New Ways New You ( Tendrils of Grief- Life After Grief)

Susan, your host, welcomes Monica Morrissey to today's episode. Monica was a public educator for over thirty years. Her experience teaching others helped her gain the knowledge she would need for the unexpected career change: becoming an author and Spiritual Healer. At the age of fifty, she published her inspiring Dimes from Heaven, How Coins and Coincidences Helped Me Discover My Life as an Empath book to help others understand our connection to loved ones who are in the spirit world and how our thoughts affect our health. Her second book, More Dimes from Heaven, shares her story of being an author — with so many synchronistic events along her journey. Her third book, Once Upon a Dime, Heaven is Talking to Us. Do You Know How to Listen?, explains how to get a sign from a loved one using thoughts and energy balancing. Each of her books gives us the tools to open the door to heaven so we are able to feel the deep love for those no longer with us.

Following her intuition like never before, she began sharing stories about synchronistic events, revealing that our souls never die. As an empath and natural-born teacher, her faith is guiding her to help people experience life and death in a whole new way.

Monica was careful to leave spirituality out of the classroom. Since the tragic death of her nephew in 2008, she secretly began reading and studying about mediums, death, grief, and how our bodies (and lives) are affected by our thoughts. She now has a better knowledge about the afterlife to share with others. Monica is a Reiki Master and Instructor, Spiritual Healer, Intuitive Card Reader, and Past Life Regression Practitioner, and loves to analyze dreams. At her business, Intuitive Wellness, Monica is dedicated to helping clients with soul care.

Through her business, Intuitive Wellness, she helps women reconnect with their souls by using Reiki, Energy healing, Intuitive and Spiritual Card Readings, dream analysis, and Past Life Regression techniques. Monica loves to teach people how to do Reiki so that they are better able to manage their energy. She is passionate about soul care, where true spiritual seekers look to find joy, happiness, and spiritual connection because we are a soul with a body, not a body with a soul.

Key Takeaways:

• Monica shares her grief story.

• In Monica's family, when somebody died, it was over; there was no discussion about it, no memories, it wasn't even crying; we had to go on with life.

• Nobody teaches us how to grieve.

• When you find your sign, acknowledge and appreciate it; this way, you permit signs to keep showing up in your life.

• Get your own sign, be specific, and wait patiently; it will present to you.

• Basic steps to connect to signs: Bring your grief to the surface, Feel the love from the person you want to connect with, Think about their legacy, and what they left you, and Decide what your sign is going to be.

• Journaling has a great power: channel your feelings and write them out.

• Monica suggests everyone who feels they are not getting signs to add a "yet" to that statement, "You are not getting signs yet." That is the right message for the universe.

• Be open and feel the love in your heart, which will help with the connection.

Resources

Tendrilsofgrief.com

Email Susan: [email protected]

If you find this episode helpful, please donate.

Meet Monica Morrisey

Watch the trailer of Once Upon a Dime.

Once Upon a Dime, Heaven is Talking to Us. Do You Know How to Listen?

Visit Monica's website

Join Monica's Facebook Group

Follow Monica on Instagram

Susan, your host, welcomes Maria Belanic to today's conversation. Maria is a mother grandmother and grief mentor. Like many parents, she never thought about the unimaginable happening until it did. When her oldest son died of leukemia in 2009, it felt like her heart had shattered into pieces leaving her feeling broken and lost. For years it was a roller coaster of emotions that led to isolation and ill health.

Through her experience, she discovered strategies and tools to heal and find inner peace. This is not about getting over it or moving on; her journey made her passionate about helping others feel acknowledged and find ways to heal.

Ultimately, you are the expert on your grief.

Key Takeaways:

• Maria shares her grief story of when her son was diagnosed with cancer and fought it for 11 years.

• Maria's son was given 48 hours to live but lived for over three months.

• Maria and Susan share their feelings regarding people's ability to show empathy and compassion for their grief and everything involved in it.

• Grief changes with time and Maria recognizes herself as an unapologetic griever.

• Maria calls the anniversary of her son's death the death day; she feels "anniversary" is something to celebrate, while his death isn't.

• The times leading to the events are far worse than the day itself.

• Grievers tend to worry about other people's feelings; who is worrying about your feelings?

• Some people will judge your feelings. You are grieving, do it your way; some will just not get it.

• Grief can make you work on autopilot; you are functioning, but you are not fully present at the moment. After a while, you must stop pretending; if they can't take your authentic self, maybe they are not the right people to be with.

• Leaning into your feelings is much better help than running away from them.

• As a griever, you want to share memories about your person.

• It is not a competition; your loss will always be the worst for you.

• Maria shares how she turned trauma into her mission.

• Our unresolved feelings will appear during grief.

• Give yourself compassion; stop pressuring yourself. Grief needs to be witnessed.

• We have been taught to repress our feelings since we were young and that stays with us. Allow your feelings to express themselves, they are not mistaken.

• There is no right or wrong way to grieve; honor your feelings.

Resources

Tendrilsofgrief.com

Email Susan: [email protected]

If you find this episode helpful, please donate.

Meet Maria Belanic

Follow Maria on Instagram

Visit Maria Belanic's Website

Gift: 5 Secrets to Unlock Self-Compassion

How to Harness Self-Care for Grievers: A Path to Emotional Healing

Quotes:

"Hope should never be given or taken away from anyone."

"When you are a caregiver, you put other people's needs in front of your own."

"All of our emotions are information to us."

"Sometimes it is courageous to just wake up in the morning."

"Turn your trauma into purpose."

Susan, your host, welcomes Duana Welch to today's episode. Dr. Duana (pronounced DWAY-nah) is known for writing and dating coaching that relies on science rather than opinion to help men and women find and keep the love of their lives.

A former professor in Florida, California, and Texas for over 20 years, she has contributed to NPR, Psychology Today, and numerous other outlets and podcasts.

Her first book, Love Factually: 10 Proven Steps from I Wish to I Do, is now out globally in five languages; its revised and updated edition released in 2022. Love Factually for Single Parents: [& Those Dating Them] is the second book in the series, specifically geared toward finding the right partner not only for readers but their families.

She is an expert for Paired, the world's top-rated relationship app for couples. Her client practice is global via Zoom.

Key Takeaways:

• Dr. Duana discusses the cases of people who lost their spouses after a lifetime of dedication to that relationship and the challenge of dating again.

• People are not looking for the same things; not everyone on a dating app wants to find a partner.

• People sometimes act as if they want a relationship, but often, they don't even know what they are looking for; they might not even realize they are not presenting themselves honestly.

• Actions speak louder than words; check if people behave how they say they feel.

• Remember this question: "What is your end goal for the relationship?" (For yourself and others.)

• Learning how you show up in relationships and your attachment style are great tools to return to the dating field.

• Dr. Duana explains different attachment styles: Secure, Avoidant, Anxious, or Disorganized.

• Once a partner is deceased or there is a living former spouse, there are stakeholders (the children, the spouse, their parents, and friends are stakeholders).

• Most secure attachers can stay married for a lifetime; when their partners did not pass away, the reason for the separation can be their spouse, someone who behaves in a way that makes it impossible for a relationship to last.

• Dr. Duana walks the listeners to her steps when coaching her clients.

• Ask the hard questions first! Starting by having sex and seeing if feelings develop is really a recipe for disaster.

• Dr. Duana helps people navigate the online dating experience, realizing what is important, what to expect, and how not to waste time.

• Find someone who can understand that you will always love your deceased person.

• Dr. Duana leaves the audience with these wise words: If you can find and be someone kind and respectful, your relationship will likely go very well; if you can't, I promise it won't.

Resources

Tendrilsofgrief.com

Email Susan: [email protected]

If you find this episode helpful, please donate

Demon Copperhead, by Barbara Kingsolver

Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help You Find — and Keep — Love, by Amir Levine, and Rachel Heller

Meet Dr. Duana Welch

Love Science Media

Susan, your host, welcomes Danielle McCombs to today's episode. Danielle believes that everyone is naturally creative, resourceful, and whole. External expectations that are put upon us by society and others can dim the light within us. The world needs everyone to show up as the truest version of themselves. As a coach, Danielle holds space for her clients to explore themselves and how they show up in the world. By following curiosity and intuition, she guides clients to live a life with intention.

Danielle McCombs is a growth-minded individual who is constantly striving to improve herself

and deepen the understanding of the world around her. After a 20-year career in commercial real estate, Danielle decided to pursue her passion of inspiring others to be the best version of themselves. Danielle is a Co-Active Professional Certified Coach and has started her own Life Coaching practice, Danielle McCombs Coaching. Danielle hosts the podcast The Opposite of Small Talk with her friend Kristy Olinger, where they explore topics about personal and professional development, focusing on connection, reflection, and social justice.

Key Takeaways:

• Danielle shares how she realized she needed to change her career path.

• Susan shares the benefits of coaching.

• Coaching and therapy are two resources that are useful for receiving together.

• It takes a long time to let go of the pain and the victim's role to begin changing.

• First, you need to identify where you are stuck at. Then, find out what you have control over.

• Take small steps.

• Journaling is of great help; write down what you achieve every day. Small wins have immense value, and that is how you move forward.

• Be intentional: How do you want to feel by the end of the week?

• Comparison is the worst you can do for yourself.

• If you support someone grieving, don't take their actions personally and have no expectations.

• Nothing will be the same while you grow; embrace change while you move forward; you are allowed to grieve what is left behind.

• Making choices is never easy, but we can decide the meaning of the events in our lives and how we want to move forward.

• We are all on a journey; different things will happen at other times, some good and some bad. Give yourself grace and try not to worry about what everyone else is thinking; connect to yourself and find how you want to move forward.

Resources

Tendrilsofgrief.com

Email Susan: [email protected]

If you find this episode helpful, please donate

Meet Danielle McCombs

Visit Danielle McCombs Coaching Website

Email Danielle at [email protected]

Follow Danielle on LinkedIn

Listen to The Opposite of Small Talk

Susan, your host, welcomes Dr. Chris Sopa to today's episode. Dr. Chris is an Industrial Organizational psychologist, speaker, and researcher who has spent the last 20 years studying human potential and self-awareness. After experiencing several tragic and challenging life events, Dr. Chris became a student of her own life and is compelled by the belief that when self-aware, we can extract the lessons from our life experiences and use them to guide us.

Key Takeaways:

• Dr. Chris shares her experience going through back surgery that later became more complicated; she went through this alone, and it was an event that revolutionized her life.

• Be present to connect with the signs.

• Shift from a victim perspective to an active perspective.

• When you are grieving the loss of someone, no one realizes what you are going through.

• Sometimes, it is hard to ask for help.

• Most of the time, people don't know what to say or do to help someone grieving.

• "I got tired of living in fear." We create our reality, so Chris started to develop a new life.

• Our feelings drive our behavior; sometimes, we need to nourish the feelings we want to hold consciously.

• Choose radical acceptance and be present in it.

• We tend to judge others in the same way we judge ourselves.

• Choose consciously how close you will allow people to get to you.

• Boundaries are meant to protect yourself energetically.

• How can you slow your brain down?

• If you could only choose one feeling to feel for the rest of your life, what would that be? (Other than happiness, pick a feeling) Knowing the feeling you value the most it would be easier for you to choose what brings you closer to that state.

• Your best is different every day; give yourself grace.

• Find one small thing every day that brings you joy.

• Don't look back; you are not going that way. Look forward!

Resources:

Tendrilsofgrief.com

Email Susan: [email protected]

If you find this episode helpful, please donate

The Four Agreements, Don Miguel Ruiz

Meet Dr. Chris Sopa

Visit Chris Sopa's website

Susan, your host, welcomes Pierce Freelon. Pierce is an accomplished musician, producer, and educator from Durham, North Carolina. He is the co-creator of Beat Making Lab, an Emmy Award-winning PBS web series, and is the writer, composer, and co-director of the PBS animated series The History of White People in America, an official selection of the Tribeca Film Festival. His Grammy-nominated children's music has been featured on The Today Show, NPR, and MSNBC, as well as in Rolling Stone.

In today's episode, Susan and Pierce discuss grief from a different angle, from the gratitude and love implied in being together and caring for someone moving out of this life. Pierce wholeheartedly shares his loving memories with his father and how he experiences life without him by his side.

Key Takeaways:

• Pierce shares his grief journey that started when he lost his father in 2019.

• Pierce talks about how his father's diagnosis with ALS made them experience a series of losses in its progression.

• Pierce compares the care given to a newborn to the care of a terminal patient; the first is on its way into this life, and the other is moving out of it.

• Grief is the price we pay for love.

• Susan highlights the value of compassion, especially during grief.

• Pierce organized a group where people get to honor their loved ones who passed, telling their stories through their puppets.

• We can connect with the lost people however possible; Susan shares how she asks for signs, and Pierce talks about what "Lasagna" meant for their family.

• Signs come naturally and organically; they will be powerful and moving.

• Pierce talks about his book Daddy & Me: Side By Side.

• Grieve gently and tenderly, hold space for you, and stay compassionate.

Resources

Tendrilsofgrief.com

Email Susan: [email protected]

If you find this episode helpful, please donate

Meet Pierce Freelon

Pierce's Website

Pierce's Instagram

Daddy & Me, Side By Side

Where Our Spirit Resides, a puppet show.

Susan, your host, welcomes David Price to today's conversation. David is a life coach who got into life coaching because of his own personal transformation. He was able to achieve so much in his own life; for most of his life, he was completely miserable, sad, angry, and frustrated. He felt like a complete failure in every way, but when he began to learn and practice the things he now teaches and trains: personal responsibility, the power of thoughts and words, life design and creation, and goal setting and achievement, his life became joyous abundant, and prosperous. He's been blessed to teach and train hundreds of men and women on how to do the same.

Key Takeaways:

• David shares his grief story that began when his father died when he was a very young age.

• There are thoughts and beliefs we have that just don't serve us

• David talks about the power of reframing and refocusing.

• Surround yourself with the right people; family isn't everything. Remember, you chose the energy around you.

• Are you going to live your life according to other people's expectations, or will you design and create the life you want? That is your choice.

• You can learn things the easy way or the hard way.

• You don't need to know all the 'hows', plan, set goals, choose to live an intentional life.

• Don't pressure yourself; allow yourself to process and not judge your grieving process.

• Most of the time, you don't have to say anything to grieving people; just sit with them silently, listen if they want to talk, and be there for them.

• We often take more negativity than we realize (TV, music, anything), and choosing positive input can make all the difference.

• If it doesn't feel good, don't do it.

• Bad things happen to all of us, and really bad things happen to some of us.

• What do I really want to do with my life?

• Be kind to yourself; it helps more than you think.

• No situation is hopeless; it is worth getting up in the morning and trying it again over and over again.

• Perseverance is the ultimate tool to take you where you want to go.

Resources

Tendrilsofgrief.com

Email Susan: [email protected]

If you find this episode helpful, please donate

Meet David Price

Take Back Your Life

Susan, your host, welcomes Emily Grace. Emily started her career as a shy people-pleaser who overworked to prove her worth in the world and relied on others for validation and approval. Now, she is a leading international feminine embodiment coach, living from her authentic, feminine self. She is proof that your sensitivity and femininity can be your greatest superpowers if you learn to embrace them.

Having navigated her own internal struggles (including PTSD, grief, depression & anxiety & addiction), she now helps other women do the same, especially through challenging transitions. She guides women to trust themselves, to honor their value, to process their emotions in a safe environment, and to embody their purpose. The result is an authentic embodiment of self.

Emily saw how so many high-achieving, sensitive women were letting their sensitive, emotional side of themselves hold them back in their lives and careers as they tried to fit themselves into masculine templates for success and leadership. Emily created systems to support women in unsubscribing from these ways of being and instead creating their own lane for success. Through her signature program Reclaim, online courses, books, and retreats, Emily has helped hundreds of women reclaim their true selves, embody their wholeness, embrace their sensitivity and femininity as gifts, and honor their soul's calling.

She is certified in trauma-sensitive feminine embodiment coaching, integrative wellness life coaching, aromatherapy, and breathwork facilitation.

Emily is also a sought-after speaker, the author of Wholeness Within: Insights from One Woman's Journey of Creating a Life and Career in Alignment, and the podcast host of Guide to Wholeness.

Key Takeaways:

• Emily shares her grief story that began with the death of her father, with whom she had a complicated relationship.

• Pay attention to your feelings and emotions arising through your grief, identify them, and feel them.

• You can pay it forward in many ways; you don't have to have a coaching certificate.

• Every grief is different; there is no better or worse grief or death. Grievers often feel they are doing it wrong. Be kind to yourself, give yourself a break, and let your feelings be!

• Healthy boundaries also mean not holding space for certain people and walking away from relationships that are not serving you anymore.

• Susan addresses the different layers of grief and the many losses involved, including some friendships.

• Breathwork helps to feel and clear emotions and also to get you closer to your intuition.

• Forgiveness is crucially important in your healing process, leading you to be more of your authentic self.

• Make space for your grief, and create a ritual around it.

Resources

Tendrilsofgrief.com

Email Susan: [email protected]

If you find this episode helpful, please donate.

Meet Emily Grace

Visit Grace's Website, Guide to Wholeness, and her work as a Medium.

Read Wholeness Within: Insights from One Woman's Journey of Creating a Life and Career in Alignment

Listen to Emily's Podcast Guide to Wholeness.

Book a complimentary 20-minute discovery session

Susan, your host, welcomes Debbie Weiss to today's episode.

With over 50 years of experience dealing with some of life's toughest challenges, Debbie is an expert in chasing your own dreams despite your circumstances. She is the author of the soon-to-be-released memoir, On Second Thought, Maybe I Can. as well as a co-author in the Amazon best-seller collaborative book Heart Whispers. In addition, Debbie is an entrepreneur running both an insurance agency and her online store, A Sprinkle of Hearts, host of the Maybe I Can podcast, inspirational speaker, family caregiver, and mother.

Debbie has overcome her own limiting beliefs and fears, allowing her to begin to live her best life, and her life's passion is to help and inspire others to do the same. In her spare time, Debbie loves to laugh, dance, read, and stay active.

Key Takeaways:

• Debbie shares her grief story, which began with her husband's death at 63.

• Debbie wrote a memoir.

• Susan addresses the negative impact of toxic positivity.

• Debbie cultivated positivity while grieving, which is a very challenging task.

• Debbie felt she was the victim for many years, which filled her with resentment.

• How you look at things is your choice; there are many things you cannot control, but others you do have control over.

• At some point, you will choose to move forward; you will know when the time comes.

• Hold space for the grievers; listen to them talking about their loss and their memories of their loved ones who passed. It is an honor to be invited to someone's precious memories and story.

• Choose carefully who will surround you when you are grieving.

• Debbie shares how she invested a lot of effort in shifting her mindset; consequently, her perception changed entirely.

• Remember, there is immense power in your thoughts and intentions.

• When you feel that you can't, remember: "You've always had the power, my dear; you just had to learn it for yourself."

Resources

Tendrilsofgrief.com

Email Susan: [email protected]

If you find this episode helpful, please donate

Meet Debbie Weiss

Follow Debbie on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn

Listen to Debbie's podcast: Maybe I Can

Visit Debbie's Website

Order Debbie's Book On Second Though... Maybe I Can

Susan, your host, welcomes Jesse Brisendine to today's episode. Jesse is an award-winning speaker and best-selling author. Jesse Brisendine is a world-renowned expert who works with individuals and organizations to move beyond their limitations, unlock their greatness, & build their Camelot.

Business leaders, Hollywood celebrities, entrepreneurs, medical professionals, and educators have utilized Jesse's services to reduce stress, increase productivity, improve communication, elevate happiness, experience more daily joy, enhance company culture, build thriving businesses, and live fulfilling lives.

Jesse has helped to mentor over 4,000 people on their healing journeys following the loss of a loved one.

Jesse is a big fan of buffets, professional wrestling, and finding the silver lining in any situation.

Key Takeaways:

• Jesse explains why he firmly believes there is a purpose to pain and that within pain, you can always find purpose.

• Jesse shares how he found purpose through pain in his life.

• Jesse and Susan talk about the lonely feeling when grieving when you want the world to stop and just join how you feel.

• After one year of losing his friend, Jesse also lost his father; he became completely overwhelmed by his grieving and realized he needed to change his life narrative based on resilience and finding the light in the darkest moment of his life.

• Jesse began the one-year 1000 Challenge, one year dedicated to healing.

• Susan reminds us there is no normal way of grieving nor a timeline for grief; grief your own way, let yourself feel!

• Do not identify with your grief. It is not who you are; it is how you feel.

• You don't have to apologize for how you are grieving.

• Jesse emphasizes the value of compassion and empathy.

• Choose the life you want to live after loss. You can be the living legacy of the people you have lost.

• Life is like legos; you can build something really neat that can easily be knocked down; we can feel it is broken, but it is only displaced.

Resources

Tendrilsofgrief.com

Email Susan: [email protected]

If you find this episode helpful, please donate

Seed for the Soul: Living as the Source of Who You Are, Chuck Hillig

Meet Jesse Brisendine

Listen to Jesse's TED TALK

Visit Jesse's Website

Follow Jesse on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn

Grab your free copy of the Mindset Mastery Blueprint