Where's The Grief?

In this episode, I sat down with comedian Harris Stanton. Despite dealing with a number of losses, the greatest one was that of his friend and mentor Patrice. We talk about how to move on after losing one's guide, as well as how to carry the lessons we've learned forward with us.

Additionally, we touch briefly on the car accident that Harris was involved in that left Tracy Morgan and Ardie Fuqua in coma's and Jimmy Mack dead. Harris may have walked away with but a few scratches, but he also has vivid memories of the accident and it's aftermath that have stayed with him.

Check out what Harris is up to at https://www.facebook.com/harris.stanton

Get his album "Naive Innocence" from Itunes!

In this episode, Jordon sits down with one of his good friends from college, Kendra, who lost her brother Scott to suicide nearly 6 years ago, while Kendra herself was 7 months pregnant with her second child.

We talk about the difficulty of overcoming the stigma in talking about suicide and mental health, and the importance of understanding that depression is a disease that we ought to stop sweeping under the rug.

We also talk about the importance of gratitude, and how appreciating what we have in front of us can help gain a perspective on what we've been through.

Kendra hosts a yearly Fundraiser called "Stand Up for Scott" to raise money for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the Ali Forney Center.

Happy New Year to everyone, I wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous 2018 . . .

In this episode I sat down with Harriet Cabelly, author of the book, "Living Well Despite Adversity."

In her book, Harriet has compiled 36 separate interviews with people from all walks of life, each of whom has been dealt an otherwise unwinnable hand and turned it into a opportunity to serve as an example to others that we can always triumph over our situation with strong choices and unwavering followthrough.

We talk about the importance of acceptance, and giving ones self permission to feel, be it joy or despair.

Find out more about Harriet at her website Rebuild Life Now

Jordon sits down with voice over artist Bill Ratner, known for dozens of voices you've heard before on TV and radio, yet most famous (at least to Jordon) as the voice of Flint on the popular cartoon G.I. Joe.

Before finding success as an artist and a storyteller, Bill essentially became an orphan at an early age, losing his mother at 7, his brother at 13, and his father just 3 months after that.

For over 50 years, Bill has found ways to continually strive to bask in the light, driven by the loving and supportive environment he enjoyed for far too little time.

We talk about the helpful nature of various forms of therapy, and how our loved ones find ways to reach out and continue to be a force in our lives.

Follow Bill on Twitter @BillRatner

Check him out online and find out where you can see him live! http://billratner.com/

In this episode, Jordon sits down with comedian Jonas Barnes, who has dealt with multiple losses over the course of his life, but can track most of his ways of coping with life to the death of his father when he was just 13 years old. Now having outlived his dad (who died of a possible drug overdose) Jonas has a unique perspective on addiction and depression that have helped shape his view of both himself and the struggles we all face as we move through different phases of living. We talk about how to learn from our pasts in taking ownership of our futures, as well as the importance of being able to say Fuck when it really matters.

Jonas is also about to start his own podcast focused on addiction and mental health at large called The Process (keep an eye out as it's not been released yet)

Follow him on Twitter or Facebook @JonasBarnes

Follow him on Instagram at @JonasBarnesComedy

In this episode, Jordon sits down with comedian Doug Hildemann, who lost his wife Kelly a little over a year ago. We talk about how difficult it is to find places to work towards moving forward, while still carrying our past with us.

To find out more about where Doug is performing, check out his FB comedy page, entitled, "Not Doug Hildemann's Comedy Page or Anything."

Episode 50 is here!

I'm so excited that I made it to 50 episodes, and I commemorated it by recording this show LIVE at the Zinc Bar in the West Village in NYC!

I changed up the format of the show a little bit to showcase some of my favorite prior guests who actually have material in their acts about loss, followed by a panel discussion on what it's like to do that type of material, and where the desire to connect with an audience can lead you!

Featuring comedy from Janice Messitte, who lost her husband two weeks after their wedding. Follow her on FB to find out where she's performing next!

Evan Williams lost his brother when he was 19, and his mother just a year later. Check him out online and follow him on twitter and instagram! https://evanwilliamscomedy.com/

Frank Liotti, in addition to his many live performances around the city (which can be found at his website - FrankLiotti.com ) also has a podcast of his own called FAT PIG, which he co-hosts with Jessica Kirson. Listen and subscribe here!

Follow him on Twitter @Frank_Liotti

Also, many thanks to Alex and the Staff at ZINC BAR for hosting us, and to Monica from Grandaisy Bakery for feeding us!

Here we go again!

In the second installment of a special 2 part episode, Jordon talks more about The Compassionate Friends LIVE from their 40th National Conference in Orlando Florida.

This episode features a couple brief interviews with both Tracy Milne Edgemon, as well as her mother, Bobbi Milne talking about their experiences at the conference, and how they differed this time around based on new circumstances.

Also featured is the key note speech from the Sunday closing ceremony of the conference, delivered by Jennifer Perez of the Miami chapter.

This episode is very focused on The Compassionate Friends, a self help support group for bereaved parents, grandparents and siblings. If you are looking for support, it is always available. Find a local meeting or online support today by going to The Compassionate Friends website and reaching out.

COMPASSIONATEFRIENDS.ORG

In this very special episode, Jordon interviews a number of people at the 40th Annual Compassionate Friends Conference in Orlando, FL.

Jordon follows up with a couple former podcast guests on their experiences at the national conference, Keith Singer (Episode 3) and Alan Pederson (Episode 14) as well as sits down for a more extended interview with Luci Abrahamson to talk about how much being a part of TCF, and a leader at the National Conferences has impacted her path towards healing herself and others.

This is part 1 of 2 Live From the Conference, and it's all leading up to the 50th Episode, which will be taped LIVE in front of an audience at Zinc Bar on August 27th!

Check out the event page on our FB page and get tickets now!

Use Promo Code RUSSELL when buying tickets, and they're FREE!

This episode was a long time coming! Jordon Sits down with comedian Michael Sommerville to talk about the journey he's been on since the death of his brother Paul in 1997. As a baby, Paul had to undergo brain surgery, the complications of which ultimately led to his death. Now, almost 20 years later Michael felt like it was time to talk about it.

We talk about the importance of following your own path, and the ways in which priorities shift after a significant loss. We also talk about how to appreciate the little things along the way.

Check out Michael online at

http://www.michaelsomerville.com/

Also, be sure to check out his new webseries called How to (blank) a man!

https://www.youtube.com/user/msomervil/videos