Grief, Gratitude & The Gray in Between

Kendra Rinaldi
Grief, Gratitude & The Gray in Between

Podcast by Kendra Rinaldi

  1. 207.  A Caregiver's Journey Through  Love and Loss with Tony Stewart

    JUN 26

    207. A Caregiver's Journey Through Love and Loss with Tony Stewart

    Tony Stewart has made award-winning films for colleges and universities,, written software that received rave reviews in The New York Times and the New York Daily News, designed a grants-management application that was used by three of the five largest charities in the world, and led the development of an international standard for the messages involved in buying and selling advertisements, for which he spoke at conferences across Europe and North America. Carrying the Tiger is his first published book. Tony and his late wife Lynn Kotula, a painter, traveled extensively in India and Southeast Asia, staying in small hotels off the beaten track and eating delicious food with their fingers when cutlery wasn’t available. Inspired by the experience of writing Carrying the Tiger, Tony is now studying to become a Certified Grief Educator. www.tonystewartauthor.com Show Highlights: •Tony Stewart, author of Carrying the Tiger, shares his deeply personal memoir, chronicling his wife Lynn's 6.5-year battle with stage four cancer and his profound grief journey. •Discover how Tony's daily writings to friends on CaringBridge evolved into his book, serving as a "love story told almost entirely by actions" that allowed Lynn to live fully despite her illness. •Hear Tony describe the final weeks of Lynn's life in home hospice as "the best two weeks of my life," a "miraculous" time of deep physical care and spiritual connection. •Learn about Lynn's powerful and comforting last words: "Don't bother me. I've got a lot to do," which left Tony with a sense of mystery and spiritual insight. •Tony bravely discusses finding new love after immense loss, and the complexities of honoring Lynn's memory while opening his heart to a new relationship. •Explore the meaningful origin of the book's title, "Carrying the Tiger," which stems from a Tai Chi concept of facing and making challenges less threatening. •Gain insight into why Carrying the Tiger is described by readers as an inspiring and joy-filled experience, rather than a depressing one, despite its difficult subject matter. Reachout to Kendra Rinaldi to be a guest or have her as a guest https://www.griefgratitudeandthegrayinbetween.com/

    51 min
  2. 206. Navigating Pet Loss Grief: Honoring Our Beloved Animals with Beth Bigler

    JUN 19

    206. Navigating Pet Loss Grief: Honoring Our Beloved Animals with Beth Bigler

    Beth  Bigler is a Pet Loss Grief Counselor, end-of-life animal companion doula, and pet chaplain. She works with individuals and families before, during, and after the loss of their beloved animal companion. She’s also known for her Instagram account @honoringouranimals where she shares daily original content and tips about pet loss grief which are a unique blend of tools, compassion, and “telling it like it is.” She works closely with animal care workers, veterinary professionals, and other pet industry brands on grief training and awareness. She is a regular contributor to podcasts, articles, and other media. Her debut book, Honoring Our Animals: 365 Meditations for Healing After Pet Loss is published by Quarto Books.  Beth is also a seasoned film/television professional, college instructor, and mom to a five-year-old son and two divine felines! The best way to learn about Beth is through her Instagram @honoringouranimals or website: www.honoringouranimals.com Other podcast episode with Beth Recommended Pet Loss Books For Kids 6 and UnderFind Momo Everywhere by Andrew KnappRemembering by Xelena GonzalezThe Tenth Good Thing About Barney by Judith ViorstThe Invisible Leash by Patrice KarstRemembering Blue Fish (Daniel Tiger) by Becky Friedman Show Highlights: •Beth Bigler, a certified pet loss grief counselor, explains why pet loss is often a "disenfranchised grief," lacking societal acknowledgment despite being as intense, or even more profound, than human loss due to disrupted routines and deep emotional bonds. •Gain insight into compassionate euthanasia, understanding it as a medical decision to ensure a "good death" for beloved pets, emphasizing dignity and avoiding suffering. •Discover practical tools and strategies for coping with grief, including managing guilt and "what ifs," and developing self-compassion, noting how these skills are foundational life tools applicable to all major life events.. •Learn valuable tips for parents on supporting children through pet loss, advocating for honest, age-appropriate language, recognizing that children grieve in spurts, and involving them in memorializing rituals. •Explore Beth's new book, "Honoring Our Animals: 365 Meditations for Healing After Loss," a practical resource offering daily guidance on coping, identity, and maintaining connection with beloved pets. •Understand the power of maintaining daily rituals with your beloved, like greeting their photo, to comfort your brain and foster a sense of continuity after physical absence. •Reflect on "anticipatory grief" and the concept that "your goodbye begins on day one," encouraging gratitude for every moment spent with your beloved animal. Connect with Kendra Rinaldi at https://www.griefgratitudeandthegrayinbetween.com/

    47 min
  3. 205. Honoring a Lifelong Love:  Grief, Legacy, and The Isaac Collection with Pamela Blake

    JUN 12

    205. Honoring a Lifelong Love: Grief, Legacy, and The Isaac Collection with Pamela Blake

    Pamela Blake, PhD, is the CEO of Utamatzi Inc, an independent publishing imprint dedicated to bringing creative, high-quality fiction to readers in the global marketplace. The initial offering is The Isaak Collection, which consists of five novels by her late husband, David Isaak. Prior to forming Utamatzi several years ago, Dr. Blake was a Technical Fellow with The Boeing Company, from which she retired in 2020, after twenty years of employment. She is an expert in quantified performance assessment of imaging sensors and in the development and application of algorithms that exploit the underlying physics and phenomenology for automated feature and object recognition. She holds a BA in Physics from Willamette University in Salem, OR, amd MS and PhD degrees in Geology/Geophysics from the University of Hawaii, Manoa. Dr. Blake resides in Huntington Beach, California. For more information, please consult: https://utamatzi.com. Show Highlights:  Navigating Grief and Legacy: Join Dr. Pamela Blake, CEO of Utamatsi Inc., as she shares her profound journey of processing grief as a loss, not a wound, following the sudden passing of her lifelong companion, David Isaak. From Love Story to Literary Imprint: Discover how Pamela's desire to honor David's lifelong passion for writing led her to create Utamatsi Inc., publishing his five novels as The Isaac Collection. The Genesis of The Isaac Collection: Learn about David's dedication to writing his novels, the challenges he faced with traditional publishing, and the emotional success of his first published work, "Tomorrow Bill," which impressively charted on Amazon. Enduring Connection and Shared Life: Hear about Pamela and David's extraordinary relationship that began at age 14, their shared love for music and gardening, and how Pamela continues to feel David's presence and guidance in her daily life. Embracing New Chapters: Explore Pamela's remarkable pivot from a distinguished career at The Boeing Company to becoming a publisher, and her future plans to write a sequel to David's novel and a guide for aspiring self-publishers. Powerful Takeaways: Pamela offers poignant advice: "Don't wait to tell somebody you love of them," "Don't be afraid to tell your story," and the importance of finding a "driving force" through life's deepest challenges. Contact Kendra Rinaldi to be a guest on the podcast or to have her on your podcast:  https://www.griefgratitudeandthegrayinbetween.com/book-online

    40 min
  4. 204. Reconectar con la Vida:  Fe, Equilibrio y Renacer con Lanny Vahlis

    JUN 5

    204. Reconectar con la Vida: Fe, Equilibrio y Renacer con Lanny Vahlis

    Lanny Vahlis, nacida y criada en Venezuela, llegó a Estados Unidos hace 15 años con el sueño de construir una nueva vida. Actualmente se desempeña como Gerente de Proyectos de Construcción e inversionista en bienes raíces, un camino profesional que ha construido con esfuerzo y determinación. Más allá de su carrera, Lanny es madre de dos hijos, Jake y Derek, quienes representan su mayor fuente de motivación y fortaleza. Su historia de resiliencia está marcada por desafíos personales y profesionales, incluyendo su experiencia como inmigrante y su reciente proceso de sanación tras un diagnóstico de cáncer de mama. Apasionada por las artes marciales, encuentra en el kickboxing y el jiu-jitsu su vía de escape para liberar el estrés y fortalecer tanto su cuerpo como su mente. A lo largo de los años, ha aprendido a equilibrar sus responsabilidades con su bienestar emocional y físico, estableciendo límites claros en su vida laboral y personal. Hoy, Lanny vive con una renovada perspectiva, priorizando su salud, su familia y su crecimiento espiritual. A través de su historia, busca inspirar a otras mujeres a escuchar su cuerpo, cuidar su bienestar y vivir con propósito y equilibrio. Además, ha aprendido a trazar límites saludables en su vida, asegurando que su bienestar y el de su familia sean siempre su prioridad. Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/iamlannyvahlis/# Resaltes de nuestra conversacion:  Presentación y contexto: trayectoria de Lanny como gerente de proyectos de construcción, madre de dos hijos y su experiencia como inmigrante en Estados Unidos. Diagnóstico y proceso médico: impacto del estrés en su salud, importancia de la prevención, diagnóstico temprano y tratamiento. Impacto emocional y familiar: emociones tras recibir la noticia, miedo e incertidumbre, afectación en su entorno cercano y su decisión de vivir el proceso con conciencia. Reconexión espiritual y mental: acercamiento a Dios, aprendizaje sobre la energía femenina y estrategias para gestionar pensamientos invasivos. Transformación en estilo de vida: cambios en alimentación, ejercicio, manejo del estrés y establecimiento de límites en su rutina laboral. Red de apoyo y conexiones: selección de personas positivas en su entorno, eliminación de relaciones que no sumaban y encuentros con amigas como fuente de apoyo. Aprendizajes y reflexiones finales: importancia de la prevención en la salud, gratitud por su proceso de transformación y resiliencia como herramienta de crecimiento personal Contacta a Kendra Rinaldi para mas informacion sobre como ser invitado/a  en el podcast  https://www.griefgratitudeandthegrayinbetween.com/

    55 min
  5. 202.  Grief, Signs & Spiritual Connection with Rebecca Schaper

    MAY 22

    202. Grief, Signs & Spiritual Connection with Rebecca Schaper

    Rebecca Schaper is an author, filmmaker, philanthropist, and mental health advocate. Her new book, “Roses to Rainbow – My Dog Gus in the Aferlife,” is a moving story that includes transcripts of psychic sessions Rebecca had with an animal communicator after the sudden, unexpected passing of her dog – Gus. The book also includes Rebecca’s notes from her daily journal as she responds to both earthly and spiritual guidance from Gus. She also  co-produced and directed the award-winning documentary A Sister’s Call. The film chronicles her mission to bring her brother Call Richmond Jr. back from the depths of homelessness and schizophrenia, all while seeking ways to heal herself and her family from the past. Her memoir The Light in His Soul: Lessons from My Brother’s Schizophrenia recounts the events in the film, supplemented by her intimate personal reflections on recovering from trauma and developing spiritual insight. Rebecca makes frequent public and media appearances as a spokesperson for mental-health awareness and spiritual development, including presentations to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Vinfen community-based services, the NYC Mental Health Film Festival, Greenville Mental Hospital, the Canadian Mental Health Association, the First Presbyterian Church in Greenville, and the American Psychiatric Association (APA). She is a supporter of NAMI, as well as benefactor of the Great Plains Foundation for African wildlife conservation, a family-assistance program in Kigali, Rwanda, a children’s school at the Drepung Gomang Monastery in Bhutan, and The Healing Center in Bali. She is also facilitating the global outreach efforts of the Last Inca Shamans Healing Association of Q'ero Nation in the Cusco region of Peru.  She helped sponsor the film Ram Dass, Going Home by Derek Peck. She makes her home with her husband Jim in Georgia.  https://www.rebeccaschaper.com/about https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaSchaperAuthor/       https://x.com/rebecca_schaper Show Highlights: A Sister’s Search for Her Lost Brother – Rebecca shares the emotional journey of finding her brother Call after 20 years. Navigating Mental Health & Advocacy – How Rebecca’s experience shaped her understanding of schizophrenia, trauma, and support. Signs & Synchronicities in Grief – The spiritual connection Rebecca felt with her late dog Gus and how signs continued to show up. The Unconditional Love of Pets – How Gus’s presence helped her heal and process layers of grief. Transforming Grief Into Purpose – Rebecca’s work in storytelling and advocacy for mental health awareness. Honoring Loved Ones Through Action – Turning pain into projects that inspire and educate others. Contact Kendra Rinaldi  https://www.griefgratitudeandthegrayinbetween.com/

    50 min
4.8
out of 5
42 Ratings

About

Podcast by Kendra Rinaldi

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.

Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada