Understanding Grief: How to Navigate Loss, Love and Healing with Marie Vakakis

Grief is something we will all experience, yet it's often one of the hardest topics to talk about. In this heartfelt and deeply moving episode of Well, Hello Anxiety, Dr Jodi Richardson welcomes back therapist, mental health educator, relationship expert and podcast host Marie Vakakis for an honest conversation about grief, loss and healing. Drawing on both her professional expertise and recent personal experiences, Marie shares her reflections on caring for her grandmother through dementia, navigating anticipatory grief, saying goodbye to her beloved dog Walter, and learning how to carry love forward after loss. Together, Jodi and Marie explore why grief is far more complex than most people realise, how it affects us emotionally and physically, the challenges grief can create in relationships, and why empathy - not fixing - is often the most powerful gift we can offer someone who is hurting. This conversation offers comfort, validation and practical insights for anyone experiencing loss, supporting a grieving loved one, or navigating the uncertainty of anticipatory grief. Dr Jodi & Marie talk about: What anticipatory grief really looks and feels like Why grief and anxiety are often closely connected The physical and emotional impact of loss Different grieving styles and how they can affect relationships The experience of pet loss and why it matters Why "grief is love with nowhere to go" Common phrases that aren't always helpful when someone is grieving The power of empathy, validation and simply showing up How cultural rituals can support the grieving process Why grief doesn't disappear—but can become easier to carry over time Practical ways to support a grieving friend, partner or family member Connect with Marie Vakakis: 🌐 Website: https://marievakakis.com.au 🎙️ This Complex Life Podcast:https://marievakakis.com.au/podcast 🧠 The Therapy Hub:https://thetherapyhub.com.au Connect with Dr Jodi Richardson: 🌐 Website: https://drjodirichardson.com 📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjodirichardson 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drjodirichardson DO YOU WANT TO HEAR THE POD LIVE? GET YOUR FREE TIX HERE Loved This Episode? If this conversation resonated with you, please share it with someone who may need support through grief, loss or life transitions. Your ratings, reviews and shares help us reach more people and continue important conversations about anxiety, mental health and wellbeing. Remember: We don't heal grief by fixing it - we heal through connection, compassion and being witnessed. ❤️See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.