Grief & Happiness

What are some miracles you experience every day?Let's Connect:You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou 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 hereRequest 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.

If you’ve ever been told to “get over it,” episode 378 will change how you see healing. Author and former lawyer Michelle Lerner shares how grief doesn’t end—it transforms—and how the body carries what words can’t. After a life-altering illness led her to write Ring, she explores complicated grief, isolation, and how true recovery begins not by moving on, but by learning to live with what remains.In This Episode, You Will Learn: (00:59) From courtroom to creative healing(02:07) How Ring turned pain into purpose(02:37) A parent’s journey through complicated grief(04:50) When illness and isolation reshape grief(08:13) The cold landscape of loss(10:17) The silence no one talks about(11:30) How grief lives inside the body(14:31) Why “getting over it” is a myth(16:06) Rebuilding life with purpose(18:02) What Jewish mourning gets right(22:57) Could “grief doulas” change how we heal?In today’s episode, I’m joined by Michelle Lerner, a writer and former public interest lawyer from New Jersey. After developing a severe case of neurological Lyme disease that ended her legal career, Michelle turned to writing as a way to navigate illness and loss. Her debut novel, Ring, explores complicated grief, isolation, and the power of human connection. She’s also the author of a poetry chapbook and has a memoir forthcoming—each reflecting her deep interest in how the body, mind, and compassion intertwine in healing.Drawing from her own experiences with illness and profound grief, Michelle shares how writing became both her refuge and mirror. Through the story of a parent mourning their adult child, she examines the loneliness and meaning-seeking that accompany loss. She challenges the cultural expectation to “move on,” instead framing grief as something to live with, not overcome. Michelle also explores how grief lodges in the body and how somatic awareness and community can aid recovery. Inspired by her Jewish mourning traditions and modern therapeutic ideas, she even imagines “grief doulas” to guide others through sorrow—a concept as empathetic as it is transformative.Connect with Michelle Lerner:WebsiteFacebookInstagramBook: Ring: A NovelLet's Connect: WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagramTwitterPinterestThe Grief and Happiness AllianceBook: Emily Thiroux Threatt - Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What memories can you focus on to bring you the inspiration and comfort you are seeking?Let's Connect:You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou 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 hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide hereSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you’ve ever wondered how grief could become a force for healing, episode 376 is for you. Author Jonathan Foster shares how the devastating loss of his daughter led him to co-found a nonprofit in Haiti and to write his powerful book Indigo: The Color of Grief. From building schools in remote villages to using writing to “tame the wildness” of loss, Jonathan shows how sorrow can transform into service, meaning, and even hope.In This Episode, You Will Learn: (01:02) Jonathan’s background as a pastor, writer, and nonprofit leader(01:52) How the loss of his daughter inspired a nonprofit in Haiti(03:55) Why helping others makes you a “wounded healer”(05:47) Writing as a way to “tame the wildness” of grief(07:57) Creating white space for readers to process their own loss(09:40) The power of limits in art and writing—like haiku(11:45) Jonathan’s advice on writing as a tool for grieving(13:23) Rebuilding the language of love after loss(15:20) Why grief fuels creativity and eliminates writer’s block(17:02) Jonathan’s encouragement: rest, keep going, and don’t give up todayIn today’s episode, I’m joined by Jonathan J. Foster, an author, speaker, and former pastor whose work explores the intersections of grief, love, and theology. After the loss of his daughter in 2015, Jonathan co-founded a nonprofit in Haiti that provides education and healthcare to underserved communities. His latest book, Indigo: The Color of Grief, distills nearly a decade of reflection into a poignant meditation on loss and resilience. Through his writing, speaking, and nonprofit leadership, Jonathan helps others find language and meaning in the midst of sorrow.Throughout this episode, Jonathan shows how his personal grief reshapes his life’s direction. What begins as his daughter’s plan to work in Haiti grows into a nonprofit that now offers schools and healthcare in some of the most remote parts of the country, transforming tragedy into tangible hope for others. He reflects on the role of writing in metabolizing grief, describing it as a way to “tame the wildness” of loss and create white space for meaning-making. He emphasizes how language itself must sometimes be rebuilt after loss—rehabilitating old words and inventing new ones to hold the weight of sorrow and love. Jonathan’s perspective as a “wounded healer” highlights the paradox of grief: even in brokenness, there is profound potential to serve, connect, and help others heal.Connect with Jonathan J. Foster:WebsitePodcastInstagramSubstackMediumGet Jonathan’s booksLet's Connect: WebsiteInstagramTwitterThe Grief and Happiness Alliance Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here is the key to activating your feel good hormones!Let's Connect:You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou 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 hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide hereSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you’ve ever wondered how facing fear head-on could change your life, episode 374 is for you. Author Diane Hartman shares how solo trips through Ireland’s backroads—complete with wrong turns, roundabouts gone wrong, and deep solitude—help her confront decades of buried grief. Through journaling and courage, she turns loss into resilience and shows how getting lost can sometimes be the exact path to finding yourself.In This Episode, You Will Learn: (01:00) Diane’s path from librarian to writer and her call to Ireland(03:46) How her first solo trip tested her courage behind the wheel(07:59) The lifelong impact of losing her father to suicide at age ten(12:56) Supporting grieving children as a school librarian(14:15) Choosing to transform trauma into empathy and purpose(16:23) The role of self-talk, compassion, and counseling in her healing(21:14) How daily journaling shaped her memoir(22:46) A teacher grant, writer’s retreat, and the push to publish(25:24) Writing for travelers, grievers, and anyone seeking resilience(26:53) Where to find Getting Lost on My Way and follow Diane’s journeyIn today’s episode, I’m joined by Diane Hartman, an author and retired school librarian from Indiana. Her memoir, Getting Lost on My Way: Self-Discovery on Ireland’s Backroads, draws from her solo journeys through Ireland after the early loss of her father to suicide and the end of a long marriage. Through travel and journaling, she discovers resilience, courage, and healing, transforming her grief into a story of self-discovery and gratitude. Passionate about inspiring others to face fear with courage, Diane shows how even life’s deepest losses can become gateways to growth and renewal.Throughout this episode, she shares how traveling alone through Ireland’s winding backroads—often lost and confronting challenges like driving on the opposite side of the road—forces her to confront fear, grief, and self-doubt. By embracing the discomfort of solitude, she learns the power of self-talk, compassion, and courage, uncovering lessons that shape both her memoir and her life. Her story is a reminder that solo journeys can spark profound healing, self-trust, and empathy, offering hope to anyone navigating grief or searching for a deeper sense of self.Connect with Diane Hartman:WebsiteSubstackInstagramFacebookBook: Getting Lost on My WayLet's Connect: WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagramTwitterThe Grief and Happiness Alliance Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every single moment is valuable. Experiencing each of those moments with love and joy rather that stress and anguish is a gift that you can give yourself every day, every moment.Let's Connect:You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou 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 hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide hereSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you’ve ever felt trapped in a relationship that was breaking you, episode 372 is for you. Author and healing guide Sarah May shares how she left an abusive marriage that nearly cost her life—and how yoga, therapy, plant medicine, and writing helped her rebuild. With raw honesty, she shows how choosing yourself can open the door to freedom, resilience, and lasting love.In This Episode, You Will Learn: (01:05) From heartbreak to homecoming: Sarah’s story and memoir(03:32) Marrying young, betrayal, and the devastating impact of divorce(06:50) Coping with infidelity, trauma, and a near-fatal helicopter crash(10:45) Leaving everything behind and starting a cross-country road trip(13:13) Why shifting from victimhood to responsibility changed everything(17:00) How love and fear kept her stuck—and the courage to walk away(19:13) The family patterns that shaped her relationships (and how she broke them)(23:20) The healing power of yoga, therapy, journaling, and plant medicine(30:27) Why self-love is the foundation of safe, lasting relationshipsIn today’s episode, I’m joined by Sarah May, an author, healing guide, and founder of She Journeys. Her memoir, She Journeys: A Memoir of Heartbreak and Homecoming, traces her experience of an abusive marriage, divorce, and the long process of reclaiming her voice. Drawing on this journey and years of spiritual and therapeutic work, she now supports women one-on-one through intuitive guidance, Reiki, meditation, and somatic practices. Passionate about turning grief into growth, Sarah lives in a camper van with her husband, embracing a life of freedom, healing, and love.Throughout this episode, Sarah shares how leaving her marriage felt like a death, plunging her into depression before she slowly rebuilt her life on a cross-country road trip. Practices like yoga, meditation, therapy, breathwork, plant medicine, and journaling became vital in her healing and later shaped her work as a guide. She emphasizes the power of self-love, responsibility, and moving beyond victimhood, showing how profound loss can ultimately lead to resilience, gratitude, and a deeply fulfilling new chapter.Connect with Sarah May:WebsiteInstagramFacebookYouTubeBook: Sarah May - She JourneysLet's Connect: WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagramTwitterThe Grief and Happiness AllianceBook: Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Great self-care includes knowing when and how to take a break. Here are the directions!Writing a list of happy experiences you have had can bring you joy and give you lots of things to write about in your journal!Let's Connect:You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou 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 hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide hereSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you’ve ever wondered how children can learn to face grief with courage and creativity, episode 370 is for you. Author and educator Jerry Woodbridge joins Emily to share how her experiences of loss and widowhood inspired her to write Joy Overcame Sorry, a middle-grade novel that helps kids process the death of a parent through story and journaling. With wisdom drawn from her own grief journey, Jerry shows how writing, empathy, and faith can guide children—and their families—toward resilience, healing, and hope.In This Episode, You Will Learn:(01:01) Jerry’s lifelong calling as a teacher and writer(02:30) The devastating losses that shaped her perspective on grief(06:45) How journaling provided clarity and emotional release(10:40) From grief to creativity: writing her first book Trading My Sorries for the Joy of the Lord(13:40) Why empathy—not casseroles—helps grievers feel seen(16:30) Turning pain into purpose and helping others heal(20:36) The differences between sudden and anticipatory grief(23:06) How children process grief—and why resources like camps and books matter(25:21) Choosing joy while holding sorrow at the same timeIn today’s episode, I’m joined by Jerry Woodbridge, an educator, author, and grief advocate who helps children and families process loss through storytelling and journaling. After the deaths of her husband and four babies, Jerry turned to writing as a way to find clarity and healing. Author of Joy Overcame Sorry and its companion Joy’s Journal, she draws on her decades of teaching experience and personal journey to guide middle-grade children in expressing emotions. Through her books and commitment to grief literacy, Jerry shows how writing and empathy can transform sorrow into resilience and hope.Throughout this episode, Jerry shares how journaling became her lifeline after losing her husband and four babies. What began as private writing grew into books that help children put words to their grief. She introduces Joy Overcame Sorry, a story of a ten-year-old coping with her father’s death, and Joy’s Journal, a companion that guides kids through their own emotions. Jerry highlights the value of early grief literacy, the difference between sympathy and empathy, and the healing power of presence. Her message shows how sorrow and joy can coexist, with love as the bridge between them.Connect with Dr. Jerry Woodbridge:WebsiteInstagramFacebookYouTubeLinkedInXGet Jerry’s books!Let's Connect: WebsiteThe Grief and Happiness Alliance Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Writing a list of happy experiences you have had can bring you joy and give you lots of things to write about in your journal!Let's Connect:You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou 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 hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide hereSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you’ve ever wondered how it’s possible to survive the loss of a child, episode 368 is for you. Author and healer Vickie Menendez joins Emily to share how losing four children became the catalyst for her healing, spiritual connection, and mission to help others. Through stories of synchronicities, raising vibration, and reframing grief into love, Vickie shows how even the deepest sorrow can transform into purpose.In This Episode, You Will Learn:(01:03) The book that came from the heart(01:49) Reframing tragedy through love(04:40) Messages through rainbows(06:11) First loss at 20 years old(07:40) Overdose and a cascade of losses(10:40) The double blow of 2017–2018(12:40) Discovering tools for healing(15:02) Transforming grief into purpose(25:38) The gift of mandalas(31:35) The chrysalis journeyIn today's episode, I'm joined by Vickie Menendez, a grief guide, author, and spiritual healer who helps others turn loss into healing and empowerment. After the unimaginable deaths of her four children, she discovered practices that reframed grief through love and spiritual growth. Author of Mother of All Memoirs: The Crystal’s Butterfly Effect and The Compass to the Soul, Vickie blends personal experience with modalities like breathwork, mandala art, and MAP (Make Anything Possible) therapy. Through her books, workshops, and private sessions, she shows others how to raise their vibration, process emotions, and reconnect with their true essence, offering hope and practical tools for navigating profound loss.Throughout this episode, Vickie shares her journey from the stillbirth of her daughter in 1980 to the later losses of three more children. Though devastating, these experiences became the foundation of her healing work. She explains how spiritual coaching, breathwork, and MAP therapy helped her process grief and shift perspective. Instead of remaining in sorrow, she now sees her children as pure love, often felt through signs like rainbows and synchronicities. She highlights the power of raising one’s vibration to connect with loved ones, honoring their legacies by helping others heal, and transforming pain into purpose.Connect with Vickie Menendez:WebsiteInstagramTikTokVickie Menendez: Mother of All Memoirs book seriesLet's Connect: WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagramTwitterPinterestThe Grief and Happiness AllianceBook: Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Everyone needs people, especially while grieving. Listen to Michal Franti’s song here.People need People: https://youtu.be/PaDUAGcfuWw?si=CUH-ctFnhxEB-cRALet's Connect:You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou 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 hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide hereSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you’ve ever wondered how to talk to children about death, episode 366 is for you. Author and grief advocate Clarissa Moll shares how losing her husband reshaped life as a widowed mother of four—and why honest conversations help kids more than protection. Through her children’s book Hope Comes to Stay and her own story, Clarissa shows how grief can grow resilience, compassion, and even joy.In This Episode, You Will Learn:(1:00) Life shattered by sudden loss(1:40) Choosing joy amid grief(2:40) The story behind hope comes to stay(4:30) Teaching kids that pain exists—and joy too(5:10) The myth of invincibility(8:30) Why we must talk about death with children(13:40) Lost rituals, lost comfort(15:40) The power of consolation and community(17:30) The limits of online support(18:50) Staying present for the grievingIn today's episode,  I'm joined by Clarissa Moll, an author, podcaster, and grief advocate who helps people navigate loss with honesty and hope. After her husband’s sudden death in 2019, Clarissa began writing and speaking about grief, parenting through loss, and finding joy in life’s hardest seasons. She produces and moderates The Bulletin, Christianity Today’s flagship news podcast, and is the author of Beyond the Darkness: A Gentle Guide for Living with Grief and Thriving After Loss and the children’s book Hope Comes to Stay. Drawing on personal experience and compassionate insight, Clarissa encourages open conversations about death, resilience, and community. Through her books, podcasting, and speaking, she offers families practical tools to face grief together while cultivating compassion and courage. She lives with her four children, carrying forward her late husband’s legacy with honesty and joy.Throughout this episode, Clarissa shares a deeply personal perspective on grief and resilience. After becoming a widowed mother of four, she dedicated her work to guiding others through loss, showing that grief, though painful, can nurture compassion and interdependence. In Hope Comes to Stay, she demonstrates how stories of hardship help children grasp both the reality of suffering and the possibility of joy. Clarissa stresses the importance of speaking directly with kids about death—avoiding euphemisms and giving them the language they need—and reflects on how modern culture conceals death, erasing rituals that once offered comfort. Ultimately, she highlights the irreplaceable role of community support—meals, childcare, presence—over the illusion of handling grief alone.Connect with Clarissa Moll:WebsiteInstagramSubstackLinkedInGet Clarissa’s books!Let's Connect: WebsiteLinkedInTwitterThe Grief and Happiness Alliance Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Discover how to become friends with you mind so that it can serve you the best.Let's Connect:You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou 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 hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide hereSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you’ve ever wondered how to turn loss into hope, episode 364 of Grief and Happiness is for you. Advocate and author Ashlee Cramer shares how caring for her son through a rare cancer battle inspired her children’s book Michael, The Boy Who Danced on the Waves. With honesty and strength, she reveals how writing, family, and resilience can transform grief into new ways of “dancing on the waves” of life.In This Episode, You Will Learn:(3:40) A son’s rare diagnosis(6:10) The birth of a story in a hospital room(7:30) From surfboard to storybook(9:50) Hope without sugarcoating(11:30) Why siblings must be included(19:30) Writing as a lifeline(26:40) Practical advice for caregivers(35:20) Dancing forward, not backIn today's episode, I'm joined by Ashlee Cramer, Co-Founder and Chief Community Officer of No Patient Left Behind, a nonprofit advocating for affordable healthcare. A former dancer and early childhood educator, her life changed when her husband died of cancer in 2016 and later when her son Michael was diagnosed with a rare lymphoma. Ashlee became a full-time caregiver and advocate, raising awareness for pediatric cancer. During long hospital stays, she turned to journaling, which inspired her children’s book Michael, The Boy Who Danced on the Waves—a hopeful story of resilience that also supports pediatric cancer research. Through her work, Ashlee blends personal strength with a mission to ensure no patient and no family feels left behind.Throughout this episode, Ashlee shares her journey with honesty and courage. She describes how writing evolved from a coping tool to the creation of Dancing on the Waves and stresses the importance of including siblings, being open with children, and using writing to ease grief and anxiety. Above all, she highlights the hope in her book—that while life may never return to “before cancer,” families can still find strength, connection, and joy by learning to “dance on the waves” in new ways.Connect with Ashlee Cramer:No Patient Left Behind Michael and Mom Talk CancerInstagramFacebookYouTubeBook: Ashlee Cramer - Michael, The Boy Who Danced on the WavesLet's Connect: WebsiteLinkedInInstagramTwitterPinterestThe Grief and Happiness AllianceBook: Emily Thiroux Threatt - Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Grief lasts as long as love remains in your heart.Let's Connect:You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou 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 hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide hereSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you’ve ever wished you could hear a lost loved one’s voice again, episode 362 is for you. Personal trainer, writer, and podcaster Jenny Skoog joins Emily to share how 30 minutes of saved voicemails from her late mother became the foundation for a powerful podcast—and a pathway to healing. Through stories of reconciliation, navigating religious estrangement, and preserving tangible keepsakes, Jenny reveals how honoring memories can transform grief into lasting connection.In This Episode, You Will Learn:(2:21) The voicemails that started it all(4:50) From estrangement to reconnection(7:40) A season of loss(9:30) Turning grief into art(12:38) Preserving memories with care(18:53) The power of being seen in grief(25:05) Alienation and chosen family(29:58) The things we keep(36:11) A legacy of connectionIn today's episode,  I'm joined by Jenny Skoog, a New York–based personal trainer, writer, and podcaster whose work blends wellness, creativity, and storytelling. A former Emmy-nominated reality TV personality (Pushing It on Cozy TV), she brings authenticity and resilience to everything she does. After losing her mother, father, and sister in quick succession, Jenny transformed her grief into a podcast built around preserved voicemails from her late mother, tracing the evolution of their relationship. With a master’s degree in biography and memoir, she is committed to honoring loved ones’ stories while navigating the ethics of telling them. Her background in fitness, art, and writing gives her a unique lens on physical and emotional healing, inspiring others to embrace honesty, connection, and the power of preserving memories.Throughout this episode, Jenny reflects on navigating profound loss amid religious estrangement from most of her family. She shares how saving her mother’s voicemails—begun on a hunch years earlier—became both a lifeline and the heart of her podcast. Her insights center on reconciliation, storytelling’s transformative power, and the tangible keepsakes—letters, recipes, art—that keep connections alive. Jenny underscores the impact of being “seen” during grief, recounting moments of unexpected kindness, and explores the challenges of sharing personal histories when loved ones valued privacy. Her perspective is defined by authenticity, respect, and a deep desire to preserve the essence of those she’s lost.Connect with Jenny Skoog:WebsiteInstagramSubstackLinkedInPodcast: The Silence Between HelloLet's Connect: WebsiteLinkedInFacebookThe Grief and Happiness AllianceBook: Emily Thiroux Threatt - Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Write about what you do to practice loving self-care.Let's Connect:You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou 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 hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide hereSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you’ve struggled to let go of guilt after loss, episode 360 is for you. Dr. Dravon James—pharmacist, life coach, and author of Forgiveness: The Path to Happiness—joins Emily to explore how unforgiveness, especially toward ourselves, can prolong pain. Through personal stories and tools like unsent letters and journaling, she shares how self-forgiveness leads to real healing and peace.In This Episode, You Will Learn:(3:20) Forgiveness starts with self-awareness(4:42) The power of self-forgiveness in grief(9:29) Blame delays healing(17:37) Writing as a tool for release(22:40) From unforgiveness to empowerment(26:17) Turning pain into purpose(29:23) Gratitude and forgiveness go hand in handIn today's episode,  I'm joined by Dr. Dravon James, a transformational speaker, author, life coach, and founder of the Everyday Peace movement. With over 30 years of experience as a pharmacist, Dr. James combines her healthcare background with a passion for personal growth, helping others navigate life through mindfulness, empowerment, and forgiveness. She’s the author of Forgiveness: The Path to Happiness, a practical guide to emotional freedom, and has also appeared as an actress on HBO’s The Wire. Her unique blend of professional expertise and personal resilience allows her to connect deeply with audiences, inspiring them to find peace and purpose right where they are.Throughout this episode, Dr. James offers powerful insight into forgiveness—especially in the context of grief. She highlights self-awareness as the first step toward healing and encourages listeners to acknowledge their emotions without judgment. Forgiveness, she explains, is not about excusing wrongs but reclaiming inner peace. Sharing her own journey with self-forgiveness, she illustrates how writing—particularly through personal journaling—can be a transformative tool. Her wisdom reframes forgiveness not as weakness, but as a path to freedom and emotional strength.Connect with Dr. Dravon James:WebsiteInstagramLinkedInFacebookBook: Dr. Dravon James - Forgiveness: The Path to HappinessLet's Connect: WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagramTwitterPinterestThe Grief and Happiness AllianceBook: Emily Thiroux Threatt - Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.