Grief Is My Side Hustle

Ep. 171: Katie Leonard On Being a Pediatric Hospice Nurse

We need more people like Katie Leonard in the world, truly. When I heard about Katie's work, I knew I needed to sit down with her for this podcast. Katie is a pediatric hospice nurse. And while I've had a few wonderful conversations with hospice nurses on Grief is My Side Hustle, this one hit a bit differently. Katie reveals that, after a brief time in pediatric oncology, she wanted to branch outside of the hospital space. After working as a case manager in pediatric neurology, she'd learned a lot about children with life-limiting and chronic conditions. Katie has a true passion for end-of-life care and supporting families through this beautiful, but extremely difficult process. I loved learning about her as a person, as well as what carries through this extraordinary work, while also maintaining her other life roles. Trust me, this is a must-listen conversation!    Thank you so much for your continued support- please give a rate and review wherever possible.    More about Katie: https://hospicenews.com/2022/09/30/future-leaders-class-of-2022-katie-leonard-director-of-pediatrics-anchor-health/ [https://hospicenews.com/2022/09/30/future-leaders-class-of-2022-katie-leonard-director-of-pediatrics-anchor-health/]

Ep. 170: Casey Mulligan Walsh Embraces The Full Catastrophe

Casey Mulligan Walsh is a gorgeous writer and her book now has two major awards to prove it!    I'm so excited to bring you all this conversation with my sweet, sweet friend, who found herself pondering what kind of legacy she'd leave the world of grief and loss- and ended up writing this gorgeous memoir! It is SUCH a gif to all of who are struggling in the wake of untenable, devastating pain. Casey has endured being orphaned as a young girl, going through a tumultuous divorce, and the death of her son at age 20. This book, for lack of more splendid adjectives, is beautiful, bold and courageous.    It is absolutely a roadmap for all of us who struggle with what on earth we are meant to do when it feels like, at every turn, we are greeted with catastrophe.    I hope you all are able to take something amazing away from this conversation. Casey is also a featured author at this year's Grieftastic Book Fair, so please be sure to grab your copy and have her sign when you meet her! Tickets still available at grieftastic.com [https://www.grieftastic.com/] .    Thank you, as always, for listening, rating and reviewing!    More about Casey Mulligan Walsh: https://caseymulliganwalsh.com/ [https://caseymulliganwalsh.com/] https://www.instagram.com/caseymulliganwalsh/ [https://www.instagram.com/caseymulliganwalsh/]

Ep. 169: Alison Larkin Loses her Love, Finds Her Funny, and Sings us into Sobs

Alison Larkin is such a gift. She is an English-American, having been born here in the states and then adopted by British parents who raised her across the pond.  These days, she is a comedian, novelist, actress, and audiobook narrator. Her novel, "The English American," sprang from her autobiographical one-woman comedy show about an adopted English woman who finds her birth parents in the United States.  The grief of being adopted and searching for your birth parents might be enough, you say-but no. Alison also lost her soulmate, Bhima, five days after they decide to get married.  Alison's story is as layered and devastating as it sounds; she had no choice but to make it into something funny, right? Enter her one-woman show and subsequent book, "Grief...A Comedy." The woman truly is griefy gold.  She proves as much when Alison serenades my producer and I at the end of the episode with a song she wrote herself. She hits every sad nerve, and yet inspires such hope and wonder after loss.  We LOVE Alison Larkin- and we're certain you will, too!   More about Alison: https://alisonlarkin.com/alison-larkin-bio/ [https://alisonlarkin.com/alison-larkin-bio/]  https://www.instagram.com/alisonlarkinpresents/ [https://www.instagram.com/alisonlarkinpresents/]

Ep. 168: Kristina Amelong on Learning to Live with the Aftermath of What Her Brother Knew

Kristina Amelong's brother, Jay, knew from an extremely young age that he was going to die. Not only that, but he predicted how it would happen, and that he would not live to be an adult. Kristina's gripping and gorgeous memoir, "What My Brother Knew," tells the heartbreaking story of a tragedy rooted in an understanding that reaches far beyond anything that she or I are capable of fully grasping; thus the pinnacle of our conversation today.    I have always said that I struggle with my own spirituality, and my understanding of things that feel juuuussssttt out of our reach. With Kristina, it feels safe and comforting to discuss this topic; like there is someone on my team in this headspace. I hope, in listening to our chat today, that you feel the same. She is a warm and curious presence, and I'm SO intrigued by her journey!   These days, Kristina is a writer, photographer, and hollistic healer. According to her own website, "More than anything, I am drawn to stories that ask questions about who we are and why we are here. My spiritual studies have awakened in me a confidence in my connection with All-That-Is. I feel called to lead others to face the uncertainty of our collective future with hope. We can evolve together!"   Thank you, as always, for listening. Please rate and review us where possible, and feel free to reach out meghanriordanjarvis.com and leave suggestions or comments!   Learn more about Kristina: https://www.kristinaamelong.com/ [https://www.kristinaamelong.com/] IG: https://www.instagram.com/optimalhealthnetwork/ [https://www.instagram.com/optimalhealthnetwork/]

Ep. 167: Timothy Frie Talks Nutrition & Grief

I think you all are used to me saying this by now, but I found Timothy Frie online- and stalked him into talking to me. He is fascinating, as is his work, and I think once you listen to this episode you’ll agree. Timothy Frie is a neuronutrition educator, nutritional psychology researcher, writer, and president of the National Academy of Neuronutrition. He helps neurodivergent people who have experienced early-life trauma understand the story behind their relationship with food. This is such a crucial topic, and Tim does a beautiful job of illuminating how the elements of grief and mental health relate to -and impact- how we fortify ourselves. I loved this conversation, and our hope is that you will, too. Stay tuned, because Tim and I have more collaborations in the works!   More about Timothy Frie: @timothyfrie [https://www.instagram.com/timothyfrie/] https://www.timfrie.com/ [https://www.timfrie.com/]