The Living Loss | Navigating Invisible Grief & Identity

Daiana Bernard, LMHC & Cassandra Harris-Towner, LMHC
  • 5.0 (10)
  • Mental Health

Welcome to The Living Loss Podcast! Hosted by Licensed Mental Health Counselors Daiana Bernard and Cassandra Harris-Towner, this podcast shines a light on navigating invisible grief and major life transitions. What happens when you are grieving something other than a physical death? We focus on non-death grief and the profound, often unacknowledged losses we all face, the fading of a dream, a difficult medical diagnosis, or the loss of a former identity. These hidden experiences deeply impact our mental health and relationships, yet they are constantly minimized by the outside world. Through insightful solo episodes and diverse guest interviews, we validate these lived experiences and offer tangible tools to help you move toward healing. We are building a community where no loss is too "small" or too "wild" to talk about. It’s time to acknowledge the weight of what you're carrying and rediscover your purpose through shared values and genuine connection. 🎙️ Bonus Spanglish Episodes Every so often, look out for our special bonus episodes in Spanglish! In these conversations, we dive into the unique intersections of grief, life transitions, and the first- and second-generation experience. Navigating multiple cultures, shifting family dynamics, and breaking cycles brings its own layered, unspoken losses, and these episodes offer a validating space to unpack those complex dynamics together. Connect With Us Your stories and questions are the heartbeat of this show, they help us all feel a little more seen. We’d love to hear how these conversations are landing with you. Do you have an invisible grief story to share, a question about today’s topic, or a weekly "Glimmer" that’s bringing you joy? 💌 Reach out to us: hello@livinglosspodcast.com By sharing your heart, you’re helping us grow this community and reach others who desperately need to know their grief is valid. We are so honored to be on this journey with you. We read every single email and can’t wait to connect. (Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for professional therapy.)

  1. 2d ago

    Living with Coping Mechanisms: Overrated vs. Underrated | S2 | Ep2

    Welcome back to the Living Lost Podcast! As licensed mental health counselors, hosts Daiana Bernard and Cassandra Harris Towner are here to unpack the quiet, complex griefs that don't come with a funeral. Because you can't heal what you don't acknowledge. Before next week's special interview with author Kristy Halvorsen, Daiana and Cassandra set the stage by breaking down the clinical vocabulary of invisible losses. They also debut a brand-new game called "Overrated or Underrated," where they put popular self-care trends and coping mechanisms to the test. What We Discuss in This Episode Overrated vs. Underrated: The hosts debate common coping cliches. Is saying "everything happens for a reason" helpful or invalidating? What is the actual therapeutic value of screaming into a pillow, taking a bubble bath, retail therapy, or making dark jokes about your trauma? The Power of the Block Button: Why curating your social media feed and muting or blocking accounts, is a top-tier strategy for surviving ambiguous loss and protecting your peace. Cumulative Grief (Grief Overload): Navigating the "avalanche effect" when multiple losses, like a terminal illness, a breakup, and professional setbacks, occur in close succession without time to process. Disenfranchised Grief: Validating the quiet losses that society often ignores or dismisses, such as the end of a friendship or a career change. Identity Loss: How to mourn the intangible losses, like an imagined future, a role transition, or a sudden change in your life's trajectory. Living Loss LessonIt is not about fixing grief; it is about finding the strength to carry it. Coping isn't always perfect, and sometimes our strategies only offer a fleeting moment of relief. Give yourself the grace to accept that you are doing the best you can, even if that means canceling plans to stay home in your sweatpants. Connect & Resources Instagram: @thelivinglosspodcast Email: hello@livinglosspodcast.com (Guest inquiries & story submissions) Keep in touch, Sign up for our newsletter!  https://thelivinglossnondeathgriefmentalhealth.riverside.com/newsletter Support the Show: If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe and share it with a friend! Work With Us  Daiana Bernard, LMHC: MeaningfulTherapyFL.com | healing@meaningfultherapyfl.com (In-person Riverview, FL & FL Telehealth)  Cassandra Harris-Towner: Cassandra@firststridezcounseling.com (In-person Ocala, FL & FL Telehealth) Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for clinical care. Guest opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or The Living Loss Podcast.

  2. Aug 20

    Living with Hidden Grief: Naming the Non-Death Losses You Didn't Know You Had | S 2 | Ep 1

    Welcome back to Season Two of The Living Loss Podcast! Licensed Mental Health Counselors Daiana Bernard and Cassandra Harris-Towner kick off the new season by diving into the quiet, non-death losses that disrupt our lives. From navigating summer schedule chaos and sudden life pivots to shattering the "assumptive world" we build in our minds, this episode explores what happens when life simply doesn't go according to the blueprint. Join Daiana and Cassandra as they play an interactive quiz breaking down real-life scenarios, discuss clinical concepts in plain language, and share their own summer highs, lows, and "wait, what?" moments. In this episode, we explore: The "Assumptive World": Why sudden pivots (like unexpected school changes or schedule collapses) trigger genuine grief responses. Highs, Lows & "Wait, What?": Summer road trips, facing the pain of returning to meaningful places, and unexpected personal trivia. Interactive Grief Quiz: Naming everyday hidden losses through real-world scenarios. Living Loss Lessons: Moving toward radical acceptance when control is an illusion, and finding the courage to lean into grief rather than avoid it. Resources Mentioned: Book: How Will I Ever Get Through This? Evidence-based Tools to Help You Heal from Hardship, Grief, and Loss by Dr. Lucy Hone. Connect & Resources Instagram: @thelivinglosspodcast Email: hello@livinglosspodcast.com (Guest inquiries & story submissions) Support the Show: If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe and share it with a friend! Work With Us  Daiana Bernard, LMHC: MeaningfulTherapyFL.com | healing@meaningfultherapyfl.com (In-person Riverview, FL & FL Telehealth)  Cassandra Harris-Towner: Cassandra@firststridezcounseling.com (In-person Ocala, FL & FL Telehealth) Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for clinical care. Guest opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or The Living Loss Podcast.

  3. Aug 13 ·  Bonus

    Bonus Ep | Living with Pérdida Ambigua | Ni De Aquí, Ni De Allá with Eliana Perez

    In this special edition of The Living Loss Podcast, host Daiana Bernard, LMHC, sits down with her close friend and cousin, Eliana Perez, for a relaxed, "coffee with family" conversation about the first- and second-generation bicultural experience.Together, they unpack the unique emotional landscapes of navigating identity between two cultures (ni de aquí, ni de allá) and shed light on various forms of non-traditional grief that often go unnamed in Latino culture. From unpacking cultural expectations around resilience (echar pa’lante) to exploring how unrecognized grief shapes our daily lives, this episode offers a warm, relatable validation for anyone balancing heritage, identity, and personal healing.Key Takeaways & Topics CoveredThe Birth of a Spanglish Space: Daiana shares her inspiration behind creating a casual, panel-style space to discuss trauma, family patterns, and emotional health in the language that reflects their lived reality.Understanding First & Second-Generation Grief: Exploring how moving between cultures creates subtle, ongoing losses that traditional conversations around grief often overlook.Navigating Cultural Identity (Ni De Aquí, Ni De Allá): Finding peace and grounding in your roots while living in a different culture, and learning to stand unapologetically in your identity without needing validation.Types of Unnamed Grief Explored:Ambiguous Loss (Pérdida Ambigua): Experiencing ongoing grief for living family members, cultures, or homelands that remain physically distant.Anticipatory Grief (Duelo Anticipado): Mourning future losses or changes before they happen—such as grieving the loss of native language fluency in the next generation or anticipating painful departures.Delayed Grief (Duelo Postergado): Setting aside emotional pain to focus on immediate survival and responsibilities, only to have it surface unexpectedly later.Complicated Grief (Duelo Complicado): When delayed pain interacts with long-standing trauma, disrupting daily life and emotional well-being.Reframing "Echar Pa’lante": Moving away from the pressure to always remain tough or learn lessons "the hard way," and embracing therapy as a tool to process pain on your own terms. "Deja de poner el duelo al lado... Si tú no lidias con él y lo dejas al lado, el duelo te hace lidiar con él cuando él quiere."— Eliana Perez"Living here and being there are both beautiful sides. Living here doesn't take away my Dominican identity."— Eliana Perez Connect & ResourcesEmail the Show: Have a story to share or want to be a guest on an upcoming episode? Reach out to us at Email: hello@livinglosspodcast.com If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, share with a friend, a prima, and leave a review. It helps us reach others who need to hear that their grief is valid. Disclaimer: This podcast is intended strictly for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes. Host insights and guest conversations do not constitute professional mental health counseling or clinical therapy.

  4. Aug 6

    RP | Living with Collective Grief: The 80s baby Experience Part 2

    While Daiana and Cassandra are behind the scenes preparing for Season 2, they wanted to keep the conversation going. This week, they are bringing you Part 2 of our 80’s Baby and cumulative grief conversation. Enjoy the episode, and they will be back with fresh content very soon! In this replay, Cassandra and Daiana shift the conversation from simply surviving a chaotic generational timeline to intentionally living through it. Together, they explore how major events, from 9/11 and the 2008 recession to the COVID-19 pandemic, create delayed grief and hypervigilance in our nervous systems. Learn why practicing "radical honesty" helps strip away shame, how the body holds onto trauma even when our minds try to power through, and how you can widen your window of tolerance by actively looking for micro-moments of safety, nostalgia, and joy. Thank you for being part of our circle! If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, follow, and share it with someone who might be carrying their loss in silence. Instagram: @thelivinglosspodcast  Email: livinglosspodcast@gmail.com If you’re interested in a consultation for individual therapy with Daiana Bernard, please reach out via email or visit the practice website below. Email: healing@meaningfultherapyfl.com Website: MeaningfulTherapyFL.com Location: Riverview, FL, In-Person, and Telehealth serving clients throughout Florida. If you’re interested in a consultation with Cassandra Harris-Towner please reach out via email or visit the practice website below. Email: Cassandra@firststridezcounseling.com Website: firststridezcounseling.com Location: Ocala, FL, In-Person, and Telehealth serving clients throughout Florida. Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes. While we are licensed mental health counselors, we are not your therapists, and this does not replace professional mental health care. If you need support, please reach out to a local professional.

  5. Jul 30

    RP | Living with Collective Grief: The 80s Baby Experience

    While Cassandra and I are behind the scenes preparing for Season 2, we wanted to keep the conversation going by revisiting an episode that is incredibly close to our hearts.If you constantly feel like you are bracing for the other shoe to drop, you aren't alone. In this replay of Episode 3, we unpack the heavy, overlapping weights of collective and cumulative grief. We explore how decades of non-stop global events have uniquely impacted the "window of tolerance" for 80s babies and elder millennials, often leaving us stuck in states of hyper-arousal (anxiety and panic) or hypo-arousal (freezing and checking out).We also share personal reflections on navigating tragedies like Hurricane Sandy and Sandy Hook as new mothers, and the delicate balance of raising children in a chaotic world while actively trying to heal our own inner child.What We CoverDefining the Heavy Stuff: The difference between collective grief (shared societal trauma) and cumulative grief (grief overload from back-to-back losses).The Window of Tolerance: Dr. Dan Siegel’s concept, and why our generation's baseline for "normal" has shifted, shrinking our capacity to cope.Parenting Through Chaos: Balancing the desire to protect our children's innocence with the necessity of preparing them for reality.The Duality of Healing: Finding glimpses of joy and peace when the world feels entirely out of our control.Join the ConversationHave you felt stuck outside your window of tolerance? Do you swing between hyper-vigilance and total numbness? We want to hear your stories. Email us at hello@livinglosspodcast.com.Please subscribe and share this episode with someone who might need to know their grief is valid. We can't wait to see you for Part 2 (Ep. 4), where we will talk about radical honesty, reducing shame, and moving from just surviving to actually living!Instagram: @thelivinglosspodcast  Email: hello@livinglosspodcast.com If you’re interested in a consultation for individual therapy with Daiana Bernard, please reach out via email or visit the practice website below. Email: healing@meaningfultherapyfl.com Website: MeaningfulTherapyFL.com Location: Riverview, FL, In-Person, and Telehealth serving clients throughout Florida. If you’re interested in a consultation with Cassandra Harris-Towner please reach out via email or visit the practice website below. Email: Cassandra@firststridezcounseling.com Website: firststridezcounseling.com Location: Ocala, FL, In-Person, and Telehealth serving clients throughout Florida. Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes. While we are licensed mental health counselors, we are not your therapists, and this does not replace professional mental health care. If you need support, please reach out to a local professional.

  6. Jul 23 ·  Bonus

    Bonus Ep | Living with Pérdidas en Vida | The First-Gen Grief Experience

    In this special solo edition of The Living Loss Podcast, host Daiana Bernard, LMHC, steps to the mic for an intimate, heart-to-heart conversation in Spanglish. While taking a break between seasons, Daiana shares her personal journey as a Brooklyn-born Dominican-American navigating mental health, psychology, and el duelo in her first language. Together, we break down what a "Living Loss" (pérdida en vida) really means and hold space for the unique, unspoken grief carried across first-generation experiences. From unpacking cultural definitions of loss to reframing survival mode, this episode offers a compassionate reminder that your pain is valid—even when nobody brings you flowers for it. Key Takeaways & Topics CoveredRedefining Grief Beyond Bereavement: Unpacking how nuestra cultura often teaches us that el duelo only happens when someone passes away, and giving a name to the losses that happen while life goes on.The First-Gen Balancing Act: Navigating the complex emotional space of straddling two worlds and honoring the subtle grief of feeling ni de aquí, ni de allá.First-Gen Guilt & Setting Boundaries: Exploring the heavy guilt that often surfaces as we grow, set healthy boundaries, and choose to do things differently than our parents.Loss of Self & Unfulfilled Dreams: Acknowledging the silent pain of outgrowing old versions of yourself, grieving lost identity, or letting go of dreams that didn't materialize.Living Loss Lesson: Giving yourself full permission to validate your grief, step out of survival mode, and offer yourself self-compassion without judgment. Because at the end of the day, you can't heal what you don't acknowledge.Connect & ResourcesEmail the Show: Have a story to share or want to be a guest on an upcoming episode? Reach out to us at Email: hello@livinglosspodcast.com If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, share with a friend, a prima, and leave a review. It helps us reach others who need to hear that their grief is valid. "In our culture, we are often taught that el duelo only happens when someone passes away. But what about the losses that nobody brings you flowers for?" — Daiana Bernard, LMHC Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional therapy.

  7. Jul 16

    RP | Living with the Hidden Grief of Pet Loss with Adam Greenbaum

    During our brief hiatus, we're sharing a replay of one of our most touching conversations. Daiana drops in for a special intro before Cassandra’s powerful interview with pet loss advocate Adam Greenbaum.Adam shares the story of losing his beloved dog, Baxter, navigating anticipatory grief with his senior dog, Sophie, and how he turned his pain into Love Baxter, a platform supporting pet parents through their hardest goodbye. What You’ll Learn in This Episode The Reality of Disenfranchised Grief: Why society minimizes pet loss and how to validate your own heartbreak.Navigating Anticipatory Grief: How to cope with the dread and anxiety that comes as our pets age or face illness.Finding Meaning in the Pain: Adam’s journey of building a supportive community and resource hub through Love Baxter.Living Loss Lessons: Tangible takeaways on how to honor your pets, stay present, and create lasting memories without regret.How to Support Others: Actionable advice on what to say (and what not to say) when someone you love loses an animal companion. Resources & Links Mentioned Explore Love Baxter: lovebaxter.comFollow on Instagram: @lovebaxterco Support the Show If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it to help us reach others who might be carrying their loss in silence. Instagram: @thelivinglosspodcastEmail: hello@livinglosspodcast.com Work With Us If you’re interested in an individual therapy consultation, please reach out to us: Daiana Bernard: healing@meaningfultherapyfl.com | MeaningfulTherapyFL.com | Location: Riverview, FL (In-Person & Telehealth statewide) Cassandra Harris-Towner: Cassandra@firststridezcounseling.com | firststridezcounseling.com | Location: Ocala, FL (In-Person & Telehealth statewide) Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes. While we are licensed mental health counselors, we are not your therapists, and this does not replace professional mental health care. If you need support, please reach out to a local professional.

  8. Jul 9

    RP | Living with the Silence of Navigating the Loss of Friendships

    The Living Loss Podcast is officially on summer break! While we recharge, we are replaying some of the most impactful conversations from Season One. Keeping it real, society gives us rituals for romantic breakups and family passing, but there is no public script or timeline for the ache of losing a close friend. Whether the friendship experienced a gradual fade, a sudden ghosting, or a shift because of different life seasons, friendship loss is a quiet earthquake. In this episode, Cassandra and Daiana sit down to validate the unseen losses and hidden grief tied to adult friendships. What You'll Hear in This Episode: The "Quiet Earthquake": Why friendship breakups perfectly capture ambiguous loss and disenfranchised grief.The 3 AM Rumination Loop: Why our brains desperately crave closure when a friend leaves, and how to stop taking the end of a relationship as a personal failure.Identity Disruption: How we attach parts of our identity to our friends, and how to answer the question, "Who am I without them?"Attachment Injuries: Navigating the fear of vulnerability with new friends after a deep connection is broken.The Magic of "Low-Maintenance" Friends: Embracing the shifting dynamics of adult friendships and why it is perfectly okay to outgrow people as your values change. Connect With Us: If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, follow, and share it with someone who might be carrying their loss in silence. Instagram: @thelivinglosspodcast  Email: hello@livinglosspodcast.com If you’re interested in a consultation for individual therapy with Daiana Bernard, please reach out via email or visit the practice website below. Email: healing@meaningfultherapyfl.com Website: MeaningfulTherapyFL.com Location: Riverview, FL, In-Person, and Telehealth serving clients throughout Florida. If you’re interested in a consultation with Cassandra Harris-Towner please reach out via email or visit the practice website below. Email: Cassandra@firststridezcounseling.com Website: firststridezcounseling.com Location: Ocala, FL, In-Person, and Telehealth serving clients throughout Florida. Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. While we are licensed therapists, we are not your therapists, and this does not replace professional mental health care. If you need support, please reach out to a professional near you.

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About

Welcome to The Living Loss Podcast! Hosted by Licensed Mental Health Counselors Daiana Bernard and Cassandra Harris-Towner, this podcast shines a light on navigating invisible grief and major life transitions. What happens when you are grieving something other than a physical death? We focus on non-death grief and the profound, often unacknowledged losses we all face, the fading of a dream, a difficult medical diagnosis, or the loss of a former identity. These hidden experiences deeply impact our mental health and relationships, yet they are constantly minimized by the outside world. Through insightful solo episodes and diverse guest interviews, we validate these lived experiences and offer tangible tools to help you move toward healing. We are building a community where no loss is too "small" or too "wild" to talk about. It’s time to acknowledge the weight of what you're carrying and rediscover your purpose through shared values and genuine connection. 🎙️ Bonus Spanglish Episodes Every so often, look out for our special bonus episodes in Spanglish! In these conversations, we dive into the unique intersections of grief, life transitions, and the first- and second-generation experience. Navigating multiple cultures, shifting family dynamics, and breaking cycles brings its own layered, unspoken losses, and these episodes offer a validating space to unpack those complex dynamics together. Connect With Us Your stories and questions are the heartbeat of this show, they help us all feel a little more seen. We’d love to hear how these conversations are landing with you. Do you have an invisible grief story to share, a question about today’s topic, or a weekly "Glimmer" that’s bringing you joy? 💌 Reach out to us: hello@livinglosspodcast.com By sharing your heart, you’re helping us grow this community and reach others who desperately need to know their grief is valid. We are so honored to be on this journey with you. We read every single email and can’t wait to connect. (Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for professional therapy.)

Information

  • Creator
    Daiana Bernard, LMHC & Cassandra Harris-Towner, LMHC
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    34
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Daiana Bernard, LMHC & Cassandra Harris-Towner, LMHC

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