I don’t even know where to start with this episode.  Tony has, quote, ‘suffered every kind of loss you can imagine’.  This took him to some dark places; he shares in detail the day he drove into the desert to take his own life.  Some people say they are blessed, but Tony truly believes this even after everything he has been through and knew he wanted to pay this forward and therefore created Memories of Us, a non-profit support group for men experiencing grief.

You will hear from the very first second that, although we spoke about some tragic times, we also had such a wonderfully funny, open and heartfelt conversation.  It’s also no surprise that I, yet again, started talking about food which led Tony to compare himself to a dry rub and me to mac & cheese. Don’t ask, just enjoy!

Links from the episode:

Memories of Us podcast

Memories of Us instagram

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Credits:

Music: @joemango_official

Artwork: @moodysquirreldesign

I’ve known Leslie for many years, but neither of us knew we were both grieving the loss of our parents at the same time back in 2010.  Which just goes to show that you never know what’s going on in people’s lives.

Leslie has been a huge supporter of the podcast since the first episode, then one day she says to me “I think I want to share my story”... and what a story it is!  Listening for the first time, I felt like I was listening to a true crime podcast, there were so many twists and turns.  There was also a lot of love; love Leslie obviously has for her parents, love that she has for her children & husband and love that she has for living life to the max, even though it’s dealt her a few bad hands.

Links from the episode:

Tim Ferriss Tribe of Mentors - https://tim.blog/category/tribe-of-mentors/

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Follow on Instagram:

@thatgriefreliefpodcast

@iamkatieovery

Credits:

Music: @joemango_official

Artwork: @moodysquirreldesign

Chris and his partner suffered a miscarriage in February of this year.  He was looking for answers, for help and support without going down the therapy route, but couldn’t find anything dedicated to men that he felt was right for him.  A few short weeks later, Chris created miscarriageformen.com with the aim of helping “that one person that might need it”.

Being, quote “just a lad from the North East of England”, Chris was brought up with the same mindset as most; boys don’t cry and they certainly do not need help.  They are strong and tough and can deal with anything.  On his mission to making Miscarriage for Men a 24/7 support network, Chris is also trying to remove the stigma of men asking for help.

P.S. For those that know me, you will be very proud to know that Chris & I spoke for over an hour and I didn’t attempt to copy his accent once!  We did, however, discuss whether it’s breakfast-lunch-dinner or breakfast-dinner-tea! #northvssouth

Links from the episode:

@MiscarriageforMen instagram

Guild of Dads podcast

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Follow on Instagram:

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@iamkatieovery

Credits:

Music: @joemango_official

Artwork: @moodysquirreldesign

Athul’s father passed away four years ago meaning that, in his culture, as the eldest son, he effectively became the head of the family.  Whilst this was considered ‘the norm’, the whole situation affected Athul, who still feels he hasn’t been able to fully grieve his loss, even though he made some pretty big decisions to try and help the process.

Once again, without losing the sentiment of the story, we had a lot of fun recording this episode because it’s been a long time since we ‘hung out’ properly.  Athul (aka A2L) is my former ‘work husband’; we used to host weekend shows on sister radio stations in Dubai.  Athul then went on to present the drive time show on Virgin Radio Oman and I started a podcast about my dead parents… funny how things work out isn’t it?

Jokes aside, I can’t thank Athul enough for his honesty and openness surrounding what is culturally considered a pretty unspoken subject.

Links from the episode:

Athul’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a2lvirginradio/

My Dad Wrote A P*rno podcast: https://www.instagram.com/mydadwrotea/

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Follow on Instagram:

@thatgriefreliefpodcast

@iamkatieovery

Credits:

Music: @joemango_official

Artwork: @moodysquirreldesign

This episode we explore grief surrounding the ‘death’ of a relationship.  I’m joined by Alex Grant who openly shares how she dealt with her nine year relationship ending; how it almost broke her and how ‘moving her body’, a Buddhist retreat and Las Vegas got her through, and not in the way you might expect!

We also touch on another aspect of disenfranchised grief following her retirement from competitive gymnastics after nearly 20 years in the sport! Oh and Alex may or may not be best friends with Celine Dion!

Links from the episode:

Alex’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexgrant.xo/

Mark Groves: https://www.instagram.com/createthelove/

To Be Magnetic: https://www.instagram.com/tobemagnetic/

Expanded podcast: https://www.instagram.com/expandedpodcast/

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Follow on Instagram:

@thatgriefreliefpodcast

@iamkatieovery

Credits:

Music: @joemango_official

Artwork: @moodysquirreldesign

Diana and I began talking on Instagram a few weeks back, as I was so in awe of her honesty talking about not only ambiguous grief, but anticipatory grief.  Diana’s mother was diagnosed with a rare form of dementia, known as frontotemporal dementia in 2016.  We delve into how you try to process your grief while accepting and loving the changes that happen with your loved ones.

As we were wrapping up recording this episode Diana said “Who knew that talking about grief would include so many giggles?”... it’s true! We giggled, we teared up and (as is becoming a common theme) we talked about food!

Links from the episode:

Diana’s Instagram

Young Pueblo Instagram

Remember Me podcast

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Follow on Instagram:

@thatgriefreliefpodcast

@iamkatieovery

Credits:

Music: @joemango_official

Artwork: @moodysquirreldesign

This episode blew me away! I’m joined by Candy Fanucci, founder of Pirates Surf Rescue, a Dubai-based water-sports programme for kids.  Candy has suffered loss… a LOT of loss, yet listening to her story I found myself smiling and inspired.  Her energy, attitude and outlook on life is not only admirable, but infectious.

Candy shares that after her losses, she could have travelled down a very dark path, but instead decided to use her life experiences to help others. Pirate Surf Rescue was born.  She also tried to convince me to join the ‘5am Club’ and there were chickens!  I truly hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as I enjoyed recording it.

Links from the episode:

Pirate Surf Rescue Instagram

Robin Sharma Instagram

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Follow on Instagram:

@thatgriefreliefpodcast

@iamkatieovery

Credits:

Music: @joemango_official

Artwork: @moodysquirreldesign

Laura & I connected through Instagram just last year; she is the amazing woman behind the Instagram account, @griefhungry, that I spoke about in episode 2.

Laura’s Dad, John, died in truly bizarre circumstances.  In this episode, she talks about the day it happened and how she and her family found out details of her Dad’s death through the media whilst waiting for updates in the hospital.  Her family’s ‘relationship’ with the media, including social media, didn’t stop there.

We also chatted about ‘grief brain’, the amazing grief community Laura has built online and, of course, how food seems to bring us all together.

Links from the episode:

Laura’s account: @griefhungry

Laura's recommended IG account: @grieftogloriousunfolding

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Follow on Instagram:

@thatgriefreliefpodcast

@iamkatieovery

Credits:

Music: @joemango_official

Artwork: @moodysquirreldesign

I’ve known Lara indirectly for a few years, she reached out to me to talk about her blog.  During that conversation I realised that Lara was grieving, she was grieving her own life; her life before Fibromyalgia.  According to WebMD, Fibromyalgia “can feel similar to osteoarthritis, bursitis and tendinitis. But rather than hurting in a specific area, the pain and stiffness could be throughout your body… simply put, you ache all over”.  I asked Lara if she would be willing to share her story; she kindly said yes and I found out that she not only grieves her youth being taken from her, but also her future.

After being mis-diagnosed for three years, Lara has now learnt to live with ‘Fibro’, but wished she had more support and knowledge in those early days.  In her words, COVID-19 gave Lara the gift of time and she has spent hundreds of hours researching the condition, going on to start a blog & vlog to help raise awareness for others.

Links from the episode:

Lara’s blog: https://thatfibrothing.blogspot.com/

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Follow on Instagram:

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@iamkatieovery

Credits:

Music: @joemango_official

Artwork: @moodysquirreldesign

This episode I was joined by Aisling Prendergast, MSc (UK) MBACP (reg.) Psychologist and Lead Program Co-ordinator for Raymee Grief Centre at The Lighthouse, a community mental health and wellness clinic, located in Dubai, providing quality psychological and psychiatric care to children, adults, couples and families.

Not only does Aisling talk through her interpretation of the grief process and different types of grief, she also gives insight into her own grief and therapy journey.  We also learn that therapists don’t take things personally (basically if you don’t like them, tell them and they will find someone you hopefully will!) and, that even as an Irish woman, Aisling doesn’t recommend alcohol as any kind of solution surrounding grief. Oh, and I say “By jove!” at some point, so listen out for that too!

Links from the episode:

Find out more about Aisling and The Lighthouse HERE

Thank you to Tish Tash Marketing & PR for the introduction

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Watch all the episodes on YouTube.

Follow on Instagram:

@thatgriefreliefpodcast

@iamkatieovery

Credits:

Music: @joemango_official

Artwork: @moodysquirreldesign