Together, the hosts and Heather explore:

* The power of intention-setting for widows, grievers, and anyone navigating life transitions.

* How to align your goals with an intentional word that inspires both action and emotion.

* Practical tips for letting go of what no longer serves you and welcoming renewal.

* The personal stories behind their own words for the year, including Heather’s poignant evolution from “Joyful” to “Survival” to “Peaceful.”

Whether you’re looking to heal, grow, or simply approach the year ahead with a bit more grace, this episode offers thoughtful tools and perspectives to guide your journey.

Resources Mentioned:

* Heather Markle’s website: MourningCoffeeCoaching.com

* Word of the Year Generator

* Worksheet for setting your word of the year: Grief & Grit's Substack

Let’s move forward together. Listen in and start 2025 with clarity, intention, and hope.

Links:

Visit GriefandGritPodcast.com for more episodes and follow us on social media for updates and resources.

Greer and Simonie open up about their personal experiences with anxiety after the loss of their spouses, including moments of emotional overload and the challenges of solo parenting. Together, they discuss how anxiety can impact sleep, decision-making and day-to-day functioning during grief.

Shann offers practical strategies for managing anxiety, such as EFT tapping, guided meditations, journaling and the importance of sticking to routines. Whether it’s finding relief through movement or using simple grounding techniques, this episode is packed with actionable tools to ease the burden of grief and anxiety.

If you’ve ever felt paralyzed by grief-related anxiety or wondered how to calm the racing thoughts, this conversation will remind you that you're not alone. Tune in to learn how to give yourself grace, support your healing journey, and find moments of calm amidst the chaos.

Join us as we navigate this difficult yet relatable topic and offer hope, tools, and a little bit of grit along the way.

Discover practical tips like setting boundaries, crafting an exit plan for events, and embracing the unexpected moments of joy that may arise. Whether it's lighting a candle, sharing stories, or simply allowing yourself space to grieve, this episode is a comforting reminder that you're not alone.

Tune in as Greer and Simonie discuss the importance of self-care, honoring your emotions, and finding peace in the midst of the season's chaos.

They explore how small acts, like keeping a gratitude journal or embracing moments of peace, can foster healing. With insights on resilience and finding joy amid sorrow, they offer practical ways to navigate the holiday season and discover moments of hope.

As we recognize National Children’s Grief Awareness Day, observed every year on the Thursday before Thanksgiving, we dive into the unique ways children process grief, common misconceptions, and how grief evolves as kids grow. Lane offers practical advice for families and discusses how to support grieving children, especially during the holiday season. We also highlight the critical work and programs Kate’s Club provides, creating a vital community for young people in need.

Join us for this meaningful conversation and learn how you can help ensure no child grieves alone.

Greer and Simonie lead a powerful discussion on the stigma of grieving imperfect relationships, the work of self-forgiveness, and the unexpected gifts of healing. Shann’s story offers hope and insight to anyone navigating the complexities of loss. 

Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. Join us and explore the grit behind grief.

The conversation touches on personal stories and explores the toll that masking grief can have on both emotional and physical health. The hosts reflect on the importance of removing these masks, facing emotions head-on, and creating a safe space to heal.

Whether you’re someone who wears your emotions openly or keeps them hidden, this episode encourages listeners to acknowledge and process grief in a way that feels authentic and healing.

Tune in to discover the different masks of grief, how they affect our healing journey, and ways to begin the difficult task of removing them, one layer at a time.

Sarah’s story is one of resilience, love, and surrender—learning to let go of the image of how life "should" be and embracing the miracles that come in unexpected ways. She opens up about the challenges of infertility, the emotional rollercoaster of surrogacy, and the bittersweet joy of adoption, offering hope and comfort to others navigating similar paths.

With vulnerability and grace, Sarah reminds us that while grief can feel isolating, community and shared experiences can lighten the burden. Tune in for an honest conversation on love, loss, and the beauty of surrendering to the journey.

Don’t miss this powerful episode as we aim to normalize these sensitive topics and support those in their grieving process.

Trigger warning: This episode is part of a series focusing on different experiences related to pregnancy and infant loss. This story touches on sensitive subjects related to miscarriage, pregnancy complications and loss.

Listeners will hear raw reflections on grief, hope and the unique pressures of navigating such intense loss. Carly shares how faith, connection and her family helped her through the most painful periods, offering guidance for others walking a similar path. This episode serves as a reminder that even in the darkest moments, we are not alone—and that resilience can emerge through shared stories and support.

Trigger warning: This episode is part of a series focusing on different experiences related to pregnancy and infant loss. This story touches on sensitive subjects related to miscarriage, pregnancy complications and loss.

The conversation explores the messy, complex nature of grief—living in “liminal space,” dealing with unexpected grief triggers, and the importance of finding and embracing your support village. Barbara’s story sheds light on the bittersweetness of milestones and how grief evolves over time, inspiring others to find strength in vulnerability.

Tune in for a heartfelt discussion dedicated to those experiencing pregnancy and infant loss in honor of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.

This episode is part of a series focusing on different experiences related to pregnancy and infant loss.

This episode is part of a series focusing on different experiences related to pregnancy and infant loss.

*This episode shares a story involving abortion. We know this can be a very triggering and polarizing topic and want to honor and respect this real life experience.

Greer and Simonie share personal stories about the challenges they faced, from losing the vision of a shared future to navigating the sudden burden of financial responsibilities. They also touch on how a profound loss can shift your identity as a parent or spouse, and shatter hopes for the future, adding new layers of grief. These secondary losses can feel overwhelming, whether it’s the loss of your emotional rock or your sense of self. 

The hosts offer guidance on recognizing and coping with these layered losses. They encourage listeners to lean on support systems, rebuild dreams, and focus on emotional well-being. Whether you’ve lost a spouse, a child, a friend, or even a job, this conversation reminds us that secondary losses deserve recognition and healing.  

Greer shares how fall, once filled with excitement over football and family traditions, now feels different without Jarrod. Simonie discusses how winter, once a season of joy, became marked by the memory of Mark’s cancer diagnosis and passing. Through their personal experiences, they offer advice for others facing the changing seasons while grieving.

Topics covered include: 

• Creating new traditions to replace painful memories


• Practicing self-care during emotionally heavy seasons


• Embracing small joys and moments of comfort


• Finding ways to grow and heal through grief

This heartfelt conversation reminds listeners that grief, like the seasons, evolves. With time, new traditions and moments of joy can emerge, helping us move forward even while we continue to honor our loved ones.

🎧 Listen in for an honest discussion on finding balance, resilience, and healing through each season of grief.  

Visit us at @griefandgritpodcast and www.GriefandGritPodcast.com.

Greer and Simonie offer tips for those at the beginning of their grief journey, emphasizing the importance of self-care, creating new traditions, and allowing oneself to feel and express emotions. Their conversation underscores that there are no rules for grieving—everyone’s journey is unique, and it’s okay to navigate it in your way.

Join us for an honest and supportive discussion about surviving the first year of loss and the ongoing milestones that shape the journey.

Join us for a candid discussion that blends empathy, humor, and practical advice, helping you navigate the pros and cons of social media while grieving.  

She opens up about her experiences with adversity, including losing her first pregnancy, the joy of welcoming two healthy children, and the tragic day her husband, Jarrod, passed away suddenly, leaving her a widow with two young kids at the age of 38.

Greer discusses navigating widowhood, raising young kids, and the importance of community. She reflects on normalizing conversations about grief to help others find strength in their journeys.

Listen in for heartfelt insights, personal reflections, and a message of hope as we get to know Greer Mendel and her incredible story of overcoming life's toughest challenges with grace and grit. 

Simonie's journey began in high school when she met her soulmate. Their friendship blossomed into love, and they married, starting a family. Amid political unrest in their home country, they moved to the USA and expanded their family further.

Tragically, her husband was diagnosed with leukemia and passed away, leaving Simonie a widow with young children. Faced with immense grief, she had to navigate life without her partner while supporting her kids.

Simonie's journey through grief has been marked by resilience and strength. She learned to embrace each day, focusing on being present for her children and finding joy in the little moments. Her experience taught her the importance of living in the moment and appreciating life's simple joys.

Simonie co-founded this podcast with Greer to create a supportive community for those experiencing grief and loss. Join us for heartfelt advice, support, and a touch of sass and humor as we navigate this reality together.