Series: A Seat at the Table: Stories of Mother Grief

In this deeply personal opening to the A Seat at the Table mini-series, Dr. Tammy Isaac shares her own sacred story of loss—the day her birthday became the same day her mother passed away. With tenderness and spiritual insight, she reflects on what it means to hold both joy and sorrow in the same breath, how grief shaped her calling as a chaplain and writer, and the anchors that have kept her steady in the storm. This episode honors daughters who are grieving, women who’ve been mothered well and now mother others, and anyone navigating the silence and sorrow that Mother’s Day can bring. Dr. Isaac offers space, scripture, prayer, and a reminder that you are not alone—your grief is welcome, your love is remembered, and your seat at the table is already prepared.

Today, we’re talking about something that many experience but few feel safe enough to discuss: the connection between grief and suicide. Whether you’re someone grieving the loss of a loved one to suicide, or someone who has found yourself in a dark place during grief, I want you to know—you’re not alone.

In this deeply compassionate episode, Dr. Tammy Isaac explores the often overlooked grief that accompanies chronic pain—especially when healing doesn’t come. From the emotional toll of invisible suffering to the spiritual wrestling it stirs, this episode offers validation, comfort, and community for those living with pain that never goes away. With insights from research, reflections on faith, and real-life stories—including Lady Gaga’s journey with fibromyalgia—listeners are reminded that their pain is real, their grief is sacred, and they are not alone.

In this episode of Permission to Breathe, we hold sacred space to reflect on the deep grief that follows the loss of a leader — be it a beloved pastor, a trusted mentor, or a public figure who shaped our worldview. These are the people who poured into us, guided us, and sometimes carried us through spiritual, emotional, or even cultural seasons. Their absence can leave us feeling unmoored. Let’s talk about how to grieve that loss with honesty, faith, and hope.

Grief doesn’t always come from your own loss—sometimes, it’s what you carry for others. The weight. The weariness. The silent ache. This episode is for the strong ones. The supporters. The souls who feel deeply even when the world tells them not to. You don’t have to explain your grief. You just need space to name it—and breathe.

In this heartfelt episode, Dr. Tammy Isaac explores the often overlooked but deeply felt reality of workplace grief—the emotional weight we carry when we lose a job, miss a promotion, watch a beloved boss leave, or witness the culture of our workplace shift. Whether you're grieving a dream that didn’t come true, a team that felt like family, or a role that once gave your life meaning, this episode gives you permission to name the loss, feel the weight of it, and begin the journey toward healing. Because sometimes, the grief we carry doesn’t come from death—it comes from change.

In this special Women’s History Month episode of Permission to Breathe, Dr. Tammy Isaac holds sacred space for the tender intersection of grief and growth. As women, we often carry deep loss while still showing up—as nurturers, leaders, and healers. But what happens when we give ourselves permission to grieve and to bloom? This is your permission to cry, to rise, to rest, and to bloom—right where you are.

In this episode of Permission to Breathe, Dr. Tammy Isaac explores the impact of grief on the brain and why so many people experience brain fog, that frustrating mental cloudiness that makes it hard to focus, remember things, or think clearly.

Grief doesn’t just bring sadness—it can make us feel profoundly alone, even when surrounded by people. In this episode, Dr. Tammy Isaac explores the deep connection between grief and loneliness, why loss can make us feel disconnected, and how we can begin to rebuild meaningful relationships. Drawing from research by Dr. Vivek Murthy on the three dimensions of human connection—intimate, relational, and collective—this episode offers practical steps to move from isolation toward healing. If grief has left you feeling alone, this conversation is a reminder that connection is still possible, even after loss.

In this heartfelt episode of Permission to Breathe Podcast, Dr. Tammy Isaac reflects on anniversary grief as she approaches March 5th—a day that marks her birthday, the ninth anniversary of her mother’s passing, and Ash Wednesday.

She explores:
1. What anniversary grief is and why it happens
2. How the body remembers before the mind does
3. The emotional, psychological, and spiritual weight of milestone grief
4. Practical ways to cope and honor your loved one

Whether your loss is recent or years past, this episode offers comfort, reflection, and permission to grieve in your own way.

Listen now and take a deep breath—you’re not alone.