Tendrils of Grief

are our loved ones really gone? a psychotherapist 's honest answer

In this powerful episode of Tendrils of Grief, I sit down with psychotherapist and author Sally Dukes for a deeply personal and layered conversation about grief, identity, attachment, and the stories that shape our lives. During our discussion, I share my own journey with abandonment wounds and the loss of my husband — how those early attachment patterns resurfaced in grief, and how loss forces us to confront the narratives we've carried for years. Sally brings her expertise in transpersonal psychology and narrative healing to explore how the stories we tell ourselves can either keep us stuck in victimhood or help us step into growth. We also dive into Sally's near-death experience at age three during open-heart surgery — a profound encounter with a violet light of love that forever shaped her understanding of death and what may lie beyond it. Together, we explore anxious attachment, spiritual connection, manifestation, and whether the bonds we share with loved ones truly end when they die. This episode is an honest conversation about grief not as something to "get over," but as something that reveals who we are beneath the surface. It's about rewriting the story — not denying the pain — and discovering that love may continue in ways we don't fully understand. If you've ever questioned your patterns, wrestled with abandonment, or wondered whether your loved ones are still somehow near, this episode will meet you with compassion and depth. Know Sally Dukes Website:https://www.sallydukes.com/ [https://www.sallydukes.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!

The Love Story Cancer Couldn't Destroy

In this powerful episode, I dive into a deeply honest conversation about what it really means to live with grief—not fix it, rush it, or silence it. Drawing from personal experience and the themes we explore in this episode, I unpack how loss reshapes identity, challenges faith, and forces us to confront the parts of ourselves we often avoid. We talk about the waves of grief that return years later, the guilt and unanswered questions that linger, and the quiet strength it takes to keep moving forward. This conversation is for anyone who has ever wondered, "Why does this still hurt?" or "Am I grieving the right way?" Together, we explore how grief evolves, how love continues, and how healing isn't about closure—it's about learning to carry both the pain and the love with intention. If you're navigating loss in any form, this episode offers validation, perspective, and reassurance that you are not alone—and that your grief, in all its complexity, is human. Check out the book! The Luckiest Unlucky Couple [https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/luckiest-unlucky-couple-9798216270072/] 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!

Grief took everything-- then he took the world

In this moving episode of Tendrils of Grief, I sit down with Barry Hoffner, a widower whose life changed forever after his wife was tragically killed in a sudden accident while they were traveling in Botswana. In the wake of devastating loss, Barry made an extraordinary decision: to honor his wife by visiting every country in the world. What began as heartbreak became a journey of purpose, connection, and healing. Barry shares openly about sudden loss, trauma, widowhood, and what it means to carry love forward instead of leaving it behind. We talk about grief as transformation, continuing bonds after death, and how meaning can emerge even from unimaginable pain. This episode is a powerful reminder that love doesn't end—and that even after tragedy, life can still hold purpose, courage, and connection. Know Barry Hoffner CONNECT WITH BARRY Instagram: @barryh99 [https://www.instagram.com/barryh99/] Facebook: Barry Hoffner [https://www.facebook.com/barry.hoffner] Goodreads: @BarryHoffner [https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/124347072-barry-hoffner] LinkedIn: Barry Hoffner [https://www.linkedin.com/in/barryhoffner/] Website: https://belongingtotheworld.com/ [https://belongingtotheworld.com/] Belonging to the World is available for pre-order now from Amazon. [https://www.amazon.com/Belonging-World-Journey-Connection-Country-ebook/dp/B0FZNNDF5L] 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!

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!