The Grief Informed Podcast is a space where we dive head-first into difficult topics together to explore the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of life and what it’s like to make the most of our messy experiences through healing and hopefulness.
Rachel guides you through authentic conversations about how life’s challenges inform our everyday lives, including our relationships, careers, mental and emotional health ...
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Annie, the youngest of three siblings, has channeled her expertise as a cultural researcher into a profound and unexpected project: her book, "Always a Sibling: The Forgotten Mourner's Guide to Grief." When Annie’s brother Ben was killed in Afghanistan, she searched for a book that would acknowledge and validate her own experience of losing a sibling. Although she found many resources for grieving parents, children, and spouses, there was a noticeable gap when it came to books for those mourning a brother or sister. Grieving the loss of a sibling is often overshadowed by the grief felt by parents and spouses, or misunderstood due to the unique nature of sibling relationships. Plus, it's not a topic that's talked about much. Now, fifteen years later, Annie has written the book she wished she’d had back then. It’s a helpful guide for anyone who’s lost a sibling, whether it’s recent or years ago. With a compassionate and practical approach, Annie’s book offers support and validation, helping you navigate your grief while honoring the many nuances that siblings face in their grief. Regardless of how you lost your loved one or how close you were, your grief is important. I am hopeful that this conversation will help you feel seen, heard, and remembered. Share it with those you believe will benefit! I'm grateful you're here! -Rachel
Native New Yorker, turned Coloradan, and author of “Trust yourself to be All in,” Amanda McCoy Flanagan opens up about how Grief from her brothers’ death saved her marriage, after almost ruining it. Amanda, who had been in talk therapy for years and maintained her sobriety, shares how a string of family deaths made her question a lot about her life, including her marriage. Five months after her brothers’ death she told her husband she didn’t love him anymore. The steps they both decided to take pushed them to finally face the grief they had both been avoiding. This courage led to their individual healing, and eventually, the restoration of their relationship. I think you’ll really connect with Amanda’s no-nonsense approach and heartfelt honesty as she explores the fear of truly facing our grief. She addresses worries like the belief that we might only ever know pain or that we might not spiral back up, if we do. Join us as we combine the North and the South, in a candid conversation about life, loss and coming out on the other side. Enjoy! Rachel Trigger Warnings: 12:10- Drug Overdose, Death 26:08- Sexual Trauma mentioned 31:50- First Responder trauma All things Amanda: Website Book: "Trust Yourself To Be All In." Instagram Podcast: Sol Rising
Have you heard of the concept of Shadow Work? Over 100 years ago, psychoanalyst Carl Jung taught about our "Shadow" self. He taught that t"he shadow" contains the aspects of our persona that we tend to dislike or prefer to keep hidden, such as our trauma, anger and resentments. My guest, Christin Underwood, is a motivational speaker and Life Coach that shares her own story navigating the process of becoming aware of, and ultimately working with, your shadow. We dive into the nuances that define this potent method of understanding our own blind spots—how and why we might avoid this work and the healing that awaits us on the other side of exploring the unconscious behaviors we revert to, even when they perpetuate our own pain. Despite the gravity of topics like revealing our shadow to others, Christin shines through with her honesty and authenticity. If you've ever wondered about Shadow work—when it's time to explore its impact in your own life and what lies on the other side of integration—then press play and dive deep with us! Enjoy! ~Rachel All things Christin: Instagram Linktree: Ways to work with Christin Youtube StayHYPE Podcast Tiktok
Right now, there are an estimated 55 million people living with Dementia, worldwide. Every year, another 10 million cases are added. As of 2023, 1 in 3 seniors will die with Alzheimers Disease or another form of Dementia. And chances are high that you have experienced the effects of dementia or love someone who has. My guest, Don Wendorf dedicated 45 years as a Marriage and Family Therapist and entered retirement to become the primary caregiver for his wife, Susan. After her passing, Don became a passionate advocate for individuals living with Dementia, offering support and guidance to those navigating the same path. Whether its a spouse, parent, child, sibling or friend, witnessing your loved one gradually lose aspects of themselves can be incredibly painful. Don guides us through the approach of person-centered care, explaining why it can facilitate deeper connections with our loved ones, even amidst the inevitable feelings of disappointment, frustration, and sadness that often accompany the significant challenges of Dementia. As Don shares his personal experience around the grief and common themes that come up as a caregiver, he gives us invaluable practical wisdom on balancing self-care with preserving the dignity and essence of your loved one. And whether you are a caregiver because of a Dementia diagnosis or because of any other diagnosis, I believe that this episode will offer the medicine of encouragement for you, too. I'm grateful you're here. Thank you for listening! ~Rachel Video of Naomi Feil With Glady's Books: Caregiver Carol's Love Lyrics: A Musical Marital Manual Dementia-Friendly Worship Resources: Alzheimers Association Alzauthors.org
What leads women away from community and connection with one another? And how do we heal it? That’s the loaded question I got to ask Leila Dylla, a Women’s Mentor and founder of The Heart Space Community. Leila leads other women in healing through relationships and feminine initiation. In this episode, we talk about the reality that many women are feeling isolated and not adequately supported. Some have lost their old friendships, communities, or family relationships while others want to make new friends or strengthen current relationships but feel unease around trying. If that’s where you are, or know someone who is, then this conversation is going to feel like a tall, refreshing glass of hopefulness. I'm excited to share my own experience of joining Leila’s online women’s community after avoiding it for two years and why navigating that with grace allowed me to end up exactly where I wanted to be, despite my initial fears. Leila walks us through the framework of conscious participation that she teaches in her spaces, revealing why her work with women is profoundly transformative, inviting us to the skills necessary to form the deeper connections we are longing to experience. Maybe you aren’t interested in joining a women’s community, but you do want to deepen your connection and bond with the women around you. I believe this conversation can inspire and equip that, as well. If you’re ready to deepen your appreciation for yourself and the women in your life, push play and dive in with us! Enjoy! ~Rachel TW: mention of abortion 6:50-7:57 All things Leila: The Heart Space Community Leila’s Website Leila’s IG