Where's The Grief?

In this episode, I sat down with writer Emily Carrus. Emily's husband Daniel died by suicide 5 years ago, at the age of 36. Suddenly finding herself to be a single mother while grieving the death of her husband, Emily takes us through the process by which she has managed not just to survive but to thrive despite the inherent difficulties of having to do it all on her own. 

Once again, sadly, another friend who I had the honor of interviewing on this podcast has passed away. On March 18th, 2020, Brian Baron died from cancer that seemingly came out of nowhere and took him from us in just a month from diagnosis to death.

I'm grateful to have had this conversation with him, and his message to make the most of the time we have left and to cherish those we love is as apt as ever right now.

RIP Brian Baron... May his spirit live on.

In this episode, Jordon talks with author and funeral director Chris Meyer!

After years toiling in the entertainment industry as an underpaid screenwriter, Chris fell into the funeral industry somewhat by accident, and has since made it his calling, learning about how to live a complete life from the ways that people talk about death.

His book "Life in 20 Lessons; What a Funeral Guy Discovered About Life, From Death" is available wherever books are sold!

Find out how to get the book here!

In this episode, Jordon talk with comedian Rob Ryan! Rob's mother died when he was 19 after many years of alcohol abuse, and his brother Tim died by suicide a few years later. We talk about the difficulty that just talking about suicide brings, as well as the different ways in which we push ourselves to deal with the realities. We also have a discussion on how to write jokes about seemingly unfunny topics.

Follow Rob on social media @RobRyanRocks

Check out his website RobRyanRocks.com

Get Rob's Ablum, "Non-Alcoholic" Here!

In this episode, I sat down with comedian Kirk Smith to talk about the difficulties of being a single father, trying to raise an autistic son after the death of his wife 5 years ago. We talk about the importance of being vulnerable onstage when discussing difficult topics, and the value of really connecting with an audience when doing so.

Go to https://www.kirksmithcomedian.com to follow all thinks Kirk and find out when and where he's performing near you!

Kirk wrote a book called "Rice Krispies and Ketchup" about dealing with the issues that come with raising an autistic child. 

Kirk has a podcast about Autism called Autistic: A Comedians Guide to Autism. Listen here!

Follow Kirk on social media @KirkSmithComedy

In this episode, I talk to comedian and storyteller Sharon Spell! Sharon's parents died just 18 days apart in 2011. As a comedian Sharon almost immediately began talking about her loss onstage, and has since gone on to share stories on the RISK podcast, on her own show Gens Stories, and is a Moth StorySLAM winner.

We talk about the importance of community, and of the difficulty in doing jokes about hard topics. 

Follow Sharon at SharonSpell.com!

In this episode, Jordon talks to author Andrea Wilson Woods! Andrea's sister Adrienne (Andrea was also her legal guardian who raised her) died at the age of 15 after a devastating battle with liver cancer. Her newly published book, "Better Off Bald" is a journal-styled memoir that chronicles the 147 from diagnosis to death. 

A story that is equal parts heartwarming and heartbreaking, Andrea and Adrienne teach us the value of living life to the fullest, even in the face of harsh realities. 

Go to BetterOffBald.com to get the book wherever books are sold!

Additionally, Andrea runs a non-profit to help treat and cure liver cancer. Find out more about Blue Faery here!

Andrea also runs Cancer.University - a platform designed to help patients currently undergoing treatment for Cancer. Where's The Grief listeners can gain free lifetime membership with the Promo Code GRIEFPODCAST on the sign up page!

It was bound to happen sooner or later . . . Angelo Lozada, comedian, father, friend, has passed away. A pillar of the comedy community, Angelo succumbed to stomach cancer on December 17th, 2019. While the world is a little darker, I take solace in the fact that I knew him, and that I got the chance to sit down with him and talk about what it's like to lose someone you love.

In my first re-posting (Angelo was Episode 12 of the podcast - recorded in 2015.) I am honored to be able to share this conversation. RIP too Angelo. May his spirit continue to make us all better comedians and people.

Woot woot! In this episode, I sat down with my good friend Jess Wood! Born and raised in LA, Jess had a tumultuous upbringing that had her familiar with loss from an early age. After spending nearly 20 years in NYC Jess moved back to LA shortly after the death of the first love of her life, and has since also lost her mother and several other friends. She recently put her one person show, "It's A Lot" up in LA, and is working on a book of the same title. 

Jess is a podcaster  as well, with a weekly show called Get Wood!

Listen and subscribe!

Follow Jess on all the social medias  - http://www.thejesswood.com

In this episode, Jordon interviews author Shelby Forsythia, author of Permission to Grieve and host of her own podcast, Coming Back: Conversations on Life After Loss. After the unexpected death of her mother in 2013, Shelby became what she calls a “student of grief” as she helps others on the path back into the light.