Bereaved But Still Me
Health, Fitness & Longevity
About
"Bereaved But Still Me" is a podcast for the bereaved community that was formerly known as "Heart to Heart with Michael." As we entered Season 5, we decided to rebrand our podcast to make it easier for the bereaved community to find us. "Bereaved But Still Me" is a product of the Hearts Unite the Globe Network of Podcasts. Our Host is Michael Liben, our Producer is Nancy Taylor Jensen, and our Executive Producer is Anna Jaworski. Our monthly program has been designed to empower, educate, and support the bereaved community. New episodes are broadcast every 1st Thursday of the month. For more information about the "Bereaved But Still Me," please check out our website: www.heartsunitetheglobe.org and look at the "Bereaved But Still Me" tab. To support the podcast, use this link: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bereaved-but-still-me--2108929/support
Episodes
- Grief Through Two Lenses: Therapist and Survivor
This episode features Jesse Rafeh, a therapist and survivor of multiple losses, who discusses common misconceptions about grief. The conversation covers the non-linear nature of grief, the importance of empathy, and practical tools like gr…
- When A Dream Shuts Down: Grieving A Business Closure After COVID-19
Christina Vitovich discusses the grief of losing her dance studio due to COVID-19, describing it as losing family. She shares her process of creating rituals, releasing blame, and finding a new voice and community after the closure.
- A Near-Death Encounter, A Father’s Legacy
Judy Tashbook Safern recounts her near-death experience, during which she encountered a divine presence and received a message of necessity. Upon returning, she learned of her father's passing, prompting reflections on fate, faith, and leg…
- The Intimacy of Death
Anesthetist Frank Jaworski shares insights on end-of-life care, including protecting dignity in the operating room and supporting families in the ICU. The conversation covers the practice of anesthesia, the emotional and moral complexities…
- How We Teach Children To Face Grief And Move Forward
Author Ta'Shay Mason explains how children process grief and offers adults strategies to support them. The discussion covers ways to help children express feelings, unique memorial ideas like reef balls, and navigating common grief reactio…
- Hope All The Way with Theo Boyd
Theo Boyd joins Bereaved But Still Me to discuss integrated grief, emphasizing that there is no single path to navigating loss. The conversation explores her national study on grief in America, highlighting the desire for better coping mec…
- The Acceptance Ladder: Climbing From Curse To Gift with Stephen Nawotniak
Stephen Nawotniak joins Bereaved But Still Me to discuss navigating depression and bipolar disorder. He shares insights on challenging the "two lies of depression," reframing negative self-talk, and the Acceptance Ladder concept, which hel…
- Belonging and Healing: An Adoptee’s Mental Health Story
This episode features Ayrton Beatty discussing their adoption experience, focusing on identity, attachment, and mental health challenges common among adoptees, such as borderline personality disorder and PTSD. The conversation also touches…
- Beyond the Myths: Understanding Hospice Care
This episode clarifies misconceptions about hospice care, featuring Rosa Hernandez, a healthcare veteran. Hospice is presented not as an end, but as a way to continue life with dignity and support, addressing physical, emotional, and spiri…
- Falling Forward: Andy Campbell's Conversation about Cancer, Loss, and Resilience
Andy Campbell discusses his experiences with cancer, the loss of his mother and son, and childhood trauma. He shares his philosophy on resilience, which involves developing core beliefs as a 'default network' to navigate crises and transfo…
- Tigers on Hilltops: Facing Fear When Cancer Changes Everything
Tony Stewart discusses his journey after his wife's cancer diagnosis, detailing the challenges of caregiving, his complex emotions surrounding grief and new love, and his discovery of joy even during hospice. He emphasizes the personal nat…
- Grieving Someone Who's Still There: Lessons from Pick's Disease
Ronda Adamo recounts her family's journey after her mother's Pick's disease diagnosis, detailing the challenges of anticipatory grief, caregiving, and fulfilling a final dream. The episode emphasizes lessons learned in grieving a loved one…
- When Loss Becomes a Gift: Finding Meaning in Grief
This episode explores grief, reframing it as a gift that signifies deep love. Counselor Fonda Miller discusses childhood trauma as a hidden grief and offers insights into supporting those with unprocessed trauma.
- Carrying Grief Forward Doesn't Mean Leaving Love Behind
Journalist Dina Gachman shares her experiences with grief following the deaths of her mother and sister. She discusses hospice care, ambiguous loss, and reframes grief not as something to overcome, but to integrate, allowing for both sorro…
- BBSM Navigating Trauma and Resilience: Strategies for Hope in Uncertain Times with Hanny Sidis and Toni Alexander
Hanny Sidis shares her mind-body therapy for processing emotions through movement during conflict, while Toni Alexander offers insights on respectful dialogue. They explore coping strategies for trauma and stress in uncertain times, highli…
- A Mother's Grief Story: Fiona Kanter on Losing a Daughter to Murder
Fiona Kanter discusses the loss of her daughter Lee Gabriella, her advocacy work in trauma and bereavement, and the healing power of humor and community support following personal tragedy.
- From Heartache to Healing: Izumi Favia's Transformation Through Grief
After losing her young daughter to cancer, Izumi Favia shares her journey of grief and healing, transforming her pain into a source of support for other bereaved parents by becoming a certified coach. She discusses coping strategies like m…
- Finding Resilience After Heartbreak: The "Still Loved" Mission
Autumn and Brandon Cohen share their experience of loss, including the stillbirth of their son and the death of Brandon's brother, and how they founded the organization "Still Loved" to support over 2,000 families. They discuss navigating…
- Podcasting as a Pathway to Healing and Hope
This episode of "Bereaved But Still Me" features host Michael LIben with producers Anna Jaworski and Nancy Jensen, discussing the creation and impact of their podcast. They reflect on how their shared experiences with loss and friendship h…
- Writing Through Loss: Two Heart Moms' Stories of Healing and Connection
This episode features Sheri Turner and Desiree Vaught discussing their personal experiences with loss related to congenital heart defects. They share stories of healing, resilience, and the creation of a book of essays aimed at helping oth…
- Honoring a Beacon of Strength: Uri Lahav's Life and Legacy
This episode honors Uri Lahav, detailing his life from his parents' immigration to Israel, his passion for judo, and his courageous battle with multiple myeloma. It highlights his legacy of resilience and inspiration, as shared by his pare…
- Balancing Love and Reality in Dementia Caregiving: Insights from Karmon Hill
Karmon Hill discusses the emotional challenges and practical steps involved in caregiving for a parent with dementia, highlighting the importance of legal documents, community support, and family communication.
- Addressing an Emerging Need: The Autism and Grief Project
The Bereaved But Still Me podcast features Dr. Ken Doka, Amy Tucci, and Alex LaMorie discussing the Autism and Grief Project. Launched in September 2022, this initiative provides grief resources tailored for autistic adults, their families…
- Honoring a Mother’s Strength and Love: The Liben Family Stories
The Liben family, including siblings Michael, Shirah, and Rabbi Dan Liben, honor their mother Zipporah's life and legacy. They share memories of her strength, contributions to the Zionist movement, and enduring influence on their lives.
- A Parent’s Tale of Grief, Special Needs and the Healing Power of Writing
In this episode, Michael Liben and James Robinson share their experiences as bereaved fathers, discussing how they navigated explaining death to their children and the unique challenges of parenting children with special medical needs. The…
- Toni Alexander: Taking Small Steps Through Grief's Passage of Time
This episode features Toni Alexander, author and bereaved person, discussing how to move forward through the grief process. Alexander shares insights from her own experiences and her books, offering guidance on navigating loss and life cha…
- Melinda's Encore: Phil Proctor's Tribute to Life, Love, and Laughter
Phil Proctor, a veteran entertainer and founding member of Firesign Theatre, shares his experiences of love, loss, and finding
- Companion Pet Loss - From Grief to Inspiration with Erica Messer
Erica Messer shares her experience with pet loss and the lack of resources available. She founded Wolfie's Wish to provide support for those grieving a pet, inspired by the loss of her cat, Wolfgang.
- Surviving the Unbearable: The Resilience of a Father's Love
Roy Martin recounts the tragic loss of his daughter, Tawny, to a drunk driver and his subsequent journey through grief. He shares insights on navigating loss, finding hope, and remembering loved ones while healing.
- A Celebration of the Life of Wilodene Perry
Jackie Renfrow discusses her mother Wilodene Perry's life with seizures and Long Q-T Syndrome. The episode details the family's experience over seven decades, advocacy efforts, and the enduring legacy of hope and resilience.
- You Make Your Path by Walking with Suzanne Anderson
This episode features Suzanne Anderson, who discusses her journey after losing her husband, her transition from a consultant to an author and advocate for the bereaved, and the importance of self-compassion and resilience.
- Thinking About Complicated Grief, with Author and Podcaster Theo Boyd
Theo Boyd shares her personal experiences with grief following multiple losses, including the death of her mother and counselor, and the dissolution of her marriage. She discusses her memoir, "My Grief is Not Like Yours," Prolonged Grief D…
- The Selfish Griever on Messages from Loved Ones
Whitney Samorano, host of The Selfish Griever podcast, explores the concept of receiving messages from deceased loved ones and the ways people keep their memories alive. She shares her personal experience with the loss of her son, Orion, a…
- When Your Loved One Dies from Dementia
This episode features Melissa Geiser, who discusses the grief and lessons learned from her mother's death after years of living with dementia. Melissa shares how writing her blog, 'Departure from Logic,' helped her cope with the loss.
- From Trauma to Triumph with Alexandra Galviz
Alexandra Galviz discusses her experiences with miscarriage and the profound grief that followed, leading her to become a blogger, speaker, and guide.
- Widowhood, Wisdom, and Remorse
Debbie Weiss shares her experiences with widowhood, caregiver guilt, and her transition from law to creative writing. Her book, "Available As Is," details her search for love after losing her husband of 32 years.
- Jewish Aging, Loss of Community, and Anticipatory Grief
This episode features Rabbi Richard Address, discussing Jewish aging and its impact on community and families. Rabbi Address, founder of Jewish Sacred Aging, shares insights from his work on the implications of the longevity revolution for…
- Losing my Identity After a Neck Accident
This episode features Julie Hedenborg, who lost her nursing career of 24 years due to a severe neck injury and scoliosis. A Christian, she discusses how the experience led her to start a podcast focused on miracles and testimonies, and to…
- Phyllis Renfrow and Amy’s House
This episode features Phyllis Renfrow, Executive Director of Amy's House, a free medical lodging facility in Temple, Texas, near Baylor Scott and White Health Center. Renfrow discusses the services offered to transplant recipients and prov…
- Tara Reynolds and the Wings of Love
Tara Reynolds created the Wings of Love oracle deck to aid terminally ill patients and families facing end-of-life. A two-time cancer survivor, she aims to fill a gap in support materials for patients in hospice care.
- Landscape of Loss
This episode features Jen Burgard, a mother who lost her son Henry. She discusses how she copes with this loss and her journey to create the podcast and organization Haven, which supports grieving parents and aims to bring awareness to chi…
- Finding Meaning Through Loss
This episode features Hans Kullberg, a father and author, discussing how to honor the memory of his daughter Aviva by sharing her story and inspiring others. He explores methods for overcoming grief after the loss of a child.
- When Faith Doesn’t Erase Grief
Kate Meyer discusses her path from ordained minister to hospice counselor and author, driven by a passion for grief awareness. She aims to provide support, particularly within the Christian community, and has authored both fiction and nonf…
- Comfort During the Holidays for Bereaved Parents
The podcast episode "Comfort During the Holidays for Bereaved Parents" features guest Julia Wagner, who discusses navigating the holiday season after the sudden death of her daughter Lizy. Wagner shares how she and her husband guided their…
- The Multi-faceted Pictures of Grief in our Lives
Kendra Rinaldi discusses the multifaceted nature of grief, drawing from personal experiences like the loss of her sister, a miscarriage, and her mother's death. She hosts the podcast "Grief, Gratitude, and The Gray in Between," where guest…
- Grief to Love: A Blueprint for the Living
Silke Herwald discusses her personal experiences with grief, including the loss of family members and her therapy dog, and how these experiences led to the creation of her organization, Grief to Love. The episode explores the role of the u…
- The Circus of Grief: A Love Letter in Motion
Sherry Walling, author and clinical psychologist, discusses her experience with grief after losing her brother and father. She channeled her experiences into "The Circus of Grief," a performance art piece and fundraiser for NAMI MN, inspir…
- The Kaddish and its Role in Mourning
This episode discusses Jewish mourning prayers, focusing on the Kaddish, its evolution over time, and potential links to Christian prayer traditions. It features Rabbi Dalia Marx, a professor of Liturgy and Midrash.
- Losing My Daughter, Gaining a Bus & a New Purpose
Megan Hillukka discusses coping with the loss of her daughter Aria, finding ways to make grief lighter, and embracing joy and hope. She shares her experience of post-traumatic growth and her current family journey living on a bus.
- When a Comedian Loses a Brother
Jordon Ferber, host of “Where’s the Grief?”, shares his experience of losing his brother Russell in a 2002 car accident. Ferber leads a support group for bereaved siblings and aims to normalize discussions around grief, incorporating humor…