What happens when the life you knew disappears, but you still have to wake up and live the next day? In this heartfelt episode of Enduring Grief, Sarah Peterson sits with Marlis and Dean for an honest conversation about identity, loss, and the painful moments when life no longer feels familiar. They talk about illness, parenting through hardship, losing roles that once defined them, and learning to live in “new rooms” after grief changes everything. Through personal stories, gentle humor, and deep wisdom, they explore how sadness can slowly make room for gratitude, love, and meaning. This episode offers comfort for anyone facing a major life change, reminding listeners that they do not have to like the loss to keep moving toward what matters most.

Episode highlights:

(2:38) When life no longer feels like your life

(3:02) Losing the expected version of motherhood

(6:09) Illness, identity loss, and career grief

(9:00) How roles change through every stage of life

(15:18) Why grief may always be present

(18:00) Feeling lost when old guideposts disappear

(23:32) Redefining yourself after loss

(28:53) One small step toward what matters most

(30:19) Entering the “new room” after grief

(36:07) Why we cannot return to the old rooms

(41:26) Choosing one guidepost for today

Connect with Sarah:

✅ Instagram: instagram.com/clearmourning

✅ Official Website: clearmourning.org

Follow us on Instagram: @ClearMourning

Stay inspired with daily reflections, quotes on healing, and behind-the-scenes content from the podcast.

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Leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform—it helps others discover these stories of healing. And if this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who might benefit. Word of mouth is the best way to spread healing and hope.

What do you do when grief leaves you asking, “Now what?”

In this heartfelt episode of Enduring Grief, Sarah Peterson sits down with Aurena, licensed mental health counselor, yoga instructor, and co-creator of the Planet Grief deck. Aurena shares how the loss of her mother inspired a practical, compassionate tool for grievers and the people who love them. Together, Sarah and Aurena talk about receiving help, grief-informed support, changed humor, secondary losses, complicated family relationships, and why bringing up someone’s loss can feel like love instead of pain. This conversation offers real comfort for anyone living after loss, with gentle reminders that grief can feel lonely, but no one has to carry it alone.

Connect with Aurena:

✅ Instagram: @aurena

✅ Website: inner-compass-therapy.com

✅ Planet Grief Deck: hackyournervoussystem.org/products/planetgrief

Episode highlights:

(2:26) Meet Aurena and the Planet Grief deck

(5:16) Losing her mother and creating grief tools

(9:49) How the deck supports grievers and loved ones

(14:47) The practice of receiving help

(22:05) Aurena reads her poem “Pump”

(27:49) Helpful grief questions and changed humor

(35:01) Complicated grief and family relationships

(45:36) The kindest support after loss

(50:52) Why it helps to bring up grief

(52:17) Understanding secondary losses

(56:23) Hope, hopelessness, and healing in community

Connect with Sarah:

✅ Instagram: instagram.com/clearmourning

✅ Official Website: clearmourning.org

Follow us on Instagram: @ClearMourning

Stay inspired with daily reflections, quotes on healing, and behind-the-scenes content from the podcast.

Love What You Hear?

Leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform. It helps others discover these stories of healing. And if this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who might benefit. Word of mouth is the best way to spread healing and hope.

What does it really mean to show up for someone whose pain cannot be fixed?

In this heartfelt episode of Enduring Grief, Sarah Peterson sits down with her dear friend Katie Hartley to talk about grief, friendship, and the quiet power of practical support. Katie shares how her years as a hospice nurse, along with her own personal losses, shaped the way she cared for Sarah after the death of Sarah’s daughter, Marley. Together, they discuss what “being present” truly means, from doing laundry and organizing bills to offering love with no expectations. This conversation is a moving reminder that grief does not need quick answers. It needs steady people, honest love, and the courage to stay close when life feels unbearable.

Episode highlights:

(1:55) Sarah introduces Katie and their long friendship

(6:40) What supporters can learn from hospice care

(8:07) Practical help during deep grief

(13:10) Why “What do you need?” is not always enough

(14:15) How grief changes relationships

(22:46) Feeling inadequate as a grief supporter

(25:02) Learning to live with lasting pain

(29:26) Katie’s top advice for supporters

(36:41) Books, quotes, and language that helped explain grief

(43:04) Why support can still matter 10 years later

(47:51) Trust as one of grief’s greatest gifts

(49:24) Why “everything happens for a reason” can hurt rather than help

Connect with Sarah:

✅ Instagram: instagram.com/clearmourning

✅ Official Website: clearmourning.org

Follow us on Instagram: @ClearMourning

Stay inspired with daily reflections, quotes on healing, and behind-the-scenes content from the podcast.

Love What You Hear?

Leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform—it helps others discover these stories of healing. And if this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who might benefit. Word of mouth is the best way to spread healing and hope.