Graduating Grief- Finding Hope, Healing and JOY after Loss
93 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 6 ratingsIf you are looking for ways to find HOPE, HEALING, and JOY in the midst of your grief journey, this is THE podcast for you.
Best selling author, media influencer and grieving mom, Sherrie Dunlevy has created this podcast for women who want to "graduate" from their pain and step back into LIVING their lives on purpose with passion and JOY. Join Sherrie as she interviews authors, thought leaders, and ordinary people who are not just surviving grief, but LIVING lives that are THRIVING even with their grief.
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Episodes
Does Grief Ever Go Away?
January 24, 2023 11:00 - 15 minutes - 21 MBDoes grief ever go away? That is a question just about every grieving person wants to know, that's because it's one of the most googled questions about grief out there. When you have lost someone you love, you can be in so much pain, you just want it to end. And yet so many people will tell you that it lasts the rest of your life. Hearing that can be devastating. So in this episode, I talk about what I believed at first, when I lost my son Brandon. And what I believe now and how I have come...
Grief, Children and Schools
January 10, 2023 10:00 - 17 minutes - 24.6 MBEach year millions of children are dealing with the grief of losing a parent. In fact, by the time a child reaches the age of 18 it is estimated that 1 in 14 kids have had a parent who died. And when it comes to helping children through that grief journey, most of us simply don't know what to do. Grief Illiteracy is the topic of this episode; because when you know better, you can do better in your own grief and to help offer comfort and support to others in theirs. ** Sherrie Dunlevy- #I...
Holiday Meditation to Feel Closer to Your Loved One
December 19, 2022 13:08 - 6 minutes - 8.75 MBA short meditation that helps you connect to your loved one this holiday season. Return to it as often as you need when you feel the need to connect to the gift that was your person. ****** Sherrie Dunlevy- #Inspirationista, is a best selling author, speaker, podcast host. She is also the founder of the "Graduating Grief Academy” and online support community. Sherrie is on a mission to help grieving people step out of pain and step into living with purpose, passion and joy. Learn about t...
Guidelines that can help you as you grieve
December 12, 2022 10:18 - 14 minutes - 13.1 MBIf only there were rules to how to get through this pain and suffering. If only there was someone that could tell me how to do it the right way. If only.... (you fill in the blank). There are a lot thoughts and questions that come to mind in the midst of your grief journey. So here are some guidelines, that might help you understand what is happening, if you are doing it right, how long will it all last and if healing is possible. ******* Sherrie Dunlevy- #Inspirationista, is a best ...
Grief- My Greatest Teacher
November 08, 2022 10:00 - 10 minutes - 9.65 MBHost Sherrie Dunlevy talks about her recent personal journey with grief, as she concludes the year of "firsts". Some of the things she has learned are new, others are lessons she is relearning. All of the things are transforming her life, because as she says, grief can be your greatest teacher. *** Sherrie Dunlevy- #Inspirationista, is a best selling author, speaker, podcast host. She is also the founder of the "Graduating Grief Academy” and online support community. Sherrie is on a missi...
The courage to change the things I can
October 25, 2022 09:00 - 16 minutes - 15.5 MBNow that we know what we can't control, (episode 3 season 3) let's dive into what we can. That way, we at least have a way to start working on things that will truly make a difference in our life. If you want to graduate from the pain, suffering and grief you are feeling, try incorporating a few of these things into a daily practice. Why do I say practice? Because although these things are simple, they are not always easy to do. We need to practice and not expect perfection. But one thi...
Accepting the things I cannot control
October 18, 2022 09:00 - 12 minutes - 11.8 MBThe first line in the Serenity Prayer: God Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change. Maybe we need to pray for accept those things for which we can't control as well. Too often we find ourselves stuck in pain, suffering and grief, because we are always wanting people and things to be different from what they are. We try to control the uncontrollable. And because we put our efforts into that, we feel miserable. That's the topic of this episode. It's a quick listen with a...
Grief support is just a text away
October 11, 2022 09:00 - 20 minutes - 27.8 MBWhile healing your grief is your own journey and personal responsibility, feeling loved and supported as you travel this path can make such a difference. Problem is, many people are afraid of intruding and so therefore, many grieving people feel isolated and lonely. That's why this episode is so interesting. It allows people to feel supported while at the same time, does not come across as intruding or smothering. It's a texting subscription called Grief Coach and it's founder and CEO Emma...
SELF CARE is NOT selfish!!
October 03, 2022 09:00 - 27 minutes - 37.5 MBThis is for all the moms out there who find themselves overwhelmed, exhausted, AND grieving. The way you live your life in normal times is exhausting. Add to it what it took to live through a pandemic and then throw grief in the mix and you are literally running on fumes. Something's gotta give. And you don't want that something to be your health or your mental health. Self care is NOT selfish, and that's what we are focusing on in this episode with licensed therapist Onnie Michalsky. *...
Grieving the death and the relationship you didn't have
March 01, 2022 20:55 - 27 minutes - 38.4 MBGrief can be so complicated and layered and that is what we are going to address in this episode. When my friend Kelly Cook recently lost her father she asked me if it was possible to also be grieving the relationship she wished she could have had with her dad. That grief is very real and complex and is something we really needed to talk about and so we did. ## Kelly Townsend Cook is a sales professional with nearly 2 decades of experience in the vacation ownership industry. Before that...
When the world seems to be watching you grieve Pt. 1
February 22, 2022 12:00 - 29 minutes - 27.3 MBWhen it comes to death, dying and grieving, it seems that most people do their grieving in private. But what if you are in the public eye? How does grieving affect you then? It can be very complex and very challenging. For the next few weeks I am going to be talking to some people who are public figures in their communities, most of whom I have known through the years from our time together in the TV biz. The conversations are quite interesting because the way in which we deal with grief, ...
STOP saying this to your grieving friend.
February 15, 2022 10:00 - 12 minutes - 17 MBWhen you have a friend who is dealing with some heavy stuff. Do you know how to show up for them in a way that they really feel loved and supported? If you have trouble finding the right words or doing something that can really help someone you care about, then this episode is for you because there is one thing just about every single one of us has said that isn't helping at all. And we really need to do better. So what is it and how can we do better? It's all in this compact episode. I...
A new way to keep your loved one's memories alive forever
February 08, 2022 12:00 - 23 minutes - 31.8 MBHave you ever gotten to a point in your grief journey where you can't remember your loved ones face or the sound of their voice and you suddenly worry that their memory will soon fade away? If so you are not alone. But what if there was a way to preserve their face, their voice, their stories, their family history, their fond memories of life and those they loved? And what if you could access them anytime you wanted? Well the good news is you can, thanks to a new app called After Cloud...
How I grieved and how I've GROWN after losing my wife to cancer
February 01, 2022 10:00 - 32 minutes - 30.1 MBFifteen years ago, Daryl Powers was living what many would call the American Dream. He had a beautiful wife, a growing family, a great job and had purchased a new house. Life on all accounts was going great. And then his life changed forever and 3 years later he found himself a grieving father in charge of raising two young children. What do you do when you feel all alone and you are angry, and sad, and feeling like you have been robbed of everything? How do you cope, and how do you heal...
When you are looking for signs from your loved one, start with nature
January 25, 2022 10:00 - 28 minutes - 39.4 MBOften when we are grieving the loss of someone we love, we are filled with anxiety that wherever they are, they are ok. We also want to look for signs that we will be ok. So when you are asking for a sign, you might want to start with nature. The animal kingdom and animal medicine can be quite healing. Dave Roberts is a psychology professor and he is a bereaved father. His introduction to this spiritual connection to nature changed everything for him in his grief journey. Take a listen to...
Finding the will to live when you've lost just about everyone you love.
January 18, 2022 10:00 - 32 minutes - 29.7 MBHow do you live when you've lost just about everyone you love? When Martika Whylly lost her mom to suicide she didn't want to live. And then divine intervention prevented that from happening. But the anger still took hold. As she lost more and more family members in a short time, she traveled an immensely painful grief journey but has now learned to live her life with fun and JOY. Now she shares her story and journey with others, to help them graduate from the pain of their loss and step i...
Pet loss is REAL grief
January 11, 2022 10:00 - 10 minutes - 9.54 MBWhen a beloved pet dies, the grief you may be experiencing can be some of the most intense pain you have felt in your entire life. And yet, much of the world won't seriously recognize that pain because what you lost was "just a pet". Or they may even challenge you and your grief by trying to explain it cannot be compared to the loss of a human. In this episode, I am addressing this issue once and for all. Pet loss IS REAL GRIEF. And the pain you feel is real and understandable and can...
Grief and the mess that is left behind
January 04, 2022 10:00 - 28 minutes - 38.5 MBAs if losing someone you love isn't bad enough, how do you handle the grief and the stress that is created when your loved one leaves a mess behind? This can be a literal mess of clutter and collections and cleaning out the deceased's property or the mess of taking care of unfinished business of life, insurance, bills, and legalities. Many people become overwhelmed, and it can create stress, illness, and breakdown in relationships. What do you do when you just want to be sad and process yo...
Why Self Care is So Important During the Holidays
December 21, 2021 00:00 - 6 minutes - 5.71 MBTis the season to get caught up in the hustle and bustle, stay up too late, over caffeinate and jeopardize your immune system. The holiday season can be one of the most challenging seasons to navigate when grieving, which makes it all the more reason to make sure you take care of you and your health Self care is not selfish, in fact, I challenge you to make YOU and the care of YOU, your number one priority. What exactly would that look like? I break it down in this episode of Graduating G...
How to Honor and Remember your Loved One During the Holidays
December 13, 2021 12:00 - 10 minutes - 9.42 MBIf you've lost a family member this past year, chances are the way you spend the holidays is forever changed. Not only have you lost someone you loved, you might have lost your holiday cheer altogether. In this Graduating Grief Brief's episode, we are going to discuss new ways to honor and remember those you've lost that just may create a new holiday tradition and even spark some JOY. *** Sherrie Dunlevy- #Inspirationista, is a best selling author, speaker, podcast host. She is also the fo...
How to Navigate the Holidays While Grieving
December 06, 2021 12:00 - 13 minutes - 12.4 MBIt's the Happiest season of all! Joy to the World! Happy Holidays! Tis the season to feel jolly, unless of course you are grieving the loss of someone you love. Ugh. Sometimes you just want to get into bed, throw the covers over your head and wait for it to all be over. If this is you, it's ok. And if you are feeling like maybe, just maybe you would like to celebrate during the holidays this year, that's ok too. When you are grieving, you could actually feel both of these things and aga...
Is your Online Grief Support Helping or Hindering Your Grief Journey?
November 29, 2021 15:15 - 10 minutes - 9.54 MBBecause of the current times we are living in, more and more people are turning to online grief support groups because they are open when most of the world has been in lockdown. While many are great places to go to find people who completely understand your grief and pain and offer you words of comfort, you need to make sure you are also finding support, encouragement and tools inside that group that can help you not only process the pain, but also lead you to hope and healing. Too many tim...
Is Your Grief Support Community Helping or Hindering Your Grief Journey?
November 29, 2021 15:15 - 10 minutes - 9.54 MBBecause of the current times we are living in, more and more people are turning to online grief support groups because they are open when most of the world has been in lockdown. While many are great places to go to find people who completely understand your grief and pain and offer you words of comfort, you need to make sure you are also finding support, encouragement and tools inside that group that can help you not only process the pain, but also lead you to hope and healing. Too many tim...
It's time to "deliver" the Graduating Grief Academy
November 15, 2021 19:00 - 12 minutes - 11.9 MBIn the fall of 2020 I was given a dream to create something to help shine the light on hope and healing to those who were experiencing pain and suffering from their loss. As a bereaved mom, I know how grief can feel like a prison pain and for years I lingered in my life when I could have been fully engaged and LIVING it. Trouble is #1 I didn't know it was possible. Everyone told me I would carry my grief forever and #2 Even if it were possible I had no idea how to get there. Well now I K...
Grief and the FEAR of losing others you love
October 12, 2021 09:00 - 7 minutes - 7.15 MBThere's something about grief that can make you consumed with the fear of losing others you love too. The grief associated with the death of someone we love can be so painful we can't imagine how we will survive it. Then we look to others we love and we get consumed with death taking them from us too. Has this ever happened to you? If so you are not alone. Your fear can run out of control. So how do you reign it in? And can you? In this episode of Graduating Grief "briefs", I talk about ...
Graduating Grief Briefs-PERSPECTIVE
October 05, 2021 09:00 - 7 minutes - 6.79 MBGraduating Grief Briefs are episodes that are 10 minutes or less. A bite sized bit of wisdom, a quick insight to a breaktrough, or even sharing a tool to help you on your grief journey. In this episode we talk about "perspective". Changing your perspective can really change everything. It can be a great tool to use when you feel like you are at the end of your rope or in the midst of a really bad day. Sherrie Dunlevy, your Inspirationista, shares how shifting her perspective allowed her t...
How to Keep Your Mind from Spiraling Out of Control-Graduating Grief Briefs
September 16, 2021 20:20 - 10 minutes - 13.9 MBOne of the most challenging things to do when faced with a death, health scare, or trauma is to keep your mind from getting the best of you. It is something that can compound your stress and zap your energy. So how do you reel it in? I have been using a special visualization tool that has been helping me through an extremely stressful time in my life. And it seems to be working. People who know me, say they noticed a huge difference in me in less than 24 hours. So I thought I would s...
Let's talk about Grief and Healing
September 07, 2021 09:00 - 27 minutes - 38.2 MBLet's talk about it! Yes, IT... Grief. Let's talk about it so we can get comfortable and not fear it when it comes to you next time. I can't think of a better person to talk about this subject than Anne DeButte. Anne is a grief and loss coach, author, podcast host and my co-host for our Thursday afternoon chats on grief each week on Clubhouse. So let's talk about grief, shall we? ############# Anne is a grief and loss coach who specializes in supporting adults through the grieving proce...
How to Talk to Your Boss About Your Grief
July 06, 2021 09:00 - 32 minutes - 44.5 MBWhat do you say to your boss when you are dealing with a loss in your personal life? The conversation is not an easy one, but it is one that MUST take place. Open lines of communication make it easier on you, your manager and those working on you. So who do you need to talk to first and how do you start this conversation? And what exactly should you say? Leadership coach Jill Hunter has some great advice to share. ###### Jill Hunter, RPh, MBA, spent her first 25 years working as a phar...
How to Become Resilient After Loss
May 25, 2021 09:00 - 28 minutes - 26.6 MB"You are so strong." "I could never survive what you have." Those are just a few of the many phrases grievers have heard as they travel their path from grief to healing. But that simply isn't true. Resiliency isn't something you have, it is something that is built and Janet Fanaki has not only studied it, she has lived it and is teaching her children to build theirs as well. Janet is the creator and host of the RESILIENT PEOPLE podcast. Since 2018 she has been blogging and recording int...
Nurses and Grief
May 18, 2021 09:00 - 26 minutes - 36.2 MBNurses and other medical professionals deal with death, dying and grieving as a part of their profession. For those working in Hospice, this is true every day they show up for work. So one might think they "KNOW" how handle it better than most. You might want to re-think that. Helen Bauer, Founder and co-host of the Heart of Hospice Podcast has been a Nurse, a consultant, and a griever she says a lot of people in the profession take a "Do as I say, not as I do" approach, which can lead to b...
How to Transform Your Grief by Serving Others
May 11, 2021 09:00 - 28 minutes - 39.4 MBMarcella Williams is no stranger to grief and loss, and death and dying. Her grief journey is one where she found herself being called to transform her life and as a result, her career path. Her story is a beautiful one. And once she did the work and learned how to deal with deal with strong feelings such as guilt, she is now living a life filled with joy and meaning. #### Marcella Williams is a licensed Funeral Director who serves as the Community Outreach Coordinator for Altmeyer Fune...
Child Loss x's 2
May 05, 2021 12:45 - 35 minutes - 32.9 MBIf Peggy Green can find joy in living life, you can too! That is one of the huge take aways I got after talking to this remarkable mother who didn't just lose one child. She lost two. She not only lives a great life, but she now helps others process and move through their grief too. Her journey back to healing is what she shares with me. I hope you will find strength, hope and healing after listening to this episode. ###### Peggy Green, Author, speaker and grief coach teaches The 4 Corne...
How to Keep Your Mind from Spiraling Out of Control
April 27, 2021 09:00 - 10 minutes - 13.9 MBOne of the most challenging things to do when faced with a death, health scare, or trauma is to keep your mind from getting the best of you. It is something that can compound your stress and zap your energy. So how do you reel it in? I have been using a special visualization tool that has been helping me through an extremely stressful time in my life. And it seems to be working. People who know me, say they noticed a huge difference in me in less than 24 hours. So I thought I would s...
Helping others grieve while you are grieving too
April 20, 2021 09:00 - 22 minutes - 21.2 MBJerry Fenter is no stranger to death, dying, or grief. After all he is a chaplain and is the director of Spiritual Counselors for a Hospice Health Care System. He is used to working with the dying and their families every single day. But then Jerry experienced a loss that made his every day work, feel sometimes next to impossible. But he got through. How did he do it and how did he grow through it? That's exactly what we talk about in this episode of the Graduating Grief Podcast. ####### ...
Loss and Love and Laughter
April 14, 2021 09:00 - 23 minutes - 32.7 MBWhen it comes to losing someone you love, tears are almost a given, laughter, not so much. But Allen Klein doesn't agree with that. In fact he says they can co-exist and both can be used in healing. When he lost his wife after a bout with cancer, he relied on her zest for life and love and laughter as a way to keep he and his daughter moving forward. I love how he shares his memories of how he relied on instinct to move through his grief. His latest book "Embracing Life After Loss", is a gre...
Recovering from the pain of grieving
April 06, 2021 09:00 - 29 minutes - 27.4 MBIf you had an accident and broke your leg, chances are likely you would see treatment immediately to help ease the pain and start the healing process. So why is it that with grief, we let the pain linger and feel healing is not even possible? What if you COULD minimize the pain and heal into a person who can enjoy life again? In this episode, Advanced Grief Recovery Specialist Victoria Volk, talks to me about the Grief Recovery Method and how it can help you heal, IF you are willing to f...
Graduating Grief doesn't mean you will never feel sad
March 31, 2021 00:41 - 10 minutes - 10.1 MBThis weeks episode gets personal. Well for me anyway. This week marks the birthday of my son Brandon who was born 22 years ago. He lived for 29 days. This year, on his birthday I felt sad. Really sad. And that might surprise you because I am your Graduating Grief Specialist. But that is why I recorded this episode. I want you to know where I have been, what I have experienced and why I am passionate about helping others graduate from the pain of their loss so they can step back into living ...
Let's Talk about DEATH & GRIEF & LIFE
March 23, 2021 09:00 - 31 minutes - 28.7 MBGrief is coming to you! If the thought of this scares you, then this is episode is made especially for you. We are all going to grieve the loss of someone we love, something we love or something we are forced to leave behind and the more we talk about it and prepare for it, the less we will have to suffer. That's not to say that when we do grieve it won't be one of the most painful experiences we will ever endure. It just means you will not have to suffer as much or as long. There is so m...
How to Ease Anxiety by Being MINDFUL
March 16, 2021 09:00 - 28 minutes - 26.6 MBAnytime you are going through a rough chapter in life, chances are you are feeling on edge and may be doing battle with anxiety. For some, anxiety can actually become a way of life with or without a major challenge. Author and Ted-X speaker J.A. Plosker says he has been dealing with anxiety for as long as he can remember. And then one day he learned a valuable tool that helped him so much, he has now dedicated his life to sharing it with others. What is that tool? It's mindfulness and no...
How to Overcome your Physical Limitations and Bullying
March 09, 2021 10:00 - 25 minutes - 35.5 MBWhat do you do when you want to be like all the other kids, but you can't because of your physical limitations? And what do you do when the other kids tease and bully you because you're different? Some kids let it define them in childhood and carry that burden their entire lives. Other children let it transform them and they become strong triumphant role models. You have to check out this incredible conversation with Paul Forchione who is a wonderful role model and coach for those who want...
How to Handle those Painful Triggers
March 02, 2021 10:00 - 19 minutes - 18 MBFinally, you are managing your grief and feeling pretty good and then all of a sudden something out of the blue triggers your pain. Sometimes it's so painful it almost feels like you are reliving the pain all over again. First of all, relax. This is perfectly normal. Second, there are things you can do about it. Lighter Life Coach Theresa Vermillion gives us the low down on triggers, what they are, how to handle them, how to process them and how to move through them. There are a LOT of too...
THRIVING after Divorce
February 23, 2021 10:00 - 29 minutes - 27.2 MBMarriages end because a spouse dies OR because someone decides to end it. Either way, there can be tremendous grief. But for those that are divorced, this loss might linger a bit longer. With death, it is final. With divorce, you might always still think there is a chance to get back together. That's why I am so excited to have this conversation with Anne Browning. She coaches people on how to journey through this process of Acceptance, Forgiveness and Vision with Tiers to Healing. It IS ...
Gratitude and Grief
February 16, 2021 15:20 - 8 minutes - 7.93 MBDuring the recent loss of my beloved sidekick and podcast co-host, my dog Ollie, I have been experiencing gut wrenching heartbreak and grief. A friend of mine told me to feel the love people were sending me and I told her I was incapable of feeling anything other than deep sadness. Then she just told me two words: You Will. And a few days later, I did and it flooded my heart like I could not believe. So how did it happen? I talk about it in this "Inspirationista Insight" episode. ****...
Grief Does NOT Last Forever-The Rebellious WIDOW
February 09, 2021 10:00 - 31 minutes - 29.2 MB"Grief does not last forever. It should not be allowed to." When I read those words in her soon to be released book "the rebellious WIDOW", I knew I had found a soul sister. Jill Johnson-Young KNOWS this to be true. Not just because she is a grief expert and counselor, but also because she is living proof. She has not only survived the death of two spouses, but she has lived a life that THRIVES and that is what she helps others do too. If you have lost your spouse, you will want to list...
Pay Attention to those "NUDGES"
February 02, 2021 10:00 - 5 minutes - 5.52 MBEver get one of those thoughts or "nudges" that you should call someone or reach out to them in some manner? I'm sure you have, as I get them all the time. In this "Inspirationista Insight" episode I talk about why you should never ignore the nudge. It is a signal for you to step out in love. ************************************* Are you ready to step out of your pain and step back in to LIVING your live on purpose, with passion and to make and impact? Then take this Quiz To begin your ...
Laughter IS the BEST medicine!
January 26, 2021 10:00 - 20 minutes - 19.4 MBWhen it comes to talking about laughter, there is no better go-to source than a comedian, right? Greg Kettner has spent a lot of time on stages making people laugh and he found it a most useful tool when it came to helping his step-daughter overcome the suicide of someone she loved. But it wasn't through telling jokes. It was a way to bond and grow relationship and connection. But there was this one time, when he saw humor heal broken hearts right before his eyes. It's an amazing story ...
Healing Breast Cancer/Healing Grief
January 19, 2021 10:00 - 24 minutes - 22.9 MBNot all grieving is associated with death. Katherine Knoploh knows this all to well, as her grieving began the moment she found out she had stage 3 breast cancer. Her grief began with her diagnosis, but was intensified because of her two special needs children. She has journeyed her way through it all and now helps other women do the same. Katherine has developed a tool that helped her transform her grief and fear, into living a joy filled life. Listen as she describes in detail how she...
How to Stop Your Negative Thought Patterns - Grief Toolbox
January 12, 2021 10:00 - 29 minutes - 27.4 MBWhen you are grieving there are many times your mind keeps thinking the same negative thoughts over and over and over again. And no matter what you try, they are still there. Can you stop these thoughts? Yes you can. How do you do it? Awe... so glad you asked. Because Empath coach Michelle Ogston not only tells us, she explains how to do. We also talk about setting boundaries and feelings of overwhelm. So you might want to take notes, because she has some pretty amazing tools for you ...
Permission to THRIVE
January 05, 2021 10:00 - 29 minutes - 27.2 MBPermission to Thrive. Have you given yourself the permission to not just survive your loss but to THRIVE after your loss? It's not necessarily easy to do, but it can be done. Susan Angel Miller, knows this as her truth following the sudden loss of her daughter Laura from a brain tumor, and experiencing her own brain tumor diagnosis and recovery. She says she has grown more in confidence and compassion by finding meaning from both, her daughters death and her own diagnosis, which she...