Grief is the New Normal Podcast: S2E17 The Emotional Toll of Chronic Illness: Naming the Invisible Grief

Navigating Grief with Chronic Illness: Redefining Your New Normal

In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed psychologist and grief specialist, explores the often-overlooked grief associated with chronic illness. Dr. Taylor shares her own personal journey with postpartum cardiomyopathy and how it has reshaped her life. She discusses the multifaceted nature of this type of grief, including the loss of body functionality, independence, and the life one had envisioned pre-diagnosis. The episode offers actionable advice for coping with these ongoing losses, such as naming your grief, avoiding comparisons, redefining success and joy, and seeking support from understanding communities. Listeners are encouraged to acknowledge their pain, adapt to their new realities, and give themselves permission to grieve. Dr. Taylor emphasizes the importance of making space for this unique form of grief, aiming to foster a more profound understanding and acceptance of the chronic illness experience.

00:00 Introduction to Grief is the New Normal

00:25 Exploring Grief with Chronic Illness

03:34 Personal Story: Living with Postpartum Cardiomyopathy

08:16 The Unseen Struggles of Chronic Illness

10:25 Coping Strategies for Chronic Illness Grief

14:37 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

16:46 Closing and Additional Resources

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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 Taylor unpacks the emotions no one warns you about, challenges outdated grief narratives, and offers both practical tools and hard-earned wisdom to help you feel less alone.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

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www.linkedin.com/in/heather-taylor-psyd-licensed-psychologist

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 Journal available for purchase thru this link: https://a.co/d/4hbLtbX

Dive deeper into your grief support skills with the Professional Grief Collective. This exclusive membership offers targeted training and resources for clinicians and coaches who are ready to elevate their practice. Don’t miss out—join our community today and start transforming the way you support those in grief. Check out the details in our show notes or visit https://bit.ly/GriefClinicianMembership

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Opening Music by The Dadicorns