Enjoy the time you have the opportunity to be with friends.

Let's Connect:

• You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking here
• You can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.
• You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:
• You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking here
• Request your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide here

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Through loss, heartbreak, and unexpected signs, this mother’s journey reveals the power of hope in the most unexpected places.

In today's episode, I'm joined by Bernadette Payne, a writer, speaker, and advocate for grief support, who has transformed personal tragedy into a mission of healing. A psychology graduate and devoted mother, Bernadette has experienced profound loss—the deaths of her brother, mother, several close friends, and most heartbreakingly, her 17-year-old son. Her journey through grief led her to explore spirituality and near-death experiences, offering her comfort and a deeper understanding of the afterlife. Through writing and speaking, she now helps others navigate loss, emphasizing the power of love, connection, and personal growth.

Throughout this episode, Bernadette shares how each loss shaped her path, from the death of her brother at 18, which first sparked her interest in near-death experiences, to the devastating loss of her teenage son, which brought unimaginable grief. Yet, in the depths of sorrow, she found solace—through dreams in which her son appeared, offering strength, and through writing, which became a crucial outlet for healing. Now, as she works on a book and a podcast, Bernadette is committed to guiding others through loss with wisdom, compassion, and the belief that while grief is painful, healing is possible through faith, connection, and personal growth.

Tune in to episode 318 of Grief and Happiness as Bernadette Payne shares how exploring spirituality, embracing writing, and finding strength through connection can help navigate profound loss, foster healing, and discover hope in the midst of grief.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Bernadette’s first encounter with loss (0:57)
• Seeking answers through near-death experiences (4:01)
• Different grief journeys – losing friends, a parent, and a child (8:28)
• A life-changing dream – a message from her son (16:00)
• Writing as a healing tool (17:12)
• Embracing spirituality and finding peace (18:37)
• Final reflections and message of hope (22:03)

Let's Connect:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• Pinterest
• The Grief and Happiness Alliance
• Book: Emily Thiroux Threatt - Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I see how much richer my life is as I remember the stories of my past with my loved ones, while I live now happily in the moment.

Let's Connect:

• You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking here
• You can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.
• You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:
• You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking here
• Request your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide here

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You’re already dealing with the emotional weight of loss—but what happens when legal battles, financial surprises, and unexpected triggers make it even harder to move forward?

In today's episode, I'm joined by Ellen Craine, a licensed clinical social worker, grief specialist, and the founder of Craine Counseling. With decades of experience, she helps individuals navigate grief, loss, and major life transitions through a holistic and compassionate approach. Ellen combines professional expertise with personal experience, having faced the loss of her husband, supported her son through pediatric cancer, and battled breast cancer herself. She is passionate about challenging societal misconceptions about grief and guiding people through their unique journeys of healing. Ellen also leads grief support groups, including her Compassionate Grief Circles, creating safe spaces for individuals to share and grow.

Throughout this episode, Ellen Craine provides a deep and personal perspective on grief, drawing from both her professional expertise and personal experiences. She introduces the concept of being a "grief doula," helping individuals navigate loss beyond just bereavement. Ellen discusses societal misconceptions about grief and the pressure to “move on” quickly, stressing that grief is an evolving, lifelong process. She shares stories about losing her husband, supporting her son through cancer, and dealing with her own breast cancer diagnosis, highlighting the emotional and logistical struggles that come with these experiences. Ellen also speaks about the importance of planning for the unexpected, such as estate documents and medical directives, and the healing power of community support. She encourages finding personal tools—such as nature, creative outlets, and connection—to balance grief with moments of joy.

Tune in to episode 316 as Ellen Craine shares how embracing both the emotional and practical aspects of grief—through self-discovery, community support, and preparedness—can help navigate loss, build resilience, and find moments of joy along the way.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

What is a grief doula? (0:54)

Why does society struggle with grief? (3:18)

The often overlooked practical aspects of grief (5:08)

Personal story: Losing a husband and navigating legal complexities (10:30)

Grief’s lingering triggers—from mails to memories (11:46)

Lessons from hospice work: When the dying hold on (14:18)

Grief beyond death: Illness, parenting, and self-care (20:18)

Finding support and tools for healing (24:43)

Connect with Ellen Craine:

Website

Facebook

LinkedIn

Get Ellen’s books!

Let's Connect:

Website

LinkedIn

Facebook

Instagram

The Grief and Happiness Alliance

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How the birds in my life taught me about responsibility and freedom.

Let's Connect:

• You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking here
• You can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.
• You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:
• You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking here
• Request your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide here

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mysterious messages, unexplainable coincidences—are they really just chance, or is someone trying to get your attention?

In today's episode, I'm joined by Elizabeth Milner, a storyteller and spiritual seeker who has found healing and peace through signs from the afterlife. After experiencing the loss of several loved ones—including her mother, father, close friend, and beloved dog—she became deeply passionate about understanding spiritual communication. Over time, she has recognized messages in dreams, symbols in nature, and unexpected encounters that have reinforced her belief in the continuation of love beyond death. Now, she shares her journey to help others navigate grief, offering comfort and reassurance through her personal experiences.

Throughout this episode, Elizabeth recounts the profound moments that shaped her spiritual understanding. She describes vivid dreams that felt like real visits, encounters with meaningful symbols in nature, and the unexpected messages that have brought her peace. Reflecting on her own grief, she explains how these experiences strengthened her belief in an afterlife and provided a source of healing. Through her stories, she encourages listeners to trust their own experiences and remain open to signs from those who have passed. Her insights offer a sense of hope and connection to anyone struggling with loss.

Tune in to episode 314 of Grief and Happiness as Elizabeth Milner shares how signs from the afterlife—through dreams, nature, and unexpected messages—helped her navigate grief, deepen her spiritual beliefs, and find healing.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Elizabeth’s first experience with signs after her mother’s passing (1:53)
• The unexpected text message that changed everything (4:10)
• Mysterious wildflowers and hidden initials (5:35)
• Saving a birthday card—a mother’s final gesture (7:22)
• A message from her beloved dog, Marco (11:21)
• The flickering lights and a friend’s promise to communicate (14:44)
• A life-changing dream: Reuniting with her father (19:53)
• Final thoughts and staying open to signs (22:11)

Connect with Elizabeth Milner:

• Website
• LinkedIn

Let's Connect:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• Pinterest
• The Grief and Happiness Alliance
• Book: Emily Thiroux Threatt - Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We all have stories about our lives. Writing your stories will help keep your memories alive.

Let's Connect:

• You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking here
• You can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.
• You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:
• You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking here
• Request your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide here

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We often see grief as tied to death, but what about the losses without funerals—like family who walks away or memories that shift over time? Discover how storytelling helps process even the hardest losses and why some wounds are just as important to heal.

In today's episode, I'm joined by Louise Ells, a Canadian writer, academic, and creative writing instructor with a PhD in Creative Writing. As a lifelong storyteller, she has been writing seriously for over two decades. Her short story collection, Notes Towards Recovery, and her novel, Lies I Told My Sister, both explore themes of loss, resilience, and the spaces grief leaves in families. Drawing from her own experiences with loss, Louise crafts emotionally rich narratives that blend sorrow with moments of light.

Throughout this episode, Louise shares how her personal experiences—such as the sudden death of her sister, her father's fatal car accident, and her estrangement from another sister—shaped her writing. She explains that Lies I Told My Sister delves into the complexity of grief, highlighting both the pain and the moments of light that emerge from it. Louise also discusses the role of reading and writing in understanding human emotions, reflecting on her career as a teacher and how fiction can help readers process their own losses. Finally, she reveals how the non-linear structure of her novel mirrors the way people navigate grief, with memory playing a central role in her storytelling.

Tune in to episode 312 as Louise Ells shares how personal loss shaped her novel Lies I Told My Sister, the impact of memory on storytelling, and how fiction helps us navigate grief and find moments of joy.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Exploring loss through literature (1:09)

Balancing grief and hope in writing (3:30)

The power of storytelling and fiction in processing grief (7:13)

The fragmented nature of memory an nonlinear storytelling (14:13)

Fiction vs. truth in writing (17:17)

The universal nature of loss (20:51)

The role of writing in healing and self-discovery (24:10)

Final thoughts and book recommendation (25:15)

Connect with Louise Ells:

Website

Instagram

Book: Louise Ells - Lies I Told My Sister

Book: Louise Ells - Notes Towards Recovery

Let's Connect:

Website

LinkedIn

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Pinterest

The Grief and Happiness Alliance

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.