In this episode we discuss various grief styles and how individuals experience and express grief differently. We will introduce you to four grief styles: intuitive grievers, instrumental grievers, dissonant grievers, and blended grievers. While we emphasize that there is no right or wrong way to grieve, understanding these different styles can help in supporting yourself and others through the grieving process.

Holly Gainsboro, founder of Golden Heart Grief Support & Education, is a certified grief support specialist/coach and certified grief educator. Following the death of her late husband, Steven, Holly felt pulled to be present for others experiencing their own losses—not just pertaining to death, but any event that may result in a grief response. She guides those who have suffered losses by helping them navigate their way through grief, transitioning them to a place of joy and hope. Holly also facilitates grief support groups, and grief education workshops. She is thrilled to co-host Creating Space for Grief & Hope with her dear friend and colleague Elizabeth Catignani. You can learn more on her website:

https://www.goldenheartgrief.com

Elizabeth Catignani is a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist, Certified Creative Grief Coach, and founder of the online platform Her Creative Wellness. After experiencing baby loss and young widowhood by the age of 27, Elizabeth has made it her mission to support and empower others on their own unique path through loss and healing. She is the author of “Creative Grieving: A Hip Chick’s Path from Loss to Hope” (available on Amazon and Audible) and “The Creative Grieving Workbook” (now available on Apple Books). You can learn more on her website: https://www.hercreativewellness.com

Holly and Elizabeth welcome their very special guest, Brooke Carlock. Listen and be inspired as Brooke shares her experience with multiple losses which includes the traumatic death of her 10 year old daughter just two years ago. She will tell us how her book and the title came to be. Brooke will make you laugh and cry (sometimes in the same exact moment) with her wit and candor.

From the scenic countryside of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, author, speaker, and educator Brooke Carlock brings a refreshingly pragmatic and humorous approach to the often somber world of grief support. Her debut book, Grief Sucks: But Your Life Doesn't Have To, is far from a conventional self-help book. It is an unfiltered guide through grief, laced with the kind of candid realism only someone who’s faced staggering personal loss can deliver. Beyond the written word, Brooke is a certified grief educator, the host of the “Mourning Coffee” podcast, and the face behind the YouTube channel “Grief Sucks with Brooke Carlock.” You can connect with Brooke on her website at: https://brookecarlock.org.

Holly Gainsboro, founder of Golden Heart Grief Support & Education, is a certified grief support specialist/coach and certified grief educator. Following the death of her late husband, Steven, Holly felt pulled to be present for others experiencing their own losses—not just pertaining to death, but any event that may result in a grief response. She guides those who have suffered losses by helping them navigate their way through grief, transitioning them to a place of joy and hope. Holly also facilitates grief support groups, and grief education workshops. She is thrilled to co-host Creating Space for Grief & Hope with her dear friend and colleague Elizabeth Catignani. You can learn more on her website: https://www.goldenheartgrief.com

Elizabeth Catignani is a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist, Certified Creative Grief Coach, and founder of the online platform Her Creative Wellness. After experiencing baby loss and young widowhood by the age of 27, Elizabeth has made it her mission to support and empower others on their own unique path through loss and healing. She is the author of “Creative Grieving: A Hip Chick’s Path from Loss to Hope” (available on Amazon and Audible) and “The Creative Grieving Workbook” (now available on Apple Books). You can learn more on her website: https://www.hercreativewellness.com

Holly & Elizabeth have received many questions over the past year pertaining to grief. In this episode, join them as they thoughtfully respond to several of those questions, and provide useful & supportive information for you to add to your tool kit.

Holly Gainsboro, founder of Golden Heart Grief Support & Education, is a certified grief support specialist/coach and certified grief educator. Following the death of her late husband, Steven, Holly felt pulled to be present for others experiencing their own losses—not just pertaining to death, but any event that may result in a grief response. She guides those who have suffered losses by helping them navigate their way through grief, transitioning them to a place of joy and hope. Holly also facilitates grief support groups, and grief education workshops. She is thrilled to co-host Creating Space for Grief & Hope with her dear friend and colleague Elizabeth Catignani. You can learn more on her website: https://www.goldenheartgrief.com

Elizabeth Catignani is a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist, Certified Creative Grief Coach, and founder of the online platform Her Creative Wellness. After experiencing baby loss and young widowhood by the age of 27, Elizabeth has made it her mission to support and empower others on their own unique path through loss and healing. She is the author of “Creative Grieving: A Hip Chick’s Path from Loss to Hope” (available on Amazon and Audible) and “The Creative Grieving Workbook” (now available on Apple Books). You can learn more on her website: https://www.hercreativewellness.com

Join Holly and Elizabeth as they welcome Jody LaVoie, founder of Widows in the Workplace, as she shares her own grief story following the tragic death of her husband, Steve, and found herself thrust into the business world amid her grief. Jody is an inspiration as she now provides support for women who have become widowed and find themselves unexpectedly re-entering the workforce. Jody talks about raising her daughters as a solo parent, navigating work/life/parenting/grief balance, and so much more!

Our guest, Jody LaVoie is a certified coach specializing in supporting widows in the workplace. Unexpectedly widowed at 47 after her husband's tragic shooting, Jody navigated solo parenting three teenagers while managing her business and grieving. Faced with a lack of resources for career-driven widows like herself, Jody transformed her experience into a mission. Now, she empowers widows through personalized coaching, her online courses and free monthly community calls helping them rediscover joy and embrace life after loss. Jody holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Chicago, is a certified coach with the International Coaching Federation (ICF) holding her Associate Certified Coach (ACC) Certification, she is a certified grief educator and is a Certified High Performance Coach. You can find her at www.widowsintheworkplace.com as well as other SM platforms under Widows in the Workplace.

Holly Gainsboro is a Certified Advanced Grief Recovery Specialist, a Certified Grief Educator, and founder of Golden Heart Grief Support & Education. Following the death of her late husband, Steven, Holly felt pulled to be present for others experiencing their own losses—not just pertaining to death, but any event that may result in a grief response. She guides those who have suffered losses by helping them navigate their way through grief, transitioning them to a place of joy and hope. Holly also facilitates grief support groups, and grief education workshops. She is thrilled to co-host Creating Space for Grief & Hope with her dear friend and colleague Elizabeth Catignani. You can learn more on her website: www.goldenheartgrief.com

Elizabeth Catignani is a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist, Certified Creative Grief Coach, and founder of the online platform Her Creative Wellness. After experiencing baby loss and young widowhood by the age of 27, Elizabeth has made it her mission to support and empower others on their own unique path through loss and healing. She is the author of “Creative Grieving: A Hip Chick’s Path from Loss to Hope” (available on Amazon and Audible) and “The Creative Grieving Workbook” (now available on Apple Books). You can learn more on her website: www.hercreativewellness.com

Join Holly and Elizabeth as they acknowledge that New Years Eve and planning for 2024 isn't always the hype it is made out to be, especially when grieving a loss. They will both share their own NYE stories after the deaths of their late husbands, Brian and Steven, as well as new rituals they have created with their families. Listen along for some of their favorite tips and tools in navigating this time of year. Elizabeth and Holly hold space, as always, for those who are navigating their grief journey during this holiday season. You get to be wherever you are and do whatever you need for yourselves!

Holly Gainsboro is a Certified Advanced Grief Recovery Specialist, a Certified Grief Educator, and founder of Golden Heart Grief Support & Education. Following the death of her late husband, Steven, Holly felt pulled to be present for others experiencing their own losses—not just pertaining to death, but any event that may result in a grief response. She guides those who have suffered losses by helping them navigate their way through grief, transitioning them to a place of joy and hope. Holly also facilitates grief support groups, and grief education workshops. She is thrilled to co-host Creating Space for Grief & Hope with her dear friend and colleague Elizabeth Catignani. You can learn more on her website: https://www.goldenheartgrief.com

Elizabeth Catignani is a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist, Certified Creative Grief Coach, and founder of the online platform Her Creative Wellness. After experiencing baby loss and young widowhood by the age of 27, Elizabeth has made it her mission to support and empower others on their own unique path through loss and healing. She is the author of “Creative Grieving: A Hip Chick’s Path from Loss to Hope” (available on Amazon and Audible) and “The Creative Grieving Workbook” (now available on Apple Books). You can learn more on her website: https://www.hercreativewellness.com

Thanksgiving can bring up all sorts of emotions and memories. You get to feel them all - no matter what your family and friends say! Listen in as Holly shares her own story about her first holiday without Steven, and where she is now 13 years later. She also provides you with some ideas/activities to honor your feelings and your memories. Wondering how to respond to people about the upcoming holiday? Holly has some tips on responses for you.

Elizabeth and Holly wish you all a peaceful Thanksgiving - and remember you get to do it your way!! 

Holly Gainsboro is a Certified Advanced Grief Recovery Specialist, a Certified Grief Educator, and founder of Golden Heart Grief Support & Education. Following the death of her late husband, Steven, Holly felt pulled to be present for others experiencing their own losses—not just pertaining to death, but any event that may result in a grief response. She guides those who have suffered losses by helping them navigate their way through grief, transitioning them to a place of joy and hope. Holly also facilitates grief support groups, and grief education workshops. She is thrilled to co-host Creating Space for Grief & Hope with her dear friend and colleague Elizabeth Catignani. You can learn more on her website: https://www.goldenheartgrief.com

Elizabeth Catignani is a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist, Certified Creative Grief Coach, and founder of the online platform Her Creative Wellness. After experiencing baby loss and young widowhood by the age of 27, Elizabeth has made it her mission to support and empower others on their own unique path through loss and healing. She is the author of “Creative Grieving: A Hip Chick’s Path from Loss to Hope” (available on Amazon and Audible) and “The Creative Grieving Workbook” (now available on Apple Books). You can learn more on her website: https://www.hercreativewellness.com

Join us as we welcome, Mandy Bird, L.P.C. & co-author of Tears are the Source of Your Passion: The Power of Authenticity & Grief.

Mandy shares her own experiences with grief, and how she took her own pain to be a present for others. In this episode, Mandy takes us through the magnificence of the book she co-authored with her dear friend, Chris Saade, which provides meaningful and gentle steps in embracing one's grief and hope. This book is a must for grievers and practitioners.

Guest

Mandy Bird is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and has been delivering her brand of hope and heart-centered therapy from the stage, the sound booth and through dynamic personal counseling sessions since 1993. She is a benevolent advisor, inspired author, and profoundly intuitive counselor and teacher whose personal experience with loss and tragedy helped awaken her to her true purpose as a loving healer and grief guide. She started the Finding Hope Podcast as her creative response to the pandemic and produced 4 Seasons. Mandy considers it her purpose to free the hearts of those experiencing loss by literally loving their hearts into action. It is her highest wish that we live our authentic and purposeful lives with power and joy. The book that she co-authored with Chris Saade, Tears are the Source of Your Passion, the power of authenticity & grief is available on Amazon. You can find her on Facebook at Mandy Bird, and on Instagram at Counselor Mandy.

Hosts

Holly Gainsboro is a Certified Advanced Grief Recovery Specialist, a Certified Grief Educator, and founder of Golden Heart Grief Support & Education. Following the death of her late husband, Steven, Holly felt pulled to be present for others experiencing their own losses—not just pertaining to death, but any event that may result in a grief response. She guides those who have suffered losses by helping them navigate their way through grief, transitioning them to a place of joy and hope. Holly also facilitates grief support groups, and grief education workshops. She is thrilled to co-host Creating Space for Grief & Hope with her dear friend and colleague Elizabeth Catignani. You can learn more on her website: https://www.goldenheartgrief.com

Elizabeth Catignani is a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist, Certified Creative Grief Coach, and founder of the online platform Her Creative Wellness. After experiencing baby loss and young widowhood by the age of 27, Elizabeth has made it her mission to support and empower others on their own unique path through loss and healing. She is the author of “Creative Grieving: A Hip Chick’s Path from Loss to Hope” (available on Amazon and Audible) and “The Creative Grieving Workbook” (now available on Apple Books). You can learn more on her website: https://www.hercreativewellness.com

Join Holly and Elizabeth as they discuss the idea of guilt and how it does not truly apply to our grief experience. The feelings that one may have could be regret, feeling badly, or even feelings of helplessness. As grievers we often feel helpless and guilt gives us a false sense of control.

For example, we may have thoughts that begin with:

I should have....

If only…

I am not supposed to…

It’s important to let your grief breathe and allow yourself to sit with all of your varying emotions. It is okay to give yourself permission to let those feelings co-exist. Being in the summer season, there are lots of activities that take place - pool parties, vacations, family gatherings etc., where your grief may be activated. Be gentle with yourself and learn some helpful tips for how to manage your conflicting emotions as well how to communicate your needs to your loved ones. 

Holly Gainsboro is a Certified Advanced Grief Recovery Specialist, a Certified Grief Educator, and founder of Golden Heart Grief Support & Education. Following the death of her late husband, Steven, Holly felt pulled to be present for others experiencing their own losses—not just pertaining to death, but any event that may result in a grief response. She guides those who have suffered losses by helping them navigate their way through grief, transitioning them to a place of joy and hope. Holly also facilitates grief support groups, and grief education workshops. She is thrilled to co-host Creating Space for Grief & Hope with her dear friend and colleague Elizabeth Catignani. You can learn more on her website: https://www.goldenheartgrief.com

Elizabeth Catignani is a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist, Certified Creative Grief Coach, and founder of the online platform Her Creative Wellness. After experiencing baby loss and young widowhood by the age of 27, Elizabeth has made it her mission to support and empower others on their own unique path through loss and healing. She is the author of “Creative Grieving: A Hip Chick’s Path from Loss to Hope” (available on Amazon and Audible) and “The Creative Grieving Workbook” (now available on Apple Books). You can learn more on her website: https://www.hercreativewellness.com