Grief & Grit

Grief and Anxiety: Navigating the Overlap with Anxiety Slayer Shann Vander Leek

In this episode of Grief & Grit, Greer and Simonie explore the intersection of grief and anxiety with special guest Shann Vander Leek from the Anxiety Slayer podcast. Shann shares her insights on how grief-related anxiety manifests, from panic attacks and hyper-awareness of mortality to the overwhelming fear of an uncertain future.
Greer and Simonie open up about their personal experiences with anxiety after the loss of their spouses, including moments of emotional overload and the challenges of solo parenting. Together, they discuss how anxiety can impact sleep, decision-making and day-to-day functioning during grief.
Shann offers practical strategies for managing anxiety, such as EFT tapping, guided meditations, journaling and the importance of sticking to routines. Whether it’s finding relief through movement or using simple grounding techniques, this episode is packed with actionable tools to ease the burden of grief and anxiety.
If you’ve ever felt paralyzed by grief-related anxiety or wondered how to calm the racing thoughts, this conversation will remind you that you're not alone. Tune in to learn how to give yourself grace, support your healing journey, and find moments of calm amidst the chaos.
Join us as we navigate this difficult yet relatable topic and offer hope, tools, and a little bit of grit along the way.

Finding Light: Navigating Grief During the Holiday Season

The holiday season can be one of the most challenging times for those grieving the loss of a loved one. In this episode of Grief & Grit, co-hosts Greer Mendel and Simonie Levy share their personal stories of navigating winter holidays after losing their spouses. They offer compassionate guidance, from letting go of painful traditions to creating new ones that honor your loved one's memory.
Discover practical tips like setting boundaries, crafting an exit plan for events, and embracing the unexpected moments of joy that may arise. Whether it's lighting a candle, sharing stories, or simply allowing yourself space to grieve, this episode is a comforting reminder that you're not alone.
Tune in as Greer and Simonie discuss the importance of self-care, honoring your emotions, and finding peace in the midst of the season's chaos.

Grief & Gratitude: Finding Hope and Resilience Amid Loss

As Thanksgiving approaches, Greer and Simonie dive into the complex relationship between grief and gratitude in this episode of Grief & Grit. They share personal stories about transforming the holiday into a time of remembrance and thanks. Greer reflects on her struggles with Thanksgiving after Jarrod’s passing, while Simonie talks about the impact of her late husband Mark’s leukemia diagnosis during the holiday.
They explore how small acts, like keeping a gratitude journal or embracing moments of peace, can foster healing. With insights on resilience and finding joy amid sorrow, they offer practical ways to navigate the holiday season and discover moments of hope.

Supporting Children Through Grief with Kate's Club

In this impactful episode of Grief & Grit, we welcome Lane Pease, Director of Education & Innovative Programming at Kate’s Club. Lane shares her personal grief journey and explains how Kate’s Club supports children and teens who have lost a caregiver or sibling.
As we recognize National Children’s Grief Awareness Day, observed every year on the Thursday before Thanksgiving, we dive into the unique ways children process grief, common misconceptions, and how grief evolves as kids grow. Lane offers practical advice for families and discusses how to support grieving children, especially during the holiday season. We also highlight the critical work and programs Kate’s Club provides, creating a vital community for young people in need.
Join us for this meaningful conversation and learn how you can help ensure no child grieves alone.

Grieving a Challenging Relationship with Shann Vander Leek

In this Grief & Grit episode, Greer and Simonie welcome Shann Vander Leek, co-host of Anxiety Slayer and their podcast coach. Shann opens up about her journey of grieving a complicated relationship with her father. She shares the difficult decision to take a decade-long break to heal, the boundaries she needed to set, and the personal growth that led to a renewed bond before his passing.
Greer and Simonie lead a powerful discussion on the stigma of grieving imperfect relationships, the work of self-forgiveness, and the unexpected gifts of healing. Shann’s story offers hope and insight to anyone navigating the complexities of loss. 
Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. Join us and explore the grit behind grief.

The Mask of Grief

In this special Halloween-themed episode of Grief & Grit, Greer and Simonie dive into the idea of the "mask" we wear in grief. Just as people wear costumes to conceal their true identity on Halloween, we often hide our true emotions behind a mask when dealing with grief. The discussion covers the different masks we put on—from the strong, happy, or busy personas to the deep disconnect from our feelings.
The conversation touches on personal stories and explores the toll that masking grief can have on both emotional and physical health. The hosts reflect on the importance of removing these masks, facing emotions head-on, and creating a safe space to heal.
Whether you’re someone who wears your emotions openly or keeps them hidden, this episode encourages listeners to acknowledge and process grief in a way that feels authentic and healing.
Tune in to discover the different masks of grief, how they affect our healing journey, and ways to begin the difficult task of removing them, one layer at a time.

Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness: Sarah

In this touching episode of Grief & Grit, we continue our series for Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month with a very special guest, Sarah Jarvis. Sarah shares her deeply personal and emotional journey through infertility, the grief of unmet expectations, and the transformative experience of building her family through surrogacy and adoption.
Sarah’s story is one of resilience, love, and surrender—learning to let go of the image of how life "should" be and embracing the miracles that come in unexpected ways. She opens up about the challenges of infertility, the emotional rollercoaster of surrogacy, and the bittersweet joy of adoption, offering hope and comfort to others navigating similar paths.
With vulnerability and grace, Sarah reminds us that while grief can feel isolating, community and shared experiences can lighten the burden. Tune in for an honest conversation on love, loss, and the beauty of surrendering to the journey.
Don’t miss this powerful episode as we aim to normalize these sensitive topics and support those in their grieving process.
 
Trigger warning: This episode is part of a series focusing on different experiences related to pregnancy and infant loss. This story touches on sensitive subjects related to miscarriage, pregnancy complications and loss.

Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness: Carly

In this episode of Grief & Grit, co-hosts Greer and Simonie delve into a deeply personal and delicate topic: pregnancy loss. Joined by special guest Carly Sonenshine, LCSW, the conversation explores Carly’s own journey through the heartbreaking challenges of miscarriage and the rollercoaster of emotions that accompany trying to build a family amidst uncertainty. Carly opens up about her experiences with IVF and the journey she and her husband faced after learning they were both carriers of a rare genetic condition.
Listeners will hear raw reflections on grief, hope and the unique pressures of navigating such intense loss. Carly shares how faith, connection and her family helped her through the most painful periods, offering guidance for others walking a similar path. This episode serves as a reminder that even in the darkest moments, we are not alone—and that resilience can emerge through shared stories and support.
Trigger warning: This episode is part of a series focusing on different experiences related to pregnancy and infant loss. This story touches on sensitive subjects related to miscarriage, pregnancy complications and loss.

Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness: Barbara

In this episode of Grief & Grit, Barbara Leahy joins hosts Greer Mendel and Simonie Levy to share her powerful story of giving birth to premature twin daughters and enduring the devastating loss of one. Barbara opens up about navigating grief while raising her surviving daughter, and how she’s learned to hold both joy and sorrow throughout her journey.
The conversation explores the messy, complex nature of grief—living in “liminal space,” dealing with unexpected grief triggers, and the importance of finding and embracing your support village. Barbara’s story sheds light on the bittersweetness of milestones and how grief evolves over time, inspiring others to find strength in vulnerability.
Tune in for a heartfelt discussion dedicated to those experiencing pregnancy and infant loss in honor of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.
This episode is part of a series focusing on different experiences related to pregnancy and infant loss.

Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness: Greer

In this special episode, hosts Simonie and Greer delve into the difficult but essential topic of pregnancy and infant loss. October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, and Greer shares her deeply personal story of grief, love and healing.* From her journey with pregnancy loss to the challenges and decisions she and her late husband, Jarrod, faced, Greer opens up about the impact of loss and the road to finding support. She discusses the importance of talking openly about such experiences to reduce the isolation that often accompanies grief. Listen as they explore the nuances of loss, the power of community, and the ways in which grief prepares us for life’s many challenges.
This episode is part of a series focusing on different experiences related to pregnancy and infant loss.
*This episode shares a story involving abortion. We know this can be a very triggering and polarizing topic and want to honor and respect this real life experience.