Travel Thru Grief
Stagione 1
July 4th Traveling this Land
Independent in Grief
Alaska Day
Father's Day
Wanna Get Away Day
National Oklahoma Day and My Beginning
Start Over Day
Returning the Memory Home
Road Trip State of Mind.
di Ellen Beckemeyer
America at 250: Milestones, Memory, and the Courage to Keep Living Happy Fourth of July. As America celebrates 250 years, this episode explores why milestones matter—not because they're perfect numbers on a calendar, but because they invite us to pause long enough to notice that we have truly been living. For me, the Fourth of July has always carried another meaning. It would have been my Grandpa's birthday. It would have been Julie's birthday. For a few precious years, we celebrated her birthday together before staying out late enough to welcome Independence Day. Those memories are forever stitched together. This isn't an episode about fireworks. It's about what remains after the fireworks fade. It's about how grief and celebration often exist in the very same moment. Together we'll reflect on: • Why milestones help us measure a life, not just time. • The surprising connection between personal grief and our shared human story. • What it means to belong—to family, to community, to a nation, and to the earth beneath our feet. • How healing rarely happens alone. • Why choosing hope is an act of courage. Whether you're celebrating with family, spending today quietly, remembering someone you love, or simply trying to make it through another holiday, I hope this conversation reminds you that your story matters. Because every journey—whether joyful or heartbreaking—is part of the larger human story. And perhaps freedom isn't only something nations celebrate. Perhaps freedom is also found in allowing ourselves to keep living after life has changed. Thank you for letting me travel with you. There is always a way thru. Reflection Prompt What milestone in your life deserves to be honored today—not because everything turned out perfectly, but because you kept going? If this episode encouraged you, please follow Travel thru Grief, leave a review, and share it with someone who may need a little hope this holiday weekend. You can also visit Travel Thru Grief - Support for where you are—and where y... to learn more about coaching, resources, and future opportunities to continue the journey together. Happy Fourth of July, and thank you for being here.
As America celebrates 250 years of independence, we pause to explore another kind of independence—the deeply personal journey of rebuilding a life after loss. Grief has a way of changing everything. The decisions once made together become yours alone. Traditions shift. Dreams are rewritten. Even simple moments can remind you that your life now looks different than it once did. But independence after grief isn't about pretending you don't need anyone. It's about discovering that you are capable of carrying your story forward while honoring the people who helped shape it. In this special America 250 episode, we explore: The surprising similarities between our nation's story and our own stories of grief. Learning to trust yourself again after loss. Making decisions without second-guessing every step. Finding courage when the future feels uncertain. Honoring the past without becoming trapped there. Building a life that reflects who you are becoming—not just who you were. Why independence is not the absence of love, but the freedom to continue loving while moving forward. Whether you're grieving the death of someone you love, the end of a relationship, a career, a dream, or another life transition, this episode is a reminder that healing doesn't erase your story—it helps you write the next chapter. As our country reflects on 250 years of resilience, may you also recognize your own strength. You have survived every day that brought you here, and there is still so much life waiting ahead. Reflection Question What is one decision, dream, or step you've taken on your own that reminds you just how far you've come? Connect with Travel thru Grief If this episode resonated with you and you're ready to navigate life's transitions with support, I'd love to walk alongside you. 📧 Email: TravelThruGrief@gmail.com 🌐 Book a Coaching Session: https://paperbell.me/ellen-beckemeyer Whether you're exploring one-on-one coaching, curious about upcoming programs, or simply want to reach out, you're always welcome. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow Travel thru Grief, leave a review, and share it with someone who could use a little hope today. Because no matter where life takes you… There is always a way thru. ❤️✈️🇺🇸
Travel Thru Grief Podcast – Bonus Episode Alaska Day: Finding Wonder at the Edge of the World What if healing looked a little more like Alaska? In this special bonus episode of Travel Thru Grief, we're traveling to America's Last Frontier—a place where glaciers still move, mountains seem to touch the sky, and nature reminds us that life is both powerful and beautifully unpredictable. Together we'll explore: The breathtaking beauty of the Northern Lights and why wonder can be part of healing. Alaska's incredible wildlife, from majestic moose and caribou to bears, whales, bald eagles, and yes... we'll even clear up the common penguin misconception. The cultures and traditions that make Alaska unlike anywhere else in the United States. Favorite foods, outdoor adventures, and cozy small-town charm. Why Hallmark-worthy moments can be found even in the most rugged landscapes. How slowing down long enough to notice the world around us can help us reconnect with ourselves after loss or life transition. Whether Alaska is already on your bucket list or you've only dreamed of seeing it someday, this episode is an invitation to embrace curiosity, awe, and the possibility that healing sometimes begins simply by widening our view of the world. Reflection Prompt: Where in your life could you use a little more wonder? What destination—or even what place close to home—might help you remember that there is still beauty waiting to be discovered? If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who could use a little encouragement today. Remember, no matter where life takes you, there is always a way thru. ❤️ Dedicated to my friend Alexis who lives in Alaska.
Travel Thru Grief Podcast Sunday, June 21, 2026 In Memory of Dad Father's Day can be a beautiful day. It can also be a complicated one. For some, it is backyard cookouts, golf outings, fishing trips, phone calls, and family photos. For others, it is an empty chair, an unanswered phone number, a favorite coffee mug that still sits in the cabinet, or a memory that arrives unexpectedly. In this Father's Day bonus episode, Ellen reflects on what it means to remember the men who helped shape us—the fathers we loved, the fathers we lost, the father figures who stepped in when they didn't have to, and even the relationships that were complicated or unfinished. This episode explores the many layers of Father's Day: Missing the person who is no longer here Missing who you were when they were alive The memories attached to ordinary objects Old photographs and handwritten notes Traditions that continue long after someone is gone The lessons, values, and stories we carry forward The ways grief and gratitude can exist together Whether your father was your greatest supporter, a complicated chapter in your story, or someone you wish you had known differently, this conversation creates space for all of it. Because grief is not measured by perfection. It is measured by connection. And love does not disappear simply because someone is no longer physically present. Reflection Questions What is one lesson your father taught you that still influences your life today? What object, place, or tradition instantly reminds you of him? If you could spend one more afternoon together, how would you spend it? What part of him continues to live on through you? Whisper of Permission You do not have to celebrate Father's Day the way anyone else does. You are allowed to laugh. You are allowed to cry. You are allowed to remember. You are allowed to miss him. And you are allowed to carry both love and loss in the same heart. Connect Share your story at TravelThruGrief@gmail.com Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts. Travel Thru Grief Healing. Hope. Moving Forward. 🐝💜🏝️🌅
Travel Thru Grief Podcast – Bonus Episode Wanna Get Away Day Thursday, June 18, 2026 Sometimes we all feel the urge to get away. Not because life is bad. Not because we're running from something. Sometimes we simply need space to breathe, think, rest, and remember who we are beneath the responsibilities, appointments, grief, expectations, and noise. As a child, getting away might have meant disappearing into a favorite television show, a book, a daydream, or a summer afternoon. As adults, it can look like a road trip, a beach vacation, a weekend retreat, a quiet walk, or even a few uninterrupted moments on the back porch. In this bonus episode, Ellen reflects on the deeper meaning behind the desire to get away and how that longing often has less to do with escape and more to do with renewal. Together, we'll explore: • The difference between running away and reconnecting with yourself • Why changing your environment can shift your perspective • The role travel plays in healing, reflection, and possibility • How grief can make us crave distance, adventure, or simply a break from routine • Why sometimes the best plan really is no plan at all Whether you're preparing for a major trip, dreaming about one, or simply needing a mental vacation from everyday life, this conversation offers permission to pause, breathe deeply, and return a little more yourself. Reflection Question: Where do you go when you need to reconnect with yourself—and what helps you return refreshed? Whisper of Permission: You don't have to earn rest. You don't have to justify a pause. Sometimes stepping away is exactly what allows you to step back into your life with greater clarity, energy, and gratitude. Travel Thru Grief Podcast Healing. Hope. Moving Forward. 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, RSS.com, and wherever you enjoy podcasts. #WannaGetAwayDay #TravelThruGrief #GriefJourney #HealingAfterLoss #MidlifeWomen #WidowSupport #LifeTransitions #EmotionalHealing #TravelForTheSoul #HopeAndHealing #TravelThruGriefPodcast #ThereIsAWayThru
Travel Thru Grief Podcast National Oklahoma Day Bonus Episode Where the Road Begins: Celebrating Oklahoma Oklahoma is more than the place where this story started. It is where I was born, where I took my first steps, spoke my first words, and attended kindergarten before my family moved away. While I didn't grow up there, Oklahoma remains part of my origin story. In this National Oklahoma Day bonus episode, we explore the culture, history, resilience, and beauty of a state that is often misunderstood. From its Native American roots and tribal nations to its sweeping landscapes, music, art, and enduring spirit, Oklahoma offers a reminder that beginnings matter. In This Episode Why Oklahoma will always be part of my story The meaning of birthplace and belonging Oklahoma's deep Native American heritage and the many tribal nations that call the state home The resilience woven throughout Oklahoma's history The landscapes, culture, and traditions that make Oklahoma unique How our beginnings continue to shape us long after we leave them behind What it means to honor where your journey started Reflection Questions What place do you consider the beginning of your story? How has that place shaped who you are today? Is there somewhere from your past that still feels connected to your identity? What roots continue to nourish you, even from a distance? Whisper of Permission You don't have to spend your whole life in a place for it to matter. Sometimes a beginning is enough. The places where our stories start remain part of us, whether we stay or go. Mentioned in This Episode National Oklahoma Day Native American heritage and tribal history in Oklahoma Oklahoma's cultural and historical legacy Travel Thru Grief reminds us that there is a way thru. If this episode resonated with you, please follow, share, and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts. Connect TravelThruGrief@gmail.com The Empty Seat Project Help us fill the world with stories of love that never leave. Send a photo of an empty chair, seat, bench, porch swing, theater seat, recliner, or any place that holds a memory. Email: TravelThruGrief@gmail.com Subject Line: Empty Seat Project
Travel Thru Grief Podcast Bonus Episode – Start Over Day June 5, 2026 National Start Over Day invites us to think about fresh beginnings, but starting over isn't always about wiping the slate clean. More often, it's about taking everything you've learned and deciding what comes next. In this bonus episode, Ellen explores the many transitions we experience throughout life and the courage it takes to move forward when the future isn't fully clear. Along the way, she reflects on familiar stories from popular culture. Luke Skywalker had to leave behind the life he knew on Tatooine and repeatedly adapt as his journey unfolded. Bruce Wayne experienced unimaginable loss, but at some point he made a decision—not just to survive what happened, but to become Batman. Those stories raise an interesting question for all of us: When do we decide to step into the next version of ourselves? You'll hear reflections on: ✨ Why starting over is different from starting something brand new ✨ The role transitions play throughout our lives ✨ Letting go of the need for certainty ✨ Learning to move forward before the entire path is visible ✨ Finding courage during seasons of change ✨ Why life is often a series of adjustments and course corrections Reflection Questions What are you being asked to begin again? Is there something you've been postponing because you wanted more certainty? What would change if you trusted yourself with the next step instead of demanding the entire roadmap? What version of yourself is waiting on the other side of this transition? Whisper of Permission You don't have to know exactly where you're going. You only need enough courage to take the next step. Starting over isn't proof that you failed. Sometimes it's proof that you're still willing to live. The Empty Seat Project The Empty Seat Project is a worldwide storytelling initiative from Travel Thru Grief. Every empty seat tells a story. A recliner that sits untouched. A place at the dinner table. A front porch swing. A beach chair. A church pew. A passenger seat on a road trip. Some seats became empty because someone died. Others became empty because of divorce, distance, deployment, estrangement, illness, retirement, graduation, or another life transition. We are collecting 1,000 stories from around the world that remind us love, memories, and meaningful connections don't disappear simply because someone is no longer sitting beside us. To participate, send a photo of an empty seat and tell us the story behind it. Email: TravelThruGrief@gmail.com Subject Line: Empty Seat Project Your story may be featured in a future podcast episode, publication, exhibit, or community project as we help fill the world with stories of love that never leave.
Returning the Memory Home Travel thru Grief Podcast – Memorial Day Bonus Episode On Memorial Day, we often focus on places: cemeteries, monuments, hometowns, battlefields, family plots, and quiet corners where memories gather. But memory itself is a kind of journey. It travels with us through the years, crossing seasons, relationships, moves, milestones, and miles. In this special bonus episode, Ellen Beckemeyer explores the idea of returning the memory home—not to a building or a grave site, but to the place where a loved one's story continues to live within us. Through personal reflection, stories, and gentle observations, this episode considers: Why memories can feel both comforting and painful How grief changes the way we carry the people we love The difference between remembering a life and reliving a loss The role of traditions, photographs, travel, and storytelling in keeping memories alive Why Memorial Day invites us to honor not only sacrifice, but significance Along the way, Ellen reflects on the journeys people take to visit meaningful places and the quieter journeys that happen within us as we remember those who helped shape our lives. Whether you are honoring a veteran, remembering a family member, or simply reflecting on someone whose story still matters, this episode offers a thoughtful invitation to pause, remember, and carry their legacy forward. Reflection Question What memory of someone you love deserves to be brought home and shared again? Mentioned in This Episode Memorial Day traditions Family stories and legacy Memory as a form of travel The continuing impact of a life well lived Connect with Travel thru Grief If this episode resonated with you, please follow, share, and leave a review. Your support helps more people discover conversations about grief, healing, meaning, and finding a way forward. Travel thru Grief Find Your Way Forward. Travel thru Grief #TravelThruGrief #MemorialDay #GriefJourney #Remembering #Legacy #Storytelling #HealingAfterLoss #FindYourWayForward
Road Trip State of Mind Travel Thru Grief Podcast – Bonus Episode National Road Trip Day | May 22 Episode Summary In this special bonus episode of Travel Thru Grief, we're celebrating National Road Trip Day and the simple joy of hitting the open road. Road trips aren't just about reaching a destination. They're about possibility. A full tank of gas. A favorite playlist. A cup of coffee in the cup holder. The freedom to follow a map, trust the GPS, open Waze, or simply see where the road leads. Some travelers plan every stop. Others throw a bag in the back seat and figure it out along the way. Neither approach is wrong. In fact, road trips remind us that life often works the same way. Whether you're traveling across the country or taking a short afternoon drive close to home, movement has a way of shifting perspective. Sometimes the scenery changes. Sometimes we do. Join Ellen for a lighthearted conversation about favorite travel styles, road trip personalities, music, snacks, unexpected detours, and why getting out of our usual surroundings can help us reconnect with ourselves. Because sometimes the best thing we can do is roll down the windows, turn up the music, and remember that there's still more road ahead. In This Episode Celebrating National Road Trip Day Why movement can create emotional momentum Planner vs. spontaneous traveler personalities GPS, maps, Waze, and winging it The soundtrack of a great road trip Favorite road trip snacks and traditions The beauty of detours and unexpected discoveries Why travel doesn't have to be expensive or far away Small adventures that help us reconnect with life Finding possibility beyond our everyday routine Reflection Question If you could take a road trip tomorrow—with no obligations and no pressure—where would you go, and what part of you might be hoping to come along for the ride? This Week's Whisper You don't have to know the entire route to begin moving forward. Sometimes the next mile is enough. Lighthouse Story Lighthouses don't tell ships exactly where to go. They simply shine. The captain still chooses the course, navigates the weather, and decides which direction to travel. Sometimes healing works the same way. You don't need every answer before you begin. You don't need the entire map before you take the first turn. You simply need enough light to see the next stretch of road. Connect with Travel Thru Grief If this episode resonated with you: Follow the podcast on your favorite listening platform Share this episode with a fellow traveler Leave a rating or review to help others discover the show Visit https://paperbell.me/ellen-beckemeyer for coaching resources, programs, and additional support Remember: You don't need fixing. You need a way forward. ❤️
May 11, 2026 is National Twilight Zone Day celebrating the TV show and Rod Serling. All too often, when we go thru grief, we find ourselves feeling like we are in another dimension. Tune in to find out how stepping on the bridge is like going thru a door to another world and how the lighthouse helps you back to a world you can recognize again.