This Side of the Grass

Reflections on Season 3

Another season has gone by, and it’s been another amazing opportunity to see how the episode topics and guests have woven organically into the theme of “positive reframing” over the last several months. Just like in Seasons 1 and 2, with the themes of “finding meaning” and “connections” respectively, it took looking back to see all the ways that this new theme continued to rise to the surface.  My amazing guests this season included sisters Kara Millerhagen & Kjersten Dysthe, Dr. Jane Oh, Wendy Benning Swanson, Dr. Joel Carter, Joy DiVincenzo, and Brian Muller returned to the studio for a second time. All of these conversations were unique, powerful, and thought-provoking. As the show goes into a hiatus, I encourage you to take the time to listen to any shows you missed, or listen again to your favorites. If you haven’t listened to older shows, or if it’s been a while, here are the recaps of the previous two seasons, as promised on today’s episode: This Side of the Grass: Reflections on Season 1 - on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/episode/6oN42OPdHVsjSPP5mplSe3?si=BA0UDsMWTAmymklV5uRc4w] This Side of the Grass: Reflections on Season 2 - on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/episode/7oayB7zlJaRxYBVXeooGMa?si=eMyyVgvGSsq4oMkep6-WzA] Please be generous and share your favorite episode or two with a friend or loved one, and rate or review the show on your favorite podcast platform to help it grow. Thank you for listening! If you have feedback or ideas, I’d love to hear from you as I plan what’s next for the show! To reach me, send me an email: val@thissidepodcast.com [val@thissidepodcast.com], or find me at “This Side of the Grass” on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557661643397] OR Instagram! [https://www.instagram.com/thissideofthegrass_podcast/]  #season3episode12 #seasonfinale #reflections #positivereframe  #thisside #thissideofthegrass #thissidepodcast #death #dying #grief #life #hope #passion #purpose #preparation #devinefoxproductions

Complicated Loss: A Conversation with former ICU nurse, Joy DiVincenzo

Today is a heartfelt and deep dive into complicated loss. Unresolved issues, being estranged, suddenness, guilt and anger are all examples of complications that could muddy the waters of grief when someone dies. On today’s episode, we hear a unique perspective from former ICU nurse, Joy DiVincenzo, who worked in the Intensive Care Unit during the Covid-19 pandemic. The fast pace of losing patients, the inability for families to be with their loved ones when they died, and the difficulty connecting and grieving with her fellow nurses because of social distancing are all pieces that Joy touches on during our conversation. JOY’S POSITIVITY, HEART, AND MOTHERLY WISDOM SHINE THROUGH IN THE LESSONS SHE SHARES WITH ME FROM THIS TIME IN HER CAREER THAT AFFECTED HER ON A DEEPLY PERSONAL LEVEL. LISTEN WITH TISSUES HANDY, AND MAYBE EVEN A NOTEBOOK AND PEN. THERE ARE SO MANY THOUGHT-PROVOKING NUGGETS IN THIS EPISODE THAT I KNOW IT’S ONE I’LL LISTEN TO AGAIN AND AGAIN. Please be generous and share this episode with a friend or loved one. I would also appreciate if you rate and review the show on your favorite podcast platform to help it grow. Thank you for listening! If you have feedback or ideas, I’d love to hear from you! To reach me, send me an email: val@thissidepodcast.com [val@thissidepodcast.com], or find me at “This Side of the Grass” on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557661643397] OR Instagram! [https://www.instagram.com/thissideofthegrass_podcast/]  #season3episode11 #complicatedloss #unresolvedissues #lifelessons  #thisside #thissideofthegrass #thissidepodcast #death #dying #grief #life #hope #passion #purpose #preparation #devinefoxproductions

A Message for the Graduates

‘Tis the season…. For graduations! Whether you are a graduate, have one in your family, or are just in a transition stage of life, today’s show is for you. As I was reflecting on all the graduations this time of year, I was thinking of new beginnings. And whenever something begins, something has come to an end. This season of life had me considering our ultimate endings, and how acknowledging our mortality as we move into a new chapter of life gives us the freedom to realize that we can always change our minds!  WHETHER YOU'RE WATCHING YOUR CHILD WALK ACROSS THE STAGE, REMEMBERING YOUR OWN GRADUATION, OR SIMPLY MOVING THROUGH A SEASON OF CHANGE, THIS EPISODE INVITES YOU TO THINK ABOUT WHAT IT REALLY MEANS TO LIVE FULLY ON THIS SIDE OF THE GRASS. Please be generous to share this episode with a graduate that you love, and please also consider rating or reviewing the show to help it grow. Thank you for listening! If you have feedback or ideas, I’d love to hear from you! To reach me, send me an email: val@thissidepodcast.com [val@thissidepodcast.com], or find me at “This Side of the Grass” on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557661643397] OR Instagram! [https://www.instagram.com/thissideofthegrass_podcast/]  #season3episode10 #forthegraduates #graduations #newbeginnings #phasesoflife #thisside #thissideofthegrass #thissidepodcast #death #dying #grief #life #hope #passion #purpose #preparation #devinefoxproductions

Stories at the End of Life: An Interview with Palliative Care Physician, Dr. Joel Carter

I am honored to have palliative care physician, Dr. Joel Carter, with me today. In addition to educating me on what this specialty is and how it differs from hospice, Dr. Carter delves into some incredibly powerful insights into just how powerful stories can be at the end of someone’s life, and shares several moving stories of his own.  Joel Carter is an accomplished Palliative Care specialist, author, storyteller and artist. Dr. Carter transitioned to Palliative Care in 2002 after being awarded a Bush Medical Fellowship by the Archibald Bush Foundation to pursue interests in End of Life Medicine and Physician Leadership. He completed his fellowship at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute at Harvard University and training at the Physician Leadership College at the University of St. Thomas. The quote Dr. Carter shared was by Leslie Marmon Silko, “I will tell you something about stories…” References from today’s show: * Dr. Carter’s TEDx Winnipeg talk, “Meaning, Purpose and Stories at the End of Life”: https://youtu.be/6inEsa7DCUM [https://youtu.be/6inEsa7DCUM] * Dr. Carter’s books: Lava Lamp Lessons, by Joel Carter [https://a.co/d/bj4m6DI] & Rockpeople: Beyond Chester Creek, by Joel Carter [https://a.co/d/35V4KVR] If you have a topic or guest idea, I’d love to hear from you! To reach me, send me an email: val@thissidepodcast.com [val@thissidepodcast.com], or find me at “This Side of the Grass” on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557661643397] OR Instagram! [https://www.instagram.com/thissideofthegrass_podcast/]  #season3episode9 #drjoelcarter #palliativecare #thepowerofstories #thisside #thissideofthegrass #thissidepodcast #death #dying #grief #life #hope #passion #purpose #preparation #devinefoxproductions

Finding Joy After Loss: A Conversation with Wendy Benning Swanson

Wendy Benning Swanson is my guest today! She is a spiritual guide, healer, and teacher in the mysteries of life. “Her purpose is to support people in finding their inner light which will allow them to align with their most powerful self.” (wendybenningswanson.com [http://wendybenningswanson.com])  She found her purpose through a winding journey after significant loss in her life – not only her parents, but her first husband, Steve. This loss was significant and sudden, leaving Wendy as a widow in her early 30s with a 1-year-old son, and unending questions about why. After their son got a little older, he started to share with Wendy that he could see his dad. These observations, as well as other signs that seemed out of the ordinary, brought up more questions about what happens to us after we die. Wendy’s quest for knowledge took her on retreats and meditations, and eventually to the Modern Mystery School where she started to find answers to her questions.  She shares with me today how she now helps others to find their healing and align with their Divine Potential. As she states so beautifully during our conversation, “This is just one stop on our journey, but an important one.”  References from today’s show: * Learn more about Wendy and her healing practice here: wendybenningswanson.com [http://wendybenningswanson.com] * Wendy's first book, "Finding Joy After Loss; My Journey Through Grief" on Amazon [https://a.co/d/58W6kcV] Be sure to search “Wendy Benning Swanson” on Amazon in the Summer of 2025 (and beyond!) for her new book about her spiritual journey. If you have a topic or guest idea, I’d love to hear from you! To reach me, send me an email: val@thissidepodcast.com [val@thissidepodcast.com], or find me at “This Side of the Grass” on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557661643397] OR Instagram! [https://www.instagram.com/thissideofthegrass_podcast/]  #season3episode8 #wendybenningswanson #mystical #findingjoyafterloss #thisside #thissideofthegrass #thissidepodcast #death #dying #grief #life #hope #passion #purpose #preparation #devinefoxproductions