What can you do during this holiday season that will bring your happiness.

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• You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking here
• You can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.
• You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:
• You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking here
• Request your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide here

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If you’ve ever questioned why your grief feels different, episode 394 of the Grief and Happiness podcast is for you. Award-winning author and grief educator Theo Boyd shares the life-shifting losses that shaped her work and the signs that helped her forward. She explains why comparing grief adds to the pain and why sadness is not a disorder. Her story offers a clear, hopeful reminder that healing begins when you honor your own way through loss.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

(01:02) How a tragic farm accident changed Theo’s life overnight

(02:40) Why journaling became her first lifeline through overwhelming grief

(03:55) The moment she realized her notes needed to become a grief book

(04:50) How compounded loss shaped My Grief Is Not Like Yours

(06:10) The story behind her second book Hope All the Way and the signs that inspired it

(09:03) What her national grief study reveals about America’s hidden grief crisis

(11:37) Why society’s discomfort with sadness harms grievers

(12:47) The real meaning of “complicated grief” and why labels can be damaging

(14:22) How early counseling support helped her survive the darkest period

(17:22) How signs and moments of meaning helped her rediscover purpose

Thelizabeth “Theo” Boyd is an award-winning author, speaker, podcast host, and certified grief educator whose work centers on validating the many forms of loss. A former high-school English and creative writing teacher, she turned to journaling after a series of life-altering events, including the accidental death of her mother, the sudden loss of her longtime counselor, the end of her marriage, and later her father’s suicide. These experiences shaped her first book, My Grief Is Not Like Yours, and her upcoming release Hope All the Way, which also incorporates findings from her national study on the state of grief in America.

In her conversation with Emily, Theo reflects on how writing became both an anchor and a purpose after her world collapsed. She explains why grief must be witnessed, why comparisons rarely comfort, and how meaning deepens into purpose only when it serves others. Theo also shares the powerful signs she’s received from her parents, the importance of normalizing sadness instead of pathologizing it, and the urgent need to address the country’s grief crisis. Her perspective offers listeners a grounded, hope-filled reminder that healing grows from honesty, connection, and staying open to moments of grace along the way.

Connect with Theo Boyd:

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What can you change in your life that will bring you happiness and fulfilment?

Let's Connect:

• You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking here
• You can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.
• You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:
• You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking here
• Request your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide here

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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If you’ve ever felt pressured to “push through” grief alone, episode 392 of the Grief and Happiness Podcast is a must-listen. Evermore founder Joyal Mulheron shares what she learned after losing her daughter—how bereavement can quietly damage a person’s health, stability, and future, and how our systems often worsen the pain. Drawing on years of policy work and real stories from grieving families, she reveals what truly helps people begin to recover. Her insights will change how you understand loss and how you support others through it.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

(01:03) Joyal’s story and the loss that changed her mission

(02:10) Leaving policy work to build Evermore

(04:19) What national tragedies revealed about America’s grief gap

(06:02) What six years of listening taught her about bereavement

(07:45) The real health and economic costs of grief

(09:57) Why people pull away—and how to truly support a griever

(11:54) Emily’s turning point: the power of saying yes

(17:30) Why community witnessing matters

(18:47) The harm of common grief clichés

(21:37) How workplaces often get grief wrong

(23:12) How loss reshapes relationships

(29:31) Reconnecting with long-lost friends during grief

(33:14) Finding meaning—and why systemic change is urgent

Joyal Mulheron is the founder and executive director of Evermore, a national nonprofit working to improve how society supports bereaved people. After a policy career advising governors, federal agencies, and the White House on science-based public health strategy, the death of her daughter redirected her work toward understanding the real impact of loss. Since then, she has become a leading advocate for reform, helping secure paid bereavement leave for U.S. Armed Forces and creating the country’s first community bereavement response guide. Her mission bridges science, policy, and community action to build more compassionate and effective systems for those experiencing grief.

In the episode, Joyal explains how personal tragedy revealed the deep health, social, and economic effects of bereavement—and how current systems consistently fall short. Drawing on years of research and conversations with families nationwide, she emphasizes that bereavement is a life-altering event that requires more than emotional support. She shares how Evermore pushes for stronger national policies, better community responses, and evidence-based tools that help people “weather” loss rather than face it alone. Her insights highlight the urgent need for more humane, prepared, and responsive structures for grieving individuals.

Connect with Joyal Mulheron:

Evermore Website

Evermore Instagram

LinkedIn

Instagram

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How sharing your appreciation to someone you care about can bring happiness to you both.

Let's Connect:

• You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking here
• You can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.
• You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:
• You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking here
• Request your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide here

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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If you’ve ever wondered whether loved ones stay close after they pass, episode 390 of the Grief and Happiness podcast offers a striking perspective. Quantum healer Jeremy E. McDonald, M.Ed. shares the powerful shared-death experience he had with his mother and the clear signs he received afterward. These moments reshaped his grief and guided his 13-year healing journey, encouraging listeners to stay open and find comfort in the connections that remain.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

00:55) Jeremy’s background and the roots of The Sovereign Mindset

(01:31) How his mother’s passing began a long healing journey

(02:20) The shared-death experience that changed everything

(04:45) The signs and messages that continued after her death

(07:03) A new way to understand “transitioning” and loss

(10:29) Lessons on letting go and honoring a soul’s path

(13:40) How compassion and vulnerability reshape grief

(15:23) Why fear blocks connection with loved ones in spirit

(17:09) Mediumship moments that confirmed his experiences

(19:39) How to recognize signs from loved ones

(22:08) The importance of dignity and presence at end-of-life

(23:11) Why love and presence matter in final moments

(25:55) Using emotions to move from pain toward peace

(28:53) How to move forward with small, meaningful steps

(29:58) Rebuilding momentum through simple actions

(32:27) Creating an authentic, purposeful life after loss

Jeremy E. McDonald, M.Ed., is a quantum healer, public speaker, and author dedicated to helping people awaken their inner wisdom and spiritual resilience. With over two decades of experience in energy healing and personal development, he blends grounded teaching with intuitive insight to guide others through transformation. His book The Sovereign Mindset empowers readers to reclaim their inner authority, live with clarity, and recognize their inherent worth. Jeremy’s work reflects both professional expertise and the profound spiritual experiences that shaped his own healing journey.

In this episode, Jeremy shares how the loss of his mother and a powerful shared-death experience changed his understanding of life, death, and the continuing bond between loved ones. He describes how this moment sparked a 13-year path of deep healing, reflection, and spiritual growth that ultimately led to his new book. Jeremy explains why staying open, paying attention to signs, and allowing vulnerability help us move through grief with greater compassion for ourselves. His message encourages listeners to honor their emotions, take small steps toward healing, and trust that their loved ones remain close, offering guidance and support.

Connect with Jeremy E. McDonald, M.Ed.:

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram

X

YouTube

TikTok

Facebook

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Saying “I’m Sorry for Our Loss” is so much better than saying “I am sorry for your loss.”

Let's Connect:

• You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking here
• You can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.
• You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:
• You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking here
• Request your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide here

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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If you’ve ever felt trapped by stress or grief, episode 388 of Grief and Happiness offers a science-backed way out. Stanford physician Dr. Greg Hammer shares the four-step practice that helped him find peace after losing his son—and that can rewire your brain for calm and gratitude. Blending neuroscience, mindfulness, and lived experience, he proves that happiness isn’t luck—it’s something you can train.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

(01:01) Dr. Greg Hammer’s path from ICU medicine to mindfulness and wellness

(03:37) Why A Mindful Teen was written for parents, not teens

(04:32) The modern pressures today’s teens face—and how to help

(07:21) The GAIN method: Gratitude, Acceptance, Intention, Non-Judgment

(10:40) How acceptance helped Dr. Hammer heal after losing his son

(15:51) The science behind mindful breathing and calm

(19:47) How listing “three good things” boosts happiness and sleep

(22:50) Facing grief vs. suppressing it—how to tell the difference

(27:40) Healing through writing letters to lost loved ones

(29:44) Why parents must model gratitude and openness

(37:51) Forgiving yourself and letting go of judgment

(43:20) Why most of what we stress about doesn’t matter

Dr. Greg Hammer is a Stanford physician, wellness expert, and bestselling author devoted to helping people build happiness and resilience through mindfulness and science. After 35 years as a professor and pediatric intensive-care specialist at Stanford, he shifted his focus to stress reduction and well-being. His book Gain Without Pain introduced the GAIN method—Gratitude, Acceptance, Intention, and Non-Judgment—as a practical path to balance and fulfillment, followed by A Mindful Teen, guiding parents and educators to better support today’s youth.

In this episode, Dr. Hammer shares how his GAIN practice turns grief, stress, and self-criticism into calm and connection. Drawing on personal loss and decades of experience, he shows how gratitude and acceptance can rewire the brain toward positivity, and how mindful breathing resets the body by activating the vagus nerve. Addressing modern teen pressures—from social media to anxiety about the future—he urges adults to lead by example through compassion, presence, and forgiveness.

Connect with Dr. Greg Hammer:

Website

A Mindful Teen Website

LinkedIn

Instagram

YouTube

Let's Connect:

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LinkedIn

Facebook

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The Grief and Happiness Alliance

Book: Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief

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