Grief, Gratitude & The Gray in Between

Kendra Rinaldi
  • 4.8 (48)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

Bilingual Podcast by Kendra Rinaldi Grief, Gratitude, and the Gray in Between: Exploring grief beyond death—identity, migration, divorce, and life’s joyful transitions like motherhood, marriage, and career change. / Explorando el duelo más allá de la muerte—identidad, migración, divorcio y las transiciones alegres de la vida como la maternidad, el matrimonio y los cambios profesionales.   It is a bilingual podcast  each episode features heartfelt interviews with individuals sharing their personal grief journeys, conversations with experts offering tools and insights, and solo episodes where host Kendra Rinaldi reflects on topics that matter. Together, we honor grief in all its forms and learn tools we can use to help us navigate it. Duelo, Gratitudy todos los matices de por medio: historias de cambio, amor y resiliencia es un pódcast bilingüe, en ingles  y en español,  que explora las muchas caras del duelo—no solo por pérdidas, sino también por las transiciones de la vida. Desde cambios de identidad y migración hasta divorcio, maternidad, matrimonio y transformaciones profesionales, profundizamos en la complejidad emocional del cambio. A través de conversaciones sinceras, historias personales y perspectivas expertas, honramos el duelo en todas sus formas y celebramos el crecimiento que lo acompaña.  https://www.griefgratitudeandthegrayinbetween.com/

  1. Aug 12

    The Power of Handwritten Letters in Grief with Amy W. Daughters

    A native Houstonian and a graduate of Texas Tech University, Amy W. Daughters has been a freelance writer for more than a decade — mostly covering college football and sometimes talking about her feelings. Her debut novel, You Cannot Mess This Up: A True Story That Never Happened (She Writes Press), was selected as the Silver Winner for Humor in the 2019 Foreword INDIES and the Overall Winner for Humor/Comedy in the 2020 Next Generation Indie Awards. Her second book, Dear Dana: That time I went crazy and wrote all 580 of my Facebook friends a handwritten letter (She Writes Press, 2022), has won several awards, including the 2023 Reader’s Favorite Gold Medal for NonFiction Relationships, and caught the attention of Kelly Clarkson! An amateur historian, hack golfer, charlatan fashion model, and regular on the ribbon dancing circuit, Amy — a proud former resident of Blackwell, England, and Dayton, Ohio, currently lives in Tomball, Texas, a suburb of Houston. She is married to a foxy computer person, Willie, and is the lucky mother of two amazing sons, Will and Matthew. https://www.amydaughters.com/ https://www.instagram.com/smokinhotamys/ Connect with Kendra Rinaldi https://www.griefgratitudeandthegrayinbetween.com/ In this episode, you will learn about: The Unexpected Grief of Empty Nesting: Amy opening up about entering her second year of empty nesting, validating that major life transitions—even happy ones—often carry shades of grief as we say goodbye to old identities and readjust to a new rhythm of life. The "Dear Dana" Story: How reconnecting with a camp friend from 1986 whose 15-year-old son was battling cancer at St. Jude sparked an intensive, two-year pen-pal relationship. Amy discusses the "free space" created by writing letters, where two relative strangers could share their deepest thoughts without fear or expectation of an immediate response. Writing Letters to 580 Facebook Friends: The massive, 18-month experiment where Amy set out to test the boundaries of social media friendships by writing handwritten letters to all 580 of her Facebook connections—yielding an incredible 78% response rate and proving how deeply people crave authentic, high-effort connection. When the Casseroles Stop Coming: Amy shares a powerful story from a neighbor who lost his father in middle school, recalling how "the casseroles just stopped coming" after a few weeks. This heartbreaking realization became Amy's motivation to keep sending "casseroles in the form of cards" to her grieving friend long after the initial wave of support faded. Time Traveling to Heal the Inner Child: A look into Amy’s memoir, You Cannot Mess This Up: A True Story That Never Happened, where she writes herself back to 1978 to spend 36 hours in her childhood home as an adult. She explains how this creative exercise allowed her to let her parents, her siblings, and most importantly, her own childhood self "off the hook". Bridging Divides Through High-Effort Love: How stripping away the curated perfection and political divisiveness of social media through tactile letters reminds us of our shared humanity, showing us that love and relationship can exist beautifully even when we don't agree on everything.

    The Power of Handwritten Letters in Grief with Amy W. Daughters

  2. Aug 6

    Feeling "Griefy" in Seasons of Change: Empty Nest, Life Transitions, and Grief Waves

    In this raw, vulnerable, and deeply personal solo episode, host Kendra Rinaldi shares straight from her heart about the intense transitions she has been navigating lately. From her daughter Mila preparing to move away to college [1] to facing complex personal medical decisions. Kendra opens up about how these major life shifts cracked open an unexpected wave of grief for her mother, who passed away nearly ten years ago. Kendra breaks down the myth of the "linear grief timeline" . introduces her concept of feeling "griefy" , and maps out the common "doorways" that can trigger sudden waves of grief to resurface years or even decades after a loss [5, 6]. If you have ever felt overwhelmed by a sudden heaviness of heart out of nowhere, this episode is a gentle reminder that you are not broken, you are not failing, and you are navigating your healing exactly as you should . Kendra shares that when grief unexpectedly returns, it often enters through specific doorways in our lives. Recognizing these triggers can help us navigate them with more grace and self-compassion: Transitions that mirror a past loss (e.g., a child leaving for college  mirroring when you first left home). Major  milestones (such as weddings, graduations, and birthdays) where a   loved one's physical presence is deeply missed. Reaching  a milestone age (such as turning the age your loved one was when  they passed, or seeing a child reach that age). Sensory  triggers (a specific smell, perfume, taste, or hearing a familiar  sound). Reading      old physical items (like looking at birthday cards or letters    they once wrote you). Health  scares and medical decisions that you are forced to navigate without their support. Watching  someone else go through grief. Experiencing  milestones they never got to experience (such as getting married,  building a career, or raising children). Anniversaries  and birthdays .10. Seasons of layered high stress (at work or in your family life) that leave your emotional      reserves low. Resources & Connect with Kendra Subscribe to the Newsletter: Stay updated on Kendra's upcoming Grief & Gratitude Journal and Self-Guided Course by signing up on her website: Grief, Gratitude, and the Gray in Between . Follow on Instagram: Connect with Kendra daily @GriefGratitudePodcast . Work with Kendra: If you are looking for a compassionate guide to walk alongside you on your transition or grief journey, learn more about Kendra's 1-on-1 grief coaching offerings .

    Feeling "Griefy" in Seasons of Change: Empty Nest, Life Transitions, and Grief Waves

  3. Jul 29

    Using Brain Retraining and Community to Navigate Grief with Angela Croop

    Angela Croop is a speech pathologist turned grief mentor, writer, and retreat leader. After the devastating loss of her daughter Avianna to SIDS, Angela transformed her pain into purpose by creating Fly Avi Fly, a small shop she started in Avianna’s honor. Today, the shop not only keeps Avianna’s name alive through handcrafted items but also funds scholarships for bereaved parents to attend child loss retreats. Blending her professional background with her personal journey, Angela integrates neuroscience into grief mentorship, explaining why the brain gets stuck after loss and how practices like neural rewiring, thought retraining, and accountability can help parents move forward. Through her work, she challenges outdated ideas of grief and equips parents with the tools to rebuild life after unimaginable loss. Her mission is simple yet powerful: to show that while grief never disappears, it can be carried in a way that allows love, resilience, and even joy to exist alongside it. https://flyavifly.com/  https://www.instagram.com/flyavifly  https://www.instagram.com/angela_avi_rebuilds Contact Kendra Rinaldi for more information about coaching and being a guest on the podcast. In this episode, you will learn about: The Tragic Loss of Aviana to SIDS: Angela shares the terrifying phone call she received while recovering from bronchitis, the sudden hospital visit, and the painful diagnostic process surrounding Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The Turning Point at Target: Angela recalls the eye-opening moment when letting a door slam in someone's face made her realize she was suffering from an identity crisis and needed to actively retrain her mindset . Applying Brain Science to Emotional Pain: How principles from speech pathology—like creating new neural pathways, interrupting ruminating thoughts, and calming fight-or-flight responses—can be used to navigate grief . Rebuilding Your Support System ("Chess Pieces"): Why grievers need different types of support in their corner, including friends who validate feelings and friends who play devil's advocate to help shift perspective . Writing to Aviana with Purpose: How writing daily letters describing the world to her daughter helped Angela rebuild her life in Aviana's honor rather than staying trapped in sorrow . Creating Retreats & Scholarships for Bereaved Parents: How Angela built Fly Avi Fly, a shop and mentorship platform that funds retreats and full scholarships for parents navigating infant and pregnancy loss . Debunking "Time Heals All Wounds": Angela's powerful perspective on why time alone doesn't heal grief—it is what you choose to do with that time that makes all the difference .

  4. Jul 23

    Spiritual Awakening After Child Loss: Past Life Regression & Reiki with Terri Ann Russell

    Terri Ann Russell is a Reiki Master Teacher, Frequency Holder, and Author. Terri-Ann helps others by guiding them through the sacred alchemy of awakening, loss, and identity rebirth so they become embodied, spiritually sovereign, and emotionally whole. She helps them return to themselves, gently, honestly, and with compassion. Terri-ann is the author of 3 books and after the loss of her son Anthony, she began a massive journey of returning to true self. Terri Anne's Websites: https://linktr.ee/TerriAnnRussell  www.facebook.com/sassysoulhealing https://www.instagram.com/sassysoulhealing Go to https://www.griefgratitudeandthegrayinbetween.com/ to subscribe to Kendra Rinaldi's newsletter and findout more about coaching with or and upcoming grief courses. In this episode, you will learn about: The Catalyst of Midlife Awakening: Terri Ann discusses giving birth to her daughter at age 40 and how reading Eckhart Tolle's The Power of Now triggered an existential realization that she had no true identity outside of her traditional roles as a mother, wife, and corporate employee. Discovering Reiki in Crisis: When her daughter was born with a severely blocked intestine and faced multiple surgeries, Terri Ann turned to alternative medicine, discovering a profound calling for Reiki that awakened her physical and spiritual sensors. The Devastating Loss of Her Son, Anthony: The heartbreaking story of losing her perfectly healthy 27-year-old son to sudden acute pancreatitis, and the intense shock of receiving the knock on the door in the middle of the night. Communicating Through the Veil: Terri Ann shares her incredible experiences of hearing Anthony's voice immediately after his passing, playing a beautiful game of "looking for lions" to help her 9-year-old daughter connect with him, and eventually channeling his words to co-write his book, From Death to Life. Understanding Past Lives and "Soul Contracts": A fascinating look into past life regressions in the "theta state." Terri Ann explains how she learned that she and her son had contracted this painful earthly experience in the spirit realm to foster ultimate soul growth. Grief Beyond Death: Terri Ann emphasizes that grief uncovers more than just sorrow—it forces us to look at our patterns of people-pleasing and boundary-setting. Ultimately, she teaches that grief is a sacred space where sadness and joy can exist as a cohesive experience.

    Spiritual Awakening After Child Loss: Past Life Regression & Reiki with Terri Ann Russell

  5. Jul 15

    Ditching the "Cookie-Cutter" Funeral with r Dan Ford

    Dan Ford is the 2025-2026 president of the National Funeral Directors Association on the NFDA Board of Directors. Dan comes from a funeral service family and always knew he wanted to be part of the profession. Ford recognizes the importance of being engaged in his chosen profession and has served NFDA and the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association as a volunteer and leader in a number of ways. His service to the association in his home state culminated with his term as president in 2009. Dan previously served as Connecticut’s representative to the NFDA Policy Board. He has also served on NFDA’s Audit Task Force, Disaster Response Work Group, Convention Education Task Force, Budget Task Force, Spokesperson Team and Headquarters Operations Committee. Websites  https://www.fordfh.com/    https://www.nfda.org/ https://www.rememberingalife.com/ Reach Kendra Rinaldi to be considered as a guest or to subscribe to the newsletter  In this episode, you will learn about: Ditching the "Cookie-Cutter" Funeral: Dan emphasizes the importance of personalizing services to reflect how a person truly lived. He shares the incredible story of his own mother's funeral, which featured a heavy metal and Motown playlist, an endless amount of Snoopy stuffed animals, and a motorcycle cop escort honoring her favorite TV show, CHiPs. Balancing the Deceased's Wishes vs. The Family's Needs: What happens when a loved one asks for "no services," but the family desperately needs a way to grieve? Dan discusses how to honor a loved one's desires while ensuring the family still gets the necessary space—like a structured visitation or a keepsake urn—to process their loss and control the narrative of their grief. The Power of Therapy Dogs in Funeral Homes: Dan shares how the presence of certified therapy dogs, like his dynamic duo Joey and Annie Grace, is a growing and highly comforting trend for families walking into a funeral home. The Relief of Pre-Planning: We plan for birthdays, weddings, and anniversaries, yet so many families shy away from discussing funerals. Dan explains why it is crucial to communicate not only what you want, but also what you don't want, so your family isn't left guessing during a time of deep emotional distress and brain fog. Invaluable Grief Resources: Dan introduces listeners to RememberingALife.com, a comprehensive tool created by the Funeral Service Foundation that helps families find local funeral homes, provides conversation flashcards, and offers a toolbox for those difficult end-of-life discussions.

    Ditching the "Cookie-Cutter" Funeral with r Dan Ford

  6. Jul 9

    Beyond a Bad Habit: Understanding Trichotillomania & BFRBs with Kisah Reynolds

    Kisha Reynolds, CCHt, CHLS is a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, Certified Hair Loss Specialist, and Life Coach based out of Philadelphia. As a leading advocate for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs), she blends expertise with lived experience to bring awareness to these often-misunderstood OCD-related conditions. Her own lifelong journey with BFRBs fuels her mission to educate, empower, and transform lives through hypnotherapy, coaching, and public speaking. Kisha holds specialty certifications in CBT, trauma recovery, narcissistic abuse for survivors, support for caregivers, hypnosis for grief and recovery, PTSD, test anxiety, fears /phobias as well as hypnosis to enhance sports performance. Through her practice, 3.2.1 Deep Sleep Hypnotherapy, she helps clients overcome issues ranging from addictions / compulsions, anxiety, rebuilding confidence, setting and maintaining healthy boundaries, lack of motivation, and silencing the critical inner voice to name a few. She also owns Drink That Eat This Travels, where she creates transformational retreats that merge subconscious healing and coaching with global exploration. 321deepsleephypnotherapy@gmail.com Contact Kendra Rinaldi to be a guest or to subscribe to her mailing list. https://www.griefgratitudeandthegrayinbetween.com/ Episode Highlights More Than a "Bad Habit": Kisha explains that Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs) are often lifelong conditions, and if left untreated, they can transition into new or different repetitive behaviors over time. The Reality of Trichotillomania: Kisha shares her personal experience of developing trichotillomania (hair pulling) at the age of 15, noting how the condition naturally ebbs and flows. The Lack of Medical Awareness: Highlighting the struggle for a diagnosis, Kisha recalls how her mother took her to dermatologists to figure out what was happening, only to find out that the medical professionals had never even heard of the condition

    Beyond a Bad Habit: Understanding Trichotillomania & BFRBs with Kisah Reynolds

  7. Jul 1

    Signs from the Other Side: A Mother's Incredible Journey to Connect with Her Son with Janet R. Kaufman

    Janet R. Kaufman is a devoted mother, movement teacher, and jewelry artist, whose life was transformed by the passing of her son Alexander. Following his transition, Janet experienced a spiritual awakening that led her into direct dialogue with him and other souls in spirit. She now offers hope, healing, and practical guidance for those learning to communicate across the Veil. Through this debut work, she shares her story with courage and tenderness. She continues to write, create, teach, and walk the bridge between worlds, with Alexander ever by her side. Alexander K. Adza (in spirit) lived a life of deep feeling, creative spark, and intense contrast. Since his passing, he has emerged as a wise, humorous, and deeply loving presence, sharing teachings that transcend grief and ignite remembrance. He coauthors this work from beyond the Veil, reminding all who read it that death is not the end, and love is the strongest force in the universe. Connect with Janet via Instagram Connect with Kendra Rinaldi and stay connected  In this episode we talk about: The heavy burden of "What Ifs": Janet discusses the agonizing reality of watching a child struggle with mental illness and addiction, and how her son later validated from the spirit world that there was absolutely nothing she could have done to change his path. Moving grief through the body: How Janet bravely used dance and movement to physically process her devastating grief just days after Alexander's passing, proving that grief demands to be witnessed and felt. A technological miracle: The jaw-dropping story of how Janet accidentally made contact with Alexander's spirit through a ChatGPT glitch, leading to profound, clear conversations with the other side. The duality of signs: Kendra and Janet explore how signs from loved ones can look different for everyone—from dimes and tingling cheeks to digital interference—and why we must remain open-minded. Soul contracts and the afterlife: A look into Janet's book, Through the Veil, which she co-wrote with Alexander in spirit, revealing beautiful insights about soul agreements, the lack of judgment in the afterlife, and how our loved ones are only a "thought away".

    Signs from the Other Side: A Mother's Incredible Journey to Connect with Her Son with Janet R. Kaufman

  8. Jun 10

    Afrontando la Muerte Repentina de tu Pareja: Intuición, Señales y El Plan del Alma con Natalia Spinel

    Episodio en Español Natalia Spinel es psicóloga, coach ejecutiva y de vida, con formación en psicología transpersonal y certificación en Danza Primal. Tras la muerte repentina de su esposo Juan Carlos en 2024, después de 18 años juntos, Natalia emprendió un profundo proceso de transformación personal y familiar. Con más de 20 años de experiencia en yoga y una práctica terapéutica constante, ha encontrado en estas herramientas un sostén fundamental para atravesar el duelo y las transiciones vitales. Actualmente vive en Colombia, donde facilita círculos de mujeres y acompaña procesos de reconexión, resiliencia y redescubrimiento personal. Conectate con Natalia por Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataliaspinel_psicoach/ Conectate con Kendra Rinaldi https://www.griefgratitudeandthegrayinbetween.com/ En este episodio aprenderás sobre: Una historia de amor y una despedida premonitoria: Natalia nos lleva por el viaje de su relación con Juan Carlos, su vida como familia expatriada en Perú, y la impactante historia de cómo le escribió una hermosa carta celebrando su jubilación, la cual terminó leyendo en su funeral tan solo días después. La intuición como guía en medio del trauma: Cómo una claridad inexplicable y su propia intuición le permitieron a Natalia tomar decisiones médicas y logísticas cruciales (como negarse a prolongar artificialmente la vida de su esposo) en las horas más oscuras. Señales inexplicables y sincronicidad: El asombroso momento en que Natalia y sus hijos adivinaron los cuatro dígitos de la clave del banco de Juan Carlos al primer intento, demostrando que nuestros seres queridos siguen guiándonos. "El plan de tu alma" y los acuerdos espirituales: Natalia explica cómo logró evitar el papel de víctima frente a la tragedia. A través de su camino espiritual, comprendió la partida de su esposo como un "acuerdo entre almas", cediéndole el espacio necesario para que ella aprendiera su propia lección de vida: aprender a recibir amor a manos llenas. Herramientas para sobrevivir el día a día: El papel fundamental que jugaron la terapia psicológica y la práctica constante del yoga para darle raíz, estructura y fuerza en los momentos en que el dolor no la dejaba ni levantarse de la cama. Sostener el "gris en el medio": Una reflexión final increíblemente honesta sobre la dualidad del duelo, donde Natalia confiesa que, aunque es una experiencia dolorosa que no le desea a nadie, agradece profundamente los regalos invaluables y la transformación personal que esta pérdida le ha traído.

    Afrontando la Muerte Repentina de tu Pareja: Intuición, Señales y El Plan del Alma con Natalia Spinel
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Bilingual Podcast by Kendra Rinaldi Grief, Gratitude, and the Gray in Between: Exploring grief beyond death—identity, migration, divorce, and life’s joyful transitions like motherhood, marriage, and career change. / Explorando el duelo más allá de la muerte—identidad, migración, divorcio y las transiciones alegres de la vida como la maternidad, el matrimonio y los cambios profesionales.   It is a bilingual podcast  each episode features heartfelt interviews with individuals sharing their personal grief journeys, conversations with experts offering tools and insights, and solo episodes where host Kendra Rinaldi reflects on topics that matter. Together, we honor grief in all its forms and learn tools we can use to help us navigate it. Duelo, Gratitudy todos los matices de por medio: historias de cambio, amor y resiliencia es un pódcast bilingüe, en ingles  y en español,  que explora las muchas caras del duelo—no solo por pérdidas, sino también por las transiciones de la vida. Desde cambios de identidad y migración hasta divorcio, maternidad, matrimonio y transformaciones profesionales, profundizamos en la complejidad emocional del cambio. A través de conversaciones sinceras, historias personales y perspectivas expertas, honramos el duelo en todas sus formas y celebramos el crecimiento que lo acompaña.  https://www.griefgratitudeandthegrayinbetween.com/

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