In this special solo episode, I announce my decision to take a sabbatical from Grieving Voices and reflect on the nature of change, the power of asking "why," and how letting go can create space for new growth. I share my personal journey of questioning the routines and commitments that no longer serve me and the surprising sense of relief and excitement that came with making this decision.

Key Points

• Change is inevitable and often reveals our true nature and patterns
• The connection between grief and the disruption of familiar patterns
• How asking "why" questions can help us identify people-pleasing behaviors
• The importance of evaluating where we put our energy and time
• Why I'm taking a sabbatical from the podcast after 5 years
• Finding relief and expansion in letting go of self-imposed expectations
• All episodes will remain available as a resource for the grieving community

A heartfelt thank you to all the listeners, guests, and supporters who have been part of the Grieving Voices journey over the past 5 years. Your participation has helped change the narrative around grief, making it something we can discuss openly and honestly.

As I embrace this change, I invite you to consider what changes you might resist in your life. What might be possible if you leaned into that change instead? What "why" questions might help you uncover your own path forward?

RESOURCES:

• Newsletter | The Unleashed Letters

Send Victoria a text message!

Support the show

_______

NEED HELP?

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
• Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7 support via text message. Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained Crisis Counselor

If you are struggling with grief due to any of the 40+ losses, free resources are available HERE.

CONNECT WITH VICTORIA:

• Instagram
• Website
• LinkedIn
• Facebook

This episode is sponsored by Do Grief Differently™️, my twelve-week, one-on-one, in-person/online program for grievers who have suffered any type of loss to feel better. Click here to learn new tools, grief education, and the only evidence-based method for moving beyond the pain of grief.

Would you like to join the mission of Grieving Voices in normalizing grief and supporting hurting hearts everywhere? Become a sup...

This week's guest is Michelle Vignault, who opens her heart about the unimaginable journey of losing both her brother to suicide and her husband within just six months. Michelle shares how she was suddenly thrust into solo parenting two daughters, ages 2 and 4 while navigating her own overwhelming grief.

With raw honesty, Michelle reveals how writing became her lifeline—beginning as simple notes and evolving into heartfelt letters to her best friend before ultimately becoming her book, "Hold Back the Rain," titled after a meaningful Duran Duran song that resonated with her struggle to withstand life's torrential challenges.

Despite eight years passing since these profound losses, Michelle vulnerably shares her recent unexpected grief relapse, reminding us that healing isn't linear, and even when we feel strong, grief can suddenly knock us off our feet.

Our conversation tenderly explores how Michelle has broken generational patterns by creating space for open communication with her daughters. She uses honest, distraction-free moments to help them process their feelings while allowing herself to express her own sadness and anger authentically and openly.

The poignant image on her book cover—capturing Michelle with her daughters as they release her husband's ashes—symbolizes their transformed family and the quiet strength they've discovered together. It offers listeners a touching testament to how families can find their way forward through devastating loss with love, honesty, and resilience.

Michelle's story reminds us that while we cannot hold back the rain of grief, we can learn to dance in it, finding moments of connection and growth even in our darkest hours. Her journey inspires us to embrace vulnerability as strength and to recognize that healing happens in community—whether through writing, honest conversations, or the simple act of showing up for ourselves and our loved ones day after day.

RESOURCES:

• Book, Hold Back the Rain
• Book,

Send Victoria a text message!

Support the show

_______

NEED HELP?

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
• Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7 support via text message. Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained Crisis Counselor

If you are struggling with grief due to any of the 40+ losses, free resources are available HERE.

CONNECT WITH VICTORIA:

• Instagram
• Website
• LinkedIn
• Facebook

This episode is sponsored by Do Grief Differently™️, my twelve-week, one-on-one, in-person/online program for grievers who have suffered any type of loss to feel better. Click here to learn new tools, grief education, and the only evidence-based method for moving beyond the pain of grief.

Would you like to join the mission of Grieving Voices in normalizing grief and supporting hurting hearts everywhere? Become a sup...

I sit down with Christina Keyes, a remarkable woman who transformed her life from a career-driven professional to a dedicated caregiver of her mother in 2013, after her mother nearly died of a stroke, only six months after the death of her father. Around this same time frame, Christina was also grieving the loss of a dear cousin who was responsible for Christina getting sober. However, the grief doesn't stop there. Christina was also grieving the end of a 17-year relationship as she knew it when her partner suffered a life-altering stroke, which resulted in him having to go into an adult care facility.

Christina's story is about resilience, compassion, and turning personal grief into a powerful message of hope and advocacy. She shares the emotional rollercoaster of caregiving, from the sleepless nights filled with worry to the profound moments of connection with her mother. She opens up about the challenges of balancing her own needs with those of her loved ones and the unexpected blessings that emerged along the way.

Her candid reflections offer invaluable insights into caregiving, grief, and personal growth. Now a national speaker and the founder of Keys for Caregiving, Christina aims to transform the caregiving space by connecting businesses and family caregivers to foster a supportive community. Her advocacy work amplifies the voices of caregivers, championing for change and understanding in a field often overlooked.

Christina's story is an inspiring journey of love, loss, and the power of turning a mess into a message and a test into a testimony, as Christina says. Whether you're a caregiver, experiencing grief, or seeking inspiration, this episode is filled with warmth, wisdom, and the reminder that we can grow through what we go through.

Tune in to discover how Christina's story can inspire your own path of healing and empowerment. You also do not want to miss the incredible and beautiful Christmas miracle Christina experienced!

RESOURCES:

• Website
• Caregiver Text Line: 1+ (360) 230-7736
• Self-Care at Sea Cruise: Oct. 2025

Send Victoria a text message!

Support the show

_______

NEED HELP?

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
• Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7 support via text message. Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained Crisis Counselor

If you are struggling with grief due to any of the 40+ losses, free resources are available HERE.

CONNECT WITH VICTORIA:

• Instagram
• Website
• LinkedIn
• Facebook

This episode is sponsored by Do Grief Differently™️, my twelve-week, one-on-one, in-person/online program for grievers who have suffered any type of loss to feel better. Click here to learn new tools, grief education, and the only evidence-based method for moving beyond the pain of grief.

Would you like to join the mission of Grieving Voices in normalizing grief and supporting hurting hearts everywhere? Become a sup...

In this enlightening episode, I welcome Dr. Dolores Fazzino, a trailblazing thought leader and visionary in the realm of energy healing. With her unique blend of medical intuition and energy expertise, Dr. Fazzino shares her insights on how intuition and trust can facilitate deep healing and transformation, especially in the context of grief.

Throughout our conversation, Dr. Fazzino opens up about her personal journey, revealing how her childhood experiences with grief shaped her path toward becoming a renowned nurse practitioner and energy healer. She passionately discusses the body's innate wisdom and how we can tap into our own healing potential by bridging the gap between the physical and spiritual realms.

We delve into the power of energy medicine and the role of intuition in navigating life's challenges. Dr. Fazzino explains how embracing our emotions and connecting with our inner selves can lead to profound personal growth and resilience. Her compassionate approach offers hope and inspiration to those facing grief, emphasizing that healing is a journey of self-discovery and empowerment.

Join us as we explore the transformative power of energy healing with Dr. Dolores Fazzino. Learn how to harness your intuition to navigate the complexities of grief and emerge stronger on the other side. Whether you seek healing or support a loved one, this episode is filled with wisdom and encouragement for anyone on their own journey through grief.

RESOURCES:

• Website
• Energy Healing
• Membership: I Am Awake, Now What?

CONNECT:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube

Send Victoria a text message!

Support the show

_______

NEED HELP?

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
• Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7 support via text message. Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained Crisis Counselor

If you are struggling with grief due to any of the 40+ losses, free resources are available HERE.

CONNECT WITH VICTORIA:

• Instagram
• Website
• LinkedIn
• Facebook

This episode is sponsored by Do Grief Differently™️, my twelve-week, one-on-one, in-person/online program for grievers who have suffered any type of loss to feel better. Click here to learn new tools, grief education, and the only evidence-based method for moving beyond the pain of grief.

Would you like to join the mission of Grieving Voices in normalizing grief and supporting hurting hearts everywhere? Become a sup...

I had the privilege of sitting down with Reese Zahner, a poet and writer who has beautifully transformed her grief journey into a powerful testament of healing and acceptance under the pen name Cleo Childs.

Reese opens up about the profound impact of losing her mother to early onset Alzheimer's, a journey that spanned seven years from diagnosis to loss. Through her candid storytelling, Reese shares how she turned to poetry as a means to process her emotions.

We delve into the complexities of anticipatory grief and the unique challenges of witnessing a loved one gradually slip away. Reese's honesty about her initial struggles with understanding grief and her eventual path to acceptance is both moving and inspiring. She speaks to the isolation she felt during this time and how writing became a lifeline, allowing her to express emotions she couldn't articulate otherwise.

Her poetry, once a private refuge, has now become a beacon of hope for others navigating similar journeys. We explore the themes of presence, patience, and the lessons Reese learned along the way, emphasizing that healing is not linear but a continuous process.

Throughout our conversation, her warmth and resilience shine through as she reflects on the gifts her mother gave her. Whether you're currently walking through a season of loss or supporting someone who is, her insights offer comfort and encouragement.

Join us as we explore the healing power of poetry and the profound journey of love, loss, and acceptance.

RESOURCES:

• Website
• Poetry on YouTube
• Poetry on Spotify

CONNECT:

• Contact Form

Send Victoria a text message!

Support the show

_______

NEED HELP?

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
• Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7 support via text message. Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained Crisis Counselor

If you are struggling with grief due to any of the 40+ losses, free resources are available HERE.

CONNECT WITH VICTORIA:

• Instagram
• Website
• LinkedIn
• Facebook

This episode is sponsored by Do Grief Differently™️, my twelve-week, one-on-one, in-person/online program for grievers who have suffered any type of loss to feel better. Click here to learn new tools, grief education, and the only evidence-based method for moving beyond the pain of grief.

Would you like to join the mission of Grieving Voices in normalizing grief and supporting hurting hearts everywhere? Become a sup...

In this touching episode, Erin Whalen shares her heartfelt journey of growing up with her beloved sister, Gina, who had cerebral palsy. Through her personal experience of anticipatory grief and loss, Erin found her calling as the founder of Compassionate Coaching, where she now helps end-of-life and bereavement professionals develop essential communication skills.

Erin opens up about the profound impact of losing Gina in 2016 and how their unique sister relationship – though different from what many might consider typical – shaped her deep understanding of nonverbal communication and empathy.

Erin's story beautifully illustrates how our most challenging life experiences can transform into gifts we share with others. As she discusses her ongoing connection with Gina's memory and her work teaching empathy skills, Erin reminds us that grief takes many forms and that there's no "right" way to grieve. Her mission to help others feel seen and heard in their grief journey stems from her own understanding of anticipatory grief – an experience she lived with for 40 years before finding the language to describe it.

For those living with anticipatory grief or supporting someone with special needs, Erin's story serves as a tender reminder that they're not alone in their complex emotions. Her work is a beautiful testament to how our deepest wounds can become our greatest gifts in serving others.

RESOURCES:

• Website
• Book Waitlist
• Grieving Voices Ep. 40 with Chris Kerr

CONNECT WITH ERIN:

• IG
• Linkedin

Send Victoria a text message!

Support the show

_______

NEED HELP?

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
• Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7 support via text message. Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained Crisis Counselor

If you are struggling with grief due to any of the 40+ losses, free resources are available HERE.

CONNECT WITH VICTORIA:

• Instagram
• Website
• LinkedIn
• Facebook

This episode is sponsored by Do Grief Differently™️, my twelve-week, one-on-one, in-person/online program for grievers who have suffered any type of loss to feel better. Click here to learn new tools, grief education, and the only evidence-based method for moving beyond the pain of grief.

Would you like to join the mission of Grieving Voices in normalizing grief and supporting hurting hearts everywhere? Become a sup...

This week, I sit down with Katie Prentiss, a filmmaker, actress, and caregiver who transformed her most profound loss into a powerful creative mission. Katie shares her raw and inspiring journey of caring for her mother through frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a challenging form of dementia that impacts personality and communication far differently than traditional memory-loss conditions.

At the age of 62, Katie's mother, Maggie, passed away from FTD. Through our conversation, we follow Maggie's transition from caregiver to actress and the filmmaking of her debut film, "Wake Up Maggie," hoping to raise awareness about dementia and caregiving.

Katie beautifully describes grief as a "slow goodbye." She shares transformative perspectives, saying that grief doesn't have to have the final word and that facing fear can become a pathway to clarity and purpose. And, my favorite: the sun is always shining above the clouds, even when we can't see it.

Katie has had to learn how to embrace life fully, knowing the genetic uncertainty of FTD, following the diagnosis of another family member. But she's already learned how creative expression is a healing outlet and the importance of viewing midlife as an unraveling.

Key Takeaways:

• Understanding the unique challenges of frontotemporal dementia.
• The emotional landscape of caregiving for a parent with a progressive illness.
• How grief can be a catalyst for personal transformation.
• The power of creative expression in processing loss.

RESOURCES:

• Movie | "Wake Up Maggie"
• IMDb
• IG | Wake Up Maggie

CONNECT WITH KATIE:

• Website
• IG
• FB
• YouTube

Send Victoria a text message!

Support the show

_______

NEED HELP?

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
• Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7 support via text message. Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained Crisis Counselor

If you are struggling with grief due to any of the 40+ losses, free resources are available HERE.

CONNECT WITH VICTORIA:

• Instagram
• Website
• LinkedIn
• Facebook

This episode is sponsored by Do Grief Differently™️, my twelve-week, one-on-one, in-person/online program for grievers who have suffered any type of loss to feel better. Click here to learn new tools, grief education, and the only evidence-based method for moving beyond the pain of grief.

Would you like to join the mission of Grieving Voices in normalizing grief and supporting hurting hearts everywhere? Become a sup...

In this soul-stirring episode, we explore the profound journey of Sujala Shastry, who lost her mother to a brain tumor at age 11 in India.

Her story illuminates the complex intersection of cultural silence, emotional isolation, and the transformative power of breaking generational patterns around grief.

Key Takeaways:

• The impact of losing a mother in a joint family system that provided physical but not emotional support.
• How 20 years of survival mode led to disconnection, anxiety, and lost memories.
• The awakening that came with motherhood and the desire to heal generational trauma.
• The cultural dynamics of grief in Indian versus Western society.
• Finding one's voice and creating boundaries after decades of people-pleasing.
• The launch of her podcast "Discovering Journeys" as a platform for authentic connection.

Sujala shares how one can be profoundly lonely even when surrounded by loving family, the importance of emotionally safe spaces in healing childhood loss, and how unprocessed grief affects identity formation and relationships. This episode will inspire the importance of taking steps toward healing sooner rather than later, not as a means to rush, emotionally bypass, or forget. Instead, one must immerse oneself in one's inner emotional world to truly feel the hurt and pain so that it can be transmuted to live as full of a life as possible.

RESOURCES:

• Episode Sponsor: Magic Mind
• Podcast | Discovering Journeys

CONNECT WITH SUJALA:

• Podcast Website
• LinkedIn
• IG

Send Victoria a text message!

Support the show

_______

NEED HELP?

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
• Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7 support via text message. Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained Crisis Counselor

If you are struggling with grief due to any of the 40+ losses, free resources are available HERE.

CONNECT WITH VICTORIA:

• Instagram
• Website
• LinkedIn
• Facebook

This episode is sponsored by Do Grief Differently™️, my twelve-week, one-on-one, in-person/online program for grievers who have suffered any type of loss to feel better. Click here to learn new tools, grief education, and the only evidence-based method for moving beyond the pain of grief.

Would you like to join the mission of Grieving Voices in normalizing grief and supporting hurting hearts everywhere? Become a sup...