In this episode I sit down with Sarah Baldwin, co-founder and CEO of Restfully, to explore a concept that can change the way we understand grief: grief personas.

We often expect grief to look a certain way. Lots of tears, deep sadness, and a clear emotional timeline. But anyone who has experienced loss (or supported someone through it) knows that grief doesn’t follow a script.

Sarah shares how the idea of grief personas helps explain these differences and why recognizing them can reduce conflict, increase empathy, and help us support each other better after loss.

If you’ve ever wondered why your sibling, partner, or friend seems to grieve so differently than you do, this conversation will help you understand what’s really going on and how to meet each other with more compassion.

You can find Sarah at: https://restfullycare.com

Want to Join the Good Grief Society? Join the Waitlist now! https://www.nikkithedeathdoula.com/good-grief-waitlist

Have a burning question for Nikki the Death Doula? Leave me a message here: https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/458190/1/9pa2xynf4iwbj6p1

Support me on Patreon! ⁠https://www.patreon.com/nikkithedeathdoula⁠

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Get merch! https://good-grief-podcast.printify.me/ Music:https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3495-cheery-monday

TW: Some discussions of addiction

What happens when someone you’re not close to dies… and you’re the one legally responsible?

In this episode, I sit down with Cat, host of Call Her Cat, to talk about the death of her father—whom she was estranged from at the time of his passing. Despite the distance in their relationship, Cat stepped in as his Medical Power of Attorney, made end-of-life decisions, and arranged his funeral.

We explore what it’s like to grieve someone you had a complicated history with. The love that may have existed. The hurt that definitely did. The expectations from others. And the internal tug-of-war between duty, resentment, tenderness, and relief.

You can find Cat’s podcast here: https://unityyork.podbean.com/

Want to Join the Good Grief Society? Join the Waitlist now! https://www.nikkithedeathdoula.com/good-grief-waitlist

Have a burning question for Nikki the Death Doula? Leave me a message here: https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/458190/1/9pa2xynf4iwbj6p1

Support me on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/nikkithedeathdoula⁠

You can find me here: https://linktr.ee/nikkithedeathdoula

Get merch! https://good-grief-podcast.printify.me/ Music:https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3495-cheery-monday

TW: mass casualty events, pandemic, light political topics

A lot of people are asking the same quiet question: Why do I feel so heavy right now?

In this episode, I unpack the concept of collective grief and why so many of us feel exhausted, anxious, numb, or on edge. You are not weak. You are not broken. You are responding to brokenness.

We explore what grief actually is beyond death loss, and the kind of sorrow that never gets acknowledged publicly.

If you have felt “off” for years, this conversation might connect some dots.

We also look at historical patterns of collective grief, including moments like September 11 attacks, the Vietnam War, etc. Some grief was repressed. Some was transformed into movements. Where do we see those echoes now?

Let’s talk honestly about why navigating grief feels harder today.

Want to Join the Good Grief Society? Join the Waitlist now! https://www.nikkithedeathdoula.com/good-grief-waitlist

Have a burning question for Nikki the Death Doula? Leave me a message here: https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/458190/1/9pa2xynf4iwbj6p1

Support me on Patreon! ⁠https://www.patreon.com/nikkithedeathdoula⁠

You can find me here:

https://linktr.ee/nikkithedeathdoula

Get merch! https://good-grief-podcast.printify.me/ Music:https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3495-cheery-monday