GRIEF Ladies: A Guide to What Comes Next

Karyn Arnold and Kelly Daugherty
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GRIEF Ladies is a grief support podcast for anyone coping with the death of a loved one. If you're wondering how to handle overwhelming emotions, grief, anxiety, grief brain, loneliness after loss, or how to stay connected to someone who died, you're in the right place. Hosted by grief professionals Kelly Daugherty and Karyn Arnold, this podcast offers practical coping tools, grounded conversations, and guidance for navigating life after loss. Each episode explores real questions people ask: Why am I still grieving so intensely? How do I calm my nervous system when grief hits? Is it healthy to stay connected to someone who died? Why do relationships change after loss? How do I rebuild my life after someone dies? Unlike stage-based models of grief, GRIEF Ladies uses the GRIEF Framework: Grounding, Rebuilding, Interacting, Evolving, and Finding as flexible trail markers to help you take small, actionable steps forward. You'll hear: Evidence-based grief education Nervous system and coping skills tools Continuing bonds perspectives Interviews with grief experts Honest conversations about complicated emotions Whether you're grieving the loss of a parent, spouse, child, sibling, or friend, this podcast offers steady support without clichés, pressure to "move on," or unrealistic timelines. Subscribe for weekly episodes and practical tools to help you navigate grief with intention, compassion, and connection.

  1. Grief After Estrangement: Healing Complicated Relationships Through Ritual & Creativity

    3 DAYS AGO

    Grief After Estrangement: Healing Complicated Relationships Through Ritual & Creativity

    What happens when someone you were estranged from dies? Grief after estrangement can bring layers of emotion including sadness, anger, relief, regret, gratitude and sometimes all at once. When a relationship is complicated, the grieving process can feel confusing and isolating. In this episode (GRIEF Ladies Episode #29), we talk with Sam Sundius about navigating the loss of her Mom after estrangement from her family, honoring both the hard and meaningful parts of a relationship, and using ritual and creativity as tools for healing. We explore: How grief shows up when the relationship wasn't simple Why grief and gratitude can coexist The power of intentional rituals Creativity as an outlet for emotional processing Finding meaning without rewriting the past As always, we close with a practical step you can try because grief changes your life, and you deserve tools that help you live inside that change. Related topics: estranged parent grief, complicated relationships, ritual for grief, creative grief support. Guest Bio:  Sam Sundius is a visual artist and creativity doula. In their coaching practice, Art of Undiscipline, Sam collaborates with neurodivergent artists and freelancers to build radically sustainable and impactful creative practices. Sam lives in NYC and teaches Food & Art at NYU.  Connect with Sam: www.artofundiscipline.com GRIEF Ladies: Your Guide to What Comes Next If you're ready to move forward without moving on—this show is for you. 🎧 Follow and connect: https://www.griefladies.com/ Kelly Daugherty: https://www.kellydaugherty.com/ Karyn Arnold: https://www.griefincommon.com/ Stay up to date with all the latest information about The GRIEF Ladies- Sign up for our newsletter at: www.griefladies.com Join the FREE, Private Facebook GRIEF Ladies Community: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16WuZNsNGu/ The GRIEF Ladies podcast offers education and support for people living with grief after someone they love has died. Our content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care or crisis services. If you are in crisis or concerned about your safety, call 988 in the U.S. or contact local emergency services. Guest perspectives shared on this platform are their own and may not reflect the views or positions of The Grief Ladies.

    41 min
  2. What to Do With a Loved One's Belongings After They Die (with Janine McDonald) | GRIEF Ladies

    1 APR

    What to Do With a Loved One's Belongings After They Die (with Janine McDonald) | GRIEF Ladies

    What do you do with your loved one's belongings after they die? Sorting through clothes, paperwork, furniture, and personal items can feel overwhelming — not just practically, but emotionally. In this episode of the GRIEF Ladies Podcast, Kelly Daugherty and Karyn Arnold are joined by decluttering specialist Janine McDonald to talk about the emotional and practical realities of going through a loved one's things. This conversation goes beyond "cleaning out a house." We explore how memories become attached to objects, why certain items feel impossible to let go of, and how to approach decluttering with empathy, patience, and intention. In this episode, we discuss: • Why decluttering after loss is about freedom, confidence, and wellbeing • How to sort belongings without rushing the process • What to do when you feel guilty letting items go • Creative ways to repurpose or honor meaningful possessions • How to involve family members in a supportive way • Why the memories matter more than the objects themselves If you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to begin, this episode offers practical steps and emotional reassurance for navigating one of the hardest parts of grief. Guest Bio:  Janine McDonald is a Decluttering Specialist and Organising Philosopher, bestselling author, and international speaker who helps people transform their lives by creating clarity in their homes, workspaces, and minds. Founder of Clear the Clutter Now and author of the bestselling Clear the Clutter Now: Streamline Your Life by Doing Just 3 Things, Janine is passionate about showing people that decluttering is not about "tidying up" – it's about freedom, confidence, and wellbeing. Her warm, empathetic style has resonated with audiences worldwide sharing her holistic approach to decluttering and organising. Connect with Janine: janine@cleartheclutternow.co.uk

    43 min
  3. Grief, Trauma & the Nervous System: How to Feel Safe Again After Loss with Ramona Kossowan | GRIEF Ladies Podcast

    25 MAR

    Grief, Trauma & the Nervous System: How to Feel Safe Again After Loss with Ramona Kossowan | GRIEF Ladies Podcast

    Why does grief feel traumatic? Why does your body feel on edge after someone dies? In this episode of the GRIEF Ladies Podcast, Kelly Daugherty and Karyn Arnold talk with Ramona Kossowan about the connection between grief, trauma, and the nervous system. We explore why emotional safety matters after loss, how trauma can show up in sleep disturbances, hypervigilance, and identity shifts, and what "gentle trauma release" really means. You'll learn: • Why grief can feel like trauma • How the nervous system responds to loss • What emotional safety actually looks like • The role of movement and self-care in grief • Practical steps to begin feeling safer in your body This conversation is especially helpful if you've been wondering why you still feel on edge, numb, or overwhelmed long after the death. Guest Bio: Ramona Kossowan is a Gentle Trauma Release Practitioner and empowerment coach who supports individuals navigating both acute loss and long-standing traumatic grief. She distinguishes between grief — a natural and necessary process — and trauma, which can keep the nervous system looping and stuck long after the loss has occurred. Through gentle, body-based work with the unconscious nervous system, Ramona helps clients experience restorative relief: a settling in the body that allows grief to move rather than remain frozen. In the early days of loss, this may mean stabilization and grounding — creating enough safety to function and feel supported. In more chronic or traumatic grief, her work focuses on releasing the patterns that interfere with healing, not to erase what happened, but to restore resilience, self-trust, and the capacity to experience meaning, connection, and even joy again. With years of experience coaching women in sustainable movement and nourishment, Ramona brings a deep understanding of physical, emotional, and nervous system well-being to the rebuilding process. Her approach helps clients lay a solid, embodied foundation for their next chapter — one rooted not in forced positivity or "moving on," but in feeling safe, worthy, and open to life again. Connect with Ramona: Ramona's Free Download: When Grief Feels Stuck: When Grief Feels Stuck Ramona's free download "Is it trauma?" (self guided Gentle Trauma Assessment)  https://ramonakcoaching.com/gentle-trauma-assessment/ Links: ramonakcoaching.com gentletraumacoach.com ramona@ramonakcoaching.com facebook.com/ramonakcoaching instagram.com/ramonakcoaching https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramona-kossowan-380ba66a/ https://www.youtube.com/@RamonaKCoaching Books: Confident You - The Raw Conversations (New bestseller): https://a.co/d/0hOSaoMp Paperback (Canada) https://a.co/d/0ikwm8UF Kindle (Canada) https://a.co/d/0hOSaoMp Paperback (U.S.) https://a.co/d/06Y3yLXF Kindle (U.S.) Life Lit Up bestseller https://www.lulu.com/shop/mary-holland-and-sophia-manarolis-koulikas-and-jamie-beringer-and-donald-dy/life-lit-up/paperback/product-emnj85.html?page=1&pageSize=4 GRIEF Ladies: Your Guide to What Comes Next If you're ready to move forward without moving on—this show is for you. 🎧 Follow and connect: https://www.griefladies.com/ Kelly Daugherty: https://www.kellydaugherty.com/ Karyn Arnold: https://www.griefincommon.com/ Stay up to date with all the latest information about The GRIEF Ladies- Sign up for our newsletter at: www.griefladies.com Join the FREE, Private Facebook GRIEF Ladies Community: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16WuZNsNGu/ The GRIEF Ladies podcast offers education and support for people living with grief after someone they love has died. Our content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care or crisis services. If you are in crisis or concerned about your safety, call 988 in the U.S. or contact local emergency services. Guest perspectives shared on this platform are their own and may not reflect the views or positions of The Grief Ladies.

    34 min
  4. Induced After-Death Communication (IADC): Staying Connected After Loss with guest, April Hannah

    18 MAR

    Induced After-Death Communication (IADC): Staying Connected After Loss with guest, April Hannah

    Many grieving people wonder whether it's possible — or even healthy — to feel connected to someone who has died. After-death communication is a topic that brings curiosity, comfort, and sometimes skepticism. In this episode (26) of The GRIEF Ladies Podcast, Karyn Arnold and Kelly Daugherty are joined by licensed therapist April Hannah to explore Induced After-Death Communication (IADC) therapy and its role in grief work. We discuss how IADC developed, what the process involves, and how some individuals experience meaningful connection through this therapeutic approach. In this conversation, we explore: What Induced After-Death Communication (IADC) therapy is The science and therapeutic foundations behind the method Why connection can be an important part of grief adaptation How continuing bonds fit into modern grief theory Staying open-minded while honoring your own beliefs This episode connects to the Finding trail marker in our G.R.I.E.F. Framework — focusing on figuring out what comes next and discovering how connection can evolve after loss. Whether you are curious, cautious, or already familiar with IADC, this episode invites thoughtful exploration of how people continue bonds in deeply personal ways. Guest Bio: April Hannah is the founder of the I AM brand and a guide for holistic entrepreneurs and bereaved individuals navigating grief, identity shifts, and life's biggest transitions. With over 26 years as a mental health therapist and having supported more than 13,000 people, April helps people dissolve negative self-talk, reconnect with their true selves, and transform pain into purpose. Her work blends mindset, spiritual practice, and affirmation-based tools to support deep identity transformation. April believes no one should walk change or loss alone. If you're ready to reclaim your identity and move forward with clarity and confidence, connect with April at iamaprilhannah.com or join her Patreon community. Connect with April: https://www.iamaprilhannah.com/ https://linktr.ee/AprilAnneHannah GRIEF Ladies: Your Guide to What Comes Next If you're ready to move forward without moving on—this show is for you. 🎧 Follow and connect: https://www.griefladies.com/ Kelly Daugherty: https://www.kellydaugherty.com/ Karyn Arnold: https://www.griefincommon.com/ Stay up to date with all the latest information about The GRIEF Ladies- Sign up for our newsletter at: www.griefladies.com Join the FREE, Private Facebook GRIEF Ladies Community: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16WuZNsNGu/ The GRIEF Ladies podcast offers education and support for people living with grief after someone they love has died. Our content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care or crisis services. If you are in crisis or concerned about your safety, call 988 in the U.S. or contact local emergency services. Guest perspectives shared on this platform are their own and may not reflect the views or positions of The Grief Ladies.

    43 min
  5. Grief and Fear: Why Loss Can Make Everything Feel Overwhelming with guest, Cori Myka

    11 MAR

    Grief and Fear: Why Loss Can Make Everything Feel Overwhelming with guest, Cori Myka

    If grief has left you feeling anxious, fearful, or overwhelmed, you're not alone. Loss can shake your sense of safety and make even small decisions feel heavy. In this episode (25) of The GRIEF Ladies Podcast, Kelly Daugherty and Karyn Arnold are joined by Cori Myka to explore why grief often triggers fear and how overwhelm impacts your nervous system. Using powerful insights drawn from swimming, Cori explains how we can build internal trust, tolerate emotional waves, and take small, steady steps forward. In this conversation, we discuss: Why grief can heighten fear and anxiety How overwhelm shows up in the body Building internal trust after loss Celebrating small wins in early and ongoing grief Mindfulness and grounding tools to help you feel steadier This episode connects to the Evolving trail marker in our G.R.I.E.F. Framework — focusing on working through roadblock emotions like fear while honoring the person who died through storytelling and continued connection. If you've felt stuck, scared, or unsure how to move forward after loss, this episode offers validation and practical strategies you can begin using right away. Guest Bio: Cori Myka is the founder of Calm Within Adult Swim, with over 25 years of experience in adult swim education. She specializes in helping adults overcome their fear of water through a unique blend of mental and physical training techniques. Her mission is to empower individuals to become confident swimmers and embrace personal growth by working with students and certifying instructors. Connect with Cori Myka/Calm Within Adult Swim Social Links: https://www.facebook.com/cori.myka https://www.youtube.com/@adultswimlesson https://adultswimlesson.com/ https://www.facebook.com/calmwithinadultswim https://www.instagram.com/calmwithinadultswim https://orcaswimschool.com/ https://www.facebook.com/OrcaSwimSchool https://www.instagram.com/orcaswimsch https://twitter.com/OrcaSwimSch https://twitter.com/adultswimlesson https://www.linkedin.com/company/orcaswimschool Promo Links: 3-day Immersive Adult Swim Course. Check this link for the dates and locations: https://lts.adultswimlesson.com/swimming-retreat?ck_subscriber_id=2313550880 GRIEF Ladies: Your Guide to What Comes Next If you're ready to move forward without moving on—this show is for you. 🎧 Follow and connect: https://www.griefladies.com/ Kelly Daugherty: https://www.kellydaugherty.com/ Karyn Arnold: https://www.griefincommon.com/ Stay up to date with all the latest information about The GRIEF Ladies- Sign up for our newsletter at: www.griefladies.com Join the FREE, Private Facebook GRIEF Ladies Community: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16WuZNsNGu/ The GRIEF Ladies podcast offers education and support for people living with grief after someone they love has died. Our content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care or crisis services. If you are in crisis or concerned about your safety, call 988 in the U.S. or contact local emergency services.

    32 min
  6. Growing Around Grief: Staying Connected While Living Forward with guest, Charlotte Shuber

    4 MAR

    Growing Around Grief: Staying Connected While Living Forward with guest, Charlotte Shuber

    If you've wondered whether it's healthy to stay connected to someone who died, you're not alone. Many grieving people struggle with how to carry their loved one forward while continuing to live and grow. In this insightful episode (24) of the GRIEF Ladies Podcast, Charlotte Shuber, a licensed clinical social worker, shares her personal journey and professional expertise in navigating grief. Discover how Charlotte emphasizes the importance of interacting with our emotions and memories to foster connectedness and adaptation. Through her unique approach, she guides listeners on maintaining connections with loved ones, and including them in our relationships with other significant people in our lives, as we grieve on our own terms. For Charlotte, the F, or Finding (Figuring Out What Comes Next), of the GRIEF Ladies Framework represents an ongoing discovery versus a final destination as she approaches the 25th anniversary of her loss and continues to be a student of her grief. Guest Bio: Charlotte Shuber is a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in grief and loss. She works with children, teens, and adults, combining professional expertise with her own lived experience of loss. Charlotte is passionate about creating a compassionate space where people can explore grief openly, adapt to life changes, and discover meaningful ways to stay connected—with loved ones who have died, with others, and with themselves. Connect with Charlotte:  https://www.creatingspacetherapy.com/charlotte-shuber-lcsw Images from Podcast: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1D6vvr1y2A_64gyKqSkuwi2ITkHE-ooss?usp=sharing References:  Tonkin's Growing Around Grief as discussed by What's Your Grief?  https://whatsyourgrief.com/growing-around-grief/ Compassionate Bereavement Care® Certification https://www.missfoundation.org/compassionate-bereavement-care-certification/   GRIEF Ladies: Your Guide to What Comes Next If you're ready to move forward without moving on—this show is for you. 🎧 Follow and connect: https://www.griefladies.com/ Kelly Daugherty: https://www.kellydaugherty.com/ Karyn Arnold: https://www.griefincommon.com/ Stay up to date with all the latest information about The GRIEF Ladies- Sign up for our newsletter at: www.griefladies.com Join the FREE, Private Facebook GRIEF Ladies Community: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16WuZNsNGu/ The GRIEF Ladies podcast offers education and support for people living with grief after someone they love has died. Our content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care or crisis services. If you are in crisis or concerned about your safety, call 988 in the U.S. or contact local emergency services.

    42 min
  7. Grief and Routine: Why Structure Matters After Loss with guest, Kat Farace

    25 FEB

    Grief and Routine: Why Structure Matters After Loss with guest, Kat Farace

    If you're wondering how to rebuild your life after someone dies, you're not alone. Loss can shatter routines, disrupt your sense of identity, and make everyday tasks feel overwhelming. In this episode (23) of The GRIEF Ladies Podcast, Karyn Arnold and Kelly Daugherty are joined by grief counselor and hospice expert Kat Farace to explore what "rebuilding" really means after loss. We talk about why routine matters in grief, how small daily structure can support your nervous system, and why rebuilding isn't about "moving on" — it's about learning how to live forward while carrying love with you. In this conversation, you'll learn: Why grief disrupts your daily rhythms How to gently reintroduce routine without pressure The role of self-care in early and ongoing grief Why community support matters when everything feels unstable Practical coping tools to help you feel more steady This episode connects to the Rebuilding trail marker in our G.R.I.E.F. Framework — focusing on structure, routine, and small steps that create stability in the midst of emotional upheaval. If you've been feeling unmoored, exhausted, or unsure how to function after loss, this episode offers validation, realistic strategies, and encouragement for wherever you are in your grief journey. Guest Bio: Kat Farace is an author, speaker, and grief coach with over 25 years of experience in hospiceand end-of-life care, walking alongside individuals and families through life's most profound moments of loss, love, and transition. Her work is grounded in compassion, honesty, and the deep belief that grief—while never chosen—can become one of our greatest teachers. Through decades of hospice service, Kat has supported thousands of people as they navigated death, dying, and bereavement, gaining rare insight into the emotional, spiritual, and relational realities of grief. Her approach blends professional expertise with heartfelt presence, offering guidance that is both practical and deeply human. Kat is the author of the upcoming book Grief the Teacher: The Teacher We Never Wanted—With the Lessons Only Love and Loss Can Teach, to be released in Spring 2026. In it, she explores grief not as something to "get over," but as an experience that reshapes us, challenges us, and ultimately invites growth, meaning, and connection. Kat creates space for real conversations about loss—conversations that honor pain while also making room for hope, resilience, and love. Whether speaking to the newly grieving or those carrying loss for a lifetime, she brings a steady, compassionate presence that reminds listeners they are not alone. Kat Farace's work continues to reach audiences through coaching, speaking engagements, and storytelling that normalizes grief, dismantles shame, and gently illuminates the path forward—one honest conversation at a time. Connect with Kat:  Website: https://www.balanceingrief.com  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balanceingrief/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/balanceingriefcom GRIEF Ladies: Your Guide to What Comes Next If you're ready to move forward without moving on—this show is for you. 🎧 Follow and connect: https://www.griefladies.com/ Kelly Daugherty: https://www.kellydaugherty.com/ Karyn Arnold: https://www.griefincommon.com/ Stay up to date with all the latest information about The GRIEF Ladies- Sign up for our newsletter at: www.griefladies.com Join the FREE, Private Facebook GRIEF Ladies Community: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16WuZNsNGu/ The GRIEF Ladies podcast offers education and support for people living with grief after someone they love has died. Our content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care or crisis services. If you are in crisis or concerned about your safety, call 988 in the U.S. or contact local emergency services

    35 min
  8. Why You Can't Sleep After Someone Dies (Grief and Insomnia Explained) with Kelly Myerson

    18 FEB

    Why You Can't Sleep After Someone Dies (Grief and Insomnia Explained) with Kelly Myerson

    If you've been wondering why you can't sleep after someone dies, you're not alone. Grief and insomnia often go hand in hand — especially in the weeks and months after a loss. In this episode (22) of The GRIEF Ladies Podcast, Kelly Daugherty and Karyn Arnold are joined by sleep expert Kelly Myerson to explore the powerful connection between grief and sleep disruption. We talk about why nights can feel harder, why your nervous system stays on high alert, and why sleep problems after loss are more common than most people realize. You'll learn: Why grief affects your sleep cycle How anxiety and loss impact the nervous system at night Practical strategies to calm your body before bed How to create a sleep-friendly environment while grieving Gentle coping tools you can experiment with right away We also discuss how staying connected to the person who died through ritual, memory, and intentional reflection — can ease some of the emotional intensity that surfaces at night. This episode connects to the Grounding trail marker in our G.R.I.E.F. Framework, focusing on stabilizing your nervous system and creating small, steady routines for sleep when everything feels disrupted. If sleep has felt impossible since your loss, this conversation offers validation, practical support, and realistic strategies you can try tonight. Guest Bio: Kelly Myerson is a Human Design–informed leadership guide, facilitator, and speaker who supports people navigating moments of transition, reorientation, and becoming. Her work lives at the intersection of Human Design synthesis, intuitive pattern recognition, somatic attunement, and reflective dialogue. Rather than teaching Human Design mechanically, Kelly approaches it with artistry and depth, helping people understand how their energy moves and how to work with it in real life. She is especially skilled at holding liminal spaces, moments when clarity is emerging but not yet fully formed. Kelly offers private Threshold Sessions as well as group facilitation for retreats, summits, and intentional communities. Her work is grounded, compassionate, and deeply human, designed to foster self-trust, meaningful leadership, and sustainable change. Connect with Kelly: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-myerson-b6217843/ Substack: https://substack.com/@kellymyersonvoiceamplifier Calendly: https://calendly.com/kellymyerson/building-the-bridge-conversation   GRIEF Ladies: Your Guide to What Comes Next If you're ready to move forward without moving on—this show is for you. 🎧 Follow and connect: https://www.griefladies.com/ Kelly Daugherty: https://www.kellydaugherty.com/ Karyn Arnold: https://www.griefincommon.com/ Stay up to date with all the latest information about The GRIEF Ladies- Sign up for our newsletter at: www.griefladies.com Join the FREE, Private Facebook GRIEF Ladies Community: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16WuZNsNGu/ The GRIEF Ladies podcast offers education and support for people living with grief after someone they love has died. Our content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care or crisis services. If you are in crisis or concerned about your safety, call 988 in the U.S. or contact local emergency services.

    43 min
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About

GRIEF Ladies is a grief support podcast for anyone coping with the death of a loved one. If you're wondering how to handle overwhelming emotions, grief, anxiety, grief brain, loneliness after loss, or how to stay connected to someone who died, you're in the right place. Hosted by grief professionals Kelly Daugherty and Karyn Arnold, this podcast offers practical coping tools, grounded conversations, and guidance for navigating life after loss. Each episode explores real questions people ask: Why am I still grieving so intensely? How do I calm my nervous system when grief hits? Is it healthy to stay connected to someone who died? Why do relationships change after loss? How do I rebuild my life after someone dies? Unlike stage-based models of grief, GRIEF Ladies uses the GRIEF Framework: Grounding, Rebuilding, Interacting, Evolving, and Finding as flexible trail markers to help you take small, actionable steps forward. You'll hear: Evidence-based grief education Nervous system and coping skills tools Continuing bonds perspectives Interviews with grief experts Honest conversations about complicated emotions Whether you're grieving the loss of a parent, spouse, child, sibling, or friend, this podcast offers steady support without clichés, pressure to "move on," or unrealistic timelines. Subscribe for weekly episodes and practical tools to help you navigate grief with intention, compassion, and connection.

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