Sisterhood Through Grief

This episode is one that can help not only someone who is experiencing grief, but also those who are looking to help console someone who is going through grief.  Not knowing what to say or do when you want to help someone who is grieving can be hard and uncomfortable.  This episode may provide insight and advice on how to best help.

It is important to understand that the depression stage of grief is not a sign of mental illness. This stage feels like it will last forever. This episode Ami and Christina discuss how they worked through their depression from their losses and offer advise and wisdom on this often lonely and intensely sad period.

In this episode, Ami, Christina, and Melanie discuss the 3rd Stage of Grief...Bargaining. The stages are not necessarily linear. Spoken from personal experiences, the conversation can help provide understanding, support, and hope to anyone going through the grief journey.

Elisabeth Kubler Ross breaks down grief into 5 stages. This episode is Stage 2...Anger. This podcast episode is hosted by Kris and Patti, who discuss their experiences during this stage and how they managed their anger.

The first of Elisabeth Kubler-Ross's Five Stages of Grief is Denial. In this episode, Ami and Christina discuss candidly and honestly what this state of being in denial looked like to them, how it felt, and how they went about dealing with this stage. For anyone suffering from the loss of a loved one, this episode can provide validation and confirm one's feelings, which will hopefully lead to some healing.

In this episode, Ami, Christina, and Melanie discuss the balancing of holding on to traditions and creating a new normal. It can be painful to continue doing things the same way as before your loss, but it can be difficult when the time comes to make a change. The raw and honest conversations can help bring someone, going through grief, some validation and advise to help in their healing.

Three years out sounds like a long time; for someone grieving, they may not be able to comprehend their life at the 3-year mark.  In this episode, Ami, Brenda, and Christina discuss the "third year" and what that can look like. Always honest, raw, and empathic, our support group-like conversations hopefully deliver hope and support to anyone suffering the loss of a loved one.

Like all holidays, Mother's Day can be especially tough, when you are both the Mother and Father to your children, due to the death of a spouse. This episode discusses the feelings that arise on Mothers Day, while you are grieving, and thoughts on how to get through the day. 

I am trying to get this episode out for Mothers' Day, so if you might be able to turn around the editing quickly, I would appreciate it.

In this episode, Kris, Melanie, and Patti discuss the differences between the pain from divorce and the loss of a spouse. Many times, people compare divorce with spousal loss, where in fact they are NOT the same.

In this episode, Ami and Christina welcome Jan, who lost his wife to cancer, to discuss the similarities and differences in the female/male grieving process.

The candid, raw, and heartfelt conversation covers the importance of support from others, offers advice for men going through grief, and other topics that may provide an understanding that promotes hope and healing.

The million-dollar question is when to date and/or to date or not to date.  In this episode, Ami, Brenda, and Christina discuss their experiences regarding the dilemma around dating after the loss of a spouse.  Informative and honest, the women speak about the guilt, pressure and other factors they were confronted with when they considered dating again.

Elisabeth Kübler-Ross has Anger as the 2nd Stage of Grief. While anger is a very uncomfortable emotion, it is one that you must go through while grieving to get to healing. In this episode, Ami, Christina, Kris, and Melanie discuss how they experienced and dealt with their anger in a raw, honest, informative, and even humorous way. 

One emotionally daunting decision that is eventually tackled is figuring out what to do with the deceased's things. When should you pack up the belongings; what should you do with the things; and can you part with the sentimental items, are all discussed in this episode: Packing Up Their Things. Ami, Melanie, and Patti discuss their experiences in hopes to support anyone encountering this challenging situation.

Adjusting to a new normal is part of the grief journey. Ami and Christina discuss how they navigated their new lives and provide advice and ideas to help create a new existence.  Sometimes knowing others are going through your same pain is a priceless gift.  Empathy and validation can provide healing for anyone suffering a loss.