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The journey through grief often begins long before we realize it. For Cindy Bain, it started at age five when she witnessed her father's fatal heart attack and secretly believed she caused his death by failing to open a bottle of ginger ale he requested during his distress.

This powerful episode reveals how childhood grief can shape our lives for decades when left unaddressed. Cindy takes us through her evolution from a grief-stricken child to becoming a registered nurse working in intensive care units, and finally discovering her calling as a Reiki Master with over 23 years of experience in energy healing. She explains how Reiki—which means "spiritually guided life force energy"—works to release emotional blockages, reduce stress, and promote healing on physical, emotional, and spiritual levels.

Unlike conventional treatments, Reiki isn't something "done to you" but requires openness and willingness to change. She describes how energy healing can address what she calls "ancestral baggage"—inherited beliefs and limiting patterns that operate at the subconscious level, affecting how we move through grief and other life challenges.

Whether you're struggling with recent loss or carrying unresolved grief from years past, this episode offers both comfort and practical pathways toward healing. Cindy even provides a free gift for listeners—access to a one-hour course on healing ancestral baggage that includes a guided Reiki experience you can try at home. Ready to explore how energy healing might support your grief journey? This conversation opens the door to possibilities you may never have considered.

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Credits:
Music by Kevin MacLeod

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Copyright 2020, by As I Live and Grieve

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Death isn't the end—it's a transformation. What if our consciousness is like a glass of ocean water that, when poured back into the sea, becomes one with its source again? This profound conversation with Michael Hirshorne, author of "Taking a Chance on Life," challenges our understanding of what happens when we die and how we might maintain connections with loved ones who have passed on.

Michael shares his remarkable journey from a 30-year career as an analytical accountant to becoming a spiritual explorer seeking answers about life, death, and what lies beyond. Drawing on Einstein's principle that energy can neither be created nor destroyed, only transformed, he presents a compelling case for consciousness continuing after physical death.

The discussion bridges the gap between science and spirituality, suggesting that quantum physics might help explain metaphysical phenomena. For those who struggle with skepticism yet long for connection with departed loved ones, this episode provides both comfort and practical guidance. Michael recommends several resources, including Anita Moorjani's "Dying to Be Me" and his own book, which explores these concepts further.

Whether you're seeking ways to communicate with someone you've lost or simply curious about what might await us all beyond this life, this conversation will leave you with new perspectives to consider. As Kathy notes, sometimes the most profound connections happen when we stop analyzing and simply remain open to receiving them.

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To Reach Michael:
Website: https://heaveniswithin.com/

Credits:
Music by Kevin MacLeod

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Copyright 2020, by As I Live and Grieve

The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.

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At just 17, Susan Snow's world shattered when her father, an LAPD detective, was assassinated in front of her brother's elementary school. That night changed everything and launched Susan into 14 years of undiagnosed PTSD, creating a life where she merely existed rather than lived.

Susan takes us through her harrowing journey with raw honesty – from the initial trauma to the years spent hiding behind an emotional mask of "strength" while battling insomnia, depression, and panic attacks. The story takes a powerful turn when, years later, the Columbine shooting triggers a response that finally leads her to proper help. "In that moment, I had hope," Susan reveals about her eventual PTSD diagnosis. "I knew I wasn't crazy. I knew I could heal."

This episode delves deep into the crucial intersection between grief and trauma, especially when violence is involved. Susan, now an author and trauma resiliency coach, shares the practical tools that helped her heal and the transformative realization that while trauma doesn't disappear, it becomes manageable with the right support. Her insights on finding trauma-competent therapists and recognizing when you're in fight-or-flight mode offer invaluable guidance for anyone struggling with grief complicated by trauma.

As she powerfully states, "When you get to the other side and your pain no longer hangs over you like a cloud, the feeling is priceless." Connect with Susan at susansnowspeaks.com where she offers coaching and her book "The Other Side of the Gun: My Journey from Trauma to Resiliency."

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Credits:
Music by Kevin MacLeod

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The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.

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Imagine a place where your grief doesn't need to be hidden, where joy and sorrow can peacefully coexist, and where everyone around you truly understands the weight you carry. That's the revolutionary concept behind The Grief Cruise, created by Linda Findlay after her own devastating loss of a newborn daughter more than three decades ago.

Linda shares her remarkable journey from bereaved mother to grief advocate, describing how the absence of support following her daughter's death inspired her to create aftercare programs for funeral homes across North America. "My daughter's legacy is my life's work," she explains, detailing how a two-hour life sparked a mission spanning four decades and helping countless grievers.

The Grief Cruise emerged from Linda's understanding that grievers often feel guilty about experiencing joy after loss. By creating a dedicated community of fellow mourners who gather on a beautiful ship with ocean views and tropical destinations, participants discover something transformative: permission to feel both their grief and moments of happiness simultaneously.

What makes this retreat uniquely powerful is its thoughtful balance. Workshops provide practical tools for navigating grief, while port excursions and shipboard activities offer natural opportunities for relaxation and connection. The carefully crafted opening ceremony links each participant with their lost loved one, carrying that presence throughout the journey. As one attendee discovered, the experience isn't about escaping grief but learning to navigate it with new perspectives and companions who truly understand.

Perhaps most remarkable is what happens after the cruise ends. The bonds formed during these retreats often last long past disembarkation, with many participants staying connected through Linda's free monthly virtual support group and returning for future cruises. "I know the cruise works because it was so hard to say goodbye to everybody," reflects podcast host Kathy, who experienced the most recent sailing both as a presenter and attendee.

Whether you're newly grieving or years into your journey, consider what might happen when you allow yourself to experience both the waves of grief and moments of joy, surrounded by others walking the same path. The next Grief Cruise sets sail February 2026 with a special 10th anniversary pre-cruise retreat—an opportunity to discover that healing isn't about leaving grief behind but learning to carry it more gently.

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To Reach Linda:

Website: https://www.mourningdiscoveries.com/the-grief-cruises

Credits:
Music by Kevin MacLeod

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Copyright 2020, by As I Live and Grieve

The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.

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What happens when everything in your life changes at once? For Angela Clement, retirement plans with her husband transformed into a cancer diagnosis, and then widowhood. Rather than remain stuck in her grief, Angela followed a calling toward energy healing that had fascinated her since witnessing a healer help her son years earlier.

The conversation reveals practical energy techniques, like "the triple warmer smoothie" that anyone can use during acute grief episodes. She explains how various modalities—Reiki, shamanic practices, sound healing, cranial sacral therapy—provide different pathways to release emotional blockages that grief creates.

Most powerfully, Angela reframes how we understand grief itself. Rather than seeing it as something to overcome, she views grief as "a God-given process that helps us through when we need to let go." This perspective recognizes grief as a natural companion to all of life's transitions. The emotions we typically resist during grief—anger, jealousy, guilt—become catalysts for healing when we learn to lean into rather than avoid them.

The discussion offers hope that grief work isn't just about surviving loss but potentially transforming through it. Angela describes how grief "bursts" that seem like setbacks might actually be communications from loved ones or opportunities for deeper healing.

Angela welcomes grievers to join her free support group , and shares information about her book "Awakening Through Grief." Her gentle approach demonstrates that while we can't eliminate grief, we can develop a healthier relationship with it through energy practices that honor our whole being—body, mind, and spirit.

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Credits:
Music by Kevin MacLeod

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When the person who helps others through grief suddenly faces devastating loss themselves, what happens? Steve Moore, a licensed clinical professional counselor with 22 years of experience, joins us to share his powerful journey through grief after losing his wife MaryAnn in August 2024.

Steve brings a uniquely qualified perspective to grief counseling. He found himself navigating anticipatory grief when his wife developed a rare genetic condition, leading him to step away from his practice temporarily to become her full-time caregiver.

"The first rule of thumb for me as a counselor is take care of me first," Steve explains. This seemingly counterintuitive approach mirrors the airplane oxygen mask analogy - secure your own before helping others. Through seeking counseling himself and attending grief groups, Steve demonstrates how mental health professionals must practice the self-care they preach.

What makes this conversation particularly illuminating is Steve's willingness to discuss vulnerability in the therapeutic relationship. Rather than diminishing his effectiveness, he believes that appropriately sharing his grief journey with clients creates deeper empathetic connections and therapeutic bonds. His metaphor comparing finding the right therapist to trying on clothes ("you'll know when you feel like you've made a connection") offers practical wisdom for anyone seeking support.

Steve closes with a beautiful anonymous poem that captures the transformation of grief: "You never truly move on. You move with it." This episode reminds us that grief professionals aren't immune to loss - their human experiences often deepen their capacity to guide others through similar journeys.

Contact:
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To Reach Steve:
Email: serenity_counseling_services@outlook.com

Credits:
Music by Kevin MacLeod

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The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.

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Kathy welcomes Erin Whalen, founder of Compassionate Coaching, for a fascinating exploration of how innovative approaches to storytelling and communication can transform the caregiving experience. Drawing from her background in professional acting, Erin reveals how Playback Theater—a unique art form where actors immediately perform the personal stories shared by audience members—creates powerful moments of catharsis and perspective for those navigating grief.

"We play back not just for the sake of playing it back. It's really a way to get to the heart of the story," Erin explains, describing how this approach helps people process complex emotions by witnessing their experiences from new angles. The conversation delves into how these performances can become touchstones in a griever's journey, with moments that resonate years later.

Beyond theatrical approaches, the episode offers practical wisdom for anyone supporting those facing end-of-life situations. Erin shares insights from her work training healthcare professionals in communication skills, emphasizing the transformative power of silence when delivering difficult news. "I am the biggest fan in the world of exceedingly long pauses," she reveals, challenging listeners to resist the urge to fill uncomfortable silences and instead create space for authentic processing.

The conversation touches on anticipatory grief—the grief experienced before a death occurs—and how caregivers often struggle with these complex emotions while still providing care. Erin's forthcoming book on this topic promises to shed light on an under-discussed aspect of the caregiving journey. Whether you're a professional caregiver, supporting a loved one through illness, or simply want to better understand how to show up for those who grieve, this episode offers both practical communication strategies and innovative approaches to processing the complex emotions that accompany loss.

Contact:
www.asiliveandgrieve.com
info@asiliveandgrieve.com
Facebook: As I Live and Grieve
Instagram: @asiliveandgrieve
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To Contact Erin:
Website: Compassionate Coaching
Instagram: Erin Whalen (@erin_compassionatecoaching)
LinkedIn: LinkedIn

Credits:
Music by Kevin MacLeod

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Copyright 2020, by As I Live and Grieve

The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.

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Rebecca Schaper's journey through grief has led her to become a powerful storyteller, filmmaker, and author who transforms pain into purpose. Growing up with alcoholic parents and a brother struggling with schizophrenia, Rebecca's early life was marked by trauma that many would find impossible to overcome. Yet she describes these experiences as blessings that shaped her ability to help others navigate their own grief journeys.

When Rebecca's brother disappeared for twenty years, she never lost faith he was alive. Their eventual reunion sparked what she calls a "soul calling" to create the documentary "A Sister's Call," despite having no filmmaking experience. This leap of faith began a fourteen-year project that would become the backbone of her healing and the foundation for her books, including "The Light in His Soul: Lessons from my Brother's Schizophrenia."

Rebecca's most recent work, "Roses to Rainbows: My Dog Gus in the Afterlife," explores her devastating grief after losing her beloved dog unexpectedly at age six. With disarming honesty, she admits this loss affected her more profoundly than her parents' deaths by suicide. The book details her experiences communicating with Gus through a pet communicator, offering hope to those grieving animal companions.

Perhaps most powerful is Rebecca's message about legacy through storytelling. We all have stories within us—memories of love, loss, and transformation that deserve to be preserved. Whether through journaling, dictation, or other creative expressions, these stories become gifts for future generations seeking to understand who we were and how we loved.

Have you considered writing down your grief journey? Your story might become someone else's lifeline in their darkest moments. As Rebecca demonstrates, you don't need to be a professional writer—you just need to be willing to share your truth.

Contact:
www.asiliveandgrieve.com
info@asiliveandgrieve.com
Facebook: As I Live and Grieve
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To Reach Rebecca:
Email: author@rebeccaschaper.com
Website: www.rebeccaschaper.com

Credits:
Music by Kevin MacLeod

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Copyright 2020, by As I Live and Grieve

The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.