Grief On Purpose

In this candid episode, Laura sits down with guest Tara Accardo, of Losses Become Gains, to talk about the complexities of grief. They discuss the profound impact of losing loved ones, particularly Tara’s experience of losing both parents to cancer and her subsequent journey of self-discovery.Tara shares her insights on embracing grief as an invitation to transform and connect more deeply with oneself. Together, they explore the concepts of soul purpose coaching, the lasting nature of grief, and the importance of self-compassion and patience in the grieving process.Tara Accardo is a Grief and Soul Purpose Coach and host of the Life With Grief Podcast. After losing her parents to cancer within six months of each other and navigating a traumatic birth experience, her journey of grieving led her to create Losses Become Gains—a community for fellow grievers that serves tools, resources, inspiration, and guidance on how to navigate grief, loss, and moving forward in life with both in tow. Through her podcast, one-on-one coaching and other modalities of support, Tara’s passion, calling, and commitment to uplifting and empowering fellow grievers runs deep.Resources & SupportIf you’re looking for more support after this episode, here are some resources that may help:* The Light After: Grief Support Group* The Light Within: Healing After Trauma* Downloadable Grief Journal* Grief & Trauma Resource Bundle* Grief on Purpose BlogYou can also listen to this episode on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and YouTube. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit griefonpurpose.substack.com/subscribe

In this moving episode of Grief On Purpose, Laura Walton dives deep into the intimate and transformative experiences of grief and connection with psychic medium, Natashia Mack. Natashia shares her profound insights on embracing grief not as something to move past, but as a sacred invitation for deeper connection and transformation.Natasha recounts personal stories of grief, including the deaths of her grandparents and beloved pet, Willie, and how these experiences shaped her spiritual journey. She discusses the subtle and profound signs from the departed and the ways in which grief can be navigated with an open heart and mind. Throughout the conversation, Natasha highlights the importance of raising one’s vibration to connect with loved ones in the spirit realm and offers practical advice for those seeking to maintain a connection with the departed.Resources & SupportIf you’re looking for more support after this episode, here are some resources that may help:* The Light After: Grief Support Group* The Light Within: Healing After Trauma* Downloadable Grief Journal* Grief & Trauma Resource Bundle* Grief on Purpose BlogYou can also listen to this episode on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and YouTube. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit griefonpurpose.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Grief On Purpose, host Laura Walton welcomes Bethany Shelton, founder of Bee Limitless Now, who shares her journey through grief and profound personal transformation following the death of her son, Cavan. Bethany recounts how her son’s tragic death catalyzed her exploration into energy, frequency, and vibration, leading her to establish a deep connection with him and other spiritual realms.She discusses the newfound abilities and downloads of information she has received, her insights into the electromagnetic field, and how she helps others connect with their crossed-over loved ones. Bethany’s story is a look into the ways our grief can transform us and our beliefs.Bethany Shelton is not your typical grief guide—she’s a quantum alchemist, frequency activator, and the heart behind Bee Limitless Now. After the devastating loss of her only child, Cavan, in 2020, Bethany didn’t just survive—she awakened. Guided by spirit teams, signs, synchronicities, and direct connection with her son, she cracked open to a whole new reality—one where death is not the end, and where grief becomes the portal to limitless love, connection, and purpose.Her story has become a beacon for those walking through the darkest night, helping others transmute pain into power, mental noise into heart-centered presence, and survival into soul-led creation. Bethany weaves together energetic clearing, quantum healing, and real-time communication with spirit to help people remember who they truly are: creators, connectors, and cosmic beings having a human experience.Through her transformational events, lead magnets like Transmuting Pain into Purpose and The 4 Keys to Creation, and her signature Frequency Reset, Bethany is on a mission to help others shift from chaos to coherence, grief to growth, and limitation to liberation.She’s here to show you that the love never left; the power never left; you never left.Resources & SupportIf you’re looking for more support after this episode, here are some resources that may help:* The Light After: Grief Support Group* The Light Within: Healing After Trauma* Downloadable Grief Journal* Grief & Trauma Resource Bundle* Grief on Purpose BlogYou can also listen to this episode on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and YouTube. You can find the full video of this episode in a separate post when you subscribe to the Grief on Purpose Substack. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit griefonpurpose.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Grief On Purpose, host Laura Walton interviews Dr. Pete, a psychologist by training who integrates Zen Buddhism and mental health in his practice. Dr. Pete discusses the profound impact of grief and shares his personal experiences with death, highlighting the unique and often challenging path of accepting and processing grief through Zen practices.He provides insights into his daily routines, meditative practices, and the intersection of spirituality and science. Dr. Pete speaks to the balance between human emotion and mindfulness, and the importance of being present and accepting life’s impermanent nature. The conversation traverses topics of human emotions in grief, the integration of Eastern practices, and the complex nature of death and bereavement.Dr. Pete Economou is a leading psychologist, author, and podcast host of “On Air With Dr. Pete” and “When East Meets West”. Dr. Pete integrates eastern spiritual practices with western behavioral science, particularly third-wave Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), to promote mental health. He emphasizes goal-setting to improve mental performance and has substantial experience with professional and collegiate athletes. Dr. Pete actively contributes to research in performance psychology, substance use, mindfulness, and multicultural psychology and is frequently featured in the media for his mental health expertise. Beyond academia, Dr. Pete is committed to participating in international relief efforts and national programs addressing the ongoing mental health crisis.Resources & SupportIf you’re looking for more support after listening to this episode, here are some resources that may help:* The Light After: Grief Support Group* The Light Within: Healing After Trauma* Downloadable Grief Journal* Grief & Trauma Resource Bundle* Grief on Purpose BlogYou can also listen to this episode on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and YouTube. You can find the full video of this episode in a separate post when you subscribe to the Grief on Purpose Substack. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit griefonpurpose.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Grief on Purpose, Laura sits down with Brendan Shaw, whose life was irrevocably changed after the murder of his younger brother, Philip. Brendan opens up about the shock and trauma of his death, the surreal aftermath, and the unexpected way sharing his grief on TikTok became both a form of healing and a source of community. What began as private video journaling evolved into a platform where thousands find solace, connection, and validation through his raw honesty about loss, love, and survival.Brendan reflects on the disorienting nature of grief - how it reshapes priorities, dulls the pursuit of worldly success, and reveals what truly matters. He speaks about the foundation created in Philip’s name, Phil With Love, which channels heartbreak into meaningful action through scholarships and charitable giving. Through their conversation, Laura and Brendan explore the transformative power of expressing grief (whether through words, art, or service) and the courage it takes to stay open, curious, and compassionate in the face of unbearable pain.Since the 2022 murder of his brother, Philip, Brendan has been using storytelling, social media, and community work to process his own grief and help others feel less alone in theirs. He’s the founder of The Phil With Love Foundation, a nonprofit created in Philip’s memory, and creates content as “BrendanShawGrief” on social media that speaks to the often invisible, long-term impact of loss. Through honest conversation and a willingness to share what many people shy away from, Brendan attempts to brings comfort, validation, and connection to anyone walking through life with grief.His TikTok and Instagram handles are both @BrendanShawGrief and he has a free newsletter at www.BrendanShawGrief.comResources & SupportIf you’re looking for more support after watching this episode, here are some resources that may help:* The Light After: Grief Support Group* The Light Within: Healing After Trauma* Downloadable Grief Journal* Grief & Trauma Resource Bundle* Grief on Purpose BlogYou can also listen to this episode on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and YouTube. You can find the full video of this episode when you subscribe to the Grief on Purpose Substack. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit griefonpurpose.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Grief on Purpose, Laura sits down with longtime friend and performer Billy Brandes to explore how grief has shaped his life from adolescence into adulthood. Billy opens up about his father’s death at just sixteen. He reflects on the confusion and emotional shutdown that followed, the impact it had on his relationship with his mother, and how skateboarding and the party-fueled subculture of his youth became both refuge and distraction.As the conversation unfolds, Billy shares the profound effects of other deaths (friends and figures from the skate scene whose deaths rippled through their tight-knit community) and how those experiences compounded his understanding of mortality. He speaks candidly about his mother’s recent death, the disconnection of losing her from afar, and the strange peace he briefly felt afterward. Through these reflections, Billy reveals how grief has shaped not only his relationships but his creative path as an improv and sketch comedian.Together, Laura and Billy explore what it means to live with cumulative grief, the way early trauma can “freeze” parts of us in time, and how, even decades later, we carry our grief forward.Billy Brandes is an improviser/actor and musician from Phoenix, AZ. Trained in longform improvisation, he has been performing for over a decade and is a regular at Second Beat Improv Theater. He also owns the Buckaroo Lodge, a sketch comedy theater in Phoenix which writes and produces its own material along with educational opportunities. You can catch him most weekends on stage in some capacity.You can also listen to this episode on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and YouTube.Resources & SupportIf you’re looking for more support after listening to this episode, here are some resources that may help:* The Light After: Grief Support Group* The Light Within: Healing After Trauma* Downloadable Grief Journal* Grief & Trauma Resource Bundle* Grief on Purpose Blog This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit griefonpurpose.substack.com/subscribe

In this deeply moving episode, Laura sits down with Gila Shire (a yoga instructor, doula, and former nurse) to explore how grief, spirituality, and embodied practice intertwine.Gila opens up about the death of her brother to suicide and her father’s recent death, sharing how both experiences transformed her understanding of the afterlife. Through stories of connection, synchronicity, and divine timing, she reflects on how love and presence continue beyond physical loss. Together, Laura and Gila discuss how yoga and mindfulness can open the heart, release stored emotion, and create sacred space for healing. The conversation invites listeners to see grief not as an ending, but as a profound teacher in how to live more fully.Resources & SupportIf you’re looking for more support after this episode, here are some resources that may help:* The Light After: Grief Support Group* The Light Within: Healing After Trauma* Downloadable Grief Journal* Grief & Trauma Resource Bundle* Grief on Purpose BlogYou can also listen to this episode on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and YouTube. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit griefonpurpose.substack.com/subscribe

In this honest episode, host Laura Walton sits down with Kristy Lavinsky to explore what it really means to carry unspoken grief in the body. Twenty-six years after the death of her mother, Kristy realizes she never truly grieved...she just stayed busy, strong, and “fine”.Together, they unpack the generational silence around grief, the myth of “polite grieving”, and the moment Kristy finally lets her body feel what her mind had buried for so long. Through yoga, breathwork, and embodiment, she learned that grief isn’t something to conquer but something to move through. Kristy also shares what it was like to watch her son navigate the suicide of a close friend and how music, movement, and connection became his way back to life.This is a conversation about breath, body, and the wild, uncontainable power of grief (and what happens when we finally stop fighting it).More Listening Options:Resources & SupportIf you’re looking for more support after listening to Kristy’s episode, here are some resources that may help:* The Light After: Grief Support Group* The Light Within: Healing After Trauma* Downloadable Grief Journal* Grief & Trauma Resource Bundle* Grief on Purpose BlogAdditional organizations and resources:* Option B – resources for navigating grief* My Grief Angels – online community and resources for grievingYou can also listen to this episode on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and YouTube. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit griefonpurpose.substack.com/subscribe

In this moving conversation, Laura sits down with Harmony Crawford - a death midwife, data consultant, and yogi - whose life’s path has led her to the threshold between life and death more than once.Together, they explore what it means to sit with dying, to witness the labor of letting go, and to find grace in the hardest goodbyes. Harmony shares the story of her brother’s unexpected death, her stepfather’s final wish to die in a remote Mexican village, and how yoga became a sacred space for her grief. A place to breathe, surrender, and begin again.This episode is a beautiful meditation on control, surrender, and the mysterious energy that connects us all. It’s about how death can be both devastating and holy (and how showing up for it, with courage and curiosity, can change the way we live).You can also listen on Spotify, Apple Music, Youtube, or our website. Resources & SupportIf you’re looking for more support after listening to Ali’s episode, here are some resources that may help:* The Light After: Grief Support Group* The Light Within: Healing After Trauma* Downloadable Grief Journal* Grief & Trauma Resource Bundle* Grief on Purpose BlogAdditional organizations and resources:* Option B – resources for navigating grief* My Grief Angels – online community and resources for grieving This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit griefonpurpose.substack.com/subscribe

In this warm and evocative episode, Laura sits down with Jen Miles-Williams and Moshé Williams as they share their intimate experiences with grief and how mindfulness and yoga have played pivotal roles in their journey.Moshé discusses the profound impact of the death of his first wife and how practices such as meditation and yoga have helped him grieve, heal, and grow. Jen shares her story of her mother’s death, her struggles with ulcerative colitis, and her practice of finding solace and strength through yoga and meditation. Together, they explore the uncharted terrain of grief and transformation, offering insights into the importance of presence, mindfulness, and compassionate connection.Resources & SupportIf you’re looking for more support after listening to Jen & Moshé’s episode, here are some resources that may help:* The Light After: Grief Support Group* The Light Within: Healing After Trauma* Downloadable Grief Journal* Grief & Trauma Resource Bundle* Grief on Purpose BlogAdditional organizations and resources:* Option B – resources for navigating grief* My Grief Angels – online community and resources for grieving This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit griefonpurpose.substack.com/subscribe

In this unforgettable conversation, host Laura Walton sits down with legendary skateboarder Ali Boulala, whose life was forever changed by tragedy, addiction, and the long road of grief.At the height of his fame, a motorcycle crash left Ali in a coma and took the life of his friend, fellow skater Shane Cross. What followed was not a story of easy redemption, but of reckoning with guilt, with survival, and with the knowledge of the permanence of grief.Ali shares what it means to live with a loss you can never undo, how sobriety reshaped his understanding of pain, and how his relationship to Shane has only grown closer over time. Together, Laura and Ali explore what happens when grief becomes a lifelong companion, and how, in the ruins, a person changes.This conversation is an unflinching invitation to witness the way grief reshapes us and how choosing to reflect can bring us right back to where we once were but with a new perspective.Ali Boulala is a Swedish professional skateboarder and musician whose fearless creativity and rebellious spirit made him one of skateboarding’s most iconic figures. Rising to fame in the late 1990s through legendary video parts with Flip Skateboards and Baker, Boulala became known for his wild personality, technical innovation, and the now-mythic attempt to ollie Lyon’s 25-stair set.The journey of his life is captured in the award-winning 2021 documentary The Scars of Ali Boulala. Resources & SupportIf you’re looking for more support after listening to Ali’s episode, here are some resources that may help:* The Light After: Grief Support Group* The Light Within: Healing After Trauma* Downloadable Grief Journal* Grief & Trauma Resource Bundle* Grief on Purpose BlogAdditional organizations and resources:* Option B – resources for navigating grief* My Grief Angels – online community and resources for grieving* samhsa.gov - substance abuse and mental health services administrationYou can also listen to this episode on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and YouTube. For the full episode video subscribe. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit griefonpurpose.substack.com/subscribe

In this interesting and explorative episode, Laura engages in a profound conversation with Dr. Amy Robbins about death, grief, and spirituality. As a licensed clinical psychologist with two decades of experience, Dr. Robbins shares her journey into spiritually informed therapy, inspired by her own experiences with death and grief.The dialogue traverses Dr. Robbins' personal encounters with grief, the transformative impact of her aunt’s death, and her development of mediumship abilities. Together, they dive into the ineffable nature of the afterlife, the potential of plant medicine in accessing altered states of consciousness, and the importance of integrating spirituality into mental health practices. Through heartfelt anecdotes and a raw exploration of death, this episode brings light to the sacredness of grief and the profound connections that can emerge when we engage with it courageously and intentionally. Dr. Amy Robbins is a Clinical Psychologist with nearly 20 years of experience in both traditional psychotherapy and spiritual intuition. She guides individuals in awakening to their essence, using the wisdom of death in a surprisingly positive way.With a deep understanding of emotional health, Dr. Robbins helps people connect the dots that lead to a more meaningful life. Through her podcast, Life, Death, and the Space Between, she offers an ever-expanding library of resources that explore the intricate synergy between psychology and spirituality—empowering listeners to discover their true selves and live more fulfilling, connected lives.Resources & SupportIf you’re looking for more support after listening to Amy’s episode, here are some resources that may help:* The Light After: Grief Support Group* The Light Within: Healing After Trauma* Downloadable Grief Journal * Grief & Trauma Resource Bundle* Grief on Purpose Blog Additional organizations and resources:* Option B – resources for navigating grief* My Grief Angels – online community and resources for grieving* Life, Death, and the Space Between — Dr. Amy’s podcastGrief doesn’t come with a map, but you don’t have to walk through it alone. I’m Laura Walton, LMFT and Founder of Grief on Purpose. I've created courses, resource bundles, and journals designed to give you tools, companionship, and a place to begin again. Whether you’re navigating the death of someone you love, carrying the weight of trauma, or simply looking for a gentle guide back to yourself, I'd be honored to walk with you. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit griefonpurpose.substack.com/subscribe

In this emotionally charged episode, host Laura Walton sits down with Nikki Boyer, executive producer of Hulu's 'Dying for Sex' and co-creator of the Wondery podcast by the same name.Together, they talk about the raw depths of grief, propelled by the poignant (and sometimes humorous) story of Nikki's best friend, Molly, who embarked on a sexual journey after being diagnosed with stage four terminal cancer.Nikki recounts the profound moments of grieving, from Molly's final breaths to the enduring signs that keep her spirit alive. Laura and Nikki explore the transformative power of grief, the surprising humor that can coexist with pain, and the enduring love that grows even after death. They talk about what anchors them through the times when their world is cracked open. This conversation is an intimate invitation to embrace the uncomfortable, to carry grief with purpose, and to find unexpected humor in life's most challenging chapters.Nikki Boyer is an Emmy-nominated Executive Producer of the FX/Hulu and Disney+ limited series Dying for Sex, which is currently nominated for nine Primetime Emmy awards, including Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series. She co-created, starred in, and Executive Produced the original Wondery podcast Dying for Sex, which won the Ambies Award for Podcast of the Year and was named one of Apple’s Favorite Podcasts of the Year.Off-camera, Nikki is a certified life coach, a passionate dog rescue advocate, and a longtime volunteer for the Suicide Prevention Hotline. Whether behind the mic, on screen, or in conversation, her work is fueled by vulnerability, humor, and a profound belief in the healing power of storytelling.Resources & SupportIf you’re looking for more support after listening to Nikki’s episode, here are some resources that may help:* The Light After: Grief Support Group* The Light Within: Healing After Trauma* Downloadable Grief Journal* Grief & Trauma Resource Bundle* Grief on Purpose BlogAdditional organizations and resources:* Option B – resources for navigating grief* My Grief Angels – online community and resources for grieving* Hospice Foundation of America - hospice care support* Cancer Care - counseling, resource navigation, support groups, and moreYou can also listen to this episode on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and YouTube. You can find the full video of this episode in a separate post when you subscribe to the Grief on Purpose Substack.Thanks for reading Grief On Purpose! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit griefonpurpose.substack.com/subscribe

In this evocative episode, host Laura Walton dives into the terrain of death and grief with legendary comedian Fred Armisen. From a chance connection to a deep conversation, Laura and Fred navigate the profound, often taboo subject of mortality, exploring how grief can be a sacred invitation to feel more deeply and connect in unimaginable ways.Fred opens up about the unexpected death of his close friend, Steve, and how it shattered his world, transforming his relationship with both grief and life. He shares his unique perspective on death, his fascination with the aesthetics of funerals, and his hopes for his own 'haunting' send-off.With raw honesty, Fred recounts the physical and emotional toll of his grief, the surprising way it manifested, and the impact it had on his day-to-day life. This conversation is a tribute to the transformative power of grief, the importance of embracing mortality, and finding connection through shared sorrow. Laura and Fred hold space for the harsh realities of death, the unfiltered emotions, and the beauty of remembering those who have died. This episode offers a deeply compassionate and profoundly human exploration of what it means to live and grieve on purpose. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit griefonpurpose.substack.com/subscribe

In this insightful episode of Grief on Purpose, Laura welcomes author Jacob Tobia to delve into the intricate layers of grief, masculinity, and society. Jacob, a non-binary author of 'Sissy' and their new release 'Before They Were Men', breaks down their journey of self-discovery and the profound impact of their father's death on their view of grief.As they discuss Jacob's transformative experiences, they explore how societal constructs of masculinity stifle male grief, leading to deep, intense societal issues that affect all populations. Jacob opens up about caring for their father through a devastating and painful accident and illness, the disillusionment with the medical system, and the noticeable lack of men in grief support spaces. Jacob points out the ways in which men are told to be "strong" and how this has a far-reaching impact, an impact that might be solved with compassion and awareness. They also talk about their relationship with their father as a queer, non-binary person raised in North Carolina and how it evolved through an episode of MTV's True Life, patience, and their father's dying process.Together, Laura and Jacob contemplate the possibilities of a world where men are free to grieve openly and the transformative power of embracing grief with curiosity and courage. This episode is a reminder that grief is universal, and that in grief, there is possibility for sacred beauty and profound connection.Jacob Tobia (pronouns: they/them) is a gender nonconforming writer, producer, and performer based in Los Angeles. A member of the Forbes 30 Under 30 and the OUT 100, Jacob made television history voicing the nonbinary character of Double Trouble in Netflix’s She-Ra and The Princess of Power. Their writing and advocacy have been featured by The New York Times, Time, The Guardian, Good Morning America, and The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, among others. Originally from Raleigh, North Carolina, Jacob has worn high heels in the White House twice. They are the author of Sissy and Before They Were Men.Resources & SupportIf you’re looking for more support after this episode, here are some resources that may help:* The Light After: Grief Support Group* The Light Within: Healing After Trauma* Downloadable Grief Journal* Grief & Trauma Resource Bundle* Grief on Purpose BlogYou can also listen to this episode on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and YouTube. You can find the full video of this episode in a separate post when you subscribe to the Grief on Purpose Substack. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit griefonpurpose.substack.com/subscribe

In this deeply personal episode, Laura sits down with therapist Beth Freese to talk about what happens when death settles in early and reshapes everything. When Beth was just 15, her close friend died by suicide. That moment didn’t just break her heart — it cracked something open inside her. One day she was a teenager navigating high school, and the next day she was navigating life and death.Beth opens up about how that death changed the course of her life. She talks about the strange mix of feeling deeply connected to some people while feeling completely alone with others. Over time, those early days of pain led her toward yoga, breathwork, and eventually, therapy as a career.This isn’t just a clinical conversation. It’s smart, raw and honest. Beth talks about how grief never really leaves you — but how she’s learned to live with it in a different way. With vulnerability and clarity, she speaks about the long road of healing, the messy sacredness of growing up too fast, and the quiet courage it takes to keep going.This episode is for anyone who has experienced death at a young age. For anyone who felt alone before they were ready. And for anyone trying to build something meaningful from what’s left behind.Resources & SupportIf you’re looking for more support after listening to this episode, here are some resources that may help:* The Light After: Grief Support Group* The Light Within: Healing After Trauma* Downloadable Grief Journal* Grief & Trauma Resource Bundle* Grief on Purpose BlogYou can also listen to this episode on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and YouTube. You can find the full video of this episode in a separate post when you subscribe to the Grief on Purpose Substack. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit griefonpurpose.substack.com/subscribe

In this piercingly tender episode, Laura sits down with grief therapist and bereaved mother Jenny Robbins to explore the lifelong terrain of traumatic loss — not from a distance, but from inside of it. Thirteen years ago, Jenny’s 19-year-old son Cade died under tragic, uncertain circumstances, alone, on a walk home from a party. Since then, Jenny has walked a path carved out by pain, devotion, and deep intentionality, turning toward grief with both hands open, rather than running from it.Together, Laura and Jenny dive into the brutal truths of traumatic grief, the questions that never get answered, the ache that occasionally softens but never disappears, and the discipline of healing when it would be easier to shut down. Jenny opens up about how grief remade her as a mother, as a therapist, as a yoga practitioner, and as a human being awake to the weight of love and loss. She talks about her continued relationship with Cade, from river rituals to quiet moments on the yoga mat where his presence is felt in the air, in the hawks overhead, in the breath itself.This is not a story of “getting over" grief. It’s about staying and loving tenderly. It's about rebuilding inside the ruins and letting grief make you into someone softer, wiser, and more expansive than before. With rawness, Jenny shows us what it means to allow the journey of grief to take us where we need to go, and what to do along the way. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit griefonpurpose.substack.com/subscribe

In this compelling episode, Laura sits down with Terri Straut-- a mother from Littleton, Colorado, whose world was shattered in 2011 when her son, Patrick, died by suicide at just 18 years old. There are no soft landings after a loss like that. And Terri doesn’t pretend otherwise. What she brings is raw truth, hard-won wisdom, and a story soaked in love, devastation, and the brutal, everyday work of survival. She shares the moment it all cracked open — her husband’s scream, the last written words of her son, the last signs Patrick left behind. And in the wreckage, there were strange, revealing glimmers of something bigger — unexplainable signs, sacred moments stitched into the painful moments. Through it all, yoga became more than a practice. It became breath. It became staying alive. It became a connection to Patrick. This isn’t only a story about the all-too-soon death of a child. It’s about what happens after. When the casseroles stop coming, when you still have to get up, still have to mother, still have to live in a world your child no longer occupies. It’s about carrying grief like a second skin and learning, slowly, painfully, how to keep going. Together, Terri and Laura hold space for the ache, the rage, the softness, and the sacred. This is a conversation about rebuilding when you don’t even recognize the wreckage. It's raw, it's real, and it's a tribute to the fierce love that grief cannot kill. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit griefonpurpose.substack.com/subscribe

In this soul-baring episode, Laura sits down with Justine Monahan — an Australian expat, mother, and widow — to unravel the brutal and beautiful aftermath of death.Justine’s story is shaped by love, loss, and choice. Her dad died when she was a teenager, and later her mom also died—giving Justine early experiences with grief that marked her path. Years later, she and her husband, Bob, built a life together in motion, full of travel, shared dreams, and eventually a home in Portland, OR. When Bob received a terminal diagnosis, he eventually chose Death with Dignity—a decision Justine supported, even as it left her navigating the painful aftermath. Suddenly, she found herself moving from partner and caregiver to solo parent, and facing a new chapter that hadn't been a part of the original plan.This isn’t just a story about grief. It’s about survival. Choice. Reinvention. The messy, magnificent aftermath of being broken open and choosing to keep breathing anyway.With unflinching honesty and tenderness, Justine speaks about the hollow nights, the sorrow, the rituals, and the everyday bravery of showing up for a life she didn’t expect or envision. She takes us inside the beauty of death, and the relentless, sacred work of healing while mothering.Laura and Justine don’t shy away from the hard stuff. Together, they hold space for the deep ache of grief. They talk about love after loss, rebuilding in ruins, and how to create a new rhythm when an old one vanishes. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit griefonpurpose.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, sound healer Joya Sosnowski shares her grief story, including the death of her 18-year-old son Weston. In this honest and inspiring conversation with Laura, Joya shares how grief has become a pathway to deeper awareness and spiritual connection. Joya discusses the intuitive sense she had before Weston's accident, the layered emotions surrounding his upcoming birthday, and the significant moments that have shaped her journey with grief.Joya explains how her practices—drumming, movement, and meditation—have helped her stay grounded, while experiencing profound pain and simultaneously maintaining an openness to life's deeper mysteries.This conversation explores territory beyond typical grief discussions: how death can shift our perspectives, how connection continues beyond physical presence, and how embracing difficult emotions might actually expand our capacity for living fully.For those navigating loss or supporting someone through grief, this episode offers insights not for "moving on" after a death, but for allowing it to inform a more meaningful relationship with life itself. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit griefonpurpose.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Laura is joined by longtime yogi and meditation practitioner Sam Zeitlin for a powerful conversation about loss, embodiment, and the quiet rituals that hold us together. After losing both of her parents and several close friends, Sam turned instinctively inward—leaning on her meditation practice not as an escape, but as a place to land. She shares how body scans, breathwork, and stillness became her lifeline during the disorienting fog of grief, helping her re-enter her body, soften into sorrow, and slowly make sense of a world that had changed overnight. Alongside her reflections on Iyengar yoga, inversions, backbends, and Ayurvedic nourishment, Sam reminds us that grief doesn’t always need fixing—it needs witnessing. This episode is a tender, spacious exploration of what it means to grieve with presence, practice, and love. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit griefonpurpose.substack.com/subscribe

In this moving conversation, Laura is joined by Rebecca Rau — a mother, business consultant, and yoga practitioner — to explore the raw intersections of grief, healing, and returning to oneself.After the sudden death of her mother, a cross-state move, and an unexpected job loss all within two months, Rebecca found herself unraveling under the weight of unprocessed grief. What ultimately brought her back to herself wasn’t force or fixing — it was the quiet, persistent call of yoga.Rebecca shares how grief lived in her body long before she recognized it in her mind, how the philosophies of yoga helped her hold the complexity of loss, and how returning to the mat became a way to reconnect with both her mother and her own life.Together, Laura and Rebecca dive into:Grief’s physical impact — and the body’s call for healingFinding unexpected spiritual connection after lossThe language we choose when speaking about death and suicideRedefining regret, and finding compassion for the parts of us that couldn't do moreThe power of community, storytelling, and simply pausing in the middle of the messThis episode is a reminder: healing isn’t linear, and sometimes the deepest return to life begins with a single, shaky breath. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit griefonpurpose.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Lauren Morse, a yoga instructor, death midwife, and research psychologist from Yellow Springs, Ohio, shares her profound journey of integrating yoga into her life as a tool for navigating grief. Lauren discusses her extensive experience of teaching yoga and her training in death midwifery, through which she developed a deep understanding of how grief manifests physically in the body. She emphasizes the importance of presence and surrender, recounting her personal battles with infertility and miscarriage, and how yoga helped her reconnect with her body and her self. Lauren also delves into her work as a death midwife, providing support and educating her community on planning for end-of-life arrangements and making the topics of death and grief less taboo. Her story is one of resilience, healing, and the transformative power of mindful practices. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit griefonpurpose.substack.com/subscribe

In this powerful episode, yoga instructor Christina Nystrom from Spiritually Fit shares the raw and layered story of navigating deep personal loss. After the deaths of her father, close friends, and her significant other, Christina turned to yoga not as a cure, but as a lifeline. Through principles like Ishvara Pranidhana (Surrender) and Svadhyaya (Self-Study), she found a way to live with grief rather than fight against it. Christina opens up about what it means to carry such heavy grief, while still choosing presence, purpose, and connection—and how she now helps others do the same. This is a conversation about holding pain and possibility at the same time, and the quiet power of moving through grief on purpose. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit griefonpurpose.substack.com/subscribe

In this powerful episode, Bridget Tremblay shares her profound personal journey through grief. She begins by recounting how her deep and enduring friendship with Laura began during a 2005 group interview for Lululemon. Bridget then details her role as the primary support person during the Laura’s intense grief after the death of her boyfriend. Bridget shares the emotional toll it took on her, the fear of losing their unique connection, and the invaluable lessons learned about holding space for someone's pain. Bridget also delves into her own grief experiences, including the death of a partner, health struggles, a divorce, and her miscarriages. Through these hardships, she found healing, growth, and a deeper understanding of herself. This episode is a testament to the complexities of supporting someone through grief while navigating one's own, and the profound impact that grieving with intention has on personal growth and resilience. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit griefonpurpose.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to the first episode of Grief On Purpose – The Podcast! Host Laura sits down with Jessica Jurgens, who shares her journey through multiple losses and the many faces and experiences of grief. Jess shares the story of the death of her close friend at age 16, the death of her brother on 9/11, the death of her grandfather, and the death of a close adult friend. Jess reveals how she transformed her pain into purpose, using her experiences to serve and heal others. This raw, heartfelt conversation explores resilience, growth, and connection. Tune in for a powerful reminder that even in grief, we can find meaning. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit griefonpurpose.substack.com/subscribe