Good Grief: Life After Loss

Young grief isn’t as rare as it sometimes seems — but it’s still something most people your age haven’t lived through. By age 18, only about 1 in 14 children will experience the death of a parent or sibling. In this episode, Skylar explores the statistics around early loss and what they reveal about why being a young griever can feel so isolating. She discusses how losing someone in your teens or twenties changes you, accelerates your perspective, and makes you aware of fragility in rooms where most people still feel invincible. This episode is for anyone who has ever felt like they grew up too fast or carried more life experience than their peers. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at skylar@livelikesam.org   Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the change. Media Network or its partners.

In this episode of Good Grief, Skylar sits down with Maureen Hancock—one of New England’s most well-known spirit mediums and lovingly known as the “Comedian Medium.” Together, they talk about grief, the afterlife, and the many ways our loved ones continue to show up after they’re gone. Maureen shares her own near-death experience, how she became an evidential medium, what the moment of passing is really like, and why signs like songs, numbers, birds, chills, and dreams might not be coincidences after all. They also unpack skepticism, fear around mediumship, and how staying open doesn’t mean abandoning logic—it means leading with curiosity. This conversation is comforting, honest, sometimes funny, and deeply grounding, especially for anyone missing someone they love and wondering if they’re still near. Contact & Resources: Maureen’s Website The Medium Next Door: Adventures of a Real-Life Ghost Whisperer Facebook Get in contact with Maureen via email: maureen@maureenhancock.com  Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at skylar@livelikesam.org   Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the change. Media Network or its partners.

Grief doesn’t always look like tears and silence — sometimes it looks like dark humor. In this episode, Skylar explores why joking after loss feels healing for some people and deeply uncomfortable for others. Through personal reflection and psychology, she breaks down dark humor as a coping mechanism, why some grievers lean into laughter, and why others avoid it altogether. Whether you cope with loss through laughter, tears, or both, this episode reminds you there’s no right way to grieve. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at skylar@livelikesam.org  Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the change. Media Network or its partners.

In this episode of Good Grief: Life After Loss, Skylar explores what it means to live with personal grief in a moment of collective national pain. As political unrest, violence, and injustice continue to shape life in America, many people are feeling overwhelmed, distracted, numb, or emotionally exhausted. This episode discusses collective grief, desensitization, numbness as a survival response, and the balance between protecting your heart and staying engaged with the world. Tune in to talk about grief, mental health, emotional overwhelm, and how to keep living — and caring — during a time that feels heavy for so many. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at skylar@livelikesam.org  Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the change. Media Network or its partners.

In this special Christmas episode, Skylar reflects on holding both grief and joy during the holidays. She shares a heartwarming moment when she and her mom discovered a mysterious origami rabbit under the dining room table, a small, unexpected sign from Sam. This episode is for anyone missing someone, celebrating someone, or navigating the mix of emotions the holidays can bring. It’s a gentle reminder that however you feel today, it’s okay. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at skylar@livelikesam.org  Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the change. Media Network or its partners.

In this episode, Skylar reflects on how the holidays change after a loved one is gone. She shares personal memories of Christmas with her brother Sam, from playful childhood moments to the magic of traditions that can’t be recreated. Skylar explores the challenges of navigating family celebrations as an only child, the awkwardness and pressures that come with gift-giving, and the bittersweet process of honoring old traditions while creating new ones. Through candid stories and reflections, she invites listeners to sit with their own experiences of loss and the ways the holiday season can feel both familiar and profoundly different. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at skylar@livelikesam.org  Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the change. Media Network or its partners.

This week, we’re talking about why social media hits so much harder during the holiday season. From the matching pajamas and “best Christmas ever!” captions… to the TikTok gift guides for moms, brothers, and partners you may no longer have… scrolling can feel like walking through a minefield when you’re grieving. In this episode, Skylar breaks down: Why holiday comparison hurts more than ordinary days How the highlight reel can steal joy from even the strongest people How grief gets amplified by TikTok, Instagram, and the algorithm Practical boundaries that protect your heart without deleting everything How to stop doom-scrolling before it starts If you’re grieving and struggling with social media this December, this episode will help you feel seen, grounded, and less alone. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at skylar@livelikesam.org  Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the change. Media Network or its partners.

Not sure what to get someone who’s grieving this holiday season? This episode walks through meaningful and gentle gift ideas for anyone missing someone — whether their loss was recent or decades ago. Skylar shares thoughtful categories, what to avoid, and simple ways to give a gift that truly supports a grieving heart. Links to buy the gifts mentioned in this episode  Memory Gifts Custom watercolor house sketch Handwriting necklace Framed recipe with photo Symbolic Gifts Butterfly ornament Ski pole wind chime Remembrance candle Cozy Gifts Project Repat blanket Comfrt sweat set Weighted blanket Grief-Journey Gifts Grief…Reminders for Healing book Memory box Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at skylar@livelikesam.org  Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the change. Media Network or its partners.

In this episode, Skylar talks about what Thanksgiving feels like when someone you love is missing. The pressure to be “grateful,” the empty-chair moments, and the weird mix of emotions that hit on a holiday like this. She also shares a few simple things that can help you get through the day and ways to quietly honor your person. It’s a soft, supportive episode for anyone who needs a little company today. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at skylar@livelikesam.org   Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the change. Media Network or its partners.

In last week’s episode, we talked all about signs from the other side — and this week, Skylar finally had the chance to experience one up close. She went to see Maureen Hancock, a well-known medium, hoping (and honestly begging) to hear from her brother Sam. What happened that night surprised her, overwhelmed her, and cracked something open in her grief that she didn’t expect. In this episode, Skylar shares the full story: the moment Sam came through, the messages he gave, the things that lined up in ways she can’t explain, and the lessons she walked away with. Whether you believe in mediums or are just curious, this is the story of what it feels like when love, loss, and hope collide in one room Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at skylar@livelikesam.org  Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork Learn more about Maureen Hancock and find a show near you!  https://linktr.ee/maureenhancock 

Everyone talks about signs, but no one talks about how personal, confusing, comforting, and sometimes painful they can be. This week, Skylar shares the signs she’s gotten from her brother Sam, dives into the science behind why they hit so hard, and opens up about what it feels like when they don’t come at all. Plus, she’s gearing up to see a medium—and spiraling (in the best way). Comment below if you’ve ever received a sign from the other side. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at skylar@livelikesam.org  Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork

In this quick episode, Skylar gets honest about what it’s like to love her podcast, and still feel exhausted by the constant weight of grief. She talks about the pressure of always being the “grieving one,” the emotional fatigue that comes with sharing her story, and the guilt of sometimes wanting a break from it all. It’s a candid, unfiltered reflection on how healing can coexist with burnout, and why it’s okay to not have the energy to grieve right now. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at skylar@livelikesam.org

Skylar opens up about how losing someone suddenly changed the way she sees safety and love. In this episode, she talks about the quiet fear grief leaves behind — the way she catastrophizes everything, from panicking when someone doesn’t text back to imagining what she’d do if the people she loves most suddenly died. She shares how this fear shows up in her daily life and what she’s noticed in others who have experienced loss as well. Skylar reflects on how grief rewires the brain to expect danger, what it means to love people after loss, and how she’s learning to live with the fear without letting it take over Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at skylar@livelikesam.org .

Ten years after losing her brother Sam, Skylar can finally see how her grief showed up in ways she never recognized at the time. From shopping sprees and impulsive haircuts to quitting everything she once loved, this episode dives into all the weird, messy, and very human ways she coped after loss — the kind that didn’t feel like grief back then, but absolutely were. If your coping has ever looked “unhealthy” or confusing, this one’s for you. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at skylar@livelikesam.org

Emma lost her dad to suicide at just 13. In this episode, she shares her personal grief journey and how she was able to help young grievers heal through her work at Experience Camps. We also talk about the power of community and why there’s no right or wrong way to grieve, as long as you’re not hurting yourself or others. Connect & Resources: Learn more about Experience Camps Contact Emma: Instagram or email her at Emmacook1124@gmail.com  If you are struggling or need support, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US) Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at skylar@livelikesam.org 

In this episode, Skylar recaps an emotional week back home — from walking the blue carpet at the Live Like Sam Gala, the foundation’s most successful event ever, to honoring her brother Sam’s 10-year anniversary with her yearly balloon release. A week filled with celebration, signs, and love that keeps his legacy alive.  Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at skylar@livelikesam.org

In this episode, host Skylar Jackenthal speaks directly to her 14-year-old self, the girl who had just lost her brother, Sam. Ten years later, Skylar shares the lessons she wishes she could have whispered to that younger version of herself: reminders about grief, guilt, milestones, and the ways love continues forward. This episode is both a reflection on the past decade and a message of hope for anyone navigating loss. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at skylar@livelikesam.org

In this episode, host Skylar Jackenthal shares, for the first time, the full story of losing her brother, Sam. From her family’s time in Australia to the heartbreaking realization that Sam wasn’t coming home, Skylar reflects on the moments that still live vividly in her memory ten years later. This raw and deeply personal episode isn’t easy, but it’s an important one. By finally sharing her story, Skylar hopes to remind listeners that grief is not linear, and that even the hardest truths deserve to be spoken aloud. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at skylar@livelikesam.org

In this episode, host Skylar Jackenthal reflects on the parts of grief that haven’t softened, even ten years after losing her brother, Sam. From everyday reminders like ski edits and songs, to future milestones he’ll never see, Skylar shares the places where grief still aches deeply. She reminds listeners that it’s okay if some wounds never fully heal - sometimes, the ache is just another form of love. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at skylar@livelikesam.org

In this episode, Skylar reflects on the ten lessons she has learned in the ten years since losing her brother, Sam. From the weight of anniversaries to the importance of relationships, and from finding compassion to discovering her own strength, Skylar shares the truths grief has taught her over the past decade. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at skylar@livelikesam.org