In this episode of The Teaching Journeys Podcast, host Dave Roberts interviews Shaleem Dzon, a registered nurse, certified grief counselor, and author. Shaleem shares her personal journey through profound loss, including the deaths of her husband, beloved pets, and close friends, and how these experiences shaped her path to becoming a grief counselor. She discusses her books, including the children’s book "Nigel and the Yellow Ribbon," which helps young readers understand and process grief, and her poetry collection "Illumination: A Griever’s Journey Through the Darkness." The conversation explores the healing power of nature, the importance of community and support, and the challenges of navigating grief in a society that often avoids discussions about death. Shaleem also talks about her involvement in the "Empowered Grief Journey" anthology and her approach to grief counseling, emphasizing compassion, presence, and creative expression as tools for healing. The episode concludes with reflections on the ongoing nature of healing and the value of connection.

Shaleem's Bio and Contact Information

Shaleem Dzon is a registered nurse, a skier, a mountain biker, a poet, a nature admirer, a dog lover, a believer, an author, and a griever. She has been touched by tragedy’s blaze more than once. She lives in Bentonville, Arkansas, where she is a certified grief counselor.

Shaleem’s first published book, Illumination: A Griever’s Journey Through the Darkness, written in poetry and prose, chronicles this journey. It takes the reader through a grief that entered her life with overwhelming force, and which led her to searching for and find, solace, understanding and hope.

Her second book. Nigel And The Yellow Ribbon – How a Grieving Seagull Finds Healing, is a children’s book published in 2025.

🔗 Learn more about Shaleem Dzon:

• Grief counseling & resources: https://illuminationgriefcounseling.com
• Author website: https://booksbyshalem.com
• Follow Shaleem on Facebook & Instagram

📚 Books mentioned:

• "Nigel and the Yellow Ribbon"
• "Illumination: A Griever’s Journey Through the Darkness"
• "The Empowered Grief Journey"Anthology"To connect with Dave go to davidrobertsmsw.com and his author page psychologyprofessorandminster.com