Grief Recovery Now with Charlene Gorzela

Have you or someone you know lost a child? The grief journey for parents who have lost a child is uniquely difficult and can cause overwhelming feelings of guilt. Today, I am re-releasing episode 37 where I was joined by Katie Greer. During a trip to Mexico in 2016, Katie’s four-year-old daughter Marissa drowned. This horrific loss led Katie to self-medicating, isolating herself from loved ones, and intense feelings of anger. Upon discovering the Grief Recovery Method, Katie began to accept that grief is a natural and normal response to loss. The Grief Recovery Method impacted her life so deeply that Katie has since become a Certified Advanced Grief Recovery Specialist, helping her clients to be emotionally honest and vulnerable along their grief journey. Inspired to focus on grief education, Katie has also founded the Satellite Project to help others heal their trauma and grief. Tune in to learn about Katie’s inspiring grief recovery journey after the loss of her daughter Marissa.In This Episode You Will Learn About Katie’s grief experience in her early life  (10:02)A tip for people who have to talk to children about grief (14:25)About Katie’s loss of her daughter (21:41)When Katie discovered the Grief Recovery Method (35:44)Katie’s tips for listeners grieving (47:33)Connect with Katie WebsiteInstagramFacebookLinkedIn Let’s Connect! The Grief Recovery MethodInstagramFacebookJoin the Grief Recovery Now Facebook Group

“Grief is the doorway into a man’s mature masculinity.”In this episode, back by popular demand, I'm re-releasing episode 28 where I was joined by John Lee Harold. John is a bestselling author of over 25 books, with his most popular being The Flying Boy, and has toured internationally for 30 years. John is a pioneer in the fields of self-help, anger management, recovery, codependency, emotional regression, emotional intelligence, relationships, and men’s issues. His expertise, highly innovative work, and early involvement in the Men’s Movement have led him to being featured on Oprah, The View, Barbara Walters, and much more.John and I talk about his expert insights into the male relationship with grief, how men’s grief changes according to their testosterone levels, what he has learned throughout his incredible career, and so much more. If you are a man or a woman, this episode is sure to teach you something about how our society has impacted the way that different genders grieve.Tune in to learn John’s amazing work with men’s grief!In This Episode You Will Learn:About John’s background (12:44)How testosterone levels change when grieving (17:45)How men and women have different relationships with grief (21:20)What John is up to today (32:47)John’s tips for men dealing with anger (35:14) Connect with JohnBooks Let’s Connect! The Grief Recovery MethodInstagramFacebookJoin the Grief Recovery Now Facebook Group

How have you maintained communication and support with those in your life that have transitioned to the “other side”? There is no one way or “right way”, the only thing that matters is that you lean into what makes you feel most connected. In this episode, I am joined by the inspiring Joe McQuillin for a second time. Joe’s life was forever changed on a January morning in 2016, when he received a call that his son, Christopher, along with three of his friends, was missing and soon after his body was recovered. Losing Christopher began Joe’s journey through grief, awakening, discovery and acceptance as he began to connect to Christopher on “the other side” through mediums, research and, eventually, direct communication. Joe McQuillin’s first book, My Search for Christopher on the Other Side, and his new book, We Are Not Done Yet, Pops, are incredible tools for anyone going through grief. Tune in to hear from Joe as he reflects on losing his son Christopher, the different ways he has found connection and communication with Christopher on “the other side”, what led him to writing his newest book We Are Not Done Yet, Pops, the recent shootings in the US, and so much more.  If you want to learn more about Joe’s background and his book,  My Search for Christopher on the Other Side, check out Episode 11 for his first interview. In This Episode You Will Learn Off the Cuff with Charlene - communal grief (1:52)Joe’s reflection on losing his son, Christopher (10:55)About the different types of spiritual practices Joe turned to (15:07)About Joe’s latest book, We Are Not Done Yet, Pops (29:45)Joe’s thoughts about the shooting in Uvalde, Texas (34:41)Connect with Joe McQuillin WebsiteBook - My Search for Christopher on the Other Side  Let’s Connect! The Grief Recovery MethodInstagramFacebookJoin the Grief Recovery Now Facebook Group

Trigger Warning: This episode talks about gun violence and mass shootings. In this episode, I am joined by the wonderful Chelsea Lin Wallace. Chelsea is a former elementary school educator turned children’s author and a poet with a Master’s in Education. She loves teaching children how to express themselves creatively through poetry and writing. Chelsea’s debut picture book, A Home Names Walter, is a comforting story based on her childhood experience moving around frequently and how we can create a home wherever we are.  Tune in to hear how Chelsea turns to writing to soothe the experiences that she went through in her childhood. She talks about what inspired her to write A Home Named Walter, what the common theme is among her writing, and what she wants readers - both children and parents - to take away from the story. You will also hear Chelsea and my thought’s on the recent mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas. In This Episode You Will Learn Off the Cuff with Charlene - gun violence in the United States (2:28)What inspired Chelsea to write A Home Named Walter (18:22)The common theme in Chelsea’s writing (31:40)What Chelsea wants readers to take away from her writing (34:41)Why Chelsea recommends parents read A Home Named Walter (43:07)Connect with ChelseaBook - A Home Named WalterWebsiteTwitter Let’s Connect! The Grief Recovery MethodInstagramFacebookJoin the Grief Recovery Now Facebook Group

How has the grief you’ve experienced played a role in who you are today? Grief and trauma changes the trajectory of our life, no matter how old we were when the tragedy or loss took place. In this episode, I am excited to be joined by Michael Gershe. At just 8 weeks old, Michael survived a drunk driving crash that killed his mother. The grief from this experience impacted his entire childhood and relationships with his father and brother who were also processing their grief. In 2015, Michael founded The Magic of Life foundation to help him work towards his mission of making our communities safer, helping children impacted by impaired driving, and rewarding students who are making the right choices in life. Michael is also the author of the book The Magic of Life, which dives even deeper to his incredible story of grief, recovery, and purpose. Tune in to hear about Michael’s story, from the horrible tragedy he went through at just 8 weeks old to where he is today. Michael talks about the different phases of grief he went through as he grew up, how the loss of his mother impacted the dynamic of his family, what led him to writing The Magic of Life, and so much more. In This Episode You Will Learn Off the Cuff with Charlene - gratitude practice (3:28)Why Michael says that he was “born into grief” (14:28)How the grief impacted Michael throughout his adolescence (28:49)About Michael’s book, The Magic of Life (43:55)Connect with Michael  GersheWebsiteInstagramFacebookLinkedIn Let’s Connect! The Grief Recovery MethodInstagramFacebookJoin the Grief Recovery Now Facebook Group

Has your life changed overnight? We never know what tomorrow can bring, which is why it’s so important to be grateful for what we have today. In this episode, I am joined by the wonderful Scott Chesney, a world-renowned motivational speaker and life coach.  At the age of 15, Scott woke  up with paralysis from a sudden spinal stroke. Since navigating life with paralysis for nearly 35 years, Scott is known as “The Commander in Change” by his clients. His work has been applauded by The United Nations, The Pentagon, The FBI, Fortune 500 corporations, sports teams, hospitals/rehab centers, associations, and K-12 schools. In April 2020, a documentary about Scott’s life entitled “Ride the Wave” was released worldwide.Tune in to hear about Scott’s inspirational journey. He shares what his childhood was like before he woke up with paralysis, how the sudden change impacted his approach to living, how grief has played a role throughout his life, and so much more. Scott has incredible insights about the transformational experiences within his life and inspiring stories that will change your perspective.In This Episode You Will Learn  Off The Cuff w/Charlene - a story about grief and closure (2:56)About Scott’s childhood before and after paralysis (14:55)To give yourself permission to feel your feelings (32:15)How Scott met his wife at one of his presentations (40:58)The impact of Scott’s paralysis on his family (50:40)Connect with Scott WebsiteDocumentary - Ride the Wave  Let’s Connect! The Grief Recovery MethodInstagramFacebookJoin the Grief Recovery Now Facebook Group

How have you continued the legacy of someone that you have lost? Passing on the lessons they instilled in you is a wonderful way to honor their life and navigate your grief. In this episode, I am joined by the incredible Jodi Hope Grinwald. Jodi is a multi-passionate social entrepreneur, a changemaker, non-profit leader, podcast host, Certified Professional Coach, consultant, and speaker. After losing her father to ALS, Jodi co-founded the Zzak G. Applaud Our Kids Foundation to continue his passion for music and life-long learning. The foundation funds children who meet the financial needs requirements to take ongoing lessons in the performing arts for up to 15 years at performing arts studios close to their homes. Tune in to hear about Jodi’s relationship with her father while she was growing up, her family’s experience when he was diagnosed with ALS, and what she has learned about loss since he has passed on. Jodi talks about why she created the Zzak G. Applaud Our Kids Foundation and what she has learned about recovering from grief. In This Episode You Will Learn  Off The Cuff w/Charlene - the work that goes with the Grief Recovery Method  (2:15)About Jodi’s childhood and her relationship with her father (10:30)How Jodi’s father’s ALS diagnosis impacted her (16:55)One of Jodi’s biggest lessons she learned from losing her father (26:21)Jodi’s message to listeners (37:25)Connect with Jodi WebsiteFacebookInstagramPodcast - Today Is The Day Changemakers LinkedIn Let’s Connect! The Grief Recovery MethodInstagramFacebookJoin the Grief Recovery Now Facebook Group

Are you grieving and healing trauma from cultural expectations, stereotypes, and standards? In this episode, I am joined by the wonderful Poppy Farsijani. Poppy is a journalist, author, motivational speaker, founder of Poppy Farsijani Fragrance, and host of “The Poppy Wellness Show”. As a rebellious Amerian-Iranian teenager living in Brooklyn, Poppy’s family decided to relocate back to their native country of Iran. This new life in Iran stripped Poppy of the Western freedoms that she had grown up with - the freedom to choose her religion, choose who she wanted to date, choose what she wanted to wear, and even the freedom to wear red lipstick. Experiencing sexism and shaming during her teenage years led Poppy to fight to maintain her identity and freedom. In Poppy’s book, Shaming My Red Lips, she details her story of fear, change, hope, and how she has risen above. Tune in to hear how Poppy has overcome grief and trauma from experiencing sexism and shame in her home country of Iran. In This Episode You Will Learn  Off The Cuff w/Charlene - what’s going on in Ukraine and Russia (3:45)Poppy’s background (9:10)How living in Iran changed Poppy’s life  (15:13)Poppy’s advice for those grieving (23:20)What is going on in Poppy’s life today(34:04)Connect with PoppyInstagramBook - Shaming My Red LipsTwitterResources Mentioned:Book - The Untethered Soul Book - Life Force  Let’s Connect! The Grief Recovery MethodInstagramFacebookJoin the Grief Recovery Now Facebook Group