Show Summary

In this ghostly episode, I talk about “war, skeletons, cemeteries, and things that go bump in the night.”

Halloween can often seem garish to grievers—a mockery of their pain. I felt that way too, and it took me a couple of years to reach a point where it didn’t bother me as much.

I also share a story about my father and an encounter he had with his mother during WWII. In part, I believe this story shaped how I saw Halloween and even my own grief.

Everyone’s grief journey is unique. With time, meditation, and a willingness to heal, I encourage you to discover new ways of honoring and enjoying this season, perhaps in ways that look different than before.

Episode Highlights

• Halloween Triggers
• A Personal Ghost Story
• The Impact of Grief
• Holding Space for Grievers
• Healing Through Time and Meditation
• Reclaiming Halloween After Loss

Connect with me!

• Sign Up for the Quarterly Newsletter: https://thegriefcurator.substack.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGriefCurator
• IG: https://www.instagram.com/thegriefcurator/
• Website: https://thegriefcurator.com/

Music

Intro and Outro: Eulogy | Licensed and Used with Permission of Thrumm, a division of Junius Recording Company

During Story: Waiting at 54th by Vincent and A Secret | Licensed and Used with Permission of Epidemic Sound

Bibliography

Nothing that’s out yet! You can read the “ghost” story and more about my father and his experience during WWII in my upcoming memoir: Don’t Tell Me to Get Over It!

Podcast Disclaimer

Michelle is not a licensed therapist. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. If at any moment in today’s discussion, you feel triggered, or not ready to face these big feelings, take a break, drink some water or tea, and come back to the podcast when you are ready.

If you do find that your everyday tasks are becoming impossible, or if you find you’re having suicidal thoughts, please call 988 or your local emergency number, and reach out to your therapist.

Sending you love, light, and peace!

Episode Title: Hurricane Helene: Holding Space for Collective

Grief

Brief Show Summary: Hurricane Helene was a catastrophic storm that brought death and destruction to areas unprepared for her wrath. In this episode, we invite you to talk about collective grief through the lens of Hurricane Helene, which devastated mountain communities in North Carolina and Tennessee, as well as coastal areas in Florida.

Together, we explore the resilience of the survivors who have come together to rebuild, despite tragedy, and contrast this with the harsh judgment online from those far removed from the on-the-ground efforts.

Reflect on the importance of holding space for others in times of collective grief, drawing on Heather Plett’s The Art of Holding Space. The power of creating a safe, compassionate space for people to process their pain without judgment or the urge to fix things is emphasized.

This episode is a heartfelt reminder that in both individual and collective grief, empathy and connection are what are most important in grief.

Episode Highlights

1. Devastation in the middle of the night
2. Resilience of survivors
3. Reality vs. Online Trolls
4. Distancing Ourselves from Tragedy
5. Holding space
6. The Connection between Imagination & Empathy
7. Personal insights
8. Practice empathy and holding space

Connect with me!

Sign Up for the Quarterly Newsletter: https://thegriefcurator.substack.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGriefCurator

IG: https://www.instagram.com/thegriefcurator/

Website: https://thegriefcurator.com/

Music: Eulogy | Licensed and Used with Permission of

Thrumm, a division of Junius Recording Company

Bibliography

"Collective Grief happens affects an entire community or large group. It's common during times of war and after major natural disasters that can have long lasting impacts." (An article on Talkspace.com by Liz Kelly)

Podcast Disclaimer: Michelle is not a licensed therapist. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. If at any moment in today’s discussion, you feel triggered, or not ready to face these big feelings, take a break, drink some water or tea, and come back to the podcast when you are ready.

If you do find that your everyday tasks are becoming impossible, or if you find you’re having suicidal thoughts, please call 988 or your local emergency number, and reach out to your therapist.

Shownotes - Episode 003

Guest: N/A

Episode live date: Friday, September 27, 2024

Name of show: Don’t Tell Me to Get Over It

Guest contact: N/A

Episode title: Grief with No Name: Understanding Disenfranchised Loss

Brief summary of show:

In this episode, we open a discussion on the broader spectrum of grief, introducing the concept of disenfranchised grief—losses that society often overlooks or fails to validate.

We explore how various significant losses like breakups, job terminations, or chronic illnesses can evoke real and valid grief, equivalent to the death of a loved one. Through my personal stories and professional definitions, we emphasize the importance of acknowledging all forms of grief and holding empathetic space for those experiencing them.

I advocate for naming and recognizing disenfranchised grief, offering support and validation for those navigating these uncharted emotional territories.

We talk about:

• 00:00 Intro
• 01:21 The Story of No Name Grief
• 02:58 Understanding Grief Beyond Death
• 05:01 Personal Struggles with Grief
• 06:54 Facing Unexpected Emotions
• 08:47 The Power of Naming Grief
• 12:35 Disenfranchised Grief Explained
• 13:03 Empathy and Community in Grief
• 20:46 Normalizing Grief Conversations
• 21:18 Closing Thoughts and Resources

Connect with me

• https://www.facebook.com/TheGriefCurator
• https://www.instagram.com/thegriefcurator/
• https://thegriefcurator.com/
• https://thegriefcurator.substack.com/

Music: Eulogy | Licensed and Used with Permission of Thrumm, a division of Junius Recording Company

Bibliography

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/from-rumpelstiltskin-name-tame-why-naming-things-hagerbaumer-pcc/

https://www.npr.org/2006/03/20/5285531/the-power-and-mystery-of-naming-things

Show Notes - Episode 002

Guest: N/A

Episode live date: Friday, September 13, 2024

Name of show: Don’t Tell Me to Get Over It

Guest contact: N/A

Episode title: Anger and the Five Stages: A Natural Response to Loss

Brief summary of show:

In this episode, we address the complexity of grief, emphasizing that it is not a linear process and validating all feelings experienced. Together, we dive deep into the topic of anger, exploring its roots and how it manifests during grief.

Offering personal anecdotes and practical advice, we understand how your own anger and grief are normal and provide tools to manage and process these intense emotions. The episode is a blend of heartfelt conversation, comfort, and support, ensuring that you understand you are not alone in your journey.

We talk about:

• 00:00 Intro
• 00:26 Understanding Your Grief
• 00:39 Creating a Safe Space
• 02:07 Navigating the Stages of Grief
• 04:43 Dealing with Anger
• 09:05 Expressing and Managing Emotions
• 12:11 Supporting Your Children
• 12:44 Reflecting on Your Journey
• 15:34 Concluding Thoughts and Resources

Connect with me

• https://www.facebook.com/TheGriefCurator
• https://www.instagram.com/thegriefcurator/
• https://thegriefcurator.com/

Music: Eulogy | Licensed and Used with Permission of Thrumm, a division of Junius Recording Company

Bibliography:

David Kessler: Finding Meaning - https://a.co/d/60k7FRe

The ABCs of Grief: a children's grief book for all types of grief and loss: https://a.co/d/4QvXKLC

Shownotes - Episode 001

Guest: N/A

Episode live date: Friday, August 30, 2024

Name of show: Don’t Tell Me to Get Over It

Guest contact: N/A

Episode number and title: At Home With Grief: The First Meeting

Brief summary of show:

I’m Michelle A. Gil, also known as The Grief Curator, and in this heartfelt episode, I introduce the 'Don't Tell Me To Get Over It' show for the very first time.

I open up about the loss of my 94-year-old father and the profound impact grief had on me. The show aims to provide a safe space for discussing grief, understanding its universal nature, and finding ways to cope.

Together, we emphasize the importance of validating personal experiences of loss, whether it's the death of a loved one, a breakup, or losing oneself. I share my personal journey, the comfort found in journaling, and the belief that pain can transform into something beautiful over time.

This conversation encourages you to embrace your grief without judgment, offering empathy and companionship through shared stories and reflections.

We talk about:

• 00:00 Intro
• 01:20 Understanding Your Grief
• 01:51 My Personal Grief Journey
• 03:27 The Universality of Grief
• 04:00 Navigating Grief Together
• 07:57 Coping Mechanisms and Reflections
• 09:45 The Ongoing Journey of Grief
• 10:57 Closing Thoughts and Future Visits

Connect with me

• https://www.facebook.com/TheGriefCurator
• https://www.instagram.com/thegriefcurator/
• https://thegriefcurator.com/

Music: Eulogy | Licensed and Used with Permission of Thrumm, a division of Junius Recording Company

There is no doubt that I was in denial. My father had always been a strong and healthy man at every age, and in my eyes he was immortal. A world where he simply no longer existed was incomprehensible to me. Any time I thought of losing him I closed my eyes to reality and pretended he would live forever.

In the six years since my father died, I’ve joined grief groups, read amazing books on death, went back to therapy, even became a David Kessler certified Grief Educator.

And the one thing I’ve noticed that we as grievers have in common? Non-grievers are almost always telling us to "Get Over It."

On August 30, come over and set a spell on my debut podcast– Don’t Tell Me to Get Over It—where we normalize conversations about grief, loss, and love explore ways to hold space, and rediscover joy – together.

Because we weren’t meant to grieve alone. And you don't have to anymore.

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Music: On My Way by Ajo | Licensed and Used with permission of Epidemic Sound