The Growth After Loss Podcast

Dr. Mari Marquez
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Education
  • Biweekly

The Growth After Loss Podcast, hosted by Dr. Mari Marquez, provides a compassionate space for grief support as you navigate personal growth after the loss of a loved one. Join Dr. Mari, a personal growth educator with a Ph.D. in her field, for bi-weekly discussions that are grounded in compassion, research, practical tools, and heartfelt conversations centered on personal growth following the death of a loved one. It's an invitation to grow alongside your grief.

  1. 5d ago

    Remembering Loved Ones: Dia de Muertos - Ep. 18 | Dr. Mari

    Dia de Muertos is not about death alone. It is about how we keep loving the people we have lost. In this episode, Dr. Mari Marquez shares memories of visiting her grandparents' graves in Mexico with her mother, and connects the tradition to continuing bonds research, helping you find a way of remembering that feels right for you, even when remembering is hard. Explore the One-on-One Private Pathway & Support: growthafterloss.com In this video, we discuss:- What Dia de Muertos is, and what it is not- Dr. Mari's childhood memories of the tradition- Continuing bonds (Klass, Silverman & Nickman, 1996)- When remembering feels comforting, heavy, or both- Remembering in a way that feels right for you If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis: call or text 988 (US & Canada, 24/7). #GrowthAfterLoss #DiaDeMuertos #DayOfTheDead #GriefSupport #ContinuingBonds #DrMari 00:00 Introduction00:29 What Dia de Muertos Really Means01:42 Ofrendas and Family Traditions02:16 Dr. Mari's Childhood Memories in Mexico03:49 More Than a Day of Remembrance04:17 Colors, Beliefs, and Life After Death05:42 What Can Dia de Muertos Teach Us About Remembering?06:14 Continuing Bonds: What the Research Says07:56 Dr. Mari's Mother, Daughter, and Remembering09:15 When Remembering Is Hard09:56 Remembering in Your Own Way10:52 They Lived, Not Only Died11:51 Closing Thoughts

  2. Oct 29

    Grief and World Mental Health Day - Ep. 17 | Dr. Mari

    Watch this episode on YouTube: Explore more resources and programs at Growth After Loss. World Mental Health Day reminds us that you don't have to wait until you are in crisis mode to acknowledge that something feels heavy. When you are navigating loss, you can be deeply capable—going to work, caring for family, keeping routines together—and still feel completely exhausted underneath. In this episode of the Growth After Loss podcast, Dr. Mari Marquez explores what happens when we confuse day-to-day functioning with truly being okay, and how we can offer ourselves genuine compassion and support along the way. 🔗 Explore the One-on-One Private Pathway & Support: growthafterloss.com In this video, we discuss:• The history and purpose of World Mental Health Day & Mental Health Awareness Month• Why functioning after loss is not the same as feeling grounded• Navigating the unexpected ways grief shows up in everyday routines• Grounding steps for long-term integration and post-traumatic growth Resources & Support:If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. You are not alone.• Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 (Available 24/7 in the US & Canada) Connect with Dr. Mari Marquez:• Explore courses, community, and 1:1 coaching at growthafterloss.com• Subscribe for more episodes on navigating grief, parenting through loss, and post-traumatic growth. #GrowthAfterLoss #GriefSupport #WorldMentalHealthDay #MentalHealthAwareness #GriefJourney 00:00 Introduction & The History of World Mental Health Day01:30 When Loss Changes Everything02:02 Functioning vs. Feeling Grounded 03:55 What is Post-Traumatic Growth? (Dr. Tedeschi & Dr. Calhoun)05:05 The Loss Does Not Get the Final Word06:04 The Reflection: What Are You Carrying Alone?06:47 Your Inner Life Matters: The One-on-One Private Pathway07:20 Closing Thoughts & Gentle Reminder

  3. Oct 8

    They Think You're Fine - Ep. 16 | Dr. Mari

    Watch this episode on YouTube: Explore more resources and programs at Growth After Loss. In a world that measures healing by how quickly we "get back to normal," carrying grief can feel isolating. People see us functioning—going to work, caring for families, smiling—and assume we're "over it." But functioning is not the same as being unaffected. In this episode, Dr. Mari Marquez explores the unspoken assumptions we carry about grief, why you don't need permission to grieve at your own pace, and how to replace social expectations with self-compassion. In this video, you’ll discover: How to replace self-criticism ("shoulds") with compassionate reflection questions 3 gentle ways to support yourself when external or internal pressure mounts The essential difference between moving forward and moving on 📖 RESOURCES & 1-ON-1 SUPPORT:Private 1-on-1 Support: Starting this October, work directly with Dr. Mari in compassionate, personalized sessions. Learn more at https://growthafterloss.com Growth After Loss Membership: Access self-paced workshops grounded in post-traumatic growth research. Weekly Newsletter: Receive reflection prompts, articles, and gentle guides delivered every Monday at https://www.growthafterloss.com/private-support ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS / CHAPTERS:00:00 - Intro: You Don't Need Permission to Grieve00:40 - The Hidden Side of Grief & Functioning02:04 - Public Grief vs. Private Reality03:00 - The Reality of External Expectations03:47 - Shifting From "Should" to Self-Compassion05:20 - Tip 1: Notice the Assumptions You Carry06:47 - Tip 2: Choose One Small Act of Care07:13 - Tip 3: Communicating Your Needs & Asking for Support08:19 - Moving Forward vs. Moving On09:22 - Final Reminder: Your Loss Matters10:06 - Announcements: 1-on-1 Support & Newsletter If this episode resonated with you, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who might need to hear this message today. 🤍 #GrowthAfterLoss #GriefSupport #DrMari #GriefJourney #HealingAfterLoss #PostTraumaticGrowth #GriefAndLoss #SelfCompassion

  4. Sep 16

    When Hard Days Hit And What Can Help - Ep. 15 | Dr. Mari

    Watch this episode on YouTube: Explore more resources and programs at Growth After Loss. Anniversaries, birthdays, and holidays can feel like emotional landmines after losing a loved one. When those meaningful hard days approach, anticipating the pain often feels just as heavy as the day itself. In this episode, Dr. Mari discusses how creating a "Gentle Plan" can help you honor your loved one, and give yourself grace when you need it most. In this video, you’ll discover: • Why creating a Gentle Plan before your hard day arrives can help • Grounding questions to ask yourself before any hard day • How to give yourself permission to feel both sorrow and love 📖 FREE RESOURCE: A gentle guide to help you navigate Hard Days After Loss: https://growthafterloss.com ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS: 00:15 - Growth After Loss Intro 00:28 - What Makes Hard Days "Meaningful" 01:39 - Navigating Birthdays, Anniversaries & Milestones 04:03 - The Power of Giving Yourself Grace 05:08 - The Gentle Plan Strategy 06:13 - Key Reflection Questions for Yourself & Family 09:26 - Action Step: Writing Your Plan 10:08 - Closing Thoughts & Free Guide If this resonated with you, please like, subscribe, and share this with someone who might need a little extra grace today. 🤍

  5. Aug 19

    Danny Lesslie on Grief, Faith, and Love - Ep. 14 | Dr. Mari

    Watch this episode on YouTube: Explore more resources and programs at Growth After Loss. Danny Lesslie spent nearly five years caring for his wife, Rafi, through cancer before losing her in December 2024. In this deeply personal conversation, Danny shares what caregiving actually looked like, how their family entered “triage mode,” and what happened when the support around them slowly disappeared. We talk about: - The 1,592 days between Rafi’s diagnosis and her death- The isolation that follows after the funeral- Why grief is not something to fix- The role of faith, gratitude, and “Jesus moments”- How writing became Danny’s way to process the pain- The story behind Thank You, Cancer and The Thank You Bridge- How Danny continues to see Rafi’s presence in their daughters Danny’s message is simple but powerful: if grief makes you feel alone, you are not failing. You are not alone. Find Danny and his books at:https://amzn.to/3U8FvpCDannyLesslie.co This conversation is for educational and supportive purposes and is not a substitute for professional mental-health care. 00:00 Introduction: Meet Danny Lesslie01:21 Danny and Rafi’s Life Before Loss03:00 The Diagnosis That Changed Everything03:21 Grief Is the Same and Different for Everyone04:30 Caregiving in “Triage Mode”06:36 The Meaning Behind Thank You, Cancer09:27 The $8,000 Blood Test and a $6,300 Answer11:03 Gratitude, Faith, and a New Perspective12:03 The Stories Behind the Books14:09 Faith After Loss16:45 When Pain Became a Message18:36 The Thank You Bridge22:12 You Are Not Alone After Loss24:45 Rapid Fire: Question Everything25:33 What People Get Wrong About Grief26:48 Finding Joy in the Daughters28:21 What Would Rafi Say?29:15 Where to Find Danny’s Books29:33 Closing Thoughts

  6. Jul 23

    Is This Resilience... or Parentification? - Ep. 13 | Dr. Mari

    Watch this episode on YouTube: Explore more resources and programs at Growth After Loss. 🌱 Resilient Parenting for Bereaved Families cohort opens August 15th:👉 growthafterloss.com If your child has been saying "I'm fine, don't worry about me" since the loss — this video is for you. There's a documented pattern researchers call emotional parentification. When a child senses a parent is struggling, their nervous system shifts into protection mode. They suppress their own grief to keep you steady. This video gives you one phrase to open the door. 0:00 Is your child really "fine"?0:42 Understanding Emotional Parentification1:36 Four Warning Signs2:18 The Micro-Step Solution3:00 Join the Resilient Parenting Cohort3:09 Blooper

  7. Jul 9

    What to Say When Kids See Something Scary Online - Ep. 12 | Dr. Mari

    Watch this episode on YouTube: Explore more resources and programs at Growth After Loss. Many children are seeing frightening content online, often by accident.In this episode, Dr. Mari shares a calm, research-informed way to talk with children using honesty, age-appropriate language, and reassurance. You will learn one practical micro-step you can use right away:Ask what they saw or heard, listen closely, and help them feel safe while holding both hard realities and everyday goodness. If you want deeper support, learn more about the Resilient Parenting for Bereaved Families program:https://www.growthafterloss.com/resilient-parenting To ask about joining:https://www.growthafterloss.com/contact You can also explore all resources at:https://www.growthafterloss.com/ #ParentingTips #OnlineSafety #ChildSafety #ParentingAdvice #GrowthAfterLoss #ResilientParenting #ParentingAfterLoss #GriefSupport #FamilyWellness #ChildDevelopment 00:00 - Introduction: Kids and Scary Content Online 00:45 - Why Honest Presence Matters 01:20 - The Micro-Step: How to Talk to Your Child 01:54 - Building Resilience Together 02:13 - Join the Resilient Parenting Cohort

  8. Jun 2

    Father's Day After Loss | Dr. Mari | Ep 11

    Watch this episode on YouTube: Explore more resources and programs at Growth After Loss. Father's Day can be one of the most quietly painful days on the calendar — not because grief is doing something wrong, but because love doesn't have an expiration date. In this episode, Dr. Mari Marquez, PhD — post-traumatic growth researcher and educator, and host of the Growth After Loss Podcast — brings both the research and her own lived experience to one of the most tender dates of the year. This is not about pushing through. It's about being honest, being seen, and understanding what science actually says about grief, growth, and the love that continues even after loss. What You'll Explore in This Episode: 📌 Anniversary Reactions — Why grief reliably resurfaces around holidays and milestone dates, even years and decades after a loss — and why this is not a sign of going backward. 📌 Disenfranchised Grief — Language for grief that is not openly acknowledged or socially supported: stepfathers, complicated relationships, and the grief of fathers who carry loss quietly and alone. 📌 Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG) — Dr. Tedeschi & Dr. Calhoun's five domains of growth after loss, and what recent research says about PTG specifically in bereaved adults who lost a parent. 📌 Three Invitations for Father's Day — Practical, gentle, research-informed ways to meet yourself on a hard day: naming your emotion, creating a ritual of connection, and asking quiet questions that plant the seeds of growth. 📌 Continuing Bonds Theory — How your relationship with your loved one does not end — it transforms — and how Father's Day can become a day of honoring presence, not only mourning absence. 📖 Get the 90-Day Workbook Gentle Steps for Growing Around Grief — one small, research-grounded daily step to support your integration journey. 👉 Get your copy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4t7qxMo 🔗 Connect with Dr. Mari Marquez 🌐 Website & Membership: https://growthafterloss.com/ 📸 Instagram: @drmarimarquez ⚠️ Legal Disclaimer The content shared in this podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional mental health support, therapy, or clinical care. If you are experiencing significant distress, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional. Nothing in this episode constitutes clinical advice, a therapeutic relationship, or a mental health intervention of any kind. TIMESTAMPED CHAPTERS 0:00 — Introduction: Father's Day Grief0:36 — You Are Allowed to Grieve on Father's Day1:10 — Joy and Grief in the Same Afternoon1:40 — Dr. Mari's Personal Story: Losing Her Father and Husband2:22 — What Are Anniversary Reactions? (Research-Backed)2:54 — This Is Not a Sign You're Going Backward3:22 — Disenfranchised Grief: When Your Loss Isn't Acknowledged4:35 — Introduction to Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG)4:44 — The 5 Domains of PTG (Tedeschi & Calhoun)6:20 — What the Research Says About Losing a Parent7:30 — Growth and Grief Are Not Opposites7:45 — Grief for Men: Navigating Loss Without Language for Vulnerability8:50 — Three Invitations for Father's Day9:05 — Invitation 1: Name Your Emotion10:14 — Invitation 2: Create a Ritual of Continuing Connection10:20 — Continuing Bonds Theory11:20 — Invitation 3: Ask the Quiet Questions13:01 — The Growth After Loss Membership13:45 — QR Code for Growth After Loss Membership14:48 — Meaning-Making: The Source of PTG15:15 — You Are Not at the End of Your Story15:37 — Closing: Your Grief Matters, You Are Not Alone  #GrowthAfterLoss #NavigatingGrief #DrMariMarquez #ContinuingBonds #GriefEducation #PersonalGrowth #LivingWithGrief #PsychologicalFlexibility

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The Growth After Loss Podcast, hosted by Dr. Mari Marquez, provides a compassionate space for grief support as you navigate personal growth after the loss of a loved one. Join Dr. Mari, a personal growth educator with a Ph.D. in her field, for bi-weekly discussions that are grounded in compassion, research, practical tools, and heartfelt conversations centered on personal growth following the death of a loved one. It's an invitation to grow alongside your grief.

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