What if grief could live beside joy instead of swallowing it whole?

When Marie Alessi’s husband, Rob, died suddenly from a brain aneurysm while on a work trip, her life shattered in an instant. But instead of letting grief move in permanently, Marie made a quiet, powerful promise: to create the happiest life possible for her and their two young boys. What followed wasn’t perfect, but it was deeply human. And deeply intentional.

In this episode:



• The moment Marie knew she had to parent through pain and still keep a promise


• How her husband's death sparked a shift toward healing, purpose, and spiritual connection


• Why she believes grief is a visitor, not a permanent resident

This conversation is a reminder that joy and grief can hold hands. And that love doesn’t end.

Listen now at www.thelifeshiftpodcast.com/follow (http://www.thelifeshiftpodcast.com/follow)

Ad-free and early episodes on Patreon: www.patreon.com/thelifeshiftpodcast (http://www.patreon.com/thelifeshiftpodcast)

Marie Alessi is a bestselling author, TEDx and keynote speaker, and grief advocate who helps others bring lightness into their darkest seasons. After her husband Rob passed unexpectedly from a brain aneurysm, Marie made a quiet promise to create the happiest life possible for herself and their two young sons. She never imagined becoming a widow at 45, but that moment reshaped her purpose. Through her books, talks, and coaching work, Marie shares what it means to choose healing, redefine widowhood, and live a joyful love legacy. Learn more at www.mariealessi.com (https://www.mariealessi.com/) .

 

Connect with The Life Shift Podcast

🎙 Website & episodes: https://www.thelifeshiftpodcast.com/follow

🗞 Newsletter: https://www.thelifeshiftpodcast.com/newsletter

💖 Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/thelifeshiftpodcast

📷 Instagram: @thelifeshiftpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thelifeshiftpodcast)

👤 Host: Matt Gilhooly on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattgilhooly)