Not Your Average Grief Podcast Shauna R Dukes

 
In this conversation with my new friend Emily Gould, a fellow mother who has lost a child to cancer, we discussed Emily's experience with her daughter's cancer diagnosis, the brutal treatments they went through, and the challenges of navigating grief. We also talked about finding hope and choosing to assign meaning to tomorrow. Emily shared with us how her daughter's love and light continue to surround her, and how she finds comfort in signs and symbols that remind her of her daughter's presence. We also discussed the pressure to move on from grief from society and the misconception that grief has an expiration date. We highlight the choice to integrate their children into their lives and continue to honor them. We talk about the depth of love and the perspective that grief brings, and the importance of being seen and acknowledged in their pain.
Cancer treatments can be brutal and painful, and they often have life-threatening side effects.
Grief is a complex journey that involves feeling a range of emotions, including sadness, anger, and hope.
Finding signs and symbols that remind us of our loved ones can bring comfort and a sense of connection.
Choosing to assign meaning and hope to tomorrow can help us navigate the challenges of grief and loss. Be open to signs and connections from deceased loved ones
Recognize and appreciate the signs as messages from loved ones
Grief does not have an expiration date
Grief brings a deeper perspective and appreciation for life
Emily Gould loves to discover as much as possible about people, cultures, emotions, and the world around her. Emily has been writing for over 20 years. Upon her daughter’s cancer diagnosis, writing became less of a hobby and more of a coping mechanism. The more Emily wrote, the more people listened.  Her words have spanned across nations and touched the hearts of people all over the globe. She has taken the opportunity to educate those who haven’t been afflicted with cancer about this disease in hopes of spreading awareness and love for those who fight for their lives every single day. Alongside her husband Kris, Emily is always up for any adventure that life has to offer.  The couple, with their four children, enjoy camping, hiking, boating, laughing too loud, and just being together. 
You can find her here
My social media is: Instagram @emily_m_gould Facebook: Emily Gould
I have published two books and am working on my third. Here are the links:
Turning Weeds Into Wildflowers: https://a.co/d/fWHqgr1
It Gave Me You: https://a.co/d/de2iDoD

If you are grieving right now, you are not alone. You can order a copy of my bestselling book Even If-A Holistic Approach to Living A Joy Filled Life With Loss on amazon by clicking here. https://amzn.to/3x5Qbd8
If you are a fellow grieving mamma and would like to know more about Holistic Grief Academy, my coaching program you can click here https://holisticgriefacademy.myflodesk.com/prei7fpydj
PS. I would love to stay connected. You can follow me on Instagram @mrsshaunadukes or head over to ShaunaDukes.com for a free ebook on how to support a grieving friend.
 

In this solosode, I share my three biggest tips for managing grief, and all the complicated emotions that come with it. There are no shortcuts, but I have learned a few tricks along the way, and am happy to be at a place where I can share and help others.
Takeaways
Grief is a transformative process, similar to a butterfly's transformation. Promote the release of happy hormones by engaging in activities like spending time in nature, exercising, and practicing gratitude.
Set healthy boundaries and be intentional about where you spend your energy during the grieving process.
Be aware of your thoughts and reframe negative beliefs to have a positive mindset towards healing.

If you are grieving right now, you are not alone. You can order a copy of my bestselling book Even If-A Holistic Approach to Living A Joy Filled Life With Loss on amazon by clicking here.
https://amzn.to/3x5Qbd8
If you are a fellow grieving mamma and would like to know more about Holistic Grief Academy, my coaching program you can click here
https://holisticgriefacademy.myflodesk.com/prei7fpydj
PS. I would love to stay connected. You can follow me on Instagram @mrsshaunadukes or head over to ShaunaDukes.com for a free ebook on how to support a grieving friend.

In this episode I speak with my beautiful friend MeiLi Autumn Coon. She is the owner and makeup artist for MeiLi Autumn Beauty, creator of Radiant You events, and inner beauty advocate, writer, mother, sister, daughter, beloved child of God. You can find her on instagram @meiliautumnbeauty @meilicoon 
We discuss friendship during grief, as well as the collective grief experienced by the community after the devastating wildfire on Maui last August. MeiLi shares with us her experience of witnessing my grief and offers advice for supporting a grieving friend. Our conversation highlights the power of community and the resilience that can emerge from grief. We also discuss the importance of allowing oneself to feel the pain and grief, rather than numbing it, and finding ways to move forward and find beauty in life. Our conversation touches on identity, faith, and the transformative power of grief.
Takeaways
Supporting a grieving friend involves showing up, holding space, and not needing to have all the right words or solutions.
Providing practical support, such as bringing healthy meals, can be a meaningful way to help a grieving friend.
Grief can involve the loss of future plans and dreams, which can be an additional layer of pain.
Collective grief, such as the aftermath of a natural disaster, can bring a community together and reveal the resilience of individuals.
Being a witness to someone's grief and growth can be a profound and honored role in a friendship. 
Losing a hometown to a natural disaster can be a deeply painful experience, as it involves the loss of one's identity and core elements of their being.
Collective grief is a powerful force that affects everyone in a community, including first responders and firefighters who are deeply impacted by the disaster.
In the aftermath of a loss, it can be challenging to navigate the reality that life goes on and find the motivation to continue.


If you are grieving right now, you are not alone. You can order a copy of my bestselling book Even If-A Holistic Approach to Living A Joy Filled Life With Loss on amazon by clicking here.
https://amzn.to/3x5Qbd8
If you are a fellow grieving mamma and would like to know more about Holistic Grief Academy, my coaching program you can click here
https://holisticgriefacademy.myflodesk.com/prei7fpydj
PS. I would love to stay connected. You can follow me on Instagram @mrsshaunadukes or head over to ShaunaDukes.com for a free ebook on how to support a grieving friend.





 

In this episode I spoke with my gorgeous friend Marlo Lemmon and we discussed how we have found purpose in our pain. Marlo also provides us with helpful techniques for dealing with trauma memories and replacing them with new, more peaceful memories. Our conversation emphasizes the importance of building a support team and gaining perspective on what truly matters in life. We share personal experiences and insights on how to navigate through difficult emotions, the importance of mindset, visualization, and replacing negative thoughts with positive ones. We also discuss the impact of grief on relationships and the need to prioritize intimate connections. I hope you enjoy it as  much as I did. 
Topics discussed
Finding purpose in pain can lead to a more fulfilling life
Visualization techniques can help in dealing with trauma memories
Building a support team is crucial in navigating grief and trauma
Creating new memories and focusing on positive experiences can aid in healing and adjusting to life after loss.
Grief affects various aspects of life, including relationships, and it is important to prioritize intimate connections.
Experiencing trauma and grief can lead to personal growth and a deeper understanding of oneself.
Being vulnerable and sharing one's journey can create genuine connections and support others going through similar experiences.
Marlo is an intuitive energy healer, spiritual teacher, mom and all around student of life. Her journey and thirst for growth is what has driven her process and journey and gotten her where she is today. She is an author, podcast host and has a spiritual coaching program that guides humans impacted by suicide, on how to trust life again. Marlo's superpower is showing you yours, consider her your Soul Muse. Intuitively guiding you to your deepest soul wants in life, how to heal in the process and getting you there in the least amount of time. 
You can find Marlo Lemmon here
IG: @marlo.lemmon 
IG (podcast): @_wildvoice_ 
www.marlolemmon.com
email: marlo@marlolemmon.com
WILD VOICE PODCAST can be found on Apple + Spotify
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wild-voice/id1640376947
https://open.spotify.com/show/1oQpg9jDIquza6WA0p1MJZ?si=f48de42838bc4d66
If you are grieving right now you are not alone. You can order a copy of my best selling book Even If- A Holistic Approach to Living A Joy Filled Life With Loss on amazon by clicking here https://amzn.to/3x5Qbd8
If you are a fellow grieving mamma and would like to know more about Holistic Grief Academy my coaching program for moms, you can click here https://holisticgriefacademy.myflodesk.com/prei7fpydj
P.S. I would love to stay connected. You can follow me on instagram @mrsshaunadukes or head over to ShaunaDukes.com to grab a free ebook on how to support a grieving friend.

In this podcast episode, I speak with my dear friend Susanna Cromwell about her experience losing her mother at a young age. Our conversation touches on cultural mourning practices, the importance of acknowledging all aspects of loss, and the impact of grief on family dynamics. We also discuss the importance of allowing oneself to feel and mourn, as well as the power of vulnerability in the healing process. Susanna shares with us her experience of honoring her mother's memory and passing on her legacy to her children. 
Topics discussed
Grief can manifest differently for each person, and there is no right or wrong way to grieve. Cultural mourning practices may vary, and it's important to respect and understand different traditions.
Grief can impact family dynamics, and open communication is crucial for healing and support. Grieving is a process that takes time and requires recalibrating one's life to find a new normal.
Allowing oneself to feel and mourn is an important part of the healing process.
Vulnerability is a superpower that creates a space for connection and healing.
Sharing about the loss and the loved one helps create a sense of connection and support.
Susanna Cromwell also happens to be an incredible artist, inspired by the natural beauty of her island home she creates the most incredible work using several different mediums that always include flora, fauna, and ocean life.
You can find her on instagram @susanna_cromwell_art Or visit her websites: 
Cromwellhome.com-For smaller pieces, tote bags, and stationary
SusannaLCromwell.com-For large one of a kind pieces
If you are grieving right now, you are not alone. You can order a copy of my bestselling book Even If-A Holistic Approach to Living A Joy Filled Life With Loss on amazon by clicking here.
https://amzn.to/3x5Qbd8
If you are a fellow grieving mamma and would like to know more about Holistic Grief Academy, my coaching program you can click here
https://holisticgriefacademy.myflodesk.com/prei7fpydj
PS. I would love to stay connected. You can follow me on Instagram @mrsshaunadukes or head over to ShaunaDukes.com for a free ebook on how to support a grieving friend.

In this episode, I discuss my belief in signs and the spiritual realm. I share stories and my perspective that the spiritual realm is all around us, and that signs from loved ones who have passed away are love notes from God letting us know that they are ok. 
Key Takeaways
 Believing in Signs and the Spiritual Realm  Signs from Trucker Boy  The White Flower  Signs from Loved Ones  Slowing Down and Being Aware If you are grieving right now, you are not alone. You can order a copy of my bestselling book Even If-A Holistic Approach to Living A Joy Filled Life With Loss on amazon by clicking here.
https://amzn.to/3x5Qbd8
If you are a fellow grieving mamma and would like to know more about Holistic Grief Academy, my coaching program you can click here
https://holisticgriefacademy.myflodesk.com/prei7fpydj
PS. I would love to stay connected. You can follow me on Instagram @mrsshaunadukes or head over to ShaunaDukes.com for a free ebook on how to support a grieving friend.