Grief & Happiness

Emily Thiroux Threatt
  • 4.9 (24)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Grief & Happiness

Aloha! Welcome to the Grief and Happiness podcast.  My name is Emily Thiroux Threatt, and I am your host. I am the author of Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief, The Grief and Happiness Handbook, and creator of Grief and Happiness Cards: Gentle Support for Dealing with Grief and Finding Happiness  My purpose with the Grief and Happiness Podcast is to demonstrate to people who are dealing with grief and loss that they can grieve and be happy at the same time. The wide variety of guests address the myriad of issues that arise with loss and the spectrum of how grief and happiness relate. After a loved one dies, often people say they will never be happy again. By covering thought-provoking topics like creativity, compassion, community, purpose, inner peace, strength, coping, surrendering, and resilience with authors, speakers, coaches, and friends, listeners find inspiration and confidence guiding them on their grief journey. Each week the podcast showcases an interview with an inspiring guest and an additional brief podcast with a message of support and comfort. Anyone dealing with grief or loss can come to the Grief and Happiness podcast to find comfort, support, love, and happiness. You are welcome here to learn ways to live your best life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. What Would You Do?

    2D AGO

    What Would You Do?

    Do you live in the moment? Are you doing what you love to do? Let's Connect: You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide here See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    4 min

  2. 5D AGO

    Grieving in Silence Didn’t Work—So This Widow Created a Grief Retreat That She Needed

    If you’ve ever felt isolated in your grief or unsure how to move forward after a major loss, episode 350 is for you. Jen Newberg, widow and founder of It’s Lifey, shares how she transformed her pain into purpose by creating retreats and support spaces for others navigating life after loss. Learn how connection, storytelling, and even unexpected tools like writing can become powerful pathways to healing—and why community is essential when rebuilding your life. In This Episode, You Will Learn: (2:40) Why Jen founded It's Lifey and how a retreat in Costa Rica inspired her mission (5:35) Building a grief retreat from scratch—and why she’s focused on in-person connection (9:10) How grief support circles offer more than comfort: they create deep bonds (11:40) The unexpected healing power of writing—even for people who don't see themselves as writers (15:00) How grief creates a ripple effect—and how to show up as a “grief ally” (18:45) The trauma of sudden loss abroad and navigating bureaucracy after her husband’s death (21:40) Why storytelling helps shrink grief—and how your narrative evolves over time (24:30) Finding purpose through pain: why Jen views her work as a tribute to her late husband (28:50) What “grief growing smaller” really means, and why the firsts are the hardest In today's episode,  I'm joined by Jen Newberg, a Boston-based entrepreneur and community-builder who turned the sudden loss of her husband into a mission to support others through grief. Drawing from her own healing journey and background in nonprofit leadership—including her role at Boys & Girls Clubs of America—Jen founded It’s Lifey, a retreat and support organization for people navigating major life transitions, especially young widows. Throughout this episode, Jen shares how creating It’s Lifey helped her rediscover purpose and connection, and why in-person community is central to healing. She reflects on the unexpected power of writing and storytelling—even as someone who never considered herself a writer—and how simple support, like a weekly text, can mean everything. Her insights remind us that while loss is inevitable, it doesn’t have to be faced alone—and that even in deep grief, purpose and joy can be found. Connect with Jen Newberg: Website Instagram LinkedIn Let's Connect: Website LinkedIn Instagram Twitter Pinterest The Grief and Happiness Alliance Book: Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    36 min
  3. Share Some Kindness

    JUL 4

    Share Some Kindness

    What kindness can you share with others? Make a plan, and do it today! Let's Connect: You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide here See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    5 min

  4. JUN 24

    The Quiet Power of Being Present. Reimagining Death, Grief, and Connection with Nancy MacMillan

    If you've ever wondered what it would feel like to stay present at a loved one's death, or how to keep them close after they've passed, episode 348 is for you. Nancy MacMillan, psychotherapist, spiritual care provider, and author of The Call to the Far Shore, joins Emily for a tender and profound conversation about how reclaiming traditional practices around dying can bring peace, healing, and lifelong connection. Together, they explore how small rituals, presence, and storytelling can open a doorway to a more soulful grief experience. In This Episode, You Will Learn: (1:10) Why Nancy wrote The Call to the Far Shore despite not planning to write a book (2:30) What we've lost by distancing ourselves from death in modern society (5:10) Nancy's spiritual experience at her father's bedside (7:30) How she kept connection with her father alive through weekly "coffee chats" (9:40) Why death is not an emergency, and how staying present can shift your grief (11:00) The powerful ritual of tending to her mother's body for three days (14:20) How personal and ancestral rituals can ease the fear of death (17:00) The value of writing letters to loved ones who have passed (20:30) Simple ways to invite a felt sense of presence from someone who has died (25:00) How signs and synchronicities can affirm that love continues (29:10) The importance of including ancestors in our family stories and gatherings In today's episode, Emily is joined by Nancy MacMillan, a Canadian psychotherapist, spiritual care provider, and the author of "The Call to the Far Shore: Carrying Our Loved Ones Through Dying, Death, and Beyond." Drawing from decades of professional and personal experience, Nancy invites listeners to reimagine death as something sacred, present, and transformative. Her approach blends emotional insight with spiritual awareness, offering a path to connection and healing. Nancy shares stories of witnessing her father's final breath, caring for her mother's body at home, and finding ways to stay close to loved ones who have passed. She and Emily explore how gentle rituals, creative expression, and quiet presence can help us navigate grief while staying connected to the people we miss most. At its heart, this episode reminds us that love continues, and we can learn to feel its presence in new ways. Connect with Nancy MacMillan: Website Book: The Call to the Far Shore: Carrying Our Loved Ones through Dying, Death, and Beyond Join Nancy's Newsletter Connect with Emily Thiroux Threatt: Website Facebook Pinterest The Grief and Happiness Alliance Book: Emily Thiroux Threatt - Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    34 min
  5. Aliveness While Grieving

    JUN 20

    Aliveness While Grieving

    What can you do to live your best life? Let's Connect: You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide here See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    4 min

  6. JUN 17

    Being Open to What Feeds Your Heart Heals: How Brenda Coffee Rebuilt Herself by Finding Her Voice

    If you've ever wondered how to find yourself again after years of caregiving, silence, or loss, episode 346 of Grief and Happiness is for you. Brenda Coffee, author, blogger, and survivor, joins Emily for a deeply personal conversation about grief, trauma, and the long path back to yourself. Through stories of profound heartbreak and quiet resilience, Brenda shares how she went from being the strong one for everyone else to finally listening to her own voice. In This Episode, You Will Learn: (1:22) Brenda's first experience with profound grief: losing her father (4:00) Living with and caring for a mother with mental illness (5:30) Why trauma made Brenda grow up fast—and stay quiet for decades (8:10) Her first marriage, emotional abuse, and the moment she said, "No more" (12:30) Meeting her second husband and building a new life (14:50) The first experience of anticipatory grief during her husband's illness (17:40) Losing her second husband suddenly on Christmas Day (20:10) The complexity of grief: relief, heartbreak, and isolation (25:40) Why Brenda finally started writing—and what it healed (28:10) The silent cost of being "the strong one" (31:00) How writing and blogging became a path back to herself (33:10) A friend's phone call that helped her shift her perspective (36:50) What survivors really need—and the courage to be vulnerable (39:30) The importance of not comparing trauma or grief (42:10) How happiness can coexist with sorrow In today's episode, I’m joined by Brenda Coffee, author of Maya Blue: A Memoir of Survival. Brenda is a former caregiver, writer, and speaker whose life has been shaped by loss, emotional abuse, and deep resilience. Her memoir offers a raw and honest look at surviving two marriages filled with illness, addiction, and tragedy. For decades, she put others first, but eventually, she found the strength to reclaim her own identity. Now, she uses her voice to support others in grief and guide them toward new beginnings. Throughout this episode, Brenda opens up about losing her father as a child, navigating her mother’s mental illness, and surviving an emotionally abusive first marriage. She shares how caregiving for a husband with cancer became both a burden and a purpose, and how losing her second husband suddenly on Christmas Day unraveled everything she had rebuilt. Connect with Brenda Coffee: Website Instagram LinkedIn Facebook Maya Blue: A Memoir of Survival Read Brenda’s blog - 1010 ParkPlace Connect with Emily Thiroux Threatt: Website LinkedIn Facebook The Grief and Happiness Alliance Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    32 min
  7. Tender tears

    JUN 13

    Tender tears

    What do you cry about now? What can you do about that? Let's Connect: You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide here See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    4 min

  8. JUN 10

    The Doctor Who Teaches Death: How Dr. Cynthia X. Pan Is Changing End-of-Life Care

    If you’ve ever avoided talking about death with a loved one because it felt too uncomfortable or culturally off-limits, episode 344 is for you. Dr. Cynthia X. Pan, a leading expert in end-of-life care, shares practical strategies for navigating these sensitive conversations with empathy and clarity. Learn how to approach topics like advanced directives and final wishes—especially across cultural lines—so you can honor your loved ones’ values and find peace in knowing you did right by them. In This Episode, You Will Learn: (1:25) The evolution of palliative care (2:55) Ethics and cultural diversity in end-of-life conversations (4:30) Reframing death with dignity and celebration (5:51) The power of showing up (6:47) Family dynamics and grief during COVID (10:05) Why advanced directives matter (14:30) When systems ignore patient wishes (15:44) Navigating cultural resistance to end-of-life talk (21:56) Breaking death taboos and redefining goodbye In today's episode, I'm joined by Dr. Cynthia X. Pan, a board-certified physician in internal medicine, geriatrics, and hospice and palliative medicine. She holds a BA in Biology from Harvard and an MD from Stony Brook University School of Medicine. Dr. Pan completed her internal medicine residency at the University of Rochester and a geriatrics fellowship at Harvard Medical School’s Division on Aging. She now serves as Chief of Geriatrics and Palliative Care Medicine and Designated Institutional Official for Graduate Medical Education at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens. A Professor at Weill Cornell Medical College, she educates future healthcare providers on palliative care, cultural humility, and communication. Fluent in Mandarin and Spanish, she brings a multicultural lens to patient-centered care. Throughout this episode, Dr. Pan uses her medical background and personal experiences to share both clinical insight and emotional depth. She reflects on working in one of the most culturally diverse regions in the U.S., where sensitive end-of-life conversations require compassion and cultural awareness. Through stories of caring for her father and mother-in-law, she highlights the importance of honoring patients’ wishes. She also discusses how to approach taboo topics like death with respect and indirect communication—especially in communities where such discussions are avoided. Her guidance helps us embrace these moments with courage, clarity, and connection. Connect with Dr. Cynthia X. Pan: Website Instagram LinkedIn Book: Exit Strategies: Living Lessons from Dying People Connect with Emily Thiroux Threatt: Website LinkedIn Facebook Instagram The Grief and Happiness Alliance Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    27 min
See All (350)

4.9
out of 5
24 Ratings

About

Aloha! Welcome to the Grief and Happiness podcast.  My name is Emily Thiroux Threatt, and I am your host. I am the author of Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief, The Grief and Happiness Handbook, and creator of Grief and Happiness Cards: Gentle Support for Dealing with Grief and Finding Happiness  My purpose with the Grief and Happiness Podcast is to demonstrate to people who are dealing with grief and loss that they can grieve and be happy at the same time. The wide variety of guests address the myriad of issues that arise with loss and the spectrum of how grief and happiness relate. After a loved one dies, often people say they will never be happy again. By covering thought-provoking topics like creativity, compassion, community, purpose, inner peace, strength, coping, surrendering, and resilience with authors, speakers, coaches, and friends, listeners find inspiration and confidence guiding them on their grief journey. Each week the podcast showcases an interview with an inspiring guest and an additional brief podcast with a message of support and comfort. Anyone dealing with grief or loss can come to the Grief and Happiness podcast to find comfort, support, love, and happiness. You are welcome here to learn ways to live your best life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Emily Thiroux Threatt
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    350
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Emily Thiroux Threatt
  • Show Website
    Grief & Happiness

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