What if that pivotal moment was just the beginning?

Grief Episodes

Exploring the multifaceted experience of grief, this category shares personal stories that highlight how individuals navigate loss and find a new sense of normal.
Life After “Your Child Has Cancer” | Laura DeKraker Lang-Ree
May 27, 2025

Life After “Your Child Has Cancer” | Laura DeKraker Lang-Ree

What happens when your child whispers, “It hurts everywhere, Mama”?When the unthinkable becomes your reality, how do you show up — not just for your child, but for yourself? Laura DeKraker Lang-Ree shares the moment her world split in two with her daughter’s cancer diagnosis, and the extraordin…

Listen to the Episode
In Case You Need This: Still Grieving After Years? It’s Okay If You Are | Episode 1 of It's Okay If...
May 21, 2025

In Case You Need This: Still Grieving After Years? It’s Okay If You A…

Grief doesn’t follow neat timelines – and it doesn’t mean something’s wrong with you if it still shows up years later. Whether it’s been a decade or just a season, grief can return in a song, a memory, a smell, or even a YouT...

Listen to the Episode
Where Are They Now? Marty Klein's Life Shift Story Revisited
May 11, 2025

Where Are They Now? Marty Klein's Life Shift Story Revisited

Marty Klein returns for a bonus episode where we dive into his journey since his original appearance on The Life Shift Podcast. The main takeaway from our chat is how sharing his story about losing his mom at a young age has ...

Listen to the Episode
Bonus Episode: Rachel Fiorello's Life Shift Update
April 27, 2025

Bonus Episode: Rachel Fiorello's Life Shift Update

Rachel Fiorello returns to The Life Shift Podcast to share her journey since her first appearance, where she opened up about the profound loss of her husband, Matt. This conversation digs into how sharing her story has helped...

Listen to the Episode
Susan Lieu Breaks Family Silence Through Art and Healing: The Weight of Grief
March 25, 2025

Susan Lieu Breaks Family Silence Through Art and Healing: The Weight …

In this episode of the Life Shift podcast, I sit down with Susan Lieu, a Vietnamese American playwright, performer, and author, who shares her powerful journey of healing and self-discovery after losing her mother at a young age. Through her art, Susan has found a way to process her pain, reclaim h…

Listen to the Episode
Beautifully Mending: Sylvia Moore Myers' Insights on Grief, Loss, and Resilience After Violent Tragedies
Jan. 28, 2025

Beautifully Mending: Sylvia Moore Myers' Insights on Grief, Loss, and…

Sylvia Moore Myers shares her profound journey of loss, resilience, and healing, emphasizing the transformative power of resilience in the face of unimaginable and violent tragedies.After the tragic loss of her son Jacob to violence and surviving her own attempted murder, Sylvia highlights the …

Listen to the Episode
Embracing Change: How Loss Became a Catalyst for Self-Discovery for Caren Paskel
Jan. 21, 2025

Embracing Change: How Loss Became a Catalyst for Self-Discovery for C…

Caren Paskel shares her inspiring journey of transformation and resilience following the profound loss of her husband, David, to brain cancer. Her story is a powerful testament to the human spirit's ability to find purpose and joy amidst life's challenges. Caren emphasizes the importance of self-be…

Listen to the Episode
Navigating Change: Powerful Reflections from Life Shift Guests | Bonus
Jan. 10, 2025

Navigating Change: Powerful Reflections from Life Shift Guests | Bonus

In this bonus episode of The Life Shift podcast, I share a heartfelt compilation of reflections from my past guests. Each one shares their advice to their pre-Life Shift selves. The main takeaway resonates through their words...

Listen to the Episode
Unearthing Family Secrets: How a Memoir Changed Everything for Suzanne Rico
Jan. 7, 2025

Unearthing Family Secrets: How a Memoir Changed Everything for Suzann…

Suzanne Rico’s life was forever altered by the death of her mother, which propelled her into a profound journey of grief and self-discovery. For two years, she struggled to confront her mother’s passing and the unfinished memoir that held the key to understanding her family's complex history in Naz…

Listen to the Episode
From Diagnosis to Legacy: How Ashley Gould Honors Her Father
Dec. 17, 2024

From Diagnosis to Legacy: How Ashley Gould Honors Her Father

In this episode of The Life Shift Podcast, Ashley Gould candidly shares her transformative journey following her father’s cancer diagnosis. In this conversation, we explore the impact of grief, the resilience required to navigate life’s unexpected challenges, and the importance of embracing change.…

Listen to the Episode
Life Shift Notes: Straddling the Picket Fence – Barb Higgins
Dec. 7, 2024

Life Shift Notes: Straddling the Picket Fence – Barb Higgins

In this bonus episode, I reflect on a powerful conversation with Barb Higgins, who has faced numerous life challenges, including the tragic loss of her daughter. Barb's journey is a testament to resilience and finding meaning...

Listen to the Episode
Straddling the Picket Fence: Barb Higgins' Journey Through Grief and Resilience
Dec. 3, 2024

Straddling the Picket Fence: Barb Higgins' Journey Through Grief and …

Barb Higgins shares a deeply moving and raw story about the loss of her daughter, Molly, an experience that transformed her life in unimaginable ways.

Listen to the Episode
Day 7: 30 Days, 30 Episodes - Pet Loss & the Grief Journey
Nov. 7, 2024

Day 7: 30 Days, 30 Episodes - Pet Loss & the Grief Journey

Losing a pet can be a profoundly unexpected and deeply challenging experience, and in this episode, I share my journey with the loss of my buddy and little dog, Mikey.

Listen to the Episode
The Life Shift Podcast: Exploring Grief and Growth with AI Perspectives
Oct. 26, 2024

The Life Shift Podcast: Exploring Grief and Growth with AI Perspectiv…

Presenting an AI-generated episode (minus the opening) powered by Google NotebookLM. Whoa.

Listen to the Episode
The Other Side of Yet: Surviving Unimaginable Loss | Michelle D. Hord
Oct. 9, 2024

The Other Side of Yet: Surviving Unimaginable Loss | Michelle D. Hord

Michelle Hord's story is one of unimaginable grief but also one of resilience and hope. In this episode of The Life Shift, Michelle shares her journey of overcoming tragedy and finding a new purpose in life."I remember driving up on the scene, and I just knew that it was my child. There was no …

Listen to the Episode
A Mother’s Legacy: Finding Strength Amidst Grief | A Tribute to Joan Gilhooly
Sept. 1, 2024

A Mother’s Legacy: Finding Strength Amidst Grief | A Tribute to Joan …

In this episode of 'The Life Shift Podcast,' Matt shares the pivotal moment in his life when he lost his mother in a tragic accident at the age of eight. Matt explores how this life-altering event shaped his journey through grief, personal growth, and, ultimately, his purpose in creating The Life S…

Listen to the Episode
Grief and Light After the Unexpected Death of a Sibling | Nina Rodriguez
Aug. 13, 2024

Grief and Light After the Unexpected Death of a Sibling | Nina Rodrig…

In this episode, Nina Rodriguez shares her journey through grief and healing following her brother's sudden death. She recounts the last moments she spent with her brother, the shock of his unexpected passing, and how this pivotal moment led her to create the "Grief and Light" podcast. Through thei…

Listen to the Episode
Coping with Pet Loss: Saying Goodbye to Mikey
July 29, 2024

Coping with Pet Loss: Saying Goodbye to Mikey

In memory of Mikey Gilhooly - 2/17/10 - 7/18/24In this bonus episode, I reflect on the heart-wrenching experience of losing my dog, Mikey, after 14 and a half years together. I try my best to share the intense process of recognizing Mikey's decline, making the agonizing decision to let him go, …

Listen to the Episode
Healing and Surviving: Fighting for Mental Health | Lindsay Ensor
May 28, 2024

Healing and Surviving: Fighting for Mental Health | Lindsay Ensor

In this episode, Lindsay Ensor, a mental health advocate, speaker, and author, opens up about her journey, discussing her experiences with sudden loss, anxiety, and the complexities of motherhood. She details how these experiences affected her mental health, her path to recovery, and her subsequent…

Listen to the Episode
Transforming Grief & the Power of Storytelling | Dr. Marianne Bette
April 16, 2024

Transforming Grief & the Power of Storytelling | Dr. Marianne Bette

Dr. Marianne Bette is a retired family physician who has experienced an extraordinary journey of grief, healing, and transformation.

Listen to the Episode
Love, Loss, and New Beginnings: From Grief to Grace | Debbie K. Weiss
April 2, 2024

Love, Loss, and New Beginnings: From Grief to Grace | Debbie K. Weiss

Debbie K. Weiss sheds light on love, loss, and new beginnings in her journey through significant loss to find renewed purpose. From Grief to Grace.

Listen to the Episode
Finding Harmony in Grief: A Journey of Healing and Hope | Laurel Wright
Feb. 6, 2024

Finding Harmony in Grief: A Journey of Healing and Hope | Laurel Wrig…

Laurel Wright opens up about her personal journey through profound loss, her battle with depression, and how she found solace and purpose in music. She shares insights into the healing power of grief and offers hope to those facing similar challenges.

Listen to the Episode
Embracing the Pain: Lessons on Grief and Recovery | Audrey Laura White
Jan. 23, 2024

Embracing the Pain: Lessons on Grief and Recovery | Audrey Laura White

Audrey Laura White's story, marked by the murder of her brother and the loss of her parents, highlights the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of empathy and understanding in the face of grief and recovery.

Listen to the Episode
Taking Big Risks to Build a Wine Empire | Stephanie Franklin
Jan. 12, 2024

Taking Big Risks to Build a Wine Empire | Stephanie Franklin

Stephanie Franklin, founder and CEO of Fly Wines, shares her journey from a career in ad tech to establishing a successful wine company following her mother's sudden and unexpected death.

Listen to the Episode