Grief Dreams Podcast

Patricia de Picciotto was born in Hong Kong from Lebanese parents, and raised in Geneva, Switzerland until she graduated from college with a BA in Marketing and Communication. She then spent a couple of years in London to study for her GIA (graduate gemologist) and worked in Jewelry. Patricia then lived in Sao Paulo, Brazil, for ten years, where she met her husband, had three kids and founded a jewelry line, Pasha Joias. She moved to New York over five years ago, where she became an art guide in the City. Since her mother’s passing after a two year battle with pancreatic cancer, she is dedicated to normalize grief and raise grief consciousness through her @neshamajourney project on Instagram and beyond.    In this episode we talk about living in multiple places, being in Brazil with her mother, her love of art history, her mother and stepfather getting sick, the death of her stepfather and mother, the Jewish funeral and mourning process, grief dreams of her mother, and her Instagram account.

Jason Wendroff-Rawnicki is a certified yoga educator and dōTERRA Essential Oil specialist, who has a MA in psychology. He co-founded Shine Yoga Center in New Jersey and travels nationally & internationally leading classes, workshops, retreats and educating about the benefits and powers of essential oils. In June of 1998, his sister Lauren died in a car accident. Knowing that he needed more than talk therapy to deal with his grief, Jason turned toward a body-centered approach. Yoga, meditation, mindfulness, healthy lifestyle and essential oils became that path towards recovery.   In this episode we talk about essential oils, the power of smell after loss, the death of his sister, volunteering with compassionate friends, and grief dreams of his sister.   You can find more on Jason here: FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/jason.wendroffrawnicki FaceBook: Sibling Support - https://www.facebook.com/groups/tcfsibs/?ref=share Website: https://www.mydoterra.com/shineyogacenter/ Instagram: OilmanJason Twi

Barron Steffen is a longtime student on the spiritual path of Siddha Yoga, a big band crooner, and a widower. He has been a big wave surfer, a 1980s Italian pop singer, and an award-winning elementary school teacher. Steffen has now fully transitioned from the elementary school classroom to his company, The Yoga of Mindset, where he teaches children and adults how to use their thoughts so they're not used by them. Barron recently published the book The Final Gift of the Beloved: Her Disappearance-13 Days    In this episode we talk about his interest in Siddha Yoga, the death of his wife, the 13 days after, finding meaning after the loss, his book, and grief dreams of his wife.   You can find more about Barron here https://www.barronsteffen.com/

Lindsey Whissel Fenton is a senior producer at WPSU, the PBS/NPR affiliate station in Central Pennsylvania. She’s an Emmy award-winning storyteller who is passionate about using public media to build empathy. Lindsey produced, directed, and wrote the documentary Speaking Grief and continues to produce content for the initiative’s website and social media presence.    In this episode we talk about Shotokan karate, how karate relates to grief, the Speaking Grief documentary, learning to speak grief, holding space for grief, grief dreams mentioned within the documentary interviews, and her own grief.   To view the Speaking Grief documentary (starting August 30, 2020) visit https://speakinggrief.org/   SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: @wpsugrief Instagram: @wpsugrief

Julie Rennie has done Accounting and Income Tax for most of her career primarily as a self-employed individual and currently runs a law practice as a Licensed Paralegal out of Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. Julie married Mark Black (Dr. Joshua Black’s father) in 1977 spending the next few decades as Julie Black. The positive blessings and outcomes from this marriage were building her faith in God and being a mother to her 4 children: Rebecca, Nathaniel, Joshua and Rachel. The marriage suffered challenges based on Mark’s excessive consumption of alcohol and poor coping skills. After the marriage ended, Julie remarried John Rennie.    In this episode we talk about the death of her grandmother, meeting Mark, their relationship, her health issues, being more open about her struggles, processing her emotions, and Mark's death.     You can find more about Julie’s paralegal practice at http://julierennieparalegal.com/

Dr. T.J. Wray is a Professor of Religious Studies at Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island where she teaches a diverse array of classes, ranging from grief and loss to women of the Bible. A prolific writer, Dr. Wray is the author of many articles and books, including the best-selling “Surviving the Death of a Sibling: Living Through Grief When an Adult Brother or Sister Dies” and “Grief Dreams: How They Help Heal Us After the Death of a Loved One”. A popular biblical scholar, she has also written: "The Birth of Satan: Tracing the Devil's Biblical Roots; "Good Girls, Bad Girls: The Enduring Lessons of Twelve Women of the Old Testament"; "Good Girls, Bad Girls of the New Testament"; "What the Bible Really Tells Us: The Essential Guide for Biblical Literacy". Dr. Wray has appeared on National Public Radio, several documentaries on the History Channel, and various other television and radio programs across the country and abroad. An intrepid traveler, she has lead tours to biblical lands, studied at th

Flora Baker is a travel writer and author from London, UK. Flora was 20 years old when her mum died suddenly of breast cancer, and 29 when her dad died of fibrosis. After a decade of grieving, Flora now uses her personal narrative writing and her online presence to engage with the global grief community and help others through their own experiences of loss. Flora’s new book, ‘The Adult Orphan Club’, is a part memoir, part guide to grief which aims to be a companion to those coping with bereavement.    In this episode we talk about her love of travelling around the world, the death of her parents, her grief journey, traveling to cope after loss, her new book ‘The Adult Orphan Club’, her Instagram video, and grief dreams of her parents.   You can read more from Flora at www.floratheexplorer.com, follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @FloraBaker, and find ‘The Adult Orphan Club’ on Amazon. 

Philip Goldberg is the author or co-author of some 25 books published in more than a dozen languages; a public speaker and workshop leader; a spiritual counselor, meditation teacher and ordained Interfaith Minister. A Los Angeles resident, he cohosts the Spirit Matters podcast, leads American Veda Tours and blogs regularly on Elephant Journal and Spirituality & Health. His book American Veda was named by Huffington Post and Library Journal as one of the Top 10 Religion Books of 2010; it was followed in 2018 by the popular biography The Life of Yogananda. His newest book Spiritual Practice for Crazy Times, is set to be released on August 4th   In this episode we talk about his newest book Spiritual Practice for Crazy Times, becoming a writer, Paramahansa Yogananda, grief dreams of Yogananda, the love and loss of Philip’s mother, grief dreams of his mother, father, and friends.     You can find more about Philip here: http://www.PhilipGoldberg.com http://www.spiritmatterstalk.com https://www.facebo

Jane Edberg is a published writer working in poetry, flash non-fiction and memoir. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Studio Arts. She is a retired art professor who taught Art Appreciation, Photography and Design at various Universities and spent twenty years full-time at Gavilan College. She is currently working on a hybrid memoir of images and prose called “The Fine Art of Grieving” and authors a blog and Facebook page by the same title.   In this episode we talk about appreciating art, feeling “the big self”, using art during the pandemic, the death of her son, writing her book The Fine Art of Grieving, finding a new perspective, creative ways we grieve through art, and grief dreams before and after the death of her son.   You can find more about Jane here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefineartofgrieving/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefineartofgrieving Website: https://www.thefineartofgrieving.com/

Alexa Norton recently graduated from Utah Valley University in Public Relations. Alexa suffered the death of her Dad, Daryl Gene Norton, over 3 years ago in a skiing accident at Snowbird Ski Resort. She has recently started an Instagram account that focuses on the grief journey @griefshine   In this episode we talk about the relationship with her dad, seeing her dad as a person, her dad’s reaction to her dating, her dad’s death, the local news reporting on his death, having her wedding 3 months after his death, her grief journey, starting her Instagram Account @griefshine, and grief dreams of her dad.

Gary Alan Shockley is an award winner artist, author and grief counselor living in Boiling Springs Pennsylvania. He has two master’s degrees, one in theology and another in Spiritual Formation and Counseling. Gary has served as a pastor and a professional Healthcare Chaplain aligned with two Inpatient Hospice Units in North Carolina where he worked with dying patients and their families. From decades of walking alongside people in their journeys of dying and of death, and supporting children in their grief, Gary published his most recent children’s book, My Heart Sings a Sad Song. Gary has also authored three books focused on leadership and spiritual development and 5 other children’s books.   In this episode we talk about being drawn to helping others, what those at end-of-life talk about, challenges for those at end-of-life and their family during the pandemic, children’s grief, his first experience of death as a child, his new children’s book “My Heart Sings a Sad Song”, a grief dream from a past client,

John Dietsch is an award-winning writer, producer, director, talent, and consultant on hundreds of film and television shows focusing on the outdoors, travel, and fly fishing. As a life coach, teacher, TV personality, Aspen Colorado guide, and host of fly fishing trips across the globe, John helps his clients and students follow their passion by connecting with nature. He is perhaps best known in fly fishing circles for his supervision, doubling, and stunt work on the fly fishing scenes for the Oscar-winning film A River Runs Through It. His TV and film productions have garnered more than twenty-three awards, including a Telly for the primetime TV series "Adventure Guides: Fly Fishing Edition" that John hosted on Outdoor Channel and NBC Sports. His newest book, Graced by Waters, is his first collection of stories to celebrate and explore our spiritual connection to waters and the natural world.   In this episode we talk about fly fishing, his connection with the movie A River Runs Through It, the connection

Erica Buist is a journalist from London, England and writes mostly for the Guardian. February 2021 will see the publication of her first book, This Party's Dead, in which she investigates death anxiety by travelling to seven death festivals following the sudden loss of her father-in-law.    In this episode we talk about the death of her father-in-law, her agoraphobia following the loss, visiting 7 death festivals around the world, her book, and grief dreams.   You can find more about Erica here: Website: thisisnotajourney.com  Facebook page: facebook.com/ericabuistwriter IG: @ericabuist and @thispartysdead   Her book can be found here: https://unbound.com/books/this-partys-dead/

Chelsea Rushton holds a BFA in Creative Writing and an MFA in Visual Art. Her art practice integrates somatics, ritual, and spirituality to explore how creative process can document and facilitate personal and collective growth and evolution. She works as a Technical Writer in the Department of Architecture at the University of California, Berkeley. Her parents both died suddenly, within eight months of each other, in 2018, when they were 69 and 71.    In this episode we talk with Chelsea about her passion for creative writing and visual art, the death of both her parents, the challenges of grieving multiple losses, her art series called The Other Side, and grief dreams of her parents.   You can find more on Chelsea at www.chelshotel.com or on IG @chelshotel   A video link to know more about Hilma af Klint (the person Chelsea wants to dream about) https://youtu.be/CHdud9km7bQ  

Dr. Virginia Marsico is a Chiropractic Physician currently practicing in central Florida. After treating patients with conventional chiropractic care, she realized that many of the obstacles preventing her patients from achieving optimal health were not physical in origin. She now focuses on helping patients become their best by focusing on the mind-body-gut connection through functional medicine, addressing underlying issues involving emotional and physiological imbalances in the body.   In this episode we talk about moving to Los Angeles by herself, getting her first dog there, finding her now husband, chiropractic care, facing fears, the death of her dog, getting a new pet, and a grief dream of her dog.   You can find more of Dr. Marsico on IG @drmarsico

In this guest update episode we talk with Rebecca MacDonald from episode 109. Rebecca is a self-taught keepsake artist working and living in Ontario with her husband and dog. Since immigrating to Canada in 2009, Rebecca has experienced loss many times. The passing of her grandfather in 2014 meant the loss of a loved one and a source of inspiration in her life. His courage and compassion continue to drive her to help others with their grief. Through the creation of custom jewellery and keepsakes, Rebecca seeks to provide comfort and connection to those experiencing loss.    In this episode we talk about changing her business name since being on the podcast, changing residence because of the pandemic, self-care during the pandemic, the recent death anniversary of her grandfather, and a new grief dream of her grandfather.   Rebecca's work can be found on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook @comfortconnects or on www.comfortconnects.com  

We rereleased this episode (E109) as our next episode features an update on the guest.   Rebecca MacDonald is a self-taught memorial jewelry artist working and living in Ontario with her husband and dog. Since immigrating to Canada 10 years ago, Rebecca has experienced loss many times as she moved throughout the country. Her grandfather has been a huge inspiration in her life and dealing with his passing from the other side of the Atlantic ocean has been one of her biggest struggles so far. By fostering connections with animals, she has also been able to connect with others. Through her work, she is learning how to manage her grief while helping others with their loss through her jewelry making.   In this episode we talk about her immigration from Ireland, her love of pets, starting her business making memorial jewelry, the death of her dog and grandfather, and a grief dream of her grandfather.   Rebecca’s work can be found on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook @comfortconnects or on www.comfortconnects

Lisa Keefauver spent the past 2 decades as a clinical social worker and narrative therapist. She witnessed first hand the unnecessary suffering of so many individuals because their families, communities, and culture weren’t supporting them in their grief. And then, it happened to her too. At 40, Lisa became a widow. In 2011, her husband Eric died in her arms, leaving her a single mother to their 7 year-old daughter. Just a few years later, she was by the bedside of a close friend when he succumbed to the ravages of Muscular Dystrophy. Lisa is the Founder & CEO of Reimagining Grief and host of the podcast, Grief is a Sneaky B!tch.   In this episode we talk about collective grief during the pandemic, reframing the concept of productivity, sitting with your emotions, the death of her husband and friend, and grief dreams of them.   You can find more about Lisa at https://reimagininggrief.com/

Dr. Sharon Prentice is a psychotherapist and spiritual counselor whose work focuses on helping patients process the grief of losing a loved one. Becoming Starlight is her memoir of healing from the devastating loss of her daughter and husband. She experienced a unique spiritual experience, known as a Shared Death Experience (SDE), which gave her a peek into foreverness and a sense of peace that was otherworldly.   In this episode we talk about meeting her husband, her pregnancy with her daughter, the death of both of them, her Shared Death Experience, and grief dreams of her daughter and husband.   For more information on Sharon, please visit https://sharonprentice.com 

Lisa Bonneville has been volunteering and working in palliative care for about 7 years and her current work life includes a hospice, a funeral home, and caring for palliative Catholic Nuns. She currently holds certificates in Thanatology, as a Death Doula, and as a personal support worker.   In this episode we talk about life during the pandemic, changing her life path, the death of her grandma, uncle, and friend, funerals and grieving during the pandemic, her grief dreams, and her mother’s and uncle’s grief dreams.   You can find her Facebook Group here: Loss and Grief During COVID-19