How do you keep your heart open to love after it's been broken apart by grief? Danielle LaRock was just 19 when her father died of a heart attack. In 2022, her partner Ian died suddenly. Then, in 2024, her beloved dog Blue died, and with Blue went many shared memories of time spent with Ian. The experience of loving and being loved by Ian opened up places in Danielle's heart that had closed down after her father's death. That openness has stayed with her, even as she grieves for both Ian and Blue. That ongoing love and connection have shaped Danielle's grief and the ways she tries to support others who are also grieving.

We discuss:

• How Danielle coped - and didn't - as a college student after her dad's death
• The isolation of being surrounded by peers who hadn't experienced the death of a parent
• Meeting Ian as children and reconnecting as adults
• How Ian's own experience with the death of his dad helped him understand and support her grief
• Being present for Ian's medical crisis and emergency brain surgery
• The trauma of witnessing his death and being the person who had to tell his friends and family
• How experiencing deep love with Ian changed her approach to all relationships
• Learning to celebrate the milestones of others while grieving the loss of the ones she would have shared with Ian
• The spiritual awakening Danielle experienced after Ian's death
• Discovering traditional therapy didn't work for her
• The value of online support groups, specifically for young widows & widowers
• Exploring ways to support others in their grief

Guest Bio

Danielle LaRock is the co-host of the popular podcast National Park After Dark, which explores dark history and tragedy in outdoor spaces. A former veterinary technician from New England, Danielle has become a compassionate voice in the grief community, using her own experiences with loss to help others navigate their journeys. Connect with Danielle on IG.