Little Losses Everywhere (and some big ones too)

Dr. Jan Lundy
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Education
  • Updated Semimonthly

Compassionate and insightful conversation about Love, Loss, and Life Beyond Life with Dr. Jan Lundy and Guests

  1. Sep 22

    Episode 25: Going with the Flow of Loss

    Jan Lundy and Christine Hiester join hearts and minds to discuss how we might go with the flow of grief; listening to it, honoring it, tending it, trusting where it will take us on our healing journey. One of the ways we can do this is through creative expression. Christine facilitates a course for The Metta Center called "Translating Our Grief: Creativity as a Language for Exploring Experiences of Loss."  She explains her approach and how each of us might tap into our natural creativity to enable feelings of grief to move through us, to have expression. We need not be artists to do this because creativity can take many forms including visual arts, but also dance, music, writing, poetry, and more. We also do not need to be expert at anything. Connecting with the creative flow allows grief to have a voice, to be seen and compassionately understood.  Grief that has movement is called mourning or bereavement because the constellation of feelings of grief have moved outside ourselves to have expression in the world. This is the healing path we are invited to during times of loss.

  2. Aug 18

    Episode 24: Companioning Survivors of Suicide Loss

    Note to listeners: Today's conversation is about suicide loss and the grief that follows. If that's tender ground for you right now, please take care of yourself in listening. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available anytime, by call or text. In today's episode, Jan speaks with Rev. Marshall Hammer, a survivor of suicide loss who companions and guides others who have suffered a similar loss, and the founder of BefriendYourGrief.com Suicide loss has its own terrain, a different texture from other types of grief—the particular shape guilt takes, and the shame that was never theirs and never belonged to the person who died, according to Marshall.  Listen in as Jan and Marshall talk about: -The unique invitations of suicide loss that can take you on a powerful healing path  -Personal practices that can assist you through your grief from suicide loss -Suicide loss groups and what they have to offer; how they benefit those who join -How gentle tending—befriending—practices are key to tending grief from suicide loss -How surviving a suicide loss changes you and even transforms you, creating an entirely new kind of life that you may have not expected (in a life-giving way) and more... Guest Bio: Rev. Marshall K. Hammer is an ordained interfaith minister, spiritual director, and Reiki Practitioner, and the founder of Befriend Your Grief, a 12-week program for survivors of suicide loss. She lost her father to suicide and has spent the years since companioning others through the same terrain — as a former board member of the NC Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and as facilitator of a free local support group for five years. She lives in Asheville, North Carolina. Visit her website: https://befriendyourgrief.com/

  3. Jul 21

    Episode 23: Bringing Hidden Sorrow into the Light of Awareness

    Our topic is Disenfranchised Grief, a term not many people are familiar with when it comes to types of grief and loss. Disenfranchised Grief is also known as hidden grief or unattended sorrow. It is a form of grief that every one of us has likely  experienced but we don't talk about it with others. Disenfranchised grief occurs when the grief you are feeling (about any number of things) is not supported by others or society, or recognized as legitimate. Examples of this might be: the death of a pet, a miscarriage, abortion, divorce, loss of a job or health, infertility, and many more. Join our guests, Grief Companions Julie Brooks and Renae Matkins, as they discuss with Jan their recent efforts to bring disenfranchised grief out of the darkness and into the light so individuals can experience validation and healing.  SPEAKER BIOS: Julie Brooks is an interspiritual guide, inter-genre writer and introspective cyclist, most at home amongst the sacred and sublime in Northern Colorado.  She has worn many professional hats, as a clinical social worker, outdoor education instructor, college professor, and interfaith minister. She is a contemplative explorer enjoying a rich and textured history facilitating all kinds of groups under the trees, on two wheels, and paddling waterways all over the US. She is most excited to be sharing this life with her wife of 30+ years, Joellen, and their four-pawed brood of two cats, Quaker and Dylan, and their pup, Remi.  And is especially grateful to be walking this grief-tending journey alongside of Renae.  Renae Matkins has a background in psychology and is a spiritual director and grief companion. Her work is focused on supporting people experiencing many different kinds of grief and the unacknowledged losses we all experience. Renae lives in Colorado and is dealing with both the joys and losses that are part of young adult children leaving to start their own life adventures.

  4. May 12

    Episode 22: Seeking Meaning After Child Loss

    Today's conversation is for anyone who has experienced the death of child. Our guest, Joanie Amato Spain, knows this tender journey well. Her son Will, her only child, was born with a life-threatening heart condition. A medically fragile child, he died suddenly in his early 30s just as he was experiencing the fullness of adult life.  Joanie shares with us more about how she coped with never knowing if and when he would die, and how she witnessed him become an extraordinary and gifted human being. She guides us through the heartbreak she experienced upon his death, and how she navigated such a dramatic loss. Her words are seasoned and wise, a balm to any parent's weary soul. Joanie offers specific support and guidance to parents who have experienced something similar.  She also helpfully explains what did and didn't help during the early days, months and years after Will's death, and what ultimately allowed her to integrate this loss into the fullness of her own life.  During our conversation, Joanie mentioned a book that was very helpful to her in the early days of grief. Hope Will Find You: My Search for the Wisdom to Stop Waiting and Start Living by Naomi Levy.  GUEST: Joanie Amato Spain, Interspiritual Director, Grief Companion, Prayer Chaplain Joanie Spain brings a deeply personal and compassionate perspective to conversations about grief and loss. Her journey was profoundly shaped by the life and death of her only child, who was born with a complex congenital heart condition and died in 2019 from related complications. Walking through that loss led her more deeply into spiritual exploration and ultimately to her work as a Spiritual Director and Certified Grief Companion. Areas of special interest and experience: grief and loss, transitions, healing and creative expression, New Thought spirituality, ACIM. Website:  www.redraveninnerlife.com

  5. Mar 9

    Episode 21: Collective Grief: How to Process It and Tend Its Impact on Us

    Jan's guest in this episode is Kristina Kaiser, pastor, author and spiritual companion/guide and educator. Together they discuss collective (or communal) grief.  Collective grief is a shared emotional response that occurs when a large group of people—such as a community, nation, or even the global population—experiences a significant loss, trauma, or crisis simultaneously. Examples are natural disasters, acts of violence, the recent pandemic and political unrest.  Unlike personal grief, which stems from the loss of a private relationship, collective grief is felt communally, often triggered by events that impact many people at once. Jan and Kristina discussed collective grief by exploring its manifestations in contemporary society and uplifting ways to process and manage it. They examined the role of community and creating a sense of connection during times of shared distress. Kristina shared her experiences with peace circles and the power of music and movement in expressing and releasing collective grief. They emphasized the importance of self-care and grounding techniques, such as deep breathing and compassionate touch, to maintain emotional balance while engaging with communal sorrow. The conversation highlighted the need for gentle activism and the practice of Metta, or loving-kindness, as ways to align one's heart with those suffering while also finding moments of rest and hope. ABOUT OUR GUEST: In addition to being the author of Abundant Joy, Kristina is a certified Spiritual Guide & Supervisor with a Doctor of Ministry in Interfaith/Interspiritual Guidance and is certified in Sound Healing and Sound Bathing. She serves as a faculty member at Spiritual Guidance Training Institute and offers retreat and speaker services as well.  Social Media/Website Links Website: https://www.tendingme.com/ Tending Me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565159454217 Tending Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tendingmespirituality/

  6. Feb 11

    Episode 20: How Our Body Has a Story to Tell About Grief

    This podcast episode focuses on the concept that the body has a story to tell, particularly in grief, with Cami Beecroft-Mann discussing her approach to grief companionship and the upcoming Center of Sorrow in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Cami explained how the body communicates through sensations and gestures during grief, emphasizing the importance of gentle invitation rather than expectation when working with clients. She described her work with both death and non-death losses, noting distinct differences in how the body manifests grief in each case. The episode concluded with details about Camille's new Center of Sorrow initiative, which will offer individual and group sessions, drop-in cry sessions, and sorrowing ceremonies, with virtual services also available. GUEST BIO: Cami Beecroft-Mann joins us with 28 years of pastoral care experience in one-on-one, group, and organizational settings. For the past 11 years, Cami has been practicing soulcare companioning. While being trained in a classical, contemplative model of spiritual direction, and Grief Companion Training through The Metta Center, Cami has enhanced her practice through additional trainings in trauma-informed care, somatic practices, and breathwork facilitation. She is currently in the process of founding a public service non-profit, The Center of Sorrow, to offer individual and communal experiences of attending the sorrows of non-death, as well as death losses. She resides in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  Creator, Physio Divina Sacred Body Method  physiodivina.com

  7. Jan 22

    Episode 19: Tending the Strong Emotions of Grief

    Join host, Jan Lundy, as she shares her perspectives and practices on how to navigate the difficult emotions of grief. She shares three mindsets and practices which help us "tend" the strong feelings that come with grief and loss. These practices are rooted in mindfulness, neuroscience and compassionate care. She stresses that any and all emotions are normal in grief; the importance of having a "trusted other" to speak your grief story to; and a desire to attend to your grief emotions with wisdom and kindness. She also offers that if you are experiencing extremely difficult emotions due to complicated grief, traumatic grief or grief that feels stuck, to see professional guidance.

  8. 12/26/2025

    Episode 18: The Kindest Thing When You Are in Grief

    Join host, Jan Lundy, as she explores a powerful question that grievers can ask themselves to bring relief and more ease to their days. "The Kindest Thing" question is a surefire way for anyone experiencing loss: 1. to begin a process of deepening self-awareness 2. to learn how to listen deeply to the voice of inner guidance (intuition) 3. to uncover what self-compassionate choice may be needed in the moment to bring greater peace of body, mind, heart and spirit In this episode, Dr. Lundy also guides us through a 5-step process to choose "the kindest thing" for ourselves while in grief.  BIO: Dr. Jan Lundy (Psy.D, DMin) is a grief educator and Grief Support Specialist whose work supports and empowers grievers to access their inner wisdom and to employ boundless self compassion during the most difficult times. She is also a spiritual guidance counselor in private practice. Twice a year, she leads Grief Companion Training certification courses through The Metta Center which she founded in 2003. Her book, Living Gently with Myself, in which The Kindest Thing question is explored, can be purchased through her website.  Learn more at Jan Lundy's website:  https://www.janlundy.com/ Learn more about Grief Companion Training: http://www.mettacentertraining.com/

See All (25)

About

Compassionate and insightful conversation about Love, Loss, and Life Beyond Life with Dr. Jan Lundy and Guests

Information

You Might Also Like