All the Grief

Andrea and Rebecca sit down with the incredible Darnell Lamont Walker for an expansive interview about death, life, community, and connection. Spanning continents, topics, and genres there was little these three did not cover from Darnell's earliest days facilitating grief circles on the playground with friends remembering their friend who died suddenly, to his relationship with his grandparents, to traveling and the importance of his work as a writer for children's shows. Darnell shares his heart and wisdom in Part I of this two part interview. Find Darnell  online https://darnellwalker.com [https://darnellwalker.com] On InstaGram @hello.darnell  On FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/writeous/ [https://www.facebook.com/writeous/] On LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/darnellwalker/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/darnellwalker/]

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode discusses death by suicide. This can be triggering and overwhelming for any listener but particularly for those impacted by mental illness or suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling please call or text 988 for support, call your county crisis line, or for immediate help, dial 911.  In this episode Rebecca and Andrea talk with Erin Mitchell, co-founder of Counseling for Couples and co-author of Too Tired to Fight, about growing up with a father who struggled with mental illness. Erin shares honestly about the impact of living in that shadow and the confusion and devastation when her father died by suicide.  This important conversation brings death by suicide into the light and hopefully helps others to release any societal shame. All grief is worthy.  Connect with Erin On Instagram @couples.counseling.for.parents Online: https://couplescounselingforparents.com/ [https://couplescounselingforparents.com/] YouTube: https://youtube.com/@couplescounselingforparents?si=TU5827o_3QANf7R2 [https://youtube.com/@couplescounselingforparents?si=TU5827o_3QANf7R2] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2dwvz1LIm3K2JPcm7RwubW?si=4FL0uzhDQLyAVVIaUyMpiQ [https://open.spotify.com/show/2dwvz1LIm3K2JPcm7RwubW?si=4FL0uzhDQLyAVVIaUyMpiQ]

In this episode Rebecca and Andrea talk with Sy Montgomery, award winning author, adventurer, and naturalist. Sy shares how her love of nature and its many creatures has time and again re-enchanted her with the beauty and wonder that life has to offer. Through stories of her own beloved animals and those she has met along the way she captured our hearts and reminded us how feeling our grief helps us be good creatures. Mentioned in this episode, Playing Possum: How Animals Understand Death, by Susan Monsó, can be found here: https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691260761/playing-possum?srsltid=AfmBOoor72DhrOhOPjESsI47wrnBpdRaZ2GoJJs1J1es3qQSubOa5dQq [https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691260761/playing-possum?srsltid=AfmBOoor72DhrOhOPjESsI47wrnBpdRaZ2GoJJs1J1es3qQSubOa5dQq] Find Sy On Instagram @sytheauthor On Facebook www.facebook.com/SyTheAuthor/ On X @Sytheauthor And online at www.symontgomery.com

In this episode Andrea & Rebecca talk with Elizabeth (Liz) O'Donnell whose daughter, Aaliyah, was tragically stillborn. Liz faced not only this devastating loss, but also a system that denied her right to paid family leave. In the wake of tragedy, Liz created Aaliyah in Action a nonprofit that works to comfort & provide birthing people who have experienced baby loss with self-care items to help navigate life after loss. Their team focuses on immediately assisting families who have experienced stillbirth and pregnancy loss.  A touching episode about loss, love, and the legacy a mother is leaving for her daughter. Find Liz and Aaliyah in Action Online: www.aaliyahinaction.org On Instagram: @aaliyahinaction

In this episode Andrea and Rebecca chat with Becky Ellis, author of Little Avalanches, a memoir about her childhood as the daughter of a decorated World War II Combat Sergeant. Becky shares the fear, unpredictability, and chaos of a war fought at home. She also shares her journey to understand her father and her persistence to get his story and understand how his time in the war forever altered his life - and hers. It is a story of trauma, survival, understanding, and love. Find Becky www.beckyellis.net On Intstagram @BeckyEllisAuthor [https://www.instagram.com/beckyellisauthor/] On Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/becky.ellis.9081/]