Claim OwnershipGood Grief with Nikki the Death Doula
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© Nikki Smith; Death Doula, Grief Coach, Podcaster, Nature lover
Description
Demystifying and destigmatizing grief with compassion and humor. We'll dive into all the ins and outs of grief and loss and meet some guests along the way.
If you like Terrible, Thanks for Asking or We Can Do Hard Things, you'll love Good Grief.
If you like Terrible, Thanks for Asking or We Can Do Hard Things, you'll love Good Grief.
183 Episodes
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Content warning: Some cursing.What happens when you lose your mother… and still have to show up to work on Monday?In this deeply honest conversation, I sit down with Sarah Kagan of Keriah Coaching to talk about something we do not address nearly enough: grief in the workplace. Together, we explore how losing our mothers shaped not only our personal lives, but also how we experienced professional environments during one of the most vulnerable seasons of our lives.You can find Sarah here: https://www.keriahcoaching.com/Support me on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/nikkithedeathdoulaYou can find me here:https://linktr.ee/nikkithedeathdoulaGet merch! https://good-grief-podcast.printify.me/ Music:https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3495-cheery-monday
Hospice care is one of the most misunderstood parts of end-of-life support. And that misunderstanding often keeps people from getting the comfort, care, and dignity they deserve.In this episode I’m joined by members of the team from Caring House, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing compassionate, holistic hospice care and end-of-life support. We talk honestly about what hospice care actually is (and what it is not), when it’s appropriate, and how compassionate care can transform the final chapter of life for both patients and their loved ones.We also explore how hospice isn’t about “giving up,” but about shifting the focus from cure to comfort, from fear to presence, and from doing everything to doing what truly matters.Whether you’re caring for someone with a terminal illness, navigating difficult decisions, or simply want to be better informed before a crisis hits, this conversation offers clarity, reassurance, and a whole lot of humanity.https://www.yourcaringhouse.org/https://www.yourcaringhouse.org/support-ushttps://www.yourcaringhouse.org/coffee-event-2026Support me on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/nikkithedeathdoulaYou can find me here:https://linktr.ee/nikkithedeathdoulaGet merch! https://good-grief-podcast.printify.me/ Music:https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3495-cheery-monday
Jennifer Landon of Your Grief Matters returns to the podcast for a heartfelt, honest conversation about what grief actually looks like when we stop trying to tidy it up.Jennifer was one of my very first guests when this podcast began, and having her back feels like coming home. Only with more wisdom, more lived experience, and even deeper compassion for how messy grief can be. Together, we talk about losing our mothers, sudden death versus anticipated death, and how we’ve both grown in the last 4 yearsYou can find Jennifer here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferllandon/https://yourgriefmatters.co/https://www.facebook.com/groups/866256221464175Support me on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/nikkithedeathdoulaYou can find me here:https://linktr.ee/nikkithedeathdoulaGet merch! https://good-grief-podcast.printify.me/ Music:https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3495-cheery-monday
1Death isn’t just hard because it hurts. It’s hard because it ends things. And humans are spectacularly bad at accepting endings.In this episode, I talk about why the finality of death messes with our brains and hearts so deeply. We’ll look at the quiet (and not-so-quiet) ways we avoid accepting that someone is really gone.This isn’t about shaming those coping mechanisms. They’re normal. They’re human. And honestly? They often show up before we’re ready to face the truth.Support me on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/nikkithedeathdoulaYou can find me here:https://linktr.ee/nikkithedeathdoulaGet merch! https://good-grief-podcast.printify.me/ Music:https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3495-cheery-monday
Welcome back to Season 8! I’m pleased and humbled to bring you another season of amazing conversations on grief and loss.Support me on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/nikkithedeathdoulaYou can find me here:https://linktr.ee/nikkithedeathdoulaGet merch! https://good-grief-podcast.printify.me/ Music:https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3495-cheery-monday
It’s not all about resolutions to “finally lose weight!”. It’s a time to reflect on where we’ve come from and where we are going. Enjoy this rebroadcast from last year on what it means to flip that page on the calendar.Support me on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/nikkithedeathdoulaYou can find me here:https://linktr.ee/nikkithedeathdoulaGet merch! https://good-grief-podcast.printify.me/ Music:https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3495-cheery-monday
I post this every Christmas. Enjoy!
The holidays are stressful enough without grief on top of it. I’m learning first hand with this first holiday season without my mom. (Hence the rebroadcast) Please enjoy this episode from my early days on navigating grief during the holiday.Support me on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/nikkithedeathdoulaYou can find me here:https://linktr.ee/nikkithedeathdoulaGet merch! https://good-grief-podcast.printify.me/ Music:https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3495-cheery-monday
This week’s episode is a little different.I’m taking some much-needed space after the death of my mom, and for the remainder of season 7, I’ll be sharing a few rebroadcasts of listener favorites. Grief doesn’t exactly check your calendar (inconsiderate, right?) or wait for production schedules, and right now my heart needs a quieter pace.Thank you for giving me room to breathe, remember, and be a daughter for a minute. I’ll be back with new episodes in January, hopefully with a little more rest in my bones and a little less chaos in my inbox.In the meantime, please enjoy this soul shattering short story, The Woman and The Falcon.Thanks for sticking with me. Truly.You can get Susan’s book here: https://a.co/d/hNyWC8QSupport me on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/nikkithedeathdoulaYou can find me here: https://linktr.ee/nikkithedeathdoulaGet merch! https://good-grief-podcast.printify.me/ Music:https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3495-cheery-monday
In this episode, I sit down with Wil “Wize” Otero, a motivational speaker, podcaster, producer, and life coach who has made it his mission to help people transform their pain into purpose. After losing his wife at just 31 and grieving multiple close family members, Wize found himself staring grief in the face with nothing but questions… and a whole lot of heartache.Instead of collapsing inward, he created the Stuck In My Mind Podcast, a space where honest stories, healing conversations, and resilience take center stage. Today, he also runs Real Wize Productions, helping others bring their stories to life through meaningful, impactful media.Wize brings honesty, heart, and zero fluff. This conversation is part pep-talk, part permission slip, and part “hey, you’re not alone.”You can find him here: www.realwizeglobal.comPodcast: Stuck In My Mind PodcastInstagram: @wize_el_jefeFacebook: Stuck In My Mind PodcastYouTube: Real Wize TVSupport me on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/nikkithedeathdoulaYou can find me here:https://linktr.ee/nikkithedeathdoulaGet merch! https://good-grief-podcast.printify.me/ Music:https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3495-cheery-monday
TW: Mentions of suicideIn this episode, I sit down with Toni Akin, a powerhouse in public education and a deeply compassionate advocate for those navigating affordable and subsidized housing. With over 20 years in the educational field, Toni brings a rare blend of lived experience, sharp insight, and heart-forward leadership.Toni’s story began in affordable housing in Boston, where she was raised by her grandmother. An experience that taught her the lifesaving impact of supportive adults and community programs. Now, she’s on a mission to challenge the stigma surrounding subsidized housing and to expand access to educational opportunities for underserved communities.You can find Toni here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonidakinToni is the current Board Director (Treasurer) of TerraCorps which focuses on environmental education and is a member of the New England Education Opportunity Association (NEOA)Support me on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/nikkithedeathdoulaYou can find me here:https://linktr.ee/nikkithedeathdoulaGet merch! https://good-grief-podcast.printify.me/ Music:https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3495-cheery-monday
TW: some graphic descriptions of violence, mentions of suicide and some strong languageAfter losing everything Kelly Kirk met the love of his life. After losing her Kelly turned to fitness to rebuild body and soul. In this episode, he shares how bodybuilding became his path through grief and how the Sofia Graham Foundation now helps others find strength after loss.Connect with Kelly and learn more at https://www.johncmaxwellgroup.com/kellykirksofiagrahamfoundation.orghttps://www.facebook.com/Kelly222MuscleKelly Kirk is the founder of 222Muscle, The Sofia Graham Foundation, a nonprofit committed to improving mental health through physical strength. He is an IFBB Pro Bodybuilder, certified John Maxwell keynote speaker, and veteran educator and coach.Support me on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/nikkithedeathdoulaYou can find me here:https://linktr.ee/nikkithedeathdoulaGet merch! https://good-grief-podcast.printify.me/ Music:https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3495-cheery-monday
TW: mentions of suicideAfter decades as a nurse and a lifetime of personal loss; Diane Carbo founded Caregiver Relief to help others find balance and healing. In this episode, she shares how grief shaped her calling and the lessons every caregiver needs to hear.You can find more information on Diane here: caregiverrelief.comSupport me on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/nikkithedeathdoulaYou can find me here:https://linktr.ee/nikkithedeathdoulaGet merch! https://good-grief-podcast.printify.me/ Music:https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3495-cheery-monday
TW: pregnancy loss, some discussion of medical procedures.In this episode of I sit down with author J.S. Loving for an open, heartfelt conversation about a father’s experience with miscarriage. The pain, the silence, and the long road toward healing.While much of the conversation around pregnancy loss centers mothers (as it should), fathers often grieve quietly in the background, unsure where to put their pain or how to talk about it. J.S. shares his personal story of loss, what inspired his writing, and why he believes it’s time we start including men in the conversation about miscarriage and grief.Whether you’ve experienced miscarriage personally or are supporting someone who has, this episode offers compassion, insight, and a reminder that grief doesn’t follow gender rules.You can find his book here: https://www.amazon.com/Holding-Onto-Light-Fathers-Journey/dp/B0DYY5S5XM/Support me on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/nikkithedeathdoulaYou can find me here:https://linktr.ee/nikkithedeathdoulaGet merch! https://good-grief-podcast.printify.me/ Music:https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3495-cheery-monday
TW: mention of suicide and infant lossGrief touches us all, but no two losses are ever the same. In this episode I sit down with Karen Tarnopol Schultz; grief survivor, speaker, and founder of Heirloom Consulting. Karen’s story is one of deep personal loss: the death of her father at age ten, the suicide of a close friend in her teens, and the stillbirth of her daughter. Each experience shaped the way she understands grief and the ways it shows up differently in our lives.Today, Karen brings both her lived experience and her professional expertise to the conversation. Through her company, Heirloom Consulting, she helps families with estate administration after a loss and guides people in proactive legacy planning so their loved ones aren’t left with a scavenger hunt of paperwork during an already difficult time.You can find Karen here: www.heirloomconsultants.com and here; https://karentarnopolschultz.wordpress.com/2017/07/28/syndee-big-loss/Also mentioned in the episode: https://www.roadid.com/Support me on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/nikkithedeathdoulaYou can find me here:https://linktr.ee/nikkithedeathdoulaGet merch! https://good-grief-podcast.printify.me/ Music:https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3495-cheery-monday
Caregiving can be one of the loneliest jobs in the world, even when you’re constantly around others. If you’ve ever felt invisible, cut off from friends, or like nobody really “gets it”, this episode is for you.What is The paradox of caregiver isolation and why are loved ones drifting away?Whether you’re caring for a partner, parent, child, or friend, know this: you are not as alone as you feel.Mentioned in the episode:https://www.nikkithedeathdoula.com/blog/quick-amp-healthy-meals-for-busy-caregivers118. Simple Escapes104. Self CareSupport me on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/nikkithedeathdoulaYou can find me here:https://linktr.ee/nikkithedeathdoulaGet merch! https://good-grief-podcast.printify.me/ Music:https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3495-cheery-monday
Support me on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/nikkithedeathdoulaYou can find me here:https://linktr.ee/nikkithedeathdoulaGet merch! https://good-grief-podcast.printify.me/ Music:https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3495-cheery-monday
Grief and menopause. What happens when these two massive life transitions collide? In this episode I dive into the under-discussed intersection of menopause and mourning.Why do hormonal shifts intensify grief symptoms like brain fog, anxiety, and insomnia? and why the cultural silence around women’s midlife transitions!! Lets talk about Practical ways to support yourself (and others) through this double-whammy of emotional and physical change.Support me on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/nikkithedeathdoulaYou can find me here:https://linktr.ee/nikkithedeathdoulaGet merch! https://good-grief-podcast.printify.me/ Music:https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3495-cheery-monday
TW: mentions of miscarriageIn this deeply touching episode I say down with Emily Hill of Everyday Epiphany to explore the quiet corners of grief we so often avoid; miscarriage, death work, and the stigma that still surrounds both. As a social worker, chaplain and writer, Emily brings such an amazing perspective on what it means to hold space for dying patients and grieving families all while while carrying her own personal loss. And How faith and chaplaincy shape (and sometimes complicate) our grief journeysYou can find Emily here: https://www.everydayepiphany.net/Support me on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/nikkithedeathdoulaYou can find me here:https://linktr.ee/nikkithedeathdoulaGet merch! https://good-grief-podcast.printify.me/ Music:https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3495-cheery-monday
TW: some light swearingIt started with losing his partner to AIDS in the 90s. And turned into a long road of losses that spanned a lifetime.Bill is a writer from Boston now living in LA. He has a feature film, 'Paradise A Town of Sinners & Saints' streaming on YoutubeMovies & GoogleTV. He also has a book series on Amazon, 'Uncle Bill's Animal Tales - Life Lessons for Adults' is the first in a series of five.Bill is 28 years clean and sober and volunteers with G4G, Gays 4 Good. He is active in his spiritual community being a member of the Agape International Spiritual Center.He has also written for National Lampoon Magazine, a kids show on PBS, and ran sketch comedy shows out of NY, Boston, and LA. He will soon be working with seniors in the LA area helping them to write their memoirs.You can find Bill here:www.paradisebluegrassmusical.comhttps://www.facebook.com/bill.robertson.3720Support me on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/nikkithedeathdoulaYou can find me here:https://linktr.ee/nikkithedeathdoulaGet merch! https://good-grief-podcast.printify.me/ Music:https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3495-cheery-monday
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What a lovely story.