The Day After CJ Infantino & Ashley Infantino

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The Day After's series on pet grief continues in honor of National Pet Month! In this heartfelt episode, we delve into the emotional journey of Dana, who shares her experiences of dealing with the grief of losing her beloved dog, Smitty, to heart disease. Throughout the conversation, hosts CJ Infantino and Ashley Infantino explore the profound impact of pet loss and the often underappreciated depth of mourning that accompanies it.

Dana opens up about the challenges she faced during the health decline of her dog, including difficult decisions about euthanasia and the lack of support from some veterinary professionals. She contrasts her lonely and painful grieving process with the support systems that did come through, including a special mention of the in-home euthanasia service, Lap of Love, which provided compassion during her time of need.

The episode also covers Dana’s struggles with personal organization and productivity due to depression and chronic fatigue since her loss. She shares how maintaining a connection to nature and part-time care for a friend’s dog has provided some comfort.
Listeners will find a discussion on the implications of pet loss on personal identity and mental health, with Dana expressing how vital her relationship with Smitty was to her happiness and stability. CJ relates to her experiences by reflecting on his own grief after losing his wife, fostering a conversation about the wide-ranging impacts of grief.

Moreover, Ashley brings insight into the emotional responsibilities of pet ownership, touching on her own experiences and the lessons of care and compassion they entail.

This episode is a touching exploration of love, loss, and learning to navigate life after the passing of a beloved pet, offering listeners understanding and validation of their grief experiences. It’s a must-listen for everyone who has ever loved and lost a pet.
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For more, go to thedayafter.com, or join the conversation online and follow us @thedayafteronline.

You can find our hosts at:
@cjinfantino
@ashleyinfantino

Music by Servidio Music

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In this poignant installment of our ongoing series focused on pet grief, hosts CJ and Ashley engage in a deep and meaningful conversation with their guest, Elizabeth, about the intricacies of mourning the loss of a beloved pet. Elizabeth brings to light her personal experiences surrounding the death of her dog, Isabel "Iz", who was not just a pet but a significant member of her family, providing immense companionship and unconditional love.

Throughout the episode, Elizabeth shares powerful insights on the need for physical closeness and the impact of touch, especially valued in today’s digitally-dominated world. She discusses how societal norms and the quick pace of modern life can stifle the expression of genuine emotions during times of grief. Listeners will be moved by her heartfelt stories of Iz, emphasizing the deep connection they shared and the joyous moments that continue to resonate with her.

Complementing the discussion, CJ shares his own stories of loss, enriching the dialogue about the necessity of being acknowledged in one's pain and the therapeutic approaches that have aided him. The conversation expands to cover the broader issues of grieving openly and accommodating individual needs during such vulnerable times.

This episode not only seeks to provide a space for those grieving the loss of their pets but also advocates for a wider cultural acceptance of the profound impact pet loss can have. It’s an essential listen for anyone navigating their own grief or supporting others through similar journeys, encapsulating themes of love, loss, and healing. Tune in for this touching and insightful episode in our series on pet grief.
Support the Show.
For more, go to thedayafter.com, or join the conversation online and follow us @thedayafteronline.

You can find our hosts at:
@cjinfantino
@ashleyinfantino

Music by Servidio Music

Send us a message! We love hearing from our listeners.
In this deeply moving episode of The Day After, we are joined by guest Ashley W. who shares her heartfelt journey of grief following the loss of her beloved dog, Simba. This episode marks the beginning of a month-long series dedicated to exploring pet grief, a topic often overlooked and minimized in society.

Throughout the episode, Ashley discusses the complex emotions surrounding euthanasia, the loneliness of grieving a pet, and the societal challenges that come with acknowledging this type of loss. She details the anticipatory grief she faced as Simba aged and her challenging decision to eventually euthanize him, a decision filled with emotional weight and second-guessing. Ashley talks openly about the guilt of feeling relieved when no longer burdened by caregiving responsibilities, yet struggling with the isolation that followed Simba's passing.

Hosts Ashley and CJ contribute their personal experiences with pet loss, enhancing the conversation with their insights on dealing with grief, the impact of losing a pet on family dynamics, and the importance of recognizing joy amidst sorrow. They discuss societal attitudes toward grief, the insensitivity often shown towards those mourning pets, and the need for more supportive frameworks to help individuals cope with loss.

The conversation also touches on the valuable support systems that have aided Ashley W., such as grief groups and journaling, and how these have helped her navigate her emotions during this tough time.

By the end of the episode, listeners will find a compassionate exploration of pet loss, the universal nature of grief, and the small yet significant ways in which we can support each other through such profound moments of sorrow. This episode not only provides a space for empathy and understanding but also challenges us to rethink how we respond to the grief of others, particularly when it involves a beloved animal, setting the stage for the rest of the series that will delve deeper into the nuances of pet grief.
Support the Show.
For more, go to thedayafter.com, or join the conversation online and follow us @thedayafteronline.

You can find our hosts at:
@cjinfantino
@ashleyinfantino

Music by Servidio Music

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Welcome back to The Day After, where powerful storytelling meets human connection. Today's episode  features our hosts CJ and Ashley in an intimate conversation with our guest, Cynthia, who shares her transformative experience with the pathos of life's unpredictability
In this deeply moving episode, Cynthia reveals how parenthood shifted her approach to risk assessment, making her more conservative in decision-making for the sake of her children. She expresses the complicated emotions of feeling out of place in widow groups due to her age and experience, providing a different outlook on love, loss, and the passage of time.

As we peel back the layers of grief and parenting, Cynthia opens up about the challenge of nurturing her children through their father's absence, examining their advanced emotional responses and her own journey through mourning. The conversation meanders through the landscape of laughter and grief – the catharsis of humor intertwined with the permanence of loss.

We delve into the solemn topic of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID), as Cynthia shares her candid perspective on what it means to say goodbye under such circumstances, contrasting real-life goodbyes with those depicted in fiction. Her accounts provide a raw look into the aspect of modern medicine that allows for dignity in death but doesn't diminish the gravity of loss.

CJ, Ashley, and Cynthia candidly discuss the evolution of self-care, the importance of boundary-setting, and the often overlooked strength found in seeking and accepting support.

Cynthia co-authored The Many Faces of MAID: What to Expect When Someone You Know Chooses Medical Assistance in Dying: Find it on Amazon in the US or Canada. Learn more about Maid Family Support Society on social: LinkedIn / Facebook / Instagram (@maidfamilysupport). 



Support the Show.
For more, go to thedayafter.com, or join the conversation online and follow us @thedayafteronline.

You can find our hosts at:
@cjinfantino
@ashleyinfantino

Music by Servidio Music

Send us a message! We love hearing from our listeners.
Welcome to a heartfelt and deeply moving episode of The Day After. Today's guest is Ashley, who bravely shares her journey through the heartache of pregnancy loss and the resilience that followed. Ashley's experience shines a light on the often unspoken grief that accompanies such a loss and the loneliness that can permeate every aspect of life in its wake.

Months after her 14-week pregnancy ended abruptly, Ashley found herself grappling with a delayed response to grieving. A conversation with a close friend inspired her to face the pain head-on rather than trying to outrun it, leading her to seek out a community for support.

Ashley's story touches upon the lack of resources and acknowledgment for pregnancy loss, especially in professional environments. The absence of bereavement policies at work, delayed medical procedures, and confronting immense physical and emotional tolls characterizes her experience.

In our in-depth conversation, we'll hear from both Ashley and CJ about navigating the rough waters of supporting someone in pain, the power of creativity as a healing tool, and how turning personal tragedy into an expansive love for others altered their paths.

Ashley candidly discusses the challenges she faced upon returning to work, her subsequent decision to leave her role, and how embracing radical candor helped her cope and connect. Moreover, we explore the dynamics of grief within relationships, particularly Ashley's with her husband, and the universal need for honesty and emotional maturity during such trying times.

Be inspired by how Ashley channeled her sorrow into establishing a nonprofit, Comfort Her, which aims to support mothers and address the emotional impact of miscarriages, and her moving initiative that brought warmth to others experiencing loss.

In this episode, we also delve into the world of mediumship and the comfort it can provide, with both Ashley and CJ sharing their personal encounters.

This is more than a story of loss; it's a lesson in the power of vulnerability, the strength found in community, and the surprising ways our lives can be rewritten through our deepest trials. Join us for an episode filled with raw emotion, tough conversations, and a testament to the human spirit. 
Support the Show.
For more, go to thedayafter.com, or join the conversation online and follow us @thedayafteronline.

You can find our hosts at:
@cjinfantino
@ashleyinfantino

Music by Servidio Music

Send us a message! We love hearing from our listeners.
Welcome back to another episode of The Day After!
In this episode, we are joined by Miriam, who opens her heart to us, sharing her journey through the shadow of loss and the struggle to find light after the death of her beloved mother. Miriam's candid recollection offers us a window into the often unspoken turbulence of grief—how the absence of a parent can shape our lives, decisions, and relationships.

Miriam reflects on the harsh reality of her mother's passing at 56, contrasting it with her own life journey marked by a scare with malignant melanoma, which led her to ponder over her mortality and the differences between their lives at the same age. Her story intertwines with personal battles against eating disorders and the fight to pull her life together while bearing the weight of family dynamics shadowed by illness and loss.

Ashley shares her thoughts on the genetic roulette of diseases within families and the compassionate path of managing the inheritance of loss. Together, we navigate through a dialogue about the spiral of emotions that accompany loss—from envy and guilt to anger and frustration.

Join us as we brave the questions of responsibility, acceptance, and the power of empathy. Today,  we hold space for Miriam's voice and the universal narrative of resilience in the face of life’s most challenging trials.
Support the Show.
For more, go to thedayafter.com, or join the conversation online and follow us @thedayafteronline.

You can find our hosts at:
@cjinfantino
@ashleyinfantino

Music by Servidio Music