GRIEF AND LIGHT

How do you navigate life after multiple losses and still make space for joy, purpose, love, and hope?In this deeply honest conversation, grief and soul purpose coach Tara Accardo joins Nina Rodriguez to explore what it means to live through layered grief, traumatic loss, and major life transitions while rebuilding your sense of self.After losing both of her parents to cancer within six months, navigating the isolation of the 2020 pandemic, experiencing heartbreak, grieving the loss of her beloved 19-year-old dog, and enduring a traumatic birth and NICU stay with her daughter, Tara found herself asking the same questions so many grieving people ask:Who am I now? How do I move forward after loss? And what does it mean to create a meaningful life after grief?Together, Tara and Nina discuss anticipatory grief, cancer caregiving, pet loss grief, parenting after parental loss, continuing bonds, spirituality after loss, soul purpose, grief coaching, and learning to trust your intuition through grief and trauma.This episode is for anyone grieving the death of a parent, navigating compounded grief, adjusting to life after loss, or searching for hope and healing after heartbreak, trauma, or major life change.Whether you're grieving a mother or father, coping with grief during motherhood, healing after traumatic birth, or trying to rediscover yourself after loss, this conversation offers compassionate insight, validation, and reminders that grief and joy can coexist.Connect with Tara Accardo:Website: lossesbecomegains.comLife With Grief podcastInstagram: @lossesbecomegainsSend us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

What does grief look like when it lives inside a body that can't always feel safe? Dr. Amanda Whitehouse joins Nina to explore food allergy anxiety, trauma, and the layered losses that chronic illness brings.Summary:Grief doesn't only come from death. Sometimes it comes from a diagnosis. From the life you imagined slipping away, from food becoming a source of fear, from watching your child struggle to breathe and feeling helpless. That is grief, too.In this episode, Nina Rodriguez welcomes Dr. Amanda Whitehouse, a licensed psychologist who specializes in food allergy anxiety, trauma, and chronic illness. Dr. Whitehouse is also a mother navigating food allergies firsthand and the host of the Don't Feed the Fear podcast. Together, they unpack the layered emotional experience of living with food allergies (anaphylaxis), including the grief, the trauma, and the profound work of returning to safety in your own body.They also go deeper. Dr. Whitehouse shares the story of her brother Adam, who died from cancer in 2020, and what his death taught her about closure, connection, and continuing bonds with loved ones beyond physical presence.In this conversation:Why grief in chronic illness is real, and why it often goes unnamedThe critical difference between trauma, anxiety, and fear in the context of food allergies, and why language mattersWhat trauma-informed care looks like for food allergy patients and familiesCommon myths about food allergies debunked (including "avoidance is enough" and "epinephrine is the last resort")How to return agency to yourself and set boundaries with loved ones who don't fully understandThe physical toll of grief on the body, and why that connection mattersDr. Whitehouse's personal grief: losing her brother Adam, the gift of time, and continued bonds in dreamsGratitude as awareness, not positivity, making space for "this AND that"Connect with Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:Website: thefoodallergypsychologist.comInstagram: @thefoodallergypsychologistPodcast: Don't Feed the FearWhether you're living with a food allergy, loving someone who is, or simply navigating a body and a life that grief has changed, this conversation is forSend us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

What happens when grief doesn’t just take your person, but reshapes your identity, your faith, your career, and your sense of what’s possible?In this episode of Grief and Light, Nina Rodriguez sits down with Destiny Rael, a trauma-informed life and grief coach, group facilitator, and sibling loss survivor, for a deeply personal and expansive conversation about what it means to live with grief and still create a meaningful life.Destiny lost her brother Joseph who she describes as her best friend, creative partner, and fellow musician, two days after his 34th birthday in January 2011 to a sudden aortic dissection. She has spent the years since learning how to carry that loss forward without leaving him behind.Together, they explore the duality of grief and joy, the evolution of identity after loss, and how purpose can emerge in the aftermath of devastation.We explore: Sibling loss and identity: why this type of grief is often overlooked  The coexistence of grief and joy in a purposeful life  Destiny’s story of losing her brother Joseph, and their deep sibling bond The significance of sibling bonds, shared music, and inside jokes  How grief reshapes identity, especially for creatives and performers  Navigating faith, spirituality, and questioning God after loss  The connection between childhood trauma, abuse, and grief  The shift from music career to trauma-informed grief coaching  Supporting the mind, body, and spirit through grief recovery  The role of grief in life transitions, relationships, and personal growth  Tools for support: grief groups, coaching, and creative expressionConnect with Destiny Rael:Website: destinyrael.comIG: @destinyrael"Joseph's Destiny" & MusicYouTube ChannelIf you're navigating grief, sibling loss, or a life that no longer looks like the one you planned, you are not alone.Send us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

Sylvia Wolfer has lived through a lifetime of loss. Her father died suddenly when she was seven. Her younger brother, Johan, at sixteen. Her older brother, Stefan, in 2019. Her mother in 2023. She has navigated decades of layered grief. Through neuroscience, mindfulness, and work in the body, she has come to understand that grief can be in your life without running your life. In fact, you get to be "the boss."In this conversation, we explore what it means to live alongside loss without being consumed by it. We talk about the weight of sudden grief, the complexity of family dynamics, and the quiet, ongoing relationship we maintain with those who have died.We Explore:Why grief is so often misunderstood, and why we are not powerless to it The distinct impact of sudden versus anticipated lossHow grief moves differently through sibling bonds, parent-child relationships, and across timeHer practice of “grief appointments," a structure that allows emotion without overwhelmAnger in grief, how to leverage its energy, and what it protects The "body budget" and why supporting the nervous system is foundational Post-traumatic growth, the window of tolerance, and what integration actually looks likeContinued bonds: how each person we've lost lives on differently within us Buddhist grief practices, the dana tradition, and a different relationship to deathIf you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by loss(es), unsure how to move forward, or disconnected from yourself in grief, this conversation offers a deeply human, grounded perspective.Connect with Sylvia Wolfer:WebsiteInstagramLinkedInGuided Meditations by SylviaSibling Grief: The Overlooked LossSend us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

Paula went into "the void," and returned with a question that changed her life: What if grief is actually the highest form of intelligence?In this episode of Grief and Light, I sit down with trauma and grief therapist and artist, Paula Gasparini-Santos, to explore a different way of understanding grief, one where loss becomes a portal, and "the void" transforms us.Paula's work sits at the intersection of trauma therapy and grief, and she brings a framework that honors how intelligent grief actually is. She shares how grief operates as a form of intelligence, and how to access what it's trying to teach us.We go deep on the surprising relationship between grief and trauma, Paula's own journey of developing intimacy with her pain, and the growing use of AI in grief support, what it can genuinely offer, and where it keeps us at arm's length from the real work.We also get into the difference between real curiosity and curiosity that's just fear with better PR. Paula explains how our information-gathering instinct, especially in grief, often becomes a way to stay safe rather than a way to grow. And she offers practices for building a relationship with emptiness, with silence, with the parts of ourselves we usually try to outrun.If you're looking for a different perspective on grief, and ways to move through, tune in.In this episode:Grief as one of life's highest forms of intelligenceWhy grief and trauma are more connected than we thinkWhat "intimacy with grief" actually looks like in practiceWhat "the void" is, and isn'tHow to trust the unknownAI in grief processing: where it helps and where it doesn'tThe distinction between true curiosity and fear-based seekingLow-dopamine practices for reconnecting with yourselfWhy sitting with emptiness might be exactly what healing requires💬 "If we deny grief as a universal experience, we deny the pivot point for regeneration and expansion to happen." — Paula Gasparini-SantosConnect with Paula Gasparini-Santos: Art: https://paulagasparini-santos.com/ Work with Paula: https://www.theconsciousconnection.org/ SubstackInstagramTikTokSend us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

What if grief wasn't something to survive, but something to move through with presence, ritual, and the full weight of your body?In this episode, Nina Rodriguez sits down with Sundari Malcolm, a birth, grief, and death doula, yoga and breathwork teacher, author of Grief Gems, and founder of A Healing Doula Academy. Raised by Yogi parents, Sundari brings a deeply embodied and ancestrally grounded lens to loss.After seven years caregiving for her mother before losing her to breast cancer at 27, and later losing her father to brain cancer, Sundari wasn't just grief-stricken. She was initiated. This conversation explores what that initiation looks like, and how honoring grief as a sacred passage can transform your relationship with loss, your body, and your lineage.In this episode:Caregiving, anticipatory grief, and identity shifts in young adulthoodGrief as an initiatory and spiritual awakening processThe somatic side of loss and how the body holds griefReclaiming ancestral rituals, altars, and indigenous death practicesWhat a grief or death doula actually doesBreathwork, candle meditation, and practical tools for tending griefNavigating collective grief without losing yourselfChallenging Western death narratives and systemic barriersConnect with Sundari Malcolm: Website: ahealingdoula.com Book: Grief GemsInstagram: @sundariblissAcademy: A Healing Doula AcademySend us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

Before he passed, Estrella's father left her a message worth more than billions:✨ "I hope a million angels look after you." ✨Those seven words changed everything.They carried her through grief. They inspired her to travel to over 50 countries. And they ultimately led her to co-found Last Farewells — a platform helping people leave their own meaningful messages for the ones they love, even after they're gone.In this inspiring episode, Estrella Quiroz, self-proclaimed "life enthusiast" and death tech entrepreneur, opens up about the moment her father's passing cracked her world open, and how she transformed that pain into a mission: to help others "leave no words left unspoken."Her story is about more than grief. It's about agency, faith, acts of kindness, and what it really means to leave a legacy.What you'll take away:+ Why the words we leave behind matter more than anything else+ How faith and personal values can anchor you through unimaginable loss+ What "end-of-life planning" looks like when it's driven by love, not fear+ How one woman turned heartbreak into a movement💬 What message would you want to leave behind?🔔 Subscribe for conversations about purpose, resilience, and living fully, even in the face of loss.Key Topics:The powerful story of Estrella’s father’s voicemail and its influence on her lifeHer experience traveling solo across 50+ countries and how loss shifted her prioritiesThe origins of Last Farewells and its mission to fill the emotional gap in end-of-life planningHow creating last messages can bring peace and agency during griefThe role of faith and spirituality in healing and purposeInsights into death tech: what it is, how it works, and its impactThe importance of authenticity and acts of kindness in content creationPersonal stories of helping others, from an elderly grandmother to terminally ill patientsThe significance of signs, synchronicities, and trusting life's journeyConnect with Estrella Quiroz & Last Farewells:lastfarewells.comInstagram: @lastfarewellsapp x @estrellaq95Send us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

In this deeply personal reflection, Nina Rodriguez shares her experience with the profound grief and loss of her only sibling, and the realization that the family tree may end with her. This emotional healing journey is further explored through her contributions to Get Griefy Magazine, offering a space for shared understanding. Nina Rodriguez shares a powerful reflection on redefining legacy beyond lineage, revealing how our influence, choices, and relationships create a ripple effect that endures long after we're gone.She dives into the societal stories that tie worth to continuity and permanence, and explores how legacy is actually about the imprint we leave: the lives we touch, the courage we inspire, and the rooms we fill with our presence. Key Points:Why the traditional family tree is only one metaphor for continuityHow our influence extends through relationships, not just DNASurprising insights into the fragility of digital memories and the illusions of permanenceIn a world where milestones like marriage and children are no longer guaranteed, Nina offers a liberating perspective: Legacy is less about who continues your bloodline and more about the ways your life radiates outward. She challenges you to consider how your unique story, actions, and relationships form a lasting imprint, even if you never become a mother or an ancestor in the traditional sense.How does your life echo in the lives of other simply by the way in which you exist?Key topics:The burden of being the "last" in a family line after the loss of loved onesThe societal narrative of legacy tied to reproduction and lineageThe distinction between lineage (biological) and legacy (relational, influence)How non-biological relationships shape our sense of legacyThe impermanence of digital memories and the illusion of permanencyLegacy as diffusion, participation, and ripple effect rather than extensionThe importance of intentional impact over recognition or recognitionPractical ways to reframe personal legacy in a shifting worldRead on Get Griefy Magazine: The Family Tree That Ends With MeVisit getgriefymagazine.comSend us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

Grief and Light is proud to participate in Podcasthon 2026, the world's largest podcast charity initiative, joining podcasters across the globe to amplify the organizations doing work that the world needs to hear about. Learn more: podcasthon.org***What happens when men are never given permission to grieve?In this episode, we hear from Daniel Ratchford, founder and president of Broreavement, and Quaheem Brooks, two men who are building something life-affirming: a brotherhood for men and boys of color navigating the turbulent, often silent, experience of grief and loss.Broreavement was born from personal pain and transformed into a mission. A mission to break the stigma around men's grief, create safe spaces for emotional expression, and prove that healing doesn't have to happen alone.This episode celebrates the power of shared stories, safe spaces, and community efforts to heal grief and build resilience among men and youth. If this message resonates with you, consider supporting or joining Broreavement’s mission to expand the healing brotherhood.This conversation explores:The origin story behind Broreavement and the loss that sparked it Why men and boys of color are often the most underserved when it comes to grief support How vulnerability, trust, and brotherhood become tools for healing The role of everyday activities (like cooking, sports, art, finances, fishing) in creating connectionCommunity programs like prom suit drives and after-school initiatives that offer hope to young people in grief Their vision for taking Broreavement national, and eventually global How you can support this work and create ripple effects of healing in your own communityThis one is for every boy and man who was told to hold it together.Resources & Links: broreavement.org🌟Donate Here🌟@broreavementFrom workshops to recreational outings to educational resources, Broreavement meets men and boys where they are, offering practical tools, emotional guidance, and real community to those navigating the loss of a loved one. Because healing looks dSend us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

PODCASTHON SPECIAL EPISODE Part of the world's largest charity podcast event — raising awareness for causes that matterWhat does harm reduction actually look like, and how is it saving lives right now?In this impactful episode, we explore the realities of addiction, harm reduction, and the ongoing fight to save lives. Thomas Guerra of F-Fent.org shares personal insights, dispels common myths, and highlights the vital work being done in communities everywhere, from music festivals to college campuses and beyond.This conversation explores:The current state of overdose deaths and recent trends: around 80,000 in 2024, a significant drop from 110,000The importance and impact of harm reduction strategies like naloxone / Narcan distribution and fentanyl test strips5 common misconceptions about recovery and substance useThe role of stigma and language in shaping perceptions and community supportCommunity awareness and systemic support in combating the overdose crisisFamily dynamics in recovery and supporting loved ones through systemic understandingThe evolving landscape of drug toxicityAdvocacy for funding and policy reforms supporting harm reductionPersonal stories of life-saving interventions and full-circle moments in the fieldHow everyone can contribute, from sharing information to volunteering and donatingConnect with Thomas Guerra:🌟 Donate Here 🌟f-fent.orgHarm Reduction ResourcesUpcoming TrainingsInstagramPrevious podcast episode with Thomas GuerraAbout F-Fent.org:F-fent.org is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit fighting the fent@nyl crisis through education, harm reduction, and community outreach. The goal is life-saving awareness without judgment. Donate HereAbout Podcasthon:Podcasthon is the biggest charity event in the podcasting world: a fast-growing non-profit initiative uniting thousands of podcasters globally. Hosts dedicate one episode to a charity of their choice, releasing them simultaneously eSend us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

In this heartfelt episode, Nina Rodriguez interviews Amanda Nicol, a museum-quality jewelry designer and survivor of intimate partner violence (IPV), about transforming trauma into empowerment through her one-of-a-kind jewelry. Amanda shares her journey of resilience, community support, and the importance of storytelling and purpose in her work.Jewelry One of a KIND is a Miami-based jewelry house creating one-of-a-kind pieces designed to be collected. Small batch. Handcrafted. Built to last.Amanda’s jewelry and story highlight how art, purpose, and community can foster healing and resilience after trauma. Explore her work and consider engaging with her workshops for a meaningful experience that supports survivors and promotes social impact.Key Topics:The concept of resilience as a model, not just a metaphor, and how Amanda applies it through her jewelry businessPersonal stories behind her jewelry pieces, including reflections on grief, trauma, and healingThe role of community involvement and advocacy in addressing violence, substance abuse, and mental healthHow creative expression can reclaim agency and aid in trauma recoveryEthical and sustainable practices in jewelry making, including fair wages and environmental considerationsThe power of shared experiences, community workshops, and experiential gifting in strengthening bondsPractical insights on balancing business growth, activism, and authentic storytellingIPV Data & Resources:A 2018 by the CDC found ~$104,000 is the average cost of IPV per female survivor in the U.S. (Source)The lifetime economic cost of IPV in the U.S. is estimated at $3.6 trillion. (Source)freefrom.orgReports by FreeFromNat'l Survivor Financial Security Map & Score Card (search your state)Connect with Amanda Nicol:jewelryoneofakind.comShop CollectionsBook a MeetingExperiences / Workshops PageSend us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

What does it mean to carry a mother’s love forward after she’s gone? How do you parent a child with life-threatening food allergies?In this heartfelt conversation, Nina Rodriguez sits down with Chelsea Ohlemiller, author of Now That She’s Gone: A Daughter’s Reflections on Loss, Love & a Mother’s Legacy, to explore the enduring impact of mother loss.Chelsea shares how the sudden death of her mother in 2017 reshaped her identity, her marriage, and her parenting, and how writing became both a lifeline and a way to honor her mom’s encouragement. Together, they reflect on how grief evolves over time, what it means to feel “motherless" or "homeless," and how legacy is something we live, not just something we inherit.The conversation also moves into the realities many don’t name: health anxiety after loss, the emotional complexity of hospice, modeling grief for children, and the grief of final goodbyes. Chelsea opens up about how honoring her mother’s encouragement to write became a way to stay connected to her, and how storytelling can transform pain into meaning through writing as both a therapeutic outlet and a living legacy.They also speak candidly about:Parenting children while actively grievingModeling healthy emotional expressionThe strain grief can place on marriageHealth anxiety after sudden lossThe emotional and practical realities of hospice careThe sacred, complicated nature of final goodbyesThe episode closes with an important and often overlooked conversation about severe food allergies and anaphylaxis; an area Chelsea advocates awareness around as a mother navigating the daily vigilance that comes with protecting a child’s life.This is a conversation about resilience, vulnerability, and the courage to feel deeply, while still choosing to live, love, and create.Takeaways:Loss reshapes identity, relationships, and how we see ourselves.Legacy is something we live, not something frozen in the past.Modeling honest grief gives children permission to feel.Children often show intuitive wisdom in loss.Grief can strain marriage and calls for compassion.Health anxiety after loss is common and valid.Hospice can be a compassionate, supportive transition.Final goodbyes are rarely tidy.Severe food allergies and anaphylaxis need greater awareness.We can carry grief and still live fully in their honor.Connect with Chelsea:Send us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

What if the mess you've been avoiding is actually the doorway?In this episode, host Nina Rodriguez sits down with transformational creativity and grief coach Susie Stonefield to explore the powerful connection between grief and creative expression. Susie believes creativity isn't a luxury or a talent reserved for the few. It's a birthright. And in times of loss and healing, it can become one of our most powerful companions.Together, they explore how art-making without rules, outcomes, or expectations creates space for emotional healing and truth to surface. They move through grief in its many forms: the death of loved ones, identity shifts, coming out later in life, complicated emotions like anger and guilt, and the collective grief so many of us carry in uncertain times.Susie shares her personal journey through loss and self-discovery, and how those experiences shaped the judgment-free spaces she now holds for others through one-on-one grief coaching and intimate small group "Deep Dives." Her work lives at the intersection of mess and meaning. The messiness of life, she says, isn't something to clean up. It's something to honor.This episode is an invitation to anyone navigating loss, identity, or the quiet ache of feeling stuck. Pick up the art supplies. Feel what's there. Make something from it. Not to fix grief, but to sit beside it.This episode explores:Why creativity is a powerful companion to griefThe myth that only “artists” are creativeGrief beyond death: identity shifts, coming out later in life, and life transitionsArt journaling as a cathartic emotional practiceCreating safe, judgment-free spaces for vulnerabilityHonoring anger, guilt, and the full emotional spectrumThe impact of collective grief in today’s worldFinding joy alongside sorrow through creative expressionWhy sharing our stories fosters connection and healingReflection Invitation:What emotion have I been trying to tidy up instead of express?What would it look like to create without needing it to be “good”?What might emerge if I gave myself permission to make something from my grief?Connect with Susie Stonefield:susiestonefield.comBook a Discovery CallFREEBIE: Grief & Creativity WorkbookSend us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

February 17, 2026 marks a rare cosmic convergence that happens once every 60 years.  In this solo episode, we explore the intersection of grief and the Year of the Fire Horse, a powerful metaphor for riding the uncontrollable momentum of loss while finding your center in the chaos.We're standing at the threshold of three major energetic events: the Chinese Lunar New Year (Year of the Fire Horse), an Aquarius Solar Eclipse, and a rare planetary alignment that amplifies our ability to speak the truths of grief.Whether you believe in astrology or not, there's something palpable in our collective.This episode offers practical rituals, collective practices, and gentle guidance for grievers at every stage of their journey. If you've ever felt like grief is a wild horse you can't control, this conversation is for you.Key Takeaways:Grief is more like riding than walking. You can't outrun it or think your way past it.The Fire Horse rewards courage, not readiness. Take one small brave step toward what your grief has frozen, even if you don't feel ready yet.Eclipse energy initiates six-month cycles. What you set in motion today—a grief intention, a conversation, a ritual—will carry forward through August 2026.Your healing is connected to collective healing. The Aquarius eclipse asks: what happens when we stop performing "fine" and bring our grief into community?Words carry more weight today. Speak your person's name, say the unsayable, let the imperfect words come.Transformation happens inside containment. If you're in early grief and the "Fire Horse energy" feels like too much, remember the butterfly emerging from the chrysalis. The quiet, hidden work is still transformation.Fire destroys and illuminates. Grief burns away what no longer serves while lighting the path forward.Who This Episode Is ForAnyone navigating the early, raw stages of griefGrievers who feel stuck or frozen in their processPeople looking for ways to mark significant dates or thresholds in their grief journeyThose seeking community around lossAnyone who has felt like grief is a wild, uncontrollable forceThose looking for grief support resources to shareSources:Today.com - "What the Solar Eclipse in Aquarius on February 17 Means for Your Sign"Khanji School - "Year of the Fire Horse 2026: meaning and Chinese culture"Elle Australia - "What Lunar New Year's 'Year Of The Fire Horse' Means For 2026"Moon Omens - "MercuSend us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

What does grief teach us about how to live, lead, and love? What happens when the work we do in the world meets what we’re carrying inside?In this episode, host Nina Rodriguez sits down with development practitioner, global thought leader, and poet Carl Manlan, author of i can breathe, for a moving conversation on grief, legacy, resilience, and meaning.Carl reflects on how loss reshaped his understanding of resilience, leadership, and what it means to honor those who came before us, and the grief that arises from life changes, transitions, and the unexpected losses that quietly reshape our lives. His poetry became a necessary language for grief, a way to express what policy, strategy, and everyday conversation often cannot.Nina and Carl explore grief as an experience rooted in love, memory, and connection. They discuss how creativity and poetry can support healing, how personal loss deepens our capacity for service and leadership, and how parental and intergenerational influence continues to shape the way we show up for ourselves and our children.This episode is a gentle reminder that grief is not just sorrow. It's also about legacy, memory, and the courage to keep breathing. Carl’s poems chart the path between losing and learning to live with loss, offering honesty, tenderness, and the wisdom of someone who has walked this path.This conversation explores:Why “you only grieve what you love”Poetry and creativity as vessels for griefThe connection between loss and leadershipHow upbringing and parental influence shape resilience and serviceFinding joy, gratitude, and meaning alongside griefParenting and legacy: what we pass on to our children emotionallyCreativity as a survival toolThe symbolism behind Carl’s poetry and imageryCreating space for future generations to express emotionKey Takeaways:Grief is the echo of love; we grieve because we have loved deeplyGrief is sensory and embodied, living in memory, feeling, and the bodyPoetry and creative expression can hold what logic and language cannotLoss can clarify purpose and inspire deeper serviceHonoring loved ones keeps their presence alive; legacy is lived, not just rememberedChildren learn how to carry grief by observing how we do itBeauty and sorrow can coexistGrief deepens our appreciation for life and what truly mattersConnect with guest, Carl Manlan:Send us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

In this solo episode of Grief and Light, Nina Rodriguez reflects on the ambient grief many of us are carrying in response to global, political, and collective uncertainty.After taking a pause to tend to her own nervous system and grief, Nina shares a reflection rooted in presence rather than answers, exploring what it means to keep creating, caring, and staying human when the world feels overwhelming and dissonant.Drawing on grief literacy, nervous system awareness, and the story behind Claude Monet’s Water Lilies, this episode gently reframes hope not as a feeling, but as an action, something we practice in small, everyday ways, even when clarity feels out of reach.This is an episode for anyone feeling frozen, disconnected, or unsure how to move forward without turning away from reality.Referenced in This Episode:Essay: The Grief of Uncertainty in Unprecedented TimesPodcast EpisodeThis Episode ExploresAmbient and collective grief in times of global and political disruptionNervous system overwhelm, freeze responses, and grief fatigueThe dissonance of daily life continuing during crisisHope as a verb rather than something we wait forArt, creation, and meaning-making during times of war and uncertaintyClaude Monet’s Water Lilies as a historical response to personal and collective traumaStaying engaged without becoming consumedChoosing presence, care, and humanity in small, ordinary waysThis Episode Is ForThose feeling overwhelmed by world events and political realitiesGrievers navigating uncertainty without clear answersCreators questioning the role of art, work, or expression during crisisAnyone feeling disconnected, frozen, or unsure how to “show up” right nowListeners seeking grief-literate reflection rather than solutionsGrieving hearts seeking messages of hopeConnect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackSend us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

How do we decide what to keep after a loved one dies? In this insightful episode, Nina Rodriguez is joined by grief coach, curator of The Grief Gallery™, and author, Charlene Lam, for a deeply human conversation about curating grief: the tender, often overwhelming process of choosing what to keep after loss.***Video version available here.***After the sudden death of her mother in 2013, Charlene found herself alone with the responsibility of sorting through her mom’s belongings. That experience became the foundation for her work, including the 10 Object Method, a reflective practice that invites grievers to select a small number of meaningful items as a way of honoring relationships, reclaiming narrative, and maintaining continuing bonds.Together, Nina and Charlene explore the emotional weight of everyday objects, the cultural and personal lenses that shape grief, and the evolving nature of our connection to those who have died. This conversation reminds us that grief is not something to complete or solve, it is something we live with, curate, and carry forward in ways that are deeply personal and uniquely our own.Whether you’re facing a house full of belongings, grieving a loss beyond death, or simply wondering how memory and meaning intertwine, this episode offers language, permission, and companionship.Key TakeawaysCurating grief is about choosing what holds meaning, not following rules.The 10 Object Method offers a gentle framework for honoring relationships after loss.Belongings can feel emotionally overwhelming, especially when time and resources are limited.Objects often serve as anchors for memory, identity, and continuing bonds.Grief is not static; our relationship with those we’ve lost evolves over time.Everyday items can carry deep symbolic and emotional weight.Grief extends beyond death and includes many forms of loss.Curating memories helps us reclaim our personal narratives.Cultural perspectives shape how grief is experienced and expressed.Sharing stories keeps connection alive and helps reduce isolation.Guest: Charlene LamAuthor, Speaker, Grief Coach & Curator@curating_griefcuratinggrief.com[BOOK] Curating Grief: A Creative Guide to ChoosinSend us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

Episode 100 of Grief and Light marks a meaningful milestone shaped not only by consistency and care, but by the relationships formed along the way. Nina Rodriguez chose to honor this moment with a feed swap: a deeply personal episode originally recorded for The Life Shift Podcast, hosted by fellow podcaster and friend Matt Gilhooly.***Read: Grief and Light Podcast: Exploring Grief & Lighting the Way to Hope by Frank Racioppi, EAR WORTHY***This episode reflects one of the most unexpected and beautiful ripple effects of saying yes to grief work: the genuine connections that emerge when we choose to stay in honest conversation over time. In this role-reversed dialogue, Matt interviews Nina about the sudden loss of her brother and the life-altering moment that reshaped everything that followed.Nina reflects on the spontaneous decision to visit her brother on his birthday, followed by the shock, surrealism, and disorientation of receiving the news of his unexpected death. She speaks openly about his long-term sobriety, the hope and plans they held for his future, and the complexity of grieving someone whose life carried both struggle and profound love.Nina and Matt explore the unpredictable nature of life, the emotional disconnection that often accompanies sudden loss, and the quiet ways grief changes how we move through the world. What emerges is a story of learning how to live with grief.Nina shares how creating Grief and Light became a way to stay in relationship with her grief, transforming pain into presence, isolation into connection, and making meaning.This episode is a meditation on human connection, the power of curiosity in times of loss, and the possibility of honoring grief without needing to resolve it.Key Takeaways:One of the beautiful ripple effects of this journey is the meaningful connections it has forged.About 5% of podcasts make it past the 100th episode.You don’t need answers or clarity to be present with grief.Meaning-making after loss is not linear or prescriptive; it unfolds in its own time.Grief can change how we relate to ourselves, our relationships, and our sense of the future.Curiosity can be a gentler companion than certainty when navigating loss.Honoring someone’s full story (including struggle, hope, and love) matters in grief.Human connection is one of the most sustaining forces during times of lossSend us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

An honest exploration of grief, creativity, and community with the visionary behind Women Who Podcast magazine—covering storytelling, anticipatory grief, and the movement to amplify women’s voices in podcasting.In this conversation, Nina Rodriguez sits down with Kathy Barron, founder and Editor-in-Chief of Women Who Podcast Magazine, to explore the power of women’s voices, the complexity of grief, and the courage it takes to tell honest stories.***Video available here***Kathy shares the origin story behind the magazine: a space born from her desire to see women not just represented in podcasting, but truly celebrated. As the conversation unfolds, Kathy opens up about her own relationship to loss, including the quiet, complicated ache of anticipatory grief as she navigates her mother’s aging, as well as moments of soul-level connection she feels with farming communities and Mexican culture.Nina and Kathy explore how grief shapes identity, creativity, and the way we move through the world. They talk about the tension between what we hold privately and what we offer publicly, the healing potential of artistic expression, and the moments of clarity that come from living inside “the dash”—the space between birth and death.Kathy also reflects on the evolving landscape of podcasting, from the pressures of imposter syndrome to the new possibilities—and challenges—posed by AI. She offers grounded, generous advice for aspiring women podcasters seeking connection, mentorship, and confidence in a space that hasn’t always made room for them.This episode is a reminder that storytelling is community-building, grief is deeply personal but never solitary, and women’s voices deserve to take up space—loudly, boldly, and without apology.Key TakeawaysWomen Who Podcast magazine amplifies and uplifts women’s voices across the industry.Community is essential for creative collaboration, support, and sustainability.Grief manifests differently for everyone, shaped by personal and generational experiences.Artistic expression—writing, podcasting, humor—can deepen connection and understanding.Anticipatory grief involves mourning who someone once was while caring for who they are now.Hard conversations about mortality, aging, and loss are uncomfortable—but necessary.Sarcasm can be a tool for truth-telling and authenticity in storytelling.Aspiring podSend us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

Sometimes, healing begins in motion. In this episode, Nina Rodriguez sits down with Bianca Alba, founder of This Latina Travels, to explore how grief, identity, and travel intertwine. What starts as a conversation about exploring the world becomes a deeper story about returning to yourself.***Video available here***Her story begins in a single-parent household where vacations felt like something other people did, faraway dreams that didn’t belong to families like hers. Today, Bianca has traveled to six continents and uses her platform to show women of color what’s possible when you give yourself permission to go. Her work reminds us that representation isn’t just inspiring, it’s necessary.Nina and Bianca also reflect on the power of community, having recently shared virtual space as speakers at the Latinas in Podcasting Summit 2025. The conversation moves through grief, identity, purpose, and the courage it takes to keep expanding your life after loss.Bianca opens up about the Lola Challenge, a three-day running event in Puerto Rico that connects her to her body, her resilience, and the island she now calls home. She recounts a deeply emotional moment on a beach in the Virgin Islands that reminded her how grief meets us wherever we are.They also explore the complexities of traveling during political and social turbulence, including recent US disruptions affecting travelers. Bianca speaks honestly about the privilege and guilt of being a travel content creator during difficult times, and how she balances joy with responsibility, visibility, and awareness.Her love for Puerto Rico weaves through the conversation—its beauty, its challenges, and the hope she carries for change. Bianca shares her vision for future retreats on the island: spaces rooted in culture, learning, healing, and community. Places where women can breathe, honor their grief, and rediscover parts of themselves that got lost along the way.This episode is an invitation to rethink how movement, land, and connection can hold us through grief. A reminder that healing isn’t linear; it’s lived, mile by mile, moment by moment.Key Takeaways:Travel can be a companion to grief, offering new ways to process loss.Representation matters—It can be life-changing for women of color to see themselves in spaces historically closed to them.Grief and joy often coexist, and choosing adventure after loss isn’t forgetting—it's honoring the fullness of being alive.CommunSend us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

What happens when you gather a circle of grievers, creators, and grief-literacy leaders around one table and ask them to tell the truth about how loss has reshaped their families, and their lives?In this special Grief Week episode of Grief and Light, we find out.*** Watch the video here. ***This episode is an offering for anyone navigating family changes after loss, for anyone bracing for the holidays, and for anyone who needs to hear that their grief makes sense, that their story matters, and that connection is still possible even in the midst of heartbreak.Each year, the first week of December marks Grief Week—a global invitation to slow down, raise awareness, open conversations, and build a more grief-informed world. In honor of this mission, Nina Rodriguez brings together members of the Get Griefy Small Business Collective for a roundtable conversation that feels equal parts honest, tender, and unexpectedly uplifting.From the moment the mic turns on, the episode unfolds like a shared living room, where stories overlap, tears sit beside laughter, and the complexity of grief is met with curiosity instead of fear. Together, Nina and her guests explore how loss ripples through families: the shifting dynamics, the roles we grow into (or out of), the unspoken tensions, and the surprising places where connection begins to mend what grief has fractured.What emerges is not just a conversation, but a reminder:Grief may isolate, but community brings us home to ourselves.Through creativity, storytelling, mutual witnessing, and the simple act of speaking honestly, this group shows what’s possible when we don’t grieve alone.Connect with our guests & their offerings:AMANDA MCKOY FLANAGAN: amandamckoyflanagan.comANGIE HANSON: butterfliesandhalos.comCHARLENE LAM: curatinggrief.comKERA SANCHEZ: getgriefymagazine.comLIZ QUINN: @lizquinnhealsHosted by: Nina RodriguezCreator of Grief andSend us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

What happens when three grief podcasters sit down to talk about the happiest–saddest time of the year?In this special Grief Awareness Week episode, three grief storytellers and space-holders — Nina Rodriguez (Grief and Light), Liz Quinn (Healing Hearts Podcast), and Tara Accardo (Life with Grief podcast) — come together for a conversation that’s equal parts honest, tender, and deeply human.***The video version is available here.***What unfolds is a spacious, story-rich dialogue about the many faces of grief: the way it evolves over time, the way it reshapes who we are, and the way the holidays often magnify both the ache and the sweetness. Together, the three share how their losses — Nina’s 32-year-old brother, Liz’s newborn daughter and both parents, and Tara’s parents and beloved 19-year-old dog — continue to ripple through their lives in ways that are both painful and illuminating.They explore the early fog of grief, the physicality of sorrow, the rituals and traditions that tether us to our people, and the power of setting boundaries when the world expects more than we can give. They reflect on identity, envy, unexpected joy, and the healing that happens when we speak our stories out loud and are met with understanding instead of silence.This episode feels like sitting with friends who get it. Three women navigating grief personally and professionally, carving out space for truth, connection, and the radical permission to feel it all.It will air on all three podcasts.Key TakeawaysGrief evolves constantly, shifting shape over time but never disappearing.Storytelling creates connection, offering validation, healing, and community.The first year of loss is disorienting, full of numbness and overwhelm.Rituals and traditions can honor loved ones, especially during the holidays.Clear boundaries are essential — it’s okay to opt out, slow down, or protect your energy.Grief impacts the body, not just the heart and mind.Community support softens the edges, reminding us we’re not alone.Every grief journey is unique, and there’s no one “right” way to move through it.Joy can coexist wSend us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

Some stories are written in ink. Others are written in loss, love, and everything that comes after. Today’s guest is Tiriq Rashad, spoken word artist, whose life has been shaped by the grief of losing his daughter, brother, and mother, and by the courage to transform that pain into poetry, music, and meaning. Through his books Shine Through Our Shade and A Diamond in God’s Dirt, and now his new album Kiss My Art, Tiriq invites us into the alchemy of survival where art becomes a way home to ourselves.***Watch video version here***Together, Nina and Tiriq explore the unpolished, raw realities of grieving: the trauma that lingers, the relief of finally speaking your truth, the grounding power of therapy, and the courage it takes to show up vulnerable. Tiriq shares how grief propelled him toward expression, how strength can emerge through vulnerability, and how poetry, music, and storytelling became a space where love and pain coexist.This conversation reminds us that grief doesn’t need to be fixed, it needs to be witnessed. Through Tiriq’s story, we’re invited to lean into connection, share what hurts, and trust that creative expression can guide us back to ourselves, one honest moment at a time.Key TakeawaysArt becomes a way to return to ourselves and rediscover meaning after loss.Vulnerability is essential in expressing and navigating grief.Every loss carries a distinct trauma and teaches us something different.Honoring loved ones through creativity can be deeply healing.Therapy provides tools, grounding, and perspective during the grieving process.Acceptance isn’t passive. It’s an active part of moving forward with grief.People “wear” grief differently; there is no right way to grieve.Connection and community are crucial in the healing journey.Sharing our stories can inspire courage and connection in others.Self-tending is necessary to sustain ourselves through grief.Guest: Tiriq RashadGramy Considered Spoken Word Artisttiriqrashad.comWatch Tiriq's TEDx Talk@tiriq_rashadHosted by: Nina RodriguezCreator of Grief and Light, Grief GuidegrieSend us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

Grief doesn’t just reshape us, it can redirect the entire course of our lives in ways we never saw coming. ***Video available here***For Kim Burditt Barlett, that redirection began the day her brother Jon, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, died by suicide in 2010. What followed was a profound transformation that eventually led her into suicide prevention work and, ultimately, to her role at Stop Soldier Suicide.In this episode, Kim sits down with Nina to explore the layered reality of suicide loss—the silence, the stigma, the unanswered questions, and the way it can feel both isolating and overwhelming, even in a room full of support. Kim speaks to the particular complexities faced by military families, where grief is often compounded by systemic gaps, cultural expectations, and a lack of adequate support.They also dive into the Black Box Project, a groundbreaking effort at Stop Soldier Suicide that analyzes digital behavior from voluntarily donated devices to better understand risk and, hopefully, save lives. Kim discusses the powerful act of families choosing to share their loved one's digital footprint, transforming loss into a legacy of prevention and protection for others.Kim also introduces Sibling Strong Retreats, the adventure-based healing community she co-founded for sibling loss survivors.Throughout the conversation, Kim reminds us that grief may break us open, but what grows from that fracture can be meaningful, connective, and deeply human. And with compassion, courage, and a willingness to stay present to our pain, post-traumatic growth is possible.Key TakeawaysMeaning-making is a natural and powerful response to grief.Life can redirect entirely after a significant loss, sometimes toward unexpected purpose.Peer support is crucial, especially for suicide loss survivors.Post-traumatic growth can coexist with grief.Being honest with children about loss builds trust and emotional resilience.Sibling loss carries unique secondary losses and identity shifts.Many mental health professionals lack adequate suicide prevention training.Military families often face systemic gaps in grief and mental health support.Sharing details of a loss is a personal choice; no one owes their story.Community-driven approaches are essential in addressing the suicide crisis.Choosing how to respond to grief can be empowering and transformative.Guest: Kim Burditt-Barlett, MSWSend us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

How does life shift when you lose the only person who shared your beginnings — your earliest memories, your inside jokes, your sense of home?In this tender and illuminating conversation, host Nina Rodriguez sits down with Dr. Angela Dean, a licensed psychologist, thanatologist, and founder of The Broken Pack™—an organization and podcast created to validate and support adults grieving the loss of a sibling.***Video is available here.***After the unexpected death of her brother, Tony, Dr. Dean channeled her grief into advocacy, research, and community-building for those whose pain is often unseen. Together, Nina and Angela explore the unique nature of sibling loss, including how it impacts family dynamics, identity, and belonging, and why it remains one of the most overlooked forms of grief.Angela shares the story behind The Broken Pack™, drawing parallels between the way wolves mourn a lost member and how humans experience the reorganization of their “pack” after a sibling’s death. The conversation moves through topics like grief expression, communication styles within families, the evolution of grief theory, and the power of enfranchising what has long been disenfranchised.This episode invites listeners to reflect on the bonds that continue after loss, the healing potential of language and connection, and the importance of community in tending to sibling grief.Key TakeawaysSibling loss is one of the most underrecognized yet identity-shaping forms of grief.After a sibling dies, family systems shift; roles, dynamics, and unspoken bonds all reorganize.Grieving styles differ, even within the same family; compassion and communication can help bridge those differences.The metaphor of The Broken Pack™ reminds us that when one member of the “pack” dies, the structure changes forever, but connection endures.Disenfranchised grief (grief that society doesn’t fully acknowledge) can deepen isolation; naming it helps restore dignity and belonging.Theories of grief are evolving, from linear “stages” to models that honor ongoing bonds, meaning-making, and the coexistence of love and loss.Community and conversation are vital to healing; grief needs witnesses, not fixes.The conversation closes with a reminder that even when our “pack” is broken, love continues to ripple outward through story, memory, and connection.Guest: Angela Dean, PsyD, FTSend us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

When Ben Forman lost his brother Sam, his world shifted overnight, leaving him with survivor’s guilt, grief for what could have been, and a search for meaning. In this episode of Grief and Light, Ben shares how a 10-day motorcycle therapy trip through the Himalayas became a transformative journey of healing, reflection, and connection. Along the way, he immersed himself in nature, friendship, and mindful practices, and drew on conversations with monks and his heritage to navigate loss.***This episode is also available in video here.***Ben also discusses his deeply personal film, Higher Calling, which captures this journey and explores themes of adventure-based therapy, brotherhood, grief, and the power of storytelling to channel pain into meaning. Together, we explore how grief can reshape identity, open new paths for growth, and leave a lasting imprint of love.Key TakeawaysGrief can redefine identity and purpose. It reshapes who we are and invites us to find meaning in a changed world.Survivor’s guilt happens. Acknowledging it helps us honor both our life and the one we lost.Adventure therapy can help us move through grief. Physical journeys, like Ben’s 10-day ride through the Himalayas, can mirror emotional healing.Nature grounds and reflects us. In its stillness and vastness, we can find space to breathe and begin again.Pain reflects love’s depth. The intensity of grief feels like a measure of how deeply we’ve loved.Healing requires patience and self-compassion. Grief has no set timeline. Only gentle permission to mend at your own rhythm.Every grief journey is personal. Healing looks different for everyone; there’s no single path.Suffering can lead to growth. Turning toward pain opens the door to transformation and resilience.Art and storytelling heal. Creative expression helps us make meaning and carry love forward.Sibling bonds endure beyond death. The connection we share with those we’ve lost continues to shape, guide, and illuminate our lives.Guest: Ben FormanFilmmaker, ProducerWatch the Trailerhighercallingmovie.comSend us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

No man should have to carry it alone.Many men are hurting in silence, and Robb Pollard knows that silence well.In this deeply human conversation, Nina Rodriguez sits down with Robb Pollard, founder of Walk With Me Brother, a nonprofit devoted to men’s mental health and connection.***VIDEO AVAILABLE HERE***Robb shares his journey of living with bipolar disorder, navigating bullying and alcohol, and learning to face the parts of himself he once tried to outrun. What emerges is a story not just of survival, but of purpose. One of transforming pain into a path that invites others to walk beside him.In April 2026, Robb will begin a 3,600-mile walk across America, carrying with him one message: no man should have to walk alone. Through his openness, Robb reminds us that vulnerability isn’t the opposite of strength. It’s the foundation of it.Together, Nina and Robb explore what happens when men begin to talk, listen, and support one another, and how breaking the silence can change not only individual lives, but entire communities.This episode is an invitation: to listen differently, to show up for the men in our lives, and to remember that healing starts with a single honest step forward.Key Takeaways:Many men are hurting in silence and need safe spaces to talk about it.Asking for help can save your life.Vulnerability is a form of strength, not weakness.Bullying and shame can leave lasting marks on mental health.Community and connection are vital for healing.Therapy, medication, and alternative approaches can be life-changing.Listening is an act of love, and often more powerful than advice.Robb’s Walk With Me Brother movement is a call for awareness, compassion, and shared humanity.Guest: Robb PollardFounder of Walk With Me, BrotherIG: @itsrobbp and @walkwithmebrotherConnect with Robb: linktr.ee/walkSend us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

When Sara Rian’s mother unexpectedly died in 2018, her world, and her words,  changed forever. ***This episode is available in video here.***What began as a private act of survival through poetry slowly became a bridge to others who were grieving too. Her poems, often found reaching grieving hearts through social media feeds, give voice to what so many can’t yet name: the ache, the confusion, the beauty, and the brutal honesty of grief.In this conversation, Nina and Sara trace the ways grief reshapes not only the heart but also the body, relationships, and creative expression. Sara shares how poetry became both her mirror and her medicine, helping her navigate the duality of love and pain, the tension between vulnerability and protection, and the ongoing work of tending to loss as both a therapist and a human being who lost her mother to suicide.Together, they explore what it means to live inside the messiness of grief — where healing isn’t about tidying the pain but learning to move with it. The episode both opens and closes with two of Sara’s poems, a quiet reminder that love doesn’t end where life does.Key TakeawaysGrief reshapes how we inhabit our bodies, our creativity, and our relationships.Writing can become a form of survival; a place to meet emotions without needing to fix them.The mother–child bond leaves an indelible mark on how we grieve and love.Grief isn’t only love, it’s also raw, contradictory, and profoundly human.Healing asks for tenderness toward the body as much as the heart.Artistic expression can transform isolation into shared understanding.Follow Grief and Light wherever you tune in, and join us as we keep exploring the many ways love and loss coexist.Guest: Sara RianGrief Writer • Author • Therapistsararianbooks.comGet the Books@sara_rian_booksHosted by: Nina RodriguezCreator of Grief and Light, Grief Guidegriefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackGrief Support Resources for the Road:Send us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

A mother’s story of love, advocacy, and finding joy while parenting a child in hospice.What happens when the life you imagined for your child suddenly changes forever?For Dr. Tasha Faruqui, that question became her reality when her daughter, Soraya, was born with a rare and little-known genetic condition.A doctor herself, Tasha thought she knew how to navigate the medical world. But nothing prepared her for the mix of love, fear, and relentless uncertainty that came with parenting a child whose life would look very different from what she’d dreamed.In this week’s episode, Tasha — physician, advocate, and author of her debut book Keep Your Head Up: A Mother’s Story of Chasing Joy in the Face of Grief — opens up about what it means to grieve the child you imagined while fiercely loving the one in front of you.We talk about how she’s learned to balance hope and surrender, the ways her other children have shaped her understanding of anticipatory grief, and how joy has become an act of resistance against the unfairness of it all.Nina and Tasha explore:What it means to grieve the ideal while embracing what isHow advocacy and agency intertwine in a child’s careThe quiet grief of siblings walking their own path beside medical complexityWhy hope and heartbreak can live side by sideHow spirituality and creativity help her family keep goingWhy joy isn’t found, it’s chosen, over and over againIf you’ve ever lived between grief and gratitude, this conversation will remind you you can hold both.Guest: Tasha Faruqui, DOPhysician • Author • Speaker • AdvocateRead: KEEP YOUR HEAD UPtashafaruqui.comFundraising & Merch@thefaruqui5Hosted by: Nina RodriguezCreator of Grief and Light, Grief Guidegriefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackGrief SupportSend us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

How do you grieve while parenting? How do you tend to your own heartbreak and hold space for your children’s?In this heartfelt conversation with Reshma Kearney, a Trauma-Informed Mindfulness and Healing Guide, shares her journey after losing her husband, Sean, to suicide. She opens up about navigating grief as a solo parent, communicating loss with honesty, and finding moments of presence through mindfulness in the first three years of grief.***This episode is also available in video here.***Reshma’s story touches on the complexities of mental health, cultural perspectives on grief, and the delicate balance of creating new traditions while honoring those we’ve lost. Through her experience, she reminds us that grief is not something to fix, but something to tend to, with gentleness, awareness, and grace.Whether you’re parenting through loss, supporting someone who is, or learning to meet your own pain with compassion, this episode offers warmth, wisdom, and ways forward.Key Takeaways:Grief is non-linear, and there’s no “right way” to heal.Mindfulness helps bring steadiness and presence to painful moments.Children grieve differently; their process deserves honesty and patience.Truthful communication about death fosters safety and healing.Cultural background shapes how grief is expressed and supported.Emotions like anger, guilt, or relief are natural parts of grief.Creating new traditions can help families honor loved ones meaningfully.Small moments of joy can coexist with deep sorrow.Open conversations about mental health can save lives.Parenting through grief calls for grace, flexibility, and self-compassion.Guest: Reshma KearneyTrauma-Informed Mindfulness and Healing [email protected] by: Nina RodriguezCreator of Grief and Light, Grief Guidegriefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackGrief Support Resources for the Road:Grief Tending ToolkitSend us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

This week, I’m honored to share something special with you—a guided meditation created exclusively for Grief and Light listeners by Hannah Castillo, host of the Love Your Calm podcast.Hannah has been a Mental Health Counselor for over 20 years and is passionate about making meditation approachable and supportive, especially in tender seasons of life. After her own health challenges led her to discover the power of daily meditation, she began sharing these practices with her clients, helping them find balance and calm. Her meditations are short, beginner-friendly, and designed to make the practice feel less intimidating.When I invited Hannah to create a meditation specifically for grievers, she graciously said yes. Together, we decided to release it on both of our podcasts as a way of widening the circle of care.Grief is a universal part of our human condition, and though your experience is uniquely yours, you don’t have to walk through it alone. Our hope is that this meditation offers you a moment of pause, comfort, and connection as you navigate your own path.A gentle note: This practice is best listened to when you have a few uninterrupted minutes and can settle into a quiet, comfortable space. Take what feels supportive, leave what doesn’t, and return to this meditation whenever you need it.To hear more of Hannah’s work, check out her Love Your Calm podcast below. And if this is your first time here, I invite you to explore past episodes of Grief and Light for more reflections and conversations about living with loss.Guest: Hannah CastilloCreator & Host, Love Your Calm PodcastLove Your Calm: mini meditations podcastLove Your Calm website@love_your_calmHosted by: Nina RodriguezCreator of Grief and Light, Grief Guidegriefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackGrief Support Resources for the Road:Grief Tending ToolkitAccess our online comSend us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

What if you gave yourself permission to pause? This episode explores why rest is essential, not optional, covering the seven types of rest, the cost of burnout, and practical ways to create your own “pause week.” Consider this your reminder that what doesn’t bend, breaks; and that even small pauses can refill your cup.Rather than a luxury, rest is a necessity for our mental, emotional, and physical well-beingKey Takeaways:Pause is rest, and rest is essential for survival and life.There are seven distinct types of rest as identified by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith—physical, mental, emotional, social, sensory, creative, and spiritual—and each plays a role in our well-being.Burnout isn’t just exhaustion; it’s a warning sign that something has to change.Burnout is not sustainable; intentional rest prevents breakdown.Long-form content and slower rhythms can reawaken our capacity for focus and depth.You don’t have to pause from everything; you can choose one area to pull back from in order to nourish another.Rest strengthens resilience, helping us bend instead of break.Scheduling rest in your calendar is an act of self-commitment, just as important as any external obligation.A pause can look different for everyone: travel, nature, time with loved ones, or simply creating quiet space at home.This solo episode with Nina Rodriguez is also your invitation to look at your own calendar and schedule in a "pause week", whatever that looks like for you.Resources mentioned in this episode:"You Deserve Rest" social media postResting Grief Face on SubstackGrief Support Resources for the Road:Grief Tending ToolkitAccess our online communityAbout the Host:Nina Rodriguez is a podcaster, grief-informed coach, speaker, writer, and the creator of GRIEF AND LIGHT, a podcast and support platform born from the sudden loss of her only sibling. She helps grievers navigate life after loss with curiosity, compassion, and agency, on and off the mic. Through her work, Nina invites others to honor the full spectrum of being human and buiSend us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

You just lost your loved one. Now what?Welcome to Grief and Light, a podcast about the honest truth of life after loss. Hosted by Nina Rodriguez, whose world was forever changed after the sudden death of her only sibling, this show explores the reality of grief, not as something to fix, but as a lifelong companion we learn to live with.On Grief and Light, you’ll hear:Honest reflections on the complexity of griefConversations about post-traumatic growth without bypassing painStories that remind us grief and joy can coexistHere, we live in the "and", where sorrow and joy, darkness and light, loss and love all belong. Nina calls this felicitreza: life through grief-colored lenses, where our stories become lighthouses for one another, steady glows in the dark that say, you are not alone, and we are in this together.This is a place where your grief is seen, your story belongs, and light still breaks through.About Nina:Nina Rodriguez is a podcaster, grief-informed coach, speaker, writer, and the creator of GRIEF AND LIGHT, a podcast and support platform born from the sudden loss of her only sibling. She helps grievers navigate life after loss with curiosity, compassion, and agency, on and off the mic. Through her work, Nina invites others to honor the full spectrum of being human and build sustainable practices that embrace the both/and of life.Visit: griefandlight.comConnect: @griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackGrief Support Resources for the Road:Grief Tending ToolkitAccess our online communitySubscribe to Grief and Light wherever you watch or listen to podcasts, and join us in creating a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one story and one conversation at a time.Send us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

What if death wasn’t the end of the conversation?In this episode of Grief and Light, Nina Rodriguez sits down with psychic medium and mentor Karen Docherty to explore how mediumship can become a powerful source of comfort, connection, and healing after loss. With warmth and clarity, Karen shares her own journey of discovering and embracing her calling, and how she now supports both the grieving and the departed through spirit communication.Together, they unpack what mediumship really is (and isn’t), why discernment matters when seeking a practitioner, and how the messages that come through can transform grief into moments of peace, reassurance, and even joy. Karen also opens the door to the idea that intuitive and spiritual connection isn’t just for a select few — but something we all have the capacity to cultivate.This heartfelt conversation invites you to look at grief, love, and connection in a new light — one where bonds endure, guidance continues, and healing stretches beyond the veil.3 Things You’ll Learn in This EpisodeHow mediumship brings healing — and why it can ease the ache of grief by affirming our continued bonds with loved ones.What to know before seeking a medium — including how to spot integrity and avoid common misconceptions.Why intuition belongs to all of us — and simple ways to begin trusting your own inner connection.Key Takeaways:Mediumship as a bridge – How mediumship connects the living and the spirit world, offering not only evidence of an afterlife but also profound comfort for the grieving.Karen’s path to her calling – From her earliest experiences with Spirit to becoming a trusted mentor, Karen shares how she came to embrace her gifts and the responsibility that comes with them.The importance of discernment – Karen emphasizes the value of seeking out practitioners who lead with integrity, compassion, and clarity.Healing through continued connection – Messages from loved ones can affirm that our bonds don’t end with death, helping us find peace, reassurance, and even moments of joy.The role of spirit guides – Karen offers insight into how guides support us, reminding us that while they walk alongside us, we still hold the power of free will.Clearing up misconceptions – Together, we explore common myths about mediumship and what genuine spirit communication really looks like.Awakening our own intuition – Karen encourages listeners to explore their own connection to Spirit, showing how tuning in can Send us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

And just like that, we're an award-winning podcast!In this special episode, I’m sharing a replay of my conversation with Kathy Barron, founder and editor-in-chief of Women Who Podcast Magazine. We talk about the journey behind Grief and Light, the power of being recognized as an award-winning podcast, and why grief isn’t a linear process—it’s deeply personal, unpredictable, and life-changing.We dive into stories of life after loss, the sneaky ways grief shows up in everyday life, and how giving yourself permission to feel can actually deepen your connection to life and others. Whether you’re a griever, a podcaster, or simply curious about the human experience, this conversation offers insights, validation, and hope.Key Takeaways:There are no “steps” in grief—everyone experiences it differently.Grief shows up unexpectedly, even in ordinary places like grocery stores.Giving yourself permission to grieve is essential for healing and integration.Recognition and community make a difference—even in the often-lonely world of podcasting.Facing grief can deepen connection, empathy, and the richness of life itself.If you’ve ever experienced loss, or want to understand grief more deeply, tune in, follow and subscribe to Grief and Light wherever you listen to podcasts, and connect with me on social media for more conversations, resources, and support.Related Links:Award-Winning Podcast Announcement on IGLive Conversation replay on IGGrief Support Resources for the Road:Grief Tending ToolkitAccess our online communityHosted by: Nina RodriguezCreator of Grief and Light, Grief Guidegriefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackSubscribe for more conversations that explore grief, healing, and what it means to be human.Send us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

If you’ve ever wondered how to keep living, and even loving, after losing someone you can’t imagine life without, this episode is for you. I sit down with Shawn Dinneen, creator of HeartStrings Journals, to hear her deeply personal story of grief, resilience, and rediscovering life and new love after the devastating loss of her fiancé to an overdose in 2022.***Video version available here***Shawn shares how journaling became a lifeline during her healing journey, inspiring her business and mission to support others navigating loss. We explore the messy middle of grief, how community, self-reflection, and courage help us carry sorrow while making room for hope and love again. This is an honest, tender conversation about loss, resilience, and the ways grief and joy can coexist.Key Takeaways:Healing after loss is personal, nonlinear, and requires compassion toward yourself.Journaling and reflection can provide a powerful outlet for processing grief.Stigma around addiction obscures the humanity of those affected.Systemic barriers make seeking help for addiction challenging.Unresolved pain and trauma frequently underlie addiction.Community and shared experiences help break the isolation of loss.Opening your heart to love again is possible, even after profound heartbreak.Grief and joy can coexist, and healing doesn’t mean forgetting.Guest: Shawn Dinneenheartstringsjournals.comSubmit your story to Paths of PurposeShop HeartStrings Journals@heart_stringsjournalsHosted by: Nina RodriguezCreator of Grief and Light, Grief Guidegriefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackSubscribe for more conversations that explore grief, healing, and what it means to be human.Send us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

How can we better support grieving kids and teens? In this episode of the Grief and Light podcast, Nina Rodriguez sits down with Michelle Cove, award-winning media maker, communications manager of Experience Camps and Grief Sucks,  in charge of making content across multiple platforms to build a more grief-smart culture. Together, they explore how teens navigate loss, the misconceptions surrounding teen grief, and the importance of creating safe spaces where young people can both process pain and simply be kids.***Click here to watch on YouTube***Michelle shares powerful insights from her work at Experience Camps, where children connect, play, and heal, emphasizing that grieving teens often seek companionship over solitude. They also discuss the dual process model of grief, the role of intuition in both grief and life decisions, and how storytelling through digital platforms, pop culture, and personal experience can foster understanding and community. This episode is a reminder that grief doesn’t have to be faced alone and that creating space for honest conversation is one of the most healing acts we can offer.Key Takeaways:Grief is universal, yet we often struggle to talk about it openly.Experience Camps provide a safe, supportive space for grieving children to connect and heal.Building a grief-smart culture involves learning how to communicate about loss effectively.The dual model of grief allows fluid movement between processing intense emotions and returning to daily life.Pop culture can be a powerful tool for starting conversations about grief with teens.Teens often seek companionship over solitude when navigating loss.Validating a grieving person’s feelings without trying to "fix" them is essential.Grief can manifest differently across various life milestones.Intuition plays a crucial role in guiding grief and life decisions.Sharing stories of grief fosters connection, understanding, and community.Guest: Michelle CoveGrief Sucks!Experience CampsFreeway Ridemichellecove.comHosted by: Nina RodriguezCreator of Grief and Light, Grief GuideSend us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

Whether you’re a griever, creative, or lover of independent film (and puppies!), this conversation is a moving exploration of how film can help us navigate trauma, honor legacy, and find our way back to light.In this powerful episode of the Grief and Light podcast, acclaimed filmmaker and educator Michael Flores shares the deeply personal journey behind his award-winning feature film, Dogs on the Sendero. The film follows Sol, a grieving teacher who embarks on a transformative road trip with his dog, Rosie, after the devastating loss of his wife. Through their journey, the story explores grief, cultural identity, healing, and the quiet power of companionship.***Click here to watch on YouTube***Michael opens up about the emotional and creative process of making a film inspired by real-life experiences with gun violence in schools, the delicate balance of weaving humor and hope into stories of loss, and the role that pets, art, and cultural roots play in the healing process. He also discusses the challenges and serendipity of independent filmmaking during the pandemic, the importance of building a small but dedicated team, and how storytelling can foster empathy and human connection.Free Grief Support Resources:Grief Tending ToolkitAccess our online communityKey Takeaways:Storytelling can help us navigate grief and find healing.Gun violence in schools leaves long-lasting emotional ripples.Independent filmmaking requires trust, resilience, and creativity.Cultural identity can anchor and guide healing journeys.Grief is universal and can be processed and expressed through art.Pets can provide comfort, grounding, and purpose in the aftermath of loss.Humor and grief can coexist, offering balance in emotional storytelling.The creative process is often shaped by personal experiences and cultural identity.Signs and serendipity often guide creative journeys and personal healing.Empathy and emotional connection are at the heart of impactful storytelling.Guest: Michael Floressenderomovie.comSend us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

In this powerful episode, strategist, musician, and author Mike de la Rocha opens up about healing generational trauma, redefining masculinity, and reconnecting with his father through emotional truth-telling.***Click here to watch on YouTube***Drawing from his debut book Sacred Lessons: Teaching My Father How to Love, Mike explores how grief, silence, and inherited definitions of manhood shaped his early life—and how choosing vulnerability, mentorship, and collective healing became transformative. This intimate conversation unpacks the emotional cost of disconnection, the ancestral wisdom that guides us, and why healing the masculine lineage is essential for future generations. From the power of Ubuntu to the ongoing presence of loved ones beyond the veil, Mike reminds us that true healing is never solitary—it’s sacred, relational, and deeply human.Whether you're navigating your own father wound, unpacking what it means to be a man in today’s world, or seeking connection with those you've lost, this episode offers insight, hope, and a path toward repair.Grief Support Resources for the Road:Grief Tending ToolkitAccess our online communityKey Takeaways:Healing yourself can create ripple effects across your family, including your father.Sacred Lessons is both personal memoir and a collective call to interrupt cycles of silence and disconnection.True healing is communal—it requires community, mentors, and intergenerational support.Redefining masculinity starts with emotional honesty, not suppression.Nature, ancestral practices, and rituals can anchor us during times of grief and transformation.The philosophy of Ubuntu ("I am because we are") underscores our collective healing journey.We remain connected to those we’ve lost through continued bonds and spiritual presence.Societal norms around manhood are shifting—and there is real hope in that change.Listening with openness is the first step toward breaking inherited patterns.Healing the masculine is healing the world.Guest: Mike de la Rochasacredlessons.comGet the bookSend us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

Maryam De Groef on child and sibling loss, organ donation, food allergy awareness, faith, and the many ways her daughter, Zeynah, lives on.In this heartfelt and powerful episode of the Grief and Light podcast, host Nina Rodriguez speaks with grief educator, somatic practitioner, and mother Maryam De Groef about the unimaginable: the sudden loss of her 9-year-old daughter, Zeynah, to an anaphylactic reaction caused by a severe food allergy in 2023.*** Watch on YouTube ***Maryam shares the deeply personal journey of navigating profound grief, witnessing her surviving child process sibling loss, and the life-affirming decision her family made opting for organ donation—a decision that has saved and transformed the lives of others, with ripple effects that may span generations.Together, they explore the urgent need for greater awareness around food allergies and anaphylaxis, especially in children, as well as the power of cultural sensitivity in medical care, and the often-overlooked grief of siblings left behind. Maryam also speaks to the role of faith, nervous system healing, and her work guiding others through trauma with somatic tools like breathwork, reiki, grounding, and emotional regulation practices.This conversation is a tender and inspiring reminder that legacy isn’t just what we leave behind, it’s also what we give forward.Key Takeaways:Food allergies can be fatal—awareness, preparedness, and education save lives.Grief affects the whole family, including siblings, who often go unseen in their pain.Organ donation is an act of profound love, capable of impacting dozens of lives now and in the future.Cultural and spiritual sensitivity in how loss is communicated matters deeply in trauma-informed care.Embodied healing practices like breathwork, grounding, and nervous system regulation, can offer relief and resilience through overwhelming grief.Legacy can ripple for generations, transforming pain into purpose and continued life.Grief Support Resources for the Road:Grief Tending ToolkitAccess our online communityMentioned in this episode:Trillium Gift of Life NetworkSend us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

What if preparing for death could actually help you live more fully?In this powerful episode, Nina Rodriguez speaks with Marni Blank, certified end-of-life doula and founder of Begin With The End, about why planning for death is one of the most compassionate acts we can offer, both to ourselves and those we love.***Click here to watch on YouTube***This conversation weaves together the legal logistics of wills, advance directives, and digital assets with the emotional and spiritual tools needed to live with more intention and prepare with less fear. Marni also shares her deeply personal journey into this work, sparked by her mother’s car accident, a moment that exposed the overwhelming reality of end-of-life care when you're unprepared.*** Plan Well Organizer: Download Here ***Whether you're grieving, caregiving, or simply ready to get your affairs in order, this episode offers clarity, comfort, and a gentle push toward meaningful, compassionate action.Topics We Explore:How to start honest, heart-centered conversations about deathWhy everyone over 18 needs a will and advance directiveHow to protect and pass on your digital legacyThe biggest myths about grief, and what it actually looks likeWhat a death doula does and how they support familiesHow to shape a legacy rooted in values, not just valuablesWhy compassion and curiosity are essential in grief supportHow emotional presence and practical planning can coexistKey Takeaways:Preparing for death is a profound act of loveGrief is nonlinear and deeply individualLegal and digital planning is essential at any ageLegacy lives on through stories, values, and human connectionYou don’t have to navigate end-of-life or grief aloneTalking about death early can ease suffering laterIt’s possible to be both prepared and present during lossWhether you’re facing loss, supporting someone in grief, or simply want to live with more intention, this episode will give you language, tools, and hope.Grief Support Resources for the Road:Grief Tending ToolkitSend us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

Grief doesn’t pause when you arrive at work, so why do so many workplaces expect us to carry on as if nothing happened?In this powerful episode of Grief and Light, host Nina Rodriguez is joined by Dr. Mekel Harris and Janet Gwilliam-Wright, co-founders of Bloomwell Partners, a consulting firm transforming how organizations handle grief and loss in the workplace. ***Watch on YouTube***Drawing from their personal experiences of loss and their expertise in psychology, leadership, and organizational development, they dive into how employees can advocate for themselves while grieving, and how leaders can meet them with compassion instead of confusion.From navigating the emotional toll of returning to work after a death, to shaping grief-informed policies and building a workplace culture rooted in empathy, this conversation offers tangible strategies for both individuals and organizations.If you’ve ever felt like you had to perform while grieving, or if you're a leader unsure how to support a grieving team member, this episode is for you.Grief Support Resources for the Road:Grief Tending ToolkitAccess our online communityKey TakeawaysYou have agency while grieving at work. Learning to speak up about your needs is part of healing, not a disruption.Grief impacts performance, presence, and decision-making. It’s not just emotional, it’s physical and cognitive too.Compassionate leadership is a skillset, not a personality trait. It can be learned, practiced, and integrated into team culture.Grieving employees often feel robotic and disconnected. Making space for real emotion helps restore connection and trust.Grief doesn’t follow a timeline. Long-term care and policy flexibility matter just as much as immediate support.Peer support and grief ambassadors can help normalize conversations around loss and reduce isolation at work.Organizations that support grief retain talent. Empathy and loyalty go hand-in-hand in the modern workplace.Emotional intelligence is essential for today’s leaders. It’s no longer optional; it’s a core competency.Referenced in this episode:Send us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

In this solo, audio-only episode, host Nina Rodriguez explores the unspoken grief many of us are carrying right now—the grief of uncertainty. From political turmoil and climate anxiety, to the dizzying pace of technological change, we’re living in times that feel increasingly unsteady.This isn’t just stress; it’s a kind of ambient grief. It's the ache of losing the future we thought we were heading toward.The episode reflects on: Why uncertainty feels so destabilizing to our nervous systems How ambient, ongoing grief impacts our sense of safety The importance of slowing down to recalibrate and feel What it means to find your anchor through ritual, rhythm, or aligned action How we can take meaningful action without burning outWhether you’re doomscrolling, feeling disoriented, or just trying to catch your breath, this conversation offers gentle perspective and practical footholds for staying grounded in chaotic times.If you’ve been quietly wondering, “Is it just me?” this episode is for you.Listen wherever you get your podcasts, and subscribe to the Resting Grief Face Substack for the full written version.Mentioned in this episode:Substack article: The Grief of Uncertainty in Unprecedented TimesPodcast episode: Grief vs. GrievingPodcast Episode: The Liminality of GriefTakeaways:Grief is not limited to the loss of loved ones.Uncertainty can lead to feelings of grief for lost safety and predictability.Slowing down is essential for processing grief.Finding clarity requires intentional reflection and presence.Grief can manifest as living loss, an ongoing and ambiguous experience.Anchoring ourselves in uncertainty involves returning to the body and small rituals.Community and connection can serve as powerful anchors during difficult times.Purposeful action can transform anxiety into focus and motion.Each person has a unique role to play in the process of transformation.You do not have to be okay to be worthy of love.Grief Support Resources for the Road:Send us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

What does it mean to parent a child whose life is both a miracle and a medical emergency? In this tender and unflinching conversation, Broadway actor and author Jody Gelb shares the story of her daughter Lueza—her first child, born with disabilities resulting from a catastrophic birth injury—whose life was defined by both relentless caregiving and radiant joy.***Click here to watch on YouTube***Through the lens of her micro-memoir, SHE MAY BE LYING DOWN BUT SHE MAY BE VERY HAPPY, Jody speaks to the reality of raising a medically fragile child with cerebral palsy, where hope and anticipatory grief coexisted, and where love lived in the details, even amidst exhaustion and heartbreak. She takes us inside her NICU experience, evolution, reflects on self-judgment, ritual, and resilience, and explores what it means to live close to both life and death for years at a time.This is an episode for caregivers, grievers, artists, and anyone who knows what it’s like to live inside a contradiction, and still find meaning there.***Free Download: GRIEF TENDING TOOLKIT ACCESS OUR ONLINE COMMUNITY***Takeaways:Micro memoirs offer a powerful, distilled way to tell grief stories with clarity and emotional punch.Parenting a medically complex child requires living in constant contradiction: hope and heartbreak, joy and sorrow.The NICU experience leaves a lasting emotional imprint and is often under-discussed.Anticipatory grief changes how we relate to time, memory, and presence.Grief rituals and proximity to death can empower us to live more intentionally.Siblings of medically fragile children have unique emotional experiences that deserve recognition.Even in the most difficult circumstances, love and laughter remain possible, and necessary.Connect with Jody Gelb:jodygelb.comBuy the bookAbout LuezaConnect with Nina Rodriguez:@griefandlightgriefandSend us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

In this moving episode of Grief and Light, host Nina Rodriguez sits down with Bryan and Danielle Docobo to explore their journey through profound loss, love, and advocacy following the death of their son Ethan, who passed away from the rare genetic disorder Coats Plus Syndrome. As parents navigating complex grief while raising their surviving son Liam, who lives with the same diagnosis, Bryan and Danielle speak candidly about the emotional, spiritual, and logistical realities of their path, as they work against time to save him.***How you can help:Contact: [email protected]: coatsplusfoundation.comDonate to the Coats Plus Foundation(June 13th) Father's Day Tournament***Danielle, a dedicated pediatric nurse, and Bryan, a real estate attorney and podcast host, share how they turned heartbreak into hope through the creation of the Coats Plus Foundation. Their mission includes fundraising, research, awareness, and building a supportive community for families navigating rare diseases.This heartfelt conversation covers the duality of grief and joy, the spiritual lessons they’ve learned, the importance of vulnerability, and how taking action has become a healing force in their lives. Whether you’re a grieving parent, a rare disease advocate, or simply someone walking through loss, their story reminds us that love never ends, and neither does the impact of a life, no matter how short.***Click here to watch on YouTube***Takeaways:Grief is lifelong and evolves with time. It is not something to “get over,” but something we live with.Naming the problem (such as a diagnosis) allows families to shift into problem-solving and advocacy.Community is everything. Whether through foundations, peer support, or safe spaces for grief.Rare disease diagnoses are devastating, but can serve as a catalyst for collective action.Guilt is common when balancing the needs of multiple children in medical crises.Hope lives in action—advocacy, fundraising, Send us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

Pet loss is real grief — and it deserves real support.In this heartfelt episode of Grief and Light, host Nina Rodriguez is joined by pet loss grief specialist, Grant Hazell, for an intimate conversation about the grief of losing a beloved animal companion. Together, they explore the deep bonds between humans and pets — often referred to as “soul pets” — and why losing them can be just as devastating as the loss of a human loved one.You'll hear about:The unique types of human–pet relationships and what makes them so significantHow society often invalidates or overlooks pet loss griefThe role pets play in the lives of seniors, children, and people with disabilitiesNavigating anticipatory grief and the complexities of euthanasia decisionsHow to continue the bond with your pet through rituals, memories, and honoring their legacyWhether you're grieving the loss of a dog, cat, service animal or any cherished companion animal, this episode offers compassionate insight and validation.🐾 You’re not alone — your grief is real, and your soul pet mattered.Takeaways:Pet loss is a significant form of grief that is often overlooked.The bond between humans and pets can be profound and life-altering.Disenfranchised grief refers to grief that is not socially acknowledged.Understanding the human-pet bond can help validate feelings of loss.Grief is a personal journey that cannot be fixed or rushed.The grief of losing a pet can be as severe as losing a human loved one.Older individuals may experience deeper grief due to pet loss as companions.The categories of human-pet bonds help explain the depth of grief.Pets often fulfill emotional needs that may not be met elsewhere. The bond between humans and pets can help alleviate feelings of isolation.Anticipatory grief is a valid and often overlooked aspect of pet loss.Pet loss encompasses more than just death; it includes separation and surrender.Euthanasia decisions can lead to significant guilt and remorse for pet owners.Grief rituals can help maintain a connection with deceased pets.Love for pets continues beyond their physical presence.It's important to approach pet loss with compassion and understanding.People who surrender pets often face stigma and judgment from others.Connect with Grant Hazell:@thepetlosswaySend us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

In this deeply moving episode Nina is joined by Liz Quinn — grief advocate, and host of the Healing Hearts Podcast. Liz opens up about her personal journey through layered loss, including the death of her daughter Alivia, and both of her parents. With tenderness and clarity, she shares what it means to grieve as a mother, how guilt and love can coexist, and how the relationship with a child in spirit continues to evolve.// Click here to watch on YouTube //The conversation also explores the experience of pregnancy after loss, the secondary grief felt by surviving children, and the often unseen labor of tending to grief while parenting. Liz also shares her journey through anticipatory and ambiguous grief as she lost her mother to Alzheimer’s and dementia, followed by the death of her father to esophageal cancer.Nina and Liz offer insights into how one's healing journey can evolve into a purpose-driven mission, and emphasize the importance of storytelling and community in the grief process. This episode is a poignant reminder that grief is not something to fix — it’s something to honor, carry, and live with love.Free Download: GRIEF TENDING TOOLKIT // ACCESS OUR ONLINE COMMUNITY //Takeaways:You don't necessarily feel like a mother when you don't have a child physically.The love for a child begins the moment you know they are yours.Grief is a journey that shapes who you are.Honoring lost children is a vital part of healing.It's okay to not want to hold a baby after loss.You either know or you just do it when it comes to having more children.Building a relationship with a child in spirit takes time.There is no right or wrong way to navigate grief.Sometimes, mothers know best when it comes to healing traditions.Support groups can be both helpful and challenging.Siblings can experience grief for a sibling they never met.The loss of a child reshapes family dynamics and identities.Transforming grief into purpose can lead to personal growth.Shared stories can initiate healing for both the storyteller and the listener.Grief is a lifelong journey that evolves over time.Life after loss can still Send us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

We often use the words grief and grieving interchangeably—but did you know they’re not quite the same?In this thoughtful solo episode of Grief and Light, host Nina Rodriguez invites listeners into a powerful reframe: grief is the natural response to loss, but grieving is how we live with and in relation to our grief. With tenderness and clarity, Nina explores how understanding the distinction between these two terms can transform our experience with loss—softening unrealistic expectations, reducing pressure to "move on," and opening up a path toward self-compassion and emotional expansion.*** FREE DOWNLOAD: GRIEF TENDING TOOLKIT  ***Drawing from her personal experiences and professional grief support work, Nina illustrates how grief is a universal, often involuntary response—raw, physical, and immediate—while grieving is a dynamic and deeply personal relationship with what’s missing. She emphasizes that grieving is not something to get over but something we tend to, like a garden or a living relationship, over time.*** CLICK HERE TO WATCH ON YOUTUBE ***This episode is a balm for anyone who’s ever asked themselves, “Why am I still like this?” and offers a more empowering, spacious question instead: “What kind of care do I need today?”// ACCESS OUR ONLINE COMMUNITY \\Key Takeaways:Grief is the event—the natural response to loss and life-altering change.Grieving is the process—our evolving relationship with that loss over time.There is no timeline for grieving and no single "right" way to do it.Cultural, familial, and societal influences shape how we perceive grief.Grieving is a practice in patience and self-compassion, not perfection.Honoring your own process means also allowing others to move at their pace.The metaphor of the grief jar illustrates how our capacity expands—not that the grief shrinks.Tending to grief honestly is what brings meaning, integration, and even unexpected joy.Mentioned in this episode: Grief vs. GrieviSend us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

How does grief intersect with race and identity when growing up in a multi-ethnic family?In this powerful episode, host Nina Rodriguez sits down with historian and author Nico Slate to explore the layered experience of sibling loss through the lens of race, identity, and love.Nico shares the deeply personal story behind his memoir Brothers: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Race, which honors the life and legacy of his late brother, Peter. Raised in a multi-ethnic family, Nico reflects on Peter’s experiences as a Black man in America, the traumatic events that shaped their lives, and how writing became a path toward healing and understanding. Together, they discuss the evolving nature of grief, the power of storytelling, and how we continue our relationships with those who have passed.***Click here to watch on YouTube***This episode offers an intimate look at the grief of losing a sibling, the emotional complexities of family dynamics, and the profound impact of racial identity on mourning and memory. Whether you're navigating your own loss, reflecting on race and family, or seeking a heartfelt conversation about healing, this episode offers insight, vulnerability, and hope.Key Takeaways:Grief often feels abstract—until it becomes personal.Sibling loss can profoundly shape one’s identity and worldview.Writing a memoir can be a powerful tool for healing and reflection.Love and grief transcend racial and cultural boundaries.Navigating grief within a multi-racial family brings unique challenges and insights.Processing loss through storytelling helps preserve memories and deepen understanding.You can't separate the beauty and pain of life—they often coexist.Grief evolves over time and may include struggles with identity and belonging.Relationships with the deceased don’t end—they shift and continue.Historical figures and family legacy can serve as anchors of hope in grief.Self-compassion is essential on the grieving journey.Complex or unresolved relationships may carry their own form of grief.Being kind to yourself is not optional—it's a necessity.Honoring grief publicly can invite connection and community.Racial grief is real and deeply entwined with personal and societal loss.***Join THE COSend us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

What if grief holds its own wisdom, guiding us towards healing and understanding?In this episode, host Nina Rodriguez speaks with Paula Sager, writer and teacher of embodied contemplative practices, about the wisdom found in grief and the power of presence in times of loss. ***Click here to watch on YouTube***Paula reflects on her father's illness, passing, and the ongoing connection that unfolded afterward. They discuss how mindfulness, movement, and authentic movement practices can support grief by fostering inner listening and honoring the body’s response to loss.This conversation explores themes of love, letting go, and the mystical moments that can emerge during grief. Paula shares insights from her book, The Watch: Time to Witness the Beauty of It All, and invites listeners to embrace unanswered questions with curiosity and compassion. Tune in for a heartfelt discussion on finding beauty, connection, and meaning in the midst of sorrow.***Join THE COMMUNITY | A virtual home for grievers. Access support anytime, anywhere.***Takeaways:Grief can guide us toward wisdom and understanding.Being present in grief is essential for healing.Personal loss often leads to profound questions about life and time.Movement can help reconnect the mind and body during grief.The Discipline of Authentic Movement encourages inner listening and self-awareness.Grief is a physical experience that can manifest in the body.Creating space for emotions is crucial in the grieving process.Navigating grief requires patience and curiosity about our inner world. Grief has its own wisdom that guides us.Listening to our bodies can help navigate grief.Practices of mindfulness are essential for life and grief.The process of writing can be a form of healing.Letting go is a complex and personal journey.Presence is the most important gift we can offer.Unanswered questions are a part of the grieving process.Mystical experiences can provide comfort during loss.Love remains a powerful force in the face of grief.Paying attention to small moments can lead to healing.Connect with Paula Sager:Website & Book: paulasager.comSend us Fan MailSupport the showGrief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 🏆 Ear Worthy Best Life Lessons 2026 · TalkDeath Readers' Choice Best Podcast 2025 · Women Who Podcast Awards 2025 Winner · Podground Editor's PickNew episodes wherever you watch or listen.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:griefandlight.com@griefandlightResting Grief Face on SubstackThank you for listening! If this conversation resonated with you:✅ Share this episode with someone who needs it✅ Follow Grief and Light so you never miss a conversation✅ Leave a review! It helps this podcast reach more heartsDisclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers