The Mindfulness & Grief Podcast
by Heather Stang, MA, C-IAYT
When you're grieving, you don't need quick fixes. You need compassionate tools that help you live with what's been lost.Hosted by author, yoga therapist, and thanatologist Heather Stang, recipient of the 2025 ADEC Clinical Practice Award, the Mindfulness & Grief Podcast offers gentle conversations and practical tools to help you care for your heart after loss.Each episode explores how mindfulness, movement, journaling, and community can ease suffering, strengthen resilience, and help you honour your love in new ways.Whether you're newly bereaved or supporting others in grief, you'll find grounded wisdom, honest stories, and space to breathe here.Visit https://heatherstang.com for free resources, guided practices, and support.
Episodes
-
Who Am I Now? Allowing Transformation After a Major Loss (Step 7)
Grief changes us in ways we do not choose. In this episode of the Mindfulness & Grief Podcast, Heather Stang and Amanda Palermo explore Step 7 of the Mindfulness & Grief System: Allowing Transformation. This step looks at the tender question many grieving people ask after loss: “Who am I now?”...
-
The Relationship Doesn't End: Continuing Bonds (Step 6)
When someone dies, the relationship doesn't end. It changes. In this episode of the Mindfulness & Grief Podcast, Heather Stang and Amanda Palermo explore Step 6 of the Mindfulness & Grief System: Continuing Bonds. Together, they discuss why staying connected to the person who died is a healthy…
more -
When Grief Feels Like a Boomerang: Getting Unstuck (Step 5)
Sometimes in grief, you feel like you're doing better. You're getting through the day. You're sleeping more. Maybe you've started to reconnect with parts of your life again. And then, out of nowhere, a wave hits. It can feel like you're right back where you started. In this episode of the...
-
Tending to Difficult Emotions: Skillful Courage (Step 4)
When grief brings up difficult emotions, it can be hard to know what to do next. Do you lean in? Do you step back? Do you let yourself cry, or do you take a break from the intensity? In this episode of the Mindfulness & Grief Podcast, Heather Stang and Amanda Palermo explore how to tend to...
-
Kindness for Your Grieving Heart: Compassion for All (Step 3)
When grief softens the initial shock, other feelings often rise to the surface. In this episode of the Mindfulness & Grief Podcast, Heather Stang and Amanda Palermo explore how compassion can support you when grief brings guilt, self-criticism, resentment, and the pain of being human. Grief does...
-
From Rumination to Wisdom: Mindful Awareness (Step 2)
When someone you love dies, your mind doesn't go quiet. It gets loud. In this episode of the Mindfulness & Grief Podcast, Heather Stang and Amanda Palermo explore how mindfulness can support you when grief pulls you into rumination, anxiety, and mental loops. Grief doesn't just affect your heart....
-
When Grief Overwhelms Your Body: Conscious Relaxation (Step 1)
The First Step to Calm Your Nervous System After Loss Grief doesn't just affect your heart. It affects your body. In this episode of the Mindfulness & Grief Podcast, Heather Stang and Amanda Palermo explore why grief overwhelms the nervous system and why you can't think your way out of it. When...
-
Grief Step by Step: The Mindfulness & Grief System
Grief can feel chaotic, exhausting, and unpredictable. Many people receive support after a loss, but still feel unsure what to do when emotions surge or the nervous system feels overwhelmed. In this episode of the Mindfulness & Grief Podcast, Heather Stang and cohost Amanda Palermo explore why...
-
Missing Your Loved One During the Holidays: A Meditation to Feel Close
The holiday season can be especially tender when you are grieving. Familiar traditions, gatherings, and quiet moments can intensify the ache of missing someone you love. Even well meaning silence from others can make the loss feel heavier and more isolating. In this episode of the Mindfulness and...
-
How to Get Through Thanksgiving When You're Grieving
Thanksgiving can be an emotionally complex day when you are grieving. Even simple traditions or familiar gatherings can feel overwhelming when your heart is carrying loss. Whether this is your first Thanksgiving without your person or one of many, it is normal to feel tender, unsure, or stretched...
-
How to Say No to Holiday Events When You're Grieving
Holiday invitations can feel complicated when you are grieving. Even the kindest offers can bring pressure, guilt, or a sense that you should show up in ways your heart simply cannot. Whether this is your first holiday without your person or your twentieth, it is normal to feel overwhelmed by...
-
Planning for Peace: Tending to Holiday Grief and Anxiety
The holidays can stir up as much pain as joy when you're grieving. Lights, music, and celebrations can feel unbearable when your heart is heavy with loss. Whether this is your first holiday without your person or your twentieth, it's normal to miss them deeply. In this episode of The Mindfulness…
more -
Hope Is a Bright Star: Finding Comfort and Peace After the Death of a Child
When Faith Wilcox's daughter Elizabeth began to complain about knee pain, her doctors thought it was just growing pains and she would be fine. As her pain continued, she was diagnosed with a rare bone cancer that affects pediatric patients. Through 10 months of treatment, Elizabeth remained...
-
Some Light at the End: Your Bedside Guide for Peaceful Palliative and Hospice Care
Beth Cavenaugh shares with us her personal experience as a nurse-turned-hospice worker at the request of her mom during her mom's final stage of life. Beth talks about her love of her work with families and patients and what caregivers need to think about during such a difficult period of time....
-
Signs From Beyond: A Father's Journey Towards Peace
Until he met Patty Furino, bereaved father Dave Roberts didn't believe that the signs he kept seeing were coming from his beloved daughter, Jeannine. But soon, everything changed. In this episode of the Mindfulness & Grief Podcast, Dave shares his journey of love and loss and how the signs from…
more -
Fatherless Odyssey: Navigating Both Biological & Step-Father Loss
In episode 50 of the Mindfulness & Grief Podcast, Reid Peterson shares his story of losing both father figures in his life and the grief that comes with living without those important people. Although he was not close to his biological father the way he hoped, Reid still grieves the relationship...
-
A Sherpa Named Zoi: How to Walk Through Grief & Live With Intention
In episode 49, bereaved father Eric Hodgdon explores how he leads a life of intention in the wake of incredible pain over the death of his daughter, Zoi, who died by suicide. He shares his fond memories of a loving and fun girl who was a sweet, supportive peer to those who knew her. Family,...
-
The Art of Visualizing Grief: Translating Pain Into Pictures
Ronald Mathias talks to us about his field of medical illustration: the art of taking complex medical procedures, descriptions, or concepts and turning them into something visual for ease of understanding. He spends most of his time translating traumatic injuries and building empathy for the pain...
-
From Grief to Peace: Guided Journaling For Mindfulness & Compassion
The tables are turned as Heather Stang, the regular host of the Mindfulness & Grief Podcast, is interviewed by guest host Audrey Hughey about the new guided journal for grief, From Grief to Peace, which releases on June 1, 2021. Heather shares how she began journaling about her grief over her…
more -
Leave Your Light On: Friendships & Continuing Bonds After Loss with Shelley Buck and Kathy Curtis
In episode 46, lifelong friends Shelley Buck and Kathy Curtis share their journey of childhood friendship, staying in touch through college, and the comfort that Kathy provided to Shelley following the devastating loss of her son, Ryder. Ryder was a talented musician and world traveler who...
-
Emily's Hope: Coping With Grief & Erasing The Stigma Of Overdose Loss
In episode 45, Angela Kennecke shares with us her story of losing her beautiful 21-year-old daughter, Emily, to overdose. Angela and her family were just a normal family. Emily was a gifted student and cheerleader. But Emily was struggling with one of the most common problems in America —...
-
Future Widow: Losing My Husband, Saving My Family, and Finding My Voice
In episode 44, we talk to Author Jenny Lisk about her experience of parenting and caregiving for her husband during his aggressive form of brain cancer and eventually becoming a single parent and widow. Jenny shares how she navigated her way forward after his passing and her calling to help other...
-
I HAD A Brother Once: Unmasking the Grief of Sibling Loss by Suicide with Adam Mansbach
In episode 43, New York Times-bestselling author Adam Mansbach talks with us about his new memoir, "I HAD A Brother Once," which details his grief of losing his brother by suicide a decade ago. As a writer, he struggled for nine years before he was finally able to write about his brother.…
more -
How Grief Is Stored In The Body & What We Can Do To Help Ourselves Ease The Pain
In Episode 42, Dr. Amy Novotny shares her emotional journey of living with a mother that was bipolar and suffered from borderline personality disorder, being tutored by her throughout higher education, and eventually losing her to cancer. The grief left Amy struggling with an unexplainable…
more -
Just A Boy Blaming Himself: Revisiting Childhood Loss Through A Grown Up's Eyes with Daniel Hess
In Episode 41, Daniel Hess talks to us about his struggle with losing his cousin after a long battle with cystic fibrosis. Daniel was only 9 years old at the time. The trauma of losing his best friend at such a young age created a void in his life that he has since tried to fill with creativity…
more -
Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times with Katherine May
When two health scares hit Katherine May's family, she was forced to slow down and learn a valuable lesson — staying busy doesn't always mean you're doing something productive with your time. The idea of wintering creates the opportunity to slow down the pace of life, observe as it transitions…
more -
Grief & Poetry with Chaplain Neil Beresin
Neil Beresin never set out to become a chaplain. In fact, he worked in the nonprofit world for 20 years. But everything changed for him when both his parents became ill and passed away within 5 weeks of each other. This devastating loss changed the trajectory of his life. Neil is now a chaplain…
more -
Grief, Dogs & Storytelling with Author Sally Hill Mills
Sally Hill Mills learned to write children's books by writing with children, as a creative writing teacher in elementary schools in Albuquerque. She learned from kids what keeps them interested in a story – relatable characters, obstacles that have to be overcome, and action. Her first book…
more -
Superhero Grief: The Transformative Power of Loss
It's hard to feel like a superhero while amid tremendous grief. But through her work composing Superhero Grief: The Transformative Power of Loss, Dr. Jill Harrington shows us how we are more like superheroes than you might think. Each superhero that you can think of has experienced some level of...
-
Love, Loss, and Survival: How I Healed After Losing My Husband
After 27 years of marriage, Marla Polk found herself dealing with the sudden death of her husband. Losing her spouse creating a hole in her life that she didn't know what to do with. She tried to turn to her friends, her work, books -but nothing seemed to help her. She then decided to start...
-
The Beauty of What Remains with Rabbi Leder
Rabbi Steve Leder is no stranger to grief. As a rabbi, he has consoled hundreds of families over the years during their most difficult times. In his new book, The Beauty of What Remains, he walks us through his experience of losing his father. He takes us on the journey of self-discovery of how…
more -
Coronavirus Grief Support From The American Red Cross
If you have experienced the death of a loved one from the COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic, the American Red Cross offers free support to help you through this difficult time. From spiritual care to help with planning virtual services, their Integrated Condolence Care Program is staffed by...
-
Is My Deceased Loved One OK?
If you wonder what happens to your loved one after they die, you are in good company. Wanting to know they are OK, that they are not suffering, that they may even be happy, is a universal feeling rooted in the love that is the root of our grief. In her book Becoming Starlight, Surviving Grief and...
-
Surviving The Death Of Our Beloved Cats & Dogs
Pets are not just animals that live in our house, they are our chosen family. When they die it is heartbreaking because we love them so much! The key to surviving the death of our beloved cats and dogs is to first acknowledge that it hurts, and acknowledge that our grief is real and…
more -
Guilt, Regret, & Traumatic Loss with Anne Marie-Lockmyer
If you have been blaming yourself for the death of your loved one, or feeling guilty that you didn't do something you "should" have done, you are not alone. Whether your special person died by suicide, an overdose, long-term illness or suddenly, self-blame often appears. Guilt and shame are heavy...
-
Dreams & Your Emotional Wellbeing During The Pandemic With Dr. Joshua Black
Dreams and sleep are understandably impacted as we all try to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Those of us who are already grieving carry an extra load of anxiety in addition to an already aching heart. In this episode, returning guest Dr. Joshua Black shares helpful insights that will empower us…
more -
Permission To Grieve with Shelby Forsythia
Grief is hard at any age. As a queer young adult in the south, Shelby faced the worst four years of her life as both of her parents were diagnosed with life-limiting illnesses. When her mother died "the stuff really hit the fan," as she put it. At first she resisted her pain, but it was in the...
-
Victorious Heart with Kim Peacock
"Hope is not fragile; just hard to find when the lights go out." This quote from bereaved mother Kim Peacock's book, Victorious Heart resonates with so many people who have suffered and survived a traumatic loss. Kim knows this intimately, as her beloved daughter Nicole died in an ATV accident…
more -
Coping With Overdose Grief with Dave Roberts, LMSW
Coping with grief after a loved one has died from an overdose has a unique set of challenges. All too often the focus is on the circumstances of the death, not the life, of a very special person who loved, lived, and most likely tried to overcome their addiction. Often exhausted by the worry,...
-
Coping With Sibling Loss with Heidi Horsley
The death of a brother or sister can be devastating, but all too often it goes unacknowledged or at least minimized. Social cues direct bereaved siblings to "be strong for your parents," but how can you be strong when your world is shattered by loss? Heidi Horsley is no stranger to this kind of...
-
Valentine's Day Grief with Claudia Coenen
Widows, widowers, and anyone who has lost a partner knows just how hard it is to cope with grief on Valentine's Day. Claudia Coenen, widow and creative grief counselor, shares creative ways to cope with grief and heartache on Valentine's Day, as well as activities and practices to honor and...
-
Warriors of Life with Richard Pryor
Richie Pryor's son and namesake, Richard, sadly died in his sleep a few weeks after a family vacation to Hawaii. Naturally, Richie felt great heartache after the loss of his son, but has found a way not only to live again, but to live fully and in honor of his son while helping others find their...
-
Coping With Grief During The Holidays
Let's face it, the winter holidays can be particularly tough on us when we are grieving. What is supposed to be the happiest time of the year is anything but, as we are constantly reminded that someone is missing. During this episode author and thanatologist Heather Stang shares her favorite tips...
-
Healthy Lifestyles After Loss with Jason Wendroff-Rawnicki
Grief is a natural and healthy reaction, but if you are like most people, healthy is not a word you would use to describe how you eat or sleep when in the throes of loss. The stress of grief disrupts our sleep cycle, incites cravings for comfort food, and does not usually inspire physical…
more -
Widowed Parents with Justin Yopp, PhD
Coping with your own grief when a spouse dies is hard enough. But what do you do when on top of that you need to raise a grieving family, get everyone to school on time, pay all the bills, and run the household all on your own? These are just some of the challenges widowed parents face. While…
more -
Chakras in Grief & Trauma with Karla Helbert
Learn how the yogic chakras can help you navigate grief and trauma, whether you believe in them or not! In the 20th episode of the Mindfulness & Grief Podcast, Karla Helbert explains how the chakra system can act as a model (or metaphor) to help us understand the energetic response to grief and...
-
Grief In The Workplace with R. Glenn Kelly
In the 19th episode of the Mindfulness & Grief Podcast, R. Glenn Kelly (Ron) shares on the job self-care tips, as well insights into how business leaders and colleagues alike can cultivate a grief-literate work environment. A bereaved father and business leader, Ron is the author several books,...
-
PauseFirst Project with Kim Colegrove
Kim Colegrove is the founder of the PauseFirst Project, which offers Mindfulness for First Responders, and was founded in honor of her husband, Special Agent David M. Colegrove, who died by suicide in 2014. Kim learned the practice of transcendental meditation at the age of ten. After her…
more -
Liberate Your Grief with Claire Hoffman
At the age of 38, Claire Hoffman became a widow when her husband experienced a drug overdose. A mother of one, Claire describes this event as having a butterfly effect over her entire world. In an effort to cope with the loss and gain wisdom and insight, Claire has gathered together grief experts...
-
Pet Loss & Grief with David Roberts, LMSW
Pet loss is often a grief dismissed by people who have not formed a deep bond with an animal, but those of us who have non-human best friend know the love and heartache that comes when a special pet dies. In the sixteenth episode of the Mindfulness & Grief Podcast we explore our deep love for our...
About this show
When you're grieving, you don't need quick fixes. You need compassionate tools that help you live with what's been lost.Hosted by author, yoga therapist, and thanatologist Heather Stang, recipient of the 2025 ADEC Clinical Practice Award, the Mindfulness & Grief Podcast offers gentle conversations and practical tools to help you care for your heart after loss.Each episode explores how mindfulness, movement, journaling, and community can ease suffering, strengthen resilience, and help you honour your love in new ways.Whether you're newly bereaved or supporting others in grief, you'll find grounded wisdom, honest stories, and space to breathe here.Visit https://heatherstang.com for free resources, guided practices, and support.
Hosted by
Heather Stang, MA, C-IAYT
Categories