Episoder
-
What can you do to live your best life?
Let's Connect:
You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide hereSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
If you've ever wondered how to find yourself again after years of caregiving, silence, or loss, episode 346 of Grief and Happiness is for you. Brenda Coffee, author, blogger, and survivor, joins Emily for a deeply personal conversation about grief, trauma, and the long path back to yourself. Through stories of profound heartbreak and quiet resilience, Brenda shares how she went from being the strong one for everyone else to finally listening to her own voice.
In This Episode, You Will Learn:
(1:22) Brenda's first experience with profound grief: losing her father
(4:00) Living with and caring for a mother with mental illness
(5:30) Why trauma made Brenda grow up fastâand stay quiet for decades
(8:10) Her first marriage, emotional abuse, and the moment she said, "No more"
(12:30) Meeting her second husband and building a new life
(14:50) The first experience of anticipatory grief during her husband's illness
(17:40) Losing her second husband suddenly on Christmas Day
(20:10) The complexity of grief: relief, heartbreak, and isolation
(25:40) Why Brenda finally started writingâand what it healed
(28:10) The silent cost of being "the strong one"
(31:00) How writing and blogging became a path back to herself
(33:10) A friend's phone call that helped her shift her perspective
(36:50) What survivors really needâand the courage to be vulnerable
(39:30) The importance of not comparing trauma or grief
(42:10) How happiness can coexist with sorrow
In today's episode, Iâm joined by Brenda Coffee, author of Maya Blue: A Memoir of Survival. Brenda is a former caregiver, writer, and speaker whose life has been shaped by loss, emotional abuse, and deep resilience. Her memoir offers a raw and honest look at surviving two marriages filled with illness, addiction, and tragedy. For decades, she put others first, but eventually, she found the strength to reclaim her own identity. Now, she uses her voice to support others in grief and guide them toward new beginnings.
Throughout this episode, Brenda opens up about losing her father as a child, navigating her motherâs mental illness, and surviving an emotionally abusive first marriage. She shares how caregiving for a husband with cancer became both a burden and a purpose, and how losing her second husband suddenly on Christmas Day unraveled everything she had rebuilt.
Connect with Brenda Coffee:
Website
Instagram
LinkedIn
Facebook
Maya Blue: A Memoir of Survival
Read Brendaâs blog - 1010 ParkPlace
Connect with Emily Thiroux Threatt:
Website
LinkedIn
Facebook
The Grief and Happiness Alliance
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
Manglende episoder?
-
What do you cry about now? What can you do about that?
Let's Connect:
You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide hereSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
If youâve ever avoided talking about death with a loved one because it felt too uncomfortable or culturally off-limits, episode 344 is for you. Dr. Cynthia X. Pan, a leading expert in end-of-life care, shares practical strategies for navigating these sensitive conversations with empathy and clarity. Learn how to approach topics like advanced directives and final wishesâespecially across cultural linesâso you can honor your loved onesâ values and find peace in knowing you did right by them.
In This Episode, You Will Learn:
(1:25) The evolution of palliative care
(2:55) Ethics and cultural diversity in end-of-life conversations
(4:30) Reframing death with dignity and celebration
(5:51) The power of showing up
(6:47) Family dynamics and grief during COVID
(10:05) Why advanced directives matter
(14:30) When systems ignore patient wishes
(15:44) Navigating cultural resistance to end-of-life talk
(21:56) Breaking death taboos and redefining goodbye
In today's episode, I'm joined by Dr. Cynthia X. Pan, a board-certified physician in internal medicine, geriatrics, and hospice and palliative medicine. She holds a BA in Biology from Harvard and an MD from Stony Brook University School of Medicine. Dr. Pan completed her internal medicine residency at the University of Rochester and a geriatrics fellowship at Harvard Medical Schoolâs Division on Aging. She now serves as Chief of Geriatrics and Palliative Care Medicine and Designated Institutional Official for Graduate Medical Education at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens. A Professor at Weill Cornell Medical College, she educates future healthcare providers on palliative care, cultural humility, and communication. Fluent in Mandarin and Spanish, she brings a multicultural lens to patient-centered care.
Throughout this episode, Dr. Pan uses her medical background and personal experiences to share both clinical insight and emotional depth. She reflects on working in one of the most culturally diverse regions in the U.S., where sensitive end-of-life conversations require compassion and cultural awareness. Through stories of caring for her father and mother-in-law, she highlights the importance of honoring patientsâ wishes. She also discusses how to approach taboo topics like death with respect and indirect communicationâespecially in communities where such discussions are avoided. Her guidance helps us embrace these moments with courage, clarity, and connection.
Connect with Dr. Cynthia X. Pan:
Website
Instagram
LinkedIn
Book: Exit Strategies: Living Lessons from Dying People
Connect with Emily Thiroux Threatt:
Website
LinkedIn
Facebook
Instagram
The Grief and Happiness Alliance
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
Can you recognize all the emotions you are dealing with while grieving? When you do, the is a way that will help you with each emotion. Give It a try. It works!
Let's Connect:
You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide hereSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
If youâve ever wondered what hides behind even the most loving relationships, this episode reveals how a psychologist faced love, betrayal, and lossâand found healing by writing the truth no one talks about.
In today's episode, I'm joined by Dr. Bonnie Comfort, a licensed psychologist with over 30 years of experience working with individuals and couples. Her therapeutic focus has long centered on the emotional intricacies of marriage, intimacy, and identity. In her candid memoir, Staying Married is the Hardest Part, she shares the deeply personal story of her own marriageâone marked by love, painful conflict, and profound transformation. Through her writing and speaking, Dr. Comfort strives to challenge the assumption that therapists have it all figured out, using her voice to normalize conversations around sexual shame, grief, and the complexities of long-term relationships.
Throughout this episode, Bonnie opens up about the 33-year journey she shared with her late husband, reflecting on how their struggles often paralleled those of her clients. She speaks with disarming honesty about topics rarely discussed openlyâlike body image, emotional disconnect, and the shame surrounding sexual incompatibility. Writing became a powerful tool in her healing process, allowing her to explore grief, process loss, and rediscover who she was outside the identity of a wife. Her insights highlight the ongoing connection we can maintain with lost loved ones and the importance of creative expression, vulnerability, and community as pathways to healing.
Tune in as Dr. Bonnie Comfort shares how love, loss, and personal struggle led her to write a bold memoirâoffering a heartfelt path to healing and self-discovery after grief.
In This Episode, You Will Learn:
Love, conflict, and loss (1:40)
Why therapists write (3:12)
Breaking the silence on sexual shame (4:45)
The illusion of therapist perfection (6:30)
Conversations with the dead (7:40)
Loving more than one person (9:05)
Rituals for grief and rediscovery (13:50)
Saying yes to life again (18:40)
Final reflections and resources (27:00)
Connect with Dr. Bonnie Comfort:
Website
Instagram
Facebook
LinkedIn
Book: Dr. Bonnie Comfort - Staying Married is the Hardest Part
Let's Connect:
Website
LinkedIn
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
Pinterest
The Grief and Happiness Alliance
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
When the times comes to handle money at the time of someoneâs death, you will be grateful to be prepared.
Let's Connect:
You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide hereSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
Discover how finding joy in the darkest moments can ease the weight of lossâand why laughter might be the most underrated tool in your grief journey.
In today's episode, I'm joined by Howard Miller, a seasoned business and communication coach, author, and founder of Fulcrum Point Partners. At his firm, he supports leaders in fostering clarity and human connection within organizations. With decades of experience teaching leadership and management, Howard brings a deep understanding of how communication shapes not only professional environments but also personal transitions, including caregiving and grief. He is the author of Burdens and Blessings: A Light-Hearted Approach for Middle-Age Folks Dealing with Aging Parents, a reflective and humorous account of navigating the emotional and logistical complexities of elder care. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Howard uses his voice to normalize conversations around death, aging, and finding moments of levity amid loss. His passion lies in helping others find clarity, humor, and peaceâeven during lifeâs most difficult chapters.
Throughout this episode, Howard brings that same depth and authenticity to the mic, blending practical experience with heartfelt emotion. He candidly shares how caring for his elderly parents shaped his understanding of grief, responsibility, and love. His humorous yet thoughtful approach to writingâespecially in Burdens and Blessingsâdemonstrates how storytelling can help others feel seen and supported. Howard emphasizes the healing power of laughter even in the darkest moments, describing how humor became a bridge to connection within his family. He also reflects on the emotional weight of witnessing his motherâs final moments and the challenges of unclear communication from healthcare providers. His insights offer both personal catharsis and broader value, encouraging listeners to plan ahead, speak clearly, and make space for both sorrow and joy.
Tune in as Howard Miller shares how caring for his aging parentsâand ultimately saying goodbyeâled him to embrace humor, reflection, and resilience, offering a heartfelt guide for navigating grief with grace, clarity, and even laughter.
In This Episode, You Will Learn:
From son to caregiver: The spark behind his book (2:00)
The power of writing in grief (3:22)
Can you laugh through grief? Absolutely. (4:25)
That final breath: The unspoken moment of death (10:35)
The cost of euphemisms: When doctors donât say âdieâ (12:27)
The importance of Advance Directives and clear wishes (15:37)
Grief, logistics, and letting go (22:45)
From personal loss to workplace wisdom (25:40)
Independence, aging, and the hard conversations (31:26)
Connect with Howard Miller:
Website
LinkedIn
Facebook
Book: Howard Miller - Burdens & Blessings: A Lighter-Hearted Approach for Middle-Aged Folks Dealing with Aging Parents
Let's Connect:
Website
LinkedIn
The Grief and Happiness Alliance
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
We should honor Veterans who die by suicide as a result of PTSD from their service with full benefits.
Request your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide here
https://www.griefandhappiness.com/pl/2147595767
Let's Connect:
WebsiteLinkedInInstagramTwitter - @ThreattEmilyPinterestThe Grief and Happiness AllianceBook: Emily Thiroux Threatt - Loving and Living Your Way Through GriefFacebookRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide hereSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
Left with nothing but a warning she'd never survive alone, she proved just how wrong that wasâand discovered a life beyond anything she imagined.
In today's episode, I'm joined by Elaine Valerie Thompson, an International Bestselling Author, Inspirational Speaker, Certified FlowCode Coach, Reiki Master Teacher, and Intuitive Healer. Based in New Zealand, Elaine spent over three decades living with chronic pain and navigating emotionally harmful environments before embarking on a profound journey of healing and transformation. As the founder of The Wellwishers Haven, she now helps others align their mind, body, and soul through holistic wellness coaching and energy work. With an empowering âYes You Canâ approach, Elaine teaches how to shift your frequency and mindset to attract love, health, and purpose. Her work is guided by deep faith and a commitment to helping others rise above adversity to embrace joy.
Throughout this episode, Elaine shares a compassionate and deeply personal perspective, expanding the definition of grief to include emotional pain, chronic illness, and broken relationships. She speaks candidly about the toll of living unseen and unheard, both in her personal life and professional world, and how she reclaimed her power through spiritual healing and mindset work. Her insights reveal how internal transformation can shift what we attract externally, and how self-love is the foundation for meaningful change. Elaineâs story is one of resilience, healing, and hopeâoffering listeners a moving example of what it means to grow through grief and choose joy on the other side.
Tune in to episode 338 as Elaine Valerie Thompson shares how rising from chronic pain, emotional abuse, and career setbacks led her to embrace healing, self-love, and a new life of purposeâoffering a powerful roadmap for transforming grief into inner strength and joy.
In This Episode, You Will Learn:
Introducing a life transformed (0:58)
Redefining grief: Beyond death (1:30)
33 years of pain and a silent struggle (2:08)
The Easter Sunday escape (3:00)
The mirror and the mindset shift (4:48)
A proposal and a new chapter (6:30)
Invisible wounds in work and relationships (11:03)
Losing her job before surgeryâand finding herself (12:30)
Healing the frequency, attracting real love (15:00)
Connect with Elaine Valerie Thompson:
Website
Instagram
Facebook
Let's Connect:
Website
LinkedIn
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
Pinterest
The Grief and Happiness Alliance
Book: Emily Thiroux Threatt - Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
Are you willing to feel better, to breathe easier, to start enjoying your life again? Then listen to this!
Let's Connect:
You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide hereSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
When everything feels overwhelming and nothing makes sense, this conversation offers the clarity, connection, and practical tools you didnât know you neededâuntil now.
In today's episode, I'm joined by Pam Baker, a widow, author, and community-builder based in the Atlanta area. After losing her husband to brain cancer in 2021, Pam transformed her grief into meaningful action by founding Widows Who Wine, a thriving social network that helps widows reconnect with joy and community. She also co-authored Whereâs the Key to the Safe?, a practical guide to navigating financial and legal challenges after loss, written alongside her nephew, a financial advisor. Now, Pam is preparing to launch The Lost Love Stories podcast, a heartfelt platform for honest conversations about love, loss, and life after death. Through all her work, Pam is driven by a mission to help others move from surviving to thriving with purpose, humor, and hope.
Throughout this episode, Pam opens up about her personal journey and the deeply human moments that shaped her path forward. She reflects on the loneliness that often follows loss and the surprising ways connection can begin to heal itâlike the first Widows Who Wine gathering that sparked a movement. She shares the inspiration behind her book, born from her own struggle navigating the âbusiness of death,â and the importance of planning ahead with compassion. Pam also offers a preview of The Lost Love Stories podcast, where guests will be invited to remember their loved ones honestlyâquirks, flaws, laughter and all. Her story is a reminder that grief and joy can coexist, and that healing often begins when weâre given the space to be real.
Tune in to episode 336 as Pam Baker shares how losing her husband to brain cancer inspired her to build vibrant communities, write a practical guide for navigating the âbusiness of death,â and help others transform grief into connection, purpose, and joyful living.
In This Episode, You Will Learn:
Pamâs story of loss (01:12)
The birth of Widows Who Wine (02:45)
More than just wine: A movement (04:40)
The app that connects widows nationwide (05:53)
The loneliness no one talks about (06:50)
Whereâs the key to the safe? (09:21)
Planning while grieving: What most miss (12:45)
Breaking the silence around real grief (18:46)
Widows as warriors: Rewriting the narrative (24:15)
Connect with Pam Baker:
Widows Who Wine
Instagram
LinkedIn
Let's Connect:
Website
LinkedIn
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
Pinterest
The Grief and Happiness Alliance
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
Do you find yourself getting in your own way? You will feel better if you stop that!
Let's Connect:
You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide hereSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
If youâve ever felt completely shut down after a lossâunable to cry, think, or even get out of bedâthis episode reveals why that happens and how to gently bring yourself back to life, one small step at a time.
In today's episode, I'm joined by Ashley Milus, a trauma-informed somatic grief and life transition coach who helps individuals navigate the emotional and physical toll of lossâwhether through death, divorce, chronic illness, or other major life changes. Her practice is deeply informed by her own journey through complex personal grief, including serious health challenges and the loss of loved ones. Ashley supports clients in reconnecting with their bodies, regulating their nervous systems, and gently moving through emotions that feel overwhelming. With compassion and a strong understanding of trauma responses, she creates safe, validating spaces where healing can begin. Through this integrative somatic approach, Ashley helps people rediscover their sense of self and move forward with renewed strength and clarity. She also offers free consultations for those curious about exploring this path.
Throughout this episode, Ashley offers meaningful insight into how somatic healing addresses grief not just as an emotional or mental challenge, but as a full-body experience. She explains how our nervous systems instinctively protect us through responses like numbness or shutdown, and how working with these patterns can support deeper, lasting healing. Drawing on her own lived experiences, she illustrates how reconnecting with the body can restore a sense of safety, presence, and vitality. Ashley also shares practical, compassionate ways to support those experiencing grief, especially in the wake of sudden or traumatic loss. Her emphasis on listening, presence, and authentic connection brings depth to the episodeâand reminds us that healing begins not with fixing, but with truly being there for one another.
Tune in to episode 334 as Ashley Milus shares how her personal journey through illness and loss led her to become a somatic grief coachâhelping others heal by reconnecting with their bodies, regulating their nervous systems, and finding safety, presence, and meaning after profound grief.
In This Episode, You Will Learn:
What is Somatic Healing? (3:12)
Why we shut down during grief (5:30)
Working with the nervous system (6:33)
The power of compassionate presence (9:30)
Storytelling as a healing tool (10:32)
Supporting someone after sudden or traumatic loss (13:34)
A personal story of transformational support (15:51)
How to be the right kind of support (19:41)
Rethinking condolences: Why âSorry for your lossâ isnât enough (21:46)
What to say: Creating comfort through connection (24:03)
Connect with Ashley Milus:
Website
Instagram
Book a FREE session with Ashley Milus!
Let's Connect:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
The Grief and Happiness Alliance
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
Together we can change the world if we all practice unconditional love.
Let's Connect:
You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide hereSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
Most companies give grieving parents just three days to "move on"âbut what happens when the real pain begins on day four? We explore the deeper reality of child loss, the healing power of grief retreats, and why workplaces must do better to support employees through unimaginable loss.
In today's episode, I'm joined by Kelly McDyre, the President and CEO of the Child Loss Foundation, an organization devoted to supporting parents who have experienced the unimaginable loss of a child. With more than a decade of nonprofit leadership experience, Kelly has dedicated her career to creating compassionate spaces for healing through retreats, resources, and workplace programs. Her work is deeply personalâsparked by the sudden death of her 12-year-old nephew in 2010, which led her to walk alongside grieving families with empathy and purpose. Kelly previously served as Executive Director at Faithâs Lodge, where she helped establish a sanctuary for bereaved parents, and later played a key role in its merger with the Believe Foundation to form the Child Loss Foundation. She also founded Child Loss at Work, an innovative program designed to help employers provide meaningful support to grieving employees.
Throughout this episode, Kelly offers heartfelt insights into her journey and the impact of the Child Loss Foundationâs work. She shares how the organization came to life through the merging of two powerful missionsâFaithâs Lodgeâs retreat-based healing model and the Believe Foundationâs practical financial support. Kelly introduces listeners to the foundationâs expanding national reach and its goal to create more accessible grief retreats across the country. She also explains how Child Loss at Work is transforming the way employers approach grief in the workplace, advocating for more compassionate policies and better understanding. With warmth and wisdom, Kelly reminds us that while grief never fully fades, it can coexist with joyâand that no parent should ever have to navigate loss alone.
Tune in as Kelly McDyre shares how her familyâs loss inspired her to create healing retreats for bereaved parents and workplace programs that bring empathy, connection, and space for both grief and joy.
In This Episode, You Will Learn:
Meet Kelly McDyre and the Child Loss Foundation (1:00)
The origins: Faithâs Lodge and the Believe Foundation Merge (1:45)
Kellyâs personal connection to child loss (6:00)
Retreats as safe spaces for grieving parents (9:50)
Expanding the reach of grief retreats (10:30)
Grief and joy can coexist (15:00)
What not to say to a grieving parent (20:30)
Fixing grief support at work: The â3 days offâ problem (24:00)
Loss at work: A program to transform workplace compassion (25:30)
Writing, rituals, and the lifelong nature of grief (31:30)
Connect with Kelly McDyre:
Website - Child Loss Foundation
Facebook - Faithâs Lodge
Instagram - Faithâs Lodge
Kellyâs LinkedIn
Let's Connect:
Website
LinkedIn
The Grief and Happiness Alliance
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
Do you feel mired in all the âstuffâ in your life? Find out how to fix that by listening to this podcast!
Let's Connect:
You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide hereSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
If youâve ever questioned your ability to keep going after life breaks you open, this episode will show you how three simple words can become a lifeline in the darkest moments.
In today's episode, I'm joined by Theresa Bruno, a writer, speaker, and grief guide who hosts the Soul Talks podcastâa space dedicated to exploring healing, spirituality, and the resilience that follows profound loss. Once a successful entrepreneur running a regional marketing agency, Theresaâs life shifted dramatically after enduring back-to-back tragedies: the collapse of her business and the sudden loss of her husband to suicide. These life-altering experiences led her to embrace storytelling as a path to healing and to create welcoming spaces where others could share their own stories of pain and survival. Her debut book, He's Not Coming Back: Rewriting Life After Loss, blends personal narrative with practical tools designed to help others rebuild. Through her work, Theresa encourages people to reconnect with their inner strength, find spiritual grounding in their own way, and embrace the powerful truth that we are all enough.
Throughout this episode, Theresa opens up about her journey through grief with remarkable honesty and depth. She reflects on the early days of isolation and shame, and how leaning into spiritual practices and nature slowly helped her reclaim her sense of self. Theresa shares how small, intentional actionsâlike opening the curtains each morning or journaling moments of gratitudeâbecame stepping stones toward healing. She highlights the importance of community, vulnerability, and the power of being seen and heard in safe spaces. Her message, centered on the transformative strength of storytelling and the mantra "I am enough," offers comfort and clarity to anyone navigating grief and the process of rewriting their life.
Tune in as Theresa Bruno shares how surviving unimaginable loss, embracing spiritual practices, and creating safe spaces for storytelling helped her navigate grief and rediscover a sense of purpose, hope, and self-worth.
In This Episode, You Will Learn:
From perfectionism to rock bottom (01:25)
The birth of Soul Talks and her book (03:40)
The power of storytelling and safe spaces (5:25)
Spirituality as a lifeline in grief (6:42)
Letting go of judgment through community (10:00)
Small steps that save you (18:50)
Nature as a healer (20:30)
Daily practices for joy and gratitude (22:59)
Reclaiming dreams and self-worth (24:47)
Connect with Theresa Bruno:
Website
Instagram
YouTube
TikTok
Get Theresaâs book
Let's Connect:
Website
LinkedIn
Facebook
The Grief and Happiness Alliance
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
What would you really love to do now? Donât wait! Just do it!
Let's Connect:
You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide hereSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
When grief left them speechless, award-winning authors Julia Park Tracey and Christine Walker turned to fictionânot just to cope, but to give their sons a voice that would live on forever.
In today's episode, I'm joined by Julia Park Tracey and Christine Walkerâtwo accomplished creatives who have transformed personal grief into meaningful art. Julia is an award-winning author, journalist, and publisher at Sibylline Press. Her historical novels The Bereaved and Silence are inspired by ancestral stories and deeply shaped by the loss of her stepson. Christine is a visual artist, designer, and writer whose novel Tap Dancing at the Bluebird, drawn from her grandmotherâs Depression-era diaries, was reimagined through the lens of losing her son, Quinn. Both women use their work to explore themes of loss, healing, and transformation.
Throughout this episode, Julia and Christine share how their sonsâ deaths profoundly influenced their creative processes. Julia describes how grief deepened the emotional truth of her characters and led her to speak openly about loss, both in life and on the page. Christine talks about infusing her novelâs character with Quinnâs essenceâhis âquinescenceââto give him a lasting literary presence, and how painting helped her process pain when words failed. Together, they reflect on the healing power of storytelling and the ways creativity can offer connection, comfort, and a sense of continuity through grief.
Tune in to episode 328 as Julia Park Tracey and Christine Walker share how channeling their grief into writing and art helped them honor their sons, process profound loss, and discover a lasting sense of connection, creativity, and healing.
In This Episode, You Will Learn:
Juliaâs story: Writing through historical grief and personal loss (1:14)
Christineâs journey: From garden journals to literary healing (6:12)
Giving their sons a literary afterlife (9:40)
How grief alters language and social norms (14:17)
To tell or not to tell: Sharing a childâs death publicly (17:24)
Redefining happiness: Can we ever feel joy again? (23:39)
Writing fiction as a healing tool for grievers (28:22)
When grief silences you: Finding voice through action (31:45)
Connect with Julia Park Tracey:
Website
Instagram
LinkedIn
Facebook
TikTok
Get Juliaâs books!
Connect with Christine Walker:
Website
Instagram
X
Facebook
Get Christineâs books!
Let's Connect:
Website
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Vis mere
