What if the pain you never asked for could still become a place where beauty, courage, and connection grow? In this heartfelt Season 3 conversation of Enduring Grief, Sarah Peterson, LCSW welcomes artist and author Mary Marquiss to discuss Behind the Painting: An Artist’s Memoir. Mary shares how painting and writing helped her live through miscarriages, divorce, family suicide, stroke, cancer, betrayal, and deep grief. Together, Sarah and Mary talk about letting go, trusting change, asking for help, and honoring both anger and gratitude without shame. This episode offers a kind reminder that grief has no set timeline, healing can look many ways, and even in the darkest seasons, we do not have to face loss alone.

Mary Marquiss has been an art teacher and artist for thirty years, and is the forthcoming author of ‘Behind the Painting – An Artist’s Memoir”. Through serious life challenges, including divorce, family suicide, and cancer, Marquiss discovered a relationship with her art in the form of a circular language. If you have ever faced what felt like insurmountable life challenges, her stories and paintings will inspire you. With a degree in psychology, and both an artist and writer, the most provocative element to her paintings is their personal content.

Learn more about Mary:

Web - https://marymarquiss.com/

IG - https://www.instagram.com/mary.marquiss/

FB - https://www.facebook.com/MaryMarquissArtist/

Grab a copy of her book: https://www.amazon.com/Behind-Painting-Artists-Mary-Marquiss-ebook/dp/B0GNSHVP86?ref_=ast_author_mpb

Episode highlights:

(1:03) Season 3 begins and Mary Marquiss is introduced

(3:17) Mary shares the heart behind Behind the Painting

(5:24) Living through loss, divorce, stroke, and cancer

(7:05) Change, letting go, and choosing your response

(8:40) Empathy, support, and being present with pain

(14:57) Art as a way to listen to the body and heal

(19:31) Betrayal, forgiveness, and the time it takes

(25:21) Choosing beauty while still honoring darkness

(33:42) Reaching out and remembering you are not alone

(35:00) Self-kindness, rest, and caring for your whole self

Connect with Sarah:

✅ Instagram: instagram.com/clearmourning

✅ Official Website: clearmourning.org

Follow us on Instagram: @ClearMourning

Stay inspired with daily reflections, quotes on healing, and behind-the-scenes content from the podcast.

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Leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform—it helps others discover these stories of healing. And if this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who might benefit. Word of mouth is the best way to spread healing and hope.

What happens when grief returns years later and knocks the breath out of you all over again? In this episode, Sarah Peterson, LCSW opens up about the deep waves of grief she faced nearly 10 years after losing her child and her dad within just a few months. With honesty and care, she shares why grief is not something we “finish,” but something we keep practicing as life changes. This season expands the conversation beyond death loss to include divorce grief, illness grief, mental health grief, and other painful life changes. Sarah also introduces the new video format, the mission of Clear Morning, and the heart behind this podcast: real stories, practical support, and a reminder that no one has to grieve alone.

Key Timestamps:

(0:32) Welcome to Enduring Grief and the mission of Clear Morning

(1:20) Season 3 introduction and what listeners can expect

(2:02) Expanding grief beyond death loss

(3:42) Exciting new video format on YouTube

(4:17) Sarah’s personal grief story

(5:13) Why grief is a practice

(6:36) Guests sharing healing practices and true stories

(6:52) Clear Morning’s mission and podcast purpose

(7:39) Looking for hope in later grief chapters

(8:30) Building community and feeling less alone

(9:45) Closing reminder: there is no right or wrong way to grieve

Connect with Sarah:

✅ Instagram: instagram.com/clearmourning

✅ Official Website: clearmourning.org

Follow us on Instagram: @ClearMourning

Stay inspired with daily reflections, quotes on healing, and behind-the-scenes content from the podcast.

Love What You Hear?

Leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform—it helps others discover these stories of healing. And if this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who might benefit. Word of mouth is the best way to spread healing and hope.

Join host Sarah Peterson, LCSW, for an honest, heartfelt Q&A as she wraps up Season 2 of Enduring Grief. In this episode, Sarah responds to listener questions about the unpredictable journey through loss—touching on what changes to expect from grief counseling, why people grieve differently, and the complex emotions like guilt around finding joy after loss. Expect thoughtful reflections on “the relationship you have with your grief,” practical support for honoring your unique process, and reassurance that there’s no one “right way” to grieve.

Whether you’re struggling with isolation, wondering if it’s okay to laugh again, or searching for coping strategies, this episode offers grounded guidance and encouragement. If you’re seeking grief support resources and real talk about healing after loss, tune in and see how Sarah helps create connection, hope, and understanding for anyone navigating bereavement.

Sarah Peterson is a licensed clinical social worker with over 13 years of experience in medical social work, hospice care and in private practice. As the founder of Clear Mourning, a nonprofit organization dedicated to shifting the culture of grief through innovation, support, and awareness, Sarah brings a deep understanding of grief and loss to her work. Her personal experiences, including the tragic loss of her two-year-old daughter and father, have profoundly shaped her mission to provide compassionate support to others navigating grief.

Sarah holds a Master of Social Work from Portland State University and has extensive experience in both private practice and nonprofit leadership. She also serves as an adjunct instructor at Portland State, runs her own private practice, and provides supervision for licensure candidates.

Connect with Sarah:

✅ Instagram:

instagram.com/clearmourning

✅ Official Website:

clearmourning.org

Follow us on Instagram: @ClearMourning

Stay inspired with daily reflections, quotes on healing, and behind-the-scenes content from the podcast.

Love What You Hear?

Leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform—it helps others discover these stories of healing. And if this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who might benefit. Word of mouth is the best way to spread healing and hope.