Grief Is My Side Hustle

Ep. 180: Darnell Lamont Walker, Emmy-Nominated Death Doula, on the "Art of a Peaceful End"

In the latest episode of "Grief Is My Side Hustle," I'm joined by author and death doula Darnell Lamont Walker to explore the intricacies of grief, loss, and the importance of open conversations about death. Our heartfelt discussion delves into personal experiences and cultural perspectives, shedding light on how we can better navigate the often-taboo subject of mortality. Darnell's journey into the world of grief began in his childhood, surrounded by the loving presence of his grandmother. This foundation of compassion laid the groundwork for his own understanding of grief, where discussions about death were not shunned but embraced. You are GOING to want to listen to every word Darnell speaks- he's incredibly eloquent, charming, knowledgeable and soothing. I'm so grateful to have gotten this hour of his time!    More about Darnell: https://www.instagram.com/hello.darnell/ [https://www.instagram.com/hello.darnell/] https://darnellwalker.com/never-can-say-goodbye/ [https://darnellwalker.com/never-can-say-goodbye/]

179: Dave Manheim on How Grief Shaped His Career--and Formed a "Dopey Nation"

Dave Manheim (host of the Dopey Podcast) is the kind of interview where you totally forget to stick to any sort of parameters and just jump right in...because once he starts a story, you just strap in and go along for the (often hilarious) ride.     Beyond Dave's warm demeanor and mischevious half-smile is a man who has faced an incredible amount of grief, heartbreak and turmoil. Just over 10 years ago, Dave and his late co-host, Chris, launched Dopey together- a space where they could tell stories about their experiences in active addiction. Sadly, Chris relapsed and died shortly after the podcast started gaining a substantial following. To honor his friend, Dave just kept going. And a decade later, he has never missed a week of his now beloved (and highly regarded) show.    Dave has now interviewed everyone from Real Housewives cast members to Marc Maron and Jamie Lee Curtis. Despite the accolades, however, he remains humble, kind, and speaks about his grief and addiction with an openness that is wonderfully disarming.    You won't want to miss this unique, vibrant, and incredibly touching episode.   Thanks for listening! Please don't forget to rate and review us wherever possible!    More about Dave: https://dopeypodcast.com/ [https://dopeypodcast.com/] https://www.instagram.com/dopeypodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/dopeypodcast/]

Ep. 178: Barry Hoffner Travels the World with His Grief

My guest this week is recent Grieftastic Book Club author Barry Hoffner.    In 2017, Barry faced unimaginable loss when his wife, Jackie, tragically passed away in an accident in Botswana.    After a deep period of soul-searching,Barry turned to travel—not just for exploration, but for healing. His recently released memoir, "Belonging to the World," chronicles his journey to every country on Earth and the profound ways in which the people he met helped him rediscover purpose and a sense of belonging. I loved continuing our conversation here on the show so that EVERYONE can have a chance to learn about Barry's quite remarkable take on turning his grief from a noun to a verb by literally traversing the globe with it.    Thank you for listening! Please feel free to rate and review; we LOVE hearing from you!    More about Barry Hoffner: https://belongingtotheworld.com/about [https://belongingtotheworld.com/about] https://www.instagram.com/barryh99/ [https://www.instagram.com/barryh99/]

Ep. 177: Jill Yesko Will Not Allow Her Grief- Or Her Mother's Truth- To Be Erased

This week, I am honored to have journalist, documentarian and seasoned NPR contributor Jill Yesko joining the show. Jill shares her personal journey of losing her mother to COVID and the complexities of navigating grief during a time of social isolation. We discuss the impact of family dynamics on grief, as well as the process of creating a documentary film ("Erased") about Jill's mother's past, and the importance of memory and legacy in the healing process. In 1967, Jill's sleek and fashionable mother, Sally, suddenly disappeared from their New Jersey home. She eventually returned, only a shell of her former self; and Jill was never given an explanation as to what had taken her away from the family all that time. After Sally died from Covid at an assisted living facility in 2020, Jill did some research. She discovered her mother hadn't just disappeared; she'd been admitted to High Point Hospital, a private psychiatric facility in Port Chester, New York.  You'll have to tune in to this compelling conversation to learn more about this incredible journey that Jill has taken- I KNOW you're going to be glad you did.    Thank you, as always, for listening. Please rate and review where and when you can- lots of love!   More about Jill: https://www.erasedfilmdocumentary.com/ [https://www.erasedfilmdocumentary.com/]  https://www.instagram.com/sayyesjill/ [https://www.instagram.com/sayyesjill/]

Ep. 176: Dorothy Roberts on the Mixed Marriage Project

Dorothy Roberts and I really earned this conversation today, folks. After navigating some technical difficulty in the beginning, we were able to dive into a really powerful and beautiful conversation surrounding her book, "The Mixed Marriage Project."  Her beautiful memoir explores the themes of grief, loss, and the complexities of identity through the lens of her parents' interracial marriage. We'll touch on the cultural context surrounding interracial relationships, which given our current climate, feels more poignant than ever. Dorothy highlights the importance of family history, the lessons learned from parents, and how she's implemented continuing bonds through her work. Ultimately, our time today is a shining example of the significance of storytelling in understanding (and processing) loss. Thank you SO much for listening; if you like what we're doing on the show, please rate and review wherever possible, and tell your friends!  More about Dorothy: https://www.instagram.com/dorothyeroberts/ [https://www.instagram.com/dorothyeroberts/]  https://www.npr.org/2026/02/10/nx-s1-5704334/dorothy-roberts-the-mixed-marriage-project [https://www.npr.org/2026/02/10/nx-s1-5704334/dorothy-roberts-the-mixed-marriage-project] Buy her book HERE! [https://www.betterworldbooks.com/product/detail/the-mixed-marriage-project-a-memoir-of-love-race-and-family-9781668068380?shipto=US&curcode=USD&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping-New-USA&utm_content=186849722375&utm_term=&creative=777596326024&device=c&placement=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23072334438&gbraid=0AAAAADMQnG9LZMId5FYYMtswDtKW7_McX&gclid=CjwKCAiAkbbMBhB2EiwANbxtbd-kWNysWF9h_KODXSjRLaE-1jSNYz7yr8rzmZrNINGb5wFcb893LhoC7-0QAvD_BwE]