The Mourning Crew

Kathy, Mads and Kelsey breakdown the many dynamics between grief and social media (and we all know social media is complicated enough as it is.) There's the harder stuff like seeing triggering posts and posting about your loved one, but there's also incredibly positive outcomes like community (this podcast included) and finding accessible resources. They talk about how much the unwritten social media rules have changed over the years, impacting how we post and also how they've experienced the loss of public figures through social media. Instagram @themourningcrew / Email: [email protected] / The Mourning Crew Facebook Page / Mental Health Resources

Kathy, Mads and Kelsey welcome their first ever guest of the Mourning Crew, Claire! Claire and Kathy met as counselors for Camp Kesem and she lost her dad when she was 12 too. Claire is recently engaged, so we cover how losing a parent impacts wedding planning--both what she wants to do to honor him and what she wants to avoid. Additionally, we talk about experiences attending weddings and how this massive life milestone with so much tradition and pressure is often a big reminder of the person who's not there. We share ideas of how to include that person on your special day and tips on how to manage grief while attending one.

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

Kathy shares her approach to Father's Day and what has made her feel guilty in the past. Mads, Kelsey and Kathy also talk about graduation days and why those can sneakily be loaded with grief too. Plus, they talk anticipatory grief on bigger milestone days and how sometimes that can feel heavier than the actual day. Instagram @themourningcrew / Email: [email protected] / The Mourning Crew Facebook Page / Mental Health Resources

Mads, Kathy and Kelsey dive into how TV shows and movies tackle grief and loss and the difference between a thoughtful and lazy approach. There’s a wide range of examples that they breakdown (spoiler alert!) between This Is Us, the new Top Gun: Maverick, One Tree Hill and Summer House, but each have impacted them in some way. They also talk Disney movies and reality TV because grief is really portrayed everywhere! Instagram @themourningcrew / Email: [email protected] / The Mourning Crew Facebook Page / Mental Health Resources

Most people don't know what to do or say when someone close to them is grieving. They want to be there for them, but they don't want to do the "wrong" thing. Kathy, Mads, and Kelsey share a wide range of examples they've each experienced to help give ideas and tips for supporting your loved ones grieve. Instagram @themourningcrew / Email: [email protected] / The Mourning Crew Facebook Page / Mental Health Resources

Kelsey talks about it being her first Mother's Day without her mom. Kathy and Mads share their support and advice from other big firsts that they've experienced. They discuss the impact of companies sending Mother's and Father's Day "opt out" emails. Kathy and Kelsey also talk about meeting for the first time in person--Mads was there in spirit! Instagram @themourningcrew / Email: [email protected] / The Mourning Crew Facebook Page / Mental Health Resources

Kathy, Kelsey, and Mads share how guilt and jealousy have been intertwined in grief for each of them. And layered with that, there’s comparison, regret and so many other emotions that we don't love talking about but are important to tackle. (Trigger Warning- throat cancer treatment)

Kathy, Kelsey, and Mads dive into how grief impacts all of the non-romantic relationships in their lives--from siblings, parents, friends, grandparents, and coworkers. Each of their experiences are unique, and this conversation is a reminder of all the layers of grief and how it shifts your perspective on just about everything.

Kathy, Kelsey, and Mads talk about what complications grief can add to an already rough dating landscape (as if dating apps didn't make it hard enough!) Hear about what it's like dating someone when you lose a loved one, handling an ex reaching out, grappling with the idea that a future partner wouldn't know your loved one, and much more. Instagram @themourningcrew / Email: [email protected] / The Mourning Crew Facebook Page / Mental Health Resources

Kathy, Kelsey, and Mads discuss what you do when you’re prompted or triggered to think about the person you lost. Sometimes it’s fleeting, sometimes it makes you smile, and sometimes it’s a gut punch. The moments can be big or small, subtle or obvious, but they're happening all the time. Listen to the similarities, differences, and sometimes funny stories they share about these moments in their lives. Instagram @themourningcrew / Email: [email protected] / The Mourning Crew Facebook Page / Mental Health Resources