Tendrils of Grief

When Grief Changes Shape, Healing, Closure and Moving Forward Without Forgetting

I open my heart and share where I truly am in my grief journey—eight years after losing Paul, and after walking through layers of loss I never imagined I'd have to carry. This episode was born out of a quiet but powerful realization during the holidays: that grief evolves, that endings can bring clarity, and that moving forward doesn't mean forgetting—it means choosing alignment, peace, and authenticity. I reflect on parental estrangement, complicated family dynamics, selling the home Paul and I built our life in, and the tender moment of recognizing when a chapter has truly completed. I talk honestly about what I've learned along the way: * How sitting with your feelings—rather than avoiding them—can bring unexpected peace * Why turning inward matters more than seeking answers from others * Letting go of anger, old stories, and the need to react * Trusting your inner guidance, even when life feels unfair * Holding grief and hope in the same container * Choosing not to participate in cycles of dysfunction * Finding purpose after loss, even when it feels scary or unreasonable I also share how opening a community-centered barre studio became part of my healing—not because grief ended, but because I allowed myself to evolve. This episode is about trusting that what broke you may also be the thing that reshapes you into someone stronger, clearer, and more aligned than ever before. If you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure whether you'll ever be "okay" again, I want you to hear this clearly: you are not broken, you are not grieving wrong, and you are capable of moving forward in your own time. This episode is an invitation—to get quiet, to turn inward, to trust yourself, and to believe that even now, something meaningful is still unfolding for you. Welcome to New Ways Barre. We are so glad you are here. Get ready to transform your body, mind and life. At New Ways Barre, we are dedicated to fostering a supportive community where individuals can achieve holistic well-being. https://newwaysbarre.com/ [https://newwaysbarre.com/] Please subscribe and leave a review. If you have questions, comments, or possible show topics, email susan@tendrilsofgrief.com Don't forget to visit Tendrils Of Grief [https://www.tendrilsofgrief.com/] website and join for upcoming Webinars, Podcasts Updates and Group Coaching. Get involve and share your thoughts and experiences in our online community Tendrils of Grief-Survivor of Loss [https://www.facebook.com/groups/2708675396071194] To subscribe and review use one links of the links below Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/Tendrils-of-Grief/dp/B08K584Y7M] Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tendrils-of-grief/id1504765728] Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3l0mutQR5aMF2WadITscPV] Audacy [https://www.audacy.com/podcasts/tendrils-of-grief-36147] Deezer [https://www.deezer.com/en/show/1006722] Podcast Addict [https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/tendrils-of-grief/2794997] Pandora [https://www.pandora.com/] Rephonic [https://rephonic.com/podcasts/tendrils-of-grief] Tune In [https://tunein.com/podcasts/Health--Wellness-Podcasts/Tendrils-of-Grief-p1309127/] Connect with me Instagram: @Sue_ways [https://www.instagram.com/sueways/] Facebook:@ susan.ways [https://www.facebook.com/susan.ways] Email @susan@tendrilsofgrief.com Let me hear your thoughts!

Finding your soul's purpose through grief

In this thoughtful and deeply grounded episode, I sit down with Gyani Richards, MA—a grief counselor, Certified Grief Educator, and lifelong student of meditation and wisdom traditions—to explore what it truly means to live with grief over a lifetime. Gyani's path into grief work began early, following the death of his father when he was just 13 years old. That loss set him on a lifelong journey of inquiry—one that led him into meditation, Eastern and Western wisdom traditions, martial arts, and ultimately the field of grief counseling. With over 40 years of personal practice and professional experience, Gyani brings a calm, compassionate, and deeply human presence to conversations about loss. In this episode, we talk about grief not as something to "get over," but as an experience that unfolds, evolves, and teaches us over time. Gyani shares how meditation, embodied awareness, and spiritual inquiry can support grievers without bypassing pain or forcing healing. Drawing from his background in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology, Aikido, and grief education, he offers insights into how grief lives in the body, how presence can soften suffering, and why meaning-making is a deeply personal process. Together, we explore themes such as: * Early loss and its lifelong impact * Grief as a teacher rather than a problem to solve * Meditation and mindfulness in grief support * The role of embodiment and movement in healing * Integrating wisdom traditions with modern grief counseling * Learning to meet grief with curiosity, compassion, and patience This conversation is especially meaningful for those seeking a quieter, more contemplative approach to grief—one that honors sorrow while gently opening space for growth, insight, and resilience. Whether you're newly grieving or decades into your loss, this episode offers reassurance that grief does not mean you are broken—and that wisdom, presence, and healing can emerge when we learn to walk alongside it. Episode Highlights * grief counselor interview * living with grief * grief and mindfulness * grief and meditation * navigating grief and loss * embodied grief healing * grief as a lifelong journey * grief support podcast Know Gyani Richards Website at www.ourgriefpath.com [http://www.ourgriefpath.com] YouTube at https://youtu.be/3Y0F5IPcWO4 [https://youtu.be] Substack at https://gyanirichards.substack.com/p/grief-and-aikido-relaxing-under-pressure [https://gyanirichards.substack.com/p/grief-and-aikido-relaxing-under-pressure] Did you enjoy today's episode? Welcome to New Ways Barre. We are so glad you are here. Get ready to transform your body, mind and life. At New Ways Barre, we are dedicated to fostering a supportive community where individuals can achieve holistic well-being. Please subscribe and leave a review. If you have questions, comments, or possible show topics, email susan@tendrilsofgrief.com Don't forget to visit Tendrils Of Grief [https://www.tendrilsofgrief.com/] website and join for upcoming Webinars, Podcasts Updates and Group Coaching. Get involve and share your thoughts and experiences in our online community Tendrils of Grief-Survivor of Loss [https://www.facebook.com/groups/2708675396071194] To subscribe and review use one links of the links below Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/Tendrils-of-Grief/dp/B08K584Y7M] Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tendrils-of-grief/id1504765728] Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3l0mutQR5aMF2WadITscPV] Audacy [https://www.audacy.com/podcasts/tendrils-of-grief-36147] Deezer [https://www.deezer.com/en/show/1006722] Podcast Addict [https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/tendrils-of-grief/2794997] Pandora [https://www.pandora.com/] Rephonic [https://rephonic.com/podcasts/tendrils-of-grief] Tune In [https://tunein.com/podcasts/Health--Wellness-Podcasts/Tendrils-of-Grief-p1309127/] Connect with me Instagram: @Sue_ways [https://www.instagram.com/sueways/] Facebook:@ susan.ways [https://www.facebook.com/susan.ways] Email @susan@tendrilsofgrief.com Let me hear your thoughts!

How To Manifest Signs from Your Loved Ones

In this episode of Tendrils of Grief, we are honored to welcome Kelly Daugherty, a seasoned social worker with over two decades of clinical experience and a Fellow in Thanatology: the study of death, dying, and bereavement. Based in Malta, NY, Kelly is the founder of Greater Life Grief Counseling and the Center for Informed Grief, LLC. Her personal journey with grief began as a teenager following the loss of her mother to breast cancer, inspiring her lifelong dedication to supporting individuals navigating the complexities of grief. Kelly's mission extends beyond individual support to creating a more grief-informed society. Through the Center for Informed Grief, she provides tools and training for educators, therapists, and communities, ensuring that no one faces their grief alone. Additionally, as co-owner of Healing Strides, LLC, Kelly combines emotional and physical well-being through a unique seven-week program that pairs therapeutic grief groups with 5K race training. She is also the co-author of several impactful books, including The Grief Experience: Tools for Acceptance, Resilience, and Connection. Join us for an insightful conversation as Kelly shares her professional expertise, personal experiences, and her innovative approach to grief support. Whether you're navigating your own grief journey or supporting someone else, this episode offers valuable tools and inspiration for healing, growth, and resilience. Tune in now to learn from Kelly's profound insights and compassionate perspective on grief and healing. Episode Highlights * Grief counseling resources * Thanatology expert * Kelly Daugherty grief specialist * Center for Informed Grief * Grief-informed society * Therapeutic grief programs * Healing through running programs * Greater Life Grief Counseling * Grief support tools and techniques * Navigating grief and loss * Grief-informed education and training * Holistic approaches to grief support * Coping with the loss of a loved one * Emotional and physical healing programs * Grief books and resources * Kelly Daugherty grief counseling books * Healing Strides grief program * Personal growth through grief * Resilience after loss * Professional grief training for therapists Connect with Kelly https://linktr.ee/kellydaugherty [https://linktr.ee/kellydaugherty] Did you enjoy today's episode? Please subscribe and leave a review. If you have questions, comments, or possible show topics, email susan@tendrilsofgrief.com Don't forget to visit Tendrils Of Grief [https://www.tendrilsofgrief.com/] website and join for upcoming Webinars, Podcasts Updates and Group Coaching. Get involve and share your thoughts and experiences in our online community Tendrils of Grief-Survivor of Loss [https://www.facebook.com/groups/2708675396071194] To subscribe and review use one links of the links below Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/Tendrils-of-Grief/dp/B08K584Y7M] Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tendrils-of-grief/id1504765728] Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3l0mutQR5aMF2WadITscPV] Audacy [https://www.audacy.com/podcasts/tendrils-of-grief-36147] Deezer [https://www.deezer.com/en/show/1006722] Podcast Addict [https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/tendrils-of-grief/2794997] Pandora [https://www.pandora.com/] Rephonic [https://rephonic.com/podcasts/tendrils-of-grief] Tune In [https://tunein.com/podcasts/Health--Wellness-Podcasts/Tendrils-of-Grief-p1309127/] Connect with me Instagram: @Sue_ways [https://www.instagram.com/sueways/] Facebook:@ susan.ways [https://www.facebook.com/susan.ways] Email @susan@tendrilsofgrief.com Let me hear your thoughts!

You Don't Heal Grief—You Live With It: An Embodied Approach to Loss

In this deeply grounding episode of Tendrils of Grief, I'm joined by Sheena Nancy Sarles—lifelong student of well-being, certified yoga teacher, author, and creator of Yoga for Living with Loss™—for a powerful conversation about grief as an embodied experience and the wisdom of learning to live with loss rather than trying to heal or fix it. After the profound losses of her parents, sister, and best friend, Sheena began to notice what many grievers intuitively feel but rarely hear validated: grief doesn't only live in the heart or mind—it congests in the body. Through years of personal practice, teaching, and grief-centered workshops, she integrated yoga, chakra-based awareness, and somatic presence into a compassionate approach that honors grief as a lifelong companion. In this episode, Sheena shares how Yoga for Living with Loss™ was born—not as a method to "move on," but as a way to gently reconnect with the body, breath, and spirit when grief overwhelms the nervous system. We explore how traditional grief narratives often bypass the body, why stillness can feel unsafe for the bereaved, and how intentional movement can create moments of grounding, safety, and self-trust. Together, we reflect on themes including: * Why grief is not something to heal, but something to live alongside * How trauma and loss are stored in the body * The role of chakras and energy centers in grief awareness * Yoga as a non-verbal language for sorrow * Creating space for grief without spiritual bypassing * Reclaiming connection to the body after profound loss Sheena also speaks about sharing this work globally—from BaliSpirit Festival to grief centers, healthcare conferences, and studios—along with her journey as an author, former communications and fundraising professional, and creator of holistic wellness offerings. This episode is an invitation to slow down, soften, and listen inward—to recognize that even in grief, the body holds wisdom, memory, and the quiet possibility of presence. Whether you are newly bereaved or years into your loss, this conversation offers permission to stop striving, to stop fixing, and to begin living gently alongside your grief. Episode Highlights * yoga for grief * grief in the body * embodied grief healing * somatic grief support * living with loss * grief and the nervous system * yoga for loss and trauma * grief yoga practice * grief support through movement Know Sheena Nancy Sarles More information is available at www.yogaforlivingwithloss.com [http://www.yogaforlivingwithloss.com] Did you enjoy today's episode? Welcome to New Ways Barre. We are so glad you are here. Get ready to transform your body, mind and life. At New Ways Barre, we are dedicated to fostering a supportive community where individuals can achieve holistic well-being. Please subscribe and leave a review. If you have questions, comments, or possible show topics, email susan@tendrilsofgrief.com Don't forget to visit Tendrils Of Grief [https://www.tendrilsofgrief.com/] website and join for upcoming Webinars, Podcasts Updates and Group Coaching. Get involve and share your thoughts and experiences in our online community Tendrils of Grief-Survivor of Loss [https://www.facebook.com/groups/2708675396071194] To subscribe and review use one links of the links below Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/Tendrils-of-Grief/dp/B08K584Y7M] Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tendrils-of-grief/id1504765728] Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3l0mutQR5aMF2WadITscPV] Audacy [https://www.audacy.com/podcasts/tendrils-of-grief-36147] Deezer [https://www.deezer.com/en/show/1006722] Podcast Addict [https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/tendrils-of-grief/2794997] Pandora [https://www.pandora.com/] Rephonic [https://rephonic.com/podcasts/tendrils-of-grief] Tune In [https://tunein.com/podcasts/Health--Wellness-Podcasts/Tendrils-of-Grief-p1309127/] Connect with me Instagram: @Sue_ways [https://www.instagram.com/sueways/] Facebook:@ susan.ways [https://www.facebook.com/susan.ways] Email @susan@tendrilsofgrief.com Let me hear your thoughts!

Continuing bonds after death

In this deeply moving episode of Tendrils of Grief, I sit down with Ksenia Merck—artist, architect, and creative storyteller—to explore how love, creativity, and spiritual connection continue long after loss. Ksenia shares her powerful grief journey following the death of her husband, William F. Merck II, and how honoring his final wish led her to bring his genre-blending science fiction novel, Ghost Flower, to life through posthumous publication and her own original illustrations. What unfolds is an intimate conversation about enduring bonds, creative healing, and the unseen ways our loved ones remain present. Together, Ksenia and I reflect on caregiving, compounded loss, spiritual communication, and how grief reshapes purpose over time. She opens up about caring for her mother until age 102, navigating trauma within the hospital system, and discovering that creativity became both her refuge and her bridge to continued connection with her husband. In this episode, we gently explore themes such as: * Continuing bonds after death * Spiritual signs and intuitive communication with loved ones * Grief as a lifelong companion, not something to "get over" * Creative expression as a path to healing * Trusting inner guidance and making meaning after loss With compassion, honesty, and hope, this conversation is a reminder that grief does not end love—and that connection, creativity, and faith can help illuminate a path forward, even in the darkest seasons. Whether you're early in your grief journey or years into it, this episode offers reassurance that you're not imagining your connection, you're not grieving wrong, and you are not alone. Know Ksenia J. Merck Website : https://www.merckiipress.com/ [https://www.merckiipress.com/] LinkedIn : Ksenia Merck [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ksenia-merck-44525514/overlay/about-this-profile/] Facebook : Merck II Press [https://www.facebook.com/merck2press] Instagram: merck2press [https://www.instagram.com/merck2press/] Did you enjoy today's episode? Welcome to New Ways Barre. We are so glad you are here. Get ready to transform your body, mind and life. At New Ways Barre, we are dedicated to fostering a supportive community where individuals can achieve holistic well-being. Please subscribe and leave a review. If you have questions, comments, or possible show topics, email susan@tendrilsofgrief.com Don't forget to visit Tendrils Of Grief [https://www.tendrilsofgrief.com/] website and join for upcoming Webinars, Podcasts Updates and Group Coaching. Get involve and share your thoughts and experiences in our online community Tendrils of Grief-Survivor of Loss [https://www.facebook.com/groups/2708675396071194] To subscribe and review use one links of the links below Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/Tendrils-of-Grief/dp/B08K584Y7M] Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tendrils-of-grief/id1504765728] Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3l0mutQR5aMF2WadITscPV] Audacy [https://www.audacy.com/podcasts/tendrils-of-grief-36147] Deezer [https://www.deezer.com/en/show/1006722] Podcast Addict [https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/tendrils-of-grief/2794997] Pandora [https://www.pandora.com/] Rephonic [https://rephonic.com/podcasts/tendrils-of-grief] Tune In [https://tunein.com/podcasts/Health--Wellness-Podcasts/Tendrils-of-Grief-p1309127/] Connect with me Instagram: @Sue_ways [https://www.instagram.com/sueways/] Facebook:@ susan.ways [https://www.facebook.com/susan.ways] Email @susan@tendrilsofgrief.com Let me hear your thoughts!