In Episode 55, grief writer and speaker Chelsea Ohlemiller joins the podcast to share the story behind Hope and Harsh Realities, her widely followed platform that began after the loss of her mother, Rita, to cancer in 2017. What started as private notes on her phone turned into something far greater — a space for honesty, healing, and connection for anyone grieving a mother.
Chelsea opens up about how her grief affected everything — her identity, her parenting, her marriage — and how writing gave her the voice she didn’t know she needed. Along the way, she and Nick talk about invisible grief, parenting without a parent, and how it feels to carry the weight of a mother-shaped absence. They also swap laughs over cats, dark humor, sticker planners, and second chances in love.
This episode is deeply human, funny in all the right places, and full of hard-earned insight. Whether you’ve lost your mother, are navigating a new identity after loss, or just want to feel less alone in your grief — Chelsea’s voice will meet you right where you are.
CHELSEA'S LINKS:
Website: www.hopeandharshrealities.com
Facebook: @hopeandharshrealities
Instagram: @hopeandharshrealities
TikTok: @chelseaohlemiller
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