Good Grief

In this episode of Good Grief, host Dr. Christine Malone sits down with Theresa Bruno—celebrity jewelry designer, podcast host, and author of the upcoming memoir He’s Not Coming Back—to explore what it means to begin again after unimaginable loss. Following the suicide of her husband and the collapse of her business, Theresa found herself at a crossroads, grappling with sorrow, identity, and the elusive promise of healing. Through ...

In this deeply moving episode, host Christine Malone welcomes Nancy MacMillan, a seasoned psychotherapist and spiritual care expert, to explore the emotional and psychological landscapes of death, dying, and grief. Drawing on decades of experience, Nancy offers profound insight into the fears that arise at the end of life, the transformative potential of grief, and the power of presence in therapeutic spaces. Together, they examine...

In this episode of Good Grief, Dr. Christine Malone welcomes a transformational guest, Richard Tierney who introduces a groundbreaking, spiritually inspired approach to healing trauma and grief. Centered around the belief that trauma memories carry real emotional weight—and that they can be dissolved—this conversation explores a two-part program designed to empower individuals to reclaim their lives. The first part focuses on heali...

In this powerful episode of Good Grief, Dr. Christine Malone welcomes Nicole Gruendl—life coach, speaker, and grieving mother—to share the heartbreaking story of losing her son, Korey. Nicole opens up about the devastating day he died, the long and painful wait for answers, and the emotional toll of navigating a flawed system with shifting medical narratives. She speaks candidly about the re-traumatization of new revelations, the s...

In this episode, we welcome historian and former tech CEO Ron Gruner to discuss his forthcoming book, COVID WARS: America’s Struggle Over Public Health and Personal Freedom. Gruner offers a data-rich and thought-provoking exploration of how the United States, despite its global leadership in science and medicine, suffered one of the highest death tolls and economic collapses during the COVID-19 pandemic. We dive into the origins of...

In this gripping episode of Good Grief, Dr. Christine Malone welcomes Brenda Coffee, author of Maya Blue, to share her extraordinary journey of surviving love, betrayal, danger, and profound loss. Brenda recounts how a fairy-tale marriage to a technology pioneer spiraled into a life marked by addiction, high-stakes risks, and personal abandonment. From navigating the eerie "Spy House on the Hill" to surviving a terrifying encounter...

In this week’s episode, Dr. Christine Malone interviews Kim Cantin, author of Where Yellow Flowers Bloom, to share her extraordinary story of loss, resilience, and hope.Kim recounts the night of the devastating Montecito mudflows of 2018, which claimed the lives of her husband and son and left her and her daughter forever changed. She opens up about her relentless search for her son, the unexpected signs that kept her going, and th...

In this refreshingly unconventional episode of Good Grief, Dr. Christine Malone sets the stage for a soulful, humorous, and deeply transformative conversation with Justin L. Shaw—mystical comedian, stand-up philosopher, and author of Sourcery 101: 13 Rungs to a Higher Elevation of Consciousness. Christine opens with a heartfelt welcome and acknowledgment of the profound layers of grief Justin has experienced, including the loss of ...

In this episode of Good Grief, Dr. Christine Malone speaks with Pamela Blake, publisher of The Isaak Collection, a five-novel series written by her late husband, David. After David's sudden passing at the age of 67 from a massive stroke, Pamela made the courageous decision to publish his work—not only as a tribute to his life but as a way to navigate her own grief.What started as an intimate act of remembrance has since evolve...

In this episode of Good Grief, Dr. Christine Malone speaks with Hugh Flynn, author of SOMETHING SPECIAL BE, about the devastating family conflict that erupted when he sought conservatorship of his disabled brother, Aaron. What began as an effort to protect his brother’s well-being quickly turned into a bitter legal and emotional battle, exposing deep fractures within his family. Through writing his memoir, Hugh navigated the grief ...

In this heartfelt episode of Good Grief, host Dr. Christine Malone sits down with AJ Coleman—widower, single father, and author of Keep Those Feet Moving—to explore his powerful journey through love, loss, and healing. After losing his wife Cory to brain cancer at just 33, AJ was left to raise their infant daughter while grappling with profound grief, anxiety, and life’s unpredictable setbacks. AJ shares how he transformed pain int...

In this deeply personal solo episode of Good Grief, Dr. Christine Malone shares reflections on Mother’s Day — a day that can bring joy, pain, longing, and silence. While it's often filled with celebration, Christine explores a side of the holiday we don't talk about enough: the grief of mothers who do not have children. Whether due to infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth, medical conditions, adoption barriers, estrangement, or life...

In this episode of Good Grief, Dr. Christine Malone met with Sarah Birnbach, award-winning author of A Daughter’s Kaddish: My Year of Grief, Devotion, and Healing, to discuss her deeply personal journey through loss, faith, and perseverance. After the passing of her beloved father, Sarah embarked on a year-long commitment to reciting the Mourner’s Kaddish twice a day in synagogue—a Jewish mourning ritual traditionally reserved for ...

In this week’s episode, Dr. Christine Malone interviews Jenny Leavitt, a grief recovery coach, author, and speaker dedicated to helping others process loss while staying connected to their values and personal growth. After experiencing profound grief herself, Jenny has made it her mission to provide resources and guidance for those struggling with loneliness, relationship challenges, and the emotional weight of loss.

Through heartfe...

In this episode of Good Grief, Dr. Christine Malone sits down with Holly Peppe, a leading authority and literary executor for the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Edna St. Vincent Millay, to explore the profound connection between poetry and grief. Holly shares her deeply personal journey of loss, reflecting on how poetry became a defining force in her healing process. Drawing from both her own experiences and Millay’s evocative works, ...

In this week’s episode, we explore the unique challenges of navigating loss later in life with our guest Susan, a retired individual who recently experienced the profound loss of both parents. Susan shares her journey through grief, the emotional impact of losing loved ones in later years, and the unexpected challenges of adjusting to life without them. As time has passed, she has discovered the “gifts” that loss has revealed—lesso...

In this episode, Dr. Christine Malone interviews Jennifer Newberg, founder of It’s Lifey, shares her deeply personal journey of loss after losing her husband, Jack, almost 10 months ago. She discusses how her experience of widowhood led her to create a transformative retreat for young widows (ages 35-60)—a space designed for deep connection, shared understanding, and personal healing. We’ll explore why support systems are vital, th...

In this deeply moving episode of Good Grief, Dr. Christine Malone sits down with Steve Gamlin, a professional speaker whose love story once captivated audiences—including multiple appearances on Oprah’s XM Radio network. But on December 9, 2024, Steve’s life took an unexpected turn when he lost the love of his life suddenly and tragically, leaving him shattered and 3,000 miles from home.For 17+ years, Steve shared the story of how ...

In this week’s episode, Dr. Christine Malone sits down with Christina Dent, author of Curious: A Foster Mom's Discovery of an Unexpected Solution to Drugs and Addiction. Christina shares her journey as a foster mom and how it led her to explore the deep connection between grief, pain, and addiction. The conversation dives into how addiction often develops as a coping mechanism for unresolved grief and trauma, and Christina reve...