Grief, Gratitude & The Gray in Between

Kendra Rinaldi
  • 4.8 (48)
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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/

  1. Turning the Loss of a Son into a Lifeline for Mental Health with Kathy Mullen

    1D AGO

    Turning the Loss of a Son into a Lifeline for Mental Health with Kathy Mullen

    Kathy Mullen is an angel mom, music lover, and an adventure seeker focused on healthy, joyful living. She started Mullen’s Miracles in honor of her son, Eric, whom she lost to suicide on October 2, 2018. Even with medical personnel, trauma therapists, and recovery programs, it was overwhelming sorting through the abundance of resource options while losing the battle against time to find the help Eric so desperately needed while he was alive. “Before I left Eric’s hospital bed, I committed to helping others live healthier lives by finding ways to ‘fill the gaps’ we had experienced. Mullen’s Miracles exists to make your journey easier so your ‘Eric’ can survive and live a long, beautiful life.” https://mullensmiracles.org/ Show Highlights • The Trauma of "Saving to Lose": Kathy shares the heartbreaking backstory of her son, Eric. After saving his father’s life with CPR following a massive heart attack, Eric was forced to make the decision to remove life support 18 days later—a trauma that deeply contributed to his own downward spiral. • "I Don't Know How to Live": Kathy reveals the painful reality of her son's mindset before his death. She shares that Eric told her, "Mom, I don't want to die, but I don't know how to live anymore," highlighting the distinction between wanting death and simply lacking the tools to cope with life. • Choosing Truth Over Stigma: Immediately after arriving at the hospital following Eric’s attempt, Kathy made the brave decision to tell the truth about his suicide to family and friends. She realized, "If I don't tell the truth now... I can't help anybody else not be here". • The 3-to-5 Year Reality Check: Kathy discusses the vital advice she received from her therapist, Mark, who told her that deep grief is a "three to five-year process" to find joy again. This realistic timeline helped her surrender to the journey rather than trying to rush her recovery. • Surviving Compound Grief: Kathy’s resilience is tested by extreme loss; within a seven-year span, she lost her brother, her ex-husband, her son, her father, her mother, and her father-in-law, requiring her to close out five estates while trying to survive her own grief. • Mullen’s Miracles & The 6 Pillars: We explore the founding of her nonprofit, Mullen’s Miracles, which focuses on six pillars including awareness, crisis intervention, and the mantra "We Go On." She also discusses her new app designed to help users track moods and signal friends for support. • Healing Through Music: Kathy shares her collaboration with Ross Vanelli (brother of Gino Vanelli) to create Live Like There’s No Tomorrow, an album of 11 original songs and videos designed to provide a "better space in music" for those grieving. • Signs of Love: Kathy ends on a lighter note, sharing how she stays connected to Eric through signs—specifically finding heart shapes in everything from nature to a piece of toast. Connect with Kendra Rinaldi to find out more about how to be a guest on the podcast https://www.griefgratitudeandthegrayinbetween.com/

    45 min
  2. From Pain to Poetry: Navigating Loss and Finding a Voice with Spoken Word with Tiriq Rashad Callaway

    FEB 12

    From Pain to Poetry: Navigating Loss and Finding a Voice with Spoken Word with Tiriq Rashad Callaway

    Tiriq Rashad Callaway is a spoken-word artist, recording poet, and storyteller whose work blends emotional depth, cinematic soundscapes, and lived experience. His EP When the HeArt Speaks earned official GRAMMY® consideration, and his latest album Kiss My Art has further solidified his voice across the poetry and music landscape. Featured in Ebony Magazine and celebrated by the late Nikki Giovanni—who praised him as “a poet with vision beyond his years”—Tiriq uses vulnerability, narrative, and performance to explore grief, healing, identity, and purpose. He has also taken the TEDx stage, sharing his powerful perspective on innovation, compassion, and storytelling. Through his art, Tiriq aims to move audiences toward connection, reflection, and emotional truth—one poem, performance, and project at a time." Links & Socials:• Website: tiriqrashad.com Contact Kendra Rinaldi: https://www.griefgratitudeandthegrayinbetween.com/ Show Highlights: The Journal as a Best Friend: Growing up in a culture where "boys don't cry," Tiriq found his emotional outlet in a notebook, which became his "therapist and counselor" to process everything from childhood responsibilities to heartbreaks. A Hero’s Passing: Tiriq shares the tragic yet heroic story of his mother, who passed away in 2021 while stopping on a highway to save a stranger from a burning vehicle—a final act of service that defined her life. The "Tug of War" on Sacrifice: Reflecting on his mother's death, Tiriq discusses the internal conflict between honoring her selfless legacy and his own need to preserve his life for his children. The "Achilles Moment": After tearing his Achilles tendon and losing a corporate job opportunity, Tiriq was forced to sit still and reflect, leading him back to his true purpose of writing and creating his memoir. Navigating Compound Grief: Tiriq opens up about the immense weight of losing his brother, his mother, and his unborn daughter in a short span of time, and how he used art to heal. Self-Care is Not Selfish: Through his song "No Regrets," Tiriq emphasizes that prioritizing your own mental health is essential, as you cannot be a light for your family or community if you do not take care of yourself first.

    52 min
  3. Grief in Young Adulthood with Hannah Rumsey

    FEB 5

    Grief in Young Adulthood with Hannah Rumsey

    Hannah Rumsey is a writer, certified Grief Educator, and the podcast host of Friends Missing Friends. After the death of her beloved friend Lauren in 2015, she noticed a stark lack of friend-loss resources. To fill this gap, she launched the Friends Missing Friends Collective—an affordable online membership for friend-loss grievers to get 1:1 and group support. Her mission is to speak out about this disenfranchised grief, and nurture a community where folks grieving friends feel seen, heard, and understood. Contact Hannah Rumsey: : friendsmissingfriends.com https://www.instagram.com/friendsmissingfriends/  https://www.facebook.com/friendsmissingfriends  Grief Groups through the Friends Missing Friends Collective: friendsmissingfriends.com/griefgroup Contact Kenddra Rinaldi https://www.griefgratitudeandthegrayinbetween.com/ In this episode, we cover: • The Gift of "One Last Summer": Hannah shares the beautiful story of meeting her friend Lauren at Interlochen Arts Camp and how Lauren, though younger, gave Hannah the gift of one last childhood summer before adulthood set in. • The Trauma of Digital Grief: We discuss the jarring reality of finding out about a loved one's death via social media. Hannah recounts the heartbreaking moment she went to post a "Happy Birthday" message on Lauren's Facebook wall, only to discover "Rest in Peace" posts instead. • Grief in Young Adulthood: We explore the unique disorientation of losing a peer at age 23. Hannah explains how this "out of order" loss shattered her ability to create a "five-year plan" because the concept of a future felt impossible to grasp. • From Perfectionism to Improv: Hannah details her radical pivot from being a classical trumpet player to studying Improv comedy in Chicago. She explains how Improv became a survival mechanism, forcing her to live entirely in the "present moment" because looking ahead was too painful. • Friend Loss as Disenfranchised Grief: We define "Disenfranchised Grief" and discuss why society often invalidates the loss of a friend. Hannah shares her frustration with Googling "friend loss support" and only finding resources for pet loss. • Internalized Disenfranchisement: We talk about the concept of "Name it to Tame it." Hannah explains that because society didn't validate her pain, she began to feel like she was "going crazy" or overreacting, until she learned that her grief was real and valid. • Friends Missing Friends: How Hannah turned her isolation into community by creating the Friends, Missing Friends Collective to support others navigating this specific type of loss.

    50 min
  4. Collective Grief & The Ecosystem of Healing: Why You Don't Have to Carry It All

    JAN 29

    Collective Grief & The Ecosystem of Healing: Why You Don't Have to Carry It All

    In this vulnerable solo episode, I am sharing my heart regarding the emotional weight of these past few weeks. Recently, it really hit home for me when some teenagers from my daughter's school here in Texas died in a tragic sledding accident during a rare ice storm. When you combine a local tragedy like that with the grief of injustices, war, and shattered families happening all around the world, our nervous systems can tighten, and the collective grief can feel like too much to carry. We often feel a pressure to speak up publicly or post on social media, fearing that if we don't, we aren't doing enough. But in this episode, I want to remind you that we are all part of an "ecosystem" of life—kind of like a potluck dinner where everyone brings a different dish. Some of us bring activism, while others bring art, prayer, laughter, or a quiet presence, and all of these roles are necessary for change. In this episode, I touch on: • The Pressure to Perform: Releasing the guilt of not publicly speaking out on every tragedy and understanding that your role might look different than someone else's. • The Ecosystem of Change: How to identify if your role today is to be on the front lines, or if your role is to rest so you can hold space for others tomorrow. • Nervous System Regulation: Why we need to pause when we feel overwhelmed—because if we are all crumbling, we can't hold anyone else up. • Micro-Acts of Love: How small things, like smiling at a stranger, checking on a friend, or dropping off a meal, are powerful ways to tend to the collective grief. • Curating Your Peace: The importance of breathing, moving your body, and setting boundaries around how much news and social media you consume. I want to invite you to give yourself permission to feel whatever you are feeling—whether that is freezing, crying, or needing to retreat. We cannot fix everything, but we can always tend to someone. Sending you all so much love. https://www.griefgratitudeandthegrayinbetween.com/

    17 min
  5. Senior Living Made Simple: How to Have "The Talk" and Let Go of Guilt with Shari Ross

    JAN 22

    Senior Living Made Simple: How to Have "The Talk" and Let Go of Guilt with Shari Ross

    Shari Ross is the author of Senior Living Made S.I.M.P.L.E.™ and creator of the companion workbook and toolkit designed to help families take clear, practical steps through the senior living journey with a clear path forward. She is also the founder of the Senior Living Made S.I.M.P.L.E.™ brand, where she has built a reputation for simplifying complex decisions and leading families toward the right solutions with compassion and expertise.  An award-winning senior living sales specialist, Shari spent over a decade guiding hundreds of families through the challenges of assisted living, memory care, and long- term planning. Her expertise has made her a frequent guest on national podcasts and a featured speaker for organizations and events dedicated to aging, caregiving, and family transitions. A graduate of NYU and long-time Southern California resident with East Coast roots, Shari combines her professional expertise with her personal journey. She continues to guide her own aging parents through their next steps while raising two young adult children, giving her an authentic, empathetic perspective that resonates deeply with the families she serves.  Her mission is to transform aging from overwhelming to empowering. Through her signature S.I.M.P.L.E.™ Method, she equips families with a framework to make informed senior living decisions, helping them move forward with a clear path forward, dignity, and peace of mind. https://www.seniorlivingmadesimple.com/    Amaon Book  Amazon Workbook   IG @seniorlivingwithshari Connect with Kendra Rinaldi to be a guest on the podcast or to joing the newsletter Show Highlights: • The S.I.M.P.L.E. Framework: Shari breaks down her acronym designed to guide families through the maze of senior living: Support, Information, Matching, Preparation, Letting Go, and Engagement. • Redefining Identity: We discuss the profound shift that occurs when you allow professionals to take over the caregiving duties, enabling you to step back into your original role as a son, daughter, or spouse. • Navigating Guilt and "Stuff": Shari explains the two layers of "Letting Go": releasing the physical accumulation of a lifetime and releasing the emotional weight of guilt that suggests you aren't doing enough. • Language Matters: Why words like "facility" or "institution" create fear, and how shifting our vocabulary to "community" or "apartment" can change the tone of the conversation. • The Grief of Relocation: We acknowledge that moving brings legitimate grief over the loss of a home and independence, even when it leads to a gain in community, safety, and purpose. • Proactive vs. Reactive: The importance of having these difficult conversations early—before a fall or medical emergen

    53 min
  6. Shame vs. Guilt: Understanding the Core of Emotional Healing with Ken MIller

    JAN 14

    Shame vs. Guilt: Understanding the Core of Emotional Healing with Ken MIller

    Ken Miller is a speaker, coach, and author whose life story is a powerful testament to the human capacity for betrayal, breakthrough, and becoming. Born into difficult circumstances and raised in a home marked by both love and trauma, Ken's early life was anything but easy. Despite the odds, he excelled academically, becoming a National Merit Scholar and eventually graduating from an Ivy League university—achievements that reflected his immense potential. But life took a dark turn. Struggles with addiction and a series of poor decisions led Ken into a cycle of homelessness, incarceration, and despair. He went from prestigious classrooms to prison cells, from hopeful beginnings to rock bottom. Through it all, he carried the weight of regret and the fear that his story might end in tragedy. Yet, in the depths of that darkness, Ken made a decision that would change everything: to rebuild his life, one small, intentional choice at a time. Released from prison with nothing but a box of belongings and $28 to his name, Ken began the long, challenging road of reclaiming his life. That journey, fueled by courage, accountability, and an unrelenting commitment to growth, led him to become the man he is today—a thriving entrepreneur, mentor, and voice of hope for those who feel trapped by their past. Ken now uses his story to inspire others, proving that where you’ve been doesn’t have to determine where you’re going. He speaks to schools, organizations, and individuals across the country, sharing a message of identity, transformation, and the power of choice. His mission is clear: to show that no matter how far someone has fallen, it is always possible to rise, rebuild, and thrive. www.kenmillerspeaks.com Show Topics: • The Broken Scholar: How a violent upbringing led an Ivy League student into a 30-year spiral of alcoholism and addiction. • Shame vs. Guilt: Understanding the difference between being "shame-based" (a state of being) and "guilt-based" (a verb of action), and how this distinction saves lives. • The Four Pillars of Wellness: How Ken rebuilt his life by focusing on his physical, intellectual, spiritual, and emotional health. • Taking Power from Secrets: The necessity of "walking through the doors" of past trauma and turning on the light to find forgiveness and healing. • Redefining Masculinity: The 1998 turning point when Ken heard the phrase "today I am a kind and gentle man" and decided to make that his life’s mission. • From Survival to Service: Why Ken now focuses on being "good" rather than "great" and how he gives back through mentoring and speaking Contact Kendra Rinaldi to be on the podcast or more information about the services she offers  and to  sign up for the newsletter. https://www.griefgratitudeandthegrayinbetween.com/

    1h 2m

  7. JAN 8

    La Meditación: Una Herramienta de Cambio con Natalia Varela

    Natalia Varela, socia fundadora de ArteUmano, es una de las 230 instructoras internacionales certificada para llevar el trabajo del Dr. Joe Dispenza “NeuroChange Solutions” al mundo corporativo.  Más de 25 años de experiencia en el mundo corporativo en las áreas de Recursos Humanos y Desarrollo Organizacional`. Está convencida que las organizaciones crecen de adentro hacia afuera. Por esta razón le apasiona ayudar a las personas en sus procesos de desarrollo, crecimiento y transformación.  Por medio de conceptos y herramientas de neurociencia ayuda a las personas a comprender la conexión entre del cerebro con el cuerpo como parte fundamental para lograr cambios permanentes en cualquier ámbito de la vida. www.arteumano.comIntragram: arteumano_au Puntos Destacados: •Reprogramación Cerebral: El 95% de nuestros pensamientos son inconscientes y automáticos; a través de la neuroplasticidad, podemos "podar" conexiones antiguas y crear nuevos patrones de pensamiento. • Acompañamiento en el Duelo: Natalia relata cómo la meditación junto a su padre en el hospital fue una herramienta sanadora que ayudó a ambos a reducir la ansiedad y encontrar paz antes de su partida. • Ruptura de Adicciones Emocionales: El cuerpo se vuelve adicto a las hormonas del estrés (cortisol/adrenalina); la meditación permite observar y romper el ciclo vicioso de victimización o culpa. • Supervivencia vs. Creación: Al meditar, pasamos del "modo supervivencia" (estrés persistente) al "modo creación", activando el sistema nervioso parasimpático para evitar enfermedades causadas por emociones atrapadas. • Maternidad Consciente: Natalia utiliza la neurociencia para entender que los niños no tienen el cerebro totalmente desarrollado para controlarse; esto le permite ayudarlos a regularse en lugar de engancharse en sus conflictos. • Herramientas Prácticas: Destaca el uso del "Diario de los 5 minutos" para iniciar el día con gratitud e intención, y la regla de los 90 segundos, que es el tiempo que tardan los químicos de una emoción en disminuir mediante la respiración. ___________________________________________________________________________________ Si deseas mas informacion sobre los servicios que ofrece Kendra Rinaldi: • Sesiones de Coaching de Duelo: Un espacio personalizado y seguro para trabajar en tu proceso individual. • Eventos Virtuales: Talleres y encuentros diseñados para brindar apoyo y herramientas prácticas de sanación. • Comparte tu historia: Este podcast es un espacio para la comunidad que hemos formado. Si sientes que tu testimonio puede ayudar a otros a transitar su dolor, me encantaría que fueras mi próximo invitado para relatar tu historia. Puedes contactarme directamente griefgratitudepodcast@gmail.com https://www.griefgratitudeandthegrayinbetween.com/ Instagram: @griefgratitudepodcast  Recuerda que, aunque el duelo es un proceso personal, no tienes que recorrerlo a solas.

    1h 22m

  8. 12/24/2025

    Healing God's Temple: Fasting, Prayer, and the Shift from Grief to Gratitude with Dr. Hugh A. Jenkins

    Dr. Hugh A Jenkins  became both a Naturopathic and Chiropractic doctor after years of mentoring by Dr. Alvenia M. Fulton, ND, a pioneer of natural healing and the world authority on fasting. During his many years of practice and mentoring others he was able to assist many people through their journey to Health and Wellness. Beginning in 2007, he wanted to write a book on fasting and prayer but felt that he did not have enough knowledge in his head to write a successful book. Since that time God has taken him through several life challenges of his body, mind, spirit and emotions to bring him where he is today. One of his characteristics is that he is a master of Desert Dry Daddy Jokes. He consider  himself a sit-down comedian because he would not make it in stand-up. https://www.facebook.com/hugh.a.jenkins His Book on Amazon From Grief to gratitude (his story of going from Grief to Gratitude) Show Highlights • The "Big G" Shift: A major highlight of the conversation is Dr. Jenkins’ philosophy of releasing the "little G" in grief to embrace the "big G" in gratitude. He argues that while chronic complaining creates a "poverty mindset," gratitude constitutes true riches and wealth. • Healing from Within: As the author of Fasting and Prayer: God's Healing Therapies, Dr. Jenkins asserts that all diseases are "incurable" by external medicine alone; true healing is a spiritual process that occurs from the "inside out" when one connects with the "master healer" in the heart. • Redefining Death as Ascension: Dr. Jenkins views the passing of his brother, David (DJ), not as death, but as "transcending" or "ascending". He shares a profound experience of meeting his brother’s spirit on a porch to receive the "spirit of philanthropy," which he defines as service to the community rather than just financial wealth. • Spiritual Signs in Nature: To maintain a connection with his brother, Dr. Jenkins looks for signs from "God’s  creatures"  in nature. He identifies a dragonfly  as a spiritual messenger that guides him and has even visited him inside his home Disclamer:  This episode of Grief, Gratitude, and the Gray in Between includes personal stories and perspectives on topics such as grief, health, and mental wellness. The views expressed by our guest  are his own and reflect individual experiences and professional philosophies—including his work with naturopathic medicine, fasting, and spiritual healing—which are not meant as medical advice. As the host, I hold space for diverse voices and holistic perspectives, but this does not imply an endorsement of every viewpoint shared. Discussions regarding the "incurability" of disease or the use of fasting and prayer as "healing therapies" should be viewed as personal and spiritual insights rather than a substitute for professional medical consultation. Please listen with care and take only what resonates with you. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health regimen or medical treatments Get in touch with f Kendra Rinaldi https://www.griefgratitudeandthegrayinbetween.com/

    43 min
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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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