In this episode of Grief On Purpose, host Laura Walton interviews Dr. Pete, a psychologist by training who integrates Zen Buddhism and mental health in his practice. Dr. Pete discusses the profound impact of grief and shares his personal experiences with death, highlighting the unique and often challenging path of accepting and processing grief through Zen practices.He provides insights into his daily routines, meditative practices, and the intersection of spirituality and science. Dr. Pete speaks to the balance between human emotion and mindfulness, and the importance of being present and accepting life’s impermanent nature. The conversation traverses topics of human emotions in grief, the integration of Eastern practices, and the complex nature of death and bereavement.

Dr. Pete Economou is a leading psychologist, author, and podcast host of “On Air With Dr. Pete” and “When East Meets West”. Dr. Pete integrates eastern spiritual practices with western behavioral science, particularly third-wave Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), to promote mental health. He emphasizes goal-setting to improve mental performance and has substantial experience with professional and collegiate athletes. Dr. Pete actively contributes to research in performance psychology, substance use, mindfulness, and multicultural psychology and is frequently featured in the media for his mental health expertise. Beyond academia, Dr. Pete is committed to participating in international relief efforts and national programs addressing the ongoing mental health crisis.

Resources & SupportIf you’re looking for more support after listening to this episode, here are some resources that may help:

* The Light After: Grief Support Group

* The Light Within: Healing After Trauma

* Downloadable Grief Journal

* Grief & Trauma Resource Bundle

* Grief on Purpose Blog

You can also listen to this episode on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and YouTube. You can find the full video of this episode in a separate post when you subscribe to the Grief on Purpose Substack.

In this episode of Grief on Purpose, Laura sits down with Brendan Shaw, whose life was irrevocably changed after the murder of his younger brother, Philip. Brendan opens up about the shock and trauma of his death, the surreal aftermath, and the unexpected way sharing his grief on TikTok became both a form of healing and a source of community. What began as private video journaling evolved into a platform where thousands find solace, connection, and validation through his raw honesty about loss, love, and survival.

Brendan reflects on the disorienting nature of grief - how it reshapes priorities, dulls the pursuit of worldly success, and reveals what truly matters. He speaks about the foundation created in Philip’s name, Phil With Love, which channels heartbreak into meaningful action through scholarships and charitable giving. Through their conversation, Laura and Brendan explore the transformative power of expressing grief (whether through words, art, or service) and the courage it takes to stay open, curious, and compassionate in the face of unbearable pain.Since the 2022 murder of his brother, Philip, Brendan has been using storytelling, social media, and community work to process his own grief and help others feel less alone in theirs. He’s the founder of The Phil With Love Foundation, a nonprofit created in Philip’s memory, and creates content as “BrendanShawGrief” on social media that speaks to the often invisible, long-term impact of loss. Through honest conversation and a willingness to share what many people shy away from, Brendan attempts to brings comfort, validation, and connection to anyone walking through life with grief.

His TikTok and Instagram handles are both @BrendanShawGrief and he has a free newsletter at www.BrendanShawGrief.com

Resources & SupportIf you’re looking for more support after watching this episode, here are some resources that may help:

* The Light After: Grief Support Group

* The Light Within: Healing After Trauma

* Downloadable Grief Journal

* Grief & Trauma Resource Bundle

* Grief on Purpose Blog

You can also listen to this episode on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and YouTube. You can find the full video of this episode when you subscribe to the Grief on Purpose Substack.

In this episode of Grief on Purpose, Laura sits down with longtime friend and performer Billy Brandes to explore how grief has shaped his life from adolescence into adulthood. Billy opens up about his father’s death at just sixteen. He reflects on the confusion and emotional shutdown that followed, the impact it had on his relationship with his mother, and how skateboarding and the party-fueled subculture of his youth became both refuge and distraction.

As the conversation unfolds, Billy shares the profound effects of other deaths (friends and figures from the skate scene whose deaths rippled through their tight-knit community) and how those experiences compounded his understanding of mortality. He speaks candidly about his mother’s recent death, the disconnection of losing her from afar, and the strange peace he briefly felt afterward. Through these reflections, Billy reveals how grief has shaped not only his relationships but his creative path as an improv and sketch comedian.

Together, Laura and Billy explore what it means to live with cumulative grief, the way early trauma can “freeze” parts of us in time, and how, even decades later, we carry our grief forward.

Billy Brandes is an improviser/actor and musician from Phoenix, AZ. Trained in longform improvisation, he has been performing for over a decade and is a regular at Second Beat Improv Theater. He also owns the Buckaroo Lodge, a sketch comedy theater in Phoenix which writes and produces its own material along with educational opportunities. You can catch him most weekends on stage in some capacity.

You can also listen to this episode on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and YouTube.

Resources & SupportIf you’re looking for more support after listening to this episode, here are some resources that may help:

* The Light After: Grief Support Group

* The Light Within: Healing After Trauma

* Downloadable Grief Journal

* Grief & Trauma Resource Bundle

* Grief on Purpose Blog