When tragedy struck Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018, Laura—a licensed school psychologist—found herself on the front lines of grief and trauma. But amid the heartbreak, she witnessed something remarkable: therapy dogs offering comfort in ways words couldn't. That experience sparked the creation of Everyday Feathers Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to supporting families facing canine cancer while promoting mental health through the healing power of dogs.

Laura's journey from educator to mental health advocate deepened her belief in the human-animal bond. "Dogs aren't just pets, they're family," she says, highlighting how they ease loneliness, provide comfort, and help ground us during emotional crises. Everyday Feathers Foundation grew from this understanding, creating a space where both people and their dogs receive care during life’s toughest moments. This conversation offers powerful insights into how love, resilience, and the presence of a loyal companion can light the way through darkness.

Connect with Laura:

Email: hello@everydayfeathers.org

Website: https://www.everydayfeathers.org/

Submit request for Broody Blessings: https://www.everydayfeathers.org/

Donate: https://www.everydayfeathers.org/donatenow

Connect with Jen:
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/ineedbluepodcast/
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp1q8SfA_hEXRJ4EaizlW8Q
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567221068683
Website:
https://ineedblue.net/
Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-need-blue/id1567450935
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When the unthinkable happens without warning, how do we find our way through the darkness of grief? Diane’s world shifted forever when her husband Harry passed away suddenly in January, just days after returning from what would be their final vacation. What began as minor indigestion on a cruise excursion turned out to be something far more serious. Despite zip-lining and horseback riding without complaint, Harry was unknowingly living with three severely blocked arteries. His cardiologist would later say it was medically impossible for someone to function as he did.

In this emotional episode, Diane shares the raw details of Harry’s final moments—the collapse at home, the rush to the hospital, and the heartbreak of letting him go as their wedding song, Billy Joel’s Just the Way You Are, played. She opens up about the different ways her family is navigating grief and reflects on their 41-year love story rooted in faith, laughter, and meaningful memories. Her words are a gentle reminder that while grief never fully disappears, it becomes something we learn to carry—with grace, faith, and unexpected moments of joy.

Connect with Diane:

Email:DZIZZO01@att.net

Connect with Jen:
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/ineedbluepodcast/
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp1q8SfA_hEXRJ4EaizlW8Q
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567221068683
Website:
https://ineedblue.net/
Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-need-blue/id1567450935

Loved this episode? Leave a review and rating on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Purchase my book or Audiobook: Why I Survived: How Sharing My Story Helped Me Heal from Dating Abuse, Armed Robbery, Abduction, and Other Forms of Trauma by Jennifer Lee
https://whyisurvived.com/

Support the show

From Grief to Action: Honoring Claudia, Preventing Tragedies

When Tim and Melanie lost their 33-year-old daughter, Claudia, to a drunk driver on February 7, 2021, their world was shattered in an instant. Claudia, adopted as a teenager from Guatemala, was a vibrant part of their blended family—full of love, complexity, and growth. In the wake of unimaginable grief, Tim and Melanie chose not to be silent.

Supported by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), they turned their heartbreak into a mission. Remember for Change leads the charge in prevention through impactful education:

• Drunk buster goggles that simulate impairment
• Teen pledges to drive sober
• QR-coded coasters offering safe ride options
• Recognition for DUI enforcement heroes in local law enforcement

But their most touching initiative is the Annual Memorial Drive—a moving event where the community gathers to speak aloud the names of loved ones lost to impaired driving. It’s a moment of unity, healing, and powerful remembrance.

Contact with Tim and Melanie:

Email: RememberForChange@gmail.com

Website: https://www.rememberforchange.org/

Connect with Jen:
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/ineedbluepodcast/
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp1q8SfA_hEXRJ4EaizlW8Q
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567221068683
Website:
https://ineedblue.net/
Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-need-blue/id1567450935

Loved this episode? Leave a review and rating on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Purchase my book or Audiobook: Why I Survived: How Sharing My Story Helped Me Heal from Dating Abuse, Armed Robbery, Abduction, and Other Forms of Trauma by Jennifer Lee
https://whyisurvived.com/

Support the show