Moving house is one of the most stressful things we can do. When you’ve spent 28 years building a life in one place, leaving becomes even harder - especially after losing a loved one who shared that space with you. As I prepare to leave the home we’ve lived in for nearly three decades, I’ve been reflecting on how our places and possessions quietly hold the stories of our lives. In this episode, I share what it’s like to sort through decades of memories, how difficult it is to let go, and how we begin to decide what we carry with us into the next chapter.

Connect with your host Louise Bates:

https://linktr.ee/louisebates

If this episode moved you, please consider leaving a review and sharing it with someone who might need it.

You help this show reach others walking their own path through grief.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, we explore a form of grief that is so often minimised, misunderstood, or pushed aside: the loss of a beloved pet.

I’m joined by Debbie McLeod, known as The Midlife Mystic Mentor. Debbie is a counsellor, hypnotherapist, medium, spiritual guide, and the author of Best Friends Forever: Practical Steps and Wisdom to Ease the Pain of Pet Loss. Her work gently bridges emotional support with spiritual understanding, helping people navigate some of life’s most tender experiences.

Together, we dive into why losing a pet can feel so devastating, how to honour that grief, and the deep, spiritual connections many of us feel with our animals.

Debbie's book:

https://debbiemcleod.co.uk/services

Connect with Debbie:

instagram.com/midlifemysticmentor

Facebook - Midlife Mystic Mentor

https://www.facebook.com/DebbieandMollie/

Connect with your host Louise Bates:

https://linktr.ee/louisebates

If this episode moved you, please consider leaving a review and sharing it with someone who might need it.

You help this show reach others walking their own path through grief.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s deeply moving episode, I’m joined in the studio by Helen Smith mum to Evelyn, her beautiful daughter who tragically died when she was just seven years old. Evelyn’s death was particularly heartbreaking, because it was something that could have been prevented.

Since that unimaginable loss, Helen has been learning to live with both grief, trauma and PTSD and her loss has shaped every part of her life. Yet from that deep heartbreak, Helen has created something truly special; a charity called Evelyn’s Gift, which shares kindness and compassion in Evelyn’s memory. Through this work, Helen has found small moments of light and a sense of purpose.

In this episode, Helen opens up about:

• What life was like before Evelyn died
• The events leading up to her daughter’s death and the devastating realisation that it was avoidable
• The long, painful journey of seeking answers through an inquest and civil litigation
• The ongoing fight for truth, accountability, and change
• How Evelyn’s Gift was born from grief, and how it continues to spread kindness in Evelyn’s name

We also talk about the challenges of medical trust and accountability, sharing personal reflections from my own experience with my son Matthew’s illness and the haunting “what ifs” that so many bereaved parents live with.

During our conversation, I also highlight the story of Jessica Brady, a 27-year-old engineer whose preventable death inspired ‘Jess’s Rule’, a vital reminder to doctors to take action when patients repeatedly present with the same symptoms.

Helen’s courage, honesty, and compassion shine through every word. Her story is not just about loss, it’s about turning pain into purpose, finding meaning through kindness, and keeping her daughter’s spirit alive in the most beautiful way.

So grab yourself a cuppa (and maybe a box of tissues) and sit back as Helen shares her powerful story and one that will stay with you long after the episode ends.

Connect with Helen through her wonderful charity www.evelynsgift.co.uk

Connect with your host Louise Bates: https://linktr.ee/louisebates

If this episode moved you, please consider leaving a review and sharing it with someone who might need it.

You help this show reach others walking their own path through grief.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.