If you’ve ever wondered what hides behind even the most loving relationships, this episode reveals how a psychologist faced love, betrayal, and loss—and found healing by writing the truth no one talks about.

In today's episode, I'm joined by Dr. Bonnie Comfort, a licensed psychologist with over 30 years of experience working with individuals and couples. Her therapeutic focus has long centered on the emotional intricacies of marriage, intimacy, and identity. In her candid memoir, Staying Married is the Hardest Part, she shares the deeply personal story of her own marriage—one marked by love, painful conflict, and profound transformation. Through her writing and speaking, Dr. Comfort strives to challenge the assumption that therapists have it all figured out, using her voice to normalize conversations around sexual shame, grief, and the complexities of long-term relationships.

Throughout this episode, Bonnie opens up about the 33-year journey she shared with her late husband, reflecting on how their struggles often paralleled those of her clients. She speaks with disarming honesty about topics rarely discussed openly—like body image, emotional disconnect, and the shame surrounding sexual incompatibility. Writing became a powerful tool in her healing process, allowing her to explore grief, process loss, and rediscover who she was outside the identity of a wife. Her insights highlight the ongoing connection we can maintain with lost loved ones and the importance of creative expression, vulnerability, and community as pathways to healing.

Tune in as Dr. Bonnie Comfort shares how love, loss, and personal struggle led her to write a bold memoir—offering a heartfelt path to healing and self-discovery after grief.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Love, conflict, and loss (1:40)

Why therapists write (3:12)

Breaking the silence on sexual shame (4:45)

The illusion of therapist perfection (6:30)

Conversations with the dead (7:40)

Loving more than one person (9:05)

Rituals for grief and rediscovery (13:50)

Saying yes to life again (18:40)

Final reflections and resources (27:00)

Connect with Dr. Bonnie Comfort:

Website

Instagram

Facebook

LinkedIn

Book: Dr. Bonnie Comfort - Staying Married is the Hardest Part

Let's Connect:

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The Grief and Happiness Alliance

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When the times comes to handle money at the time of someone’s death, you will be grateful to be prepared.

Let's Connect:

• You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking here
• You 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 here
• Request your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide here

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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Discover how finding joy in the darkest moments can ease the weight of loss—and why laughter might be the most underrated tool in your grief journey.

In today's episode, I'm joined by Howard Miller, a seasoned business and communication coach, author, and founder of Fulcrum Point Partners. At his firm, he supports leaders in fostering clarity and human connection within organizations. With decades of experience teaching leadership and management, Howard brings a deep understanding of how communication shapes not only professional environments but also personal transitions, including caregiving and grief. He is the author of Burdens and Blessings: A Light-Hearted Approach for Middle-Age Folks Dealing with Aging Parents, a reflective and humorous account of navigating the emotional and logistical complexities of elder care. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Howard uses his voice to normalize conversations around death, aging, and finding moments of levity amid loss. His passion lies in helping others find clarity, humor, and peace—even during life’s most difficult chapters.

Throughout this episode, Howard brings that same depth and authenticity to the mic, blending practical experience with heartfelt emotion. He candidly shares how caring for his elderly parents shaped his understanding of grief, responsibility, and love. His humorous yet thoughtful approach to writing—especially in Burdens and Blessings—demonstrates how storytelling can help others feel seen and supported. Howard emphasizes the healing power of laughter even in the darkest moments, describing how humor became a bridge to connection within his family. He also reflects on the emotional weight of witnessing his mother’s final moments and the challenges of unclear communication from healthcare providers. His insights offer both personal catharsis and broader value, encouraging listeners to plan ahead, speak clearly, and make space for both sorrow and joy.

Tune in as Howard Miller shares how caring for his aging parents—and ultimately saying goodbye—led him to embrace humor, reflection, and resilience, offering a heartfelt guide for navigating grief with grace, clarity, and even laughter.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

From son to caregiver: The spark behind his book (2:00)

The power of writing in grief (3:22)

Can you laugh through grief? Absolutely. (4:25)

That final breath: The unspoken moment of death (10:35)

The cost of euphemisms: When doctors don’t say “die” (12:27)

The importance of Advance Directives and clear wishes (15:37)

Grief, logistics, and letting go (22:45)

From personal loss to workplace wisdom (25:40)

Independence, aging, and the hard conversations (31:26)

Connect with Howard Miller:

Website

LinkedIn

Facebook

Book: Howard Miller - Burdens & Blessings: A Lighter-Hearted Approach for Middle-Aged Folks Dealing with Aging Parents

Let's Connect:

Website

LinkedIn

The Grief and Happiness Alliance

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We should honor Veterans who die by suicide as a result of PTSD from their service with full benefits.

Request your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide here

https://www.griefandhappiness.com/pl/2147595767

Let's Connect:

• Website
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• Instagram
• Twitter - @ThreattEmily
• Pinterest
• The Grief and Happiness Alliance
• Book: Emily Thiroux Threatt - Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief
• Facebook
• Request your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide here

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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:

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Let's Connect:

Website

LinkedIn

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Pinterest

The Grief and Happiness Alliance

Book: Emily Thiroux Threatt - Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief

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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 here
• You 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 here
• Request your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide here

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more 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 Wine

Instagram

LinkedIn

Let's Connect:

Website

LinkedIn

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Pinterest

The Grief and Happiness Alliance

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 here
• You 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 here
• Request your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide here

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.