Grief Is My Side Hustle

meghanrjarvis
  • 4.9 (108)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Trauma therapist, writer and podcast host Meghan, found herself on the receiving end of the same treatments she used with her own clients after the death of both her parents within two years of each other. Meghan hosts a weekly discussion with guests who carry personal loss, professional expertise, and a belief that talking about grief and loss helps provide needed support in a world that finds the topic all kinds of awkward.

  1. 2D AGO

    Ep. 169: Alison Larkin Loses her Love, Finds Her Funny, and Sings us into Sobs

    Alison Larkin is such a gift. She is an English-American, having been born here in the states and then adopted by British parents who raised her across the pond.  These days, she is a comedian, novelist, actress, and audiobook narrator. Her novel, "The English American," sprang from her autobiographical one-woman comedy show about an adopted English woman who finds her birth parents in the United States.  The grief of being adopted and searching for your birth parents might be enough, you say-but no. Alison also lost her soulmate, Bhima, five days after they decide to get married.  Alison's story is as layered and devastating as it sounds; she had no choice but to make it into something funny, right? Enter her one-woman show and subsequent book, "Grief...A Comedy." The woman truly is griefy gold.  She proves as much when Alison serenades my producer and I at the end of the episode with a song she wrote herself. She hits every sad nerve, and yet inspires such hope and wonder after loss.  We LOVE Alison Larkin- and we're certain you will, too!   More about Alison: https://alisonlarkin.com/alison-larkin-bio/  https://www.instagram.com/alisonlarkinpresents/

    52 min

  2. OCT 23

    Ep. 168: Kristina Amelong on Learning to Live with the Aftermath of What Her Brother Knew

    Kristina Amelong's brother, Jay, knew from an extremely young age that he was going to die. Not only that, but he predicted how it would happen, and that he would not live to be an adult. Kristina's gripping and gorgeous memoir, "What My Brother Knew," tells the heartbreaking story of a tragedy rooted in an understanding that reaches far beyond anything that she or I are capable of fully grasping; thus the pinnacle of our conversation today.    I have always said that I struggle with my own spirituality, and my understanding of things that feel juuuussssttt out of our reach. With Kristina, it feels safe and comforting to discuss this topic; like there is someone on my team in this headspace. I hope, in listening to our chat today, that you feel the same. She is a warm and curious presence, and I'm SO intrigued by her journey!   These days, Kristina is a writer, photographer, and hollistic healer. According to her own website, "More than anything, I am drawn to stories that ask questions about who we are and why we are here. My spiritual studies have awakened in me a confidence in my connection with All-That-Is. I feel called to lead others to face the uncertainty of our collective future with hope. We can evolve together!"   Thank you, as always, for listening. Please rate and review us where possible, and feel free to reach out meghanriordanjarvis.com and leave suggestions or comments!   Learn more about Kristina: https://www.kristinaamelong.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/optimalhealthnetwork/

    41 min

  3. OCT 16

    Ep. 167: Timothy Frie Talks Nutrition & Grief

    I think you all are used to me saying this by now, but I found Timothy Frie online- and stalked him into talking to me. He is fascinating, as is his work, and I think once you listen to this episode you’ll agree. Timothy Frie is a neuronutrition educator, nutritional psychology researcher, writer, and president of the National Academy of Neuronutrition. He helps neurodivergent people who have experienced early-life trauma understand the story behind their relationship with food. This is such a crucial topic, and Tim does a beautiful job of illuminating how the elements of grief and mental health relate to -and impact- how we fortify ourselves. I loved this conversation, and our hope is that you will, too. Stay tuned, because Tim and I have more collaborations in the works!   More about Timothy Frie: @timothyfrie https://www.timfrie.com/

    59 min

  4. OCT 9

    Ep. 166: Hospice Nurse Julie Talks End-Of-Life Expectations Vs. Reality

    Hospice Nurse Julie (AKA Julie McFadden) is one of my favorite recurring guests. She is an RN/BSN nurse with a passion for education- she believes that people should know about the dying process BEFORE they're actually going through it with a loved one or themselves. We have a beautiful, funny, and candid conversation about how death and dying are reflected in the media and film, as well as what to actually expect when you're at your loved one's bedside.    Julie will also be a featured author at Grieftastic on November 21, 2025, showcasing her second book, The Nothing to Fear Journal (a companion to her first book, Nothing to Fear). We are SO excited- we know you'll LOVE Hospice Nurse Julie as much as we do!   Thank you for listening- please rate, review, and share the podcast if you like what you hear.    More about Julie: https://www.hospicenursejulie.com/ IG: @hospicenursejulie

    46 min

  5. OCT 2

    Ep. 165: John Palfrey, Defender of the Arts (Brought to you by the MacArthur Foundation).

    As Meghan always says, "Art may not solve all your problems, but it CAN save your life." There's definitely a few champions of this philosophy in the world, of course- certainly artists themselves.    Today, however, we are lucky enough to be hosting the remarkable John Palfrey, President of the MacArthur Foundation. The MacArthur Foundation is famous for many things, namely their eponymous grant of $800,000, awarded to fellows of extraordinary talent so that they may support their work long-term.   John Palfrey is an educator, scholar, and law professor. His areas of focus include emerging media, Internet freedom, online transparency and accountability, and child safety. In short, he's a defender of miracles, and we're so lucky to hear from him on this episode about how important it is to not lose sight of our original point: ART SAVES LIVES.    Thank you for tuning in, this week and always. If you like what you hear, please rate and review us where possible and tell a friend!   More about John: https://www.macfound.org/  https://www.instagram.com/johnpalfrey/

    34 min

  6. SEP 25

    Ep. 164: Sara Rian is the Siren of Griefy Poetry

    Sara Rian writes poems whenever a thought strikes her while washing the dishes, or folding laundry. However, her words, her profound understanding of the human spirit and what it is to grieve, will make you feel as though she wrote each poem for YOU. She's in your head, your heart- you'll feel her work in your bones. This might sound like hyperbole, but it's true, I promise. She has a superpower.   Sara sits down with me to discuss her mother's lifelong struggles with suicidality, and how the end of her life has since shaped everything Sara does. She is also a skilled therapist, and her clinical understanding somehow makes her art that much more...visceral.    From her own website: "As a mental health professional, suicide loss survivor, and grieving human, Sara shares her work with others to let them know that they are not alone in their love or grief. While grief and loss are complex topics, she utilizes a minimalist poetry style to capture these heavy experiences in a direct, digestible way. These poems are a balm for both new grievers and those farther along in the journey." Amen to that! I hope you'll enjoy this conversation as much as I did. Sara is a true light and we are SO excited to see her in-person at Grieftastic this November 21, 2025, as one of our featured authors.    Thanks for listening!   More about Sara: https://www.sararianbooks.com/about IG: @sara_rian_books

    49 min

  7. SEP 18

    Ep. 163.: Ryan Bowles Helps Us Find Our Faith

    As their own website states, Ryan and his wife Calie Bowles started the Good Grief HQ community because they know what it's like to go through grief. They've lost parents, friends, pets, and had a miscarriage. They understand the deep ache that grief causes - the sleepless nights, confusion, and endless "what ifs".   Ryan is a dear friend and colleague in this space and I love his perspective on faith and healing. At this moment in time particularly, this conversation felt so necessary. We discuss his steadfast Christianity, my own checkered past with religion and trauma, and how sometimes trusting what you can't see allows you to FEEL on a level you may not have realized you needed. And that can look different for everyone.  I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I loved having this dialogue with my friend. I always leave our chats feeling lighter, and considering my grief differently. Never a bad thing!    More about Ryan: https://goodgriefhq.com/homepage IG: @ryanlbowles

    1h 3m

  8. SEP 11

    Ep. 162: Daria Burke is a Woman Of Her Own Making

    Daria Burke is, according to her own website, an "Author, speaker and possibility pusher. An accomplished business leader and investor-turned-author, Daria is a multiplier of ideas and people, helping them expand to their highest potential, in business and in life." Indeed, Daria is a teacher. She taught herself how to push through the incredible pain of living with grief, poverty, and an addicted parent in 1980s Detroit. In her book, Of My Own Making, she teaches the reader that (above everything else) belief in oneself can unlock the rest of the world we deserve to have access to. Your mind will try to limit you if you let it; your heart and spirit can do miraculous things if you lean into your personal fortitude.  We hope you'll enjoy this magnificent kickoff to the latest season of Grief is My Side Hustle! We're so honored to call Daria a friend of the show, as well as a featured author at this year's Grieftastic Book Fair in November.    Thank you for listening!   To learn more about Daria: https://www.dariaburke.com/about  https://www.instagram.com/dariaburke/

    57 min
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4.9
out of 5
108 Ratings

About

Trauma therapist, writer and podcast host Meghan, found herself on the receiving end of the same treatments she used with her own clients after the death of both her parents within two years of each other. Meghan hosts a weekly discussion with guests who carry personal loss, professional expertise, and a belief that talking about grief and loss helps provide needed support in a world that finds the topic all kinds of awkward.

Information

  • Creator
    meghanrjarvis
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    167
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2021 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Grief Is My Side Hustle

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