In this episode I have conversation with the lovely Susan Snow. She shares her story of losing her father, an LAPD detective, in a tragic ambush when she was 17 years old. She discusses with us the impact of the loss on her life and the challenges she faced in navigating grief and trauma.

Susan also talks about the lack of resources and support for young people dealing with loss and the importance of therapy in her healing journey. She also shares her journey from trauma to resiliency and the importance of finding the right support. She encourages listeners to take their power back and prioritize their own healing.

Key Takeaways

• The loss of a loved one can have a profound impact on a person's life, especially when experienced at a young age.
• Grief and trauma can manifest in various ways, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation.
• Access to therapy and mental health support is crucial for individuals dealing with loss and trauma.
• Having a supportive partner or loved ones can provide a sense of stability and strength during difficult times.
• Shared experiences of trauma can deepen the bond between individuals and strengthen their relationship. PTSD can be experienced by anyone who has gone through a traumatic event, and it requires ongoing management.
• Journaling can be a helpful tool for processing emotions and improving sleep.
  Sitting with grief and honoring the emotions that come with it is an important part of the healing process.
• Finding meaning and purpose in giving back to others can be a powerful way to heal.
  Modalities like breathwork and box breathing can help regulate the nervous system and provide a sense of empowerment.
• Taking your power back and prioritizing your own healing is essential for moving forward.

Susan Snow is the daughter of slain LAPD Detective Thomas C. Williams, who was ambushed and killed on October 31, 1985 when she was 17. She is a published author, speaker, and coach. Susan currently works as a Realtor in the Denver Metro area. You can find her and all her resources here. http://a.co/d/fFuR4iT

If you are grieving right now, you are not alone. You can order a copy of my bestselling book Even If-A Holistic Approach to Living A Joy Filled Life With Loss on amazon by clicking here.
https://amzn.to/3x5Qbd8

If you are a fellow grieving mamma and would like to know more about Holistic Grief Academy, my coaching program you can click here
https://holisticgriefacademy.myflodesk.com/prei7fpydj

PS. I would love to stay connected. You can follow me on Instagram @mrsshaunadukes or head over to ShaunaDukes.com for a free ebook on how to support a grieving friend.

In this episode, I have a conversation with the lovely Lisa Sugarman. We discuss Lisa's personal experiences with suicide loss and the importance of normalizing conversations about mental health and grief. Lisa shares with us her journey of discovering her father's suicide 35 years after his death and how it changed her perspective on mental illness. We also discuss the power of storytelling and vulnerability in creating safe spaces for healing and support. In this conversation, Lisa also provides advice on how to support someone who is suicidal, emphasizing the importance of being direct, honest, and helping them find the professional help they need. She shares insights on supporting mental health, highlighting the significance of small, consistent actions and daily habits. Lisa also talks about her work as a storyteller for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), where she shares her own experiences and provides hope and connection to others.

Takeaways

• Normalizing conversations about mental health and suicide loss is crucial in combating stigma and providing support.
• Finding purpose in pain and using personal experiences to help others can be a powerful form of healing.
• Knowledge and understanding are key in changing attitudes towards mental illness and suicide.
• Creating safe spaces for vulnerability and sharing stories can help individuals feel less alone and provide support in their healing journey. Use language that is sensitive and respectful when talking about suicide, replacing 'committed suicide' with 'died by suicide' or 'took their life'.
• When supporting someone who is suicidal, be direct, honest, and help them find the professional help they need.
• Supporting mental health involves small, consistent actions and daily habits, such as practicing gratitude, prioritizing self-care, and engaging in meaningful conversations.
  Storytelling can provide hope and connection for those experiencing mental health challenges or grief, and organizations like NAMI offer platforms for sharing personal stories.

You can stay in touch with her and find all her invaluable resources on her website. http://www.lisasugarman.com

If you are grieving right now, you are not alone. You can order a copy of my bestselling book Even If-A Holistic Approach to Living A Joy Filled Life With Loss on amazon by clicking here.

https://amzn.to/3x5Qbd8

If you are a fellow grieving mamma and would like to know more about Holistic Grief Academy, my coaching program you can click here

https://holisticgriefacademy.myflodesk.com/prei7fpydj

PS. I would love to stay connected. You can follow me on Instagram @mrsshaunadukes or head over to ShaunaDukes.com for a free ebook on how to support a grieving friend.

In this episode I have a conversation with the beautiful Bridgette Dunbar.

BRIDGETT DUNBAR is a Breakthrough Strategist who helps individuals achieve freedom in their mental, emotional, and spiritual health to enhance their overall well-being and relationships. She has been a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist for more than a decade, pastoral counselor, and leader in personal and spiritual development. She has personally experienced the loss of two children through stillbirth and miscarriage. Since then, Bridgett has dedicated herself to helping individuals achieve the breakthroughs they need to thrive in life, including helping those navigating grief and loss find their way back to joy and peace.

For a FREE download of her book (Grief, Loss and The Goodness Of God) and for more resources visit: Bridgettdunbar.com/grief

Key Takeaways

• Grief is a unique and individual experience, and everyone processes it differently.
• The death of a loved one brings not only the loss of that person, but also the loss of hopes, dreams, and relationships.
• Grief can be a long and challenging journey, but healing is possible.
  It is important to give yourself time and patience to explore your identity and what matters in life after loss.
• Grief can lead to a deeper understanding of oneself and a reevaluation of priorities. Choose to move forward and find growth in the midst of suffering.
• God's healing may not come in the form of physical healing, but in the growth and connections that occur during difficult times.
• Gratitude and perspective are powerful tools in the healing process.
• Community and support are essential in the journey of grief and rebuilding.
• Honest communication and vulnerability are key in relationships, especially when supporting someone who is grieving.

If you are grieving right now, you are not alone. You can order a copy of my bestselling book Even If-A Holistic Approach to Living A Joy Filled Life With Loss on amazon by clicking here.

https://amzn.to/3x5Qbd8

If you are a fellow grieving mamma and would like to know more about Holistic Grief Academy, my coaching program you can click here

https://holisticgriefacademy.myflodesk.com/prei7fpydj

PS. I would love to stay connected. You can follow me on Instagram @mrsshaunadukes or head over to ShaunaDukes.com for a free ebook on how to support a grieving friend.

In this episode, I discuss the concept of legacy building and how to honor the memory of loved ones who have passed away. I share various ways we as a family have honored our son, Trucker, who passed away at 3 years old.

These include going on a road trip and randomly blessing people, organizing a 5K run in his honor, hosting a youth dive tournament, and creating stickers with Trucker's shaka image.

I encourages listeners to find their own unique ways to honor their loved ones and emphasize the importance of cherishing every moment with the people we love.

Key Takeaways

• Legacy building involves doing things in honor of loved ones who have passed away.
• Ways to honor loved ones
• Finding unique and personal ways to honor loved ones can bring comfort and joy.

If you are grieving right now, you are not alone. You can order a copy of my bestselling book Even If-A Holistic Approach to Living A Joy Filled Life With Loss on amazon by clicking here.
https://amzn.to/3x5Qbd8

If you are a fellow grieving mamma and would like to know more about Holistic Grief Academy, my coaching program you can click here
https://holisticgriefacademy.myflodesk.com/prei7fpydj

PS. I would love to stay connected. You can follow me on Instagram @mrsshaunadukes or head over to ShaunaDukes.com for a free ebook on how to support a grieving friend.

In this episode I share my personal journey with nutrition and the impact it had during Trucker's cancer treatment. I touch on the importance of nutrition in the context of grief and healing and also provide five simple tips for eating well during difficult times.

Takeaways

• Nutrition plays a crucial role in supporting the body during grief and illness.
• Eating real, nutrient-dense food can positively impact overall health and emotional well-being.
• Learning to read labels, sourcing high-quality meat, and avoiding processed sugars are essential for a healthy diet.
• Choosing organic and connecting with local growers through farmers markets can enhance the quality of food consumption.
  

  If you are grieving right now, you are not alone. You can order a copy of my bestselling book Even If-A Holistic Approach to Living A Joy Filled Life With Loss on amazon by clicking here.

  https://amzn.to/3x5Qbd8

  
  

  If you are a fellow grieving mamma and would like to know more about Holistic Grief Academy, my coaching program you can click here

  https://holisticgriefacademy.myflodesk.com/prei7fpydj

  
  

  PS. I would love to stay connected. You can follow me on Instagram @mrsshaunadukes or head over to ShaunaDukes.com for a free ebook on how to support a grieving friend.

In this conversation with my new friend Emily Gould, a fellow mother who has lost a child to cancer, we discussed Emily's experience with her daughter's cancer diagnosis, the brutal treatments they went through, and the challenges of navigating grief. We also talked about finding hope and choosing to assign meaning to tomorrow. Emily shared with us how her daughter's love and light continue to surround her, and how she finds comfort in signs and symbols that remind her of her daughter's presence. We also discussed the pressure to move on from grief from society and the misconception that grief has an expiration date. We highlight the choice to integrate their children into their lives and continue to honor them. We talk about the depth of love and the perspective that grief brings, and the importance of being seen and acknowledged in their pain.

• Cancer treatments can be brutal and painful, and they often have life-threatening side effects.

• Grief is a complex journey that involves feeling a range of emotions, including sadness, anger, and hope.

• Finding signs and symbols that remind us of our loved ones can bring comfort and a sense of connection.

• Choosing to assign meaning and hope to tomorrow can help us navigate the challenges of grief and loss. Be open to signs and connections from deceased loved ones

• Recognize and appreciate the signs as messages from loved ones

• Grief does not have an expiration date

• Grief brings a deeper perspective and appreciation for life

Emily Gould loves to discover as much as possible about people, cultures, emotions, and the world around her. Emily has been writing for over 20 years. Upon her daughter’s cancer diagnosis, writing became less of a hobby and more of a coping mechanism. The more Emily wrote, the more people listened. Her words have spanned across nations and touched the hearts of people all over the globe. She has taken the opportunity to educate those who haven’t been afflicted with cancer about this disease in hopes of spreading awareness and love for those who fight for their lives every single day. Alongside her husband Kris, Emily is always up for any adventure that life has to offer. The couple, with their four children, enjoy camping, hiking, boating, laughing too loud, and just being together.

You can find her here

My social media is: Instagram @emily_m_gould Facebook: Emily Gould

I have published two books and am working on my third. Here are the links:

Turning Weeds Into Wildflowers: https://a.co/d/fWHqgr1

It Gave Me You: https://a.co/d/de2iDoD

If you are grieving right now, you are not alone. You can order a copy of my bestselling book Even If-A Holistic Approach to Living A Joy Filled Life With Loss on amazon by clicking here. https://amzn.to/3x5Qbd8

If you are a fellow grieving mamma and would like to know more about Holistic Grief Academy, my coaching program you can click here https://holisticgriefacademy.myflodesk.com/prei7fpydj

PS. I would love to stay connected. You can follow me on Instagram @mrsshaunadukes or head over to ShaunaDukes.com for a free ebook on how to support a grieving friend.

In this solosode, I share my three biggest tips for managing grief, and all the complicated emotions that come with it. There are no shortcuts, but I have learned a few tricks along the way, and am happy to be at a place where I can share and help others.

Takeaways

• Grief is a transformative process, similar to a butterfly's transformation.

• Promote the release of happy hormones by engaging in activities like spending time in nature, exercising, and practicing gratitude.

• Set healthy boundaries and be intentional about where you spend your energy during the grieving process.

• Be aware of your thoughts and reframe negative beliefs to have a positive mindset towards healing.

If you are grieving right now, you are not alone. You can order a copy of my bestselling book Even If-A Holistic Approach to Living A Joy Filled Life With Loss on amazon by clicking here.

https://amzn.to/3x5Qbd8

If you are a fellow grieving mamma and would like to know more about Holistic Grief Academy, my coaching program you can click here

https://holisticgriefacademy.myflodesk.com/prei7fpydj

PS. I would love to stay connected. You can follow me on Instagram @mrsshaunadukes or head over to ShaunaDukes.com for a free ebook on how to support a grieving friend.

In this episode I speak with my beautiful friend MeiLi Autumn Coon. She is the owner and makeup artist for MeiLi Autumn Beauty, creator of Radiant You events, and inner beauty advocate, writer, mother, sister, daughter, beloved child of God. You can find her on instagram @meiliautumnbeauty @meilicoon

We discuss friendship during grief, as well as the collective grief experienced by the community after the devastating wildfire on Maui last August. MeiLi shares with us her experience of witnessing my grief and offers advice for supporting a grieving friend. Our conversation highlights the power of community and the resilience that can emerge from grief. We also discuss the importance of allowing oneself to feel the pain and grief, rather than numbing it, and finding ways to move forward and find beauty in life. Our conversation touches on identity, faith, and the transformative power of grief.

Takeaways

• Supporting a grieving friend involves showing up, holding space, and not needing to have all the right words or solutions.

• Providing practical support, such as bringing healthy meals, can be a meaningful way to help a grieving friend.

• Grief can involve the loss of future plans and dreams, which can be an additional layer of pain.

• Collective grief, such as the aftermath of a natural disaster, can bring a community together and reveal the resilience of individuals.

• Being a witness to someone's grief and growth can be a profound and honored role in a friendship.

• Losing a hometown to a natural disaster can be a deeply painful experience, as it involves the loss of one's identity and core elements of their being.

• Collective grief is a powerful force that affects everyone in a community, including first responders and firefighters who are deeply impacted by the disaster.

• In the aftermath of a loss, it can be challenging to navigate the reality that life goes on and find the motivation to continue.

If you are grieving right now, you are not alone. You can order a copy of my bestselling book Even If-A Holistic Approach to Living A Joy Filled Life With Loss on amazon by clicking here.

https://amzn.to/3x5Qbd8

If you are a fellow grieving mamma and would like to know more about Holistic Grief Academy, my coaching program you can click here

https://holisticgriefacademy.myflodesk.com/prei7fpydj

PS. I would love to stay connected. You can follow me on Instagram @mrsshaunadukes or head over to ShaunaDukes.com for a free ebook on how to support a grieving friend.