Don't Tell Me To Get Over It

Michelle A. Gil
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Biweekly

On July 8, 2018, my life changed forever. My 94-year-old father—a native of Poland and a survivor of a Nazi labor camp—died peacefully at my childhood home. Despite my denial, I knew it was coming. I was confident I was prepared. I was not. No one truly is. I’m Michelle Gil, aka the Grief Curator, and this is the Don't Tell Me to Get Over It show, where we hold space for grief and rediscover joy – together.

  1. Sep 20

    Crying in Subtitles

    Both my parents instilled in me a great love for stories. My mother read to me every night as a child and my father told stories from his childhood in Poland. I sometimes struggle to put my grief into words and moments where I don't even realize I'm grieving. Then I read or watch a character go through their grief and I'm able to name mine. This episode is all about how literature and fiction can help us process our grief and fear. Especially when most of our grief support has disappeared. ----------------- 📧 Questions, thoughts, or just want to talk? ask@thegriefcurator.com 💬 Find me on Substack, where I actually read comments https://thegriefcurator.substack.com/ 📅 New episodes every other week Next time: Grief in Translation: My friend Hiromi joined me for a conversation about how death and grief is portrayed in East Asian dramas. ------------- Music: Whispering Horizon by Victor Lundberg | Licensed via Epidemic Sound Note: Unauthorized scraping, AI training, or voice cloning of this audio is strictly prohibited. © 2026 The Grief Curator LLC

    Crying in Subtitles

  2. Aug 30

    Put On Your Grief Boots - It's a New Season

    I'm back and I'm exhausted! In the second half of 2025 I took time off to deal with my own grief. Then 2026 came in with a bang: a fall down the stairs, a broken leg, and losing a job I'd held for seventeen years. This episode is where I tell you why Season 2 might sound different. Less clinical, more up close. Less curated, more real. We talk about Dolly Parton and Tim Curry, about grief fatigue, about why there's no such thing as comparing one loss to another, and about the exact moment I decided I was done doing this the way everyone says you're supposed to. This season, we're putting our grief boots on. We're getting into the garden. And it's just going to be you and me — like it's 2005, and neither of us cares who's watching. 📧 Questions, thoughts, or just want to talk? ask@thegriefcurator.com 💬 Find me on Substack, where I actually read comments https://thegriefcurator.substack.com/ 📅 New episodes every other week Next time: Crying in Subtitles: Why we grieve for people who never existed. ------------- Music: Whispering Horizon by Victor Lundberg | Licensed via Epidemic Sound Note: Unauthorized scraping, AI training, or voice cloning of this audio is strictly prohibited. © 2026 The Grief Curator LLC

    Put On Your Grief Boots - It's a New Season

  3. Season 2 Trailer

    Season 2: Casseroles Not Included

    They told you big girls don't cry. They told you six months is long enough to feel sad. We say: crying is healthy, and no one gets to tell you how long to grieve. Season 2 of Don't Tell Me To Get Over It is here and this season, I'm talking about the grief that doesn't come with a casserole. Because some of the losses we carry never get a funeral. No one brings us flowers when we lose our job. No one checks in after our favorite character dies. It's just us and our unseen grief. This season is more raw, more unfiltered, and more real with guest conversations that include grief in Asian dramas, end-of-life planning, and what we love in mid-life, plus solo episodes where I show up exactly as I am: messy, honest, and vulnerable. Season 2 premieres August 30th — National Grief Awareness Day — wherever you listen to podcasts. 🎧 New episodes every other week 💬 Subscribe now so you don't miss Episode 1 Music: "Bygone Empire" by Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen, licensed via Epidemic Sound. Note: Unauthorized scraping, AI training, or voice cloning of this audio is strictly prohibited. © 2026 The Grief Curator LLC

    Season 2: Casseroles Not Included

  4. 02/22/2025

    Ask the Grief Curator: Is It Too Late to Reach Out?

    In today’s Q&A episode, I answer a question from a listener who wasn't able to attend a funeral and wonders if it’s too late to reach out to a grieving friend. Many of us worry about saying the wrong thing or reopening wounds, but does grief have an expiration date when it comes to offering support? I explore the hesitation that often holds us back, the impact of belated but sincere gestures, and how to connect in a way that feels meaningful rather than awkward. Whether you've been in this situation yourself or worry about reaching out to someone who is grieving, this episode offers insight, reassurance, and practical ways to show you care—no matter how much time has passed. Tune in to hear: 💭 Why we sometimes hesitate to reach out after a loss. 🕰️ Does timing really matter when offering support? 📩 Simple, thoughtful ways to reconnect without feeling awkward. This podcast is always ad-free and listener supported. I’d love to hear from you—connect with me! Substack: https://thegriefcurator.substack.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGriefCuratorIG: https://www.instagram.com/thegriefcurator/ Website: https://thegriefcurator.com/ Music Intro and Outro: Eulogy | Licensed and Used with Permission of Thrumm, a division of Junius Recording Company Bibliography ExperienceCamps.org Founded in 2009, is a national, no-cost program for grieving children who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling or primary caregiver. Our one-week, overnight summer grief camps, year-round programs, and content help to reframe the experience of grief, and empower kids with the necessary coping skills to move forward with their lives. Through compassion, connection, and play, Experience Camps allows grieving children to embody a life full of hope and possibility.

    Ask the Grief Curator: Is It Too Late to Reach Out?

  5. 02/15/2025

    When Grief is New: The First Year

    In this episode, I explore the often overwhelming experience of the first year after losing a loved one. When grief is fresh, it can feel like you're simply muddling through, unsure of what’s normal or how to move forward. I begin by sharing an excerpt from my grief memoir, reflecting on the emotions and challenges of that first year. From navigating milestones and daily responsibilities to understanding how grief shows up in unexpected ways, I walk through what many experience in those early months. Finally, I close with a discussion on self-care—what helped me, and what might support you or someone you love in the tender space of new grief. What You’ll Hear in This Episode: 🖋️A Personal Reflection – An excerpt from my grief memoir, offering a window into my journey. 📅The “Firsts” After Loss – How major milestones and small daily moments shift after losing someone. 💡The Day-to-Day Realities of Grief – Balancing emotions with the practical aspects of life that don’t pause for grief. 🌿How Grief Shows Up – The unexpected ways grief manifests physically, mentally, and emotionally. 💖Self-Care in the First Year – Ways to support yourself through fresh loss, from practical strategies to emotional nourishment. Resources & Links: This podcast is listener supported.  I’d love to hear from you—connect with me! Substack: https://thegriefcurator.substack.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGriefCuratorIG: https://www.instagram.com/thegriefcurator/ Website: https://thegriefcurator.com/ Music Intro and Outro: Eulogy | Licensed and Used with Permission of Thrumm, a division of Junius Recording Company. Podcast Disclaimer Michelle is not a licensed therapist.  This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. If at any moment in today’s discussion, you feel triggered, or not ready to face these big feelings, take a break, drink some water or tea, and come back to the podcast when you are ready. If you do find that your everyday tasks are becoming impossible, or if you find you’re having suicidal thoughts, please call 988 or your local emergency number, and reach out to your therapist.

    When Grief is New: The First Year

  6. 01/17/2025 ·  Bonus

    Ask the Grief Curator

    In this special episode, I answer listener questions or share YOUR stories about grief and loss. Today's question comes from listener who has a friend who is dealing with both fresh grief and multiple losses and they want to know: is it too soon to refer their friend to the podcast? if YOU have a question, dear friends, please feel free to reach out to me at Ask@thegriefcurator.com. You can choose to be anonymous, or you can have your first name or initial and city or state or province read out loud.  This podcast is listener supported. I’d love to hear from you—connect with me! Substack: https://thegriefcurator.substack.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGriefCuratorIG: https://www.instagram.com/thegriefcurator/ Website: https://thegriefcurator.com/ Music Intro and Outro: Nylon String Theory by Candelion | Licensed and Used with Permission of Epidemic Sound

    Ask the Grief Curator

  7. 01/12/2025

    Romance with a Capital "R"

    Welcome to the first episode of 2025! Today, I’m shifting gears and inviting you to get to know me a little better. In this cozy, reflective episode, I share my thoughts on embracing joy and romance (with a capital R) after loss, and why I’m ditching resolutions for something more meaningful. From navigating the bittersweetness of turning 50 to intentionally choosing Romance, I reflect on the choices, regrets, and new opportunities that shape my life and relationships. Together, we explore what it means to rediscover beauty, and live with curiosity and open-heartedness. So, grab a mug (hot chocolate optional), and let’s take this journey together—holding space for grief and joy, one step at a time. What You'll Hear in This Episode: Why I’ve renamed my home office “the study” and how language shapes our mindsetThe significance of embracing romance with a capital RReflections on grief, heartbreak, and turning 50How my father’s life inspired me to believe it’s never too lateThe importance of relationships and curiosity in navigating life’s challenges Connect with me! Substack: https://thegriefcurator.substack.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGriefCuratorIG: https://www.instagram.com/thegriefcurator/ Website: https://thegriefcurator.com/Ask the Grief Curator: Got a question or story to share? Send me an email at ask@thegriefcurator.com for a chance to be featured in a future episode.Support the Podcast: If you love this show, consider leaving a review or sharing it with someone who might need it. Music Intro and Outro: Eulogy | Licensed and Used with Permission of Thrumm, a division of Junius Recording Company Bibliography Do Not Go Gentle Into that Good Night by Dylan Thomas: https://poets.org/poem/do-not-go-gentle-good-night This year, let’s embrace the beauty, the mess, the joy, and the pain. Together, we can rediscover what makes life worth living—even in its hardest moments. Don’t forget your coffee and hot chocolate moment of sweetness! See you next time.

    Romance with a Capital "R"

  8. 11/23/2024

    Not in the Mood for Gratitude

    In this episode, I talk about facing the holidays, especially Thanksgiving, while grieving. Drawing from my own experiences, I explore the challenges grievers face with family expectations, the pressure to feel grateful amidst loss, and our own internal guilt. But there's hope and practical strategies, like acknowledging emotions, setting boundaries, and honoring loved ones in meaningful ways. I also touch briefly on collective grief, highlighting the historical trauma faced by Indigenous peoples in the U.S., and providing links to learn more about their history. In the end, it’s okay to feel sadness during the holidays, and perfectly normal to not be in the mood for gratitude. Episode Highlights Navigating Grief During ThanksgivingPersonal Reflections on GriefPractical Strategies for CopingAcknowledge and validate your feelingsHonor lost loved onesAddressing Collective Indigenous GriefPermission to Feel SadnessActs of Compassion Connect with me! Substack: https://thegriefcurator.substack.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGriefCuratorIG: https://www.instagram.com/thegriefcurator/ Website: https://thegriefcurator.com/Ask The Grief Curator: ask@thegriefcurator.com Music Intro and Outro: Eulogy | Licensed and Used with Permission of Thrumm, a division of Junius Recording Company During Story: Waiting at 54th by Vincent and A Secret | Licensed and Used with Permission of Epidemic Sound Bibliography Tocabe: https://www.tocabe.com/ Four Directions Cuisine: https://fourdirectionscuisine.com/ National Indian School System Digital Archive: https://boardingschoolhealing.org/nibsda/ Podcast Disclaimer: Michelle is not a licensed therapist.  This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. If at any moment in today’s discussion, you feel triggered, or not ready to face these big feelings, take a break, drink some water or tea, and come back to the podcast when you are ready. If you do find that your everyday tasks are becoming impossible, or if you find you’re having suicidal thoughts, please call 988 or your local emergency number, and reach out to your therapist.

    Not in the Mood for Gratitude
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5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

On July 8, 2018, my life changed forever. My 94-year-old father—a native of Poland and a survivor of a Nazi labor camp—died peacefully at my childhood home. Despite my denial, I knew it was coming. I was confident I was prepared. I was not. No one truly is. I’m Michelle Gil, aka the Grief Curator, and this is the Don't Tell Me to Get Over It show, where we hold space for grief and rediscover joy – together.

Information

  • Creator
    Michelle A. Gil
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Michelle A. Gil
  • Show Website
    Don't Tell Me To Get Over It