Where to Listen

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. 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 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.

   In this refreshingly unconventional episode of Good Grief, Dr. Christine Malone sets the stage for a soulful, humorous, and deeply transformative conversation with Justin L. Shaw—mystical comedian, stand-up philosopher, and author of Sourcery 101: 13 Rungs to a Higher Elevation of Consciousness. Christine opens with a heartfelt welcome and acknowledgment of the profound layers of grief Justin has experienced, including the loss of his mother, sister, childhood friend, and son in just four years. As they dive in, listeners are introduced to Justin’s journey through trauma, addiction, and spiritual awakening—and how humor, Source energy, and radical self-honesty became his tools for healing. Get ready for an episode that blends grief, consciousness, and comedy in ways you’ve never heard before.

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 gripping episode of Good Grief, Dr. Christine Malone welcomes Brenda Coffee, author of Maya Blue, to share her extraordinary journey of surviving love, betrayal, danger, and profound loss. Brenda recounts how a fairy-tale marriage to a technology pioneer spiraled into a life marked by addiction, high-stakes risks, and personal abandonment. From navigating the eerie "Spy House on the Hill" to surviving a terrifying encounter with Guatemalan soldiers, Brenda’s story is a breathtaking testament to resilience and self-reclamation. Together, Christine and Brenda explore the emotional tipping points that led to reclaiming her voice, grieving unimaginable losses, enduring breast cancer, and finding the courage to live fully again. This conversation reminds us that true survival is not just about escaping darkness, but about rediscovering the light within.

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, host Dr. Christine Malone sits down with Theresa Bruno—celebrity jewelry designer, podcast host, and author of the upcoming memoir He’s Not Coming Back—to explore what it means to begin again after unimaginable loss. Following the suicide of her husband and the collapse of her business, Theresa found herself at a crossroads, grappling with sorrow, identity, and the elusive promise of healing. Through candid conversation, she shares how nature, defiant gratitude, and self-compassion became lifelines in her journey toward renewal. Together, they discuss the nonlinear path of grief, the emotional clutter that can keep us stuck, and how even in the wreckage, there’s space to rewrite your story with courage and hope.

 In this powerful episode of Good Grief, Dr. Christine Malone welcomes Nicole Gruendl—life coach, speaker, and grieving mother—to share the heartbreaking story of losing her son, Korey. Nicole opens up about the devastating day he died, the long and painful wait for answers, and the emotional toll of navigating a flawed system with shifting medical narratives. She speaks candidly about the re-traumatization of new revelations, the strength it took to advocate for truth, and how journaling and writing became her lifeline. Nicole is now channeling her grief into purpose with her upcoming book and workbook, The Loss of My Sun, created to support mothers navigating the unimaginable. With grace and resilience, she reflects on carrying Korey's memory forward, finding meaning through connection, and her message to mothers still waiting in the dark for answers.

In this episode of Good Grief, Dr. Christine Malone welcomes a transformational guest, Richard Tierney who introduces a groundbreaking, spiritually inspired approach to healing trauma and grief. Centered around the belief that trauma memories carry real emotional weight—and that they can be dissolved—this conversation explores a two-part program designed to empower individuals to reclaim their lives. The first part focuses on healing the trauma memory itself through holistic practices like breathwork, grounding, and visualization, while integrating universal spiritual teachings of love, forgiveness, and renewal. The second part guides survivors through a reprogramming phase using Trauma Recovery Anonymous, an adapted 12-Step model that helps individuals break survival-based patterns and rebuild a life rooted in self-trust and personal sovereignty. With an emphasis on practical tools, spiritual empowerment, and lasting transformation, this episode offers a deeply hopeful path forward for anyone seeking freedom from the past.

In this compelling episode of Good Grief, Dr. Christine Malone speaks with  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  a business dedicated to supporting older adults who wish to live independently and empowering adult children overwhelmed by caregiving. Together, they explore themes of loss, autonomy, and the emotional challenges of caring for multiple generations.

In this deeply moving episode, host Christine Malone welcomes Nancy MacMillan, a seasoned psychotherapist and spiritual care expert, to explore the emotional and psychological landscapes of death, dying, and grief. Drawing on decades of experience, Nancy offers profound insight into the fears that arise at the end of life, the transformative potential of grief, and the power of presence in therapeutic spaces. Together, they examine how rituals, dreams, and deep attunement can support those in transition—and how confronting mortality can bring peace not just to the dying, but to all of us. Nancy shares tools for caregivers, guidance for those facing anticipatory or complicated grief, and reflections from her upcoming book, The Call to the Far Shore. The conversation closes with a compassionate reminder: in learning to face death, we learn how to truly live.

In this tender and powerful episode of Good Grief, Dr. Christine Malone welcomes Erica Sand—a gifted voice actor, copywriter, mother of two, and cancer survivor—to share her extraordinary journey through layered grief and resilience. After losing her mother to glioblastoma, Erica found herself parenting two young children while grieving, only to face her own cancer diagnosis soon after. She opens up about what carried her through the darkest moments, how her voice—both in her work and her spirit—became a vessel for healing, and how her mother’s presence continues to guide her. With vulnerability, humor, and grace, Erica reflects on the transformation that comes through loss, the strength of showing up anyway, and what it means to mother through grief.