Episodes

  • Grief is the New Normal Podcast: S3E14 The Hidden Cost of Grief at Work: A Conversation with Judi Johnson

    Grief is the New Normal Podcast: S3E14 The Hidden Cost of Grief at Work: A Conversation with Judi Johnson
    May 7 2026
    What happens when grief walks into the office and no one knows what to do with it? In this episode of Grief is the New Normal, Dr. Heather Taylor sits down with Judi Johnson, grief coach and workplace grief educator from New Zealand, to talk about one of the most underaddressed intersections in professional life: grief in the workplace. From construction sites to corporate boardrooms, grief doesn't clock out when we do, and the cost of ignoring it is higher than most organizations realize. Judi brings both professional expertise and lived experience to this conversation, including her own journey through childlessness not by choice, the compression of multiple grief events, and working in high-risk environments without the support or language to name what she was carrying. In this episode, Judi and Dr. Taylor cover: - Grief literacy in the workplace and why most organizations are starting from zero - How grief symptoms mimic mental health conditions and why that distinction matters for job performance and safety - Spatial awareness, decision making, delayed reactions, and the real cognitive impact of grief on the job - Why childless not by choice grief is one of the most invisible and disenfranchised losses in professional settings - The compounding effect of grief for marginalized groups including expats, LGBTQIA+ employees, and those navigating infertility - How people pleasing and masking keep grieving employees stuck in silence - Practical, low-barrier steps leaders and HR teams can take today to build grief-informed workplaces - Why bereavement leave policies often fail grieving employees before the grief has even begun - Buddy systems, honest one-on-ones, and the small shifts that create cultures of compassionate support About Judi Johnson: Judi is a certified coach and ICF-accredited grief practitioner based in Auckland, New Zealand. She works privately with clients who are childless not by choice (CNBC), helping them navigate grief and build a fulfilling, joyful life. In addition to 1-1 coaching, she delivers grief education to workplaces, particularly in high-risk industries such as construction, highlighting how grief impacts cognitive function, safety, and productivity. Her mission is to work with businesses to create compassionate, grief informed workplace cultures. https://linktr.ee/embraceyourfuture.judi Two handouts- coping mechanisms and breaking free from people pleasing https://www.embraceyourfuture.net/copingmechanisms https://www.embraceyourfuture.net/breakingfree Keywords this episode speaks to: grief in the workplace, workplace grief support, childless not by choice grief, disenfranchised grief, grief-informed workplaces, employee wellbeing, bereavement leave, grief and job performance, HR grief training, grief and safety, grief coach, anticipatory grief, grief literacy, childless grief, infertility grief, marginalized grief, compassionate workplace culture, grief and mental health Resources mentioned: The Grieving Brain by Mary-Frances O'Connor Embrace Your Future: embraceyourfuture.net World Childless Week ------------------------------ Grief is not a problem to solve. It is a human experience to move through, and most of us were never taught how. Grief is the New Normal is hosted by Dr. Heather Taylor, licensed psychologist and grief specialist with over a decade of experience in grief, trauma, and reproductive psychology. This show exists to change the conversation around loss by expanding what grief looks like, who it belongs to, and what it actually means to integrate it into your life. Whether you're grieving a death, a diagnosis, a relationship, an identity shift, or the world as you knew it, your grief is real, it deserves space, and you are not behind. And if you're a clinician, coach, or helper carrying your own grief while holding space for others, this show was built for you too. Dr. Taylor brings research-informed frameworks, honest clinical perspective, and the STAY framework, a grief-informed approach to living with loss that goes far beyond the five stages. Expect nuance, depth, and conversations that take grief seriously. No toxic positivity. No fixing. Just honest conversation, real validation, and a community built around grief literacy, disenfranchised grief, anticipatory grief, collective grief, and the full spectrum of human loss. grief support podcast · disenfranchised grief · anticipatory grief · grief after loss · grief for clinicians · grief-informed care · grief literacy · coping with grief · grief and identity · mental health and grief · reproductive grief · pet loss grief · collective trauma and grief · moral injury · grief integration · STAY framework New episodes dropping regularly Subscribe to the Bridging the Grief Gap newsletter on LinkedIn for deeper dives, resources, and grief-literate tools LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/heather-taylor-psyd-licensed-psychologist Grab the Authentically Unapologetic Grief Journal → https://a.co/d...
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    53 mins
  • Grief is the New Normal Podcast S3E13: Changing the Narrative: Grief in Clinical Work (Part 4)

    Grief is the New Normal Podcast S3E13: Changing the Narrative: Grief in Clinical Work (Part 4)
    May 5 2026
    What does it look like to build a sustainable, grief-informed clinical practice, not after grief ends, but while you are still living with it? In this mini-series finale of Grief is the New Normal, Dr. Heather Taylor closes her four-part miniseries for clinicians, coaches, and helpers by tackling one of the most overlooked realities in the helping professions: grief does not end. It changes. And for clinicians who are grieving, that shift can reshape your professional identity, your clinical work, and the way you show up for the people you serve. Drawing on her own experience of losing her brother nearly 17 years ago and completing her PsyD dissertation while actively grieving, Dr. Taylor challenges the narrative that you must wait for grief to resolve before you can thrive. You don't owe anyone a performance of healing. In this episode, Dr. Taylor covers: Grief integration vs. acceptance, and why the distinction matters clinicallyThe waves metaphor and how grief seasons shape your capacity over timeSustainable practice strategies for the long haul, including realistic scheduling, clinical variety, and preventing burnoutWhy clinician wellbeing is an ethical issue, not a personal luxuryHow grief can redefine professionalism rather than undermine itReflection questions to help you examine how grief has reshaped your work and release "good enough" narratives that no longer serve you Whether you are a therapist, counselor, coach, or helper who is personally navigating loss while supporting others, this episode meets you where you are. Keywords this episode speaks to: grief-informed practice, clinician grief, therapist burnout, sustainable therapy practice, grief integration, disenfranchised grief, grief and professional identity, grief for helpers, grief-informed care, secondary grief, anticipatory grief, clinician wellbeing, ethics and self-care, grief literacy Timestamps: 00:00 Thriving While Grieving 00:27 Welcome and Series Finale 01:42 Grief Changes the Clinician 02:52 My Brother and Becoming Grief Informed 04:16 Integration Over Acceptance 04:56 Sustainable Practice for the Long Haul 05:43 Waves and Seasonal Cadence 07:28 Scheduling Variety and Burnout Reset 09:29 Ethics Include Your Wellbeing 10:29 Redefining Professionalism Through Grief 11:04 Closing Takeaways and Reflections 13:22 Outro and Resources ----------------------- Grief is not a problem to solve. It is a human experience to move through, and most of us were never taught how. Grief is the New Normal is hosted by Dr. Heather Taylor, licensed psychologist and grief specialist with over a decade of experience in grief, trauma, and reproductive psychology. This show exists to change the conversation around loss by expanding what grief looks like, who it belongs to, and what it actually means to integrate it into your life. Whether you're grieving a death, a diagnosis, a relationship, an identity shift, or the world as you knew it, your grief is real, it deserves space, and you are not behind. And if you're a clinician, coach, or helper carrying your own grief while holding space for others, this show was built for you too. Dr. Taylor brings research-informed frameworks, honest clinical perspective, and the STAY framework, a grief-informed approach to living with loss that goes far beyond the five stages. Expect nuance, depth, and conversations that take grief seriously. No toxic positivity. No fixing. Just honest conversation, real validation, and a community built around grief literacy, disenfranchised grief, anticipatory grief, collective grief, and the full spectrum of human loss. grief support podcast · disenfranchised grief · anticipatory grief · grief after loss · grief for clinicians · grief-informed care · grief literacy · coping with grief · grief and identity · mental health and grief · reproductive grief · pet loss grief · collective trauma and grief · moral injury · grief integration · STAY framework New episodes dropping regularly Subscribe to the Bridging the Grief Gap newsletter on LinkedIn for deeper dives, resources, and grief-literate tools LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/heather-taylor-psyd-licensed-psychologist Grab the Authentically Unapologetic Grief Journal → https://a.co/d/4hbLtbX www.thedrheathertaylor.com · hello@griefisthenewnormal.com https://linktr.ee/griefisthenewnormal Follow @grief_is_the_new_normal on Instagram for grief education, mental health content, and yes, a little sass and dark humor too. ------------------------------------- Opening and closing music by The Dadicorns Copyright 2026 Grief is the New Normal: A Podcast with Dr. Heather Taylor. All Rights Reserved. This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy.
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    14 mins
  • Grief is the New Normal Podcast: S3E12 Life Interrupted: The Impact of Sibling Grief with Dr. Parul Dua Makkar

    Grief is the New Normal Podcast: S3E12 Life Interrupted: The Impact of Sibling Grief with Dr. Parul Dua Makkar
    Apr 11 2026
    On Grief is the New Normal, host Dr. Heather Taylor interviews Long Island dentist and grief coach Dr. Parul Dua Makkar about sibling grief after her younger brother, Dr. Manu Dua, died from canver of the tongue in 2021 during COVID restrictions, leaving her to say goodbye by video call. They discuss how sibling loss can feel invisible and uniquely alters identity, future plans, and family dynamics, especially as Parul later lost her father suddenly. Parul shares Manu’s posthumously published book, Life Interrupted, and her tribute platform “Dua Good Job,” focused on doing good, oral cancer education, and grief support. They explore how grief shifts empathy in healthcare, the importance of boundaries and support, and why grieving people value others saying the sibling’s name and sharing memories. 00:00 Say Their Name 00:25 Podcast Welcome 00:48 Meet Dr Parul 01:18 Losing Manu in COVID 03:16 His Cancer Lessons 05:09 Life Interrupted 07:32 Why Sibling Grief Hurts 11:55 Talk About Our Siblings 13:17 Keeping Memories for Kids 14:27 Second Loss Losing Dad 18:22 Finding Peace After Loss 18:49 Grief Held in the Body 20:03 Micro Griefs in Dentistry 22:01 Empathy Gaps in Care 25:08 Choosing Meaning After Trauma 26:56 Do a Good Job Legacy 29:39 Identity and Boundaries 33:48 Advice for Sibling Grievers 35:35 Where to Connect 36:13 Closing and Resources ------------------------------------ Dr. Parul Dua Makkar is a general dentist, speaker, author, and grief coach for healthcare providers. After losing her only sibling, Dr. Manu Dua, to oral cancer, she turned her personal loss into a powerful mission. Through her initiative Dua Good Job, she educates healthcare professionals on early oral cancer detection, treatment navigation, and the emotional toll of caregiving and loss. Dr. Makkar is also dedicated to supporting clinicians facing burnout, grief, and moral injury, offering compassionate tools and coaching to help them heal while continuing to serve. Based in Long Island, NY, she blends clinical expertise with heartfelt advocacy to create space for wellness, awareness, and purpose in healthcare. Guide to Oral Cancer Free eBook: https://www.duagoodjob.com/freeoralcancerguide Books https://www.duagoodjob.com/offers/3oeb648R Book a support call. https://www.duagoodjob.com/schedulecall ---------------------- Grief is not a problem to solve. It is a human experience to move through, and most of us were never taught how. Grief is the New Normal is hosted by Dr. Heather Taylor, licensed psychologist and grief specialist with over a decade of experience in grief, trauma, and reproductive psychology. This show exists to change the conversation around loss by expanding what grief looks like, who it belongs to, and what it actually means to integrate it into your life. Whether you're grieving a death, a diagnosis, a relationship, an identity shift, or the world as you knew it, your grief is real, it deserves space, and you are not behind. And if you're a clinician, coach, or helper carrying your own grief while holding space for others, this show was built for you too. Dr. Taylor brings research-informed frameworks, honest clinical perspective, and the STAY framework, a grief-informed approach to living with loss that goes far beyond the five stages. Expect nuance, depth, and conversations that take grief seriously. No toxic positivity. No fixing. Just honest conversation, real validation, and a community built around grief literacy, disenfranchised grief, anticipatory grief, collective grief, and the full spectrum of human loss. grief support podcast · disenfranchised grief · anticipatory grief · grief after loss · grief for clinicians · grief-informed care · grief literacy · coping with grief · grief and identity · mental health and grief · reproductive grief · pet loss grief · collective trauma and grief · moral injury · grief integration · STAY framework New episodes dropping regularly Subscribe to the Bridging the Grief Gap newsletter on LinkedIn for deeper dives, resources, and grief-literate tools LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/heather-taylor-psyd-licensed-psychologist Grab the Authentically Unapologetic Grief Journal → https://a.co/d/4hbLtbX www.griefisthenewnormal.com · hello@griefisthenewnormal.com Follow @grief_is_the_new_normal on Instagram for grief education, mental health content, and yes, a little sass and dark humor too. ------------------------------------- Opening and closing music by The Dadicorns Copyright 2026 Grief is the New Normal: A Podcast with Dr. Heather Taylor. All Rights Reserved. This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy.
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    37 mins
  • Grief is the New Normal Podcast: S3E11 Burnout Is a Word. What You're Feeling Is Grief. (Part 3)

    Grief is the New Normal Podcast: S3E11 Burnout Is a Word. What You're Feeling Is Grief. (Part 3)
    Apr 7 2026

    We’re Not Okay Either: Clinician Grief, Moral Injury, and Micro-Moves for Survival

    Dr. Heather Taylor introduces part three of a series for clinicians, coaches, and helpers, addresses collective grief and the current political moment’s impact on helpers’ capacity, safety, and motivation. She names grief over broken systems, client and clinician safety, compassion fatigue, and working within structures that demand productivity and “move on,” framing much of this as moral injury and systemic grief that can feel like fog, apathy, and loss of meaning. Taylor emphasizes helpers are not machines, AI, or martyrs, and normalizes boundaries such as saying no to new clients, taking grief or political action days, and stepping back when needed. She recommends practical “micro moves” for nervous system regulation (brief grounding, cold air, water breaks, audiobooks, vagal holds) and intentional scheduling gaps. She closes with reflection questions and a call to seek community and support.

    00:00 Collective Grief Reality

    01:09 Series Intro And Focus

    01:43 Clinician Grief Today

    04:09 Burnout And Moral Injury

    04:55 Permission For Boundaries

    06:34 Micro Moves For Regulation

    09:43 Green Yellow Zone Map

    12:42 Wrap Up And Community

    13:52 Reflection Questions Next Part

    14:58 Outro And Resources

    ----------------------------

    Grief is not a problem to solve. It is a human experience to move through, and most of us were never taught how.

    Grief is the New Normal is hosted by Dr. Heather Taylor, licensed psychologist and grief specialist with over a decade of experience in grief, trauma, and reproductive psychology. This show exists to change the conversation around loss by expanding what grief looks like, who it belongs to, and what it actually means to integrate it into your life.

    Whether you're grieving a death, a diagnosis, a relationship, an identity shift, or the world as you knew it, your grief is real, it deserves space, and you are not behind. And if you're a clinician, coach, or helper carrying your own grief while holding space for others, this show was built for you too.

    Dr. Taylor brings research-informed frameworks, honest clinical perspective, and the STAY framework, a grief-informed approach to living with loss that goes far beyond the five stages. Expect nuance, depth, and conversations that take grief seriously.

    No toxic positivity. No fixing. Just honest conversation, real validation, and a community built around grief literacy, disenfranchised grief, anticipatory grief, collective grief, and the full spectrum of human loss.

    grief support podcast · disenfranchised grief · anticipatory grief · grief after loss · grief for clinicians · grief-informed care · grief literacy · coping with grief · grief and identity · mental health and grief · reproductive grief · pet loss grief · collective trauma and grief · moral injury · grief integration · STAY framework

    New episodes dropping regularly

    Subscribe to the Bridging the Grief Gap newsletter on LinkedIn for deeper dives, resources, and grief-literate tools

    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/heather-taylor-psyd-licensed-psychologist

    Grab the Authentically Unapologetic Grief Journal → https://a.co/d/4hbLtbX

    www.griefisthenewnormal.com · hello@griefisthenewnormal.com

    Follow @grief_is_the_new_normal on Instagram for grief education, mental health content, and yes, a little sass and dark humor too.

    ------------------------------------- Opening and closing music by The Dadicorns Copyright 2026 Grief is the New Normal: A Podcast with Dr. Heather Taylor. All Rights Reserved. This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy.
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    16 mins
  • Grief is the New Normal Podcast: S3E10 Butterflies and Halos: Creativity in Mourning with Angie Hanson

    Grief is the New Normal Podcast: S3E10 Butterflies and Halos: Creativity in Mourning with Angie Hanson
    Apr 2 2026
    Butterflies, Halos, and Carrying Their Light Forward: Angie Hanson on Compounding Grief, Parenting, and Creative Healing Dr. Heather Taylor welcomes Angie Hanson (author, certified grief coach, and creator of Butterflies and Halos) to discuss layered loss, parenting through grief, and creative ways to support grievers. Angie shares losing her son Garrett (2006), husband Jack (stage four ocular melanoma; 2009), and brother Seth (brain tumor; 2009) within about two and a half years, while raising her daughter Gracie. They talk about compounding grief and practical coping, including journaling, naming what you’re carrying, grieving “one breath, one cry, one choice at a time,” and separating grief for each person. Angie explains her snarky, heartfelt grief cards that “speak to feel, not to fix,” plus boundaries and community support in grief work. She highlights storytelling and creativity as tools, her memoir Chapters of a Resilient Heart, and reframing loss as “carrying their light forward,” including acts of kindness in Garrett’s honor. 00:00 Grief Avalanche Wisdom 00:28 Podcast Welcome Guest 01:11 Angie Loss Story 03:04 Butterflies And Halos 04:24 Dark Humor Cards 07:00 Parenting Through Grief 09:45 Talking About Loss 10:58 Compounding Grief 11:46 Journaling To Untangle 14:28 Boundaries In Grief Work 16:17 Anniversary Season Planning 17:13 Grief Over Time 18:07 Milestones Hit Hard 18:18 Lois Tonkin Visual 19:01 Memoir and Storytelling 21:07 Creativity as Toolkit 23:38 Restarting Creativity 26:42 Carrying Their Light 29:18 Key Takeaways 30:37 Connect and Projects 31:41 Holiday Cards for Grievers 34:31 Closing and Resources --------------------- Angie Hanson is a certified grief coach, author, and founder of Butterflies + Halos, a grief-centered stationery and support brand that helps people feel seen, supported, and a little less alone after loss. After losing her son, husband, and brother in a short span of time, Angie turned her pain into purpose—creating honest, hope-filled resources including empathy cards, her memoir Chapters of a Resilient Heart, and her grief coaching programs. Angie blends grace, grit, and even humor to reimagine the grief journey and empower others to heal with heart. Follow her work at: https://butterfliesandhalos.com Connect on Instagram: https://instagram.com/butterfliesandhalos Facebook: https://facebook.com/butterfliesandhalos Amazon Author Page: https://author.amazon.com/books Learn about coaching:https://butterfliesandhalos.com/pages/new-grief-coaching-with-angie --------------------------------- Grief is the New Normal is the podcast that refuses to sugarcoat loss, because grief isn’t a problem to fix, it’s a reality to live with. Hosted by Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed psychologist with over a decade of experience in grief, trauma, and reproductive psychology, this show dives deep into the messy, nonlinear, and very real ways grief impacts our lives. Whether you're navigating the death of your person, wrestling with the weight of an invisible loss, or trying to figure out who you even are after everything changed, this podcast is here for you. With a mix of solo deep dives, expert interviews, and candid conversations, Dr. Taylor unpacks the emotions no one warns you about, challenges outdated grief narratives, and offers both practical tools and hard-earned wisdom to help you feel less alone. No toxic positivity. No “fixing” your grief. Just honest talk, validation, and the reminder that you don’t have to do this alone. Because in a world that wants you to move on, Grief is the New Normal is here to help you move through. https://www.griefisthenewnormal.com hello@griefisthenewnormal.com www.linkedin.com/in/heather-taylor-psyd-licensed-psychologist Follow @dr.heathertaylor on Instagram for grief podcast, mental health, self-care, sass, and dark humor content whether you’re grieving or you’re a mental health professional needing more modern grief language. Wanting more grief specific support? Check out my grief journal, Authentically Unapologetic: A Grief Journal available for purchase thru this link: https://a.co/d/4hbLtbX Opening & Closing Music by The Dadicorns Copyright 2026 Grief is the New Normal: A podcast with Dr. Heather Taylor All Rights Reserved. This podcast is meant for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information discussed in this podcast is not a replacement or substitute for therapy.
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    36 mins
  • Grief is the New Normal Podcast: S3E9 When a Client Dies: Navigating Grief, Ethics, and the Aftermath

    Grief is the New Normal Podcast: S3E9 When a Client Dies: Navigating Grief, Ethics, and the Aftermath
    Mar 30 2026

    When a Client Dies: Grief, Ethics, and Practical Next Steps for Helping Professionals

    Dr. Heather Taylor continues her “Grief in the Helping Professions” series by addressing what happens when a client dies, covering emotional, logistical, legal, and relational concerns that clinicians are often not trained to navigate. She emphasizes that the death is a personal loss regardless of length of treatment or cause of death, and that grief does not make a clinician unprofessional. Key guidance includes seeking supervision/consultation, remembering HIPAA protections continue after death, considering whether and how to contact family, navigating funeral attendance with clear boundaries, and documenting the death and related communications appropriately. She outlines common reactions such as shock, guilt, anger, numbness, relief, compassion fatigue, and resurfaced prior grief, and recommends supports like telling trusted colleagues, taking time off when possible, avoiding isolation, creating a goodbye ritual, and assessing capacity with the rest of one’s caseload. She closes with reflection questions and previews an upcoming episode on burnout and the emotional toll of current realities.

    00:00 Welcome and Topic Setup

    01:51 Why Client Death Hits Hard

    02:56 HIPAA and Practical Logistics

    04:39 Emotional Aftermath and Reactions

    05:47 Support and Time Off

    07:18 Rituals and Caseload Check-In

    08:59 Closing Thoughts and Reflections

    10:05 Next Episode Burnout Preview

    10:25 Final Sendoff

    -------------------------

    Grief is not a problem to solve. It is a human experience to move through, and most of us were never taught how.

    Grief is the New Normal is hosted by Dr. Heather Taylor, licensed psychologist and grief specialist with over a decade of experience in grief, trauma, and reproductive psychology. This show exists to change the conversation around loss by expanding what grief looks like, who it belongs to, and what it actually means to integrate it into your life.

    Whether you're grieving a death, a diagnosis, a relationship, an identity shift, or the world as you knew it, your grief is real, it deserves space, and you are not behind. And if you're a clinician, coach, or helper carrying your own grief while holding space for others, this show was built for you too.

    Dr. Taylor brings research-informed frameworks, honest clinical perspective, and the STAY framework, a grief-informed approach to living with loss that goes far beyond the five stages. Expect nuance, depth, and conversations that take grief seriously.

    No toxic positivity. No fixing. Just honest conversation, real validation, and a community built around grief literacy, disenfranchised grief, anticipatory grief, collective grief, and the full spectrum of human loss.

    grief support podcast · disenfranchised grief · anticipatory grief · grief after loss · grief for clinicians · grief-informed care · grief literacy · coping with grief · grief and identity · mental health and grief · reproductive grief · pet loss grief · collective trauma and grief · moral injury · grief integration · STAY framework

    New episodes dropping regularly

    Subscribe to the Bridging the Grief Gap newsletter on LinkedIn for deeper dives, resources, and grief-literate tools

    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/heather-taylor-psyd-licensed-psychologist

    Grab the Authentically Unapologetic Grief Journal → https://a.co/d/4hbLtbX

    www.griefisthenewnormal.com · hello@griefisthenewnormal.com

    Follow @grief_is_the_new_normal on Instagram for grief education, mental health content, and yes, a little sass and dark humor too.

    ------------------------------------- Opening and closing music by The Dadicorns Copyright 2026 Grief is the New Normal: A Podcast with Dr. Heather Taylor. All Rights Reserved. This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy.
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    12 mins
  • Grief is the New Normal Podcast S3E8: The Somatic Experience of Grief with Wendy Stern

    Grief is the New Normal Podcast S3E8: The Somatic Experience of Grief with Wendy Stern
    Mar 26 2026
    Dr. Heather Taylor hosts Wendy Stern, founder of the Center for Somatic Grieving, to discuss how grief lives in the body and why somatic approaches can help people metabolize what can’t be fully processed in the moment of loss. Wendy shares how losing her son Noah at nine months old led her and her husband to seek grief-supportive cultures abroad, and how yoga, breath, and mindfulness became a container for feeling and healing. They explore capacity, numbness as protection, and practices like timed “containers” to safely feel grief followed by a planned reorientation activity. Wendy explains how yoga supports regulation, embodiment, resilience, and connection to inner wisdom, and why being witnessed—especially in groups with clear guidelines like no crosstalk—reduces “shoulds,” validates grief, and keeps loved ones remembered. Wendy offers a gentle starting point: grounded posture and intentional breathing. 00:00 Show Intro 00:25 Meet Wendy Stern 01:24 Loss And Pilgrimage 04:06 Yoga As Healing 06:55 Somatic Grief Explained 10:15 Metabolizing Grief Safely 14:17 Timer Container Practice 17:43 Yoga Therapy Benefits 23:51 EMDR And Beliefs 24:48 Grief Illuminates Self Love 26:42 Loss as Growth Catalyst 28:36 What You Do With Time 29:15 Healing Through Witnessing 34:02 Remembering Their Names 37:16 Training Grief Facilitators 41:03 Breath to Reconnect 43:33 Key Takeaways and Closing 46:05 Episode Outro Resources -------------------------------- Wendy Black Stern is a pioneer in the field of somatic grief work and the founder of the Center for Somatic Grieving. She came to this work after the heartbreaking loss of her son, Noah, and has spent over 25 years as a yoga therapist, grief guide, group facilitator and educator supporting individuals and professionals to meet loss with compassion, presence, and embodied wisdom. Through her Mindful Grieving Yoga Teacher Training, she has helped cultivate a growing community of nearly 100 Mindful Grieving Facilitators across 9 countries who now share this work in their own communities. Wendy offers Mindful Grieving Programs, individual Somatic Grieving Sessions, and somatic grief retreats — including upcoming retreats on Maui (April 2026) and Bali (May 2026). Her next Mindful Grieving Yoga Teacher Training begins February 2026, and The Art of Sacred Listening Professional Training launches November 2025. Learn more at www.somaticgrieving.org Follow @somaticgrieving on Instagram and Facebook ---------------------------------------------- Grief is the New Normal is the podcast that refuses to sugarcoat loss, because grief isn’t a problem to fix, it’s a reality to live with. Hosted by Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed psychologist with over a decade of experience in grief, trauma, and reproductive psychology, this show dives deep into the messy, nonlinear, and very real ways grief impacts our lives. Whether you're navigating the death of your person, wrestling with the weight of an invisible loss, or trying to figure out who you even are after everything changed, this podcast is here for you. With a mix of solo deep dives, expert interviews, and candid conversations, Dr. Taylor unpacks the emotions no one warns you about, challenges outdated grief narratives, and offers both practical tools and hard-earned wisdom to help you feel less alone. No toxic positivity. No “fixing” your grief. Just honest talk, validation, and the reminder that you don’t have to do this alone. Because in a world that wants you to move on, Grief is the New Normal is here to help you move through. https://www.griefisthenewnormal.com hello@griefisthenewnormal.com www.linkedin.com/in/heather-taylor-psyd-licensed-psychologist Follow @grief_is_the_new_normal on Instagram for grief podcast, mental health, self-care, sass, and dark humor content whether you’re grieving or you’re a mental health professional needing more modern grief language. Wanting more grief specific support? Check out my grief journal, Authentically Unapologetic: A Grief Journal available for purchase thru this link: https://a.co/d/4hbLtbX Opening & Closing Music by The Dadicorns Copyright 2026 Grief is the New Normal: A podcast with Dr. Heather Taylor All Rights Reserved. This podcast is meant for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information discussed in this podcast is not a replacement or substitute for therapy.
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    47 mins
  • Grief is the New Normal Podcast: S3E7 Therapists Are Not Grief Proof: Supporting Clients While Navigating Your Own Grief

    Grief is the New Normal Podcast: S3E7 Therapists Are Not Grief Proof: Supporting Clients While Navigating Your Own Grief
    Mar 23 2026

    Holding Space for Client Grief While Grieving Yourself (Front-Line Helpers Mini Series, Part 1)

    Dr. Heather Taylor introduces a four-part mini series for front-line helpers (therapists, coaches, clinicians, social workers, birth workers) and addresses how to hold space for client grief while grieving personally. She challenges the myth that professionals should be “grief proof,” emphasizing that attunement doesn’t require detachment and containment doesn’t mean absence, while also avoiding overdisclosure, enmeshment, or “trauma dumping.” She describes how nervous system activation can affect energy and emotional availability, and shares in-session micro-regulation strategies such as using a fidget, grounding feet, vagal holds with clients, TIPP skills (e.g., cold water), note-taking or doodling, and tracking themes to process later in therapy or consultation. She highlights supervision, boundaries, self-compassion, rest, and community as essential for sustainability, offers reflection questions, and previews part two on what happens when a client dies, including HIPAA, memorials, funerals, and emotional impact.

    00:00 Grounding In Session

    00:33 Podcast Welcome

    00:59 Mini Series Overview

    02:38 We Are Not Grief Proof

    03:44 When Client Grief Hits Home

    05:04 Attunement Not Detachment

    06:50 Micro Regulation Tools

    09:50 Supervision And Community

    11:27 Real And Responsible

    13:27 Closing Reflections

    15:09 Next Episode Preview

    15:34 Outro And Resources

    -----------------------------------------

    Grief is the New Normal is the podcast that refuses to sugarcoat loss, because grief isn’t a problem to fix, it’s a reality to live with. Hosted by Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed psychologist with over a decade of experience in grief, trauma, and reproductive psychology, this show dives deep into the messy, nonlinear, and very real ways grief impacts our lives.

    Whether you're navigating the death of your person, wrestling with the weight of an invisible loss, or trying to figure out who you even are after everything changed, this podcast is here for you. With a mix of solo deep dives, expert interviews, and candid conversations, Dr. Taylor unpacks the emotions no one warns you about, challenges outdated grief narratives, and offers both practical tools and hard-earned wisdom to help you feel less alone.

    No toxic positivity. No “fixing” your grief. Just honest talk, validation, and the reminder that you don’t have to do this alone. Because in a world that wants you to move on, Grief is the New Normal is here to help you move through.

    https://www.griefisthenewnormal.com

    hello@griefisthenewnormal.com

    www.linkedin.com/in/heather-taylor-psyd-licensed-psychologist

    Follow @grief_is_the_new_normal on Instagram for grief podcast, mental health, self-care, sass, and dark humor content whether you’re grieving or you’re a mental health professional needing more modern grief language.

    Wanting more grief specific support? Check out my grief journal, Authentically Unapologetic: A Grief Journal available for purchase thru this link: https://a.co/d/4hbLtbX

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    Opening & Closing Music by The Dadicorns

    Copyright 2026 Grief is the New Normal: A podcast with Dr. Heather Taylor

    All Rights Reserved.

    This podcast is meant for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information discussed in this podcast is not a replacement or substitute for therapy.
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    17 mins