The Mourning Crew

The Crew has a long overdue catchup after multiple guest episodes. Mads updates us about her new job and how the podcast & grief have even played a role. Kelsey & Kathy share some unexpected lessons from the dating scene. And finally, we talk about the future LA meetup and our predictions and expectations for the upcoming Taylor Swift album. Instagram @themourningcrew / Email: [email protected] / The Mourning Crew Facebook Page / Mental Health Resources

New author Kristel Crews joins the Mourning Crew to tackle how to authentically talk about grief and death with young children. When her mom died, her two young boys had many questions about where Gran went, what a casket was, how a funeral works, and how they were supposed to feel. Kristel candidly explains how she handled these questions and helped guide her kids through their grief. She hopes that her new children's book, Sundays With Gran, can help other families start a difficult conversation that begins to heal the heart of the child in all of us. Buy her book here or sundayswithgran.com / IG: @sundayswithgran / Facebook: kristelcrews // Instagram @themourningcrew / Email: [email protected] / The Mourning Crew Facebook Page / Mental Health Resources

Please join us in welcoming special guest and new author - Emily P. Bingham! Emily joins the crew to talk about the loss of her husband to uveal melanoma in 2019, when she was 35 years old. Since becoming a widow, she leaned into her pain and turned it into purpose, by becoming a certified grief coach & content creator. Her most recent success includes her new book, Love & Grief, which beautifully blends her personal anecdotes with practical tools for fellow grievers. Check out her book now!

Instagram @emilypbingham/ TikTok @emilypbingham/ Love and Grief Book / Instagram @themourningcrew / Email: [email protected] / The Mourning Crew Facebook Page / Mental Health Resources

We are so excited to have our first Mourning Crew guest of the year-- Kelsey's dad, Ken! Ken discusses his background and his full relationship with his wife Keri, including how they approached parenting before and after Keri's cancer diagnosis and then the grief of losing her and becoming a widow. He fully opens up about his experience with therapy, sharing a range of stories and advice. Plus - even Ken shares his favorite Taylor Swift album and songs, and they may surprise you. Instagram @themourningcrew / Email: [email protected] / The Mourning Crew Facebook Page / Mental Health Resources / Link to Kylie's Episode

It's a new year and new season of The Mourning Crew! The crew starts the episode by recounting the holidays and sharing how grief managed to creep in. Mads has a heavy update - she shares the loss of her beautiful grandmother, Carol. Shes opens up about the immediate emotions & grief that she's experienced so far and how she's been able to manage. While it's been a tough season, all three gals share their upcoming hopes & wishes for 2024, including their word of the year. Instagram @themourningcrew / Email: [email protected] / The Mourning Crew Facebook Page / Mental Health Resources / Comfort Food with John Mayer

Following up from Part 1, the crew dives into the other two stages of grief - depression and acceptance. They discuss the differences between longer term depression and depression as a grief stage and what "acceptance" means to each of them. The crew also talks about how they can use their grief for good and use it as a gift. Instagram @themourningcrew / Email: [email protected] / The Mourning Crew Facebook Page / Mental Health Resources

In this 2-part series, the crew walks through all the different stages of grief, comparing different experiences, thoughts, and feelings related to each stage. Part 1 focuses on denial, anger, and bargaining. Kathy & Mads talk about numbness and coping mechanisms related to denial, while Kelsey opens up about suppressing feelings of anger. Instagram @themourningcrew / Email: [email protected] / The Mourning Crew Facebook Page / Mental Health Resources

Kath and Kels hold down the fort while Mads is out and discuss Kathy's unexpected grief moment at her friend's wedding. She breaks down that even when you think you've experienced all of the possible triggers, grief has a way of being very unpredictable. They discuss how important it is to be in tune with your body, not just your mind and thoughts when dealing with a grief trigger moment. They also cover the Golden Bachelor and how powerful it is seeing stories of loss and second chances featured on national TV.

In this episode, the Crew discusses what it's like to catch up with former friends and classmates, especially when it comes to major life updates. We hear how Kathy chose to share her grief story with friends she met later on in life, while Kelsey seeks out advice heading into her 10 year high school reunion! Also, Mads gives a big personal update and shares stories from her latest family visit in Chicago.

Instagram @themourningcrew / Email: [email protected] / The Mourning Crew Facebook Page / Mental Health Resources