The Mourning After

Sunshine Story Media
  • 5.0 (10)
  • Personal Journals
  • Updated Biweekly

Courtney Phipps was living life casually as a happy wife and innkeeper when grief hit. After her mom died in September 2025, she felt adrift. As she tried to navigate the aftermath of such an unexpected loss, she searched for community online, but struggled to find it. Spaces meant for people like her felt too textbook, too polished, and far too clean for the fallout of real grief. Max Stolfe lost his father in December 2022, and nine months later, his stepfather. Working in communications and public relations, Max understands how people talk about loss, but experienced firsthand how inadequate those conversations can be. Like Courtney, he found himself navigating grief without a roadmap that felt honest. Friends for over 15 years, Max and Courtney have faced life’s hardest moments side by side, coping the way they always have: together, and often with dark humor. The Mourning After was born from that friendship. A space for grief that’s messy, human, and unpolished. Produced by Lindsey Minarchi with Sunshine Story Media. Follow us at @MourningAfter_Pod on Instagram.

Episodes

  1. Jun 16

    8.Mother's Day

    The first Mother's Day without your mom is a minefield, but Courtney had a flawless, foolproof plan to handle it with absolute grace. Tune in as Courtney shares the raw, unfiltered truth of her first Mother's Day in the "Dead Moms Club." From her overly ambitious itinerary to the cosmic joke of how it all went off the rails, this episode is a masterclass in navigating a hard day, finding unexpected peace, and learning that it's okay if things don't go perfectly.

  2. May 5

    7. Spoiler: Everyone Dies

    What brings you joy? What hobbies help you pass the time, bring a spark to your day, or even inspire you? Do you have any that make you feel?  You better. Because when death puts its foot down, you’re gonna feel some serious shit.  Let’s talk about the things that got us (and are still getting us) through.  *This episode contains spoilers from movies, tv shows, and books* Host and Written by: Courtney Phipps and  Max Stolfe Produced, Edited, Sound and Music designed by: Lindsey Minarchi of Sunshine Story Media For a little sweet treat you can follow us on our socials. Mourningafter_pod on both instagram and Threads. You can also book your own podcast recording on ⁠sunshinestorymedia.com⁠And If you enjoyed today’s episode, be sure to rate and comment wherever you are listening  We’ll see you next time

  3. Apr 21

    6 Condolences Suck

    We’ve all been there… someone you know loses a loved one, and suddenly your brain empties completely except for the word ‘sorry’. This week we explore why humans are absolutely terrible at grief, and why ‘they’re in a better place’ has never once made anyone feel better.

  4. Apr 7

    5. Post Mortem

    Grieving in the world of social media even loss comes with notifications, memories, and the quiet pressure to post, perform, or just keep scrolling. Time to prove to the world that you’re sad… did you even post about it?  Host and Written by: Courtney Phipps and  Max Stolfe Produced, Edited, Sound and Music designed by Lindsey Minarchi of Sunshine Story Media Follow our socials at mourningafter_pod on instagram and threads Check out sunshinestorymedia.com for how you can create your own podcast

  5. Mar 22

    4. You Say Goodbye, I Say...Nothing

    Not everyone gets their movie-worthy final speech, sometimes it’s just… nothing. In this episode, we talk about the weird, painful, and sometimes funny side of not getting to say goodbye, the things we wish we said, and how we cope with that unfinished business. Host and Written by: Courtney Phipps and Max Stolfe Produced, Edited, Sound and Music designed by Lindsey Minarchi of Sunshine Story Media Follow us over on instagram at @Mourningafter_pod and @SunshineStoryMedia and at sunshinestorymedia.com

  6. Mar 10

    3. Grief is Messy

    Nothing pushes you to go off more than tragedy. And when it’s the only thing keeping you sane, suddenly your vices take on a whole new meaning.  You know it’s bad when the friend group’s personality hires call it messy.  Host and Written by: Courtney Phipps and Max Stolfe Produced, Edited, Sound and Music designed by Lindsey Minarchi of Sunshine Story Media Follow us over on instagram at @Mourningafter_pod and @SunshineStoryMedia and at SunshineStoryMedia.com

  7. Feb 17

    2. The First 24 Hours- Part 2

    If only the first 24 hours could be split in to two equal, easy-to-navigate parts. But the truth is more complicated, difficult, and much more raw. Host and Written by: Courtney Phipps and Max Stolfe Produced, Edited, Sound and Music designed by: Lindsey Minarchi of Sunshine Story Media Follow us over on instagram at @Mourningafter_pod and @SunshineStoryMedia

  8. Feb 9

    The First 24 Hours Part 2 Trailer

    Grief doesn’t follow a clock. When does the first 24 hours actually begin, and who are we allowed to be inside them? And what does it mean to still give a f**k? The First 24 Hours Part 2, releasing February 17

    The First 24 Hours Part 2 Trailer

  9. Feb 3

    "The First 24 Hours"- Part 1

    Grief can start the moment you pick up the phone, or it can start days later. But those first 24 hours can determine how you handle the days, weeks, and months that follow.  In this first episode, part 1 of a two-parter, we trade stories on what that first day looked like. From the moment it happened, through the first wave of emotions, and the people we chose for our first interactions; as well as the lessons we were learning almost immediately. Host and Written by: Courtney Phipps and Max Stolfe Produced, Edited, Sound and Music designed by Lindsey Minarchi of Sunshine Story Media Follow us over on instagram at @Mourningafter_pod and @SunshineStoryMedia

    "The First 24 Hours"- Part 1

  10. Season 1 Trailer

    "The First 24 Hours" Part 1 Trailer

    One thing about grief is it doesn’t go according to plan. We expected to have one episode ready for you and ended up with two. “The First 24 Hours” part one of two coming Feb 3, 2026

    "The First 24 Hours" Part 1 Trailer

  11. Season 1 Trailer

    Trailer 1

    No one teaches you how to grieve, especially not together. This teaser introduces our take on navigating loss, friendship, and the Mourning After… with humor, honesty, and probably tears.

    Trailer 1

Trailers

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Courtney Phipps was living life casually as a happy wife and innkeeper when grief hit. After her mom died in September 2025, she felt adrift. As she tried to navigate the aftermath of such an unexpected loss, she searched for community online, but struggled to find it. Spaces meant for people like her felt too textbook, too polished, and far too clean for the fallout of real grief. Max Stolfe lost his father in December 2022, and nine months later, his stepfather. Working in communications and public relations, Max understands how people talk about loss, but experienced firsthand how inadequate those conversations can be. Like Courtney, he found himself navigating grief without a roadmap that felt honest. Friends for over 15 years, Max and Courtney have faced life’s hardest moments side by side, coping the way they always have: together, and often with dark humor. The Mourning After was born from that friendship. A space for grief that’s messy, human, and unpolished. Produced by Lindsey Minarchi with Sunshine Story Media. Follow us at @MourningAfter_Pod on Instagram.

Information

  • Creator
    Sunshine Story Media
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    The Mourning After