Claim OwnershipJourney to Grateful
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Through the loss of my wife to cancer, I've discovered that many people – my support system included – don't know quite how to navigate through daily life after loss. Whether grieving themselves or wanting to help those they attempt to support, it's an uncharted path for many. I’ve come to understand the most valuable asset my family and friends possess is the ability to lift me up when I’ve needed it most with the simplest of gestures. There is no perfect formula to help someone grieve, the being there, listening, and providing a slice of normal is often exactly what is needed. The most difficult task for those on the outside is understanding the many facets of loss that are present almost every single day. This podcast was created to help us understand the process of loss with the help of those who are living it.
178 Episodes
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Grief doesn’t just show up on anniversaries or holidays — it can sneak into the grocery store, the car ride home, or a favorite recipe. In this episode, we’ll talk about how the most ordinary moments can suddenly carry extraordinary weight, and how to give yourself grace when grief feels like it’s everywhere.
When someone you love is grieving, it’s hard to know what to say—or what not to say. In this episode of Journey to Grateful, I explore the power of words during times of loss and how our intentions, though kind, can sometimes fall short. Learn how to offer genuine comfort, what phrases to avoid, and how presence and empathy can mean far more than perfect words ever could. This episode is for anyone wanting to better support a grieving friend or family member, reminding us all that words, actions, and even silence each have the power to heal when used with love and care.
As the season turns to autumn, grief can feel sharper. The falling leaves, shorter days, and cooler nights echo the endings we carry inside. In this episode, I explore how the shadows of this season—memories, loneliness, and the anticipation of holidays—can stir grief, while the light of autumn offers small comforts and reminders of beauty. I share reflections, simple practices, and ways we can let autumn teach us to hold both sorrow and gratitude at once.
In this episode of Journey to Grateful, I explore the often-misunderstood difference between “moving on” and “moving forward” after loss. While the phrase “move on” suggests leaving our loved ones behind, the reality is far different. Moving forward means carrying their love, their influence, and their memory with us into the life we are still building. I share personal reflections — from childhood observations of grief to my own experience of losing a spouse — and why embracing the past while living in the present is not only possible, but necessary. Join me as we uncover how to live fully while honoring those who remain part of us, always.
In this episode of Journey to Grateful, I share a deeply personal truth I’ve discovered in grief: that honoring our loved ones doesn’t mean staying stuck in mourning them. It means finding the courage to live fully, carrying their memory with us in every step forward. I talk about the tension between grief and guilt, and how we can shift the question from “Am I allowed to move forward?” to “How can I carry them forward with me?” If you’ve ever wondered whether finding joy again betrays the one you’ve lost, this episode is for you.
Grief comes in many forms — the loss of a spouse, a child, a parent, a sibling, or a close friend. Each loss is devastating in its own way, yet too often we fall into the trap of comparing one grief to another. In this episode of Journey to Grateful, I explore why grief should never be measured against someone else’s pain and how compassion allows us to connect across different kinds of loss.Through the lens of “same storm, different boats,” I share why it’s important to honor every grief story without judgment and how choosing to witness another’s pain instead of comparing it can create deeper healing for us all.If you’ve ever felt like someone dismissed your grief, or if you’ve caught yourself comparing your loss to another’s, this episode is a reminder: different losses, different pain, but the same need — to discover how to keep going.
The decision of whether — or when — to take off your wedding ring after losing a spouse is one of the most personal and emotional choices we face in grief. It’s not simply about jewelry; it’s about love, identity, and how we choose to honor the life we shared. In this episode, we’ll explore the many layers of this struggle: the pressure of outside expectations, the deep symbolism of the ring, and how timing looks different for everyone. I’ll also share my own journey with this decision and the private, intentional way I approached removing my ring one year after Colleen’s passing. Together, we’ll uncover why there is no right or wrong choice — only what feels true for you — and how you can permit yourself to move forward in a way that honors both your love and your grief.
Losing someone you love doesn’t just take them from your life — it can feel like it takes you from yourself. In this heartfelt episode, I share how the death of my wife, Colleen, left me questioning who I was without her, and how grief reshapes our identity in quiet, complicated ways. From the roles we lose — spouse, partner, parent, child — to the slow, tentative steps of rediscovering who we are, I offer honesty, compassion, and hope for anyone feeling unmoored by loss. Whether you’ve lost a spouse, a parent, a child, or someone else who helped define your sense of self, this conversation reminds you that while grief changes you, it also gives you the chance to meet a new version of yourself — one still shaped by love, even in their absence.
What happens when the world moves on, but your grief hasn’t? In this episode of Journey to Grateful, I reflect on the silence that often follows loss—when friends and family return to their normal routines, while you’re left navigating a reality that will never be the same.Now, more than five years after my wife Colleen’s passing, I share how grief continues to show up in unexpected ways, including during a recent milestone moment: moving my son to college. While many see such moments as purely joyful, they can also reopen the wound of absence, reminding us of the chapters we were meant to share with those we’ve lost.This conversation explores the ache of feeling left behind, the weight of disenfranchised grief, and why grief can still feel raw years later. I also offer ways to stay grounded when the support fades—through speaking their name, finding new circles of understanding, and creating small rituals to keep love present.If you’ve ever felt like your grief is “too much” or wondered why it still hurts long after others think it should have eased, this episode is a reminder: grief has no timeline, and neither does love.
Grief doesn’t always come just once—it circles back when we least expect it. In this deeply personal episode, Tim shares the recent and sudden loss of a dear friend and how that grief ripples through his life, touching memories, love, and family all over again. From navigating the emotions of supporting a grieving family to confronting the echoes of his own loss, this conversation is a reminder that grief doesn’t follow a timeline—and neither does healing. Whether you’re walking through a fresh loss or supporting someone who is, this episode speaks to the heart of what it means to simply show up and be present in the hardest moments.
Milestones can carry a surprising weight in the grieving process. Birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays — even the quiet, ordinary dates that hold personal meaning — can stir up emotions we thought we’d tucked away. In this episode, we will explore how these moments can both ache with what’s missing and glow with the warmth of what was. Through personal stories, including the first anniversary of my wife Colleen’s passing, I'll share honest reflections on why milestone dates can be so powerful, and how we can face them with intention, tenderness, and love.
There’s no schedule for grief—yet so many of us feel the pressure to “move on” as weeks, months, or even years pass. In this heartfelt episode, Tim opens up about a recent, unexpected wave of emotion that reminded him just how present grief can still be, even five years later. Through a personal story of love, remembrance, and shared community, he explores why grief doesn’t expire, how it evolves over time, and why releasing the timeline can open the door to deeper, more honest healing.
Grief doesn’t just break your heart — it takes a toll on your entire body. In this episode of Journey to Grateful, host Tim Bigonia explores the physical symptoms of grief that often go unspoken: the fatigue, the brain fog, the muscle aches, the anxiety, and the general feeling that something just isn’t right.If you’ve recently experienced a loss, you may be wondering why your body feels so off. You’re not alone. Grief activates our stress responses, affects our sleep, and shows up in ways we never expected — and understanding these changes is an important part of healing.This episode shares personal insight and gentle guidance to help you recognize your body’s signals and respond with compassion instead of frustration. Whether you’re early in your grief or walking alongside someone who is, this episode offers validation, understanding, and a reminder: your body remembers because your love was real.Topics in this episode include: • Why grief causes fatigue, brain fog, and body aches • The link between grief and anxiety • How trauma and loss affect your nervous system • Gentle ways to listen to your body and support your healing
Not all grief is tied to a moment or memory. Sometimes, the deepest pain comes from what never happened — the words left unsaid, the milestones missed, and the future you thought you’d share with someone you loved.In this episode of Journey to Grateful, we delve into the quiet, often unspoken aspect of grief: invisible losses. These are the “almosts,” the “what-ifs,” and the “we never got to…” moments that live in the background of our mourning.If you’ve ever felt the ache of a missed goodbye or the emptiness of a dream unfulfilled, this conversation is for you.
In this episode of Journey to Grateful, I explore the powerful truth behind “It’s okay not to be okay.” I'll share why embracing your messy, honest feelings is not only normal but essential to healing. I'll also provide a heartfelt invitation to let go of the need to “be strong” and find real strength in simply being real. Today you will discover that it is truly okay not to be okay.
When a parent dies, teens face a unique, often silent struggle — and the surviving parent is left to guide them while carrying their own grief. In this heartfelt episode, Tim explores how parents can support their teen’s grief journey with compassion and patience, while helping them move forward in a healthy, authentic way. Learn how to hold space for your teen’s emotions, encourage an ongoing connection with their lost parent, and remind them that simply being themselves is enough. If you’re navigating life after loss with your child, this conversation offers gentle guidance and hope.
We’re taught that men should be strong, stoic, and unbreakable — especially after losing a spouse. But real strength isn’t about hiding your pain; it’s about having the courage to feel it. In this episode, we explore what it means for men to show up fully in their grief, why vulnerability is a true sign of strength, and how embracing your emotions can help you build a new, more authentic life. Real men grieve — and it’s time we talk about it.
Grief isn’t just about missing the person you lost — it’s about mourning the entire world you shared with them. In this episode, we explore how loss touches every corner of your life: the routines, the imagined future, and the version of yourself that existed with them. By recognizing the full scope of what you’re grieving, you can better understand your pain and learn to be gentler with yourself as you navigate this new reality. Let’s unpack what it truly means to grieve beyond missing them.
Grief often feels heavy and isolating, but talking about it can bring unexpected healing and connection. In this episode, inspired by writer Liz Newman, we explore why sharing our grief matters, how it helps us honor those we’ve lost, and the power of being truly seen and heard. You’re not alone on this journey.
Grief often feels isolating, even in a room full of people. But letting ourselves be seen—truly seen—in our grief can unlock unexpected healing. In this episode, we explore the role of community in navigating loss: how to access support that actually helps, why vulnerability matters, and the quiet strength found in not walking this path alone.
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