Looking Back 5 Years Later

Looking Back 5 Years Later

From Heart of the Story by Nadine Kenney Johnstone

April 12, 2026 · 20 min · Episode 243

About this episode

Nadine reflects on the loss of her father five years ago, sharing insights and a personal essay about grief and healing.

243 Five years ago, Nadine's father passed away at the age of 57. Nadine looks back on the spring of '21 and the years since, reflecting on all that has evolved. She explores important questions like: How to we go on in the wake of deep loss? How do we overcome the fear of our own mortality? In this deeply vulnerable episode, Nadine shares a personal essay that is an excerpt from her book, Come Home to Your Heart , and was featured in Good Grit Magazine. She also discusses the life event that prompted her to write the essay, and what she has learned in the years since that difficult period. Covered in this episode: The difficult spring of 2021 when she lost her father Why readers have resoundingly chose this essay as a favorite The words that changed her outlook on loss The behind-the scenes- process of writing this essay The wisdom she's gained since this traumatic time What it was like revisiting this material 5 yrs later and what gave her hope and healing Join Nadine, Molly Wizenberg, and Hallie Bateman in Spain from Oct 26-Nov 2 for Tiny True Stories and Sketches: A Micro-Memoir Retreat . Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just wanting to preserve impactful memories on the…

People in this episode

Host: Nadine Kenney Johnstone

Guests: Molly Wizenberg, Hallie Bateman

Topics covered

  • grief
  • loss
  • personal reflection
  • writing
  • healing
  • memoir

Keywords

  • grief
  • loss
  • writing
  • memoir
  • personal essay
  • healing
  • reflection

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Good Grit Magazine

Books & works: Come Home to Your Heart

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