Good Grief: Life After Loss

One Year In: What I've Learned from Hosting a Grief Podcast

One year ago, Skylar hit publish on the very first episode of Good Grief: Life After Loss — and today, one year and 41 episodes later, she's reflecting on everything this podcast has taught her. From the loneliness she felt as a 14-year-old grieving her brother Sam, to the weeks she was too exhausted to talk about grief and questioned whether she was even qualified to be here, to the unexpected gift of finding community through her listeners — this episode is an honest look at what a year of hosting a grief podcast has really been like. If you've ever felt alone in your grief, this one's for you. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod [https://www.instagram.com/goodgrief.pod/] If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at skylar@livelikesam.org [skylar@livelikesam.org]   Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork [https://www.instagram.com/bethechangemedianetwork/] The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the change. Media Network or its partners.

For Anyone Struggling This Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day can be beautiful, but for a lot of people, it’s also incredibly complicated. In this episode, Skylar talks about the uncomfortable reality of grief on days that the world expects you to celebrate. From losing a mother or child, to infertility, strained relationships, or simply feeling the absence of someone who should still be here, this episode explores the many ways grief can quietly show up on Mother’s Day.

When Grief Meets School

When grief meets school, the impact goes far beyond sadness. This week, Skylar shares what returning to 9th grade after losing her brother Sam really looked like; feeling too far behind to recover, dropping classes, hiding in the library, losing motivation, and struggling to care about grades when her world had completely changed. She also reflects on how grief affected her confidence, future opportunities, and relationship with learning for years to come. This episode is for anyone who has ever tried to succeed in school while carrying the weight of grief. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod [https://www.instagram.com/goodgrief.pod/] If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at skylar@livelikesam.org [skylar@livelikesam.org]   Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork [https://www.instagram.com/bethechangemedianetwork/] The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the change. Media Network or its partners.

Sorry If Talking About My Dead Brother Makes You Uncomfortable

In this week’s episode, Skylar opens up about the complicated reality of grieving in a world that often feels uncomfortable with loss. Inspired by a quote from comedian Michael Cruz Kayne, she explores what it feels like to want to share stories, memories, and laughter about her brother Sam, only to feel like she has to manage other people’s reactions. From awkward conversations with new friends to the quiet ways grief can make someone feel silenced, this episode is an honest look at the pressure grievers face to make their pain more palatable for everyone else. This conversation is about giving grief more space: space to remember, to laugh, to tell the story, and to keep talking about the people we love—without apology. Michael Cruz Kayne: Link to the Instagram clip [https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWb6LjZgEjc/] Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod [https://www.instagram.com/goodgrief.pod/] If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at skylar@livelikesam.org [skylar@livelikesam.org]   Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork [https://www.instagram.com/bethechangemedianetwork/] The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the change. Media Network or its partners.

Ron Jackenthal: Turning Loss Into Legacy

In this deeply personal episode, Skylar sits down with her dad, Ron Jackenthal, for an honest conversation about grief, purpose, and what it means to rebuild a life after unimaginable loss. After the sudden death of his son Sam, Ron’s world was completely reshaped. Once focused on a successful career in sales, he made the life-altering decision to step away and dedicate himself fully to creating the Live Like Sam Foundation—an organization committed to honoring Sam’s life and supporting others navigating grief. In this episode, Ron reflects on who he was before the loss, how grief changed him as a father and as a person, and the moment he realized he needed to do something with his pain. Together, he and Skylar explore how loss transformed their relationship, the complexities of parenting after tragedy, and the balance of carrying both deep grief and deep love. This conversation offers a powerful perspective for anyone navigating loss—especially parents—and for those searching for meaning, purpose, and connection in the aftermath of heartbreak. Contact & Resources: Livelikesam.org [http://livelikesam.org/] Email: ron@livelikesam.org [ron@livelikesam.org]  Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod [https://www.instagram.com/goodgrief.pod/] If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at skylar@livelikesam.org [skylar@livelikesam.org]   Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork [https://www.instagram.com/bethechangemedianetwork/] The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the change. Media Network or its partners.