Defining Grief

In this deeply resonant episode, co-hosts Dionne C. Monsanto and Yvette Love Dávila return to ask a deceptively simple but transformative question: What do we really mean when we say grief? Together, they broaden the definition of grief beyond death—naming the hidden losses that shape who we are and the cultural silences that keep us from healing. Through raw, honest storytelling—from Uncle Al’s childhood heartbreak over a lost stroller to Yvette’s painful reckoning with her father’s disappearance—this conversation invites listeners to rethink how loss lives in our bodies, families, and communities. Yvette and Dionne explore the five stages of grief, unpack cultural expectations of strength and silence in Black and Latinx households, and reveal how unspoken grief can echo for generations. They weave humor, spirituality, and truth into a shared language of healing—reminding us that grief changes things, but it doesn’t get the final say. Take a breath, say the names of your loved ones, and join the dialogue. This episode is an invitation: to name your grief, to see it fully, and to begin the journey of living alongside it—with compassion, honesty, and aché. Send us a text Two Mothers, One Aché: A Grief Dialogue is produced and distributed by Merrick Studios and hosted by Yvette Dávila and Dionne C. Monsanto. Each episode offers a brave and intimate space where grief is spoken aloud, healing is shared, and love refuses to fade—listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever your journey takes you. Join the conversation on Instagram @2mothers1achepod and learn more at wearemerrickstudios.com/two-mothers-one-ache-pod. Original music by Dasan T. Broadnax, known artistically as O.D. Mongrel. Discover more of his work on all streaming platforms. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices