The Grief Informed Podcast

The Grief Informed Podcast

by Rachel Garcia

Mental Health Relationships

Season 1

Traver Boehm: When you find yourself asking "How did my life get like this?"

Have you ever started a podcast and five episodes in you get to have a conversation with one of your favorite teachers that you've never met in person? Traver Boehm is an author, 2 time TEDx speaker, podcast host and creator of the worldwide men's community: Man Uncivilized. I first stumbled on to Traver's work in 2017, via his TEDx talk from the year before. I was in the beginning stages of my own "how did my life get like this" moment navigating the dismantling of my 15 year marriage and walking into life as a single mom. I had known grief through the loss of my parents in early childhood and young adulthood, but I had never met the type of pain that comes from this kind of chapter ending. Travers twelve minute TEDx talk helped set the framework for my own healing journey as I listened to his lived experience that catapulted him into the transformative work he now leads others through. In this episode we discuss his personal story of loss, his attempts to run from pain, and the year he decided to face it all. Take a deep breath and be ready to be blown away! All things Traver: Website: Man Unvilized Books: Today I Rise, Man Uncivilized Instagram: Traver Boehm TEDx: How To Make Pain Your Guru Why we need more uncivilized men

Eric Hodgdon: One Dad's story of surviving the unimaginable.

Eric Hodgdon is a resilient advocate for those grappling with the profound impact of loss and intimately understands the challenges that accompany the grieving process. His personal journey took a powerful turn in early 2014 when he tragically lost his 15-year-old daughter, Zoi, to suicide. Frustrated by the prevailing narrative that merely surviving grief marked the “endpoint” of the journey, Eric embarked on a mission to redefine and expand what grief support can be. Over the last decade, Eric has dedicated himself to transforming the way we approach grief. Through coaching and training, he has empowered thousands of grieving individuals to overcome the mental hurdles that impede progress, enabling them to navigate the formidable challenges that accompany loss. Eric has shared his insights, twice, from the TEDx stage, He further solidified his impact by publishing the Amazon bestselling book, "A Sherpa Named Zoi.”, which is currently available on Amazon.com Currently, Eric channels his expertise into personalized 1-on-1 sessions with clients, guiding them through the process of survival, recovery, and ultimately, living beyond the loss of a loved one. To learn more about this visit: yourjourneyguided.org. *Eric's first TEDx talk: "What my daughter's death taught me about life."

Dusty Sivley, LPC-S: Discussing Grief Counseling for Young Children + Teens.

Today's episode is with Dusty Sivley who is a Supervising Licensed Professional Counselor that has spent the last 14 years working with young children and teens. Dusty specializes in Bereavement Counseling and this episode is full of her incredible wisdom and practical insights on navigating teen grief after loss. Whether you are a parent of teens, a caregiver or love someone who has experienced a death, this conversation will be one to bookmark. Not to mention, so much of what Dusty shares is applicable to the wide range of losses we might experience that bring us to our grief. Be sure to share this episode with someone that might need to hear the beautiful message of hope and healing that is possible when we are supported to do the work of honoring and being with our grief.

Jessica Bedient: Grief through the Foster care/Adoption Journey

On today's episode, I sit down with Jessica Bedient from Pike Road, Alabama. She is a mom to 9 children (1 biological, 8 from Foster Care to Adoption). She talks about the journey she, along with her husband Ben, have had through the Foster Care to Adoption process. After about 10 years working with the system, Jessica shares about experiencing the many ups, downs and sometimes, public scrutiny that comes from this path of parenting. TW: 22:00, loss of placement with a child The Verse Jessica mentions is from the Bible: Psalm 4:8- "In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe."

Becky Irby- Grieving the life you dreamed for your child, stepping into Joy after tragedy.

On the inaugural episode of The Grief Informed Podcast, I am bringing on my great friend, Becki Irby. Becki and her husband Garret are the, beaming with pride, parents of eleven year old Gabriel Lewis. Gabriel was diagnosed with a stroke at birth resulting in cerebral palsy and epilepsy, along with other diagnoses requiring full care. Becki invites us into her story and personal journey with Grief and her pursuit of Joy after tragedy. TW: Birth trauma, 14:10

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