Good Grief: Life After Loss

Be the change. Media
  • 5.0 (11)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

Hosted by Skylar Jackenthal, Good Grief is a podcast for young people navigating life after the loss of someone they love. Through honest conversations, personal stories, and shared experiences, we explore what grief really looks like—messy, confusing, heartbreaking, and sometimes even hopeful. Whether you’re grieving a sibling, parent, friend, or someone else close to you, this podcast is here to remind you that you’re not alone.

  1. Jun 4

    Who Takes Care of the Griever?

    Grief doesn't just affect your heart—it affects your brain, your body, your routines, and your mental health. In this episode, Skylar talks about something we don't discuss nearly enough: the mental health of grievers. From "grief brain" and brain fog to the dark thoughts that can sometimes creep in after loss, we'll explore how grief impacts us far beyond sadness. Whether your loss was recent or years ago, this episode is a reminder that taking care of yourself isn't forgetting the person you lost—it's part of learning how to carry them with you. Mental Health Resources: • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 • Find a therapist: psychologytoday.com/us/therapists  Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at skylar@livelikesam.org   Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the change. Media Network or its partners.

    14 min

  2. May 21

    One Year In: What I've Learned from Hosting a Grief Podcast

    One year ago, Skylar hit publish on the very first episode of Good Grief: Life After Loss — and today, one year and 41 episodes later, she's reflecting on everything this podcast has taught her. From the loneliness she felt as a 14-year-old grieving her brother Sam, to the weeks she was too exhausted to talk about grief and questioned whether she was even qualified to be here, to the unexpected gift of finding community through her listeners — this episode is an honest look at what a year of hosting a grief podcast has really been like. If you've ever felt alone in your grief, this one's for you. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at skylar@livelikesam.org   Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the change. Media Network or its partners.

    13 min

  3. May 7

    For Anyone Struggling This Mother’s Day

    Mother’s Day can be beautiful, but for a lot of people, it’s also incredibly complicated. In this episode, Skylar talks about the uncomfortable reality of grief on days that the world expects you to celebrate. From losing a mother or child, to infertility, strained relationships, or simply feeling the absence of someone who should still be here, this episode explores the many ways grief can quietly show up on Mother’s Day.

    14 min

  4. Apr 23

    When Grief Meets School

    When grief meets school, the impact goes far beyond sadness. This week, Skylar shares what returning to 9th grade after losing her brother Sam really looked like; feeling too far behind to recover, dropping classes, hiding in the library, losing motivation, and struggling to care about grades when her world had completely changed. She also reflects on how grief affected her confidence, future opportunities, and relationship with learning for years to come. This episode is for anyone who has ever tried to succeed in school while carrying the weight of grief. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at skylar@livelikesam.org   Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the change. Media Network or its partners.

    18 min

  5. Apr 9

    Sorry If Talking About My Dead Brother Makes You Uncomfortable

    In this week’s episode, Skylar opens up about the complicated reality of grieving in a world that often feels uncomfortable with loss. Inspired by a quote from comedian Michael Cruz Kayne, she explores what it feels like to want to share stories, memories, and laughter about her brother Sam, only to feel like she has to manage other people’s reactions. From awkward conversations with new friends to the quiet ways grief can make someone feel silenced, this episode is an honest look at the pressure grievers face to make their pain more palatable for everyone else. This conversation is about giving grief more space: space to remember, to laugh, to tell the story, and to keep talking about the people we love—without apology. Michael Cruz Kayne: Link to the Instagram clip Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at skylar@livelikesam.org   Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the change. Media Network or its partners.

    15 min

  6. Mar 26

    Ron Jackenthal: Turning Loss Into Legacy

    In this deeply personal episode, Skylar sits down with her dad, Ron Jackenthal, for an honest conversation about grief, purpose, and what it means to rebuild a life after unimaginable loss. After the sudden death of his son Sam, Ron’s world was completely reshaped. Once focused on a successful career in sales, he made the life-altering decision to step away and dedicate himself fully to creating the Live Like Sam Foundation—an organization committed to honoring Sam’s life and supporting others navigating grief. In this episode, Ron reflects on who he was before the loss, how grief changed him as a father and as a person, and the moment he realized he needed to do something with his pain. Together, he and Skylar explore how loss transformed their relationship, the complexities of parenting after tragedy, and the balance of carrying both deep grief and deep love. This conversation offers a powerful perspective for anyone navigating loss—especially parents—and for those searching for meaning, purpose, and connection in the aftermath of heartbreak. Contact & Resources: Livelikesam.org Email: ron@livelikesam.org  Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at skylar@livelikesam.org   Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the change. Media Network or its partners.

    1h 2m

  7. Mar 12

    How to Get Out of Your Head and Into Your Heart

    In this episode, Skylar explores the powerful shift that can happen when we move out of our heads and into our hearts. After losing her brother, Sam, Skylar began to notice something unexpected — other people experiencing loss started coming to her for guidance, comfort, and connection. What started as conversations with fellow grievers eventually grew into the work she does today through the Live Like Sam Foundation and this podcast. In this episode, Skylar reflects on the role grievers can play in the world and why helping others has been one of the most meaningful parts of her own healing journey. She shares how service — in big ways and small — can bring purpose to loss, ease the heaviness of grief, and remind us that the love we still carry for someone can continue to impact others. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at skylar@livelikesam.org   Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the change. Media Network or its partners.

    12 min

  8. Feb 26

    The Reality of Being a Young Griever

    Young grief isn’t as rare as it sometimes seems — but it’s still something most people your age haven’t lived through. By age 18, only about 1 in 14 children will experience the death of a parent or sibling. In this episode, Skylar explores the statistics around early loss and what they reveal about why being a young griever can feel so isolating. She discusses how losing someone in your teens or twenties changes you, accelerates your perspective, and makes you aware of fragility in rooms where most people still feel invincible. This episode is for anyone who has ever felt like they grew up too fast or carried more life experience than their peers. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at skylar@livelikesam.org   Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the change. Media Network or its partners.

    14 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Hosted by Skylar Jackenthal, Good Grief is a podcast for young people navigating life after the loss of someone they love. Through honest conversations, personal stories, and shared experiences, we explore what grief really looks like—messy, confusing, heartbreaking, and sometimes even hopeful. Whether you’re grieving a sibling, parent, friend, or someone else close to you, this podcast is here to remind you that you’re not alone.

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