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In this episode, J. Monique Walker shares her journey of navigating the loss of a relationship with her biological mother. Although her mother is still living, Monique was raised by her grandparents, a reality that shaped much of her life and personal growth. As the founder of Pure U Coaching (Personal Unraveling Radiant Essence), Monique discusses the power of personal choice and the importance of refusing to remain stuck in grief, rejection, and past wounds. She emphasizes that healing and growth require intentional effort, self-reflection, and a commitment to becoming the best version of yourself. Her story is a powerful reminder that while we cannot always choose our circumstances, we can choose how we respond to them.

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In this episode, Jason Stout shares his passion for helping people reconnect with the outdoors and discover the healing power of nature. Jason's own life has been marked by profound loss. At just four years old, he lost his five-year-old sister. Later, his grandmother was murdered, and at the age of fourteen, he lost his father to a sudden heart attack while he slept.

Drawing from both his personal experiences and professional work, Jason has spent years contracting with organizations such as TAPS and Outward Bound, helping individuals and families navigate grief, trauma, and resilience. Through his organization, Stoutreach, he guides people of all ages toward healing and growth through outdoor experiences.

In our conversation, Jason discusses the importance of unplugging from the constant noise of the digital age and embracing the restorative benefits of nature. He shares how time outdoors can provide space for reflection, connection, and healing, allowing the natural world to become a powerful companion on the journey through grief.

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In this episode, we welcome back returning guest Dr. Frank Campbell, who previously joined us on Episode #14. Dr. Campbell discusses how, in America, we often experience what he calls “microwave bereavement,” where society expects us to return to normal after only a few short days away from work following the loss of a loved one.

Frank also shares his powerful concept of “The Canyon of Why” and the difficult choices we face at the fork in the river of bereavement. Within this canyon, we encounter isolation, towering walls, swift rapids, and overwhelming uncertainty. He explains how important it is to have a guide—someone who has already navigated those dangerous waters and difficult decisions before us.

And when someone throws you a life preserver of empathy along the way, it is always wise to grab hold.

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In this episode, Joanne Harpel shares part of her journey following the loss of her brother, Stephen, to suicide in 1993. Joanne is the President of Coping After Suicide (CAS).

Throughout the episode, we discuss the importance of being not only reactive in grief, but also proactive. Joanne reflects on a quote from Admiral William McRaven’s book, sharing that grief, much like life, is “not one step at a time, but rather one evolution at a time.” We grow from the steps we have already taken, rather than starting over with each new one.

Another powerful concept explored in this conversation is that asking “Why?” in our grief journey does not always mean there will be an answer. Sometimes the question itself becomes part of the journey toward understanding, healing, and growth.

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In this episode, Glen Lord shares his personal grief journey following the loss of his son, Noah Thomas Emory Lord, on June 14, 1999, due to complications from a tonsillectomy. Glen also speaks about the heartbreaking loss of his sister to breast cancer in 2018 at the age of 39, as well as the ongoing challenges of having a son who has struggled with severe substance abuse for many years.

Glen is the co-founder, co-director, and CEO of Peer Support Community Partners, and also serves as a director at SADOD (sadod.org). Since 2005, he has dedicated himself to serving others as a peer grief helper. Throughout this conversation, Glen shares openly and authentically about how grief has shaped, changed, and refined him over the 27 years since Noah’s passing. He discusses how identity evolves through loss, and how our wants, needs, and desires can shift over time.

Join us for this meaningful conversation as we explore the importance of being proactive in your grief journey and the ongoing work of growth, healing, and self-discovery.

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In this episode, Don and Greg explore what it means to engage in self-reflection and attempt to define what progress truly looks like throughout one’s grief journey. They share how vulnerability and authenticity are absolutely essential in determining the path forward, fostering growth, and recognizing when it is necessary to ask for help.

Grief is not a linear path; it often zigzags in unexpected directions. At times, it may feel like two steps forward and one step back. However, when evaluating yourself in the mirror, do not simply focus on the person staring back at you today compared to yesterday. Instead, take a journey back in time to recognize how far you have already come, while also considering how much further you hope to grow and heal along the way.

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In this episode, Greg and Don discuss what it means to make choices throughout the grief journey. Some choices may lead toward healing and long-term growth, while others can prove unsustainable over time. While they avoid taking a one-size-fits-all approach to grief, they explore several foundational principles that can help guide healthier decisions along the way. They also discuss how choosing to pause, avoid, or remain stuck in grief is, in itself, a choice. Although life is filled with decisions, the grief journey often confronts us with some of the heaviest and most difficult choices we will ever face.

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In this episode, Robyn Houston-Bean shares the growth she has experienced throughout her grief journey following the loss of her son, Nick, who passed away from an overdose on May 23, 2015. Robyn is the founder of The Sun Will Rise in Massachusetts, an organization dedicated to creating and facilitating safe spaces for peer support groups for individuals experiencing various types of loss.

Robyn reflects on how, prior to Nick’s passing, she had never truly experienced grief. Encouraged by her sister, she took the first step off the couch and attended a peer support group—an experience that would become foundational in her healing. As she puts it, “I didn’t need fixing; I needed someone to listen.”

To learn more about Robyn and the impactful work she is doing, visit www.thesunwillrise.org
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