The Everyday Grief Podcast

Everyone seems to agree that AI is the reason for mass layoffs. But what if that story is wrong, and what if believing it is actually making things worse? In this episode, Dr. Anitra draws on 25 years of Fortune 500 HR leadership, her own experience surviving five layoffs, and the latest research from Challenger, Gray and Christmas and a Harvard Business Review study by Deloitte and MIT researchers to challenge the narrative head on. The data tells a very different story than the headlines, and understanding that difference could change how you heal, how you move forward, and how you see yourself after a layoff. Whether you are a professional navigating a workforce transition or an HR leader managing one, this episode will reframe what you think you know. Join Dr. Anitra for the Occupational Breakup weekly online training every Tuesday at 7:00pm.  Register here:  https://bit.ly/Healfromoccupationalbreakups

Send us a textIn today’s episode, we dive deep into the often-overlooked power of taking leave—whether it’s for personal health, grief, or family. Leave isn’t just about stepping away from work; it’s an opportunity to pause, reflect, and heal.In this conversation, we acknowledge the internal struggles that come with taking time for yourself—guilt, pressure, uncertainty—and why it’s essential to make space for self-compassion during life’s transitions. From personal stories of navigating grief and health challenges to actionable tools like the Leaves Quiz and Leaves Assessment, we explore how to prepare for and embrace leave in a way that fuels both your well-being and your ability to return stronger, more resilient, and more aligned with your purpose.If you’re planning for a leave or supporting someone through the process, this episode will guide you toward the clarity and support you need to move through it with confidence. And remember, taking leave is an act of strength, not weakness.Take the quiz, review your results, and if you need support, schedule a personalized debrief with me to get clear on your next steps.Want to learn more about Everyday Grief Inc. and my work? You can visit us at everydaygriefcoach.com. To learn more about me and why I do this work, visit everydaygriefcoach.com/about.

Send us a textIn this episode of The Everyday Grief Podcast, Dr. Anitra Manning dives deep into the power of the stories we tell ourselves, especially during times of grief. Exploring how grief can transform us, Dr. Anitra discusses the importance of confronting and embracing our grief instead of bypassing it. She invites you to view grief not as a roadblock, but as a gateway that leads to a more authentic version of yourself.Learn how to reclaim your power amidst grief, move beyond shame, and use lament as a spiritual practice to process loss. Dr. Anitra also introduces a framework to help you navigate your grief, including the concept of grief archetypes and the role of community in healing. If you're struggling with grief or facing a significant loss, this episode will empower you to embrace your emotions, find strength, and reclaim your narrative.Join Dr. Anitra as she helps you make sense of your grief, find balance, and step into the person you're becoming. Take this next step toward healing, and remember—you are still becoming.Key Takeaways:Grief is not just something to get through; it’s a chance for transformation.Learn how to confront grief and use it as a gateway to a deeper, more authentic version of yourself.The importance of lament as a spiritual practice and how it helps you honor your grief.How to reclaim your power in the middle of grief and avoid letting it define your entire story.Understanding and using your grief archetype to guide your healing journey.Resources:Take the Grief Resilience Assessment at EverydayGriefCoach.com/assessments to better understand your grief archetype and get tools to help you process grief in a way that works for you.Remember: You are still becoming.Want to learn more about Everyday Grief Inc. and my work? You can visit us at everydaygriefcoach.com. To learn more about me and why I do this work, visit everydaygriefcoach.com/about.

Send us a textIn the final episode of the You Are Not a Line Item series, Dr. Anitra steps back to look at the collective grief caused by layoffs, systemic disconnection, and the commodification of human beings in the workplace.Sharing from her personal experience of being laid off while carrying others’ shock and sorrow, she names the deep exhaustion of those who are always expected to hold space — even while unraveling themselves. With wisdom from trauma stewardship, grief psychology, and sacred compassion, this episode exposes the moral injury many are silently carrying and the spiritual numbness produced by workplace systems that reward productivity over presence.Dr. Anitra offers both critique and hope — naming what has been lost, and calling us into healing through truth-telling, communal witness, and soul-centered storytelling.This episode is a balm for the overburdened, a mirror for the overlooked, and a blessing for those longing to reclaim dignity in a system that has forgotten who we really are.Mentioned in this episode:Emotional labor and moral injuryThe disconnection caused by corporate “resilience” cultureTeachings from Laura van Dernoot Lipsky, Darcy Harris, Alan Wolfelt, and bell hooksRituals and storytelling practices for personal and communal healingA warm invitation to work with Dr. Anitra through coaching, retreats, and sacred space-holdingTags: #griefatwork #griefcoach #moralinjury #traumastewardship #blackwomenleaders #collectivegrief #sacredhealing #youarenotalineitem #layoffsupport #vocationalgrief #emotionalintegrity #bellhooksheWant to learn more about Everyday Grief Inc. and my work? You can visit us at everydaygriefcoach.com. To learn more about me and why I do this work, visit everydaygriefcoach.com/about.

Send us a textIn this soul-grounding episode, Dr. Anitra walks us through what happens after the layoff — when the door has closed, but the grief, confusion, and silence still remain. She shares her own story of being laid off while also comforting others through it, and how even as she held space for others, she was unraveling inside. With the help of sacred scripture — Hannah, the woman with the alabaster jar, and Mary of Bethany — Dr. Anitra reframes grief as an invitation to tell the truth, ask for what you need, and find safety in storytelling. This episode offers a grief-informed framework for rewriting your story with clarity, courage, and community.Whether you’re freshly laid off, quietly grieving something old, or supporting someone through vocational loss — this is your invitation to stop hiding, start healing, and speak your story into new light.Want to learn more about Everyday Grief Inc. and my work? You can visit us at everydaygriefcoach.com. To learn more about me and why I do this work, visit everydaygriefcoach.com/about.

Send us a textIn this soul-grounding episode, Dr. Anitra Manning opens a new mini-series exploring the often overlooked grief of layoffs. With compassion, clarity, and spiritual depth, she invites listeners to name the moral injury, shame, and identity rupture that follow job loss — and begin the process of healing.Drawing from her own story, along with wisdom from grief-informed frameworks and faith-based reflection, Dr. Anitra reminds us: you are not a line item. You are not disposable. You are still whole.Whether you’ve recently been laid off, are quietly grieving a past role, or love someone who is navigating vocational loss — this episode is a companion for the journey back to dignity and truth.Mentioned in this episode:Concepts of moral injury, vocational grief, and communal careSpiritual insight: Jesus and rejection, worth beyond systemsGrief wisdom drawn from Darcy Harris, Alan Wolfelt, Theresa Rando, and othersA grounding blessing and reflection practiceKey Themes: #grief #layoffsupport #vocationalgrief #spiritualresilience #careertransition #griefcoach #youarenotalineitemListen and share with someone who may need this conversation.Want to learn more about Everyday Grief Inc. and my work? You can visit us at everydaygriefcoach.com. To learn more about me and why I do this work, visit everydaygriefcoach.com/about.

Send us a textYou knew leadership would be challenging—but no one prepared you for this. Letting people go. Watching jobs disappear. Delivering news that changes lives. Carrying the weight of decisions that feel necessary, yet deeply personal.If you’ve ever had to lead through layoffs, you know this isn’t just a business decision. It’s a human one. And it leaves its mark.In this episode of Everyday Grief, Dr. Anitra invites you into a different kind of leadership conversation—one that acknowledges the grief, the guilt, and the deep responsibility that comes with layoffs. Through the unexpected wisdom of Gideon’s story, we explore:Why layoffs feel personal—even when they’re strategic.The hidden grief of leadership and how it shapes your decision-making.Moral injury—when doing the “right thing” still feels wrong.How to move from guilt and shame to moral clarity.A simple but powerful breathing practice to release what is not yours to carry.How to lead layoffs with dignity, compassion, and integrity.This episode isn’t about corporate best practices—it’s about how to hold onto your humanity while making impossible choices. Because leadership isn’t just about strategy—it’s about how you carry it.If you’ve ever walked away from a difficult decision and thought, "Did I do that right?"—this episode is for you.Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.Take the Grief Resilience Assessment by going here: https://everydaygriefcoach.com/assessments/If this episode spoke to you, please:Share it with another leader who may be carrying this weight alone.Leave a review on Apple Podcasts—it helps others find this space.Subscribe so you never miss a conversation that helps you lead with integrity and resilience.Thank you for being here. Take a breath. You are not alone in this.Want to learn more about Everyday Grief Inc. and my work? You can visit us at everydaygriefcoach.com. To learn more about me and why I do this work, visit everydaygriefcoach.com/about.

Send us a textWhat happens when the job that gave you meaning is gone?In this first episode of the Layoffs, Leaves & Promotions series, Dr. Anitra shares her personal story of job loss and how it shook her identity — along with reflections on what it means to grieve a role that felt like part of you.Whether you’ve experienced a layoff, career transition, leadership change, or find yourself asking "Who am I now that this part of my life has ended?" — this episode is for you.We’ll explore:Why job loss is a form of grief, even if no one calls it that.The hidden grief of losing identity, purpose, and belonging.The stories we tell ourselves — and how to gently ask, “Is it true?”Reflection questions to help you reframe your story and honor your worth.Resources Mentioned:Take the Grief Resilience Assessment — discover how you process grief and what care you need: https://everydaygriefcoach.com/assessments/Join the Everyday Grief Community — a private space for those navigating life and career losses with support and compassion: https://www.everydaygriefprograms.com/products/communities/everydaygriefcommunityBecause you are more than your job — and you don’t have to do this alone.Connect and learn more: https://everydaygriefcoach.com  Want to learn more about Everyday Grief Inc. and my work? You can visit us at everydaygriefcoach.com. To learn more about me and why I do this work, visit everydaygriefcoach.com/about.