20 | Living with the Hidden Grief of Mid-Life Relationship Trauma w/ Melissa Issa

Episodio Especial | Pérdidas en Vida, El Duelo y la Experiencia de Primera Generación (Spanglish)

¡Hola a todos! While we are on a break from our first season of The Living Loss Podcast, I’m stepping to the mic solo for something I've wanted to do since the very beginning: connecting with you in Spanish (and a little Spanglish!). As a proud Dominican-American born in Brooklyn, I’m navigating my way through discussing mental health, psychology, and grief in my first language. In our culture, we are often taught that el duelo (grief) only happens when someone passes away. But what about the losses that nobody brings you flowers for? In this special episode, we are breaking down what a "Living Loss" really means and holding space for the unique grief we carry as first-generation individuals. If this episode resonated with you, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who might need to hear it. Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional therapy. EPISODIO ESPECIAL: PÉRDIDAS EN VIDA, EL DUELO Y LA EXPERIENCIA DE PRIMERA GENERACIÓN (SPANGLISH) ¡Hola a todos! Mientras estamos en una pausa de la primera temporada con mi colega Cassandra, tomo el micrófono a solas para hacer algo que siempre he querido hacer: conectar con ustedes en español (¡y un poco de Spanglish!). Como hija de padres dominicanos nacida en Brooklyn, estoy navegando cómo hablar de salud mental, psicología y duelo en mi primer idioma. En nuestra familia y cultura, a veces nos enseñan que el duelo solo ocurre cuando alguien fallece. Pero, ¿qué pasa con las pérdidas por las que nadie te trae flores? En este episodio especial, hablamos de lo que es un "Living Loss" (pérdida en vida) y damos espacio al duelo único que cargamos como primera generación. En este episodio, exploramos: * Qué significa vivir un duelo que no está reconocido con un funeral. * La experiencia de primera generación: navegar diferentes mundos y sentirnos "ni de aquí ni de allá". * La culpa que a veces sentimos al crecer, establecer límites y hacer las cosas diferentes a nuestros padres. * El dolor de perder una identidad, una versión antigua de ti mismo, o un sueño que no pudimos realizar. * Por qué no puedes sanar lo que no reconoces. La Lección de Living Loss: Date el permiso de que tu duelo es válido, aunque no haya una pérdida física. Es hora de salir del survival mode, tener compasión de ti mismo sin juzgarte, y nombrar esas pérdidas silenciosas que has estado cargando. ¡Gracias por ser parte de nuestro círculo! Si este episodio resonó contigo, por favor suscríbete, síguenos y compártelo con alguien que pueda estar cargando su pérdida en silencio. Instagram: @thelivinglosspodcast Correo electrónico: hello@livinglosspodcast.com [hello@livinglosspodcast.com] Si te interesa una consulta de terapia individual con Daiana Bernard, por favor comunícate por correo electrónico o visita la página web de la práctica a continuación. Correo electrónico: healing@meaningfultherapyfl.com [healing@meaningfultherapyfl.com] Sitio web: MeaningfulTherapyFL.com [http://MeaningfulTherapyFL.com] Ubicación: Riverview, FL. Sesiones en persona y telesalud para clientes en toda la Florida. Nota: Este podcast es para propósitos educativos y no es sustituto para la terapia profesional.

RP | Living with the Hidden Grief of Pet Loss with Adam Greenbaum

DURING OUR BRIEF HIATUS, WE'RE SHARING A REPLAY OF ONE OF OUR MOST TOUCHING CONVERSATIONS. DAIANA DROPS IN FOR A SPECIAL INTRO BEFORE CASSANDRA’S POWERFUL INTERVIEW WITH PET LOSS ADVOCATE ADAM GREENBAUM. Adam shares the story of losing his beloved dog, Baxter, navigating anticipatory grief with his senior dog, Sophie, and how he turned his pain into Love Baxter, a platform supporting pet parents through their hardest goodbye. What You’ll Learn in This Episode * The Reality of Disenfranchised Grief: Why society minimizes pet loss and how to validate your own heartbreak. * Navigating Anticipatory Grief: How to cope with the dread and anxiety that comes as our pets age or face illness. * Finding Meaning in the Pain: Adam’s journey of building a supportive community and resource hub through Love Baxter. * Living Loss Lessons: Tangible takeaways on how to honor your pets, stay present, and create lasting memories without regret. * How to Support Others: Actionable advice on what to say (and what not to say) when someone you love loses an animal companion. Resources & Links Mentioned * Explore Love Baxter: lovebaxter.com [http://lovebaxter.com] * Follow on Instagram: @lovebaxterco Support the Show If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it to help us reach others who might be carrying their loss in silence. * Instagram: @thelivinglosspodcast * Email: hello@livinglosspodcast.com [hello@livinglosspodcast.com] Work With Us If you’re interested in an individual therapy consultation, please reach out to us: Daiana Bernard: healing@meaningfultherapyfl.com [healing@meaningfultherapyfl.com] | MeaningfulTherapyFL.com [http://MeaningfulTherapyFL.com] | Location: Riverview, FL (In-Person & Telehealth statewide) Cassandra Harris-Towner: Cassandra@firststridezcounseling.com [Cassandra@firststridezcounseling.com] | firststridezcounseling.com [http://firststridezcounseling.com] | Location: Ocala, FL (In-Person & Telehealth statewide) Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes. While we are licensed mental health counselors, we are not your therapists, and this does not replace professional mental health care. If you need support, please reach out to a local professional.

RP | Living with the Silence of Navigating the Loss of Friendships

The Living Loss Podcast is officially on summer break! While we recharge, we are replaying some of the most impactful conversations from Season One. Keeping it real, society gives us rituals for romantic breakups and family passing, but there is no public script or timeline for the ache of losing a close friend. Whether the friendship experienced a gradual fade, a sudden ghosting, or a shift because of different life seasons, friendship loss is a quiet earthquake. In this episode, Cassandra and Daiana sit down to validate the unseen losses and hidden grief tied to adult friendships. What You'll Hear in This Episode: * The "Quiet Earthquake": Why friendship breakups perfectly capture ambiguous loss and disenfranchised grief. * The 3 AM Rumination Loop: Why our brains desperately crave closure when a friend leaves, and how to stop taking the end of a relationship as a personal failure. * Identity Disruption: How we attach parts of our identity to our friends, and how to answer the question, "Who am I without them?" * Attachment Injuries: Navigating the fear of vulnerability with new friends after a deep connection is broken. * The Magic of "Low-Maintenance" Friends: Embracing the shifting dynamics of adult friendships and why it is perfectly okay to outgrow people as your values change. Connect With Us: If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, follow, and share it with someone who might be carrying their loss in silence. Instagram: @thelivinglosspodcast  Email: hello@livinglosspodcast.com [hello@livinglosspodcast.com] If you’re interested in a consultation for individual therapy with Daiana Bernard, please reach out via email or visit the practice website below. Email: healing@meaningfultherapyfl.com [healing@meaningfultherapyfl.com] Website: https://meaningfultherapyfl.comMeaningfulTherapyFL.com [http://MeaningfulTherapyFL.com] Location: Riverview, FL, In-Person, and Telehealth serving clients throughout Florida. If you’re interested in a consultation with Cassandra Harris-Towner please reach out via email or visit the practice website below. Email: Cassandra@firststridezcounseling.com [Cassandra@firststridezcounseling.com] Website: https://firststridezcounseling.comfirststridezcounseling.com [http://firststridezcounseling.com] Location: Ocala, FL, In-Person, and Telehealth serving clients throughout Florida. Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. While we are licensed therapists, we are not your therapists, and this does not replace professional mental health care. If you need support, please reach out to a professional near you.

RP | Living with the Hidden Grief of Loving Someone with Depression guest Joel Asencio

Have you ever felt the quiet, exhausting helplessness of desperately trying to save someone you love? It is a very specific kind of pain, and a heavy grief that the world rarely validates. In this special Summer Series replay, we revisit a deeply moving conversation with licensed mental health counselor and author Joel Asencio about his book, How Much Could a Clementine Weigh?. While we touch on the internal reality of depression, this episode shines a light on the other side of that emotional wall. We unpack the disenfranchised and ambiguous grief that comes with loving someone who is struggling, and remind you that their inability to receive your love does not mean you are loving them wrong. Questions for Reflection: Because this episode is so packed with insight, I want to add a little extra value this time around. As you listen—or listen again, I invite you to keep these questions in mind: How are you currently carrying or measuring the "weight" of the unacknowledged losses in your own life? What is one small way you can give yourself permission to process that weight today? Connect with Our Guest: * Author: Joel Asencio * Book: How Much Could a Clementine Weigh? * Instagram: @authorJoelAsencio [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.instagram.com/authorJoelAsencio] Join the Community: Please subscribe and share this episode, maybe even text it to someone who could use those reflection questions right now! It helps us grow this community and reach others who need to know their grief is valid. Instagram: @thelivinglosspodcast  Email: hello@livinglosspodcast.com [hello@livinglosspodcast.com] If you’re interested in a consultation for individual therapy with Daiana Bernard, please reach out via email or visit the practice website below. Email: healing@meaningfultherapyfl.com [healing@meaningfultherapyfl.com] Website: https://meaningfultherapyfl.comMeaningfulTherapyFL.com [http://MeaningfulTherapyFL.com] Location: Riverview, FL, In-Person, and Telehealth serving clients throughout Florida. If you’re interested in a consultation with Cassandra Harris-Towner please reach out via email or visit the practice website below. Email: Cassandra@firststridezcounseling.com [Cassandra@firststridezcounseling.com] Website: https://firststridezcounseling.comfirststridezcounseling.com [http://firststridezcounseling.com] Location: Ocala, FL, In-Person, and Telehealth serving clients throughout Florida. Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. While Daiana and Cassandra are licensed mental health counselors, they are not your mental health counselors, and this does not replace professional mental health care. If you feel you need support, please reach out to a professional near you.

24 | Living with Hidden Grief: Season 1 Finale – Naming the Unseen Losses

What a journey it has been! In this Season 1 finale, we take a look back at the past 24 episodes of The Living Loss Podcast. As licensed mental health counselors, we dive deep into the quiet, complex griefs that don’t come with a funeral because you truly cannot heal what you don’t acknowledge. From behind-the-scenes blunders (like trying not to look like Casper under the studio lights) to the profound honor of holding space for 13 incredible guests, we reflect on the powerful themes that defined this season: identity loss, disenfranchised grief, sibling dynamics, and ambiguous loss. We also share our personal "Living Loss Lessons" from this season, talking about how our own friendship has evolved and how we are learning to show up more intentionally for those we love. INSIDE THIS EPISODE: * The Power of the Pivot: How a season we thought would be mostly solo episodes turned into a beautiful tapestry of guest stories. * Redefining Grief: Shifting the focus from the obvious loss of a person to the hidden, unacknowledged losses—like hair loss (alopecia), eating disorder recovery, and family estrangement. * Creating Meaning from Pain: Reflecting on how our guests turned their darkest seasons into missions, books, foundations, and advocacy work. * Our Personal Lessons: Cassandra and Daiana share their raw reflections on falling short in the past, learning to just "show up," and embracing imperfection. * Looking Ahead to Season 2: A sneak peek into upcoming topics, including an exploration of loneliness and how it impacts us differently. We want to hear from you! What is a quiet, unrecognized loss in your world that you want to see explored in Season 2? Reach out to us, no books or accolades required. Just your human experience. Instagram: @thelivinglosspodcast  Email: hello@livinglosspodcast.com [hello@livinglosspodcast.com] If you’re interested in a consultation for individual therapy with Daiana Bernard, please reach out via email or visit the practice website below. Email: healing@meaningfultherapyfl.com [healing@meaningfultherapyfl.com] Website: https://meaningfultherapyfl.comMeaningfulTherapyFL.com [http://MeaningfulTherapyFL.com] Location: Riverview, FL, In-Person, and Telehealth serving clients throughout Florida. If you’re interested in a consultation with Cassandra Harris-Towner please reach out via email or visit the practice website below. Email: Cassandra@firststridezcounseling.com [Cassandra@firststridezcounseling.com] Website: https://firststridezcounseling.comfirststridezcounseling.com [http://firststridezcounseling.com] Location: Ocala, FL, In-Person, and Telehealth serving clients throughout Florida. Disclaimer: While we are Licensed Mental Health Counselors, listening to this podcast or reaching out for a consultation does not replace professional therapy or establish a therapist-client relationship. This content is for educational and entertainment purposes only. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please call or text 988 or head to your nearest emergency room.