In this conversation with my new friend Emily Gould, a fellow mother who has lost a child to cancer, we discussed Emily's experience with her daughter's cancer diagnosis, the brutal treatments they went through, and the challenges of navigating grief. We also talked about finding hope and choosing to assign meaning to tomorrow. Emily shared with us how her daughter's love and light continue to surround her, and how she finds comfort in signs and symbols that remind her of her daughter's presence. We also discussed the pressure to move on from grief from society and the misconception that grief has an expiration date. We highlight the choice to integrate their children into their lives and continue to honor them. We talk about the depth of love and the perspective that grief brings, and the importance of being seen and acknowledged in their pain.

• Cancer treatments can be brutal and painful, and they often have life-threatening side effects.

• Grief is a complex journey that involves feeling a range of emotions, including sadness, anger, and hope.

• Finding signs and symbols that remind us of our loved ones can bring comfort and a sense of connection.

• Choosing to assign meaning and hope to tomorrow can help us navigate the challenges of grief and loss. Be open to signs and connections from deceased loved ones

• Recognize and appreciate the signs as messages from loved ones

• Grief does not have an expiration date

• Grief brings a deeper perspective and appreciation for life

Emily Gould loves to discover as much as possible about people, cultures, emotions, and the world around her. Emily has been writing for over 20 years. Upon her daughter’s cancer diagnosis, writing became less of a hobby and more of a coping mechanism. The more Emily wrote, the more people listened. Her words have spanned across nations and touched the hearts of people all over the globe. She has taken the opportunity to educate those who haven’t been afflicted with cancer about this disease in hopes of spreading awareness and love for those who fight for their lives every single day. Alongside her husband Kris, Emily is always up for any adventure that life has to offer. The couple, with their four children, enjoy camping, hiking, boating, laughing too loud, and just being together.

You can find her here

My social media is: Instagram @emily_m_gould Facebook: Emily Gould

I have published two books and am working on my third. Here are the links:

Turning Weeds Into Wildflowers: https://a.co/d/fWHqgr1

It Gave Me You: https://a.co/d/de2iDoD

If you are grieving right now, you are not alone. You can order a copy of my bestselling book Even If-A Holistic Approach to Living A Joy Filled Life With Loss on amazon by clicking here. https://amzn.to/3x5Qbd8

If you are a fellow grieving mamma and would like to know more about Holistic Grief Academy, my coaching program you can click here https://holisticgriefacademy.myflodesk.com/prei7fpydj

PS. I would love to stay connected. You can follow me on Instagram @mrsshaunadukes or head over to ShaunaDukes.com for a free ebook on how to support a grieving friend.

In this solosode, I share my three biggest tips for managing grief, and all the complicated emotions that come with it. There are no shortcuts, but I have learned a few tricks along the way, and am happy to be at a place where I can share and help others.

Takeaways

• Grief is a transformative process, similar to a butterfly's transformation.

• Promote the release of happy hormones by engaging in activities like spending time in nature, exercising, and practicing gratitude.

• Set healthy boundaries and be intentional about where you spend your energy during the grieving process.

• Be aware of your thoughts and reframe negative beliefs to have a positive mindset towards healing.

If you are grieving right now, you are not alone. You can order a copy of my bestselling book Even If-A Holistic Approach to Living A Joy Filled Life With Loss on amazon by clicking here.

https://amzn.to/3x5Qbd8

If you are a fellow grieving mamma and would like to know more about Holistic Grief Academy, my coaching program you can click here

https://holisticgriefacademy.myflodesk.com/prei7fpydj

PS. I would love to stay connected. You can follow me on Instagram @mrsshaunadukes or head over to ShaunaDukes.com for a free ebook on how to support a grieving friend.

In this episode I speak with my beautiful friend MeiLi Autumn Coon. She is the owner and makeup artist for MeiLi Autumn Beauty, creator of Radiant You events, and inner beauty advocate, writer, mother, sister, daughter, beloved child of God. You can find her on instagram @meiliautumnbeauty @meilicoon

We discuss friendship during grief, as well as the collective grief experienced by the community after the devastating wildfire on Maui last August. MeiLi shares with us her experience of witnessing my grief and offers advice for supporting a grieving friend. Our conversation highlights the power of community and the resilience that can emerge from grief. We also discuss the importance of allowing oneself to feel the pain and grief, rather than numbing it, and finding ways to move forward and find beauty in life. Our conversation touches on identity, faith, and the transformative power of grief.

Takeaways

• Supporting a grieving friend involves showing up, holding space, and not needing to have all the right words or solutions.

• Providing practical support, such as bringing healthy meals, can be a meaningful way to help a grieving friend.

• Grief can involve the loss of future plans and dreams, which can be an additional layer of pain.

• Collective grief, such as the aftermath of a natural disaster, can bring a community together and reveal the resilience of individuals.

• Being a witness to someone's grief and growth can be a profound and honored role in a friendship.

• Losing a hometown to a natural disaster can be a deeply painful experience, as it involves the loss of one's identity and core elements of their being.

• Collective grief is a powerful force that affects everyone in a community, including first responders and firefighters who are deeply impacted by the disaster.

• In the aftermath of a loss, it can be challenging to navigate the reality that life goes on and find the motivation to continue.

If you are grieving right now, you are not alone. You can order a copy of my bestselling book Even If-A Holistic Approach to Living A Joy Filled Life With Loss on amazon by clicking here.

https://amzn.to/3x5Qbd8

If you are a fellow grieving mamma and would like to know more about Holistic Grief Academy, my coaching program you can click here

https://holisticgriefacademy.myflodesk.com/prei7fpydj

PS. I would love to stay connected. You can follow me on Instagram @mrsshaunadukes or head over to ShaunaDukes.com for a free ebook on how to support a grieving friend.