Welcome back to Don't Cut Your Own Bangs — the podcast that makes big feelings feel less scary and approaching them feel possible.

In this week's episode, I sit down with Jessica Fein, author, storyteller, and self-described reluctant grief expert. Jessica's story is both heartbreaking and life-affirming. After losing her two sisters and her teenage daughter, Dalia, she discovered that the greatest act of love we can offer is to say the name and share the story.

Together, we explore how grief transforms us, how to stay connected to the people we've lost, and how storytelling can bring light to even the darkest seasons of life. This episode is an invitation to soften your heart toward your own pain and let love — not fear — lead the way.

Key Takeaways

1. Saying their name is sacred. It honors both memory and love.

2. Grief and joy can coexist. Healing isn't about "getting over it" — it's about learning to live alongside it.

3. Creativity helps us find joy again. Making something — a story, a meal, a moment — reconnects us to life.

4. Connection begins with honesty. You don't have to fix someone's pain to be present for it.

Mentioned in This Episode

📖 Breathtaking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken Genes → https://jessicafeinwrites.com/breathtaking

🎙 I Don't Know How You Do It → https://jessicafeinwrites.com/podcast

✍️ The Writer Salon → https://writers-salon.mn.co/

💌 Jessica's Survival Kit → https://jessicafeinwrites.com/resources

📘 The Treasured Journal: danielleireland.com/journal

🐧 Wrestling a Walrus: https://danielleireland.com/wrestling-a-walrus

Stay Connected

🌐 danielleireland.com 📸 Instagram 📺 YouTube

If this conversation resonates, share it with someone who might need it today. Because love doesn't end when life does — and sometimes, the bravest thing we can do is say the name and tell the story.