, and to incarcerated youth. His book, Finding the Words: Working Through Profound Loss with Hope and Purpose, was published by Penguin Random House in 2023. He wrote and performs, Grief: A One Man ShitShow which premiered at the Hollywood Fringe Festival and ran for a month at New York’s Theatre Row. His writing has appeared in The Atlantic, The Los Angeles Times, and ModernLoss.com. Most recently, he was a keynote speaker at The Compassionate Friends’ National Conference.

• Website: colincampbellauthor.com
• IG: @colincampbellwriter 

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Send us a text

+++ Check out the new Podcast with Tori Press: What the Mental Health?! https://bit.ly/PodWTMH +++

HOW TO DEAL WITH GRIEF AND TRAUMA is completely self-funded, produced, and edited by me, Nathalie Himmelrich.
Consider making a small donation to support the Podcast: bit.ly/SupportGTPodcast. Thank you! 

For more information, please visit Nathalie’s website, join the podcast’s Instagram page, and subscribe to the newsletter to receive updates on future episodes here.

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Have you ever noticed how grief reshapes your entire social landscape? Some friends rush in while others quietly slip away, and sometimes the most unexpected people become your anchors through the storm.

This deeply human exploration of friendship during grief introduces us to the powerful metaphor of "firefighters" and "builders." Firefighters are those who show up immediately during a crisis with urgency and dedication. They bring meals, stay up with you through sleepless nights, and hold space while you fall apart. Builders arrive later, bringing tools, patience and steady presence to help reconstruct your world when the initial flames have died down.

What's particularly illuminating is recognising that few people serve effectively in both roles. This understanding helps release unrealistic expectations of our support network while appreciating the unique contributions different friends make to our healing. We explore the unexpected connections formed through shared grief—relationships that transcend small talk and connect soul to soul. These profound bonds often form quickly with people we might never have met otherwise.

We also delve into the painful secondary losses when friends disappear after trauma, the complex grief of mourning relationships with people still living, and the concept of "shelving" friendships—temporarily pausing rather than permanently ending them. 

The most valuable companions are those who sit beside us without trying to fix us, who witness our pain rather than trying to solve it. If you're navigating changing relationships through grief or supporting someone who is, this episode offers both validation and a framework for understanding these complex social dynamics. Remember, even in your darkest moments, you're neve

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HOW TO DEAL WITH GRIEF AND TRAUMA is completely self-funded, produced, and edited by me, Nathalie Himmelrich.
Consider making a small donation to support the Podcast: bit.ly/SupportGTPodcast. Thank you! 

For more information, please visit Nathalie’s website, join the podcast’s Instagram page, and subscribe to the newsletter to receive updates on future episodes here.

Today, I have the honor of introducing someone very special—Steve, a 65-year-old man living in the UK. He has been married to Lindsay for 40 years and has three grown-up children and five grandchildren. His life changed significantly when Lindsay died suddenly nearly two years ago. 

Steve was a client of mine for several years following the heartbreaking, sudden and unexpected loss of his Lindsay. Steve’s journey through grief is exemplary because he diligently put himself out to understand grief, to learn to live with it and integrate the loss of his companion of a lifetime into a meaningful life. I invited him to share his story because it offers much insight.

When we began working together, Steve was recently widowed. From the beginning, he wanted to grow not because of his loss but despite it and embrace life yet again. Over the time we worked together, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing his incredible transformation—how he embraced his own grief and walked alongside the grief of his three adult children. We worked through the difficult emotions, and he ultimately rebuilt his life in a way that honors his late wife’s memory while also opening himself up to new love.

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HOW TO DEAL WITH GRIEF AND TRAUMA is completely self-funded, produced, and edited by me, Nathalie Himmelrich.
Consider making a small donation to support the Podcast: bit.ly/SupportGTPodcast. Thank you! 

For more information, please visit Nathalie’s website, join the podcast’s Instagram page, and subscribe to the newsletter to receive updates on future episodes here.

____________________________________________________________________________

Tomorrow is Mother’s Day.

And as much as the world tells us it’s a day for breakfast in bed, flowers, greeting cards, and family gatherings, I want to take this space to speak to those of you who might feel heavy-hearted, conflicted, or even empty as this day approaches.

While Mother’s Day can bring moments of joy and gratitude, for many, it also amplifies pain, longing, and what is missing.

Whether you are a mother whose child has died…
 A daughter whose mother is no longer living…
 A woman who longed to be a mother and never got the chance…
 Or someone navigating estrangement, complicated relationships, or generational trauma with your mother or your children…
 This episode is for you.

Here are some compassionate Mother's Day gifts:

• May We All Heal Cards
• Affirmation and Reflection Cards

Be gentle with yourself.
Hold space for your heart.
And remember, love never dies.

With Love, 

Nathalile

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HOW TO DEAL WITH GRIEF AND TRAUMA is completely self-funded, produced, and edited by me, Nathalie Himmelrich.
Consider making a small donation to support the Podcast: bit.ly/SupportGTPodcast. Thank you! 

For more information, please visit Nathalie’s website, join the podcast’s Instagram page, and subscribe to the newsletter to receive updates on future episodes here.

Welcome back to How to Deal with Grief and Trauma. Today, we’re reconnecting with Betsy Winter, our guest from Episode 99. She shared her powerful story of resilience through grief after the loss of her daughter Eliza. This time, Betsy returns to explore a deeply personal and transformative topic: developmental trauma. If you’re new to DT, you might like to check out Episode 66, where I explain the basics, how DT manifests, etc.

Today, Betsy and I will explore how early adverse experiences shaped her life, their impact on emotional well-being, and her healing journey. Betsy offers unique insights into uncovering hidden trauma, navigating relationships, and embracing recovery. Her candid reflections and hard-won wisdom remind us that healing is possible, no matter how early the wounds were formed. Stay tuned for a heartfelt conversation about vulnerability, growth, and the path toward lasting emotional freedom.

Betsy Winter is an experienced mind-body coach and somatic practitioner known for her effective methods in helping individuals transform profound loss and unresolved trauma into deep healing and embodied change. Read her full bio here. 

• Website: betsywinter.com/
• IG: @betsywinter.mbc
• FB: www.facebook.com/betsywinter23

• IFS: Internal Family Systems
• NARM: Neuro Affective Relational Model
• If you’re looking for support, check for a therapist who is trained in dealing with trauma (or at least trauma-informed) and somatically trained in modalities such as Somatic Experience or somatic relational modalities dealing with Developmental Trauma (also called Complex Trauma).

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Support the show:

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Send us a text

HOW TO DEAL WITH GRIEF AND TRAUMA is completely self-funded, produced, and edited by me, Nathalie Himmelrich.
Consider making a small donation to support the Podcast: bit.ly/SupportGTPodcast. Thank you! 

For more information, please visit Nathalie’s website, join the podcast’s Instagram page, and subscribe to the newsletter to receive updates on future episodes here.

Welcome back to How to Deal with Grief and Trauma. Today, I have the honor of introducing someone very special—Jen, who was a client of mine for several years following the heartbreaking loss of her daughter. Jen’s journey through grief is nothing short of inspirational, and I’ve invited her to share her story because it offers so much hope and insight.

When we began working together, Jen was deeply immersed in the overwhelming pain of her loss. But over the time we worked together, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing her incredible transformation—how she embraced her grief, worked through the complex emotions, and ultimately rebuilt her life in a way that honors her daughter’s memory.

Jennifer is a mom of three, two living and one angel. She is a board-certified family medicine physician, dedicating her professional life to comprehensive care for all of her patients, and is passionate about continuous and lifelong learning. She spends her private life exploring the world around us, near and far, with her children and wonderful husband. Jennifer’s daughter, Neve, passed in 2022 at the age of 9 weeks. Jennifer carries the memory of her daughter’s sweet and kind soul with her in every facet of her life, and considers it to be the greatest honor to have known, held, and to continue to love her.

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Support the show:

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• Join Facebook Group - Grief and Trauma Support Network
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Send us a text

HOW TO DEAL WITH GRIEF AND TRAUMA is completely self-funded, produced, and edited by me, Nathalie Himmelrich.
Consider making a small donation to support the Podcast: bit.ly/SupportGTPodcast. Thank you! 

For more information, please visit Nathalie’s website, join the podcast’s Instagram page, and subscribe to the newsletter to receive updates on future episodes here.

Welcome to today’s episode of How to Deal with Grief and Trauma. I’m thrilled to be joined by Brittany Piper, a fellow practitioner in somatic healing. Britt and I share a deep commitment to body-based trauma recovery, both being trained in Somatic Experiencing® and Polyvagal Theory – no surprise given we both share a dedication to nervous system regulation and somatic healing. I’m sure that this will create a rich foundation for today’s discussion. Together, we’ll first hear Britt’s personal story and how she became who she is today. Then together we explore how the body holds and processes trauma, the role of polyvagal theory in grief and healing, and practical ways to reconnect with safety and resilience after loss and trauma.  

Brittany Piper is an internationally renowned speaker, author, Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner, and expert in sexual violence prevention and trauma-informed care. Over the past 13 years, she has delivered more than 400 programs across three continents. Her work has been recognized by the U.S. Army, the Department of Justice, the Laura Bush Institute for Women’s Health, Cosmopolitan, Elite Daily, and others. As a rape survivor and leading advocate on sexual violence prevention, Brittany speaks to tens of thousands each year. She is also a forensic neurobiology expert, conducting trauma-informed trainings with the U.S. Army and Sex Crimes Detectives. Creator of @healwithbritt and founder of the internationally acclaimed Body-First Healing Program, Brittany continues to inspire and lead in the field of trauma recovery.

• Website: www.bodyfirsthealing.com
• IG: @healwithbritt
• TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@healwithbritt 

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Support the show:

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