Grief is the New Normal Podcast with Dr. Heather Taylor

Written by: Dr. Heather Taylor PsyD Psychologist
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  • Summary

  • Grief is the New Normal is the podcast that refuses to sugarcoat loss—because grief isn’t a problem to fix, it’s a reality to live with. Hosted by Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed psychologist with over a decade of experience in grief, trauma, and reproductive psychology, this show dives deep into the messy, nonlinear, and very real ways grief impacts our lives. Whether you’re navigating the death of your person, wrestling with the weight of an invisible loss, or trying to figure out who you even are after everything changed—this podcast is here for you. With a mix of solo deep dives, expert interviews, and candid conversations, Dr. Taylor unpacks the emotions no one warns you about, challenges outdated grief narratives, and offers both practical tools and hard-earned wisdom to help you feel less alone. No toxic positivity. No “fixing” your grief. Just honest talk, validation, and the reminder that you don’t have to do this alone. Because in a world that wants you to move on, Grief is the New Normal is here to help you move through. Tune in for honest stories, practical tools, and a reminder that your grief—and how you carry it—is valid. Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts.
    © 2024 Grief is the New Normal Psychological Services All Rights Reserved.
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Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology
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Episodes
  • Grief is the New Normal Podcast: S2:E1 Grief Doesn't Reset at Midnight: Navigating the New Year

    Grief is the New Normal Podcast: S2:E1 Grief Doesn't Reset at Midnight: Navigating the New Year
    Feb 4 2025

    Navigating Grief in the New Year: Season Two Kickoff

    In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor welcomes listeners to season two of the podcast, focusing on the complexities of dealing with grief as a new year begins. Dr. Taylor shares personal experiences and offers insights into managing grief without succumbing to societal pressures for New Year’s resolutions. She discusses the importance of setting intentions rather than goals, embracing rest, and being kind to oneself. The episode also explores practical strategies for honoring grief, such as creating a grief calendar and practicing mindfulness, while emphasizing that the new year does not require a 'new you.'

    00:00 Introduction to Grief is the New Normal

    00:24 Reflecting on Season One and Welcoming Season Two

    01:22 Navigating the New Year After a Dark December

    02:23 Setting Intentions Instead of Resolutions

    03:09 Personal Story: Running Through Grief

    05:24 Mixed Feelings About the New Year

    09:57 Strategies for Honoring Grief in the New Year

    15:09 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

    16:17 Closing Remarks and Resources

    ------------------------------------------------

    Grief is the New Normal is the podcast that refuses to sugarcoat loss—because grief isn’t a problem to fix, it’s a reality to live with. Hosted by Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed psychologist with over a decade of experience in grief, trauma, and reproductive psychology, this show dives deep into the messy, nonlinear, and very real ways grief impacts our lives.

    Whether you're navigating the death of your person, wrestling with the weight of an invisible loss, or trying to figure out who you even are after everything changed—this podcast is here for you. With a mix of solo deep dives, expert interviews, and candid conversations, Dr. Taylor unpacks the emotions no one warns you about, challenges outdated grief narratives, and offers both practical tools and hard-earned wisdom to help you feel less alone.

    No toxic positivity. No “fixing” your grief. Just honest talk, validation, and the reminder that you don’t have to do this alone. Because in a world that wants you to move on, Grief is the New Normal is here to help you move through.

    https://www.griefisthenewnormal.com

    hello@griefisthenewnormal.com

    Follow @grief_is_the_new_normal on Instagram for grief podcast, mental health, self-care, sass, and dark humor content whether you’re grieving or you’re a mental health professional needing more modern grief language.

    Wanting more grief specific support? Check out my grief journal, Authentically Unapologetic: A Grief Journal available for purchase thru this link: https://a.co/d/4hbLtbX

    -------------------------------------

    Opening Music by The Dadicorns

    Copyright 2024 Grief is the New Normal: A podcast with Dr. Heather Taylor

    All Rights Reserved.

    This podcast is meant for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information discussed in this podcast is not a replacement or substitute for therapy.
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    17 mins
  • Grief is the New Normal Podcast: Episode #42 Echoes of the Past: Unraveling Intergenerational Grief and Trauma with Katherine Vandervort, LMHCA

    Grief is the New Normal Podcast: Episode #42 Echoes of the Past: Unraveling Intergenerational Grief and Trauma with Katherine Vandervort, LMHCA
    Dec 16 2024

    Exploring Intergenerational Trauma with Katherine Vandervort

    In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor welcomes Katherine Vandervort, an LMHCA and former student making strides in the mental health field. They discuss the impact of intergenerational trauma on immigrant families, particularly focusing on the complex emotional dynamics experienced by the children of immigrants. Katherine shares insights from her practice, highlighting the importance of acknowledging and processing grief, even when it diverges from family traditions. They also touch on strategies for holding space for both the strengths and pain of familial histories and the importance of community in the healing journey.

    00:00 Introduction to Grief is the New Normal

    00:25 Meet Katherine Vandervort: A Journey into Mental Health

    02:33 Understanding Intergenerational Trauma

    06:39 Navigating Emotional Complexities

    21:11 The Spectrum of Grief

    28:01 Practical Strategies for Grieving Intergenerational Trauma

    32:22 Conclusion and Resources

    -----------------------------------------

    Katherine Lee Vandervort, LMHCA, is a mental health counselor in the greater Seattle/Bellevue area. Her passion lies especially in working with adult children of emotionally immature parents, understanding the complexities of family dynamics, cultural identity, and relational patterns. She offers weekly and bi-monthly therapy sessions for individuals and couples at her practice. Learn more at www.insightfulhearts-psychotherapy.com. Email: katherinev@insightfulhearts.com -------------------------------------------

    I'm Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed, PsyPact psychologist based out of Washington state. I've been practicing grief therapy since 2012 and am passionate about changing the narrative of grief in our current cultural climate. Grief is a universal lived experience and as such needs to be something we talk about without the taboo attached. I hope you'll join me as we work to adjust to the new normal we are living in and support one another in that process.

    https://www.griefisthenewnormal.com

    hello@griefisthenewnormal.com

    Follow @grief_is_the_new_normal on Instagram for grief podcast, mental health, self-care, sass, and dark humor content whether you’re grieving or you’re a mental health professional needing more modern grief language.

    Wanting more grief specific support? Check out my grief journal, Authentically Unapologetic: A Grief Journal available for purchase thru this link: https://a.co/d/4hbLtbX

    Dr. Taylor is also a co-founder of 'The Mourning Movement,' with Jen Reisinger, LMHC. The Mourning Movement aims to create spaces for grief education and community support to reduce isolation and stigma around grief. Be sure to sign up for more modern grief insights and resources at https://themourningmovement.myflodesk.com/resourcesandnewsletter

    https://www.themourningmovement.com

    hello@themourningmovement.com

    -------------------------------------

    Opening Music by The Dadicorns

    Copyright 2024 Grief is the New Normal: A podcast with Dr. Heather Taylor

    All Rights Reserved.

    This podcast is meant for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information discussed in this podcast is not a replacement or substitute for therapy.
    Show more Show less
    34 mins
  • Grief is the New Normal Podcast: Episode #41 Choosing Light in Loss- Creativity and Connection in Grief with Dr. Jessica Thomas

    Grief is the New Normal Podcast: Episode #41 Choosing Light in Loss- Creativity and Connection in Grief with Dr. Jessica Thomas
    Dec 9 2024
    Exploring Grief through Transpersonal Psychology and Creative Practices with Dr. Jessica Thomas In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' hosted by Dr. Heather Taylor, the discussion features Dr. Jessica Thomas, a specialist in transpersonal psychology and grief therapy. Dr. Thomas explains how transpersonal psychology offers a broader understanding of grief through psycho-spiritual development. They delve into how mindful photography can be a powerful tool for processing grief and creating meaning. The conversation also touches on societal attitudes towards death, the importance of death education, and the necessity of communal support for grievers. Dr. Thomas shares insights from her book 'Choosing Light' and discusses her various projects aimed at integrating creativity and spirituality in grief work. Dr. Thomas' new cohort for her mindful photography is now open for enrollment and starts January 2025. Check out the details at the link below. Additionally, it was approved for 10 CE's through the APA. https://drjessicathomas.com/therapeutic-mindful-photography-training/ 00:00 Introduction to Grief is the New Normal 00:29 Meet Dr. Jessica Thomas 01:00 Understanding Transpersonal Psychology 03:21 Grief as a Universal Experience 04:17 The Complexity of Grief 06:04 Society's Approach to Death and Grief 07:47 Personal Experiences with Hospice 13:26 Mindful Photography in Grief Work 16:41 The Power of Group Therapy 22:15 Choosing Light: A Deeper Look 24:47 Supporting Grief in Society 30:59 Future Projects and Closing Remarks --------------------------------------------- Dr. Jessica Thomas has spent over a decade studying transpersonal psychology, psycho-spiritual development, mindful photography, and the art of reflection. A leading figure in the intersection of mental health, academia, and the death industry, she is a professor at Lewis & Clark College where she teaches on death, loss, and psycho-spiritual development. She holds a Ph.D. in Transpersonal Psychology and served on the board of The NW Association for Death Education and Bereavement Support for eight years now. As a death and grief educator and therapist, she is passionate about expanding the ways in which we engage in conversation around death and dying. I strongly believe that exploring one’s own grief and loss experiences and sharing those experiences in community with others can promote a healthier society. I’m the author of Choosing Light: Transforming Grief through the Practice of Mindful Photography and Self-Reflection and esteemed doctoral research, Mindful Photography and its Implications in End-of-life Caregiving: An Art-based Phenomenology. “I honor my grief experiences as wisdom gained when I host a Within and Without Mindful Photography reflection group or train a facilitator or teach courses on death and dying. Bit by bit, I contribute toward a systemic shift in our society where we can be more death accepting rather than death denying and where there is more access to social grief support rather than grief isolation.” — Jessica Thomas PhD. | Choosing Light Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/choosinglight Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjessicathomas/ LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-thomas-phd-lmft-8707b382/ Website: www.dr.jessicathomas.com ---------------------------------------------------- I'm Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed, PsyPact psychologist based out of Washington state. I've been practicing grief therapy since 2012 and am passionate about changing the narrative of grief in our current cultural climate. Grief is a universal lived experience and as such needs to be something we talk about without the taboo attached. I hope you'll join me as we work to adjust to the new normal we are living in and support one another in that process. https://www.griefisthenewnormal.com hello@griefisthenewnormal.com Follow @grief_is_the_new_normal on Instagram for grief podcast, mental health, self-care, sass, and dark humor content whether you’re grieving or you’re a mental health professional needing more modern grief language. Wanting more grief specific support? Check out my grief journal, Authentically Unapologetic: A Grief Journal available for purchase thru this link: https://a.co/d/4hbLtbX Dr. Taylor is also a co-founder of 'The Mourning Movement,' with Jen Reisinger, LMHC. The Mourning Movement aims to create spaces for grief education and community support to reduce isolation and stigma around grief. Be sure to sign up for more modern grief insights and resources at https://themourningmovement.myflodesk.com/resourcesandnewsletter https://www.themourningmovement.com hello@themourningmovement.com ------------------------------------- Opening Music by The Dadicorns Copyright 2024 Grief is the New Normal: A podcast with Dr. Heather Taylor All Rights Reserved. This podcast is meant for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information discussed in this ...
    Show more Show less
    34 mins

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