EP14: CJ Infantino: Unvoiced, Unfiltered, Unbreakable

When CJ Infantino lost his wife, the experience reshaped every part of his life and set him on a path to create Unvoiced, a movement that makes space for grief and for the people who carry it. Joining Justin Weidenfeld in this episode, CJ looks back on his years at Facebook, when his wife’s cancer diagnosis revealed a major gap in medical leave policy. That moment pushed him to share his story directly with Sheryl Sandberg, which led to a new policy that still supports employees today.   Years later, as a widower navigating her death, he found himself facing vague bereavement rules, unpaid time away from work, and the physical fallout of grief – months of illness, sleepless nights, and the weight of wondering how to keep moving forward. What would it look like if more companies had clear, written policies, thoughtful return-to-work plans, and leaders who understood the human side of loss?   CJ has built Unvoiced to answer that question. Through Project Grief (his Substack), speaking engagements, his upcoming book “Torn Pages from a Broken Heart,” and even merchandise, he is turning personal pain into collective change. He opens up about the role medication played in his own recovery and why messages from the community often arrive in the moments he feels ready to quit. CJ and Justin’s conversation invites you to think about grief in a way that goes beyond the personal, into the culture we create at work and the way we choose to show up for one another.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Introduction To The Currency Of Grief Podcast 02:20 CJ Infantino’s Journey Through Loss And Resilience 04:23 Facing A Terminal Cancer Diagnosis At Age 30 14:53 Life After Loss: Identity Crisis And Self-Discovery 20:25 Helping Children Navigate Grief And Healing 33:23 Changing Corporate Grief Policies At Facebook 42:45 Financial Challenges Of Cancer And Bereavement 59:12 Leaving A High-Paying Tech Career To Pursue A Calling 01:14:28 Building Unvoiced To Support Grievers And Workplaces 01:29:40 Post-Traumatic Growth And Life After Loss   Connect with CJ Infantino: Website CJ’s Book: “Torn Pages from a Broken Heart” Substack Merch Instagram   Connect with Justin Weidenfeld: Website Justin’s LinkedIn Follow The Currency of Grief on LinkedIn  Follow The Currency of Grief on Instagram  TikTok  Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm