Grief & Happiness

Left with nothing but a warning she'd never survive alone, she proved just how wrong that was—and discovered a life beyond anything she imagined.In today's episode, I'm joined by Elaine Valerie Thompson, an International Bestselling Author, Inspirational Speaker, Certified FlowCode Coach, Reiki Master Teacher, and Intuitive Healer. Based in New Zealand, Elaine spent over three decades living with chronic pain and navigating emotionally harmful environments before embarking on a profound journey of healing and transformation. As the founder of The Wellwishers Haven, she now helps others align their mind, body, and soul through holistic wellness coaching and energy work. With an empowering “Yes You Can” approach, Elaine teaches how to shift your frequency and mindset to attract love, health, and purpose. Her work is guided by deep faith and a commitment to helping others rise above adversity to embrace joy.Throughout this episode, Elaine shares a compassionate and deeply personal perspective, expanding the definition of grief to include emotional pain, chronic illness, and broken relationships. She speaks candidly about the toll of living unseen and unheard, both in her personal life and professional world, and how she reclaimed her power through spiritual healing and mindset work. Her insights reveal how internal transformation can shift what we attract externally, and how self-love is the foundation for meaningful change. Elaine’s story is one of resilience, healing, and hope—offering listeners a moving example of what it means to grow through grief and choose joy on the other side.Tune in to episode 338 as Elaine Valerie Thompson shares how rising from chronic pain, emotional abuse, and career setbacks led her to embrace healing, self-love, and a new life of purpose—offering a powerful roadmap for transforming grief into inner strength and joy.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Introducing a life transformed (0:58)Redefining grief: Beyond death (1:30)33 years of pain and a silent struggle (2:08)The Easter Sunday escape (3:00)The mirror and the mindset shift (4:48)A proposal and a new chapter (6:30)Invisible wounds in work and relationships (11:03)Losing her job before surgery—and finding herself (12:30)Healing the frequency, attracting real love (15:00)Connect with Elaine Valerie Thompson:WebsiteInstagramFacebookLet's Connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagramTwitterPinterestThe Grief and Happiness AllianceBook: Emily Thiroux Threatt - Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief

Are you willing to feel better, to breathe easier, to start enjoying your life again? Then listen to this!Let's Connect:You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide hereSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

When everything feels overwhelming and nothing makes sense, this conversation offers the clarity, connection, and practical tools you didn’t know you needed—until now.In today's episode, I'm joined by Pam Baker, a widow, author, and community-builder based in the Atlanta area. After losing her husband to brain cancer in 2021, Pam transformed her grief into meaningful action by founding Widows Who Wine, a thriving social network that helps widows reconnect with joy and community. She also co-authored Where’s the Key to the Safe?, a practical guide to navigating financial and legal challenges after loss, written alongside her nephew, a financial advisor. Now, Pam is preparing to launch The Lost Love Stories podcast, a heartfelt platform for honest conversations about love, loss, and life after death. Through all her work, Pam is driven by a mission to help others move from surviving to thriving with purpose, humor, and hope.Throughout this episode, Pam opens up about her personal journey and the deeply human moments that shaped her path forward. She reflects on the loneliness that often follows loss and the surprising ways connection can begin to heal it—like the first Widows Who Wine gathering that sparked a movement. She shares the inspiration behind her book, born from her own struggle navigating the “business of death,” and the importance of planning ahead with compassion. Pam also offers a preview of The Lost Love Stories podcast, where guests will be invited to remember their loved ones honestly—quirks, flaws, laughter and all. Her story is a reminder that grief and joy can coexist, and that healing often begins when we’re given the space to be real.Tune in to episode 336 as Pam Baker shares how losing her husband to brain cancer inspired her to build vibrant communities, write a practical guide for navigating the “business of death,” and help others transform grief into connection, purpose, and joyful living.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Pam’s story of loss (01:12)The birth of Widows Who Wine (02:45)More than just wine: A movement (04:40)The app that connects widows nationwide (05:53)The loneliness no one talks about (06:50)Where’s the key to the safe? (09:21)Planning while grieving: What most miss (12:45)Breaking the silence around real grief (18:46)Widows as warriors: Rewriting the narrative (24:15)Connect with Pam Baker:Widows Who WineInstagramLinkedInLet's Connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagramTwitterPinterestThe Grief and Happiness Alliance

Do you find yourself getting in your own way? You will feel better if you stop that!Let's Connect:You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide hereSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

If you’ve ever felt completely shut down after a loss—unable to cry, think, or even get out of bed—this episode reveals why that happens and how to gently bring yourself back to life, one small step at a time.In today's episode, I'm joined by Ashley Milus, a trauma-informed somatic grief and life transition coach who helps individuals navigate the emotional and physical toll of loss—whether through death, divorce, chronic illness, or other major life changes. Her practice is deeply informed by her own journey through complex personal grief, including serious health challenges and the loss of loved ones. Ashley supports clients in reconnecting with their bodies, regulating their nervous systems, and gently moving through emotions that feel overwhelming. With compassion and a strong understanding of trauma responses, she creates safe, validating spaces where healing can begin. Through this integrative somatic approach, Ashley helps people rediscover their sense of self and move forward with renewed strength and clarity. She also offers free consultations for those curious about exploring this path.Throughout this episode, Ashley offers meaningful insight into how somatic healing addresses grief not just as an emotional or mental challenge, but as a full-body experience. She explains how our nervous systems instinctively protect us through responses like numbness or shutdown, and how working with these patterns can support deeper, lasting healing. Drawing on her own lived experiences, she illustrates how reconnecting with the body can restore a sense of safety, presence, and vitality. Ashley also shares practical, compassionate ways to support those experiencing grief, especially in the wake of sudden or traumatic loss. Her emphasis on listening, presence, and authentic connection brings depth to the episode—and reminds us that healing begins not with fixing, but with truly being there for one another.Tune in to episode 334 as Ashley Milus shares how her personal journey through illness and loss led her to become a somatic grief coach—helping others heal by reconnecting with their bodies, regulating their nervous systems, and finding safety, presence, and meaning after profound grief.In This Episode, You Will Learn:What is Somatic Healing? (3:12)Why we shut down during grief (5:30)Working with the nervous system (6:33)The power of compassionate presence (9:30)Storytelling as a healing tool (10:32)Supporting someone after sudden or traumatic loss (13:34)A personal story of transformational support (15:51)How to be the right kind of support (19:41)Rethinking condolences: Why “Sorry for your loss” isn’t enough (21:46)What to say: Creating comfort through connection (24:03)Connect with Ashley Milus:WebsiteInstagramBook a FREE session with Ashley Milus!Let's Connect:WebsiteFacebookTwitterPinterestThe Grief and Happiness Alliance

Together we can change the world if we all practice unconditional love.Let's Connect:You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide hereSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Most companies give grieving parents just three days to "move on"—but what happens when the real pain begins on day four? We explore the deeper reality of child loss, the healing power of grief retreats, and why workplaces must do better to support employees through unimaginable loss.In today's episode, I'm joined by Kelly McDyre, the President and CEO of the Child Loss Foundation, an organization devoted to supporting parents who have experienced the unimaginable loss of a child. With more than a decade of nonprofit leadership experience, Kelly has dedicated her career to creating compassionate spaces for healing through retreats, resources, and workplace programs. Her work is deeply personal—sparked by the sudden death of her 12-year-old nephew in 2010, which led her to walk alongside grieving families with empathy and purpose. Kelly previously served as Executive Director at Faith’s Lodge, where she helped establish a sanctuary for bereaved parents, and later played a key role in its merger with the Believe Foundation to form the Child Loss Foundation. She also founded Child Loss at Work, an innovative program designed to help employers provide meaningful support to grieving employees.Throughout this episode, Kelly offers heartfelt insights into her journey and the impact of the Child Loss Foundation’s work. She shares how the organization came to life through the merging of two powerful missions—Faith’s Lodge’s retreat-based healing model and the Believe Foundation’s practical financial support. Kelly introduces listeners to the foundation’s expanding national reach and its goal to create more accessible grief retreats across the country. She also explains how Child Loss at Work is transforming the way employers approach grief in the workplace, advocating for more compassionate policies and better understanding. With warmth and wisdom, Kelly reminds us that while grief never fully fades, it can coexist with joy—and that no parent should ever have to navigate loss alone.Tune in as Kelly McDyre shares how her family’s loss inspired her to create healing retreats for bereaved parents and workplace programs that bring empathy, connection, and space for both grief and joy.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Meet Kelly McDyre and the Child Loss Foundation (1:00)The origins: Faith’s Lodge and the Believe Foundation Merge (1:45)Kelly’s personal connection to child loss (6:00)Retreats as safe spaces for grieving parents (9:50)Expanding the reach of grief retreats (10:30)Grief and joy can coexist (15:00)What not to say to a grieving parent (20:30)Fixing grief support at work: The “3 days off” problem (24:00)Loss at work: A program to transform workplace compassion (25:30)Writing, rituals, and the lifelong nature of grief (31:30)Connect with Kelly McDyre:Website - Child Loss FoundationFacebook - Faith’s LodgeInstagram - Faith’s LodgeKelly’s LinkedInLet's Connect:WebsiteLinkedInThe Grief and Happiness Alliance

Do you feel mired in all the “stuff” in your life? Find out how to fix that by listening to this podcast!Let's Connect:You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide hereSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

If you’ve ever questioned your ability to keep going after life breaks you open, this episode will show you how three simple words can become a lifeline in the darkest moments.In today's episode, I'm joined by Theresa Bruno, a writer, speaker, and grief guide who hosts the Soul Talks podcast—a space dedicated to exploring healing, spirituality, and the resilience that follows profound loss. Once a successful entrepreneur running a regional marketing agency, Theresa’s life shifted dramatically after enduring back-to-back tragedies: the collapse of her business and the sudden loss of her husband to suicide. These life-altering experiences led her to embrace storytelling as a path to healing and to create welcoming spaces where others could share their own stories of pain and survival. Her debut book, He's Not Coming Back: Rewriting Life After Loss, blends personal narrative with practical tools designed to help others rebuild. Through her work, Theresa encourages people to reconnect with their inner strength, find spiritual grounding in their own way, and embrace the powerful truth that we are all enough.Throughout this episode, Theresa opens up about her journey through grief with remarkable honesty and depth. She reflects on the early days of isolation and shame, and how leaning into spiritual practices and nature slowly helped her reclaim her sense of self. Theresa shares how small, intentional actions—like opening the curtains each morning or journaling moments of gratitude—became stepping stones toward healing. She highlights the importance of community, vulnerability, and the power of being seen and heard in safe spaces. Her message, centered on the transformative strength of storytelling and the mantra "I am enough," offers comfort and clarity to anyone navigating grief and the process of rewriting their life.Tune in as Theresa Bruno shares how surviving unimaginable loss, embracing spiritual practices, and creating safe spaces for storytelling helped her navigate grief and rediscover a sense of purpose, hope, and self-worth.In This Episode, You Will Learn:From perfectionism to rock bottom (01:25)The birth of Soul Talks and her book (03:40)The power of storytelling and safe spaces (5:25)Spirituality as a lifeline in grief (6:42)Letting go of judgment through community (10:00)Small steps that save you (18:50)Nature as a healer (20:30)Daily practices for joy and gratitude (22:59)Reclaiming dreams and self-worth (24:47)Connect with Theresa Bruno:WebsiteInstagramYouTubeTikTokGet Theresa’s bookLet's Connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookThe Grief and Happiness Alliance