Where to Listen

In this Good Grief episode, Dr. Christine Malone speaks with leadership expert, spiritual teacher, and author Cynthia Rivard about how grief—whether personal or collective—can be transformed into a source of strength, compassion, and action. Drawing from her upcoming book A New Breed of Leader, Cynthia shares how understanding emotions as energy can help move us through the heaviness of loss, how small acts of “micro-leadership” can restore agency in times of trauma, and why cultivating inner peace is essential for both personal healing and positive community change. Together, they explore how leading from the heart, even in the midst of grief, can ripple outward to heal relationships, inspire others, and spark a peaceful revolution toward a more compassionate world.

In this powerful episode of Good Grief, Dr. Christine Malone sits down with Adriene Caldwell, author of Unbroken: Life Outside the Lines, to explore the profound grief of a lost childhood, the pain of losing both her grandmother and mother, and the enduring strength it takes to reclaim one’s voice after trauma. Adriene shares her journey through abuse, foster care, and unimaginable hardship—and how writing became her path to healing. With courage and clarity, she reminds us that even in the darkest moments, there is a light that refuses to dim.

In this episode of Good Grief, Christine sits down with author and writer-director Diane Namm to discuss how we can help children navigate grief with honesty and tenderness. Inspired by personal losses and the lack of grief resources for children, Diane created What Happens After?, a beautifully illustrated picture book that guides young readers through the confusing and painful emotions that follow the death of a loved one. Together, they explore why it’s essential to talk openly with children about death, how to honor a child’s pace in grief, and practical ways parents and caregivers can support children while managing their own heartbreak. This conversation is a gentle, encouraging reminder that grief takes as long as it takes—and that with honesty, presence, and compassion, children can learn to carry their loved ones in their hearts as they continue to grow.

In this raw and candid conversation, Christine speaks with an anonymous guest with the alias Joan, an IT professional and oldest of three siblings, about the painful and complex grief following the unexpected and tragic death of her sister. Joan’s story explores a side of grief that’s rarely spoken about—the absence of sadness, the presence of anger, and the burden of responsibility. Together, they examine what happens when the person we’ve lost was deeply troubled, when shame and secrecy surround the loss, and when the grief itself refuses to show up.

In this heartfelt episode of Good Grief, host Dr. Christine Malone sits down with Kelly Wilk, author of The High-Flying Adventures of Captain Grief: A Memoir About Laughing in the Face of Death, to explore how humor and storytelling can be lifelines after the devastating loss of a spouse. Kelly shares the love story he built with his late wife, the painful journey through her illness and passing, and the surprising ways grief showed up in his life. Together, they discuss how Kelly used a superhero metaphor and comedy to cope with sorrow, connect with others, and find healing through performance—most recently at Camp Widow. With raw honesty and wit, Kelly reflects on the evolving nature of grief, the enduring connection he feels with his wife, and offers compassionate advice to anyone feeling stuck or alone in their own grief journey.

In this powerful episode of Good Grief, Dr. Christine Malone sits down with Zander Sprague—licensed professional counselor, acclaimed speaker, and author of Making Lemonade: Choosing A Positive Pathway After Losing Your Sibling—to explore the often-overlooked grief of sibling loss. Zander shares the heartbreaking story of his sister Lucy’s murder in 1996 and how the lack of support for Sibling Survivors™ inspired his mission to advocate for their voices. With his trademark enthusiasm and insight, Zander discusses how he turned personal tragedy into a global platform for healing, offering listeners the tools to make EPIC choices and move forward with purpose. The conversation highlights the unique challenges of sibling grief, the importance of community through organizations like The Compassionate Friends, and how one courageous voice can create space for others to be seen and supported.

In this moving episode of Good Grief, Emmy-nominated television personality and podcast host Jennifer Skoog shares the deeply layered story of losing her mother after years of religious estrangement and emotional distance. After leaving a fundamentalist Lutheran sect at 21, Jenny grappled with the weight of conditional love—until a collection of her mother’s saved voicemails revealed a quiet, persistent affection that transcended theological divides. Through these everyday messages, Jenny found unexpected healing, sparking the creation of her podcast The Silence Between Hello and a renewed understanding of grief as something sacred, complex, and deeply human. This episode explores how love can echo across silence, how preserving a voice can resurrect connection, and how even the most painful separations can reveal a path to peace.

In this heartfelt episode of Good Grief, Dr. Christine Malone speaks with writer and performer Hannah Rumsey about a rarely acknowledged form of mourning—friend-loss grief. After the sudden and traumatic death of her best friend Lauren in 2015, Hannah found herself isolated, overwhelmed, and unsupported. Society, she discovered, often fails to recognize the deep pain of losing a friend, dismissing it as secondary to family loss. This disenfranchisement sparked Hannah’s mission to create Friends Missing Friends, a podcast and peer-support community for those grieving friendships. Together, Christine and Hannah explore the complexities of traumatic loss, the emotional toll of being an “invisible griever,” and the healing power of sharing stories in community. Through her writing, her one-woman show 42 Days of Summer, and her grief groups, Hannah continues to give voice to a grief so many have been forced to carry alone—reminding us that friendship is family, and those bonds deserve to be honored.

In this validating episode of Good Grief, Dr. Christine Malone speaks with grief specialist and author Michele DeVille about the often overlooked reality of disenfranchised grief—the kind of sorrow society refuses to acknowledge. Drawing from her personal experiences with the loss of her best friend, parents, miscarriages, and the sudden, public death of her ex-husband, Michele explores the pain of grieving in a world that questions your right to mourn. Through candid conversation and hard-won wisdom, she dismantles cultural myths about who gets to grieve and for how long, offering listeners practical tools, heartfelt validation, and the reminder that every loss matters. Whether you’ve felt unseen in your own grief or want to better support someone who’s hurting, this episode is a compassionate call to honor grief in all its forms.