Episode 73 - Grief and the Reflection in the Mirror

A few weeks ago while attending a family get togeter of family members I hadn't seen in year, someone approached my and told me that I didn't look like my father anymore. This made me take a step back on what members of my family and my father's friends used to tell me, "You look just like your father!"

This week I examine exactly how this made or even still makes me feel.

Contact me using any of following:

email - darwyn@dealingwithmygrief.com

twitter - http://www.twitter.com/dealwithgrief

voice message - http://www.dealingwithmygrief.com/voicemail

Music provided by Oren Levine (oren@ohljazz.com

Episode 72 - Lean on Me... With Your Grief

There are many people who I have allowed to "lean on me." In other words, I've been willing to help them in any way that I could when they needed something. Eventually I needed to learn that it was OK to lean back.

Lean on me by Bill Withers

Contact me using any of following:

email - darwyn@dealingwithmygrief.com

twitter - http://www.twitter.com/dealwithgrief

voice message - http://www.dealingwithmygrief.com/voicemail

Music provided by Oren Levine (oren@ohljazz.com

Episode 71 - Grief and My Extended Family

I've received a lot of feedback from people that see their family dynamic deteriorate after some type of loss. I am fortunate in that in times of need my family rally and around each other and be become stronger because of it.

I wish everyone could be so fortunate!

Contact me using any of following:

email - darwyn@dealingwithmygrief.com

twitter - http://www.twitter.com/dealwithgrief

voice message - http://www.dealingwithmygrief.com/voicemail

Music provided by Oren Levine (oren@ohljazz.com

Episode 70 - The Jealousy and Selfishness of Grief

As Father's Day approaches, I am confronted with the fact that I am forced to deal with the fact that I have to live without my loved ones... as opposed to grieving their loss. For this I used to sometimes get jealous.

Does this make me selfish?

Contact me using any of following:

email - darwyn@dealingwithmygrief.com

twitter - http://www.twitter.com/dealwithgrief

voice message - http://www.dealingwithmygrief.com/voicemail

Music provided by Oren Levine (oren@ohljazz.com

Episode 69 - Books and Music and Grief, Oh My!

A few weeks ago, I aske d you to tell me what books you were reading and the music that you liked that helped you with your grief... and here are your responses!

Books
 The Bereaved Parent by Harriet Sarnoff Schiff
A Grief Observed by CS Lewis
The Long Goodbye: A Memoir by by Meghan O'Rourke
Blue Nights by Joan Didion
Stitches: A Handbook on Meaning, Hope and Repair By Anne Lamott

The Orphaned Adult: Understanding And Coping With Grief And Change After The Death Of Our Parents by Alexander Levy

Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy by Sheryl Sandberg
 

Music

Reflecting Light - Sam Phillips -  
To Where you are - Josh Groban
 Bob Dylan and Jimmy Hendrix
This Flight Tonight - Joni Mitchell
Not Even The Trees - Hootie and the Blowfish

Blogs:

Blogs: Mockingbirds at Midnight - Margaret Sloan

And even though I didn't ask, here are some other podcasts:

Grief Dreams
Dear Dougy Podcast
Griefcast
Where’s the Grief
Good Grief with Cheryl Jones
 

Thanks to all who provided feedback. If you'd like to add anything, please email me!

Contact me using any of following:

email - darwyn@dealingwithmygrief.com

twitter - http://www.twitter.com/dealwithgrief

voice message - http://www.dealingwithmygrief.com/voicemail

Music provided by Oren Levine (oren@ohljazz.com

Episode 68 - Grief and the Human Psyche

I am deathly afraid of heights. However, I needed to confront my fear while attending the Air Assault School at Ft. Campbell, KY.

During this course, you are required to complete not one but two "high" obstacles. I completed one, but was injured on the second.

I needed to convince myself that I could do something outside of my comfort zone. As a byproduct, I've learned that just because I've done something once doesn't me it'll be any easier the second time. but I can confront the anguish and anxiety that my mind feeds me to push through and achieve anything.

Confidence Climb YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCNhsbjX9Tk

Contact me using any of following:

email - darwyn@dealingwithmygrief.com

twitter - http://www.twitter.com/dealwithgrief

voice message - http://www.dealingwithmygrief.com/voicemail

Music provided by Oren Levine (oren@ohljazz.com

Episode 67 - What I've Learned About Grief From Paying Bills

I hate paying bills... It's a repetitive process that is a necessary evil in life. If we fail deal with our monthly obligations, we suffer dire consequences and life becomes stressful.

Grief is a bill that we pay as a price for losing a loved one. We must deal with it as it comes... if we put it off, the pain and stress of not facing it could overwelm us.

Contact me using any of following:

email - darwyn@dealingwithmygrief.com

twitter - http://www.twitter.com/dealwithgrief

voice message - http://www.dealingwithmygrief.com/voicemail

Music provided by Oren Levine (oren@ohljazz.com

Episode 66 - Grief and Superheroes

This episode is dedicated to Marsha Cooke in the memory of Darwyn Cooke.

As I record this episode, it is the 1 year anniversary of Darwyn Cooke's death. for those who may not know, Darwyn was a Canadian comic book writer, artist, cartoonist, and animator. He drew covers for the Batman comic franchise, including working on a project that my son loved, Batman beyond in which Bruce Wayne turns the responsibility of being Batman to a teenage boy.

One of the reasons I like Batman is because our stories are similar... His parents are murdered while he is a young boy, but somehow he fights through all of that pain and decides to channel that pain into something positive - fighting crime.

The timing of this episode is important to me, because Darwyn's widow, Marsha, was the first person whom I didn't know that sent me a piece of feedback concerning the podcast.

I believe we all have an "inner grief superhero" inside of us, that is something that we have that can help others that are grieving.

Contact me using any of following:

email - darwyn@dealingwithmygrief.com

twitter - http://www.twitter.com/dealwithgrief

web - http:// www.dealingwithmygrief.com

voice message - http://www.dealingwithmygrief.com/voicemail

Music provided by Oren Levine (oren@ohljazz.com

Episode 65 - Boys Don't Cry During Grief... Or Do They?

Is there really a "boys don't cry culture?"

I never saw my father cry, and when he died, I didn't see any other me display a lot of emotion either. But at the same time, no one told me I SHOULDN'T cry.

I think it may come down to two things:

1. Men and women are just wired differently. I watched an episode of "Brain Games"  - http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/brain-games/episodes/battle-of-the-sexes/

2. Some men are able to get in touch with there so called "feminine side"

Why does it appear that men have a problem showing/talking about their emotions?

Contact me using any of following:

email - darwyn@dealingwithmygrief.com

twitter - http://www.twitter.com/dealwithgrief

Music provided by Oren Levine (oren@ohljazz.com

 

Episode 64 - Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Hyde and Grief

I completely lost it last week as I remembered the anniversary of my father's death. That got me to thinking about the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. and how I have many different emotional states that I sometimes can't manage to control.

NOTE - I just realized that I mention "her" in the podcast... That would be my mother. Sorry, Mom!!

Also let me know if there are any songs/books that help you read/listen to and how the help you in your grief recovery process. Thanks!!

Contact me using any of following:

email - darwyn@dealingwithmygrief.com

twitter - http://www.twitter.com/dealwithgrief

Music provided by Oren Levine (oren@ohljazz.com

Episode 63 - 39 Years of Grief and Counting

I recorded this episode on Monday as I always do, and was alsoattempting to release this episode early. I normally release episodes on Wednesday. After recording his episode, however, I was so overcome with emotion that I wasn't able to edit it until today.

Monday was the 39th anniversary of my father's death. Since he also died on a Monday - April 24, 1978 and this episode was recorded on Monday, April 24, 2017 today was just much more emotional for me than I thought it would be.

R.I.P. Dad - I love you!

Thanks for listening and continuing to follow me on my journey!

Contact me using any of following:

email - darwyn@dealingwithmygrief.com

twitter - http://www.twitter.com/dealwithgrief

web - http:// www.dealingwithmygrief.com

Music provided by Oren Levine (oren@ohljazz.com

Episode 62 - Grief and Therapy

As the 39th anniversary of my father's death approaches, I have been thinking about a conversation I had with my mother. She says that she asked me at age 11 or 12 if I wanted to see a therapist and I told her that I didn't.

I have no recollection of this conversation, but I explore the possibilities in this episode.

After doing a little research on what therapists do (and don't do), I don't know how well I would have received therapy.

Please share this episode with a therapist if you know any... I'd be very interested to hear their thoughts!

Contact me using any of following:

email - darwyn@dealingwithmygrief.com

twitter - http://www.twitter.com/dealwithgrief

web - http:// www.dealingwithmygrief.com

Music provided by Oren Levine (oren@ohljazz.com

Episode 61 - The Recipe of My Grief Recovery Process

I've had the opportunity to talk to a few people over the last few weeks about the loss of a parent.

In this episode I reflect on the 5 stages of grief as if the were applied in a cookbook written by my recipe.

If you are not familiar with the 5 stages of grief, they are:

  1. Denial
  2. Anger
  3. Barganing
  4. Depression
  5. Acceptance

These stages were develoed by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross. You can get more information about them here: http://grief.com/the-five-stages-of-grief/

Contact me using any of following:

email - darwyn@dealingwithmygrief.com

twitter - http://www.twitter.com/dealwithgrief

web - http:// www.dealingwithmygrief.com

Music provided by Oren Levine (oren@ohljazz.com

Episode 60 - The Scab (and Scars) Left by Grief

I recently look at some scars that I had fir a while and realized that jus like grief, some wounds heal completely, some leave scqars and some scabs are ripped from wounds long before they heal... causing the healing process to start anew.

Contact me using any of following:

email - darwyn@dealingwithmygrief.com

twitter - http://www.twitter.com/dealwithgrief

web - http:// www.dealingwithmygrief.com

Music provided by Oren Levine (oren@ohljazz.com

Episode 59 - Grief and Vulnerability

This week's episode is inspired by Natalie, a listener recently lost her mother and wanted to know especifically when I knew my live had been changed forever by the death of my father.

Simply put, I needed to open my heart the love others. The only way for me to do that, was to become vulnerable.

Contact me using any of following:

email - darwyn@dealingwithmygrief.com

twitter - http://www.twitter.com/dealwithgrief

web - http:// www.dealingwithmygrief.com

Music provided by Oren Levine (oren@ohljazz.com

Episode 58 - Grief and Compassion

I have realized over the years that I have been judging how I thought people should react in certain situations based on my own personal grief experience.

Once I realized I was so wrong, it allowed me to see people and the circumstances in a totally different light.

Suzan Lori-Parks is an American playwright, novelist and screenwriter. To learn more about her and her work visit her website: http://www.suzanloriparks.com/

Contact me using any of following:

email - darwyn@dealingwithmygrief.com

twitter - http://www.twitter.com/dealwithgrief

Facebook: Dealing with My Grief

Music provided by Oren Levine (oren@ohljazz.com

Episode 57 - Why Is Grief A Taboo Subject?

I don't understand why we don't talk about our grief more. In full transparency, I don't actively discuss it outside of this podcast... and I don't even mention the fact that I have a podcast about grief to many folks.

Well this has changed for me. I have openly discussed my grief journey and the circumstances of my father's passing with a complete stranger, and it was a wonderful experience.

Grief is a suject that we can't keep bottled up, we must discuss it like anything else we bring up in conversation. Do you agree?

Send me an email: darwyn@dealingwithmygrief.com

To learn more about Isabel Allende, visit her website: https://www.isabelallende.com/

Contact me using any of following:

email - darwyn@dealingwithmygrief.com

twitter - http://www.twitter.com/dealwithgrief

web - http:// www.dealingwithmygrief.com

Facebook: Dealing with My Grief

 

Music provided by Oren Levine (oren@ohljazz.com)

Episode 56 - Reflections of My Grief Journey

My writing comes not from the happy moments, but from struggle and grief.
 - Isabel Allende

his podcast is the direct result of losing my father at an early age. It has served as a form of therapy for me and each week I feel better as I release a lot of emotions that I've kept bottled up for so long.

One of the things that I have realized is that in order for me to truly appreciate where I am now in my grief recovery process, I must look back at where I started.

To learn more about Isabel Allende, visit her website: https://www.isabelallende.com/

Contact me using any of following:

email - darwyn@dealingwithmygrief.com

twitter - http://www.twitter.com/dealwithgrief

web - http:// www.dealingwithmygrief.com

Facebook: Dealing with My Grief

Music provided by Oren Levine (oren@ohljazz.com)

 

Episode 55 - Grief and Dreams, An Interview with Joshua Black

So it finally happened... I conducted my FIRST EVER interview.

I had the opportunity to spend some times chatting with Joshua Black of the Grief Dreams podcast. Joshua is also working on his PhD in Psychology at Brock University in Ontario, Canada.

The main reason behind talking to Joshua was to get the sotry behind his grief and how he dealt with it and how others may has supported him through his grief recovery process. We did finally discuss his research as it relates to dreams that some people may have about their deceased loved ones/pets.

Contact Joshua at http://www.griefdreams.ca or on Instagram and twitter @griefdreams

Listen and subscribe to the Grief Dreams podcast:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/grief-dreams-podcast/id1121785602?mt=2

If you have lost someone who has lost a loved one and would like to discuss your grief recovery process, I want to talk to you about it. I 'll try to have an interview once a month. If you think someone might be a good fit, send me their contact info at darwyn@dealingwithmygrief.com.

Contact me using any of following:

email - darwyn@dealingwithmygrief.com

twitter - http://www.twitter.com/dealwithgrief

web - http:// www.dealingwithmygrief.com

Facebook: Dealing with My Grief

 

Music provided by Oren Levine (oren@ohljazz.com)

Episode 54 - Letting Go But Holding On During Grief

A lot has happened this week! I have been interviewed by the team of Grief Dreams Podcast - https://griefdreamspodcast.podbean.com/e/episode-18-grief-dreams-podcast/ . I had a great time discussing my grief recovery process with Joshua Black and Shawn Ram.

After delaying my announcement about new things coming to the podcast, I decided to tell the world that I'm interviewing people on this show... next week I'll share my interview / conversation with Joshua Black. We'll be talking about this grief journey, and how dreams inspired his research about grief related dreams. You don't want to miss it.

This week, I reflect on how I might con keep people alive (through memories) even though the physical person I used to me able to see, touch and interact with are no longer here... memories are very powerful things!

If you have been inspired to go great things because of or in spite of your grief (i.e. become a bereavement councilor, created a non-profit organization, written a book, etc.)  I want to talk to you about your grief recovery process. I 'll try to have an interview once a month. If you think someone might be a good fit, send me their contact info at darwyn@dealingwithmygrief.com.

Contact me using any of following:

email - darwyn@dealingwithmygrief.com

twitter - http://www.twitter.com/dealwithgrief

web - http:// www.dealingwithmygrief.com

Facebook: Dealing with My Grief

 

Music provided by Oren Levine (oren@ohljazz.com)