Navigating Grief: A Conversation with Malisa Hepner, LCSW
In this insightful episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor speaks with Malisa Hepner, an LCSW from Oklahoma, about the intricacies of grieving and how it affects daily functioning. Malisa shares her personal journey through significant losses and her professional experience in hospice care, emphasizing the isolating nature of grief and society’s emotional unavailability. They discuss practical strategies for grievers to identify and ask for the support they need, the importance of regulating the nervous system, and the mind-body-spirit connection in the healing process. Both experts highlight the significance of breaking away from societal pressure to 'move on' quickly and how to sit with and process grief authentically. Join them for a warm, supportive conversation full of valuable insights and tools for navigating the complex journey of grief.
00:00 Introduction to Grief is the New Normal
00:24 Meet Malisa Hepner: A Journey Through Personal Loss
03:03 Understanding the Isolation of Grief
10:49 Navigating Thought Spirals and Emotional Regulation
29:40 Practical Tools for Processing Grief
33:16 Connecting with Loved Ones and Embracing Healing
34:31 Conclusion and Resources for Grievers
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Malisa Hepner, LCSW—therapist, educator, and host of The Emotionally Unavailable Podcast. Malisa is on a mission to help people break free from thought loops, normalize the messy and complicated parts of grief, and build a toolbox for healing. With a blend of deep empathy, real talk, and a no-nonsense approach, Malisa brings both personal and professional experience to the conversation. Whether you’re struggling with racing thoughts, feeling isolated in your grief, or just looking for someone who gets it, learn more about Malisa’s work at empoweredwithmalisahepner.org and
connect with her on The Emotionally Unavailable Podcast. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/emotionally-unavailable/id1743753206
Follow on Instagram @malisa.hepner
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Grief is the New Normal is the podcast that refuses to sugarcoat loss—because grief isn’t a problem to fix, it’s a reality to live with. Hosted by Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed psychologist with over a decade of experience in grief, trauma, and reproductive psychology, this show dives deep into the messy, nonlinear, and very real ways grief impacts our lives.
Whether you're navigating the death of your person, wrestling with the weight of an invisible loss, or trying to figure out who you even are after everything changed—this podcast is here for you. With a mix of solo deep dives, expert interviews, and candid conversations, Dr. Taylor unpacks the emotions no one warns you about, challenges outdated grief narratives, and offers both practical tools and hard-earned wisdom to help you feel less alone.
No toxic positivity. No “fixing” your grief. Just honest talk, validation, and the reminder that you don’t have to do this alone. Because in a world that wants you to move on, Grief is the New Normal is here to help you move through.
https://www.griefisthenewnormal.com
Follow @grief_is_the_new_normal on Instagram for grief podcast, mental health, self-care, sass, and dark humor content whether you’re grieving or you’re a mental health professional needing more modern grief language.
Wanting more grief specific support? Check out my grief journal, Authentically Unapologetic: A Grief Jo
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