In this episode, we explore one of the most tender parts of grief: allowing ourselves to feel joy again — without guilt, without pressure, and without making it mean that our grief has disappeared.
We’re joined by Joseph Jay, widower to his wife Casey and dad to Annie. Joseph has been an early and loyal listener of Two Girls With Grief, and recently crossed his one-year death anniversary — a milestone that has brought reflection, growth, heartbreak, and moments of unexpected joy. His honesty, vulnerability, and commitment to healing (both his and Annie’s) make this conversation incredibly special.
This episode is heartfelt, spacious, and real. If you’ve ever felt afraid of joy, guilty for laughing, or unsure how to live fully while grieving, this conversation will meet you exactly where you are.
What the early days after losing Casey looked like
How becoming a solo parent shaped his grief
What the one-year mark revealed about where he’s been — and where he’s going
How fatherhood, survival, and grief collide in unexpected ways
The holidays have a way of magnifying absence — especially a holiday centered on gratitude, family, and tradition. In this special 25-minute mini-episode, Rachel and Kendel talk honestly about what Thanksgiving feels like when someone you love is no longer here. Whether this is your first holiday without them or the year where it quietly hits harder than expected, this episode is a gentle companion.
Together, we explore how grief shows up at the table, how to navigate complicated emotions, and how to create space for both gratitude and grief.
Special Tuesday Episode release:
In this heartfelt and incredibly important episode of Two Girls With Grief, we sit down with Kelly, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the Camp Erin Online Programs Manager at Eluna. With more than eleven years of experience supporting grieving children and teens, Kelly has dedicated her career to ensuring young people feel seen, understood, and never alone in their grief.
Eluna and Camp Erin are nationally recognized for their transformative grief programs for kids, and Kelly plays a pivotal role in expanding their mission into the digital space. Since joining the team in 2022, she has been leading the launch of Eluna’s first-ever direct-care online support programs — a vital lifeline for families navigating loss, especially those impacted by the pandemic and frontline work.
Together, we explore how grief shows up for kids, what adults often misunderstand, and the practical steps caregivers can take to create safety, openness, and connection for young grievers.
How grief looks different in children vs. adults
Why grief often appears in “waves” or “bursts” for kids
Common emotional + behavioral signs that a child is grieving
What makes Camp Erin such a transformative experience for grieving kids
How peer support normalizes grief for children and teens
The blend of traditional camp fun + intentional grief activities that helps kids feel safe and understood
The importance of connection in healing — and why kids often open up more with peers than adults
What caregivers often get wrong (and how to gently get it right)
Age-appropriate ways to talk to children about death and grief
How grieving adults can support grieving children even while carrying their own pain
The power of “sitting in the mud” with a child instead of fixing or minimizing
Kelly’s vision for accessible digital grief support
Why online programs matter — especially post-pandemic
How these resources will help families who traditionally haven’t had access to grief care
🧠 In This Episode, We Explore:✨ Understanding Childhood Grief✨ Inside Camp Erin & Eluna✨ Supporting Kids Through Loss✨ Eluna’s Online Expansion
In this heartfelt episode of Two Girls With Grief, Rachel and Kendel sit down with Sabrina — known online as @SabForTony — to explore what it means to live beautifully while grieving deeply.
After losing her husband, Tony, Sabrina began sharing her story with raw honesty on TikTok and Instagram, building a powerful community of over 100,000 people who resonate with her vulnerability and courage. Now living in New York City, she’s created her Living Well series — a reminder that grief and joy can coexist, even on the hardest days.
Together, we talk about: 💭 How Sabrina began her grief journey and built SabForTony 🏙️ What it meant to move to New York City and rebuild in a new chapter of life ❤️ The tension between honoring grief and choosing joy 📱 How sharing her story online has built connection and community 🌿 What “living well” looks like when your heart is still healing
In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with Jack Ciapciak, a TV writer and storyteller who has captured hearts online through his honest reflections on grief and love after losing his fiancé, also named Jack.
Jack opens up about their beautiful love story, the Hudson River Park bench that became both a place of proposal and remembrance, and how he continues to live fully — not in spite of grief, but alongside it.
We explore what it means to honor someone’s legacy, how love continues to evolve after loss, and the quiet power of rituals that keep memory alive. Jack’s perspective reminds us that grief doesn’t end — it transforms, deepening our capacity to love, to create, and to keep showing up for life.
Jack’s story of love, loss, and the memorial bench that holds so much meaning.
How his late fiancé’s words — “Find out who you are, try not to be afraid of it” — continue to guide him.
The importance of creating rituals and physical spaces that honor loved ones.
How grief and authenticity intertwine — and how to keep living fully in their memory.
The role of storytelling and creativity in processing loss.
What it means to build legacy, both for those we’ve lost and for ourselves.
Follow Jack @JackCiapchiak
In the final episode of Season 2, Rachel and Kendel reflect on their journey through grief, powerful guest stories, and what they’ve learned along the way. They dive into grief etiquette, the impact of sharing personal loss, and why sensitive, open conversations about death matter. From lighthearted memories to deep emotional truths, this season explored it all — tune in to hear how grief connects us, transforms us, and how community helps carry us through.
Stay tuned for Season 3
In this episode of Two Girls with Grief, Kendel and Rachel sit down with Hannah Rumsey, founder of Friends Missing Friends, to dive into the often-overlooked grief of losing a friend. Hannah shares her journey after losing her friend Lauren and highlights the emotional complexities that arise when grieving a friend in a society that doesn’t always recognize this type of loss.
Key Takeaways: 💔 The societal stigma around friend loss and why it’s often minimized
🗣️ The healing power of sharing stories and creating safe spaces for grief
🌱 How friendships shape personal growth and why their loss hits differently
📚 The role of media and literature in shaping our understanding of grief
⏳ The ongoing impact of time on grief and the importance of diverse friendships
Join us as we unpack the complexities of friend loss and advocate for more support and understanding around this often invisible grief.
Connect with Hannah here:
In this episode of Two Girls with Grief, Rachel and Kendel talk with Cara Belvin, founder of Empower, a nonprofit that supports youth who have lost a parent. Cara shares her personal journey of losing her mother at a young age and how it inspired her to build a community for grieving children.
Key Takeaways: 💙 The importance of mentorship and community in grief 🗣️ Giving young people space to share their stories and emotions 📚 How literature and storytelling can help navigate grief 🤝 Challenges faced by nonprofits and the power of community support ✨ The lifelong impact of grief and the importance of self-care and grace
Tune in to hear Cara’s inspiring story and learn how Empower is changing lives.
Learn more here: https://weareempower.org/
In this episode, Kendel and Rachel welcome Felix Lerma, a San Francisco-based psychic medium who made Rachel a believer. Rachel shares her powerful experience with Felix and how their sessions helped her navigate her grief journey.
The conversation explores:
🔮 Why healthy skepticism is important when choosing a psychic medium
🕰️ When the right time might be to seek one out
👻 Plus—unexpected spirit visits make a surprise appearance during the episode!
Note: There were some “spirity” technical issues, causing Kendel to drop off occasionally and a few sound glitches, but the conversation is too good to miss!
Tune in for an enlightening and heartfelt discussion!
Felix's podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speaking-spiritually-with-amy-and-felix-lee/id1747002475
Felix's website https://www.felixleelerma.com/
Writer and therapist Sara Rian opens up about losing her mother to suicide, the healing power of poetry, and the importance of ethical grief support. She explores the intersection of grief and love, the role of literature in healing, and why vulnerability and authenticity are essential in sharing loss. This conversation highlights the power of words to create connection, foster open dialogue, and express complex emotions.
Alex Ostebo opens up about losing her sister Denali, the emotional journey of grief, and the struggle of letting go while preserving memories. From sorting through belongings to finding joy after loss, this conversation explores the healing power of storytelling and how Alex’s upcoming fantasy novel, Realm Jumper keeps her sister’s spirit alive.
https://www.alexostebo.com/
In this Crossover episode,Kendel & Rachel welcome Rob from Obsessed with Death Podcast where he shares his unique take on society’s discomfort with death, the emotional complexities of grief, and the surprising role of humor. The conversation explores true crime fascination, funeral planning, and how to support loved ones without “fixing” their pain.
Brendan Shaw opens up about the tragic loss of his brother, Philip, and the complexities of grief, justice, and healing. He shares the emotional toll of legal battles, the unique pain of sibling loss, and how grief reshapes relationships. The conversation explores the differences in how men and women process grief, the power of connection, and finding purpose after tragedy. Connect with Brendan here: brendanshawgrief.com
Brendan Shaw opens up about the tragic loss of his brother, Philip, and the complexities of grief, justice, and healing. He shares the emotional toll of legal battles, the unique pain of sibling loss, and how grief reshapes relationships. The conversation explores the differences in how men and women process grief, the power of connection, and finding purpose after tragedy.
Connect with Brendan here:brendanshawgrief.com
Rachel and Kendel sit down with Rebecca Feinglos, founder of Grieve Leave, to unpack the realities of grief—from navigating holidays and personal keepsakes to dating and workplace bereavement policies. They explore how grief and joy can coexist, the impact of loss on relationships, and why self-love is key to healing. Tune in for real talk, personal stories, and insights on embracing life after loss.
Learn more about Rebecca Feingloss and Greave leave here:Grieve Leave
Articles mentioned in episode:
https://www.grieveleave.com/podcasts/grief-d-up/episodes/2148923175
In this episode of 2 Girls with Grief, Nikki Spoelstra shares her powerful story of navigating grief, motherhood, and sobriety through some of life’s hardest moments—losing her mother, her child’s cancer diagnosis, and divorce. She opens up about:
The ‘mother wound’ and how it shaped her healing journey.
The grief of losing oneself and finding identity again.
The power of service, self-compassion, and community in overcoming pain.
Breaking stigmas around sobriety, co-parenting, and mental health.
Through raw honesty and deep reflection, Nikki inspires us to embrace healing, faith, and the strength in asking for support.
Find all things Nikki here
In this episode, Carm shares her journey of creating Girls Gotta Heal, inspired by her own experiences with grief and loss. Together, we explore the complexities of navigating grief, the importance of mental health, and the power of affirmations. Carm introduces her unique card deck designed to spark conversations about grief and emphasizes creating safe spaces for emotional healing. We also discuss anticipatory grief, the challenges of vulnerability, and the healing power of community, offering insights and support for anyone on their grief journey.
Check out more about Girls Gotta Heal here
In this episode, Rachel, Jessica, and Tripp tackle the emotional and logistical challenges that come with losing a loved one. They share deeply personal stories of loss and emphasize the importance of planning ahead to ease the burden on those left behind.
Key highlights include:
The inspiration behind The Dead Book—a comprehensive resource designed to simplify end-of-life planning and manage the administrative tasks that follow a death.
How grief impacts both the heart and the mind, and why support systems are crucial during these times.
Practical steps for organizing important documents and wishes to reduce stress for loved ones.
Breaking down the stigma around death and encouraging more open, honest conversations about end-of-life planning.
Personal insights on how preparedness can bring a sense of control and peace amidst the chaos of loss.
This episode is a heartfelt exploration of how planning ahead can not only ease logistical challenges but also allow us to honor our loved ones in meaningful ways. Don’t miss this important conversation on changing how we approach grief, death, and planning for the future.
Find them here: https://thedeadbook.co/
In Episode 2 of Season 2, Kendel and Rachel sit down with Brittany Spivey, their first guest of the season, for an inspiring and heartfelt conversation. Brittany opens up about her personal journey through grief after losing her mother, sharing how the loss profoundly reshaped her identity, mental health, and physical well-being. She dives into her struggles with weight gain, self-esteem, and the challenges of navigating grief, particularly during the holidays.
Brittany also explores the transformative power of affirmations and self-care in rebuilding her sense of self and finding healing. Throughout the episode, she offers valuable insights on how to create a new narrative after loss, providing a compassionate roadmap for those seeking to navigate grief and rediscover their purpose. Brittany's wisdom serves as a powerful reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is space for growth, transformation, and renewal.
Connect with Brittany Spivey here: https://linktr.ee/brittanydspivey
Looking for the book club? Episodes are now here
Resources:
In Crisis? Call or text 988
SAMHSA: Substance abuse and mental health Health services administration
The Dinner Party: Not Your Parent’s Grief Group
Grief Share: Grief and loss support groups
In this episode, Kendel and Rachel kick off Season Two with updates and reflections on their journey through grief. They discuss the evolution of their podcast, the importance of sharing grief stories, and the lessons learned from their experiences.
The conversation highlights the power of community, personal growth, and the excitement for new beginnings in 2025. In this conversation, Kendel and Rachel explore the profound impact of grief on their lives, discussing how loss reshapes priorities, planning, and personal growth. They emphasize the importance of community in navigating grief and the necessity of embracing change as a part of life. The discussion also touches on the misconceptions surrounding grief and the need for more open conversations about it.
Looking ahead to 2025, they share their excitement for new plans, including guest appearances and a focus on healing and personal development.
Looking for the book club? Episodes are now here
Resources:
In Crisis? Call or text 988
SAMHSA: Substance abuse and mental health Health services administration
The Dinner Party: Not Your Parent’s Grief Group
Grief Share: Grief and loss support groups