Where to Listen

In this episode, Dr. Christine Malone interviews Jennifer Newberg, founder of It’s Lifey, shares her deeply personal journey of loss after losing her husband, Jack, almost 10 months ago. She discusses how her experience of widowhood led her to create a transformative retreat for young widows (ages 35-60)—a space designed for deep connection, shared understanding, and personal healing. We’ll explore why support systems are vital, the unique challenges of losing a spouse young, and how retreats like this can be life-changing.

In this week’s episode, we explore the unique challenges of navigating loss later in life with our guest Susan, a retired individual who recently experienced the profound loss of both parents. Susan shares her journey through grief, the emotional impact of losing loved ones in later years, and the unexpected challenges of adjusting to life without them. As time has passed, she has discovered the “gifts” that loss has revealed—lessons in resilience, deeper connections, and a renewed sense of purpose. Through reflections on aging, relationships, and personal growth, she offers wisdom and hope to others facing similar experiences, reminding us that even in profound loss, there can be moments of light, transformation, and meaning.

In this episode of Good Grief, Dr. Christine Malone sits down with Holly Peppe, a leading authority and literary executor for the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Edna St. Vincent Millay, to explore the profound connection between poetry and grief. Holly shares her deeply personal journey of loss, reflecting on how poetry became a defining force in her healing process. Drawing from both her own experiences and Millay’s evocative works, she discusses how poetry gives voice to the unspoken emotions of sorrow, love, and remembrance, offering solace and understanding in the wake of loss. This heartfelt conversation is a must-listen for anyone who has turned to words for comfort, struggled to articulate their grief, or simply seeks to understand how poetry can illuminate the path to healing.

In this week’s episode, Dr. Christine Malone interviews Jenny Leavitt, a grief recovery coach, author, and speaker dedicated to helping others process loss while staying connected to their values and personal growth. After experiencing profound grief herself, Jenny has made it her mission to provide resources and guidance for those struggling with loneliness, relationship challenges, and the emotional weight of loss.

Through heartfelt conversations, expert insights, and practical strategies, Jenny shares ways to overcome isolation, rebuild life after grief, and challenge common misconceptions about healing. Whether you’re looking for tools to navigate your grief journey or simply a reminder that you’re not alone, this episode offers support, encouragement, and hope.

In this week’s episode, Dr. Christine Malone interviews Jennifer Cain Birkmose, a caregiver caught between raising a troubled child and caring for an elderly parent in decline. Jennifer describes grief as a "greedy lover"—unpredictable and relentless—highlighting the unique grief experienced by sandwich generation caregivers. Feeling powerless to help loved ones inspired her to co-found her company, a business dedicated to supporting older adults who wish to live independently and empowering adult children overwhelmed by care giving. Together, they explore themes of loss, autonomy, and the emotional challenges of caring for multiple generations.

In this week’s episode, Dr. Christine Malone interviews Kim Cantin, author of Where Yellow Flowers Bloom, to share her extraordinary story of loss, resilience, and hope.

Kim recounts the night of the devastating Montecito mudflows of 2018, which claimed the lives of her husband and son and left her and her daughter forever changed. She opens up about her relentless search for her son, the unexpected signs that kept her going, and the profound ways in which love endures beyond loss.

Through grief, Kim found purpose in storytelling, healing, and honoring the memory of those she lost. Listeners will hear about the power of signs, the strength of community, and the ways we can rebuild after profound tragedy. Join us for a conversation filled with raw honesty, hope, and the enduring beauty of love that never fades.

In this episode of Good Grief, Dr. Christine Malone met with Sarah Birnbach, award-winning author of A Daughter’s Kaddish: My Year of Grief, Devotion, and Healing, to discuss her deeply personal journey through loss, faith, and perseverance. After the passing of her beloved father, Sarah embarked on a year-long commitment to reciting the Mourner’s Kaddish twice a day in synagogue—a Jewish mourning ritual traditionally reserved for men. As a novice worshipper and single working mother, she faced gender-based resistance, personal struggles, and profound moments of transformation, all while navigating an intense period of grief.

Through our conversation, we’ll explore how religious rituals can provide comfort in grief, the importance of community in healing, and how ancient traditions can still hold meaning in modern life. Sarah’s journey is a testament to resilience, faith, and the universal nature of mourning, reminding us that grief is deeply personal yet universally shared.

In this heartfelt episode of Good Grief, host Dr. Christine Malone sits down with AJ Coleman—widower, single father, and author of Keep Those Feet Moving—to explore his powerful journey through love, loss, and healing. After losing his wife Cory to brain cancer at just 33, AJ was left to raise their infant daughter while grappling with profound grief, anxiety, and life’s unpredictable setbacks. AJ shares how he transformed pain into purpose, offering practical guidance and emotional insight for anyone navigating deep personal loss. This episode is a moving reflection on resilience, fatherhood, and the quiet strength it takes to keep going.

In this episode of Good Grief, Dr. Christine Malone speaks with Hugh Flynn, author of SOMETHING SPECIAL BE, about the devastating family conflict that erupted when he sought conservatorship of his disabled brother, Aaron. What began as an effort to protect his brother’s well-being quickly turned into a bitter legal and emotional battle, exposing deep fractures within his family. Hugh shares the shock of having his identity as a gay man used against him in court, the pain of betrayal from loved ones, and the grief of realizing that unconditional love isn’t always unconditional. With his ailing mother—once a fierce disability rights advocate—powerless to intervene due to massive strokes, the experience was further complicated by guilt, remorse, and anxiety. Through writing his memoir, Hugh navigated the grief of losing not only his brother’s legal guardianship but also his trust in family. In this conversation, he reflects on the emotional toll of conservatorship battles, the unexpected grief of family estrangement, and the journey toward healing, while offering insights for those facing similar struggles. This powerful episode explores the cost of doing the right thing when it comes at a heartbreaking price.

In this episode, we welcome historian and former tech CEO Ron Gruner to discuss his forthcoming book, COVID WARS: America’s Struggle Over Public Health and Personal Freedom. Gruner offers a data-rich and thought-provoking exploration of how the United States, despite its global leadership in science and medicine, suffered one of the highest death tolls and economic collapses during the COVID-19 pandemic. We dive into the origins of the virus, the country’s polarized response, the consequences of disinformation, and how historical context helps us understand what went wrong—and what we must do better next time.

    In this episode of Good Grief, Dr. Christine Malone speaks with Pamela Blake, publisher of The Isaak Collection, a five-novel series written by her late husband, David. After David's sudden passing at the age of 67 from a massive stroke, Pamela made the courageous decision to publish his work—not only as a tribute to his life but as a way to navigate her own grief.

What started as an intimate act of remembrance has since evolved into something much greater, garnering hundreds of reader reviews and critical acclaim. Pamela shares the emotional journey of bringing her husband's words to the world, how storytelling can be a powerful tool for healing, and the profound ways in which we can honor loved ones who have passed.