Grief Heals

Lisa returns to the question she's been turning over for a few episodes now — the relationship between healing, wholeness, and being human — and finds her way into it through her own preparation for her oldest son's wedding. What surfaces is an identity she'd been quietly carrying since her divorce: that she'd forfeited the right to claim "mom." Working the thought through Byron Katie's inquiry, she arrives at a simple turnaround — without her, there is no wedding, no son, no day. She was chosen for this.From there the reflection opens outward. If to grieve is to love, then grief is what makes space for everything — the loss, the longing, the parts of ourselves we'd rather not claim. Lisa names the parallel between our cultural refusal of grief and the disintegration we see around us, and closes with an invitation to step outside the impulse to fix or advise, and instead to ask: may I sit, may I listen, may I be with?

In this episode, Lisa reflects on the surprising parallels between gardening and grieving and what her first sprouting bell pepper seeds taught her about wholeness.Drawing on the wisdom of "lazy gardener" Ann (a Tennessee gardener Lisa has been learning from), she explores how plants grow more robust root systems when they're stripped back, not in spite of the loss but because of it. The metaphor opens into a deeper meditation on grief as a force that disrupts unnatural patterns, breaks hearts open the way seeds must crack to sprout, and ultimately humanizes us by returning us to our interconnectedness with each other and the world.Lisa also shares a vulnerable personal discovery: a pattern of reaching for old comforts (specifically, food) whenever she steps into a new, more visible identity. She offers a gentle practice she's been working with — pausing for just two minutes in the moments she'd normally leave herself — as a way of honoring the tender in-between space where one self is dying and another is emerging.Join Lisa as she invites listeners to consider their own questions: Where do your losses connect to your root system? If grief is love, how is that true in your life? For Further Reflection:What connections do you see between human and heal, between being humanized and being made whole? Where in your own life have those words pointed to the same thing?Think of a time you were stripped of something precious. Looking back now, can you see where new roots grew? What in you became more connected, more alive, because of that loss — not in spite of it?If grief is love, where is that true in your life right now? What are you grieving that you wouldn't grieve if you didn't love?Lisa describes catching herself at the refrigerator and saying, this is where I normally leave; I'm going to stay with you for two minutes. Where in your own life do you tend to leave yourself? What might it look like to stay, just briefly, just gently?Is there a new identity sprouting in you right now — something tender, unfamiliar, not yet stable? What would it mean to tend it the way you'd tend a seedling: a little water, not too much sun, patience with how small it still looks?

Lisa reflects on a question that's been sitting with her: What if we renamed this podcast? From Grief Heals to Grief Humanizes because maybe that's the truer thing grief does.She traces the thread from her peepaw's death by suicide when she was 13 (and how quickly life moved on around her, and within her) through her divorce after 23 years of marriage — the moment she first became "ripe," as she puts it, to actually enter grief. What the divorce took wasn't just a relationship; it was a whole stack of identity cards she'd been carrying: wife, mother, life coach, Christian, pastor. Stripped of all of them, she found herself face to face with something she'd long questioned about herself: whether she actually knew how to love, whether she was even real.She also shares what spurred her to record this particular morning: waking up covered in hives after breaking weeks of clean eating, looking at herself in the mirror, and, instead of panic, feeling something close to joy. Her body said no. And she laughed. Because that's a relationship.Along the way, Lisa touches on:Growing up in a colonized, industrialized world that treats people as commodities and how that gets internalizedWhy grief is such a powerful disruptor of the numbing strategies that "work, until they don't"The obsession with being "one of the good ones" and how that very obsession keeps harmful structures in placeWhat it means to contribute to our collective humanity, not just personal healingA closing reference to Pádraig Ó Tuama's poem The Facts of Life: that the structures that constrict us may not be permanently constrainingCurrently reading: The Sum of Us by Heather McGhee

Grief gives gifts. If that’s true, it opens up a conversation that asks what are the gifts that grief has given me. The first gift that comes to mind is that my life is more than this body. Before Chip died, I’d lost several loved ones including my grandparents and sister. It was different with Chip because I stayed in conversation with him. I wrote to him at the end of each work day and after a while it was like he was writing back. I could sense his presence. Two weeks after he passed a friend insisted I go to the doctor because she was afraid of the toll his absence was taking on my health. As I waited in the exam room, one of our songs came on and I felt his arms holding me while I rocked and cried in his embrace.Sometimes while helping others through their grief journey, I sense the presence of their loved ones joining us and I’ve even encountered their person(s) when I’m alone.These experiences  soften my attachment to life in this body while expanding my connection to all living things. Past. Present. Future. As if the skin separating me from another dissolves. I’m more curious. More open. More grateful. The less attached I am to my body, the more brave I am and bravery feels important to me now. Click here for a more intimate listen to the gifts I have received through grieving.

Last time I sought to answer the question, “How did I get here? What happened to (for) me?” to  become a woman that my Bible college, homeschooling, good christian, pastor’s wife selves, would not recognize. What came out was surprisingly emotional. At points it was hard to get my words out through the tears. Then I was asked to do part 2 and share how those experiences brought me to where I am now and how I feel about this version of myself. This episode is a totally different vibe – goofy, fun, and hopefully answers those questions. Xoxo

I asked myself, “How did I get here? What happened to (for) me?” and this is what came out. There are lots of tears as I trace my journey and think about how I became a woman that my Bible college, homeschooling, mom, christian, pastor’s wife selves, would not recognize. I wonder what parts of your story will awaken as you hear mine. XoxoBilly from episode: https://www.julylifecoach.com/aboutDamien from episode: https://www.damienryanofarrell.comKatrina Come Hell or High Water https://www.netflix.com/title/81676595

For nearly six months my girlfriend was pushing down the thought that she can’t stand her hubs – especially because he was sick. What kind of woman is contemplating divorce after her husband is diagnosed with a chronic condition. She couldn’t let herself think like that!Or could she? She decided to experiment. What might it be like to notice the thoughts floating in the river of her mind without condemning herself? Could she simply become aware of them? Could she pay attention to her thoughts and the feelings that accompany them? Could she notice the urge to eat, drink, or otherwise numb herself while noticing? The answer is YES!!!!! She did it… With her permission, here is the story… And the outcome. Just WOW!If you listen and find the episode helpful, please like it and share it with your friends. Your voice matters, so I invite you to leave a review. Thank YOU!LMZ

Stop. Will you pause for a breath?When I pause and notice, it reminds me that I am alive and I am being lived. What do you notice?This week’s Grief Heals episode is an offering, not a lesson. A slow, 25-minute walk with breath, grief, body, voice, and the quiet ways emotions try to set us free.I don’t know what you’re holding these days. If you’re like me, it's more than you can even see. So, this is for us because it’s about:The link between suppressed emotion and chronic illnessThe difference between anger and violence, and why I now believe anger is one of the many voices of loveThe ache of emotional poverty and the path to becoming resourcedWhy we’ve confused numbness with being niceThe generational cost of withholding truthWhat happens when we finally scream aloud, witnessed and uneditedAnd how love might move through us, as us, if we let itThis is for anyone who’s ever felt shame for feeling too much, or for not feeling at all.It’s for those of us who want to do better by our neighbors, but have been taught to ignore our own pain.It’s for those who long to breathe fully and live fully especially when it hurts.After you listen, I invite you to ask yourself:What part of me has been waiting to be heard?Let that question breathe with you awhile because what speaks may surprise you.P.S. Here are the people and practices referenced: Rachel Sachs and her Mind Your Body work (I’m on Day 137 of journal speak!)Francis Weller’s In the Absence of the OrdinaryGabor Maté’s When the Body Says NoHaka, a powerful reminder that emotion belongs in the body, voice, and community.Let’s keep learning how to feel all the way through, so that we come home to ourselves and one another.Release Jan 5, 2026Subject: Salt, then sour, then sweet… and a sky wide enough for all of ithttps://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/yh2OfgeebmYqBgABc7e27er79a9zPg3yQMXH2XMJc59SnpGjNSUNJPQpHNH4vE0g.n0fvOWXE_jnEz3RF?startTime=1764002383000Passcode: 91&M!QN5Before I recorded this, I listened to Salt, then Sour, then Sweet, which plays at the end of Come See Me in the Good Light. It surprised me when I slid down the wall, feeling the weight of my body too heavy to stand upright. Squatted down, my hand over my heart, I could feel the ache, the beauty, the memory, the love… all of it living in me at once. Like life, this episode isn’t linear. It weaves and connects through pain, shame, old church doctrines and new kinds of dignity. I used to despise my weakness, especially the parts of me that didn’t feel smart enough, composed enough, good enough. Becoming a ‘christian’ helped me cover grief with Scripture and performance, to wrap pain in Bible verses and shoulds. Now, I believe that what love does is notice.Maybe grief is LOVE, noticing. Today, I share old stories in new ways – The divorce that felt like failure. My naked body in the mirror, never again to be touched by a lover. Shame when I accidentally posted something too vulnerable and felt stupid and exposed. How I softened to the despised and rejected in me. In a world that prizes the hero, the strong, the conqueror, it is so good to feel grief that holds, instead of hides.Healing is not born on the battlefield, but in the mirror, the backyard, the breath, the body that won’t be ignored anymore.So, if you feel like you’re too much, or not enough… if you’re tired of trying to outgrow your wounds… if something in you is slowly being smoothed like river stone by years of holding and noticing and being held…Come listen.P.S. A few things that held me as I recorded this:Salt, Then Sour, Then Sweet ~ song.Come See Me in the Good Light ~ the new doc on Andrea & Megan’s love story.The Beast in Me on Netflix ~ a living example of that Gospel of Thomas line: “If you do not bring forth what is within you, what is within you will destroy you.”

Before I recorded this, I listened to, Salt, then Sour, then Sweet, which plays at the end of Come See Me in the Good Light. It surprised me when I slid down the wall, feeling the weight of my body too heavy to stand upright. Squatted down, my hand over my heart, I could feel the ache, the beauty, the memory, the love… all of it living in me at once. Like life, this episode isn’t linear. It weaves and connects through pain, shame, old church doctrines and new kinds of dignity. I used to despise my weakness, especially the parts of me that didn’t feel smart enough, composed enough, good enough. Becoming a ‘christian’ helped me cover grief with Scripture and performance, to wrap pain in Bible verses and shoulds. Now, I believe that what love does is notice.Maybe grief is LOVE, noticing. Today, I share old stories in new ways – The divorce that felt like failure. My naked body in the mirror, never again to be touched by a lover. Shame when I accidentally posted something too vulnerable and felt stupid and exposed. How I softened to the despised and rejected in me. In a world that prizes the hero, the strong, the conqueror, it is so good to feel grief that holds, instead of hides.Healing is not born on the battlefield, but in the mirror, the backyard, the breath, the body that won’t be ignored anymore.So, if you feel like you’re too much, or not enough… if you’re tired of trying to outgrow your wounds… if something in you is slowly being smoothed like river stone by years of holding and noticing and being held…Come listen.P.S. A few things that held me as I recorded this:Salt, Then Sour, Then Sweet ~ song.Come See Me in the Good Light ~ the new doc on Andrea & Megan’s love story.The Beast in Me on Netflix ~ a living example of that Gospel of Thomas line: “If you do not bring forth what is within you, what is within you will destroy you.”

Wherever you are, however you are, please know that all of it is welcome here.I just watched The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper and whoa. So timely because it put faces and history to my longing for communal grieving for our collective losses.I wept, laughed, cried, and its lessons are continuing to grow in me. Please watch it –  season 3, the episode on the Simril(l) family, one branch spelled with a single L, the other with two. One side of the family Black, one white.It started with a man tracing his family roots and discovering that his ancestors enslaved people who share his last name. What unfolds is the story of two families, bound by blood and history, who choose to face the truth together. My heart is contracting like it’s ready to give birth as I remember. They meet across the lines of race, pain, and time. They gathered side by side in the same church their ancestors once shared – then separated with blacks in the balcony, and slave owners below. Now integrated as family. They walk through cemeteries, naming what was hidden. Instead of sugarcoating, they name the pain, the privilege, and feel the loss. And ten years in they keep  showing up. This is a picture of communal grief. Losses met with courage and love, transform us. Naming what has been silenced doesn’t divide us. Instead, it roots us deeper in truth, in belonging, in love big enough to hold it all.I wonder, how many of us are living with inherited silence? Stories of harm, separation, survival. And what happens the moment we tell the truth?Since I believe we are one, I’m also reflecting on:What stories in our family lineage are ready to be named?Where has silence kept us separated from ourselves, others, our communities, our world?What would it mean to approach our history with love instead of shame?If you can, watch the Whole Story episode on the Simril(l) family and listen to this week’s Grief Heals conversation. We belong to one another, and the truth,  even when it hurts. What now constricts us may not permanently constrain us. What if it has the power to set us free? 

Hi love,The day I recorded this, I got yanked off my feet when Bella ran after another dog. The retractable leash extended, I flew in the air and landed flat in the street with knees, palms, elbows bleeding. I’d just loaded Garth Brooks' “The Dance”, so while I’m sobbing, this song played in the background. Fitting, since this day would’ve been my wedding anniversary. Chip died five months before we were set to be married.But that’s not the whole story.The fall came while I was out looking for Red, a red husky puppy who wandered into our lives with sores on his body and heartworms in his blood, who chose us, brought comfort, gentleness, and the ache of impermanence. I’d told him just the day before, “Please don’t leave me.” And when he looked up at me I heard, “I’ll always be with you.” And I cried.This episode of Grief Heals isn't one thing. It’s a spiral. A dog. A song. A fall. A memory. A graduation inside a prison where a man met his baby girl for the first time. And somehow all of itGrief, love, surrender, uncertainty, presenceCome together.I didn’t feel Chip when I visited the cemetery. I felt him more inside the prison when a man reached out to tell me about the loss of his wife. We held hands. We cried. And grief moved through us like a friend who doesn’t ask for answers.I talk about journaling, about dialoguing with grief, about the kind of forgiveness and love that happens after death, and even the complexity of things we find out too late. The things that never got said, but can get said now. Conversations we didn’t have with them, but still get to complete. If you’re someone who’s navigating love in all its layers, judged yourself for feeling something, or not feeling something, apologized for your tears…May this episode feel like sitting together for a while with no pressure to be anything other than what you are today.Please reply with any memories, questions, or tenderness that opens for you because we belong to each other. P.S. Red came back. He was out wandering free, but he chose to come home. xoxo

I hit record not knowing what I’d say, just knowing that I felt tender and full and needed to say something, anything, about how grief has been moving in me…What came out was a web of stories threaded by longing, scripture, comfort, hunger, shame, healing, and breath.There’s the line: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” And how Neil Douglas-Klotz says that in Aramaic, “blessed” can mean “ripe.” Ripe are those who mourn. That cracked something open in me because I didn’t mourn when I was young. I didn’t learn anything about mourning… I learned to stuff, deny, ignore. I learned what our culture models. And I was unripe.I read a story of a little boy who was hungry, ashamed that he didn’t have food. One day a girl quietly gave him half her sandwich, and continued to do so each day, until she didn’t come back to school.  Years later, his daughter asks him to pack two sandwiches because there’s a boy at school who doesn’t have lunch.I am learning to give half a sandwich to younger parts of myself. The ones I silenced with food, or busyness, or shame. The parts hungry for love, comfort, safetyThe parts that thought those things made her bad.This episode isn’t polished. I wander, I spiral, I tear up, I confess.I share about masturbation at six years old, stuffing myself with food well into adulthood, soft belly breathing and how grief  can stop us, soften us, witness us. Grief says“I see you. You matter. You make sense.”Healing is not a straight line. There are no straight lines in nature. Maybe this isn’t a “message” as much as it’s an invitation—to be exactly where you are. To feel what’s ripening in you. And to soften the belly. Just a little.I’m with you in it, Lisa MichelleP.S. A few gifts that accompanied this episode:The Hidden Gospel by Neil Douglas-Klotz — the idea of “ripeness” instead of “righteousness” has been changing everything for me.Mind Your Body by Rachel Sachs — her work deeply supports this practice of befriending our hunger, our pain, and our shame.Hi Ren by Ren — a musical prayer about mental health, rigidity, healing, and softness. Trust me. https://youtu.be/s_nc1IVoMxc?si=eznS0taktBrzQ1K3I’m also captivated by Elizabeth Zharoff’s show because she is so vibrant!!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGKgklIV7KoI’d love to hear what ripens in you. Just reply.

In this very special episode of Grief Heals, host Lisa Michelle Zega is thrilled to welcome the podcast's very first guest, Denise Clanin.Denise is a former accountant turned stay-at-home mom and debut novelist living in North Idaho. What began as a simple college writing assignment over a decade ago has blossomed into Denise's novel Among the Stars - but the story behind the story is what makes this conversation truly compelling. After losing her brother six years ago, Denise found herself returning to that forgotten manuscript during her toddler's nap times, discovering that writing became an unexpected pathway through grief. Her novel explores themes that mirror her own journey - loss, healing, community, and the messy, complicated nature of grief itself. In this heartfelt conversation, Lisa and Denise dive deep into how creativity can become a companion in healing, the way our loved ones continue to inspire us beyond their physical presence, and why no one is ever truly a lost cause. Whether you're navigating your own grief journey, curious about the intersection of writing and healing, or simply love hearing authentic stories of human resilience, this episode offers profound insights wrapped in genuine warmth. Plus, you'll discover how Denise's entire family moved together from California to Idaho after her brother's passing, the unique ways her brother's fearless spirit continues to influence her approach to building community, and how writing fiction helped her learn to be patient with herself in the grieving process.To purchase Among the Stars by Denise Clanin, you can find it hereYou can also follow Denise on Facebook and Instagram.

Of course you’ve judged yourself for how you feel…cried at work and then felt ashamed…pushed something down in the name of being strong or good or grateful…So – this wildly unpolished episode is for you.Here’s a glorious unraveling and remembering of what I mean when I say grief heals. It isn’t about being fixed. It’s about being fully human orExperiencing our humanity with awareness and mercy.I think that’s what healing – experiencing wholeness – actually looks like.So perhapsIt’s not bad to cry at work. Perhaps, our big emotions aren’t problems to fix but parts of us seeking to belong.Just maybe that long list of things we judge ourselves for – you knowAvoiding people, mindless eating, binging tv, sleeping all day, endless learning without doing…Reveal how we survived.Survived so we can be here now. ALIVE.Sigh. – Don’t know about you, but I feel like saying thank you. Thank you to everything I’ve ever done so that I get to be here with you now.I feel Grief as Love. Grief as witness. Grief as medicine.Because Grief is big enough for all of it.So that parts of me once judged get welcomed to the kindergarten carpet – There’s room for all of it  “Hey, rage – you can sit beside me on the pink square.”Yep. Inspired by Rachel Sachs’ Mind Your Body, I imagine all of us—our whole selves—gathered on one of those big, multicolored kindergarten carpets. No part left out. Not even the ones we try to hide.Because if love heals, then grief does too.Come listen. Let’s remember together.

I’ve been practicing what it is to truly welcome what is – how it is. I’m talking about welcoming what’s outside the shiny and preferredLike theAche. envy. not-enoughness. Bugs on the skin. Memories that still sting. Joy that expands vision.I’m exploring grief as living. Yes. Grief as response to death…AndAs a presence that awakens LIFE.I’ve been starting my morning, lying on the earth, breathing with my tree (yes, I know how that sounds), reading two beautiful books—Cured by Jeffrey Rediger and The Hidden Gospel by Neil Douglas-Klotz. And in that stillness, I’ve been meeting parts of myself I usually try to push away. Envy. Rage. Doubt. Dissatisfaction. Those parts that have been Hidden. Banished. Disappeared.Wondering –What if grief is how we welcome all of it? Not to fix or force change, but to become more whole.This episode is raw. It’s unfinished. It's real. I talk about mosquitoes, spontaneous remission, ancient language, sibling rage, sacred anger, and the strange beauty of becoming a part of something bigger than myself—bigger than any one of us. Sensing grief as a bridgeto love, to belonging, to collective healing.When you listen, you’ll also hear how for me,  grief invites the paradox of belly laughter and holy weeping, of sacred rage and deep peace.And if you’ve read The Guest House by Rumi, you’ll know what I mean when I say this episode is one long welcome to whoever shows up at the door.May we welcome the grief.May we welcome the life.

Lately, I’ve been feeling lost. When Chelle asked me what I meant, I described what it would be like to watch me - check my phone over and over, scroll mindlessly, walk to the fridge - open and close it a few times, go for a walk, take a nap… Rinse and repeat.It’s been like playing pin the tail on the donkey - being blindfolded, spun around, but without a donkey for the tail. Today, I experienced a profound shift and what started as a disorienting sense of lostness feels deeply connecting and life-affirming.Listen and let’s explore:What Eric Simpson calls sacred vs. profane griefHow feeling lost might actually be the doorway to deeper connectionThe invitation to love what is… even when it makes no senseThis one’s for anyone who’s felt stuck, alone, aimless—or like your inner compass has gone quiet.Because perhaps, Grief isn’t a problem to solve…Maybe, it’s an open-hearted guide with outstretched arms.If it speaks to you, I’d love it if you’d share it with someone you care about.Xoxo

I just recorded an episode that is maybe the most personal, most collective one yet.You know by now—Grief Heals isn’t just a title. It’s a way of life. A lens. A returning. And this week, I explored how grief heals our justice work, our relationships, and the roles we all play—often unknowingly—in systems that divide and dominate.I pulled from a familiar model: the Drama Triangle.Victim. Persecutor. Rescuer.These roles aren’t just interpersonal—they’re deeply systemic. And when we take on one, we often slide into all three.This week, I invite you into a deeper reflection:Where have I tried to save someone and lost sight of their power?Where have I become the bully in the name of justice?Where has grief been bypassed, ignored, or mutated into resentment, burnout, or judgment?I talk about that moment I entered a county meeting to “stand up for the people” and ended up steamrolling others. I talk about the pain of watching family members steeped in grief they never got to name. I talk about how even our best intentions can cause harm when we skip over grief and go straight to control.But more than anything—I talk about how grief can transform the triangle.Grief that is sacred, not profane. Grief that slows us down, enters gently, and listens. Grief that composts our pain into nourishment for us all.This episode is a love letter to the justice worker, the reformer, the wounded, the weary, the world-builder.If you're deep in the work and wondering why it still feels heavy—this is for you.If you’ve been the victim, the rescuer, or the one in power—this is for you.If you're grieving what’s been done in your name or by your silence—this is for you.Because as Gabor Maté says: Grief is the antidote to trauma. And we don’t just carry trauma individually—we carry it collectively.Let’s grieve together. Let’s name what’s real. Let’s remember who we are.Thank you for showing up with your whole heart. Thank you for naming what hurts and walking with love. Thank you for believing with me that grief is holy, that we belong to each other, and that love—when it shows up real—transforms everything.With you in all of it, Lisa MichelleP.S. The episode includes a few reflections to sit with, or journal through:Where have I reenacted the triangle internally—with my own inner critic, rescuer, or bully?Where has my grief gone unnamed—and how is it asking to be heard?What might it look like to show up as a companion instead of a savior?Let’s breathe together because we breathe the same air.

I recorded this episode inspired by an experience I had with the red ants in my yard. You heard that right. For the whole story, listen to this week’s recording. In short, I got impatient, disrupted an ant hill, got stung, and ended up contemplating – Does God Grieve? I’m not a theologian, philosopher, or anything else that might hint toward expert. And, I’m in awe how grief continues to teach me. Love me. Cause me to slow down and notice. I’m in awe of grief’s attention to detail. Connection to the whole story. Grief is my path to oneness – perhaps yours too.

I recorded this podcast specifically for someone experiencing the fresh loss of a loved one. If that’s you, welcome. I’m gonna keep this brief - and the podcast if brief too. First. There is nothing wrong with you. You can not get this wrong. Your body is responding to a profound disruption to your sense of normal and your entire anatomy is impacted.Two. It’s common to feel guilty to simply live your routine. Imagine, your person watching you now. Better yet. Imagine that the roles are reversed and you are watching them experience losing you. What do you want for them? Do you want them to stay in a perpetual state of suffering? What if what you want for them is a permission slip of sorts for you? You likely want to stay close to your person. How do you do that? What did they care about? What were their values, or the unique impact they made in the world. Trying on some of those interests and traits is a way that may help you feel close to them. Three. Being honest with yourself about the unfinished conversations between you does not hurt your person. Even though in our culture, there is an unexamined belief that talking about the dead is off limits - that somehow it harms them - the truth is what is unfinished stays alive in you. There is so much more in this episode… It's deeply personal with parts of my story – including how I was with the betrayal I sensed, how to get support, what to say to hurtful comments, and how to stay grounded.  And please know, I’m here – in your corner. 

I recorded this podcast specifically for someone experiencing the fresh loss of a loved one. If that’s you, welcome. I’m gonna keep this brief - and the podcast if brief too. First. There is nothing wrong with you. You can not get this wrong. Your body is responding to a profound disruption to your sense of normal and your entire anatomy is impacted.Two. It’s common to feel guilty to simply live your routine. Imagine, your person watching you now. Better yet. Imagine that the roles are reversed and you are watching them experience losing you. What do you want for them? Do you want them to stay in a perpetual state of suffering? What if what you want for them is a permission slip of sorts for you? You likely want to stay close to your person. How do you do that? What did they care about? What were their values, or the unique impact they made in the world. Trying on some of those interests and traits is a way that may help you feel close to them. Three. Being honest with yourself about the unfinished conversations between you does not hurt your person. Even though in our culture, there is an unexamined belief that talking about the dead is off limits - that somehow it harms them - the truth is what is unfinished stays alive in you. There is so much more in this episode… It's deeply personal with parts of my story – including how I was with the betrayal I sensed, how to get support, what to say to hurtful comments, and how to stay grounded.  And please know, I’m here – in your corner. 

I don’t see grief as something to get over.I see it as something that carries us back to what matters.This week on the podcast, I’m sharing the heart of how I understand grief—not just as a response to loss, but as love in motion.Grief is not the wound.It’s the hand that tends the wound.It’s the love that moves toward what hurts…what was taken…what never arrived…and still matters.In this episode, I meander through how this framework—this living relationship with grief—has shaped my life, my work, my way of being with others.I share stories. Memories. Moments where grief softened me into truth.Moments where grief showed me how to stay with what was once unbearable.I talk about how unprocessed grief mirrors systems of domination—how we often internalize the very violence we long to dismantle.And how grief, when we let it do its sacred work, can return us to flow, to self, to oneness.Grief doesn’t only soften — it also disrupts.It turns over the tables of numbness and performance.It clears the way for real love to enter.In that sense, grief is a revolutionary.Like Jesus, it disrupts… for love’s sake.This isn’t a lecture.It’s an experience.A wandering through the wild garden of love and longing and letting go.A remembering that grief is not our enemy. It’s our companion.

Whether you’re in the thick of change, quietly cocooning, or simply not in a space to listen right now—I honor you. Grief Heals is a family, and families know how to feed one another in many ways. So here are a few invitations, tools, and practices for you to carry into your own day:Nourishment for the In-BetweenPractice the pause. Take one breath. Let yourself feel exactly how you feel. No fixing. No judgment. Just presence.Name a shift. What have you recently let go of, or what is letting go of you? What might be arriving in its place?Try this breath: Inhale: I belong here. Exhale: Even in the in-between.Reflection prompt: What part of your life right now feels like a threshold—a goodbye and a hello at the same time?Up for listening…Let’s dive deep into the beautiful, generative space between what was and what will be. A journey where grief isn't loss, but Love–  witnessing, listening, and giving a compassionate kiss to your most tender emotions.We explore:The magic happening underground, just like muscles breaking down to rebuild strongerHow every emotion - anger, resentment, uncertainty - has a place in nourishing your personal ecosystemThe power of welcoming all parts of yourself, just as nature welcomes every creatureWe'll breathe together, stretch our arms wide, and remember: we belong to each other. Your story is not just yours - it's a sweeping, interconnected circle that touches us all.Inspired by Amanda Owen’s The Power of Receiving and the Rumi poem The Guest House, this episode is for anyone in the middle of a goodbye and the unknown ahead…  Which, if we’re honest, is all of us.

This Episode Is For You If…You find yourself comparing your success, your body, your parenting, or your worth to others.You struggle with feeling “not enough” and don’t know why.You want a way out of the pain loop that doesn’t shame you for how you got there.Hello, hello, hello—Let’s just take a breath together. Because you and I? We breathe the same air. We really do belong to each other.This week on the Grief Heals podcast, we’re exploring something that affects all of us—whether we admit it or not: comparison. We’re diving into two chapters from Mel Robbins’ book The Let Them Theory, and like always, we’re holding it through the lens of grief—not as something tragic, but as love coming to meet what was lost.Because here’s the truth: We don’t compare ourselves because we’re stupid, or broken, or shallow. We compare because we learned—somewhere along the way—that in order to be loved, we had to be better. Be quieter. Be smarter. Be more useful. Be less needy.And what if that’s the very place grief is trying to reach?In this episode, we explore:How comparison is a natural outcome of unmet childhood needs for safety and belongingThe brilliance of our early coping strategies (like perfectionism, people-pleasing, staying small)A framework that helps us say: everything I’ve thought or done made perfect sense with what I knew and what I hadWhy naming our losses opens the door to healing themHow grief grows our capacity to love and be loved as we are—not as who we perform to beAnd yes, we touch on capitalism, poverty, education systems, and how this all connects to collective grief—and our collective healing.Whether or not you listen, here are a few prompts to help you hold what surfaced:Where do I compare myself the most? What am I afraid would happen if I didn’t?What did I learn about love growing up? What part of me thought “I have to earn it”?What might change if I told myself: You are already enough. You’re already loved. You’re already home.Listen now to “Comparison, Compassion, and the Loss of Belonging” [Insert episode link]And don’t forget— We’ll be launching a Let Them book club soon, walking through Mel Robbins’ work through the lens of grief. You don’t have to perform. You don’t have to pretend. You just get to show up as you are, with your whole self—and that is enough.Because grief heals. Because you matter. Because we belong to each other.

In this week’s episode of Grief Heals, we explore Chapter 5 of Mel Robbins’ book Let Them, which invites us to let them think bad thoughts about you.And in true Grief Heals fashion, we’re holding that invitation through the lens of grief—not grief as death, but as love bringing nutrients to the soul, the kind that fosters new life, deep self-acceptance, and brave belonging.Because let’s be real: So many of us were never taught that our loudness, our softness, our mess, our silence, our brilliance—were okay.We were shaped, shamed, scolded, or celebrated only when we conformed.And what got lost in all that shaping? Us.So we talk about that in this episode:The grief of being judged for who you areThe strategies you developed to belong (people-pleasing, perfectionism, shrinking, rebelling—not bad, just brilliant adaptations)And the reclamation of your wholeness, not through force but through loveYou don’t have to listen to receive something nourishing from this. Here are a few reflection prompts and tools you can use right now:Reflection PromptsWhether or not you press play, these are yours to hold.When was a time you were judged for something beautifully unique about you?What got lost in the aftermath? What strategy did you develop to stay safe?What part of you are you still trying to manage or hide to avoid rejection?Could that part be grieving not being celebrated?What would it mean to let them judge you—and still love yourself?What does that kind of freedom feel like in your body?Practice: Letting Grief Nourish What Was LostClose your eyes.Place a hand on your heart or belly.Breathe in the phrase: We breathe the same air.Breathe out: We belong to each other.Let grief come like water, like wind, like the love you didn’t get then—but are giving to yourself now.Want to listen?This episode is full of tender stories, real-time revelations, and an honest look at how grief can meet us right where we are—even in our shame, our mistakes, our need to control.Even in a too-loud voice or a scraped-up pair of jeans.

This week’s Grief Heals episode is a deep breath, a full exhale, and a tender look at what happens when our inner eight-year-old is still running the show in a very grown-up life.I’m talking about Chapter 6 of Mel Robbins’ book Let Them, where she explores “grown-ups who throw tantrums”—and of course, I couldn't help but look at it all through the lens of collective grief.Because here’s the thing: Most of us were never taught that our big emotions are welcome. We weren’t held when we were heartbroken. We were told to “toughen up,” “move on,” or “be good.”And now?Now we’re walking around in adult bodies with young, un-met, un-witnessed parts of us still aching to be seen.So in this episode, I share stories from my own life—some tender, some raw—of what it’s looked like to bump up against those unmet parts in myself, in others, and in the systems we live and work inside.It’s been humbling. It’s been hard. And it’s been holy.Even if you don’t listen right now (or ever), I want you to know this:Every time you shut down, avoid conflict, blow up, people please, or retreat into silence… it’s not a moral failing. It’s an emotional pattern born from unmet grief. And those patterns? They can be witnessed. Loved. Rewritten. Not overnight—but with time, care, and grief met with compassion.This episode isn’t just about tantrums. It’s about what happens when we start to honor the sacred responsibility of tending to our losses. Because yes, grief is love. And love heals—it really does.Oh—and something new is coming: I’ll be starting a Let Them Book Club soon, walking through Mel Robbins’ book with you through a grief-heals lens—no pressure to read or be perfect. Just a chance to slow down together, reflect, and notice.So if you’re curious, if you’re hurting, if you’ve ever found yourself wondering, why am I like this?—this episode is a loving place to begin.

Courageous, We are living in a time where fear is being wielded to pull us apart—feeding the illusion that we are separate, that it’s us vs. them. But here’s the truth: We belong to each other. And love—real, courageous, unshakable love—asks us to remember that.I know what it’s like to pull away when I feel misunderstood, to stay quiet when I long to speak, to convince myself that holding back is safer than being fully seen. Self-protection happens automatically—it’s wired into me. Maybe you feel it too.I’m also discovering that every moment of self-protection is an opportunity. An invitation to pause, notice, and ask: What am I afraid of? What fear is feeding the illusion of separateness? This episode is for those of us who refuse to be hardened by fear. Who are willing to meet our own discomfort, hold our own grief, and stay open anyway. Because when we stop fighting against fear and instead welcome it with curiosity, we find something powerful: the strength to stand together.Fear tells me that safety means separation, that if I don’t risk vulnerability, I won’t get hurt. But I know now—that’s how I stay hurting. Real safety comes not from shutting down, but from learning to stand open-hearted in the discomfort, to receive love in new ways, to let myself be known.I’m inviting you—those committed to love, to connection, to the messy, beautiful work of being fully human—to listen. This is about moving beyond self-protection, anger, and division. It’s about choosing to love fiercely, even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard.Join me. Let’s remind each other what’s possible.P.S. If you’re longing for a space to feel connected amidst the divide, join our free Healing Circle. The next one is tomorrow, Tuesday March 18 at 5:30 PM PST—a space to experience belonging, to grieve, to breathe, and to remember that we are not alone. You are welcome here. . xoxo,Lisa Michelle

We’re living in a world that’s working overtime to convince us we’re separate. That we’re alone. That we should be afraid of each other.But I refuse to buy into that lie. And I know you do, too.That’s why this week’s episode of Grief Heals is about something radical: remembering that we belong to each other.Grief has been my greatest teacher in this. It has stripped away the illusion of individualism and shown me—without a doubt—that what happens to one of us, happens to all of us. We breathe the same air. Drink the same water. Walk the same earth. We are each other.In this episode I share stories of how grief has woken me up—not just to my own heart, but to my neighbors, to the suffering of marginalized communities, to the undeniable truth that our healing is bound together.And if you’re reading this, I know you feel it, too.This isn’t just a podcast episode. It’s an invitation. To resist the division being spoon-fed to us. To stay open when the world tells us to shut down. To love fiercely, even when it’s uncomfortable.If you don’t have time to listen, here’s something to sit with: Where has grief cracked me open to love more? How can I stand with and for people beyond my immediate world? Where is fear trying to close my heart, and how can I welcome my fear and keep my heart open?And if you do listen, share it. Talk about it. Let’s be the ones who refuse to turn away.We are the love revolution. And we need each other now more than ever.P.S. If you’re longing for a space to feel connected amidst the divide, join our free Healing Circle. The next one is Tuesday March 18 at 5:30 PM PST—a space to experience belonging, to grieve, to breathe, and to remember that we are not alone. You are welcome here. .   

There’s something powerful in remembering that we all breathe the same air. And that’s really what this latest episode of Grief Heals is about—the love we find when we step into our grief, especially collective grief.Right now, there is so much division. So many lines drawn between “us” and “them.” And in that divide, grief is quietly doing its work—showing us what truly matters, revealing that we belong to each other.In this episode, I share a story about a road trip, a broken-down truck, and a simple act of kindness that reminded me: Our people aren’t just family and friends. Our people are— people. Period. No matter where they’re from. No matter how different their lives may seem. We belong to each other.To come together we must invest in loss. The loss of certainty and being “right” is painful, but only by investing in loss do we touch our genuine longing— longing for belonging, connection and love. Because grief isn’t just sorrow—it’s love in another form. And when we let ourselves invest in loss, we actually make room for healing, for growth, for deeper relationships.For those of you working in social services, caregiving, or any role that serves others—this conversation is especially for you. The way we approach grief, the way we recognize our shared humanity, it changes how we show up for the people we serve. And, maybe more importantly, how we show up for ourselves.So if you’ve been feeling the weight of division, the uncertainty of these times, or the personal aches of loss, this episode is an invitation—to breathe, to grieve, and to remember that love is still here, waiting to be seen.Give it a listen, and if it resonates, share it with someone who might need it too

Reflecting on the death of his grandson, my friend shared this on facebook: Two years have passed since Jan 4th, and yet the shadow of that redwood, mighty and indifferent, still looms over my heart as if it fell but yesterday. Aeon—his name an echo of eternity, his spirit a flicker of divine light—was taken by the same earth that cradled him. A boy so full of wonder and possibility, his laughter seemed to carry the whispers of angels, and his eyes bore a brightness that spoke of a world yet to be explored. How cruelly the tree, a symbol of life and strength, became the instrument of loss. Yet, even in this, there is something profoundly human—a mystery of suffering, a question directed at the heavens. Aeon’s absence leaves a silence that reverberates louder than words, a reminder that love endures beyond the grave, bearing witness to the unbearable and transforming it into something eternal. Dan’s loss reverberates with the universal human experience of suffering. And speaks to my heart about the nature of true comfort. What a contrast. The comfort he shares is so different than the notion we’ve absorbed, that comfort is solely about ease and convenience. No! Dan’s words echo that true comfort is found in love’s endurance through all of life’s challenges and reaches beyond the grave. At the heart of this episode is the unwavering belief in the transformative power of love, weaving through history and the struggles of marginalized voices who have fought for equity and justice, at great personal cost. Love is the only force powerful enough to make a duet of wonder and grief ~ words from the poem, Adrift by Mark Nepo.

Perhaps isolation is an epidemic because we've been conditioned to think we are less than we are – that we and others don’t have the capacity to be with all that life brings. Love, loss, pain, and joy are all part of the human experience. But we’ve absorbed a lie that we and others can’t handle the complexity of life. This leads to hiding emotions, which keeps us segregated from ourselves and others. Isolation. I found out Chip died at midnight. By 7:00 am, 9 women were at my door ready to support me however possible. That afternoon, I could hear them huddled together, whispering. I yelled out, “Nothing about me without me!”. They were trying to help, but didn’t recognize that talking without me sent the message that I wasn’t able to be with my own life and denied me the community I needed for this desperate time. How have you experienced this in your own life - times when you or others have tried to "protect" someone from the full range of emotions? What could it look like to embrace the complexity of life's joys and sorrows together? What intimacy might this create? Because… “The way you see any individual in your mind is the best they can ever be in your presence.” - John Overdurf. In this episode, I share more stories and metaphors of how I’ve seen and experienced John’s words. Join the conversation on death, loss and grief as the Grief Heals substack: http://griefheals.substack.com

A sweet friend and client sent me, "The Hidden Messages of Water," by Masaru Emoto. The treasure I received from the author and water is Love and Gratitude https://a.co/d/bSAS7zQ This has me thinking about the radical invitation of grief. What if grief’s invitation is to Slow. Down. When I get slow. I mean slow enough to notice that I breathe. Slow enough to notice that I see. Every time I get slow, Love and Gratitude emerge. Even when I’m entering my deepest losses, love and gratitude arise when I get slow. Grief has a powerful tendency to arrest us, to slow us down in a way that can feel overwhelming. I wonder if it feels overwhelming because we don’t have a place to hold it in a culture that prizes productivity above people. On the other hand, a storm might be called overwhelming, though there is a sense that storms are part of the natural world and won’t last forever. We somehow know that there is a flow and calm becomes storm and storm becomes calm – like it’s part of the same cycle. This book has me thinking about the cost of moving fast and reflecting on what that has meant for me and those around me. It also has me looking at slowing down in new ways. As you listen to this episode, I invite you to consider: How has grief invited you to slow down and become more present? How does slowing down help your communication and interactions with yourself? Loved ones? I believe that saying yes to grief's radical invitation, opens us up to a deeper understanding of ourselves, our connections, and the beauty that lies within our experiences. Have a listen here and please share it with a friend!

Today’s episode was inspired by a Christmas gift I received from my dear friend Michelle - The Nap Ministry's Rest Deck, created by Tricia Hersey. I explore how her entreaty to rest as a form of resistance against the "grind culture" connects with embracing grief to humanize humanity. I share how my experience of pushing away grief resonates with her assertion that grind culture is a collaboration between capitalism and white supremacy. And how grief’s sacred doorway is an invitation to life.  Tricia's work reveals the beauty and liberation found by entering our own and ancestral grief. She reminds us that resting and dreaming connects us to our divinity and one another.  Click below to learn more about her hallowed work:  https://thenapministry.wordpress.com/ May this episode nourish your soul and taste our oneness.

OKAY. However you are coming into the New Year —- WELCOME! Imagine getting to be where you are, how you are, exactly as you are – and welcoming all of you to this space. The happy, sad, good, bad – whatever concoction of duality you notice, what might it be like to practice welcoming all of your experience? You know what helps me practice welcoming all of my experience? I think of everything as moving around a circle. Ha! The Circle of Life. Cue Lion King lyrics. It's the circle of life And it moves us all Through despair and hope Through faith and love 'Til we find our place On the path unwinding In the circle The circle of life Our seasons really do operate in a circle. Winter becomes spring, spring becomes summer, summer to fall, fall to winter. And ohhhhh. Think of all that happens in the rich, beautiful, vibrant darkness of the soil. When do the fallen leaves of winter become the spirited buds of spring? Life feeding new life underground… Until. New. Life. Emerges. Join the Grief Heals conversation on this first episode of 2025 where we talk about Being with what is The Reticular Activating System Life as a circle Creating an “I AM” for the new year The "I am" statement is a powerful way to foster belonging and connection in the new year. It’s a simple way to embrace yourself and others in the year ahead because it helps you cultivate authenticity, stay grounded, and open to meaningful connections. Join the conversation on our substack! http://griefheals.substack.com

Host Lisa Michelle Zega talks about the importance of embracing and investing in personal loss and grief as a path to growth and profit, both for the individual and one's broader ecosystem. In the course of this, Lisa reflects on her childhood experiences and the stories they have held onto and explores how letting go of these narratives and welcoming all parts of oneself can lead to greater compassion, connection, and wholeness. The episode emphasizes the value of self-reflection, self-hypnosis practices, and a curious, non-judgmental approach to one's own history and inner landscape. Questions for Further Reflection What personal stories or losses have you been most invested in holding onto? How might you approach those with more curiosity and openness to letting go? In what ways have you witnessed unwitnessed loss or grief in your own life or in the larger societal/historical context? How could embracing that loss lead to greater connection and understanding? What parts of yourself have you previously judged or pushed away? How might welcoming and honoring those aspects lead to more self-compassion and growth? How could the self-hypnosis practice described be adapted or expanded to further support your own process of investing in loss and accessing deeper wisdom and insight? What are the potential "profits" - whether personal, relational or societal - that could emerge from a willingness to truly grieve and let go of cherished narratives or identities?

In this thought-provoking episode of Grief Heals, host Lisa Michelle Zega embarks on a profound exploration of the interconnectedness of all things. Drawing insights from the natural world, Zega delves into the intricate web of human systems and emotions, highlighting the ways in which grief, joy, and resilience are inextricably linked. Through reflections on brain development, the cycles of nature, and the power of physical and emotional resistance, Zega invites listeners to consider grief not as an isolated experience, but as a manifestation of the deep love that binds us all. Questions for Further Reflection How has your understanding of grief shifted after considering the interconnectedness of emotions and systems within the self and the larger ecosystem? In what ways have you experienced the "death and resurrection" cycles that the speaker describes, and how have those cycles informed your personal growth? What does it mean to you to "lean into the wind" of life's challenges, and how can cultivating that mindset support your healing process? How might considering the role of resistance and struggle in natural systems, like the trees in the biosphere study, change the way you approach personal growth and transformation? What insights from the speaker's reflections on brain development and the impact of environment could be applied to supporting mental health and emotional well-being? How can an understanding of interdependence and the interconnected self inform the way we offer compassion and support to those experiencing grief or other life challenges? What practices or mindset shifts might you explore to deepen your sense of connection to the larger web of life, and how could that impact your relationship with grief?

In this episode, Lisa Michelle Zega explores the themes of grief, personal growth, and the importance of being witnessed and celebrated for one's unique brilliance. She reflects on leading a workshop for individuals re-entering the workforce, where she was deeply moved by the profound wisdom and perspectives shared by the participants. She connects this experience to the broader idea that grief can stem from not being seen and heard in our full individuality, rather than being forced to conform to societal norms. The episode emphasizes the healing power of creating spaces where people can reconnect with their authentic selves and the collective brilliance that emerges when we honor each person's distinct gifts. Questions for Further Reflection How can we create more spaces and opportunities for people to be witnessed and celebrated for their unique brilliance and perspectives, rather than feeling pressured to conform? What are some of the ways that dominant cultural narratives and expectations can suppress or bury our individual genius and creativity? How can we work to uncover and amplify those suppressed parts of ourselves? In what ways have you experienced grief or a sense of loss related to not feeling seen, heard, or valued for who you truly are? How might reframing that grief as a longing to be witnessed change the way you approach it? What are some practical strategies for helping others, or ourselves, reconnect with the core essence of who they are, especially when it has been obscured by trauma, stress, or societal conditioning? How can we foster more collective experiences of honoring and learning from each person's distinct gifts, rather than pitting people against each other or promoting a singular "right" way of being?

Host Lisa Michelle Zega leads a thoughtful and introspective discussion on the state of the United States and the human condition. Zega explores themes of unity, division, grief, and the need for collective healing and understanding. She reflects on the complex history of the country, the lasting impacts of systemic oppression, and the importance of expanding our capacity for empathy, compassion, and love. Zega draws connections between individual and collective experiences, highlighting how our internal states and unresolved traumas manifest externally. She emphasizes the power we have to change our own mindsets and states of being, in order to show up more fully for one another and work towards positive change. Questions for Further Reflection How can we cultivate a deeper sense of interconnectedness and empathy within our communities and society as a whole? What steps can we take to better understand and acknowledge the historical injustices and systemic oppression that have shaped the current landscape? In what ways can we each work to expand our emotional resources and resilience, and how might that contribute to collective healing? What role does personal growth and development play in our ability to show up for one another and create positive change? How might recognizing our shared humanity, beyond national or other divisive identities, help us move towards a more just and equitable future? What practical strategies can we implement to foster more compassion, love, and collective mourning in response to societal challenges?

Lisa Michelle Zega explores the process of navigating life transitions and personal growth and in the process highlights the role of grief and the need to let go of idealized expectations. The importance of self-compassion and embracing one's human limitations is emphasized as part of the journey of expansion and transformation. The collaborative nature of this transformative work is also discussed. Underlying these ideas is the concept that expanding into one's true, divine nature involves a process of "death and rebirth." Questions for Further Reflection How can we cultivate self-compassion and patience when facing our own human limitations during times of transition or instability? What role can collaborative relationships play in supporting personal growth and transformation? In what ways can the concept of "death and rebirth" be applied to our own journeys of expanding into our true, divine nature? How can acknowledging and embracing grief and loss open us up to new possibilities and a deeper connection with ourselves and others? What practices or mindsets can help us let go of idealized expectations and engage more fully with the realities of our current relationships and circumstances?

In this episode, Lisa Michelle Zega explores the powerful role that self-shaming and reimagination can play in the grieving process. Lisa shares personal experiences and insights on how being present to our own suffering, rather than trying to undo the past, can open us up to deeper self-compassion and the ability to create new, enriching experiences. The discussion touches on the importance of embracing the messiness of life, allowing ourselves to fully feel our emotions, and using the power of reimagination to find closure and nourish new growth. Throughout, Lisa emphasizes the synergy between being present to ourselves and being present to others with kindness and love. How have you experienced the pull of "should-ing" yourself in the face of grief or difficult experiences? How can you practice being more present to your actual experience rather than trying to undo the past? In what ways have you found the process of reimagining or re-living past experiences to be helpful in your own healing and growth? What new perspectives or insights have emerged through this process? How might embracing the messiness and imperfections of life and relationships open you up to deeper self-compassion and connection with others? What would it look like to let go of the need to curate your experiences? What are some concrete ways you can nurture the "soil" of your life, allowing past experiences to compost and feed new growth and opportunities? How can you be more intentional about metabolizing rather than suppressing difficult emotions? How can the power of reimagination help you find closure, complete unfinished conversations, or give yourself the experiences you wish you had in moments of loss or regret? What might that process look like for you?

In this thought-provoking conversation, Lisa Michelle Zega explores the profound connection between grief and love. Lisa delves into the idea that true healing requires us to be present to our own suffering, allowing love to enter and minister to our wounds. Through personal stories and reflections, Lisa unpacks how facing our pain with self-compassion can open the door to deeper relationships, forgiveness, and the ability to genuinely love ourselves and others. Lisa's discussion illuminates the transformative power that arises when we are willing to confront our grief, rather than avoid or resent it. Listeners are invited to consider how embracing the fullness of their emotional experiences, as Lisa has done, can lead to greater wholeness and the capacity to let their light shine. Links Lisa's website: https://legityou.com/ Neal DeGrasse Tyson on the mobeus strip: hw_dungeoncanyon17c_h_en_87 (youtube.com) Questions for Further Reflection How have you experienced the relationship between grief and love in your own life? Can you identify moments where facing your pain allowed for deeper compassion and connection? What does it mean to you to "enter your own wounds" and allow love to minister there? What practices or mindsets support this process of self-compassion? Lisa spoke about the transformative power of not retaliating against those who have hurt us. How might choosing forgiveness over resentment open up new possibilities in your relationships? In what ways have you struggled to fully receive love from others, perhaps due to unresolved pain or shame? How might tending to those inner wounds unlock your capacity for deeper intimacy? Lisa reflected on the connection between light and darkness, and how they can share the same intention for our growth. How have you witnessed this interplay of opposites in your own life experiences? What insights from Lisa's exploration of grief as love might inspire you to approach your own losses, transitions or seasons of suffering with more openness and self-care?

In this episode, Lisa Michelle Zega shares a profound perspective on the relationship between grief and love. Drawing insights from a course on Black history, Zega has come to see grief not as something to be feared, but as a patient, kind, and celebratory expression of the highest form of love. By reframing grief in this way, Zega suggests we can find healing, forgiveness, and a path to a new future, both individually and collectively. This thought-provoking exploration challenges listeners to reconsider their understanding of the grieving process and the transformative potential of embracing grief as love. Questions for Further Reflection How might reframing grief as a form of love change the way you approach and process your own experiences of loss and mourning? What can we learn from the resilience and adaptability of marginalized communities that have endured systemic oppression? How might those lessons inform our own grieving process? In what ways can grief be seen as a patient, kind, and celebratory expression? How might embracing those qualities of grief lead to healing and growth? How can engaging with the historical and cultural contexts of grief and trauma open up new perspectives and possibilities for the future? What are the benefits of viewing grief not as something to be feared or avoided, but as a transformative path to forgiveness and renewal? How might this shift your relationship with the grieving process?

In this episode, host Lisa Michelle Zega takes us on a deeply personal journey as she navigates significant life transitions. From preparing to move to a new home in Texas to honoring what would have been her wedding anniversary with her late fiancé Chip, Lisa Michelle shares her raw and vulnerable experiences with remarkable openness. As she reflects on starting a new romantic relationship just months after Chip's passing, the emotional process of leaving her home of six years, and her ongoing commitment to supporting marginalized individuals, a powerful theme emerges - the transformative power of embracing one's grief and story, rather than avoiding it. Lisa Michelle's reflections on the importance of gratitude, ritual, and moving into the depths of life and love offer listeners an intimate look at her path towards healing and growth. Links: Ho'oponopono - Full Song, Meditation, Prayer for Forgiveness Lisa's Website: https://www.legityou.com/ Questions for Further Reflection: How can rituals of gratitude and apology help us process major life transitions and let go of spaces/relationships that have been significant to us? What is the value in honoring and celebrating important milestones, even in the midst of grief and loss? How can these experiences provide healing and meaning? What does it mean to "move into our grief instead of away from it"? How can this mindset shift impact one's journey through profound life changes? How can a deep commitment to supporting and empowering marginalized or transitioning individuals be a source of purpose and meaning, even amidst one's own personal upheaval? What enables someone to reach a place of self-acceptance and owning their story, rather than making excuses? How might this mindset benefit others going through major life changes? In what ways can practices like "I'm sorry, please forgive me, thank you, I love you" be a helpful tool for navigating grief, transition, and personal growth?

In this episode, Lisa Michelle Zega shares her personal journey through grief and loss, offering insights and strategies that can help listeners navigate their own experiences with grief. From the societal lack of space for loss to the importance of owning one's story, Lisa's candid and empowering narrative provides a roadmap for finding resilience and self-compassion in the face of life's most challenging moments. Questions for Further Reflection How can you create more space for grief and loss in your own life and community? What steps can you take to build a strong support network that you can rely on during times of crisis? In what ways have you struggled to own your story and experiences, and how can you begin to stand firmly inside your narrative? Have you considered working with a coach or therapist to explore the role of the subconscious in your grieving process? What insights might this offer? How can you communicate your needs and preferences to those around you during a time of grief, to ensure you are respected and supported? Have you ever tried the practice of writing letters to a deceased loved one? What might this experience offer you? How might the technique of widening your vision help you navigate your own grief and loss? Navigate to Lisa's website: https://legityou.com/

Host Lisa Michelle Zega navigates a pivotal life shift, grappling with the emotional weight of loss and uncertainty. She explores the shared vulnerability and grief that often accompany major transitions, drawing parallels to her role in guiding others through their own emotional journeys. The episode delves into the everyday impact of loss, the importance of emotional presence, and the interconnectedness of human experiences. Lisa underscores the transformative power of grief, which can foster deeper connections and love, ultimately inviting listeners to embrace community and shared healing. Key Points Navigating Loss: Lisa explores the emotional and physical landscape of transition. Empathy and Connection: Reflecting on shared grief, Lisa emphasizes the power of human connection. Embracing Vulnerability: Lisa delves into the courage to be present with one's emotions and the transformative power of connection. Human Universality: Lisa recognizes the shared struggles and commonalities that unite us all. Vision for Change: Lisa envisions a world built on love and compassion, challenging the limitations of current systems. Celebrating Life: Lisa celebrates the beauty and love that have shaped her life. Questions for Further Reflection How have you experienced major life transitions and the sense of loss or emptiness that can accompany them? In what ways have you noticed the external environment mirroring your internal emotional landscape during times of change? When have you been called to hold space for someone else's grief or loss? How did that impact you? What has your experience been of navigating significant life events, like the holidays, after the loss of a loved one? How have you cultivated the courage to be present with your own vulnerability during difficult times? In what ways have you found connection and community to be healing during periods of loss or transition? What practices help you to remain fully present with your experience, even when it is challenging? How have you been able to recognize the shared humanity in others, despite apparent differences? What is your vision for a world built on love and deeper connection between all people? Where have you noticed an awakening or shift in consciousness around our shared struggles and need for community? When have you taken time to reflect with gratitude on the meaningful experiences and relationships in your life? In what ways can you bring more love and compassion to yourself and others during times of transition or loss? Lisa's website: http://legityou.com

In an era where speed often overrides sensitivity, and technology often trumps togetherness, it is vital to pause and reflect on the fundamental elements that connect us—not just as individuals or communities, but as part of a larger, breathing world. Today, let's journey through a profound exploration of breath, body, and land, and how these elements intertwine with our experiences of suffering, healing, and ultimately, love. Host Lisa Michelle Zega discusses the connection between how we treat our bodies and the land we inhabit. She sees grief as a tool for acknowledging losses and bringing light into darkness. The exhaustion of centuries is prompting a shift towards slowing down, receiving love, and healing together. The message is to dream of a world where we live from a place of oneness and love, holding each other in compassion. Core Themes: Connectedness and Unity: The speaker emphasizes the interconnectedness of all beings, from humans to the land. Grief and Healing: Grief is presented as a tool for healing, not a burden. It's an invitation to acknowledge losses and move towards a more compassionate understanding of ourselves and others. Bodily Awareness and Connection: The passage encourages listeners to become more aware of their bodies and their relationship to the land. It suggests that healing the body can lead to healing the planet. Social Justice and Equity: The speaker discusses historical injustices and the ways in which power imbalances have been used to divide people. Specific Points: The Land and Human Suffering: The land is seen as a witness to human suffering, and there's a call for collective healing and reconciliation with the natural world. The Body as a Vessel: The body is described as a precious vessel that often receives neglect and mistreatment. The Importance of Slowing Down: The speaker advocates for slowing down and being present to experience the interconnectedness of all things. The Power of Grief: Grief is presented as a transformative force that can lead to greater understanding and healing. Dreaming of a Better Future: The passage concludes with a call to dream collectively about a more just and equitable world. Questions for Further Reflection How do you experience your interconnectedness with the natural world? What are some ways you can foster a deeper sense of unity with others in your community? How can we collectively work towards healing the divisions that exist in our society? What losses have you experienced in your life? How have you coped with these losses? How can grief be a catalyst for personal growth and transformation? What role can community play in supporting individuals through the grieving process? What is your relationship with your body? Are there areas where you feel disconnected or disconnected? How can you incorporate more mindfulness and self-care practices into your daily life? How does your relationship with your body impact your relationship with the natural world? What are some historical injustices that have impacted your community or society? How can we work towards dismantling systems of oppression and inequality? What role can individuals play in promoting social justice and equity? What kind of world do you envision for yourself and future generations? How can you contribute to creating a more just, equitable, and sustainable future? What steps can you take today to move towards your desired future? Links https://amaratmacoaching.com/

Host Lisa Michelle Zega delves into the profound connection between historical trauma and personal grief. She explores how systemic injustices, such as slavery and genocide, have left a lasting impact on individuals and communities. Lisa argues that the unresolved wounds of the past can manifest as individual pain, leading to feelings of loss, disconnection, and despair. Lisa emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and addressing historical trauma as a crucial step in personal healing. She suggests that by understanding the collective pain of the past, individuals can better process their own grief and create a more compassionate and equitable society. Lisa encourages listeners to reflect on their own experiences of loss and consider how historical trauma may be influencing their lives. Key Points: Historical Trauma: The speaker discusses the impact of historical injustices, such as slavery, genocide, and systemic oppression, on individuals and communities. They argue that these events have been largely ignored or minimized in traditional history. The Role of Grief: The speaker suggests that unresolved historical trauma can manifest as individual grief, leading to feelings of loss, pain, and disconnection. The Need for Healing: The speaker emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and addressing historical trauma as a necessary step in personal healing. They advocate for a more compassionate and empathetic approach to grief, recognizing that it is a natural response to loss, both personal and collective. Collective Healing: The speaker suggests that by acknowledging and addressing historical trauma, individuals can contribute to collective healing and create a more just and equitable society. Additional Notes: Lisa mentions reading Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States and discusses the impact it has had on their understanding of history. Lisa shares a personal anecdote about a conversation with their husband about law enforcement and the criminalization of poverty. Lisa emphasizes the importance of compassion, empathy, and community in healing from grief and historical trauma. Questions for Further Reflection How have historical injustices impacted your own life or the lives of your ancestors? In what ways do you see the effects of historical trauma manifesting in your community or society today? How can we create spaces for open and honest conversations about historical trauma and its impact on individuals and communities? How do you personally experience grief? What are your coping mechanisms? What obstacles have you faced in processing grief, both personal and collective? How can we cultivate a culture that is more supportive of grief and healing? What role can individuals play in addressing historical injustices and promoting social change? How can we work together to create a more equitable and just society? What are the challenges and opportunities for collective healing and reconciliation?

Host Lisa Michelle Zega underscores the importance of being present and attentive to our own grief and losses, rather than rushing to “move on.” She introduces the “5 Gates of Grief” by Francis Weller, which cover various types of losses and unmet needs we all experience. Emphasizing the necessity of bringing loving attention to these unmet needs and unwitnessed griefs, she cautions against judging ourselves for not “getting over it” quickly. Lisa also explores how our culture often fails to provide space and support for the grieving process, leading to feelings of shame over ongoing pain. She advocates for self-compassion, slowing down, and listening to the wisdom of the body as essential ways to tend to our grief. Key Insights Presence and Attention: Emphasizing the importance of being present and attentive to our own grief and losses, rather than rushing to “move on.” The 5 Gates of Grief: Introducing Francis Weller’s framework, which encompasses various types of losses and unmet needs we all experience. Loving Attention: Highlighting the necessity of bringing loving attention to these unmet needs and unwitnessed griefs, instead of judging ourselves for not “getting over it” quickly. Cultural Shortcomings: Exploring how our culture often fails to provide space and support for the grieving process, leading to feelings of shame over ongoing pain. Self-Compassion and Body Wisdom: Advocating for self-compassion, slowing down, and listening to the wisdom of the body as essential ways to tend to our grief. Questions for Further Self-Inquiry 1. What unmet or unwitnessed losses from your past are still impacting you today? How can you bring more love and attention to those places within you? 2. In what ways have you been conditioned by societal messages about productivity, grief, and self-care? How can you challenge those narratives and cultivate more self-compassion? 3. What parts of yourself or your experiences have you felt the need to suppress or "turn down" because they didn't fit societal norms? How can you honor and embrace those aspects of yourself with love? 4. What collective sorrows or ancestral wounds are you carrying, even if they aren't directly your own experiences? How can you bring awareness and healing to those larger systemic issues? 5. When you scan your body, what sensations, aches or pains are communicating unmet needs or unprocessed grief? How can you respond to those body messages with gentle, nurturing attention? 6. How can you cultivate more presence, slowness and witnessing - for yourself, your loved ones, and the world around you? What might that act of "stopping to see" unlock or reveal? Grief Heals is a Jump Up and Down Production © 2024 For more information, visit Lisa's website at ⁠http://legityou.com/⁠ or email Lisa: [email protected]

Description In this episode of “Grief Heals,” Lisa Michelle Zega discusses the importance of addressing grief and pain instead of passing it on like a game of hot potato. She emphasizes the need for love, forgiveness, and nurturing to heal from loss. By witnessing and releasing our pain, we can prevent it from affecting others and move toward community wellness. The episode encourages listeners to embrace their emotions, particularly tears, as essential for cleansing and healing. Highlights -🕊️ Universal Pain: We play a game of hot potato with our grief, passing it on instead of addressing it. Grief as Love: Grief is a normal response to loss, inviting love and healing. Forgiveness: True forgiveness is about releasing the pain we carry from others. Pause for Awareness: Taking a moment to pause and center ourselves is crucial for healing. Compassionate Witnessing: Meeting our pain with compassion can interrupt the cycle of hurt. Tears as Cleansing: Tears are a natural part of healing, facilitating the release of stored pain. Community Wellness: Sharing our grief allows for collective healing, fostering deeper connections. Key Insights -💡 Hot Potato of Pain: The metaphor of “hot potato” illustrates how unresolved pain is often passed to others. Recognizing this behavior can help individuals take responsibility for their emotional baggage and seek healing rather than perpetuating cycles of hurt. Healing through Nurture: Grief is not merely an emotion but an invitation to nurture ourselves and others. It highlights the necessity of witnessing pain and providing care to foster healing, emphasizing that neglecting grief leads to further emotional complications. The Role of Forgiveness: Forgiveness is not about condoning harmful actions; it’s about releasing the burden of someone else’s unprocessed pain. This insight encourages individuals to seek emotional freedom by letting go of the pain they’ve internalized from others. The Power of Pausing: In a fast-paced world, taking time to pause is crucial for emotional awareness. This practice allows individuals to reconnect with their feelings, promoting mindfulness and helping to process grief effectively. Compassion Over Judgment: By replacing judgment with curiosity and compassion, individuals can create a safe space for emotional expression. This shift promotes understanding and connection, essential for healing both personally and within communities. Embracing Tears: Tears are a vital aspect of emotional release, serving as a cleansing mechanism. Acknowledging and allowing tears to flow can significantly aid in processing grief and alleviating emotional burdens. Collective Healing: Sharing grief within a community fosters collective healing. By allowing vulnerability and emotional expression, individuals can support one another in their healing journeys, creating a deeper sense of connection and understanding. Questions for Further Exploration: How do I witness and nurture my own pain? In what ways do I pass my grief onto others? What does forgiveness mean to me in my grief journey? How can I create space for my tears and emotions? What healing practices resonate with my experience of loss? How can I interrupt judgment and cultivate curiosity about my grief? Links: Matt Kahn: https://youtu.be/sRDP2CI9Ivk?si=Cu-Mc879Y3U1_gs Grief Heals is produced by Jump Up and Down Productions © 2014 #grief #pain #forgiveness #healing #embracingloss #griefheals #tears #crying

In this episode of “Grief Heals,” host Lisa Michelle Zaga discusses the transformative power of grief, emphasizing that it invites us to embrace our wholeness and recognize all parts of ourselves. She explores personal experiences with anger, shame, and acceptance, illustrating how grief can lead to deeper connections and understanding within ourselves and our communities. The conversation highlights the importance of allowing our losses to be witnessed and loved, ultimately fostering healing and creativity. Highlights -🕊️ Grief Heals: Grief invites wholeness and acceptance of all parts of ourselves. Storytelling: Sharing our stories fosters connection and combats shame. Anger as Advocacy: Anger is a call to action, not just a negative emotion. Community Connection: Belonging is essential, and grief helps us find our place. Compassion for Self: Embracing our loudness and imperfections leads to greater self-love. Healing Generations: Acknowledging inherited beliefs can break cycles of shame. Creative Awakening: Allowing grief to surface can inspire art and community-building. Key Insights -✨ Embracing Wholeness: Grief is not merely an emotional response but a pathway to understanding our full selves. By welcoming grief, we acknowledge our losses and integrate them into our identity, fostering a deeper sense of belonging. The Power of Story: Sharing personal narratives allows us to confront uncomfortable truths and fosters empathy, creating connections with others. This process can help in healing from past traumas, as it invites compassion into our experiences. Redefining Anger: Anger should not be viewed solely as a destructive force; it can serve as a powerful motivator for change and advocacy. Recognizing this allows us to channel our energy into positive actions that promote healing and justice. Community and Belonging: The desire to belong is innate. Grief, when processed collectively, strengthens community ties, reminding us that our struggles are shared and that healing is a communal endeavor. Self-Compassion: Accepting our loudness and imperfections is essential for self-acceptance. This shift in perspective allows for a healthier relationship with ourselves, promoting authenticity in our interactions with others. Healing Lineages: Acknowledging and addressing inherited beliefs can disrupt cycles of shame and inadequacy. By facing these issues, we can pave the way for healthier future generations. Creativity Through Grief: Grief can serve as a catalyst for creativity. By allowing our losses to be expressed and witnessed, we open up to new forms of artistic expression and community-building, transforming pain into beauty. Questions for Further Reflection “What does grief mean to you, and how has it shaped your understanding of wholeness?” “Can you identify a loss in your life that you haven’t fully processed? How might acknowledging it help you heal?” “In what ways do you feel your past experiences are connected to your present relationships?” “How do you practice self-compassion when confronting difficult emotions related to grief?” “What parts of yourself do you feel need more love and acceptance, and how can you start nurturing them?” https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dealing-with-beliefs-that-keep-us-stuck-anger-advocacy/id1556564234?i=1000664154723 A Jump Up and Down Production © 2023-2024 #wholeness #grief #anger #mourning #healing #griefheals #sadness #pain #emotionalpain

Host Lisa Michelle Zega reflects on topics like self-love, the connection between grief and love, and the importance of allowing people to exist without the need for validation or labels. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, Lisa explores how self-indulgence differs from self-love, the impact of past experiences on one’s present self, and the significance of nurturing one’s own pain and grief to find wholeness and healing. Key Insights The concept of self-love involves nurturing one’s pain and grief to find wholeness and healing. Seeking validation through others being wrong can hinder one’s ability to be loved and to love others. Grief can be seen as a form of love that guides individuals to the places within themselves that need nourishment and healing. The importance of allowing individuals to exist without the need for validation or labels. The significance of acknowledging and addressing past experiences that influence one’s present self and behavior. Questions for Further Exploration How does seeking validation through others being wrong impact self-love? What is the connection between grief and love? Why is it important to allow individuals to exist without the need for validation or labels? How can nurturing one’s pain and grief lead to wholeness and healing? Links Visit Lisa's website at https://legityou.com/ Simone Grace Seol: https://www.simonegraceseol.com/come-home Irene Lyon: http://irenelyon.com Join the movement to change the conversation on grief! Like, follow, share and comment! #grief #judgement #pain #emotionalpain #selflove #selfindulgence #selfishness #griefislove