Untethered: Healing the Pain from a Sudden Death

Today's episode explores what happens when traumatic loss isn't an isolated event, but something woven into the everyday reality of a community. Big John Harriel Jr. joins us to talk about repeated exposure to violence and loss, what it takes to process grief rather than go numb to it, and how self-esteem, accountability, and healing are connected. He also shares his own journey - from experiencing and causing harm in his community to dedicating his life to helping young people build healthier lives, find meaningful careers, and become builders of their own communities.

Grief in communities marked by repeated loss. When violence and loss show up again and again in a community, the pain doesn't disappear just because people become accustomed to it - repeated exposure can lead to numbness rather than resolution.   Learning to process grief, not just survive it. A central theme of the conversation is the importance of actively learning how to process grief, rather than letting it go unaddressed or normalized.

Self-esteem, accountability, and healing are connected. Big John speaks to how a person's sense of self-worth and their willingness to take accountability for their actions are tied directly to their capacity to heal.

From causing harm to building others up. Big John shares his personal journey, including his own experience both experiencing and causing harm in his community, and how that history became the foundation for his current work helping young people find healthier paths, meaningful careers, and a sense of purpose as builders of their communities.

Healing begins with acknowledgment. A closing theme: healing isn't automatic just because a community has "gotten used to" loss - it starts with acknowledging what happened, doing the work to process it, and walking alongside one another rather than facing it alone.

To learn more, visit Big John’s website: BigJohnKares.com

 In this episode I interviewed Caralee Hudson, a retired ICU and CCU nurse and volunteer grief group facilitator, about supporting individuals after sudden and unexpected loss.

In this episode, I interview Yvette Marintez-Rea, a 52-year-old executive, mother, and widow, who shares what it has been like to rebuild her life after the sudden death of her husband, Andy. Four years into her grief journey, she reflects on loss while raising teenagers, having a full career, and the new financial circumstances she had to learn to navigate.

Together, we explore anticipatory grief, the practical realities of widowhood, milestones without a spouse, resilience, and the unexpected growth that can emerge after profound loss.

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Resources: 

Are You Financially and Legally Prepared for Loss?: Yvette Martinez-Rea

Today’s conversation explores grief that is often overlooked, minimized, or misunderstood - the loss of a close friend. While friendships can be some of the most meaningful relationships in our lives, the grief that follows their loss is not always acknowledged or supported in the ways it deserves.

In this interview, I’m joined by Hannah Rumsey, who shares the story of her friend Lauren and the significant impact her death had on her life. Together, we explore disenfranchised grief; grief that is not fully recognized by society, and how that lack of acknowledgment can deepen feelings of isolation. We also examine how grief evolves over time, how loss can shape identity, and why creating spaces for people to feel seen, heard, and supported is so important.

This episode is a heartfelt conversation about friendship, love, loss, and the courage it takes to move forward when life changes in an instant.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

In today’s episode, we explore the reality of sudden and unexpected loss, the kind of loss that fractures life into a clear before and after.

I’m joined by Dr. Britta Wilson-Uter, who speaks with honesty, depth, and moments of gentle humor about continuing to live after the sudden death of her husband, Jeffrey. Britta offers a powerful and relatable metaphor for traumatic grief, describing it as landing on a new planet that looks familiar but feels completely unfamiliar.  A place where everything appears the same, yet nothing truly is.

Together, we discuss the layered experience of grief, including:

Britta’s reflections are generous, grounded, and deeply human. This conversation offers validation for those navigating grief, as well as insight for anyone wanting to better support someone who is.

I’m deeply grateful to share Britta’s voice, wisdom, and lived experience with you today.

September is National Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month, a time when advocates, organizations, survivors, allies and communities come together to raise awareness and promote prevention.

In this episode, Dr. Jennifer R. Levin speaks with Bob O’Brien, who shares the story of his son Aidan, who died by suicide just over six months ago.

This conversation is being released on September 10, 2025 - World Suicide Prevention Day, during National Suicide Prevention Week. Together, we shine a light on suicide prevention, to reduce stigma, and encourage open dialogue about mental health and the devastating impact of suicide.

In This Episode:

Resources & Support

Talking about suicide is not easy, but every conversation matters. Reaching out for help is a sign of strength—and each of us has the power to make a difference.

Today I'm joined by Jana DeCristofaro, Advocacy and Education Manager at Dougy Center: The National Grief Center for Children and Families. For over 20 years, Jana has been a steady presence in the world of grief support, facilitating peer groups, developing trainings and resources, and hosting the highly respected podcast Grief Out Loud.

In this episode, Jana shares how she first entered the field of grief work through Dougy Center’s pioneering peer support model, and how that framework continues to shape the compassionate, non-prescriptive way she holds space for children, teens, and adults who are grieving.

We also explore:

This thoughtful, grounded conversation offers deep insight into what it means to support others through grief, and how grief, in turn, shapes us.

In this episode, Dr. Jennifer Levin is joined by grief specialist Erin Gaffney, who shares the personal story of losing her twin sister in a tragic accident 25 years ago. This life-altering loss not only shaped Erin’s own healing journey but also inspired her to support others through similar experiences. Today, she works with individuals grieving the death of a sibling, with a special focus on twin loss. Her personal experience with traumatic grief brings depth, compassion, and meaningful work with her clients.

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You can reach out to Erin at [email protected] or learn more by visiting her website: www.mirarigriefcoaching.com.

To learn more about hope and guidance after sudden or unexpected death please visit therapyheals.com and to learn about my new book - The Traumatic Loss Workbook: powerful skills for navigating the grief caused by a sudden or unexpected death at www.therapyheals.com.

Today's interview is with Ed Santos, a business executive whose life was forever altered by the unexpected suicide of his daughter, Sabrina. Ed has contemplated sharing his personal journey to help others who may be facing similar challenges for some time. In this interview he opens up about his understanding of mental health before Sabrina's death, the immediate grief he experienced after her death, and how his coping process has evolved over the course of two years.

Ed shares his beliefs about grief, the role of therapy, and his reflections on the emotional complexities of losing a child. This conversation offers a raw, honest look at the unpredictable nature of traumatic grief and how the bond between a parent and child endures over time.

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Today's interview is with Sara Cobb, who begins her powerful story by sharing that she was born into traumatic grief. Sara explains that her older brother passed away less than a year before she was born, and she reflects on how this loss impacted her and her surviving sibling as they grew up.

Sara goes on to describe how grief shaped her family life, influenced her career choices, and contributed to a second devastating loss she endured later in life. Despite these challenges, Sara has developed an incredible resource to help others who are grieving similar losses. My Grief Connection has played a significant role in her healing and the healing of others also facing multiple losses.

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