Talking Grief with Rainbow Tomes

In this episode of Talking Grief, Rainbow sits down with Hannah O’Hare, CEO of Forest Home Hospice Charity, to explore what grief looks like inside the workplace — especially from a leadership perspective.Although Hannah shares that she hasn’t experienced significant personal bereavement herself, she has spent 14 years working in the hospice sector. Through supporting families, colleagues, and team members experiencing profound loss, she has developed deep insight into how grief shows up differently for everyone.Together, they explore:Why there is no “right” way to grieveThe danger of comparing one person’s grief to another’sWhy timelines around grief simply don’t existThe pressure leaders feel to “get it right”How small organisations can balance compassion with business realitiesWhy listening — not fixing — is often the most powerful supportHannah shares practical reflections on leading with empathy, building a non-hierarchical culture, and adapting policies to meet individual needs.This episode is a thoughtful conversation for leaders, managers, HR professionals, and anyone navigating grief in professional spaces.

Grief isn’t only about death—it can surface any time life changes and something familiar ends. Jess Jones has seen this “career grief” repeatedly through her work in recruitment, headhunting, and leadership: people leaving long-term roles through redundancy, stepping away for maternity/adoption, or facing uncertainty during restructures and acquisitions.Jess and Rainbow discuss the fear, identity-shift, relationship changes, and imposter syndrome that can arise—especially for high-achieving women—plus the intense emotions that can follow even when leaving a job is your own decision. Jess shares a personal moment of being blindsided by grief after pressing “send” on her resignation.Together they highlight practical support that helps: listening without assumptions, creating space for emotions, offering outplacement-style resources, upskilling opportunities, and working with a coach. Jess’s key takeaway: learn to welcome emotions and feel them in the body—through tools like journaling and compassionate support.GuestJess Jones — Founder, Secora GroupWhat you’ll hear in this episodeWhat “career grief” can look like beyond bereavementWhy redundancy can trigger panic, loss of identity, and relationship griefHow market uncertainty increases fear—especially at executive levelWhy a redundancy period can also be a chance to recalibrate and upskill (including AI skills)Imposter syndrome and the vulnerability of losing your usual support networkWhat employers and leaders can do to handle restructures with empathyJess’s personal story of unexpected grief after resigningThe power of coaching, journaling, and learning to welcome emotionsKey takeawaysListen first—don’t assume you know what someone needs.Treat people how they want to be treated, not how you prefer.Career transitions can bring layered grief: identity, community, routine, certainty.Even “chosen” change (like resigning) can trigger powerful grief responses.Employers can reduce harm through outplacement support (CVs, interviewing, job search guidance) and emotional acknowledgement.Welcome emotions—sadness, fear, anger, joy—and notice where they live in the body.Notable moments / pull quotes (for promos)“Grief shows up far more regularly in careers than we realise—especially through change.”“It’s not treating people how you want to be treated—treat them how they want to be treated.”“When I pressed send on my resignation letter… it felt like somebody had died.”“It’s okay to feel sad. It’s healthy to have emotions like sadness and fear and anger.”“Welcome emotions—feel them in your body, not just your head.”Resources mentionedSupport/resources on grief in the workplace: www.thegrieftherapists.co.ukCall to actionIf this episode resonated, subscribe to Talking Grief and share it with someone who might find it helpful.Tags / SEO keywordscareer grief, redundancy, restructuring, outplacement, leadership, workplace wellbeing, identity and work, imposter syndrome, executive coaching, change management, grief at work, journaling, emotions, maternity leave, adoption leave, acquisitions

Pet loss can be life-altering — and too often misunderstood, especially at work. Rainbow Tomes sits down with Erica Farmer (Business Director & Co-Founder, Quantum Rise Talent Group) to talk about the deep bond we share with animals, the anticipatory grief that can come with illness, and what meaningful support from managers can actually look like. With Daisy the pug joining the conversation, Erica shares powerful reflections on euthanasia decisions, workplace empathy gaps, and why simple validation can change everything.In this episode, we discuss:• Why pet loss grief is frequently minimised (“it’s just a dog”) — and the real impact that has• Anticipatory grief when a pet is unwell, and the emotional toll of “knowing what’s coming”• The responsibility and second-guessing that can follow euthanasia decisions• How other pets grieve too — and what it means to support them while you’re grieving• Workplace realities: when managers treat loss as “transactional”• The difference empathy makes — and the power of asking, “What do you need?”• AI as a support tool (practice, resources, anxiety relief) vs. times when human support is essential• Why grief has no timeline — and how we carry love and memory forwardMemorable moments / quotes (use as pull-quotes):• “It’s not always taken seriously… by a boss that doesn’t have that relationship.”• “That’s the biggest misconception… that there is a timeline.”• “Validate how that person’s feeling… a little bit of validation would’ve gone a huge way.”• “We are people first.”If this conversation resonated, subscribe to Talking Grief with Rainbow Tomes and share with someone who might need it. For workplace grief support and resources, visit https://thegrieftherapists.co.uk/

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