Season 2 of Talk With Tay begins with one of the most personal episodes I’ve ever recorded, where I share my experience finally joining a grief support group after years of anger, numbness, and feeling misunderstood following the loss of my mother. For a long time, I believed something was wrong with me because of how deeply I was hurting, but this experience helped me realize I wasn’t broken — I was grieving hard, and healing has its own timing. In this episode, I open up about hesitation, fear, judgment from others, and the powerful moment I understood that anger, pain, and emotional shutdown can all be normal parts of grief. If you’ve ever felt alone in your pain or pressured to move on before you were ready, this conversation is for you. Welcome to Season 2

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In this episode, I pause to reflect on what life has looked like in the four years since my mom passed away. So much of that time feels like a blur — like the world kept moving even when I didn’t feel ready to. I talk about how grief doesn’t disappear with time; instead, it reshapes you, follows you into new seasons, and teaches you about yourself in ways you never expected.

This conversation isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about the moments of clarity, the quiet waves of memory, the guilt, the numbness, and the gratitude that somehow coexist. Four years have gone by fast… but the impact of losing her still magnifies who I am and how I move through life today.

If you’ve ever lost someone you love or you’re still trying to understand what grief looks like years later this episode is for you.

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In this episode of the Talk with Tay podcast, host I welcome Scotty G, a functional aging specialist and host of the Just Be with Scotty G podcast. The conversation delves into various themes, including the challenges of grief, the importance of mental health, and the stigma surrounding male vulnerability. Scotty shares his personal experiences with grief, therapy, and the significance of being present in the moment. The discussion also touches on the art of podcasting, the sneaker culture, and the journey of self-discovery. Throughout the episode, both hosts emphasize the value of connection, gratitude, and the need for open conversations about mental health

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In this episode, I open up about a different kind of grief — the kind that comes when you walk away from the game you’ve built your life around. For me, that game was baseball. I share the emotional journey of letting go of my athlete identity, the pressure I put on myself to keep playing, and the complicated mix of relief and loss that followed. If you’ve ever had to close a chapter that once defined you, this one’s for you.

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A year ago I pressed record hoping to make sense of my grief; today I’m celebrating 12 months of raw conversations, late-night edits, and unexpected breakthroughs. In this anniversary episode I open up about the tug-of-war between struggling to find myself and finally recognizing the person I’ve become—3½ years after losing my mom and starting this healing journey. From the first shaky intro to now, the podcast has become both microphone and mirror, helping me shed the heaviness I carried and reminding me that relief is possible. Join me as I reflect on the lessons learned, the community we’ve built, and why I’m more committed than ever to keep talking, healing, and growing—one episode at a time.

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In this episode, I sit down with JB, a 17-year-old artist from St. Louis who shares a deeply moving story of love, loss, and resilience. At just 11 years old, JB lost his father, a moment that forever changed the course of his life. Now, six years later, he bravely opens up on the podcast for the first time, reflecting on the emotional weight of stepping into the role of "man of the house" at such a young age.

JB talks about what it was like growing up alongside his sisters and mother while carrying pain he couldn’t always put into words. From quiet strength to creative expression, this conversation is a powerful reminder that grief doesn’t have an age, but neither does healing.

Tune in as we honor JB’s story and the courage it takes to speak your truth, even when your voice shakes.

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In this powerful episode, I sit down with Jared Hendryx — a Black man who, like me, experienced the deep, life-altering loss of his mother. What makes this conversation so important is not just the shared pain, but the mutual recognition that grief in Black men is often overlooked, misunderstood, or buried in silence.

Jared shares what led him to open up — how seeing another Black man speak vulnerably about grief gave him the strength to do the same. Together, we explore the raw emotions that come with losing a mother: from numbness and depression, to relationship strain, accountability, and those moments of quiet clarity. We talk about the dark places grief can take you, but also the beauty that can come from expressing it, healing through it, and knowing you're not alone.

This is more than just a conversation — it’s a mirror for anyone who’s ever felt like they had to grieve in silence. It’s a necessary dialogue about Black men, vulnerability, and the shared journey through loss.

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In this deeply reflective episode, I stepped outside—literally and emotionally—to ask myself a question that’s been weighing heavy: Am I actually healing, or just finding ways to distract myself from the pain?

Surrounded by nature, I recorded this one outdoors, in a space that felt peaceful but still carried the weight of everything I’ve been carrying inside. I talk about the isolation I’ve chosen for peace, the emotional toll of people rushing my grief, and how I’ve had to protect myself from being misunderstood.

This isn’t a conversation with answers—it’s an honest moment of sitting with the confusion that comes with grief and growth.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re moving forward or just getting by… this one’s for you.

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Grief comes with so many emotions, but one of the hardest to navigate is regret the feeling of "I wish I Had More Time" In this episode, I open up about the weight of missed moments, the things left unsaid, and the pain of knowing I can’t get that time back with my mother.

I reflect on my years away at school, avoiding home because of the difficult environment, not realizing that every break, every holiday, was time slipping away. Now, I’d give anything to have those moments back—to share more conversations, to make more memories, to just be present.

Many of us struggle with the 'what if's' The milestones they won’t see, the life moments they won’t be part of—marriage, kids, growth. The reality that healing doesn’t erase the longing for just one more moment

This episode isn’t just about my story—it’s for anyone who has ever carried the weight of regret after loss. It’s about finding ways to cope, to shift our perspective, and to honor our loved ones without guilt Because while we can’t change the past, we can choose how we carry their memory forward.

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In this episode, I explore a stage of grief that rarely gets talked about, which is emotional numbness. What happens when the tears stop, but the pain remains? How do you cope with the guilt of not feeling outwardly sad or not crying for someone you love deeply? I share my personal experience of navigating this phase after losing my mom, 3 years later, and the conflicting feelings of healing, numbness, and internalized sadness. Together, we'll unpack the societal silence around this stage, the weight of guilt in grief, and why missing someone doesn't always look the way we expect. Tune in for an honest conversation about grief's evolution and how to honor your loved ones while learning to live again

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