Grief & Happiness

Kathy Strauss shares how painting, photography, and doodling became her lifeline during grief, offering powerful hacks to lower stress and find joy.In this episode, I'm joined by Kathy Strauss, a visionary artist and photographer who describes herself as a "creationeer," blending her artistic eye with a passion for storytelling to create meaningful connections through her work. She has published coloring books, contributed to collaborative works, and is currently writing her solo book, Kaleidoscope: Redesigning Your Life.Throughout this episode, we explore the transformative power of creativity in coping with grief and enhancing happiness. Kathy shares personal stories about using creative activities to process grief and stress, particularly during her late husband's illness. She highlights her workshops and teachings, which encourage participants to explore creativity for healing and inspiration. Through anecdotes about her work with clients and personal projects, she demonstrates how creativity can transform emotional pain into meaningful expression. Her perspective underscores the importance of patience, intention, and embracing creative processes for personal growth and happiness.Tune in to episode 296 of Grief and Happiness as Kathy Strauss shares her journey of caregiving, loss, and healing. Learn how painting, photography, and storytelling helped her find comfort and inspire others through the transformative power of art.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Becoming a creationeer: blending creativity and connection (1:07)Photography projects and meaningful stories (2:21)Lessons in patience and perspective through wildlife photography (6:25)Kaleidoscope of creativity: connecting nature, healing, and artistic inspiration (9:07)Coping with grief and transforming stress with creativity (14:12)Capturing inspiration and embracing ideas (22:16)The power of intention and creative exploration (23:46)Connect with Kathy Strauss:WebsiteFacebookInstagramPersonal FacebookLet's Connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagramTwitterPinterestThe Grief and Happiness AllianceBook: Emily Thiroux Threatt - Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief

Make good decisions about the holiday season considering what will bring you joy.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.

What if grief could inspire healing? Dive into Michael Sudman’s deeply moving story of turning daily updates during his wife’s final days into a journal of love, grace, and purpose.In today's episode,  I'm joined by the Family Law Attorney and Writer Michael Sudman. Michael shares his journey of navigating grief and finding healing through writing after the loss of his wife, Cheryl. He reveals his deeply personal experience of losing his wife to pancreatic cancer and how that led him to embrace writing as a way to process grief and connect with others.Throughout this episode, Michael recounts how his wife Cheryl's battle with cancer, which lasted just 62 days after her diagnosis, inspired him to write daily updates for family and friends—updates that ultimately formed the basis of his book, A 62 Day Journey: Love, Light, and Grace. The book documents those updates and celebrates Cheryl's grace and strength during her final days. Michael discusses how writing became a crucial part of his healing process, leading to the creation of daily poems he shares with hundreds of people. His poetry, deeply influenced by gratitude and reflections on life, has expanded into a second collection, Inside My Insides: A Collection of Thoughts. He highlights the importance of community support, particularly the Grief and Happiness Alliance, which inspired much of his creative output.Tune in to episode 294 of Grief and Happiness to hear Michael's heartfelt journey of transforming his grief into a daily writing practice, creating profound connections and inspiring art that celebrates love, resilience, and healing.In This Episode, You Will Learn:A life-changing diagnosis (1:29)From daily updates to a published book (4:30)Writing as healing: Creating Today’s Thought (8:36)The power of gratitude and connection (12:03)Rainbows and the meaning of life’s scars (14:31)Cheryl’s story through Michael’s words and poems (18:05)Sharing inspiration: poetry and community (23:26)Closing Reflections and Encouragement (28:05)Connect with Michael Sudman:LinkedInBook: Michael Sudman - A 62-Day Journey: Love, Light, and GraceLet's Connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagramTwitterPinterestThe Grief and Happiness AllianceBook: Emily Thiroux Threatt - Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief

Taking the time to thoughtfully write a handwritten note is so special.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.

From tending to survivors to honoring the fallen, Robin Garrison’s firsthand account of Maui’s fires reveals the heartbreak and humanity behind the headlines.In today's episode, I'm joined by Robin Garrison,a nurse practitioner and hospice nurse on Maui, who discusses her work in street medicine and community healing. Robin shares deeply personal stories about supporting houseless individuals, especially during the aftermath of the devastating Lahaina fires. Throughout this episode, Robin shares emotional stories about the people she served, including a man whose life and death profoundly impacted her. Her narrative conveys the profound grief experienced by both the victims and their caregivers. She also discusses her role in Project Vision Hawaii, which has evolved from providing vision care to offering comprehensive medical and social services. Robin highlights the significance of listening and being present with those who are grieving, stressing that true support often involves simply holding space for others. Additionally, her stories from her time as a midwife illustrate the beauty and complexity of life and death, as well as the resilience of those she has supported.Tune in and listen to episode 292 of Grief and Happiness as Robin Garrison shares her powerful experiences in street medicine, offering care to Maui’s most vulnerable, and the profound lessons she’s learned about grief, healing, and human connection.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Robin’s background and role in Maui (1:01)Street medicine: serving Maui’s most vulnerable (1:54)The Lahaina Fires: grief, loss, and community resilience (4:19)The healing power of listening (6:05)Lessons from midwifery and grief support (8:08)Inspiration to act: How we can make a difference (14:21)Connect with Robin Garrison:InstagramWebsiteFacebookLinkedInHospice MauiProject Vision HawaiiLet's Connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagramTwitterPinterestThe Grief and Happiness AllianceBook: Emily Thiroux Threatt - Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief

What to you receive from giving gifts?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.

Feeling more fulfilled in life than ever before might seem impossible after profound loss. Explore how journaling, recognizing signs from loved ones, and embracing the transformative power of grief can lead to unexpected joy and purpose.In this episode, I'm joined by a fellow podcast host, Kathy Gleason, who started her podcast As I Live and Grieve in November 2020. She openly shares her journey of navigating grief, reflecting on the profound losses of her father, mother, husband, and infant son, each of which shaped her perspective and deepened her understanding of the grieving process. Throughout this episode, Kathy recounts how her podcast, As I Live and Grieve, came to life, born out of a desire to reach a wider audience and help people openly discuss and process grief. This endeavor, inspired by her own unaddressed loss and supported by her family, has been running for four years, providing solace and insight to listeners. Kathy emphasizes the importance of acknowledging grief and seeking support, whether through bereavement groups, professional counseling, or personal practices like journaling. She shares how writing can serve as a powerful tool for emotional healing, helping individuals articulate their thoughts and create a lasting legacy of memories.Looking ahead, Kathy highlights her upcoming book, The Chrysalis Effect, which uses the metaphor of a caterpillar’s transformation into a butterfly to illustrate the profound changes grief brings to our lives. Through her heartfelt storytelling, Kathy inspires hope, demonstrating that happiness and fulfillment are attainable even after significant loss. Tune in and listen to episode 290 to hear Kathy Gleason’s heartfelt journey through loss and healing, and discover how embracing grief, sharing memories, and finding signs of love can lead to profound transformation and renewed joy.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Kathy’s podcasting background (4:12)Personal losses and lessons from grief (6:09)The healing journey and recognizing signs from loved ones (12:46)Journaling as a tool for grief and healing (20:51)Grief as transformation: The Chrysalis Effect (22:57)The intersection of grief and happiness (25:36)Feeling better than ever after loss (30:45)Closing thoughts and Kathy’s future projects (32:34)Connect with Kathy Gleason:LinkedInYouTubeThe As I Live and Grieve podcastLet's Connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagramTwitterPinterestThe Grief and Happiness Alliance

What intention can you create to help you through the holidays? What will you do to take good care of yourself?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.

Explore how the art of poetry transforms pain into resilience and helps navigate life’s toughest moments.In today's episode, I'm joined by the renowned voice actor, author, and poetry therapy facilitator Bill Ratner. Bill brings a deeply personal and insightful perspective to the episode, sharing the profound impact of early losses on his emotional and creative development. He reveals intimate stories from his life, delving into themes of grief, healing, and personal growth. Throughout this episode, Bill reflects on his mother’s remarkable approach to discussing her terminal illness with him as a child, the role of therapy in his life, and the complex dynamics of his family after tragedy. Bill’s stories are rich with introspection, exploring how grief influenced his relationships, career, and eventual passion for writing.Highlighting his work as a poetry therapy facilitator, Bill explains how writing provides a safe outlet for emotional expression, both for himself and for those he teaches. He discusses the process behind his poetry and the intention behind his new book, which blends dark humor and grief into a reflective narrative. His contributions offer a message of hope, emphasizing the value of creativity and connection in navigating loss.In This Episode, You Will Learn:A life shaped by loss (0:59)The power of early emotional support (6:14)A second mom and her struggles (15:31)Adolescence, anger, and diverging paths (20:44) The healing power of poetry therapy (29:15)The creation of Lamenting While Doing Laps in the Lake (31:10)A journey from estrangement to connection (34:11)Closing Reflections: Embracing Creativity for Healing (37:30)Connect with Bill Ratner:WebsiteInstagramLinkedInFacebookXGet Bill’s books!Let's Connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagramTwitterPinterestThe Grief and Happiness AllianceBook: Emily Thiroux Threatt - Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief