Send us a message! We love hearing from our listeners.

Welcome back! Today, we're diving deep into the often untouched waters of grief with our guest Katie. Katie shares her journey through the murky depths of loss starting with a breakup that left her with her challenging but beloved Tibetan mastiff, Freya. After Freya's passing, Katie confronts an avalanche of suppressed grief, including the unprocessed loss of her father.

With raw honesty, our hosts CJ and Ashley,  resonate with Katie's experiences, reflecting on their own struggles with loss and the intrinsic need to redefine relationships with those who've passed on. The trio unpacks the complexities of dealing with grief in untraditional ways, the solace found in dreams and afterlife connections, and the importance of finding permission to experience joy amidst sorrow.

Katie's evolution leads her to not only acknowledging her grief but also embracing her strengths and resilience, ultimately inspiring her advocacy work and founding of "Grief is Good." We explore the concept of compound grief, the therapeutic power of journaling, and Katie's path to becoming a death doula.

Join us as we navigate the highs and lows of grieving, the search for signals from beyond, and the courage to hold space for both ourselves and others during the most trying times. This is an episode about the light that can be found in the darkest of times and the laughter that can live alongside tears. Listen as we share, learn, and perhaps find a piece of our healing journey within Katie's story.

You can learn more about Katie at griefisgood.com. Get a copy of her book "I'll See You in Your Dreams Tonight" here.

A personal note from the hosts: After much reflection, we've decided that this season of "The Day After" will be our final one. It has been a profound honor to share this journey through grief with all of you. As CJ steps back to focus on other ventures, we want to express our deepest gratitude for your support, your stories, and your willingness to navigate these difficult conversations alongside us. Though the podcast is ending, we hope the conversations about grief and loss continue, and that our episodes remain a resource for those who need them. If you've found comfort in our discussions, Ashley and Liz will continue Sit, Lay, Rest - our pet grief podcast - you can follow them on Instagram at @sitlayrest. Thank you for being part of our community.

Music by Servidio Music

Send us a message! We love hearing from our listeners.

Welcome to another episode of The Day After. Today, we have the privilege of sitting down with Melanie, who opens up about the harrowing experience of losing her partner, Michael, to a rapid battle with pancreatic cancer.

In today’s conversation, Melanie touches on the overwhelming emotions of becoming a caregiver, facing the finality of her husband’s diagnosis, and the intense grief that followed his passing. But this episode is not just a story of loss; it’s also one of resilience. We’ll explore how Melanie’s journey led her to a meaningful career in holistic retreats, helping those facing their twilight due to terminal illness or profound grief.

Together, we’ll discuss the signs of presence from our late loved ones, the importance of therapy during the mourning process, and how to navigate the array of emotions, including 'grief flare-ups' and the physical manifestations of trauma. The episode also touches on the unhelpful comments encountered by those grieving and the way both our guest and hosts have built rituals to foster an ongoing connection with those who have passed.

Join us as we share, reflect, and perhaps find solace in the shared experience of our human condition. 

A personal note from the hosts: After much reflection, we've decided that this season of "The Day After" will be our final one. It has been a profound honor to share this journey through grief with all of you. As CJ steps back to focus on other ventures, we want to express our deepest gratitude for your support, your stories, and your willingness to navigate these difficult conversations alongside us. Though the podcast is ending, we hope the conversations about grief and loss continue, and that our episodes remain a resource for those who need them. If you've found comfort in our discussions, Ashley and Liz will continue Sit, Lay, Rest - our pet grief podcast - you can follow them on Instagram at @sitlayrest. Thank you for being part of our community.

Music by Servidio Music

Send us a message! We love hearing from our listeners.

In today's episode, Kim emphasizes the fulfillment derived from service to others and the origins of the Widow Squad. Kim shares the challenges faced in dealing with her grief while working to be in service to others.

To find out more about the work Kim is doing, head over to the Widow Squad or find her on their podcast and YouTube channel. 

A personal note from the hosts: After much reflection, we've decided that this season of "The Day After" will be our final one. It has been a profound honor to share this journey through grief with all of you. As CJ steps back to focus on other ventures, we want to express our deepest gratitude for your support, your stories, and your willingness to navigate these difficult conversations alongside us. Though the podcast is ending, we hope the conversations about grief and loss continue, and that our episodes remain a resource for those who need them. If you've found comfort in our discussions, Ashley and Liz will continue Sit, Lay, Rest - our pet grief podcast - you can follow them on Instagram at @sitlayrest. Thank you for being part of our community.

Music by Servidio Music

Send us a message! We love hearing from our listeners.

Join hosts, CJ Infantino and Ashley Infantino, for a heartfelt look back at their inaugural year creating a space to change the global conversation on grief. In this season finale, CJ & Ashley share their vision for the future, including expanding The Day After to create a network to support various forms of grief.

They reflect on their personal journeys, the therapeutic power of shared stories, and how the podcast has shaped their lives and those of their listeners. The episode features discussions on the emotional impact of grief, the healing power of creativity, and gives a glimpse into CJ's profound experience with a medium, bringing messages from his late wife Ariana.

The hosts speak candidly about the challenges and surprises they faced in building The Day After, from the mental strain of tackling tough topics to the joy of building a global community. As they wrap up the season, they express gratitude for their listeners' support, their synergistic work dynamic, and the unexpected paths of creativity and connection the podcast has opened.

Tune in for an episode filled with gratitude, learning, and a look forward to what the next year holds. Don't forget to support the show by sharing, subscribing, and engaging as CJ & Ashley ready themselves for Year 2! 

A personal note from the hosts: After much reflection, we've decided that this season of "The Day After" will be our final one. It has been a profound honor to share this journey through grief with all of you. As CJ steps back to focus on other ventures, we want to express our deepest gratitude for your support, your stories, and your willingness to navigate these difficult conversations alongside us. Though the podcast is ending, we hope the conversations about grief and loss continue, and that our episodes remain a resource for those who need them. If you've found comfort in our discussions, Ashley and Liz will continue Sit, Lay, Rest - our pet grief podcast - you can follow them on Instagram at @sitlayrest. Thank you for being part of our community.

Music by Servidio Music

Send us a message! We love hearing from our listeners.

Welcome back to The Day After!

Today, we’re joined by Cesar who opens up about the complexities of self-care in the face of adversity. Cesar candidly shares his struggles with asking for help, throwing light on the importance of recognizing our own needs. We discuss the transformative power of loss and how it shapes our approach to life and parenting.

Cesar's powerful story is one of heartache and love, stretching from the memories of his mother's sacrifice to his daughter Lucia's challenging introduction to the world. Our conversation travels through profound grief, the importance of workplace empathy, and the irreplaceable value of family stories. Through his touching personal journey, highlighted by the loss of his mother and the challenges he faced afterward, Cesar speaks to the core of what so many deal with when confronting life's most difficult moments.

Join us as we explore questions of legacy and connection, and as Cesar offers a reminder of the fleeting nature of life. Discover the role of storytelling in healing, the impact of shared experiences, and the silent strength in recognizing when to seek help. It's a poignant reminder to cherish our loved ones and the time we have with them.

Tune in, listen deeply, and perhaps find a piece of your own story reflected in Cesar's. 

A personal note from the hosts: After much reflection, we've decided that this season of "The Day After" will be our final one. It has been a profound honor to share this journey through grief with all of you. As CJ steps back to focus on other ventures, we want to express our deepest gratitude for your support, your stories, and your willingness to navigate these difficult conversations alongside us. Though the podcast is ending, we hope the conversations about grief and loss continue, and that our episodes remain a resource for those who need them. If you've found comfort in our discussions, Ashley and Liz will continue Sit, Lay, Rest - our pet grief podcast - you can follow them on Instagram at @sitlayrest. Thank you for being part of our community.

Music by Servidio Music

Send us a message! We love hearing from our listeners.

Welcome back to The Day After. Today's episode holds a profoundly personal journey, one of heartache, resilience, and the quest for healing. We are honored to have Dimitrios with us, who is bravely opening up for the first time to an audience beyond his close circle about the loss of his mother to a 10 year battle with cancer and how it reshaped his entire family dynamic from his early teens into adulthood.

Dimitrios touches on the heavy mantle of responsibility he shouldered as the 'rock' of his family, the loneliness of not having that support he desperately needed, and the complex ties with his father that eventually led to a relationship's end. Now a father himself, he shares how his past influences his approach to parenting and the fears and responsibilities it brings.

In this emotional episode, we'll delve into how Dimitrios and his brother navigated through the pain of their mother's absence, especially during significant life events like his brother's recent wedding. Ashley and CJ will also shed light on their experiences with grief and the delicate balance of keeping the memory of our loved ones alive through rituals and remembrance.

Join us as we explore the raw and honest account of Dimitrios's journey—reflecting on what the "new normal" looks like post-loss, finding strength for the sake of his son, and seeking out the light at the end of the tunnel. This is an episode about confronting the past, embracing the present, and cautiously stepping into the future with hope.

A personal note from the hosts: After much reflection, we've decided that this season of "The Day After" will be our final one. It has been a profound honor to share this journey through grief with all of you. As CJ steps back to focus on other ventures, we want to express our deepest gratitude for your support, your stories, and your willingness to navigate these difficult conversations alongside us. Though the podcast is ending, we hope the conversations about grief and loss continue, and that our episodes remain a resource for those who need them. If you've found comfort in our discussions, Ashley and Liz will continue Sit, Lay, Rest - our pet grief podcast - you can follow them on Instagram at @sitlayrest. Thank you for being part of our community.

Music by Servidio Music

Send us a message! We love hearing from our listeners.

In this heartfelt episode The Day After, hosts CJ & Ashley engage in an intimate conversation with Gina, who shares her deeply personal journey of loss, resilience, and hope. They unpack the emotional upheaval following Gina's mother's diagnosis with stage four pancreatic cancer, the family's division on treatment options, and the collective commitment to never leave her side during her final months.

Listeners will be moved by the family's anecdotes of joy and unity amidst pain, and the poignant transition they endured after the matriarch's passing. Through moments of vulnerability, Gina recounts the efforts to keep her mother's spirit alive, the celebration of her life on special occasions, and the legacy left behind after 37 years of service to her community.

CJ and Ashley offer their own experiences with grief, addressing the insensitive judgments they've faced, and exploring the sensitive topics of dating after losing a spouse and the eventual blending of families. Gina's struggle with her father's new relationship and her own navigation into a relationship with a widower illuminates the complex layers of healing and acceptance.

In an exchange marked by laughter, tears, and wisdom, the hosts and guest also dive into the therapeutic nature of sharing stories, the belief in signs from loved ones, and the controversial appeal of mediums. They emphasize the importance of being honest with children about loss, supporting young ones through bereavement, and the essential act of not bottling up grief.

Join us as we honor the difficult paths tread by those we’ve lost and those who are left to cherish their memories, and as we seek to find light in the darkest of times—recognizing that sharing our stories can be the most powerful form of healing and connection. Don't forget to support our show and pass on the invaluable insights from guests like Gina to those in your life who might need them most.

A personal note from the hosts: After much reflection, we've decided that this season of "The Day After" will be our final one. It has been a profound honor to share this journey through grief with all of you. As CJ steps back to focus on other ventures, we want to express our deepest gratitude for your support, your stories, and your willingness to navigate these difficult conversations alongside us. Though the podcast is ending, we hope the conversations about grief and loss continue, and that our episodes remain a resource for those who need them. If you've found comfort in our discussions, Ashley and Liz will continue Sit, Lay, Rest - our pet grief podcast - you can follow them on Instagram at @sitlayrest. Thank you for being part of our community.

Music by Servidio Music

Send us a message! We love hearing from our listeners.

Welcome back to another episode of The Day After. Today, we're diving deep into a poignant story of loss, love, and the complexities of dealing with grief across continents. Our guest, Juhi, shares her heart-wrenching experience of receiving the devastating news of her mother’s sudden passing while on vacation in Italy. Amidst the turmoil, Juhi had to confront the logistical nightmare of securing an emergency visa while abroad to travel to India—navigating bureaucracy with a two-year-old daughter and nanny in tow.

Throughout the episode, we traverse the emotional landscape as Juhi opens up about the numbness and detachment she faced while performing practical tasks, the overwhelming rush of emotions upon arrival in India, and the quiet aftermath of returning home to a world without her mother. CJ reflects on the valuable lessons to be learned from Juhi’s struggles, particularly on the influence of loss on our lives, and the profound impact it has on reshaping our priorities and relationships. 

Juhi's candid discussion about parenting in absence of a maternal figure, her desire to honor her mother's memory authentically, and the differences in grieving processes amongst family members offer us all a mirror to our own experiences with loss. 

We grapple with the idea that healing is an active journey, not one marked merely by the passage of time. So, brace yourself for a powerful episode that will leave you with a renewed perspective on grief, memory, and the delicate balance of joy amidst sorrow. Stay with us as we unfold this journey with Juhi, right here on The Day After.

A personal note from the hosts: After much reflection, we've decided that this season of "The Day After" will be our final one. It has been a profound honor to share this journey through grief with all of you. As CJ steps back to focus on other ventures, we want to express our deepest gratitude for your support, your stories, and your willingness to navigate these difficult conversations alongside us. Though the podcast is ending, we hope the conversations about grief and loss continue, and that our episodes remain a resource for those who need them. If you've found comfort in our discussions, Ashley and Liz will continue Sit, Lay, Rest - our pet grief podcast - you can follow them on Instagram at @sitlayrest. Thank you for being part of our community.

Music by Servidio Music

Send us a message! We love hearing from our listeners.

In this emotionally charged episode of The Day After, CJ Infantino and Ashley Infantino are joined by guest Kim, who shares her tragic yet inspiring journey through grief and loss. Kim's husband was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, and she opens up about the difficult decisions they made as a family, including when and how to tell their children about his impending death.

Kim bravely recounts the heartbreaking moments leading up to her husband's passing and the profound impact it had on her and their children. She discusses her experiences with grief, the power of signs and coincidences, and finding love again after loss. Kim's resilience and strength shine through as she reflects on navigating a world without her husband, finding happiness, and supporting her children's individual paths. 

Join CJ, Ashley, and Kim in this deeply touching episode as they explore the complexities of grief, the importance of open communication, and the possibility of healing and finding joy amidst immense pain.

A personal note from the hosts: After much reflection, we've decided that this season of "The Day After" will be our final one. It has been a profound honor to share this journey through grief with all of you. As CJ steps back to focus on other ventures, we want to express our deepest gratitude for your support, your stories, and your willingness to navigate these difficult conversations alongside us. Though the podcast is ending, we hope the conversations about grief and loss continue, and that our episodes remain a resource for those who need them. If you've found comfort in our discussions, Ashley and Liz will continue Sit, Lay, Rest - our pet grief podcast - you can follow them on Instagram at @sitlayrest. Thank you for being part of our community.

Music by Servidio Music

Send us a message! We love hearing from our listeners.

Welcome back to The Day After, the podcast where we explore stories of grief, resilience, and finding hope in the aftermath of loss. Today, we have a very special guest joining us, Kelly. Kelly has experienced the profound heartbreak of losing her oldest brother to glioblastoma, a devastating form of brain cancer.

In this episode, Kelly opens up about the difficult decisions her family had to make regarding her brother's treatment, the emotional toll it took on their family, and the incredible strength and determination they found to fight through it all. We'll also learn about the organization Kelly and her family created called StacheStrong --  A 501(c)3 non-profit devoted to raising funds and awareness for brain cancer research

Join us as Kelly shares the challenges and triumphs of building StacheStrong, caring for her brother, and finding hope amidst the darkest of days. And as always, we encourage you to show your support for our show and our guest by subscribing, rating and reviewing wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Get ready for an episode filled with powerful stories, raw emotions, and the resilience of the human spirit. 

A personal note from the hosts: After much reflection, we've decided that this season of "The Day After" will be our final one. It has been a profound honor to share this journey through grief with all of you. As CJ steps back to focus on other ventures, we want to express our deepest gratitude for your support, your stories, and your willingness to navigate these difficult conversations alongside us. Though the podcast is ending, we hope the conversations about grief and loss continue, and that our episodes remain a resource for those who need them. If you've found comfort in our discussions, Ashley and Liz will continue Sit, Lay, Rest - our pet grief podcast - you can follow them on Instagram at @sitlayrest. Thank you for being part of our community.

Music by Servidio Music