Where's The Grief?

In this episode, Jordon sits down with author and sibling grief expert Elizabeth Devita Raeburn. Elizabeth was just 14 years old when her brother Ted died of aplastic anemia, a severe immune deficiency disorder. Many years later, Elizabeth wrote the book that she needed to read -The Empty Room: Surviving the Loss of a Brother or Sister at Any Age.

I have talked at length about Elizabeths book on several episodes of this podcast, and I recommend it to anyone who is dealing with sibling loss.

Her new book, The Death of Cancer is out now as well.

Check out her Amazon authors page to purchase either book!

Learn more about Elizabeth at http://www.devitaraeburn.com/

In this episode, Jordon talks with Comedian Ken Krantz, who recently lost his good friend Mandy to cancer. Ken reflects on his friendship with Amanda and her family, as he continues to process the loss after only finding out that she was sick days before her funeral.

We also discuss the power of doing truthful dark material, and how difficult it is even for those who are among the best at it.

Ken helped create a fund to help others with cancer afford their medical expenses, and he produced a comedy benefit show that he hopes to continue annually. Stay up to date by going to Take a Deep Breath and Laugh in Memory of Amanda B. Plawner

Follow Ken on Twitter @KidKrantz

Jordon and Harmony have been friends for nearly 10 years, having met at their local Compassionate Friends sibling group shortly after the death of Harmony's sister Hannah. Having just finished a recent run of her One-Woman-Musical "Afraid of Karma," Harmony reflects on the impact of doing the show, and what she's learned in the 10 years since her sisters death.

Find out more about her show at http://afraidofkarma.com/

Follow her on Twitter @HarmonyJupiter1

In this episode Jordon interviews Jeff Glasse, comedian and entrepreneur. Jeff's mother died of cancer when we was just 21 years old, and nearly 20 years later, his brother Joey met the same fate.

We talk about how experiencing grief early in life helped prepare Jeff for the losses he would experience as an adult.

We also talk about the importance of acknowledging and being grateful for having had certain experiences in the face of also being devastated by the knowledge that we will never have them again.

In this episode, Jordon talks with Filmmaker Molly Gandour, who was just 10 years old when her 14 year old sister Aimee died of childhood leukemia. 16 years later, working in the film industry, Molly decided to make a documentary about her own discovery and ultimate ownership of her own experience of the facts that lead to the death of her sister. The film, Peanut Gallery, follows Molly back to her childhood home as she begins to talk with her parents very openly about what happened. The film has intimate conversations at home, at the dinner table as well as family therapy sessions, and features the kind of archival footage that most families have.

In this interview, Jordon and Molly cover a lot of topics related to sibling grief, as well as what it's like to tell ones story publicly.

Follow Molly on Twitter @PeanutGallery94

Check out the trailer and get up to date info on the film at PeanutGalleryDoc.com

In this Episode, Jordon sits down to talk with Comedian, Musician and Professional Poker Player Clayton Fletcher!

Clayton's father Ashton Fletcher, himself a well known and respected pillar of the Jazz community passed away 7 months ago, leaving behind a family that, although deep in grief, is also bolstered by having had such a magnanimous and joyful leader for so long.

We talk a lot about the structure of comedy, and how important it is to be present in one's life, regardless of the twists and turns that it takes, and to always be full of gratitude for the things that we have had.

Follow Clayton on Twitter @ClaytonComic

Find out more about the Ashton Fletcher Scholarship fund and when the next benefit show is at http://fletchermusicschool.bandcamp.com/

Happy 2016! In the same way that episode Zero was an introduction to the podcast, this interlude episode is just a year end review of the work I've done thus far, and an eye towards the future.

Thanks everyone for listening, and for continuing to help me expand my audience.

Follow me on Twitter @WheresTheGrief

In this episode, Jordon sits down with comedian Joe Fernandes, who is still reeling after the death of his father earlier this year, at the age of 65.

We talk about how important it is to have people in your life you can talk to about it, as well as the double edged sword to working on material about the loss to an audience.

Follow Joe on Twitter @JoeFernandes75

Listen to his podcast, "Now What" with Mike Gaffney here:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/now-what-podcast/id911381495?mt=2

In this episode, Jordon sits down with magician and showman Nelson Lugo!

Nelson's father died only about a month before this frank discussion about his life and career. We talk about how different losses bring about different types of grief, and about how important gallows humor is to those in the eye of the storm.

Even though it's a very recent loss, I was really amazed at just how much insight and levelheadedness that Nelson has exhibited so early on in his journey, and how much humor and wit he brings to everything that he does, be it life, death, or magic.

Find out more about Nelson at http://nelsonlugo.com/

Follow him on Twitter @NelsonLugo

In this episode, Jordon sits down with singer/songwriter Craig Greenberg. Craig's mother died a little over a year ago after a long battle with cancer. We discuss how difficult watching your parents fade away can be, and how hard it can be to work on expressing the feelings that come up artistically.

Learn more about Craig and how to listen to his music, or see him live!

http://craiggreenbergmusic.com/news/

Follow him on Twitter @Craig_Greenberg