Grief & Grit

Greer Mendel & Simonie Levy

5.0 (1)
MENTAL HEALTH
EVERY TWO WEEKS

Welcome to ”Grief & Grit: From Heartache to High-Fives with a Dash of Sass,” the podcast that turns the tables on traditional grief talks with a fresh, sassy spin. We dive into the messy, the awkward, and the downright hilarious aspects of dealing with loss because sometimes the best way to cope is with a little laughter and a lot of grit.

11/11/2025

How to Show Up in Grief: Lessons from SupportNow CEO Jordan Arogeti

Greer and Simonie sit down with Jordan Arogeti, co-founder and CEO of SupportNow and host of the podcast Moms Like Me, to explore what it really means to show up for people in crisis. Jordan shares how a simple idea — born from countless “cash and casserole” moments during COVID — evolved into a platform that helps people offer meaningful, practical support during life’s hardest seasons. From organizing meal trains and errands to understanding her groundbreaking concept of Support Languages, Jordan reveals how each of us can learn to give support in ways that truly help instead of overwhelm. Together, they talk about: The psychology of decision fatigue in grief and why “How can I help?” isn’t always helpful Why small, consistent acts of kindness matter more than grand gestures How to earn a grieving friend’s trust and avoid the “vanishing friend” trap The importance of building a “village” before crisis strikes Greer and Jordan also reflect on their personal connection — how Greer’s own sudden loss helped shape the early vision for SupportNow — and the evolving language of compassion that can transform communities of care. ✨ Take the Support Languages quiz at supportlanguages.com and learn your personal support style. 🎧 And check out Jordan’s podcast, Moms Like Me, where she continues the conversation on motherhood, resilience, and the messy middle of life. Resources Mentioned: SupportNow.org supportlanguages.com Moms Like Me Podcast Follow SupportNow: SupportNow.org Instagram Facebook Follow Grief & Grit: Website Instagram TikTok Facebook Substack Support Our Work on Patreon: 🎁 Get access to behind-the-scenes content, bonus mini episodes, printable grief tools, and more. 👉 https://www.patreon.com/c/griefandgrit

57 min
06/10/2025

Finding Cushions After Suicide: Rachael Strauss on Sibling Loss and Stigma

How do you keep living after the unthinkable? In this episode of Grief & Grit, we sit down with Rachael Strauss, who shares the heartbreaking yet profoundly human story of losing her younger brother, Herschel Siegel, to suicide at just 24 years old. Rachael paints a vivid picture of Herschel’s vibrant, magnetic personality — and the painful reality of his mental health struggles, which deepened during the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic. She reflects on the shock and devastation of his death, and the conscious choice she made to seek out what she calls “cushions” — small mercies and silver linings hidden inside overwhelming grief. With raw honesty, Rachael talks about: Breaking the silence around suicide and challenging the stigma by being open about her family’s loss The unexpected ways her community showed up and supported her family Her personal coping strategies, from reframing anniversaries to celebrating Herschel’s life on his birthday Accepting that life after loss requires building “a new road” Now living in Toronto, Canada, Rachael, a dental hygienist and one of six siblings, has turned her personal tragedy into advocacy. By sharing her story, she encourages open conversations about mental health and suicide, offering comfort and connection to others walking a similar road. This episode is an invitation to witness one sister’s grief journey, her resilience, and her commitment to keeping her brother’s memory alive with love, honesty, and courage. 💛 If you or someone you love is in crisis, please dial 988 in the U.S. to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Follow Grief & Grit: Instagram TikTok Facebook Website Support Our Work on Patreon: 🎁 Get access to behind-the-scenes content, bonus mini episodes, printable grief tools, and more. 👉 https://www.patreon.com/c/griefandgrit 💛 Reminder: If you or someone you know is in crisis, dial 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.).

50 min
17/09/2025

Destigmatizing Suicide: A Mother’s Journey with Lynn Handmacher Chanin on Love, Loss, and Advocacy

In this episode of Grief & Grit, we sit down with Lynn Handmacher Chanin, who lost her 16-year-old son Benjamin to suicide 15 years ago. With candor, strength, and grace, Lynn shares how she navigated the initial shock, the unbearable grief, and the long road toward healing. Through Ben’s story, Lynn challenges us to change the way we talk about suicide. She discusses the importance of language — why we should say “died by suicide” instead of “committed suicide” — and emphasizes that mental illness is just that: illness. Not weakness. Not shameful. And not a crime. We talk about how grief and joy can live side by side, how peer support saved her life, and how she found love again with someone who deeply understood her pain. Lynn is now a powerful voice in suicide prevention and mental health advocacy, working with Survivors of Suicide, AFSP, and launching culturally relevant programs like Through a Jewish Lens. This episode is a must-listen for anyone touched by suicide or walking alongside someone who is. In this episode, we discuss: Remembering Benjamin for who he was — not just how he died The language of suicide: why it matters The power of peer support and finding your people Surviving the aftermath of suicide loss Parenting while grieving Finding love again with someone who understands grief Creating culturally relevant resources for survivors Why silence can be dangerous — and how conversation saves lives Resources Mentioned: The Link Counseling Center – National Resource Center for Suicide Aftercare Survivors of Suicide (SOS) American Foundation for Suicide Prevention “When Bad Things Happen to Good People” by Harold Kushner 💛 If you or someone you love is in crisis, please dial 988 in the U.S. to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Follow Grief & Grit: Instagram TikTok Facebook Website Support Our Work on Patreon: 🎁 Get access to behind-the-scenes content, bonus mini episodes, printable grief tools, and more. 👉 https://www.patreon.com/c/griefandgrit 💛 Reminder: If you or someone you know is in crisis, dial 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.).

48 min
10/09/2025

Living After Suicide: Mitch Cohen on Love, Loss, and Healing After His Wife’s Death

Simonie and Greer sit down with Mitch Cohen, widower, rabbi, grief counselor, and co-author of Men in Grief: Stories of Growth Through Struggles with Trauma and Loss, for an intimate and vulnerable conversation about losing his wife, Suzette, by suicide. Mitch reflects on Suzette’s life, the challenges she faced as the child of Holocaust survivors, and the ways mental health, menopause, and silence around suicide shaped their family’s journey. He shares candidly about the guilt and questions that follow a suicide loss, the importance of therapy and support groups, and how he found new purpose by helping others as a facilitator for suicide survivor groups. This episode shines a light on the realities of suicide, grief, and resilience — while offering hope and community for anyone who has faced similar loss. If you or someone you love is struggling, please call or text 988 in the U.S. to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Show Notes Guest: Mitch Cohen, widower, rabbi, grief counselor, and author of Men in Grief: Stories of Growth Through Struggles with Trauma and Loss Resources mentioned: Mourning & Mitzvah by Anne Brener The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk The Link Counseling Center – National Resource Center for Suicide Aftercare American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Mitch's Book: Men in Grief: Stories of Growth Through Struggles with Trauma and Loss Mitch’s work at Compassionate Presence Follow Grief & Grit: Instagram TikTok Facebook Website Support Our Work on Patreon: 🎁 Get access to behind-the-scenes content, bonus mini episodes, printable grief tools, and more. 👉 https://www.patreon.com/c/griefandgrit 💛 Reminder: If you or someone you know is in crisis, dial 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.).

59 min
29/08/2025

From Child Loss to Lifelong Legacy: How Ashley Jones Created the Momento Foundation

In this powerful and heart-opening episode of Grief & Grit, Greer and Simonie sit down with Ashley Jones, photographer, author, and founder of the Momento Foundation. Ashley shares the deeply personal story of losing her daughter Skylar to SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy) and how that loss led her to create an organization that offers terminal families the priceless gift of photography and remembrance. From grief and trauma to purpose and impact, Ashley walks us through her emotional journey—from sitting in painful silence with nothing but photographs of her daughter, to launching a nonprofit that trains photographers to compassionately serve families at end-of-life. You’ll hear about the healing power of legacy photos, how kids use portraits to stay connected to lost loved ones, and how Ashley’s upcoming book helps others navigate grief in a trauma-informed way. This is not just an episode about loss—it’s about legacy, presence, and the quiet ways love endures. Bring tissues, and maybe a warm blanket. This one’s tender. Resources Mentioned: Momento Foundation Website Momento on IG Momento on Facebook Ashley on IG When You Can’t See the Light (Ashley’s upcoming book) SupportNow.org Momento’s Photographer Application + Donation Opportunities Follow Ashley: LinkedIn Personal Website (coming soon): AshleyNicoleJones.com Follow Grief & Grit: Instagram TikTok Facebook Website Support Our Work on Patreon: 🎁 Get access to behind-the-scenes content, bonus mini episodes, printable grief tools, and more. 👉 https://www.patreon.com/c/griefandgrit

44 min
23/07/2025

One Year of Grief & Grit: From Heartache to Healing

We’re turning one! 🥳 In this anniversary episode, co-hosts Greer and Simonie reflect on a full year of Grief & Grit — the laughs, the tears, and the behind-the-scenes chaos (yes, someone forgot to hit record… more than once). They share how the podcast began, what they’ve learned from each other and their guests, and how grief has shaped them, and this community. Whether you’ve been here since day one or just found us crying in your car (we’ve been there), this episode is our love letter to you. Thank you for listening, sharing, and walking this winding road with us. Here’s to more stories, more grit, and a lot more grace in year two. In This Episode: How Grief & Grit started with a conversation in a coffee shop ☕ The power of saying “yes” to uncomfortable, meaningful things What we’ve learned from sharing our grief publicly Funny flubs, tech fails, and our gratitude for Van (the unsung hero of the pod) Why normalizing grief still matters—and what’s next We Want to Hear From You: What topics do you want more of in year two? Solo episodes? Expert guests? More listener stories? Let us know at griefandgritpodcast@gmail.com or message us on social. Keep Showing Up: Follow, share, and leave a review if this show has meant something to you. We see you, we love you, and we’re in this together. Follow Grief & Grit on: Facebook, Instagram, and join the conversation on Substack

19 min
25/06/2025

Summer Blues: Because Grief Doesn’t Take a Vacation

Summer is supposed to be all sunshine, pool days, and BBQs. But what happens when your grief doesn’t take a seasonal break? In this episode, Greer and Simonie talk candidly about the unexpected emotional weight summer can bring after loss. From sunscreen mishaps to solo parenting challenges, canceled travel traditions, and the haunting contrast between sunny skies and inner gloom, they unpack it all with honesty, heart, and a little humor. Whether you’re facing an anniversary, parenting through grief, or just feeling out of sync with the summer vibes, this conversation offers validation, encouragement, and a few practical ideas for making the season a little more bearable. In this episode, we cover: Why grief can feel even heavier in the summer Personal stories of poolside panic, July 4th parades, and parenting solo The emotional triggers of summer traditions, social media, and family vacations Strategies for surviving (and even enjoying) summer while grieving A simple, grief-friendly summer checklist to help ground you Follow Grief & Grit on: Facebook, Instagram, and join the conversation on Substack You’re not broken. You’re grieving. Hang in there. ☀️💛

35 min
11/06/2025

Grieving as a Dad: Kurt Moore on Loss, Parenting, and Legacy

In this episode, we sit down with Kurt Moore, a widowed dad raising two kids while navigating life after the death of his wife, Emily. With both humor and honesty, Kurt shares how his personal history of grief—including losing his own father as a teenager—shaped the way he’s parented through unimaginable loss. We talk about how kids grieve—often saying the things adults are too afraid to admit—what it means to keep showing up even when you'd rather fall apart, and why legacy isn't just what we leave behind—it's something we live every day. Whether you’re a grieving parent, a friend supporting one, or just trying to make sense of your own grief story, Kurt’s perspective is a powerful reminder that there’s no one way through this—and you don’t have to go it alone. In this episode, we cover: The layers of grief across generations—and how they ripple forward Parenting while grieving (and the surprising things your kids might say) How Kurt’s wife, Emily, prepared a legacy of love for her children Blending grief with new love, and navigating community perceptions Showing up, breaking down, and starting again—imperfectly Resources Mentioned: Book: Atomic Habits If this episode touched you, please share it and leave us a review on Apple or Spotify 💛 Follow Grief & Grit on: Facebook, Instagram, and join the conversation on Substack

1h 2m

Welcome to ”Grief & Grit: From Heartache to High-Fives with a Dash of Sass,” the podcast that turns the tables on traditional grief talks with a fresh, sassy spin. We dive into the messy, the awkward, and the downright hilarious aspects of dealing with loss because sometimes the best way to cope is with a little laughter and a lot of grit.

Creator

Greer Mendel & Simonie Levy
Years Active

2024 - 2025
Episodes

36
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
Show Website

Grief & Grit