In this episode of Not Your Average Grief, I speak with Laura Walton, a grief expert and coach, about her personal journey through loss and the tools she developed to cope with grief. Laura shares her experiences with significant losses in her life, including the death of her father and her partner, and how these experiences shaped her career in grief counseling. The conversation delves into the importance of self-care, navigating grief during the holidays, and the necessity of being kind to oneself during the grieving process.

Takeaways

• Grief can be a catalyst for personal growth.
• It's important to find tools to cope with grief.
• Self-care is crucial during the grieving process.
• Grief is a personal journey that varies for everyone.
• It's okay to say no to social events during grief.
• Practicing yoga can help in processing grief.
• Creating rituals can honor both your grief and your loved ones.
• Grief changes over time; it doesn't disappear.
• Be kind to yourself during the grieving process.
• Life can still be beautiful despite profound loss.

Laura is a Clini-Coach, After Loss Professional, and End Of Life Coach, a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist, Clinical Surpervisor, and personal & professional grief expert.

Laura is also the founder of lovelew, an online grief coaching program for women ages 20-40 who suddenly lost their partner to death. lovelew aims to help women integrate their grief as a catalyst for a more purposeful and meanigful life.

You can find all things Laura Walton at www.withlovelew.com

If you are grieving right now, you are not alone. You can order a copy of my bestselling book Even If-A Holistic Approach to Living A Joy Filled Life With Loss on amazon by clicking here.

https://amzn.to/3x5Qbd8

If you are a fellow grieving mamma and would like to know more about Holistic Grief Academy, my coaching program you can click here

https://holisticgriefacademy.myflodesk.com/prei7fpydj

PS. I would love to stay connected. You can follow me on Instagram @mrsshaunadukes or head over to ShaunaDukes.com for a free ebook on how to support a grieving friend.

In this episode Gina Economopoulos shares her personal journey through loss, addiction, and a crisis of faith. She explores how to navigate feelings of hopelessness and despair, offering practical advice on finding hope and a sense of purpose. Audiences will be inspired by her resilience and guided by her insights on embracing faith and perseverance to overcome life's darkest moments.

Takeaways

• Grief can become a constant companion in life.
• Experiencing loss can lead to profound personal transformation.
• Faith can be a source of strength during difficult times.
• Life in the convent provided Gina with a unique perspective on service and sacrifice.
• Transitioning from a life of service to personal healing can be challenging.
• Love can bring both joy and pain, especially in relationships affected by addiction.
• Complicated grief requires understanding and support from others.
• Sobriety can open the door to healing and self-discovery.
• Finding a higher power can help in overcoming personal struggles.
• Grief is a lifelong journey, but it can lead to deeper understanding and peace.
• Grief is a complex and non-linear journey.
• Crying is a natural and important part of healing.
• Sharing stories can inspire vulnerability and healing in others.
• Being present for those who are grieving is a profound gift.

Gina Economopoulos was born in Syosset, NY, to a strong Italian and Greek-loving family. She graduated from Eastern CT State University and bartended before embarking on a 12-year convent journey after her mother's passing. Settled on the Jersey Shore, Gina now works as an End-of-Life Doula, extending her compassionate heart to those in their final chapter. She found solace in sobriety as a proud Alcoholics Anonymous member, and her story of resilience through tragedy and faith inspires others to face life's challenges.

You can find all things Gina by clicking the link below.

https://www.ginaecon.com/

If you are grieving right now, you are not alone. You can order a copy of my bestselling book Even If-A Holistic Approach to Living A Joy Filled Life With Loss on amazon by clicking here.

https://amzn.to/3x5Qbd8

If you are a fellow grieving mamma and would like to know more about Holistic Grief Academy, my coaching program you can click here

https://holisticgriefacademy.myflodesk.com/prei7fpydj

PS. I would love to stay connected. You can follow me on Instagram @mrsshaunadukes or head over to ShaunaDukes.com for a free ebook on how to support a grieving friend.

In this episode, I have a heartfelt conversation with ER nurse Jennifer Johnson about the complexities of grief in the nursing profession. She explores the emotional toll of caring for patients and their families, the lack of education on grief in nursing, and the importance of vulnerability and support in processing these experiences. Jennifer shares her personal stories, coping mechanisms, and insights on how to navigate grief while maintaining professionalism in a high-stress environment. In this conversation, we explore the profound themes of community, grief, healing and the importance of having a support system during difficult times, the sacredness of grief, and the need to celebrate life and death. Jenn shares her insights on the role of intuition in nursing and the significance of rituals in honoring those who have passed.

Takeaways

• Grief is a significant part of nursing that is often overlooked.
• Nurses experience grief not just for patients but also for families.
• Vulnerability allows for healing and creates safe spaces for others.
• Education on grief and palliative care is crucial for nurses.
• Crying at work is a natural response and should be accepted.
• Personal experiences with grief can deeply affect a nurse's emotional state.
• Support systems are essential for nurses dealing with grief.
• The impact of pediatric cases can be particularly challenging for nurses.
• Reaching out for help is vital in managing grief and trauma.
• Normalizing conversations about death and grief can benefit the nursing community.
• Community is the number one indicator of resilience post-trauma.
• Grief is a sacred part of the human experience.
• Rituals can help honor and remember those who have passed.
• Talking about death can alleviate future trauma for families.
• Grief can feel isolating, but support is available.
• It's important to normalize conversations about death.
• Healing is a journey that often requires community involvement.

Jenn is waiting for her book, Nursing Intuition, to be published this fall. In the book, she will discuss the science behind using intuition and how she incorporates it into her patient care. Jenn has a wealth of information to share, and I cannot wait to read her book when it comes out. You can find Jenn at www.rforgrowth.com You can pre-order her book and find her nursing support materials here. https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jennifer-A-Johnson-RN/author/B0D1NBF18K

If you are grieving right now, you are not alone. You can order a copy of my bestselling book Even If-A Holistic Approach to Living A Joy Filled Life With Loss on amazon by clicking here.

https://amzn.to/3x5Qbd8

If you are a fellow grieving mamma and would like to know more about Holistic Grief Academy, my coaching program you can click here

https://holisticgriefacademy.myflodesk.com/prei7fpydj

PS. I would love to stay connected. You can follow me on Instagram @mrsshaunadukes or head over to ShaunaDukes.com for a free ebook on how to support a grieving friend.

Shauna, XO

In this powerful conversation, I explore with Mamoko Uno the profound themes of grief, loss, and healing through integrative medicine. Mamoko shares her personal journey of losing her mother during the pandemic, the challenges of navigating grief, and the importance of holistic approaches to health. We discuss the impact of relationships on grief, the process of building resilience, and the significance of community support in healing. Mamoko also highlights her books that address trauma and the importance of sharing stories for healing.

Momoko is a doctor of integrative medicine, certified functional medicine practitioner, licensed acupuncturist, board certified herbalist and has a masters in spiritual psychology with an emphasis in consciousness, health and healing. She has published two books and is the owner and founder of Omni Wellness.

Takeaways

• Mamoko's journey reflects the complexities of grief and loss.
• Integrative medicine offers holistic approaches to health and healing.
• Grief often begins before a loved one passes away.
• The experience of losing a parent can evoke feelings of anxiety and insecurity.
• Resilience can be cultivated through challenging experiences.
• Sharing stories of trauma can foster healing and connection.
• Community support is crucial for those navigating grief and trauma.
• The process of grief is not linear and varies for each individual.
• Mamoko's books aim to address trauma and provide relatable narratives.
• Practical tips for overcoming trauma include breathing techniques and self-affirmation.

You can find all things Momoko here. Http://momokowrites.com

If you are grieving right now, you are not alone. You can order a copy of my bestselling book Even If-A Holistic Approach to Living A Joy Filled Life With Loss on amazon by clicking here.

https://amzn.to/3x5Qbd8

If you are a fellow grieving mamma and would like to know more about Holistic Grief Academy, my coaching program you can click here

https://holisticgriefacademy.myflodesk.com/prei7fpydj

PS. I would love to stay connected. You can follow me on Instagram @mrsshaunadukes or head over to ShaunaDukes.com for a free ebook on how to support a grieving friend.

This is my absolute favorite podcast episode yet. I have a very impactful, intentional coversation about losing our son Trucker and a father's perspective on grief with my handsome husband Joshua Dukes. We covered a whole range of topics including child loss, cultivating resiliency, and how the hard was different as a father watching our family navigate pediatric cancer while still working and holding down the household at home. We also touched on first responder trauma and how all of it is compounding and heavy. Then Joshua shares practical tools and encourages other men who might be walking in grief now. Trust me you won't want to miss this, and our hope is that it will help a lot of people.

Takeaways

• A fathers perspective and how the weight sits different on men than women.
• Trauma can be compounding and difficult to navigate in a culture that is ok with medicating.
• There are tools that are helpful while grieving and tools that are not helpful. Joshua shares both.
• Joshua encourages men to get involved with community and other men who have been through something similar, as we can not do it alone and were not meant to.

You can find Joshua on instagram @thejoshuadukes and follow along on his podcasting & cultivating wild journey as well @cultivatewildwithdukes. He encouraged anyone struggling to message him on insta or email him directly mauidukes@gmail.com.

If you are grieving right now, you are not alone. You can order a copy of my bestselling book Even If-A Holistic Approach to Living A Joy Filled Life With Loss on amazon by clicking here.

https://amzn.to/3x5Qbd8

If you are a fellow grieving mamma and would like to know more about Holistic Grief Academy, my coaching program you can click here

https://holisticgriefacademy.myflodesk.com/prei7fpydj

PS. I would love to stay connected. You can follow me on Instagram @mrsshaunadukes or head over to ShaunaDukes.com for a free ebook on how to support a grieving friend.

Join me in this epsode for a beautiful conversation with Leslie Alvarez.

Leslie is a community management leader and single mother, and shares her story of overcoming adversity and grief. She has experienced challenges such as divorce, financial struggles, and her son surviving a gunshot violence. However, the turning point for her was the sudden death of her partner.

Leslie emphasizes the importance of allowing yourself to feel the pain and grief, rather than numbing it. She also discusses her journey of self-regulation and finding joy in simple things. Leslie is now focused on her speaking career, addressing topics such as imposter syndrome and the importance of recognizing your worth.

Takeaways

• Allow yourself to feel the pain and grief, rather than numbing it.
• Find joy in simple things and prioritize what truly matters to you.
• Recognize your worth and overcome imposter syndrome by reflecting on your past successes.
• Share your story and be open about your experiences to help others going through similar challenges.

You can find all things Leslie and keep in touch with her here.

https://lesliealvarez.com/

If you are grieving right now, you are not alone. You can order a copy of my bestselling book Even If-A Holistic Approach to Living A Joy Filled Life With Loss on amazon by clicking here.

https://amzn.to/3x5Qbd8

If you are a fellow grieving mamma and would like to know more about Holistic Grief Academy, my coaching program you can click here

https://holisticgriefacademy.myflodesk.com/prei7fpydj

PS. I would love to stay connected. You can follow me on Instagram @mrsshaunadukes or head over to ShaunaDukes.com for a free ebook on how to support a grieving friend.

Shauna, XO