Good Grief: Life After Loss

When grief meets school, the impact goes far beyond sadness. This week, Skylar shares what returning to 9th grade after losing her brother Sam really looked like; feeling too far behind to recover, dropping classes, hiding in the library, losing motivation, and struggling to care about grades when her world had completely changed. She also reflects on how grief affected her confidence, future opportunities, and relationship with learning for years to come. This episode is for anyone who has ever tried to succeed in school while carrying the weight of grief. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at [email protected]   Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the change. Media Network or its partners.

In this week’s episode, Skylar opens up about the complicated reality of grieving in a world that often feels uncomfortable with loss. Inspired by a quote from comedian Michael Cruz Kayne, she explores what it feels like to want to share stories, memories, and laughter about her brother Sam, only to feel like she has to manage other people’s reactions. From awkward conversations with new friends to the quiet ways grief can make someone feel silenced, this episode is an honest look at the pressure grievers face to make their pain more palatable for everyone else. This conversation is about giving grief more space: space to remember, to laugh, to tell the story, and to keep talking about the people we love—without apology. Michael Cruz Kayne: Link to the Instagram clip Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at [email protected]   Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the change. Media Network or its partners.

In this deeply personal episode, Skylar sits down with her dad, Ron Jackenthal, for an honest conversation about grief, purpose, and what it means to rebuild a life after unimaginable loss. After the sudden death of his son Sam, Ron’s world was completely reshaped. Once focused on a successful career in sales, he made the life-altering decision to step away and dedicate himself fully to creating the Live Like Sam Foundation—an organization committed to honoring Sam’s life and supporting others navigating grief. In this episode, Ron reflects on who he was before the loss, how grief changed him as a father and as a person, and the moment he realized he needed to do something with his pain. Together, he and Skylar explore how loss transformed their relationship, the complexities of parenting after tragedy, and the balance of carrying both deep grief and deep love. This conversation offers a powerful perspective for anyone navigating loss—especially parents—and for those searching for meaning, purpose, and connection in the aftermath of heartbreak. Contact & Resources: Livelikesam.org Email: [email protected]  Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at [email protected]   Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the change. Media Network or its partners.

In this episode, Skylar explores the powerful shift that can happen when we move out of our heads and into our hearts. After losing her brother, Sam, Skylar began to notice something unexpected — other people experiencing loss started coming to her for guidance, comfort, and connection. What started as conversations with fellow grievers eventually grew into the work she does today through the Live Like Sam Foundation and this podcast. In this episode, Skylar reflects on the role grievers can play in the world and why helping others has been one of the most meaningful parts of her own healing journey. She shares how service — in big ways and small — can bring purpose to loss, ease the heaviness of grief, and remind us that the love we still carry for someone can continue to impact others. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at [email protected]   Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the change. Media Network or its partners.

Young grief isn’t as rare as it sometimes seems — but it’s still something most people your age haven’t lived through. By age 18, only about 1 in 14 children will experience the death of a parent or sibling. In this episode, Skylar explores the statistics around early loss and what they reveal about why being a young griever can feel so isolating. She discusses how losing someone in your teens or twenties changes you, accelerates your perspective, and makes you aware of fragility in rooms where most people still feel invincible. This episode is for anyone who has ever felt like they grew up too fast or carried more life experience than their peers. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at [email protected]   Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the change. Media Network or its partners.

In this episode of Good Grief, Skylar sits down with Maureen Hancock—one of New England’s most well-known spirit mediums and lovingly known as the “Comedian Medium.” Together, they talk about grief, the afterlife, and the many ways our loved ones continue to show up after they’re gone. Maureen shares her own near-death experience, how she became an evidential medium, what the moment of passing is really like, and why signs like songs, numbers, birds, chills, and dreams might not be coincidences after all. They also unpack skepticism, fear around mediumship, and how staying open doesn’t mean abandoning logic—it means leading with curiosity. This conversation is comforting, honest, sometimes funny, and deeply grounding, especially for anyone missing someone they love and wondering if they’re still near. Contact & Resources: Maureen’s Website The Medium Next Door: Adventures of a Real-Life Ghost Whisperer Facebook Get in contact with Maureen via email: [email protected]  Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at [email protected]   Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the change. Media Network or its partners.

Grief doesn’t always look like tears and silence — sometimes it looks like dark humor. In this episode, Skylar explores why joking after loss feels healing for some people and deeply uncomfortable for others. Through personal reflection and psychology, she breaks down dark humor as a coping mechanism, why some grievers lean into laughter, and why others avoid it altogether. Whether you cope with loss through laughter, tears, or both, this episode reminds you there’s no right way to grieve. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at [email protected]  Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the change. Media Network or its partners.

In this episode of Good Grief: Life After Loss, Skylar explores what it means to live with personal grief in a moment of collective national pain. As political unrest, violence, and injustice continue to shape life in America, many people are feeling overwhelmed, distracted, numb, or emotionally exhausted. This episode discusses collective grief, desensitization, numbness as a survival response, and the balance between protecting your heart and staying engaged with the world. Tune in to talk about grief, mental health, emotional overwhelm, and how to keep living — and caring — during a time that feels heavy for so many. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at [email protected]  Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the change. Media Network or its partners.

In this special Christmas episode, Skylar reflects on holding both grief and joy during the holidays. She shares a heartwarming moment when she and her mom discovered a mysterious origami rabbit under the dining room table, a small, unexpected sign from Sam. This episode is for anyone missing someone, celebrating someone, or navigating the mix of emotions the holidays can bring. It’s a gentle reminder that however you feel today, it’s okay. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at [email protected]  Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the change. Media Network or its partners.

In this episode, Skylar reflects on how the holidays change after a loved one is gone. She shares personal memories of Christmas with her brother Sam, from playful childhood moments to the magic of traditions that can’t be recreated. Skylar explores the challenges of navigating family celebrations as an only child, the awkwardness and pressures that come with gift-giving, and the bittersweet process of honoring old traditions while creating new ones. Through candid stories and reflections, she invites listeners to sit with their own experiences of loss and the ways the holiday season can feel both familiar and profoundly different. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at [email protected]  Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the change. Media Network or its partners.

This week, we’re talking about why social media hits so much harder during the holiday season. From the matching pajamas and “best Christmas ever!” captions… to the TikTok gift guides for moms, brothers, and partners you may no longer have… scrolling can feel like walking through a minefield when you’re grieving. In this episode, Skylar breaks down: Why holiday comparison hurts more than ordinary days How the highlight reel can steal joy from even the strongest people How grief gets amplified by TikTok, Instagram, and the algorithm Practical boundaries that protect your heart without deleting everything How to stop doom-scrolling before it starts If you’re grieving and struggling with social media this December, this episode will help you feel seen, grounded, and less alone. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at [email protected]  Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the change. Media Network or its partners.

Not sure what to get someone who’s grieving this holiday season? This episode walks through meaningful and gentle gift ideas for anyone missing someone — whether their loss was recent or decades ago. Skylar shares thoughtful categories, what to avoid, and simple ways to give a gift that truly supports a grieving heart. Links to buy the gifts mentioned in this episode  Memory Gifts Custom watercolor house sketch Handwriting necklace Framed recipe with photo Symbolic Gifts Butterfly ornament Ski pole wind chime Remembrance candle Cozy Gifts Project Repat blanket Comfrt sweat set Weighted blanket Grief-Journey Gifts Grief…Reminders for Healing book Memory box Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at [email protected]  Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the change. Media Network or its partners.

In this episode, Skylar talks about what Thanksgiving feels like when someone you love is missing. The pressure to be “grateful,” the empty-chair moments, and the weird mix of emotions that hit on a holiday like this. She also shares a few simple things that can help you get through the day and ways to quietly honor your person. It’s a soft, supportive episode for anyone who needs a little company today. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at [email protected]   Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the change. Media Network or its partners.

In last week’s episode, we talked all about signs from the other side — and this week, Skylar finally had the chance to experience one up close. She went to see Maureen Hancock, a well-known medium, hoping (and honestly begging) to hear from her brother Sam. What happened that night surprised her, overwhelmed her, and cracked something open in her grief that she didn’t expect. In this episode, Skylar shares the full story: the moment Sam came through, the messages he gave, the things that lined up in ways she can’t explain, and the lessons she walked away with. Whether you believe in mediums or are just curious, this is the story of what it feels like when love, loss, and hope collide in one room Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at [email protected]  Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork Learn more about Maureen Hancock and find a show near you!  https://linktr.ee/maureenhancock 

Everyone talks about signs, but no one talks about how personal, confusing, comforting, and sometimes painful they can be. This week, Skylar shares the signs she’s gotten from her brother Sam, dives into the science behind why they hit so hard, and opens up about what it feels like when they don’t come at all. Plus, she’s gearing up to see a medium—and spiraling (in the best way). Comment below if you’ve ever received a sign from the other side. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at [email protected]  Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork

In this quick episode, Skylar gets honest about what it’s like to love her podcast, and still feel exhausted by the constant weight of grief. She talks about the pressure of always being the “grieving one,” the emotional fatigue that comes with sharing her story, and the guilt of sometimes wanting a break from it all. It’s a candid, unfiltered reflection on how healing can coexist with burnout, and why it’s okay to not have the energy to grieve right now. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at [email protected]

Skylar opens up about how losing someone suddenly changed the way she sees safety and love. In this episode, she talks about the quiet fear grief leaves behind — the way she catastrophizes everything, from panicking when someone doesn’t text back to imagining what she’d do if the people she loves most suddenly died. She shares how this fear shows up in her daily life and what she’s noticed in others who have experienced loss as well. Skylar reflects on how grief rewires the brain to expect danger, what it means to love people after loss, and how she’s learning to live with the fear without letting it take over Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at [email protected] .

Ten years after losing her brother Sam, Skylar can finally see how her grief showed up in ways she never recognized at the time. From shopping sprees and impulsive haircuts to quitting everything she once loved, this episode dives into all the weird, messy, and very human ways she coped after loss — the kind that didn’t feel like grief back then, but absolutely were. If your coping has ever looked “unhealthy” or confusing, this one’s for you. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at [email protected]

Emma lost her dad to suicide at just 13. In this episode, she shares her personal grief journey and how she was able to help young grievers heal through her work at Experience Camps. We also talk about the power of community and why there’s no right or wrong way to grieve, as long as you’re not hurting yourself or others. Connect & Resources: Learn more about Experience Camps Contact Emma: Instagram or email her at [email protected]  If you are struggling or need support, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US) Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at [email protected] 

In this episode, Skylar recaps an emotional week back home — from walking the blue carpet at the Live Like Sam Gala, the foundation’s most successful event ever, to honoring her brother Sam’s 10-year anniversary with her yearly balloon release. A week filled with celebration, signs, and love that keeps his legacy alive.  Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at [email protected]

In this episode, host Skylar Jackenthal speaks directly to her 14-year-old self, the girl who had just lost her brother, Sam. Ten years later, Skylar shares the lessons she wishes she could have whispered to that younger version of herself: reminders about grief, guilt, milestones, and the ways love continues forward. This episode is both a reflection on the past decade and a message of hope for anyone navigating loss. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at [email protected]

In this episode, host Skylar Jackenthal shares, for the first time, the full story of losing her brother, Sam. From her family’s time in Australia to the heartbreaking realization that Sam wasn’t coming home, Skylar reflects on the moments that still live vividly in her memory ten years later. This raw and deeply personal episode isn’t easy, but it’s an important one. By finally sharing her story, Skylar hopes to remind listeners that grief is not linear, and that even the hardest truths deserve to be spoken aloud. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at [email protected]

In this episode, host Skylar Jackenthal reflects on the parts of grief that haven’t softened, even ten years after losing her brother, Sam. From everyday reminders like ski edits and songs, to future milestones he’ll never see, Skylar shares the places where grief still aches deeply. She reminds listeners that it’s okay if some wounds never fully heal - sometimes, the ache is just another form of love. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at [email protected]

In this episode, Skylar reflects on the ten lessons she has learned in the ten years since losing her brother, Sam. From the weight of anniversaries to the importance of relationships, and from finding compassion to discovering her own strength, Skylar shares the truths grief has taught her over the past decade. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at [email protected]

In the third episode of the 3-part series, What to Do With What’s Left, Skylar opens up her memory box for her brother Sam. From cologne and baby blankets to poems and even hospital utensils, each item tells a story of love, loss, and connection. Skylar explores why memory boxes matter, how to create one, and the comfort they can bring in grief. What about you? Share the most strange or unexpected item you’ve kept in your memory box or as a keepsake. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at [email protected]

In the second episode of this 3-part series, Skylar dives into the everyday belongings our loved ones leave behind, from clothes hanging in the closet, bedrooms frozen in time, and even the phones that still hold their texts, photos, and memories. Skylar shares her own story of facing these moments after losing her brother Sam, and explores the mix of emotions they bring - comfort, heartbreak, and the impossible question of what to keep, what to give away, and when to finally take those steps. Skylar also offers ideas for how others can approach this stage of grief with intention, whether that means creating memory quilts, preserving a room as a sanctuary, or slowly letting go piece by piece. Share your own experience in the comments below!  Links: Project Repat Blankets (save 25% when you sign up): https://www.projectrepat.com/amb?a=9JwsNYSW   Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at [email protected] 

In this deeply moving episode, Skylar sits down with Linh Luu, who survived a tragic and preventable car accident that took the lives of her boyfriend, Misha Romanenko, and her beloved dog, Keeper. Linh shares her journey of living again after profound loss, and coping with the waves of grief, navigating painful words from others, and finding healing through advocacy. From her brave decision to share her story openly on TikTok, to the unexpected moments that have shaped her path, Linh’s story is one of resilience, love, and the fight for justice. Whether you’re grieving yourself or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers hope, compassion, and a reminder that even in the darkest times, healing is possible. Links: • Linh’s TikTok • ABC 7 News Article • SFDA’s email: [email protected]  • DA Brooke Jenkins X profile: https://x.com/brookejenkinssf?s=21   Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at [email protected]

In the first episode of this 3-part series, What to Do With What’s Left, Skylar explores one of the most surreal and emotional parts of early grief: ashes. She shares personal stories from losing her brother Sam, the strange reality of receiving his ashes, and the quiet, often unspoken decisions families face around burial vs. cremation and how that choice can shape how we grieve. Skylar walks listeners through some of the awkward, beautiful, and deeply human moments that come with deciding what to do with what’s left. She also offers thoughtful suggestions for others navigating this stage of grief, from meaningful places to scatter ashes to the unconventional ways people carry their loved ones with them. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at [email protected]

What happens when you return - year after year - to the place where your person lived, and where their presence still lingers? In this episode, Skylar shares what it’s like to be home in Park City, almost ten years after losing her brother Sam. She reflects on the comfort of being surrounded by people who knew him, the power of talking about loss openly, and how grief and love can continue to live side by side, long after the world moves on. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at [email protected]

In this episode, Skylar opens up about the quiet assumptions people make about grievers, and why those assumptions often miss the mark. After losing her brother Sam, some people held back from sharing their own struggles, believing nothing could compare to her loss. Others saw her as fragile or defined entirely by her grief. Skylar shares her personal experience navigating these perceptions and offers honest insight into what grieving people really wish others understood. Whether you’re grieving yourself or supporting someone who is, this conversation is for you. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at [email protected]

What happens when your grief ruins a good time? Skylar shares the story of how a backyard Fourth of July party - and one unexpected Katy Perry song - triggered a tidal wave of emotion. She opens up about the invisible ache of grieving in public, the mental gymnastics of pretending you’re fine, and the isolation that lingers years after a loss. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at [email protected] 

Audrey shares her experience of losing her mom unexpectedly to suicide. She discusses the shock of sudden loss, the guilt and “what ifs” that followed, and the steps that helped her begin to heal. This episode offers an honest and tender conversation about life after unimaginable loss. **This podcast is marked "explicit" due to the sensitive nature of the topic of suicide. There is no profanity or inappropriate content in this podcast episode.** Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at [email protected] 

People mean well, but sometimes the things they say after a loss hurt more than they help. In this episode, Skylar shares the most common phrases not to say to someone who is grieving, why they can be harmful, and what to say instead. Whether you’re grieving or supporting someone who is, this is a must listen. Whats something someone said to you after loss that hurt or helped? Comment down below! Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at [email protected]

Skylar opens up about the guilt of growing after loss - wondering if the best things in her life, like her TEDx Talk, getting into her dream college, and this podcast, only happened because her brother Sam died. Skylar asks the hard questions many grievers are afraid to voice: Would I be who I am if my brother hadn’t died? Do I only stand out because of my grief?  If you’ve ever felt guilt for growing after loss, or wondered whether it’s okay to thrive in the aftermath of tragedy, this episode is for you.  Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram: @goodgrief.pod Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at [email protected]  

In this episode, Skylar reflects on what would’ve been her brother Sam’s 26th birthday and the upcoming Father’s Day—two reminders of love and loss. She shares why honoring the people we’ve lost still matters, even as the years go on, and explores the pressure to “feel it” in a certain way. From lighting candles to making their favorite meal, Skylar offers gentle ideas for creating personal rituals that keep their memory alive. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram: @goodgrief.pod Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at [email protected]

In this heartfelt episode, Skylar sits down with Sam Walsh, the founder of the Grief Group at Park City High School and a key figure in her own grief journey. Sam shares how the group began, what it’s been like to support grieving teens over the years, and the lessons she’s learned about holding space for young people navigating loss. With warmth, wisdom, and deep compassion, Sam offers thoughtful insights for anyone grieving or supporting someone who is. This conversation is a powerful reminder that healing often begins when someone simply shows up. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe!  Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram: @goodgrief.pod Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at [email protected]

The first year after loss is full of heartbreak, but it’s also full of support. People check in. They remember. They hold space for your pain. But what happens after that first anniversary passes? When the texts slow down, the world moves on, and you’re left facing birthdays, holidays, and milestones without them - quietly, and often alone. In this episode, Skylar talks about the surprising reality of year two and beyond: how grief doesn’t get easier, just lonelier. If you've ever felt forgotten in your grief or wondered why the second year can feel even harder than the first, this one's for you. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe!  Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram: @goodgrief.pod Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at [email protected].

What do you say when someone asks if you have any siblings, or what your parents do for work, and the truth is, they’ve died? In this episode, we explore the quiet but painful moments when loss collides with small talk. Skylar shares personal reflections on the tension between telling the truth and protecting yourself, the awkwardness of unexpected grief conversations, and the invisible weight behind seemingly simple questions. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe!  Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram: @goodgrief.pod Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at [email protected].

In this first episode of Good Grief: Life After Loss, I’m introducing myself, Skylar, and sharing the story behind this podcast. I talk about losing my brother Sam, how that loss shaped me, and why I decided to create this space for young people who are grieving. You’ll hear what to expect from future episodes, including solo reflections, guest interviews, and real conversations about what grief looks like when you’re young. If you’ve experienced loss, you’re part of a club none of us wanted to join, but here, you don’t have to go through it alone.  Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe!  Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram: @goodgrief.pod Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork If you have any questions, please email Skylar Jackenthal at [email protected].