Best Shelby Forsythia Podcasts (2025)

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E12: Grieving on Your Wedding Day: Ideas for Rituals, Memorials, and Meaning 37:26

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6d ago37:26

37:26

Planning a wedding after the death of a loved one is bittersweet. In this episode, I share how to honor grief, make space for absence, and infuse your celebration with memory, meaning, and love—without losing yourself in the overwhelm. You’ll learn: How to choose a wedding format that supports your grief Ideas for clothing, flowers, and rituals tha…

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Ep. 157. Nurse Penny: How to Survive End-of-Life Caregiving Using Palliative Care 58:33

6d ago58:33

58:33

If you've been following me for a while, you know how much I love hospice nurses. This season I am so grateful to sit down with "Hospice Nurse Penny," AKA Penny Smith. Nurse Penny entered the world of grief with the death of her dad, who passed about five years into her career. She is a nationally certified hospice and palliative care nurse, and ha…

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E11: 15 Grief Affirmations That Ground You WITHOUT Toxic Positivity 27:27

13d ago27:27

27:27

If you’ve ever felt broken, lost, or completely alone in your grief, this episode is for you. I’m sharing 15 short, nonreligious affirmations that have brought me comfort and a sense of stability in grief’s hardest moments—along with insights from my students inside Life After Loss Academy. These aren’t fluffy or sugarcoated. They’re honest, ground…

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Ep. 156. Myra Sack: How to Survive the Death of Your Child Using Movement and Connection 56:20

13d ago56:20

56:20

My guest this week is the incredibly soulful and inspiring Myra Sack. Myra’s life changed when her first daughter, Havi Lev Goldstein, was diagnosed with Tay-Sachs, a terminal neurodegenerative disorder, on December 17, 2019. Havi passed away on January 20, 2021. In 2021, Myra and her husband Matt began supporting Courageous Parents Network, a Bost…

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E10: Stop Saying “I Can’t Imagine What You’re Going Through” to Grievers—Here’s Why 29:14

20d ago29:14

29:14

You’ve probably heard it—or maybe even said it: “I can’t imagine what you’re going through.” It sounds compassionate on the surface, but it often creates emotional distance instead of connection. In this episode, I explain why this common sympathy phrase misses the mark for many grievers and what to say that’s actually comforting. You'll learn: Why…

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Ep. 155. Jason Roeder: How to Survive the Death of Your Mother by Being Funny 55:02

20d ago55:02

55:02

My guest this week is the INCREDIBLY witty writer and griever, Jason Roeder. Jason is a former senior editor and senior writer at The Onion as well as a contributor to The New Yorker and McSweeney’s Internet Tendency. His books have landed on best-of humor lists twice and have been praised by the likes of Judd Apatow and Jack Handey. This week, we …

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E9: Mother’s Day, Grief, and the Healing Power of Poetry with William Bortz 44:58

27d ago44:58

44:58

Poet William Bortz joins me to talk about grief, poetry, and finding appreciation after loss. We explore how poetry can companion us through devastating experiences—and how William has begun reshaping Mother's Day into something gentler after decades of isolation and anger. In this episode, we discuss: Why poetry is uniquely helpful for grieving mi…

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Ep. 154. Rachel Cargle: How to Survive Multiple Losses in the Public Eye 55:51

27d ago55:51

55:51

I'm so honored to host the remarkable Rachel Cargle this week, of all weeks. With Mother's Day approaching- you are absolutely going to want to hear what she has to say. As a young girl, Rachel felt isolated in her grief experience after losing her father. Two years ago, in one calendar year, she lost her mother, grandmother, and older sister; cata…

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Ep. 153. Jaycee Gossett: Trauma-Related Exercise 52:00

1M ago52:00

52:00

One of my biggest tenets is that "Grief is the energy created in the body on account of loss." In this episode, I am so lucky to be sitting with the extraordinary Jaycee Gossett, one of the founding leaders of "The Class." Jaycee talks in an incredibly eloquent manner about this exercise movement, and how it is an effective companion to our grief e…

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E8: Grief Makes You "Weird": 5 Coping Strategies That Actually Work 33:42

1M ago33:42

33:42

Ever find yourself doing something a little odd after loss—like wearing the same outfit for weeks or talking to your dead person’s photo—and wonder, “Is this normal?” In this episode, I’m sharing five coping strategies that might seem weird from the outside but actually help you navigate life after loss in grounded, helpful ways. You’ll hear about:…

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E7: Ask Shelby: How Do I Announce a Death on Facebook or Instagram? 33:14

1M ago33:14

33:14

When someone dies, social media can feel like the last thing on your mind. But often times, posting online the best way to update lots of friends and family at once. In this episode, I'll give you a clear, step-by-step framework for announcing a death on Facebook, Instagram, or other social media platforms with heart, compassion, and care. You'll l…

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Ep. 152. Jessica Turner: How to Survive When Your Marriage Ends Using Honest Storytelling 49:45

1M ago49:45

49:45

This week, I am so thrilled to sit down with the lovely Jessica Turner! You may know Jessica from her incredible platform, The Mom Creative, or one of her many, many media appearances. Jessica is not just A content creator; she is one of THE content creators and a "tastemaker for busy moms looking for hacks to live life with more intention and less…

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E6: Grief Is NOT "Just Love With No Place to Go." Here's What It Really Is. 19:59

2M ago19:59

19:59

The quote: “Grief is just love with no place to go” is everywhere, but it doesn’t tell the whole story of life after loss. In this episode, explore what grief really is, especially when love isn’t the defining emotion. You’ll learn: Why “grief is love” doesn’t work for everyone How grief shows up after painful or distant relationships What grief in…

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Ep. 151. Tamsen Fadal: How to Survive Menopause Using a Cultural Change Campaign 31:20

2M ago31:20

31:20

Welcome back to Grief is My Side Hustle! In this episode, veteran journalist, writer and advocate Tamsen Fadal and host Meghan Riordan Jarvis explore how grief and menopause are intertwined. They discuss their personal experiences, cultural perspectives, and the importance of education around women's health. Tamsen shares how her own menopause jour…

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E5: Loss, Grief, Mourning & Bereavement: What’s the Difference? 28:23

2M ago28:23

28:23

You’ve heard the words loss, grief, mourning, and bereavement—but what do they really mean? In this episode, we explore how language shapes your healing and why getting clear on these terms can help you feel more grounded in your grief. You'll learn: What “loss” actually refers to How the word “grief” holds both “bereavement” and “mourning” Why lan…

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Introducing ‘Grief Grower,’ my NEW podcast full of helpful tools and hopeful conversations for life after loss 2:25

2M ago2:25

2:25

Let’s keep growing through grief on my new show, Grief Grower, a weekly podcast full of practical tips, comforting guidance, and insightful interviews for navigating life after death, divorce, diagnosis, and other major losses. Because grief isn’t something to “get over”—it’s something to grow through! New episodes are released every Thursday. List…

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Introducing ‘Grief Grower,’ my NEW podcast full of helpful tools and hopeful conversations for life after loss 2:24

2M ago2:24

2:24

Let’s keep growing through grief on my new show, Grief Grower, a weekly podcast full of practical tips, comforting guidance, and insightful interviews for navigating life after death, divorce, diagnosis, and other major losses. Because grief isn’t something to “get over”—it’s something to grow through! New episodes are released every Thursday. List…

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E4: Marking 5 Years of COVID Loss: What Grievers Still Need with Rebecca Soffer 55:44

2M ago55:44

55:44

Five years since the world first shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, grievers are still asking: Where is the acknowledgment? In this powerful conversation with Modern Loss founder Rebecca Soffer, we talk about: Why COVID grief is still so raw for so many How good leadership supports—instead of minimizes—grieving people Our fantasy grief rituals…

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E3: Staring at a Blank Page? 7 Journaling Prompts for Grief That Actually Help 41:10

2M ago41:10

41:10

Journaling for grief can feel impossible when you're overwhelmed by loss. In this episode, I’m sharing seven compassionate journaling prompts to help you approach the blank page and begin writing—whether you're grieving a death, divorce, diagnosis, or identity shift. You’ll learn: Why the blank page feels so intimidating when you're grieving How me…

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E2: Growing Through Grief: What Does It Mean to Be a "Grief Grower"? 26:34

3M ago26:34

26:34

Grief isn’t something to “get over”—it’s something we grow with. In this episode, we explore what it means to be what I call a "grief grower" and how to grow through grief instead of "getting over it." You'll learn: Why society gets grief wrong (and what to do instead) How to build a lifelong relationship with grief The truth about growing around g…

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E1: Trailer 1:52

3M ago1:52

1:52

Welcome to Grief Grower, your home base for tools and conversations to navigate life after loss. Hosted by grief coach and author Shelby Forsythia, this podcast offers support for all types of loss—death, divorce, diagnosis, and more. Each week, gain practical tools & compassionate wisdom to grow through grief. Listen on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube.…

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Ep. 150. The Art of Losing: Barri Leiner Grant on The Grief of Divorce 50:25

3M ago50:25

50:25

The grief that results from losing relationships is profound, but it can feel especially isolating due to the guilt and shame often tied to it. Barri Leiner Grant has experienced the grief of divorce from many perspectives -- as a child whose parents split up, as a spouse whose marriage ended, and as a grief coach who helps others navigate relation…

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Ep. 149. The Art of Losing: Kelli Holloway on Following Where Grief Leads 58:25

3M ago58:25

58:25

After Kelli Holloway's mom died, she heard a very clear message from God: Build, Go, Rest. Her trust in this guidance not only shaped the way she grieved but also changed the entire trajectory of her life. Kelli Holloway is a Raleigh, North Carolina native with a passion for community, connection, and purpose-driven work. She is the creator and hos…

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E56: FINALE: I’m dreading the new year 16:57

5M ago16:57

16:57

As the new year approaches, a listener's grief for her dad is louder than ever. She's wondering if it's normal for grief to resurface, even though time has passed. … Ready to find your way after devastating loss? Check out my FREE workshop: Grow Through Grief: 3 Ways to Stop Feeling Stuck and Start Moving Forward: https://www.shelbyforsythia.com/fr…

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E55: I’m mourning the loss of a dream 18:50

6M ago18:50

18:50

A letter-writer is grieving the loss of a lifelong goal. After years of battling this unfulfilled longing, they feel stuck in a cycle of hope and frustration. How do you mourn a dream that isn’t entirely dead but feels out of reach? … Ready to find your way after devastating loss? Check out my FREE workshop: Grow Through Grief: 3 Ways to Stop Feeli…

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E54: I'm scared I'm moving on too soon 10:03

6M ago10:03

10:03

After having an emotional dream about his dog who died, a grieving pet owner is wondering whether or not he's rushing into getting a new dog. … Ready to find your way after devastating loss? Check out my FREE workshop: Grow Through Grief: 3 Ways to Stop Feeling Stuck and Start Moving Forward: https://www.shelbyforsythia.com/free-workshop Submit you…

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E53: I’m grieving my husband’s death and betrayal 17:43

6M ago17:43

17:43

A grieving wife who discovered her husband's affair after his death questions her self-worth and grapples with how to mourn a relationship that is muddled with betrayal. … Ready to find your way after devastating loss? Check out my FREE workshop: Grow Through Grief: 3 Ways to Stop Feeling Stuck and Start Moving Forward: https://www.shelbyforsythia.…

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E52: I’m relieved that my loved one died, and I feel like a bad person 25:42

6M ago25:42

25:42

A grieving mom is ashamed that she feels relief after her daughter's death. She wonders if it's okay to miss her daughter and be grateful that she's no longer suffering. … Ready to find your way after devastating loss? Check out my FREE workshop: Grow Through Grief: 3 Ways to Stop Feeling Stuck and Start Moving Forward: https://www.shelbyforsythia.…

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E51: I'm consumed with rage 18:32

7M ago18:32

18:32

A listener grieving the sudden, traumatic death of their brother is overwhelmed by anger. In the wake of this loss, will they set fire to every relationship in their life? … Ready to find your way after devastating loss? Check out my FREE workshop: Grow Through Grief: 3 Ways to Stop Feeling Stuck and Start Moving Forward: https://www.shelbyforsythi…

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E50: I'm dealing with survivor's guilt 20:07

7M ago20:07

20:07

A cancer survivor reckons with the aftermath of cancer treatment, including survivor's guilt. … Ready to find your way after devastating loss? Check out my FREE workshop: Grow Through Grief: 3 Ways to Stop Feeling Stuck and Start Moving Forward: https://www.shelbyforsythia.com/free-workshop Submit your anonymous letter for Dear Grief Guide: https:/…

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E49: I'm grieving my secret affair partner 11:11

7M ago11:11

11:11

A woman whose her affair partner died wonders whether she, as "the other woman," has the right to feel grief surrounding this secret loss. … Ready to find your way after devastating loss? Check out my FREE workshop: Grow Through Grief: 3 Ways to Stop Feeling Stuck and Start Moving Forward: https://www.shelbyforsythia.com/free-workshop Submit your a…

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E48: I'm mourning back-to-back breakups 16:56

7M ago16:56

16:56

In the fallout of two consecutive breakups, a letter-writer is also grieving her home, her belief in love, and her hope for the future. … Ready to find your way after devastating loss? Check out my FREE workshop: Grow Through Grief: 3 Ways to Stop Feeling Stuck and Start Moving Forward: https://www.shelbyforsythia.com/free-workshop Submit your anon…

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E47: I feel like there's no room for my grief in my family 16:13

7M ago16:13

16:13

Within her dysfunctional family, a grieving woman feels like there's no space for her grief, especially in her relationship with her alcoholic mom. … Ready to find your way after devastating loss? Check out my FREE workshop: Grow Through Grief: 3 Ways to Stop Feeling Stuck and Start Moving Forward: https://www.shelbyforsythia.com/free-workshop Subm…

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Ep. 147. Shelby Forsythia: Transforming Loss through Learning 47:30

8M ago47:30

47:30

Shelby Forsythia (she/her) is a grief coach, author, and podcast host. In 2020, she founded Life After Loss Academy, an online course and community that has helped dozens of grievers grow and find their way after death, divorce, diagnosis, and other major life transitions. Following her mother’s death in 2013, Shelby began calling herself a “studen…

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E46: I'm afraid I won't ever feel whole again 15:46

8M ago15:46

15:46

After his wife's death by suicide, a grieving husband knows that there's no way to replace her presence in his life. But he wonders if and when he'll ever feel whole again. … Ready to find your way after devastating loss? Check out my FREE workshop: Grow Through Grief: 3 Ways to Stop Feeling Stuck and Start Moving Forward: https://www.shelbyforsyth…

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7 Essentials for a Healthy Divorce Journey: What You Need to Know With Karen McMahon 25:02

8M ago25:02

25:02

In this final episode of Wise and Worthy, we want to leave you with the 7 Essentials When Navigating Divorce. Whether you're in the thick of the divorce process or reflecting on life after, these essentials will provide you with the tools and mindset needed to navigate this difficult time with grace, clarity, and strength. We also have a number of …

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E45: I'm worried the holidays won't feel magical 16:17

8M ago16:17

16:17

A grieving wife and mother is wondering how to make the holidays feel special for her three kids after her husband's death earlier this year. … Ready to find your way after devastating loss? Check out my FREE workshop: Grow Through Grief: 3 Ways to Stop Feeling Stuck and Start Moving Forward: https://www.shelbyforsythia.com/free-workshop Submit you…

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E44: I don't know if this feeling will ever end 18:55

8M ago18:55

18:55

A nursing school student who recently lost her grandmother still feels swallowed up by the pain of grief. She's wondering if or when this feeling will ever go away. … Ready to find your way after devastating loss? Check out my FREE workshop: Grow Through Grief: 3 Ways to Stop Feeling Stuck and Start Moving Forward: https://www.shelbyforsythia.com/f…

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Breaking Free: Releasing Shame, Failure, and Regret During Divorce with Jen Mitchell 51:57

8M ago51:57

51:57

Divorce can be an emotionally turbulent time, often marked by feelings of shame, fear, and regret. These emotions can be overwhelming, clouding judgment and making it difficult to move forward. Shame can create a deep sense of inadequacy, leading individuals to question their self-worth and value. Fear, whether it's about the future or the unknown,…

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E43: I want to support someone on a grief anniversary 14:16

8M ago14:16

14:16

A thoughtful husband is curious about how to best support his wife on her sister's upcoming death anniversary. … Ready to find your way after devastating loss? Check out my FREE workshop: Grow Through Grief: 3 Ways to Stop Feeling Stuck and Start Moving Forward: https://www.shelbyforsythia.com/free-workshop Submit your anonymous letter for Dear Gri…

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E42: I'm angry at everyone who gets to grow old 15:09

9M ago15:09

15:09

A grieving son is resentful of everyone who appears to be his mother's age or other, angry that she didn't get the privilege of a long, happy life. … Ready to find your way after devastating loss? Check out my FREE workshop: Grow Through Grief: 3 Ways to Stop Feeling Stuck and Start Moving Forward: https://www.shelbyforsythia.com/free-workshop Subm…

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How to Succeed in Difficult Conversations During Divorce with Amy Green Smith 49:41

9M ago49:41

49:41

Navigating a divorce is challenging enough without the added stress of difficult conversations that often arise during the process. Whether you’re discussing finances, co-parenting arrangements, or simply setting new boundaries, these conversations can be incredibly daunting. In this episode, we explore how to approach these tough discussions with …

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E41: My loss is impacting my dating life 12:03

9M ago12:03

12:03

A young woman in the dating pool doesn't know how to talk about her brother's death with prospective partners. … Ready to find your way after devastating loss? Check out my FREE workshop: Grow Through Grief: 3 Ways to Stop Feeling Stuck and Start Moving Forward: https://www.shelbyforsythia.com/free-workshop Submit your anonymous letter for Dear Gri…

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E40: I feel like an alien 14:34

9M ago14:34

14:34

A young fatherless daughter feels like grief has made her an alien, and is wondering how to navigate living on "Planet Grief." … Ready to find your way after devastating loss? Check out my FREE workshop: Grow Through Grief: 3 Ways to Stop Feeling Stuck and Start Moving Forward: https://www.shelbyforsythia.com/free-workshop Submit your anonymous let…

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How Grieving Well Heals and Provides a New Opening with Shelby Forsythia 49:52

9M ago49:52

49:52

In this episode, we explore a transformative approach to grief that redefines how we navigate loss. We introduce a new paradigm encapsulated in the acronym GRIEF: Ground, Release, Integrate, Establish, Foster. This approach not only helps us heal but also opens doors to new possibilities and growth. Grief is an ongoing journey, not just a one-time …