Grief & Happiness

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.

You can grieve and be happy at the same time. This episode tells you how.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 questioned loving again after loss—or felt judged for moving on—episode 358 is for you. Author Tony Stewart shares how he navigated grief after his wife Lynn’s death and the guilt that followed when he began a new relationship, even with her blessing. Through honest reflection, Tony shows how love and loss can coexist—and how healing doesn’t mean forgetting.In This Episode, You Will Learn:(0:57) A shocking diagnosis that changed everything(2:30) Living with terminal illness—and with intention(4:50) Hospice and the beauty in goodbye(6:30) Grief begins—and it’s not what he expected(8:40) Finding love again—and the guilt that came with it(10:40) Grief and love can coexist(12:50) The power of talking about the person you lost(20:30) Music, memory, and sudden waves of grief(27:30) Turning journaling into a lifeline (and a book)In today's episode,  I'm joined by Tony Stewart—author, retired educator, and heartfelt storyteller—who shares his powerful journey through love, loss, and renewal. After his wife Lynn was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, Tony began chronicling their experience on CaringBridge, a practice that became the foundation for his memoir Carrying the Tiger: Living with Cancer, Dying with Grace, Finding Joy While Grieving. Through his writing and lived experience, Tony offers a moving reflection on caregiving, grief, and the unexpected path to love again, reminding us that even in sorrow, there can be beauty.Throughout this episode, Tony brings candid insight and emotional depth as he reflects on Lynn’s diagnosis, the tender challenges of caregiving, and the complexities of mourning while forming a new relationship. He shares how journaling helped him navigate his grief and how community support shaped his healing. With honesty and grace, Tony explores guilt, memory, and resilience, offering comfort and perspective to anyone facing loss.Connect with Tony Stewart:WebsiteInstagramLinkedInFacebookSubstackBook: Tony Stewart - Carrying the TigerLet'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.

Think of when someone brought light into your life just when you needed it most.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 questioned your strength after a loss or wondered how to find light in grief, episode 356 is for you. Grief coach and author Sam Miller shares how losing his father—and living with cerebral palsy—led him to ask: Do I have what it takes? Through honest stories and personal insight, Sam shows how journaling, legacy, and perspective can turn grief into purpose. This uplifting episode is for anyone ready to find hope in the healing process.In This Episode, You Will Learn:(0:55) Born with a challenge, living with purpose(3:00) Grief as catalyst: Losing his father(5:00) Writing through the pain(7:30) Legacy like a bank account(10:00) Embracing disability, rejecting shame(13:00) The healing power of helping others(14:30) Happiness and grief can coexist(18:00) Friendships that fade—and ones that return(22:00) Finding answers in the dark(27:00) Remembering who you areToday, I'm joined by Sam Miller—also known as Coach Sam or Sam I Am—an author, speaker, and coach committed to supporting individuals and families affected by disability and grief. Born with cerebral palsy, Sam has turned adversity into purpose, especially in empowering youth to move from limitation to possibility. With a background in sports journalism, he brings a storyteller’s insight to his books I'm Possible: Life Lessons on Thriving with a Disability and I'm Possible: Journey—Finding Treasure in the Midst of Grief. Through coaching, workshops, and speaking, Sam helps others navigate challenge with strength and intention.Throughout this episode, Sam shares how his lived experience—and the loss of his father—inspired his second book, which grew from raw, real-time journaling. He reflects on how grief invites us to be present, feel fully, and still remain open to joy. With honesty and heart, Sam explores how storytelling, focus, and honoring legacy can help transform pain into purpose—for himself and others walking similar paths.Connect with Sam Miller:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookYouTubeGet Sam’s books!Let's Connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagramTwitterThe Grief and Happiness AllianceBook: Emily Thiroux Threatt - Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you experience grief in your body? If you are carrying a heavly load of grief, know that weight lightens over time. What can you do now to take the best care of yourself while grieving? 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 struggled to find the right words—or any words at all—when someone you care about is grieving, episode 354 is for you. Grief activist Lisa Keefauver and artist Rachel Kroh reveal how their hand-printed card collection is changing the way we support each other in loss, offering messages that are honest, beautiful, and deeply human. They share personal stories of heartbreak, cultural myths that make grief even harder, and why showing up with presence—not platitudes—can transform relationships. If you want to be a better grief supporter (or feel less alone in your own sorrow), don’t miss this conversation.In This Episode, You Will Learn:(01:01) Why we’re grief-illiterate(03:32) Art as a response to loss(08:55) A podcast, a book, and a serendipitous collaboration(10:39) Making cards by hand, with heart(13:35) The power of presence over platitudes(15:01) Beauty as a tool for healing(22:44) Designing for all types of grief(27:02) Permission to feel it all(38:39) Redefining support through contrast and colorIn today's episode, I'm joined by Lisa Keefauver and Rachel Kroh. Lisa Keefauver, MSW, is a grief educator, author, and host of the Grief is a Sneaky Bitch podcast, with over two decades of experience as a clinical social worker. After the death of her young husband, Lisa founded Reimagining Grief to improve grief literacy and help people show up with compassion rather than clichés. Rachel Kroh is a visual artist and founder of Heartell Press, a letterpress card company known for its hand-carved designs that bring care and sincerity to life’s most difficult moments. When Rachel couldn’t find a card that expressed what she needed during her mother’s terminal illness, she began creating her own. Together, Lisa and Rachel co-created Reimagining Grief, a line of empathy cards that blend healing words with hand-printed artwork—designed to support people in grief with beauty, presence, and deep emotional honesty.Throughout this episode, grief educator Lisa Keefauver and artist Rachel Kroh share the story behind Reimagining Grief, their hand-printed empathy card collection designed to help people show up with care during times of loss. Lisa reflects on her personal and professional experience with grief and the harm caused by silence or cliché responses. Rachel describes how her mother’s cancer inspired her to create sincere, emotionally honest cards. Together, they discuss the healing power of beauty, presence, and permission to feel deeply. By combining Lisa’s compassionate words with Rachel’s handmade designs, they offer a meaningful, lasting way to support grievers beyond traditional expressions of sympathy.Connect with Lisa Keefauver:WebsiteInstagramFacebookLinkedInYouTubeApple PodcastConnect with Rachel Kroh:WebsiteInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.