Eric Hodgdon is a resilient advocate for those grappling with the profound impact of loss and intimately understands the challenges that accompany the grieving process. His personal journey took a powerful turn in early 2014 when he tragically lost his 15-year-old daughter, Zoi, to suicide.

Frustrated by the prevailing narrative that merely surviving grief marked the “endpoint” of the journey, Eric embarked on a mission to redefine and expand what grief support can be. Over the last decade, Eric has dedicated himself to transforming the way we approach grief. Through coaching and training, he has empowered thousands of grieving individuals to overcome the mental hurdles that impede progress, enabling them to navigate the formidable challenges that accompany loss.

Eric has shared his insights, twice, from the TEDx stage, He further solidified his impact by publishing the Amazon bestselling book, "A Sherpa Named Zoi.”, which is currently available on Amazon.com

Currently, Eric channels his expertise into personalized 1-on-1 sessions with clients, guiding them through the process of survival, recovery, and ultimately, living beyond the loss of a loved one. To learn more about this visit: yourjourneyguided.org.

*Eric's first TEDx talk: "What my daughter's death taught me about life."

Today's episode is with Dusty Sivley who is a Supervising Licensed Professional Counselor that has spent the last 14 years working with young children and teens. Dusty specializes in Bereavement Counseling and this episode is full of her incredible wisdom and practical insights on navigating teen grief after loss.

Whether you are a parent of teens, a caregiver or love someone who has experienced a death, this conversation will be one to bookmark. Not to mention, so much of what Dusty shares is applicable to the wide range of losses we might experience that bring us to our grief.

Be sure to share this episode with someone that might need to hear the beautiful message of hope and healing that is possible when we are supported to do the work of honoring and being with our grief.

On today's episode, I sit down with Jessica Bedient from Pike Road, Alabama. She is a mom to 9 children (1 biological, 8 from Foster Care to Adoption). She talks about the journey she, along with her husband Ben, have had through the Foster Care to Adoption process. After about 10 years working with the system, Jessica shares about experiencing the many ups, downs and sometimes, public scrutiny that comes from this path of parenting.

TW: 22:00, loss of placement with a child

The Verse Jessica mentions is from the Bible: Psalm 4:8- "In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe."

On the inaugural episode of The Grief Informed Podcast, I am bringing on my great friend, Becki Irby. Becki and her husband Garret are the, beaming with pride, parents of eleven year old Gabriel Lewis.

Gabriel was diagnosed with a stroke at birth resulting in cerebral palsy and epilepsy, along with other diagnoses requiring full care.

Becki invites us into her story and personal journey with Grief and her pursuit of Joy after tragedy.

TW: Birth trauma, 14:10