The Living Loss | Navigating Invisible Grief & Identity

Daiana and Cassandra, with special guest Lee Horton-Carter, retired psychotherapist, explore the concept of ambiguous loss and family estrangement, shedding light on the psychological and emotional impact of living with estrangement. We would like to mention that today’s conversation does touch on the subject of sexual abuse and could be triggering to some listeners. It is not the overall focus but we wanted to be mindful of everyone’s experiences. 

The conversation delves into the experience of estrangement, the impact on identity, and the journey of finding belonging and healing outside of the family system. The conversation delves into the complexities of estrangement and its impact on relationships, identity, and resilience. Lee shares personal experiences and insights, highlighting the challenges and growth associated with estrangement from family.

Join the Community: We’re building a space where every loss is seen. Have a 'Living Loss Lesson' or a topic you’d like us to explore? Email us your story. If you have an experience you’d like us to share on the air, let us know, we are always happy to share your stories anonymously to keep this a safe space for our community. Lee would also love to hear from you if her story resonated with you!

Instagram: @thelivinglosspodcast 

Email: [email protected]

Support the Show: If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, follow, share and leave a review. It helps us reach others who need to hear that their grief is valid.

If you’re interested in a consultation for individual therapy with Daiana Bernard, please reach out via email or visit the practice website below.

Email: [email protected]

Website: MeaningfulTherapyFL.com

Location: Riverview, FL, In-Person, and Telehealth serving clients throughout Florida.

If you’re interested in a consultation with Cassandra Harris-Towner please reach out via email or visit the practice website below.

Email: [email protected]

Website: firststridezcounseling.com

Location: Ocala, FL, In-Person, and Telehealth serving clients throughout Florida.

Disclaimer: While we are Licensed Mental Health Counselors, listening to this podcast or reaching out for a consultation does not replace professional therapy or establish a therapist-client relationship. This content is for educational and entertainment purposes only. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please call or text 988 or head to your nearest emergency room.

In this episode of The Living Loss, Daiana Bernard and Cassandra Harris-Towner sit down with author Joel Asensio for a deeply moving conversation about the types of grief that often go unacknowledged. We dive into the "unseen" side of suffering, from the heavy fog of depression to the complexities of loving someone through their darkest mental health struggles.

Joel shares the heart behind his novella, How Much Could a Clementine Weigh?, and how storytelling serves as a vital bridge toward connection and hope. Whether you are navigating your own "quiet" loss or supporting someone else through theirs, this episode offers a gentle space to feel seen.

Purchase “How Much Could A Clementine Weigh?" Anywhere books are sold.

Follow Joel on Instagram @authorjoelasencio 

Join the Community: We’re building a space where every loss is seen. Have a 'Living Loss Lesson' or a topic you’d like us to explore? Email us your story. If you have an experience you’d like us to share on the air, let us know, we are always happy to share your stories anonymously to keep this a safe space for our community.

Instagram: @thelivinglosspodcast 

Email: [email protected]

Support the Show: If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, follow, share and leave a review. It helps us reach others who need to hear that their grief is valid.

If you’re interested in a consultation for individual therapy with Daiana Bernard, please reach out via email or visit the practice website below.

Email: [email protected]

Website: MeaningfulTherapyFL.com Location: Riverview, FL, In-Person, and Telehealth serving clients throughout Florida.

If you’re interested in a consultation with Cassandra Harris-Towner please reach out via email or visit the practice website below. Email: [email protected]

Website: firststridezcounseling.com

Location: Ocala, FL, In-Person, and Telehealth serving clients throughout Florida.

Disclaimer: While we are Licensed Mental Health Counselors, listening to this podcast or reaching out for a consultation does not replace professional therapy or establish a therapist-client relationship. This content is for educational and entertainment purposes only. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please call or text 988 or head to your nearest emergency room.

Parenting is a series of beautiful hellos and quiet, heavy goodbyes. In this episode, we’re diving into the "living losses" that come with raising children—the grief of outgrowing a stage, the shift in our own identities as they gain independence, and the bittersweet reality of watching the versions of our kids we once knew slip away to make room for who they are becoming.

Join Daiana and Cassandra as they sit down with life coach and healthcare professional Christine Vega-Perez. Together, they explore how to process anticipatory grief, release "mom guilt," and build a foundation of calm amid the chaotic transitions of parenthood.

Connect with Christine:
www.instagram.com/@lifecoach.christine

www.facebook.com/lifesriskmanagement

www.linkedin.com/in/christine-vega-perez/

Join the Community: We’re building a space where every loss is seen. Have a 'Living Loss Lesson' or a topic you’d like us to explore? Email us your story. If you have an experience you’d like us to share on the air, let us know, we are always happy to share your stories anonymously to keep this a safe space for our community.

Instagram: @thelivinglosspodcast 

Email: [email protected]

Support the Show: If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, follow, share and leave a review. It helps us reach others who need to hear that their grief is valid.

If you’re interested in a consultation for individual therapy with Daiana Bernard, please reach out via email or visit the practice website below.

Email: [email protected]

Website: MeaningfulTherapyFL.com

Location: Riverview, FL, In-Person, and Telehealth serving clients throughout Florida.

If you’re interested in a consultation with Cassandra Harris-Towner please reach out via email or visit the practice website below.

Email: [email protected]

Website: firststridezcounseling.com

Location: Ocala, FL, In-Person, and Telehealth serving clients throughout Florida.

Disclaimer: While we are Licensed Mental Health Counselors, listening to this podcast or reaching out for a consultation does not replace professional therapy or establish a therapist-client relationship. This content is for educational and entertainment purposes only. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please call or text 988 or head to your nearest emergency room.

The Living Loss podcast explores the quiet, complex grief of friendship loss and the impact it has on identity, closure, and emotional trust. The conversation delves into the emotional impact of ambiguous loss, disenfranchised grief, and the challenge of finding closure in relationships. It also highlights the significance of friendship loss and the emotional flexibility it can provide, along with tangible takeaways for coping with loss and grief.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Quiet Losses

03:03 Navigating Friendship Loss

06:02 The Impact of Closure and Rumination

08:56 Attachment and Identity Disruption

11:45 The Emotional Weight of Friendship Changes

14:59 The Narrative of Loss

17:46 Finding Meaning in Grief

21:41 Integrating Loss and Grief

24:55 The Evolution of Friendships

29:00 Quality Over Quantity in Relationships

35:15 Living Loss Lessons and Self-Discovery

39:53 NEWCHAPTER

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_p25phFIx94

Resource: https://www.attachmentproject.com/

Join the Community: We’re building a space where every loss is seen. Have a 'Living Loss Lesson' or a topic you’d like us to explore? Email us your story. If you have an experience you’d like us to share on the air, let us know, we are always happy to share your stories anonymously to keep this a safe space for our community.

Instagram: @thelivinglosspodcast 

Email: [email protected]

Support the Show: If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, follow, share and leave a review. It helps us reach others who need to hear that their grief is valid.

If you’re interested in a consultation for individual therapy with Daiana Bernard, please reach out via email or visit the practice website below.

Email: [email protected] Website: MeaningfulTherapyFL.com Location: Riverview, FL, In-Person, and Telehealth serving clients throughout Florida.

If you’re interested in a consultation with Cassandra Harris-Towner please reach out via email or visit the practice website below. Email: [email protected] Website: firststridezcounseling.com Location: Ocala, FL, In-Person, and Telehealth serving clients throughout Florida.

Disclaimer: While we are Licensed Mental Health Counselors, listening to this podcast or reaching out for a consultation does not replace professional therapy or establish a therapist-client relationship. This content is for educational and entertainment purposes only. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please call or text 988 or head to your nearest emergency room.

In this episode of the Living Loss podcast, hosts Cassandra and Daiana explore the often-overlooked grief associated with alopecia, a condition that leads to hair loss and can profoundly impact identity and self-image. They are joined by Brigid, who shares her personal journey with alopecia, discussing the emotional toll of camouflaging her hair loss, the challenges of dating, and the journey towards self-acceptance. The conversation emphasizes the importance of empathy, connection, and the lessons learned through grief, ultimately highlighting the strength found in vulnerability and community support.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Quiet Losses: The Impact of Alopecia

02:55 Brigid's Journey: Navigating Identity and Hair Loss

06:01 The Emotional Toll: Camouflaging and Dating Challenges

09:00 Acceptance and Self-Expression: Embracing Baldness

11:58 Empathy and Connection: Sharing the Alopecia Experience

14:48 Living Loss Lessons: Strength and Purpose in Grief

Join the Community: "We’re building a space where every loss is seen. Have a 'Living Loss Lesson' or a topic you’d like us to explore? Email us your story. If you have an experience you’d like us to share on the air, let us know, we are always happy to share your stories anonymously to keep this a safe space for our community. Instagram: @thelivinglosspodcast  Email: [email protected]

Support the Show: If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, follow, share and leave a review. It helps us reach others who need to hear that their grief is valid.

Work with Daiana If you’re interested in a consultation for individual therapy, please reach out via email or visit the practice website below.

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: MeaningfulTherapyFL.com
• Location: Riverview, FL, In-Person, and Telehealth serving clients throughout Florida.

Daiana is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and the owner of Meaningful Therapy. She provides a supportive, neurodivergent and trauma-informed space for adults.

Work with Cassandra If you’re interested in a consultation, please reach out via email or visit the practice website below.

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: firststridezcounseling.com
• Location: Ocala, FL, In-Person, and Telehealth serving clients throughout Florida.

Cassandra is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) at First Stridez Counseling. She provides a supportive, neurodivergent-affirming space for: Individuals & Couples: Supporting adolescents, young adults, and adults of all ages.

Disclaimer: While we are Licensed Mental Health Counselors, listening to this podcast or reaching out for a consultation does not replace professional therapy or establish a therapist-client relationship. This content is for educational and entertainment purposes only. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please call or text 988 or head to your nearest emergency room.

In this episode of the Living Loss Podcast, Cassandra and Daiana delve into the complexities of grief, particularly focusing on the concept of 'grief brain' and its effects on mental clarity. They discuss empathy fatigue, a common experience among therapists and caregivers, and the importance of utilizing distress tolerance skills to manage emotional surges. The conversation shifts to the role of entertainment in coping with grief, highlighting how shows like 'The Good Place' can provide comfort and insight into the human experience of loss. The hosts emphasize the significance of creating meaning from grief and the ongoing journey of healing.

ACCEPTS Skill: https://dbt.tools/distress_tolerance/accepts.php

Connect With Us:

Join the Community: "We’re building a space where every loss is seen. Have a 'Living Loss Lesson' or a topic you’d like us to explore? Email us your story. If you have an experience you’d like us to share on the air, let us know, we are always happy to share your stories anonymously to keep this a safe space for our community.

Instagram: @thelivinglosspodcast  Email: [email protected]

Support the Show: If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, follow, share and leave a review. It helps us reach others who need to hear that their grief is valid

If you’re interested in a consultation for individual therapy, please reach out via email or visit the practice website below.

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: MeaningfulTherapyFL.com
• Location: Riverview, FL, In-Person, and Telehealth serving clients throughout Florida.

If you’re interested in a consultation, please reach out via email or visit the practice website below.

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: firststridezcounseling.com
• Location: Ocala, FL, In-Person, and Telehealth serving clients throughout Florida.

Disclaimer: While we are Licensed Mental Health Counselors, listening to this podcast or reaching out for a consultation does not replace professional therapy or establish a therapist-client relationship. This content is for educational and entertainment purposes only. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please call or text 988 or head to your nearest emergency room.

In this episode, we explore the complex and often invisible grief experienced by siblings of loved ones with disabilities or chronic illnesses. Suyapa Ulloa shares her personal journey, cultural influences like Marianismo, and practical insights on unlearning caregiving roles to embrace self-care and authentic identity.

Chapters

• 00:00 Unpacking Ambiguous Loss
• 05:47 The Unlearning Process
• 11:54 The Experience of Siblings
• 17:52 Radical Acceptance and Healing
• 32:59 Final Takeaways

Connect with Suyapa Ulloa

Instagram: @thelivinglosspodcast 

Email: [email protected]

Support the Show: If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, follow, share and leave a review. It helps us reach others who need to hear that their grief is valid.

If you’re interested in a consultation for individual therapy, please reach out via email or visit the practice website below.

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: MeaningfulTherapyFL.com
• Location: Riverview, FL, In-Person, and Telehealth serving clients throughout Florida.

Daiana is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and the owner of Meaningful Therapy. She provides a supportive, neurodivergent and trauma-informed space for adults navigating:

• Non-Death Loss & Grief: Validating and healing the "living losses" that often go unacknowledged.
• Trauma: Supporting individuals processing their own personal trauma as well as those experiencing vicarious trauma.
• Therapeutic Modalities: Integrating ACT, DBT, and Accelerated Resolution Therapy for a holistic approach to healing.

If you’re interested in a consultation, please reach out via email or visit the practice website below.

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: firststridezcounseling.com
• Location: Ocala, FL, In-Person, and Telehealth serving clients throughout Florida.

Cassandra is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) at First Stridez Counseling. She provides a supportive, neurodivergent-affirming space for:

• Individuals & Couples: Supporting adolescents, young adults, and adults of all ages.
• Specialties: Neurodivergence, interpersonal relationships, and mood disorders.
• Therapeutic Modalities: Integrating CBT, DBT, Play & Art therapeutic interventions, and Person-Centered therapy.

In this episode of the Living Loss Podcast, hosts Daiana and Cassandra engage in a heartfelt conversation with Eliana Perez about the unique grief of feeling like a permanent outsider. Eliana shares her journey from Brooklyn to the Dominican Republic and back to the United States, exploring the complexities of identity, culture shock, and the challenges of navigating dual identities. The discussion emphasizes the importance of acknowledging grief, embracing one's heritage, and finding balance in a new environment. Eliana's insights provide valuable lessons on personal growth and the significance of community support in overcoming feelings of loss and belonging.

Takeaways

• The weight of grief often comes from unacknowledged feelings.
• Cultural transitions can lead to feelings of being an outsider.
• Language barriers can contribute to identity struggles.
• Change affects individuals regardless of age or circumstance.
• Support systems are crucial during major life transitions.
• Embracing both sides of one's identity can lead to personal growth.
• Navigating cultural differences requires patience and understanding.
• Finding a sense of belonging takes time and effort.
• It's important to advocate for one's own culture and identity.
• Personal goals may take longer to achieve, and that's okay.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Living Loss

01:18 Eliana's Journey: From Brooklyn to the Dominican Republic

06:23 Navigating Identity and Culture Shock

12:39 The Transition Back to the United States

19:36 Embracing Dual Identities

26:31 Finding Balance in a New Environment

27:14 Living Loss Lessons: Embracing Your Journey

• Instagram: @thelivinglosspodcast
• Email: hello@livinglosspodcast.com

• Join the Community: Share your "Living Loss Lesson" with us on social media. What is one silent or lingering feeling you are finally giving yourself permission to name this week?

• Support the Show: If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, follow, and leave a review. It helps us reach others who need to hear that their grief is valid.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for professional therapy or mental health care.

In this episode of the Living Loss podcast, hosts Cassandra and Daiana delve into the quiet, complex griefs experienced by a generation shaped by 9-11, the recession, and the global pandemic. The hosts explore the concept of widening the window of tolerance to find glimmers of joy amidst chaos, while also addressing the impact of collective trauma, delayed grief, radical honesty, and reducing shame. The conversation emphasizes bodily awareness, emotional responses, and the importance of understanding anxiety and the nervous system. It concludes with a focus on finding sensory moments and sharing glimmers with others, offering tangible takeaways for listeners.

Takeaways

takeaways

• The cumulative grief of a generation has been shaped by significant events like 9/11 and the pandemic.
• Delayed grief can manifest long after traumatic events, affecting mental health.
• Radical honesty involves acknowledging the reality of our feelings rather than denying them.
• Anxiety is a natural response to real threats and should not be dismissed as irrational.
• Widening our window of tolerance allows us to experience both grief and joy simultaneously.
• Finding glimmers of joy can serve as a form of resistance against overwhelming grief.
• Community support is vital in managing grief and feeling less alone.
• Self-validation is crucial in reducing shame associated with anxiety and grief.
• Engaging in nostalgic activities can help reconnect us with joy.
• It's important to share our experiences and glimmers with others to foster connection.

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Collective Grief

01:42 Understanding Delayed Grief

06:48 Radical Honesty and Self-Validation

14:45 Widening the Window of Tolerance

20:25 Finding Glimmers of Joy

27:29 Living Loss Lessons

• Instagram: @thelivinglosspodcast
• Email: hello@livinglosspodcast.com

• Join the Community: Share your "Living Loss Lesson" with us on social media. What is one silent or lingering feeling you are finally giving yourself permission to name this week?

• Support the Show: If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, follow, and leave a review. It helps us reach others who need to hear that their grief is valid.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for professional therapy or mental health care.

The Living Loss Podcast hosts, Daiana and Cassandra, unpack the concepts of collective and cumulative grief, discussing the impact of global events on 80s babies and Millennials. They explore the window of tolerance, hyperarousal, and the challenges of parenting in the face of uncertainty and trauma. The conversation delves into the resilience and strength gained through decades of uncertainty, highlighting the need for radical honesty and the shift from surviving to living. Stay tuned for Part 2 next week.

Takeaways

• Collective and cumulative grief
• Resilience and strength gained through decades of uncertainty

Chapters

• 00:00 Neurogrief and Parenting Challenges

• Instagram: @thelivinglosspodcast
• Email: hello@livinglosspodcast.com
• Join the Community: Share your "Living Loss Lesson" with us on social media. What is one silent or lingering feeling you are finally giving yourself permission to name this week?
• Support the Show: If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, follow, and leave a review. It helps us reach others who need to hear that their grief is valid.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for professional therapy or mental health care.