Where's The Grief?

In this episode, I talk with Erica Hill, owner of the Sparrow Funeral Home in Brooklyn. As the creator of a safe space for people to grieve and mourn in, Erica was struck by how open and forthcoming Knicks players like Karl Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby were about thier own familial losses. Seeing all the conversations and and talk about grief surrounding the Knicks Playoff run this past season, Erica wanted to spread some of the same magic that gripped the city en route to thier first championship in over 50 years, organizing a watch party AT the Funeral Home for Game 4 of the NBA Finals. (This was the game with the Knicks historic 29 point comeback) What she thought might only be a handful of friends and supporters ended up being over 100 people who came out to watch the game, as well as media outlets who ensured this event went viral! This was a fun conversation about the power of connection and what can be accomplished when we embrace the moments where joy and greif intersect. I got to talk a lot about Russell in this one too, as he was THE Knicks fan. I have often talked about how much my brother Russell was a fixture in MSG during the 90's, and during this championship run I felt him with me so much more than I have in previous years. Truly, the number of people who reached out to me in the wake of this win reminded me that the biggest comeback of the season was Russell for me. Incidentally, we recorded this episode on the 5 year anniversary of the death of Erica's father, who was almost the funeral home's first client! Make sure you follow Erica @SparrowFunerals Go to the Sparrow Website to find out more! https://sparrowny.com

In this episode I got to talk with author and death doula Jule Wright Halbert. Formerly a lawyer and national education attorney, after the death of her husband Jim she found that she needed to shift her focus and began a new chapter with a different meaning and purpose. We talk about her book, "Divine Ashes Descending," a memoir about her own experiences as a newly bereaved widow and her journey of discovering an alternative career. As an advocate for end-of-life care and hospice models, she speaks openly about the different ways we all deal with the pressure of how to say goodbye. Find out more about Julie and her work at https://risingphoenix.life/ Follow her on IG @Transformational_soul_coaching

In this episode I talk with comedian Brian Rabadeau life before and after the death of his father, Joe. After several bouts with serious health issues, Brian's father started the pandemic fighting against the isolation and struggling with all the mandates, which ultimately led to him dying of Covid in 2022. Since then Brian has worked on finding ways to move forward and let go of his anger towards his father, and at society at large, reminding himself that optimism and hope are still possible despite what llife throws at us. Follow Brian on IG @Brabs91 If you're in the New Orleans area when this episode drops, Brian will be performing in the Hell Yes Festival, November 12th, 13th and 14th! (GET TICKETS AND MORE INFO HERE!)

Hooray! In this very special episode, I got to talk with Chef Dan Budd, owner of Taste Budd's Cafe, and former teacher at the Culinary Institute of America. As many listeners of the podcast know, my brother Russell was about to graduate from the CIA when he passed away in 2002. Dan Budd was more than one of Russell's professors, he was a mentor to him, and an early employer to take Russell under his wing. No stranger to grief himself already, Dan's sister Laura died two years prior to Russell, oddly enough on the exact same day, July 6th. Laura's death to a rare brain tumor changed the way that Dan thought about his ability to harness his own energy in support of creating good in the world. We talk about how family dynamics can change after the loss of a sibling, and the profound bonds we create when talking with others who have been through something similar. We also talk about the importance of gratitude, and the danger of bees! Check out Taste Budd's in Red Hook, NY! Taste Budd's 40 West Market Street Red Hook, NY 12571 Follow Taste Budd's on Instagram!

In this episode, I talk with Tawnya Musser about her role and experiences in the world of Home Funerals. Already in school to become a funeral director when her brother Robert died, Tawnya found conventional funeral and death rituals to be lacking when it came to the way that her family wanted to celebrate Robert's life and give family and friends an opportunity to grieve together in a safe and familiar environment. Since then she has worked to help people find the resources and avenues to hold their own home funerals, and connect them to individual more personalized memorials. You can find out more about Tawnya and her work at https://deardepartures.com Also, https://www.homefuneralalliance.org/home-funeral-guidebook.html provides step by step ideas on how to plan a home funeral.

In this episode, I talk with Author Joseph Alvaro about his book, "I'm One Of The Lucky Ones: Remembering A Soulmate." After Joseph's wife Francés died in 2009, followed by a brother in law, an uncle, his daughter and his father, as well as a handful of friends. "It seemed like all I did was go to funerals for 14 months." In the wake of such traumatic events, Joseph began finding ways to talk about his lost loved ones by focusing on the precious memories and celebrating thier lives rather than dwell on the immense sadness that ultimatly comes with grief. In addition to his book, Joseph is the creator and producer of The Lucky Ones, a community of shared stories by individuals about people they were lucky to have known who have passed away. Celebrating the lives of loved ones in a short video exposé, these life affirming stories reinforce our common humanity in wonderfully charming videos filled with love, humor, and memories. Follow Joseph at https://luckyonestv.com for all the links to the videos. Get the Book on Amazon!

In this episode I talk with Author and fellow grief podcaster, Brooke Carlock! After a two year span in which she lost both her parents, her stepmother AND her 10 year old daugher Libby, Brooke has found a miriad of ways to process her grief, as well as help others through thier own. Her podcast, "Mourning Coffee" is an open and honest discussion about the ups and downs of grief and loss that is unfiltered and refreshing in its approach. It reminds me just how helpful it is to validate our own feelings as normal despite how unfamiliar and scary they can be. Brooke's new book, "Grief Sucks (But Your Life Doesn't Have To)" also pulls no punches as it highlights the ways we can laugh at the darkest parts of our lives. Follow Brooke online at https://brookecarlock.org/

In this episode, I talk with Author Deborah Kasdan about her book, "Roll Back The World - a sister's memoir." After being diagnosed with schizophrenia as a young adult, Deborah's sister Rachel lived most of her life in and out of hospitals and institutions. Now 20 years since her death, Deborah felt the need to tell Rachel's story, to honer her memory and her life, and to help erase the stigma and fear we have of mental illness. We talk about the importance of community, as well as hightlight the fact that even though we've come pretty far from what mental health resembled in the 70's and 80's, we still have far to go. Go to http://deborahkasdan.com to find out more, and to get the book! Follow Deborah on IG @DebKasdan