86. Chosen Family: When Friendships are Tied to Your Identity (with Sarah Khatau)

86. Chosen Family: When Friendships are Tied to Your Identity (with Sarah Khatau)

In today’s episode I talk to Sarah Khatau about her beloved friend Georgina, her experience with friend-loss grief, and Help Texts – a bereavement support tool that helped her tremendously after the death of her father in 2018. MORE ABOUT SARAH: After the death of her father in 2018, and through the many losses that have shaped her life since, including the death of her dear friend Georgina, Sarah Khatau shifted her career into bereavement support, eventually finding her way to Help Texts as a subscriber herself before joining the team. Today she works alongside hospices, hospitals, employers, andcaregiver organizations across the US and Canada to bring meaningful, personalized support to families navigating loss and serious illness. Sarah is also a trauma-based counsellor supporting sexual assault survivors, and brings that same depth of care and lived understanding to her grief work. She is passionate about making grief support more accessible, less stigmatized, and easier for organizations to offer atscale, and believes deeply in the power of showing up for people in the quiet, in-between moments when they need it most. Learn more about Sarah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahkhatau/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahkhatau/] Try Help Texts at a special price! https://helptexts.com/sign-up/friendsmissingfriends [https://helptexts.com/sign-up/friendsmissingfriends]   RESOURCES: Grief Groups: The Friends Missing Friends Collective is a loving and supportive online community of friend-loss grievers. If you join, you get group support, 1:1 support, digital support, and a digital resource library of external resources. Only $20/month! Sign up or learn more at ⁠⁠friendsmissingfriends.com/griefgroup⁠ [http://friendsmissingfriends.com/griefgroup] PROMO: Want to try it to see if the community is a goodfit? *Get your first month free* with code PLATONICLOVE Help Texts: Get mental health & bereavement support via text (written by professionals, not AI). You also have the option to invite 2 loved ones to receive a weekly text with practical tips and reminders for how they can support you as you grieve. PROMO: Get a discounted rate at https://helptexts.com/sign-up/friendsmissingfriends [https://helptexts.com/sign-up/friendsmissingfriends] Memorial Books: Want to create a beautiful, long-lasting memorial book foryour loved one? PROMO: Get $50-off with affiliate code friendsmissingfriends, or go directly to this link [https://lifebooks.io/reserve_ui/signup_launch_1?code=friendsmissingfriends]. Learn more about Lifebooks at https://lifebooks.io/ [https://lifebooks.io/]   GET IN TOUCH: Thank you for listening to Friends Missing Friends. If you enjoyed it, please follow/subscribe, leave stars and a review it’s so appreciated, and it helps the podcast reach more listeners! Email: ⁠friendsmissingfriends@gmail.com⁠ [friendsmissingfriends@gmail.com] Instagram: @friendsmissingfriends [https://www.instagram.com/friendsmissingfriends/] Website: friendsmissingfriends.com [http://www.friendsmissingfriends.com/] Leave a Voicemail at FMF’s google voice number: 312-291-1781 Feel free to reach out, by email or VM. (And if you want me to share it on the podcast, be sure to explicitly give me permission to do so). Thanks y’all! Sending you love!

85. Rewriting our Grief Story through Memoir: with Tess Clarkson

In today’s episode I talk to Tess Clarkson about friend-loss grief, her beloved friend Eithne, and the act of finding meaning and healing through creative writing. We chat about: * How she met her dear friend Eithne (pronounced Eth-na) through dance * The story of their friendship * Feeling lost, isolated, and misunderstood after Eithne’s sudden and tragic death on Air France 447 * The yoga retreat in India that helped her start to find her way * The many healers she reached out to over the years * How creative writing has helped her heal and process through "stuck" feelings * The memoir she is writing about their friendship and her grief * And more…   MORE ABOUT TESS: Tess is a writer, death doula, and life optimizer—a Reiki master, yoga teacher, and certified astrologer—who helps people tap into their inner guru and tackle taboos. Website: https://tessclarkson.com [https://tessclarkson.com/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thetessclarkson [https://www.facebook.com/thetessclarkson] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetessclarkson/ [https://www.instagram.com/thetessclarkson/] Substack: https://substack.com/@tessclarkson [https://substack.com/@tessclarkson]  Articles: * https://www.thegirlfriend.com/relationships/what-a-real-end-of-life-doula-reveals-about-death [https://www.thegirlfriend.com/relationships/what-a-real-end-of-life-doula-reveals-about-death]  * https://www.yourtango.com/heartbreak/how-clairvoyant-finally-healed-tragic-death-friend [https://www.yourtango.com/heartbreak/how-clairvoyant-finally-healed-tragic-death-friend]   RESOURCES: Grief Groups: The Friends Missing Friends Collective is a loving and supportive community of friend-loss grievers. Sign up or learn more at ⁠⁠friendsmissingfriends.com/griefgroup⁠ [http://friendsmissingfriends.com/griefgroup] Get your first month free with code PLATONICLOVE Memorial Books: Want to create a memorial book for your loved one? Get $50-off with affiliate code friendsmissingfriends, or go directly to this link [https://lifebooks.io/reserve_ui/signup_launch_1?code=friendsmissingfriends]. Learn more about Lifebooks at https://lifebooks.io/ [https://lifebooks.io/]   GET IN TOUCH: Thank you for listening to Friends Missing Friends. If you enjoyed it, please follow/subscribe, leave stars and a review—it’s so appreciated, and it helps the podcast reach more listeners! Email: ⁠friendsmissingfriends@gmail.com⁠ [friendsmissingfriends@gmail.com] Instagram: @friendsmissingfriends [https://www.instagram.com/friendsmissingfriends/] Website: friendsmissingfriends.com [http://www.friendsmissingfriends.com/] Leave a Voicemail at FMF’s google voice number: 312-291-1781 Feel free to reach out, by email or VM. (And if you want me to share it on the podcast, be sure to explicitly give me permission to do so). Thanks y’all! Sending you love!

84. Coping as a Multiple Friend-Loss Survivor with Mindfulness & Self-Compassion

In today’s episode I talk to Novelette Monroe, a multiple loss survivor, trained Hospice and Peer Bereavement Care Facilitator, and certified Mindfulness & Grief Coach. She has facilitated many bereavement groups over the years with a special interest in Mindfulness for Grieving Loss. Novelette was born with the Recessive Dystrophic form of Epidermolysis Bullosa, RDEB—a rare life-limiting, progressive, and chronic condition. She was fortunate enough to develop lasting connections with others with RDEB when, at age 12, she attended a summer camp for children with skin disorders sponsored by the American Academy of Dermatology. The friendships she formed at camp became her life source for having folks in her life who knew what it is like to live in a body with this rare disease.   In this conversation we talk about: * how the friends she met at camp became her chosen family; friends who showed her what was possible: “if you can see her, you can be her.” * the devastation and grief after the death of her beloved friends * how she’s coped, and how mindfulness and bereavement groups have supported her over the years.   MORE ABOUT NOVELETTE: Follow Novelette’s Grieving and Living Consciously socials: Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567169300477 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567169300477] Private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Bi1k3HVfW/ [https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Bi1k3HVfW/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grieving_living_consciously/ [https://www.instagram.com/grieving_living_consciously/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrSx8Qj30l8JoTceOrRUTww [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrSx8Qj30l8JoTceOrRUTww]   RESOURCES: Information on self-compassion practices and meditations: https://self-compassion.org [https://self-compassion.org] Heather Stang’s mindfulness & grief website: https://heatherstang.com/ [https://heatherstang.com/]  Heather Stang’s books: https://heatherstang.com/heather-stang-grief-books/ [https://heatherstang.com/heather-stang-grief-books/] Grief Groups: The Friends Missing Friends Collective is a loving and supportive community of friend-loss grievers. Sign up or learn more at ⁠⁠friendsmissingfriends.com/griefgroup⁠ [http://friendsmissingfriends.com/griefgroup] Memorial Books: Want to create a memorial book for your loved one? Get $50-off with affiliate code friendsmissingfriends. Learn more at https://lifebooks.io/ [https://lifebooks.io/]   GET IN TOUCH: Thank you for listening to Friends Missing Friends. If you enjoyed it, please follow/subscribe, leave stars and a review it’s so appreciated, and it helps the podcast reach more listeners! Email: ⁠friendsmissingfriends@gmail.com⁠ [friendsmissingfriends@gmail.com] Instagram: @friendsmissingfriends [https://www.instagram.com/friendsmissingfriends/] Website: friendsmissingfriends.com [http://www.friendsmissingfriends.com/] Leave a Voicemail at FMF’s google voice number: 312-291-1781 Feel free to reach out, by email or VM. (And if you want me to share it on the podcast, be sure to explicitly give me permission to do so). Thanks y’all! Sending you love!

83. Announcing the Friends Missing Friends Collective: a new community for friend-loss grievers

I’m so excited to announce a new offering!! It is the Friends Missing Friends Collective, a loving and supportive community for friend-loss grievers. I have found, time and time again, how we friend-loss grievers desire community where we can meet and gather with others who are also grieving friends. How we need a space where we can feel seen, heard, and understood. So, I wanted to create a friend-loss community via an affordable monthly membership—so folks can join anytime and stay as long as they need.   Membership includes: * 2 virtual grief groups a month * A one-on-one session * A digital resource library * A Private Discord Server (so you can chat with other friend-loss grievers any time!) SPECIAL OFFER: If you email me or fill out the interest form before December 31st, I will give you the special lifetime “Founding Friends” price of $12/month—because you will be a Founding member! After launch, the general price will be $20. All you have to do to hold your spot is: * Email me at friendsmissingfriends@gmail.com [friendsmissingfriends@gmail.com] * OR, fill out an interest form at friendsmissingfriends.com/griefgroup [friendsmissingfriends.com/griefgroup] Y’ALL I’m so excited!! Fireworks went off inside me when I decided to move forward with this – this can grow into something truly beautiful, I just know it. Because when we come together—healing happens.   RESOURCES: Grief Groups: Register your interest for the Friends Missing Friends Collective and get 2 virtual grief groups a month: friendsmissingfriends.com/griefgroup [friendsmissingfriends.com/griefgroup ] Memorial Books: Want to create a memorial book for your loved one? Get $50-off with affiliate code friendsmissingfriends. Learn more about Lifebooks at https://lifebooks.io/ [https://lifebooks.io/]   GET IN TOUCH: Thank you for listening to Friends Missing Friends. If you enjoyed it, please follow/subscribe, leave stars and a review—it’s so appreciated, and it helps the podcast reach more listeners! Email: ⁠friendsmissingfriends@gmail.com⁠ [friendsmissingfriends@gmail.com] Instagram: @friendsmissingfriends [https://www.instagram.com/friendsmissingfriends/] Website: friendsmissingfriends.com [http://www.friendsmissingfriends.com/] Spotify for Podcasts page: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/friendsmissingfriends⁠ [https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/friendsmissingfriends] Leave a Voicemail at FMF’s google voice number: 312-291-1781 Feel free to reach out, by email or VM. (And if you want me to share it on the podcast, be sure to explicitly give me permission to do so). Thanks y’all! Sending you love!

82. Reclaiming a Joyful, Meaningful Life after Loss: with Tara Accardo

In today's episode, I chat with Tara Accardo—a Grief & Transformational Life coach and the host of the podcast Life With Grief—about finding a joyful, fulfilling, and meaningful life again after loss. Grief expert David Kessler describes this as the “sixth stage of grief” in his book Finding Meaning. Now to be crystal clear: this is NOT referring to finding meaning in the death or horrific event, it’s referring to finding meaning in your life after the loss. “Finding meaning” is different for everyone. It might involve completely changing your life; it might be folded into small but significant moments. For many people, it’s when we try to answer the question “what now?” after a loved one’s death. Tara and I talk about this, and much more, including: * Finding solace and healing in micro-moments * How the grieving process cannot be rushed * Reclaiming power over your life * Coping during acute grief * Being curious and giving yourself grace QUOTES: “We are truly so much more in charge of our healing and our coping than we think we are…we are in charge of how we grieve, how we cope, our happiness, what our day to day looks like; there is so much that is actually within our power.” –Tara “If you look at it from a place of curiosity, you’re giving yourself much more grace.” –Tara “From personal experience, that ‘what now’ can be so overwhelming. And it’s ever evolving, I feel like I’ve gone through several ‘what nows’…” –Hannah  “There’s a whole life now, that you have to ‘figure out’ without that person.” –Tara “The idea of continuing a relationship with them even after they died…for years I was like, ‘oh the friendship was over,’ after my friend died. But then I’m like, wait I can keep this friendship going somehow. And the ‘how’ is the journey, figuring out how to do that. That is also folded into the finding meaning and finding new purpose.” –Hannah “After a loss that rocks your world; it's like your life was thishouse of cards, and it all falls, and you have to build an entirely new house of cards.” –Hannah “I feel like a lot of people want to rush the grief, they just want to feel some peace and just not hurt so bad… it can’t be rushed, but it can certainly be helped along.” –Tara   MORE ABOUT TARA: Tara Accardo (she/her) is a Grief and Transformational life Coach and host of the Life With Grief Podcast. After losing her parents to cancer within six months of each other, her journey of grieving led her to create Losses Become Gains—a community for fellow grievers that serves tools, inspiration, and guidance on how to navigate grief, loss, and navigating life with both in tow. Through her podcast, one-on-one coaching and other digital resources, Tara’s passion and calling to support fellow grievers runs deep!   RESOURCES: Connect with Tara: IG: @lossesbecomegains IG and TikTok: @lifewithgriefpodcast Website: https://lossesbecomegains.com/ [https://lossesbecomegains.com/] Life with Grief podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-with-grief-podcast/id1688812587] The book Tara recommended: The Grieving Brain [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58007238-the-grieving-brain], by Mary-Frances O’Connor Grief Groups: Interested in joining a friend-loss peer support group? Fill out the interest form at ⁠⁠friendsmissingfriends.com/griefgroup⁠ [http://friendsmissingfriends.com/griefgroup] Memorial Books: Want to create a memorial book for your loved one? Get$50-off with affiliate code friendsmissingfriends. Learn more about Lifebooks at https://lifebooks.io/ [https://lifebooks.io/]   GET IN TOUCH: Thank you for listening to Friends Missing Friends. If you enjoyed it, please follow/subscribe, leave stars and a review—it’s so appreciated, and it helps the podcast reach more listeners! Email: ⁠friendsmissingfriends@gmail.com⁠ [friendsmissingfriends@gmail.com] Instagram: @friendsmissingfriends [https://www.instagram.com/friendsmissingfriends/] Website: friendsmissingfriends.com [http://www.friendsmissingfriends.com/] Spotify for Podcasts page: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/friendsmissingfriends⁠ [https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/friendsmissingfriends] Leave a Voicemail at FMF’s google voice number: 312-291-1781 Feel free to reach out, by email or VM. (And if you want me to share it on the podcast, be sure to explicitly give me permission to do so). Thanks y’all! Sending you love!