In this episode of Thank You for Listening, Carla shares the story of her extraordinary mother, Nina—an endlessly joyful and compassionate woman who continues to show up in her family’s life more than a decade after her passing. Carla reflects on what it’s been like to grieve over the span of eleven years, the evolving nature of loss, and the powerful ways her mom’s presence is still felt through what her family lovingly calls Nina Winks—unexpected signs often delivered through technology, music, and moments that defy explanation.

This conversation explores the ongoing relationship with someone who has died, the importance of being open about grief, and how Nina’s unwavering positivity and deep love continue to guide those she left behind. A moving, honest, and deeply heartfelt episode about memory, connection, and the magic that can live on long after loss.

Grief isn’t just something we feel on anniversaries—it’s in the little things, the habits we keep, the songs that bring us back. In this episode, I sit down with Courtney on the anniversary of her dad Steve’s passing to talk about what it means to carry him forward. From blasting Black Eyed Peas in the car to drinking black coffee just like he did, Courtney shares the everyday ways her dad’s presence still shows up in her life.

We also talk about the loneliness of losing a parent young, how grief shifts over time, and why finding people who get it makes all the difference. This is a conversation about love, memory, and all the unexpected ways we stay connected to the people we’ve lost.

When Adrienne’s dad, Joel, was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s just after his 50th birthday, she had no idea how profoundly it would shape her life. Over the next ten years, she grieved him twice—first, as she watched the disease slowly take him, and then again when he died. In this episode, we talk about what it’s like to lose a parent in stages, the loneliness of grief in early adulthood, and how Adrienne found purpose in advocacy. Now a fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Association, she shares how her grief led her to a career that makes a real impact. She also tells us about her dad—the fun, music-loving, ice-cream-obsessed man who continues to inspire her every day.

Gabi lost her dad to cancer when she was 14, after years of watching him go through treatment. Growing up as a military kid, loss was already a familiar presence in her life, but nothing could prepare her for how grief would change her. In this episode, we talk about anticipatory grief, the frustration of being told to "stay strong," and the emotions that come with losing someone over time. Gabi also shares memories of her dad, Julio, a man who lived life with spontaneity, ambition, and an adventurous spirit. This conversation is an honest look at what it means to hold grief, love, anger, and gratitude all at once.

Grief is deeply personal, yet often isolating. In this pilot episode, host Betsey Goldwasser, a licensed master social worker, shares the story of a childhood friendship that shaped her—and the devastating loss that changed her life. Through her own experience with grief, Betsey explains why she started Thank You for Listening and how this podcast will create space for people to share memories of their loved ones, navigate loss, and find community.

If you’ve ever felt like no one understands your grief, you’re not alone. Join us as we remember, reflect, and heal together.

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