S1E6: How Tending to Grief Can Heal Our Lives with Barri Leiner Grant

📺 Watch & Subscribe on YouTubeIn this heartfelt episode I engage in a profound conversation with Barri Leiner Grant, founder and Chief Grief Officer of the Memory Circle. Barri, a certified grief coach, shares her personal journey through grief, starting with the sudden loss of her mother, Ellen, in 1993. The discussion delves into Barri's innovative concept of "grief tending," which offers a supportive space for individuals to process loss. Barri emphasizes the importance of memory-making, writing, and community in healing. The episode concludes with Barri reading a poignant poem and offering a writing prompt, inviting listeners to explore their own grief through creative expression.What We Explored This Episode00:03:26: Barri's Early Life and Her Mother Ellen00:07:45: The Sudden Loss of Ellen00:09:24: Initial Grief and Lack of Support00:12:48: Becoming a Motherless Mother00:13:45: First Experience with Therapy00:17:47: Moving to Chicago and Career Transition00:19:15: Creating the Memory Circle00:24:43: The Journey to Finding Her Calling00:29:35: Personal Grief Practices and Continuing Bonds00:35:20: Signs and Synchronicities00:43:09: The Importance of End-of-Life Conversations00:49:34: Supporting Others in Grief00:55:10: Authentic Ways to Show Up for Others00:59:52: The Power of Writing and Poetry in Grief01:07:20: Reading of the Poem "Otherwise" by Jane KenyonMemorable Quotes"I think if we bring this into the daily vernacular, just as I hope we can call in to work and say, 'I'm not going to be in today. I know it's been three years since my mom died, but it's her death anniversary, and it's really griefy.""I have learned to trust my intuition and curiosity in exploring anything next and new and interesting. Keeping her alive means keeping her alive in ways that feel right to me, that feel on purpose to me.""When you feel how calming, how connected, how wonderful it was to invite her in, it feels more like a calling in than a missing out. And before I could do that, the more I felt like my life was still so full and she was so proud."Resources MentionedThe Memory Circle: Founded by Barri Leiner Grant, The Memory Circle offers grief support and coaching. - https://www.thememorycircle.comPractice You Podcast by Elena Brower: A podcast that aligns with heart-centered conversations and personal growth - https://elenabrower.com/podcast/Motherless Daughters by Hope Edelman: A book that explores the experiences of women who have lost their mothers. - https://www.amazon.com/Motherless-Daughters-Legacy-Loss-20th-Anniversary/dp/0738217735The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron: A book that introduces morning pages and other creative exercises to help unblock creativity. - https://www.amazon.com/Artists-Way-25th-Anniversary/dp/0143129252Poetry Foundation: A resource for finding and listening to poetry - https://www.poetryfoundation.orgDavid Kessler: A renowned grief expert and author - https://grief.comClaire Bidwell Smith: An author and grief therapist known for her work on grief and anxiety - https://clairebidwellsmith.comChicago Magazine: A monthly magazine that covers lifestyle, culture, and news in Chicago - https://www.chicagomag.comJane Kenyon: An American poet known for her poignant and reflective poetry - https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/jane-kenyonPoetry.org: A resource for finding and listening to poetry - https://www.poetry.orgAnxiety: The Missing Stage of Grief - https://www.amazon.com/Anxiety-Missing-Stage-Grief-Overcoming/dp/0738234779Connect with BarriWebsite - www.thememorycircle.comLiving With Loss Signup - https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/d3201ec2The Memory Circle Substack - https://barri.substack.com/The Memory Circle Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/132181931161167/Barri's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/barri-leiner-grant-5125b52/Barri's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thememorycircleConnect with PaigeWebsite - https://paigenolan.com/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/paigenolanwriteFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/paigenolanwriterLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paige-nolan-0932751/🎙️Music by Boyd McDonnellCover art photography by Innis CaseyPodcast production & marketing by North Node Podcast Network