Grief & Grit

In this poignant episode of Grief & Grit, we sit down with Debbie Derby and Barry Rabinowitz, parents of Ashira—a vibrant, fearless, and joy-filled young woman whose sudden passing left an unimaginable void, but also a powerful legacy.

Ashira, whose name means I will sing, was a force of light. She danced through life—literally and metaphorically—lifting others with her humor, confidence, and magneti...

When grief hits, the last thing many of us feel ready to face is “the stuff” left behind—clothing, toiletries, papers, and memory-soaked objects that now carry the weight of absence. In this heart-opening episode, we sit down with Michelle Cooper, Certified Professional Organizer and founder of Put It There, to explore the emotional and logistical layers of decluttering after loss.

Michel...

In this episode of Grief & Grit, we sit down with David Pritchard, a devoted father who lost his 17-year-old son, Nick, to suicide nearly 13 years ago. David bravely shares his heartbreaking yet inspiring journey through grief, reflecting on the shock, devastation, and lingering questions that come with losing a child in such an unexpected way.

David opens up about the overwhelming gu...

Getting Back Up - Resilience in the Face of Grief 🌟

In this Grief & Grit episode, Greer and Simonie explore the emotional rollercoaster of physical and emotional falls. When Greer unexpectedly sprains her ankle, the incident triggers past traumas and reignites deep-seated grief. 🚑💔 Listen as they share how such moments demand both physical recovery and emotional resilience, offerin...

Dating after loss—whether from death, divorce, or the end of a significant relationship—can feel like stepping into a whole new world. In this episode of Grief & Grit, Greer and Simonie get real about navigating the dating scene post-loss. From hilarious mishaps (hello, water guy and the man who wouldn’t board a plane!) to the emotional complexities of finding love again, they share their experiences, lessons lear...

Rituals provide structure, comfort, and connection in the midst of grief. In this episode of Grief & Grit, Greer and Simonie explore the profound role rituals play in honoring and remembering loved ones after loss. They are joined by grief expert Carol Shutley from the Momento Foundation, who shares insights into how rituals—both small and large—can offer grounding and healing.

Carol ...

In this insightful and moving episode of Grief & Grit, we dive deep into signs, mediumship, and the unseen connections that bring comfort to those who are grieving. Greer and Simonie are joined by The Intuitive Therapist, Janis R. Cohen, a gifted psychic medium and therapist who shares her journey of embracing her intuitive gifts and helping others find healing and closure.

Janis explains how connecting with loved ones who have...

As we step into 2025, Greer Mendel and Simonie Levy welcome special guest Heather Markle, certified resilience coach and educator, to discuss a refreshing approach to the new year: setting intentions instead of resolutions. In this candid and empowering conversation, Heather shares her journey of resilience through grief and how practices like choosing a word of the year and the transformative “Burn Bowl” ritual can h...

In this episode of Grief & Grit, Greer and Simonie explore the intersection of grief and anxiety with special guest Shann Vander Leek from the Anxiety Slayer podcast. Shann shares her insights on how grief-related anxiety manifests, from panic attacks and hyper-awareness of mortality to the overwhelming fear of an uncertain future.

Greer and Simonie open up about their personal experiences with anxiety after the loss of their s...

The holiday season can be one of the most challenging times for those grieving the loss of a loved one. In this episode of Grief & Grit, co-hosts Greer Mendel and Simonie Levy share their personal stories of navigating winter holidays after losing their spouses. They offer compassionate guidance, from letting go of painful traditions to creating new ones that honor your loved one's memory.

Discover practical tips like setting b...

As Thanksgiving approaches, Greer and Simonie dive into the complex relationship between grief and gratitude in this episode of Grief & Grit. They share personal stories about transforming the holiday into a time of remembrance and thanks. Greer reflects on her struggles with Thanksgiving after Jarrod’s passing, while Simonie talks about the impact of her late husband Mark’s leukemia diagnosis during the holiday.

They explore h...

In this impactful episode of Grief & Grit, we welcome Lane Pease, Director of Education & Innovative Programming at Kate’s Club. Lane shares her personal grief journey and explains how Kate’s Club supports children and teens who have lost a caregiver or sibling.

As we recognize National Children’s Grief Awareness Day, observed every year on the Thursday before Thanksgiving, we dive into the unique ways children process grie...

In this Grief & Grit episode, Greer and Simonie welcome Shann Vander Leek, co-host of Anxiety Slayer and their podcast coach. Shann opens up about her journey of grieving a complicated relationship with her father. She shares the difficult decision to take a decade-long break to heal, the boundaries she needed to set, and the personal growth that led to a renewed bond before his passing.

Greer and Simonie lead a powerful discus...

In this special Halloween-themed episode of Grief & Grit, Greer and Simonie dive into the idea of the "mask" we wear in grief. Just as people wear costumes to conceal their true identity on Halloween, we often hide our true emotions behind a mask when dealing with grief. The discussion covers the different masks we put on—from the strong, happy, or busy personas to the deep disconnect from our feelings.

The conversation touches...

In this touching episode of Grief & Grit, we continue our series for Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month with a very special guest, Sarah Jarvis. Sarah shares her deeply personal and emotional journey through infertility, the grief of unmet expectations, and the transformative experience of building her family through surrogacy and adoption.

Sarah’s story is one of resilience, love, and surrender—learning to let go of the...

In this episode of Grief & Grit, co-hosts Greer and Simonie delve into a deeply personal and delicate topic: pregnancy loss. Joined by special guest Carly Sonenshine, LCSW, the conversation explores Carly’s own journey through the heartbreaking challenges of miscarriage and the rollercoaster of emotions that accompany trying to build a family amidst uncertainty. Carly opens up about her experiences with IVF and the journey she ...

In this episode of Grief & Grit, Barbara Leahy joins hosts Greer Mendel and Simonie Levy to share her powerful story of giving birth to premature twin daughters and enduring the devastating loss of one. Barbara opens up about navigating grief while raising her surviving daughter, and how she’s learned to hold both joy and sorrow throughout her journey.

The conversation explores the messy, complex nature of grief—living in “limi...

In this special episode, hosts Simonie and Greer delve into the difficult but essential topic of pregnancy and infant loss. October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, and Greer shares her deeply personal story of grief, love and healing.* From her journey with pregnancy loss to the challenges and decisions she and her late husband, Jarrod, faced, Greer opens up about the impact of loss and the road to finding support. Sh...

In this episode of Grief & Grit, Greer Mendel and Simonie Levy explore the concept of secondary losses, the unexpected changes that follow the death of a loved one. Beyond the immediate grief, these losses—like the loss of future dreams, financial security, and support systems—can quietly reshape your life.

Greer and Simonie share personal stories about the challenges they faced, from losing the vision of a shared future to nav...