Widowhood, Wisdom, and Remorse

Returning guest, Phil Proctor, is a man who needs no introduction. An actor, voice actor, writer, producer, comedian, podcaster and founding member of the Firesign Theatre quartet. Phil has been in the entertainment industry for 50 years, and In this episode, he talks with host, Michael Liben about the love of his life -- his soulmate, Melinda Peterson, who died suddenly after more than thirty years of marriage. In this episode, Phil discusses his love, his loss and how he found, in his words, laugh after death.


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Erica Messer talks with Bereaved But Still Me host Michael Liben about pet loss and how she wasn’t able to find resources to help her cope with her grief. After losing her beloved cat, Wolfgang, she discovered a need for pet-loss resources. With her mother’s encouragement, she started Wolfie’s Wish, a company providing resources for those who are grieving the loss of a pet.

Erica’s website: https://wolfieswish.com/

Links to “Bereaved But Still Me” Social Media and Podcast Pages:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bereaved-but-still-me/id1333229173
Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/heart-to-heart-with-michael

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HugPodcastNetwork
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGPKwIU5M_YOxvtWepFR5Zw
Website: https://www.hug-podcastnetwork.com/
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hearttoheart

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bereaved-but-still-me--2108929/support.

Have you ever wondered how the human heart manages to bear the unbearable? How it picks up the shattered pieces and eventually finds its way to healing? Our guest for today's episode, Roy Martin, opens up about a tragic event that forever changed his life - the loss of his beloved daughter, Tawny, to a drunk driver. Join us as Roy paints a vivid image of Tawny's life, her vivacious spirit, and the sobering reality of her sudden demise. This heartrending narration not only brings to light the devastating aftermath of drunk driving, but also underscores the priceless value of each moment spent with loved ones.

As we continue our discussion, we shift our focus towards the labyrinth of grief and the process of recovery. We delve into the heartache, guilt, and regret that ensued in the wake of Tawny's demise, and the impact it had on Roy's family, particularly his son, Noah. Amidst deep sorrow, however, blooms a ray of hope. Roy shares how, with time, they found a way to remember Tawny without being submerged in grief. This conversation sheds light on the unique ways people deal with loss and offers valuable insights into navigating your own path to healing. This episode is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of love that persists, even in the face of overwhelming sorrow.

Links to “Bereaved But Still Me” Social Media and Podcast Pages:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bereaved-but-still-me/id1333229173
Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/heart-to-heart-with-michael

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HugPodcastNetwork
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGPKwIU5M_YOxvtWepFR5Zw
Website: https://www.hug-podcastnetwork.com/

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bereaved-but-still-me--2108929/support.

Today, we gather around the digital campfire to share the enchanting and hard-hitting story of Wilodene, a tenacious woman who lived with seizures for decades before her genetic heart condition, Long Q-T Syndrome, was discovered. Inviting us through the pages of this striking tale is her daughter, Jackie Renfrow, who returns to brighten our podcast with her stories of hope, resilience, and advocacy. As a special memory, Jackie and her mother appeared on our podcast together, their shared hope being that their story could potentially save someone else’s life.

The journey didn't end with just Wilodene. Jackie's narrative continues as she traces the impact of Long Q-T Syndrome on her family over the course of seven decades. She recounts the measures she had to implement to protect her loved ones from potentially fatal seizures. Jackie's story is punctuated with moments of fear, especially for her grandchildren and great-grandson, but she meets these challenges head-on, embodying the courage and resilience that her mother passed down to her.

As we traverse this journey with Jackie, we're given an intimate glimpse into her efforts to comfort her mother in the face of death, while also securing professional help and community support. Jackie’s plans for advocacy work in raising awareness about Long Q-T Syndrome form the cornerstone of our conversation, showcasing her commitment to continue her mother's legacy. Join us for this heartwarming tribute to a woman who defied her condition to live a full life and to a daughter who continues the fight with hope, resilience, and advocacy.

Links to “Bereaved But Still Me” Social Media and Podcast Pages:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bereaved-but-still-me/id1333229173
Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/heart-to-heart-with-michael

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HugPodcastNetwork
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGPKwIU5M_YOxvtWepFR5Zw
Website: https://www.hug-podcastnetwork.com/

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bereaved-but-still-me--2108929/support.

Have you ever wondered how to navigate your life after a deeply personal loss? This episode brings you the deeply moving and inspiring story of Suzanne Anderson, a respected psychologist, author, coach, and transformational teacher. We delve into her intimate journey from a multilingual senior management consultant to an author and advocate for the bereaved community, after the tragic loss of her husband to suicide. Her candid recounting of their shared memories and the loneliness, shame, and stigma she faced as a suicide survivor will leave a profound impact on your heart.

Suzanne's story serves to remind us of the power of self-compassion and personal growth in the face of adversity. We learn about how Suzanne, dealing with the pain of her husband's death, sought solace in writing retreats, ultimately leading her to author her book, 'You Make Your Path by Walking'. Her experiences and her work with women to prioritize their well-being over others' will shed new light on how self-compassion can be cultivated, especially during the most challenging times.

We wrap up the episode with Suzanne sharing her journey to self-compassion and how her projects have been instrumental in helping others find their inner resilience. Her message of the importance of nurturing one's inner strength and connecting with authentic truth is one that resonates strongly, especially in today's fast-paced world. The conversation not only provides insight into Suzanne's inspirational journey but also underscores the importance of self-care and personal growth. Listen in for an episode filled with raw emotions, inspiring stories, and valuable life lessons.

Links to Suzanne's books:

https://mysterialwoman.com/you-make-your-path-by-walking/

Links to “Bereaved But Still Me” Social Media and Podcast Pages:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bereaved-but-still-me/id1333229173
Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/heart-to-heart-with-michael

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HugPodcastNetwork
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGPKwIU5M_YOxvtWepFR5Zw
Website: https://www.hug-podcastnetwork.com/

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bereaved-but-still-me--2108929/support.

Have you ever found yourself immersed in the endless waves of grief, struggling to find a lifeline? You're not alone. Our guest for this episode, Theo Boyd, a resilient writer, a former teacher, and a survivor of unthinkable loss, is here to share her incredible journey from heartache to healing. Theo takes us through her harrowing experiences, from the sudden death of her mother in a farm accident, the loss of her counselor, to the dissolution of her marriage. Amidst her personal turmoil, discover how Theo channeled her pain into writing, culminating in her cathartic memoir, "My Grief is Not Like Yours".

Theo provides a raw and revealing discussion about Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD), previously known as complicated grief. She emphasizes the importance of seeking professional assistance in such circumstances and shares her personal encounters of frustration when people failed to acknowledge her parents' death. Despite the anguish, Theo found solace in unexpected places, notably the wisdom imparted by her students. She introduces us to a unique therapeutic exercise, "100 Things", which was instrumental in her journey of remembrance and healing.

In the final chapter of our conversation, Theo shares how her memoir became a memorial to her parents, a tangible testament to their lives and her love for them. She recounts engaging experiences from book signings and events, and how these interactions provided further support in her healing journey. But her mission extends beyond her personal journey. Theo is now committed to using her experiences and her writing to help others navigate their own grief. Join us for this heartfelt episode and draw from Theo's experiences, strength, and wisdom, as we explore the resilience of the human spirit in the face of loss.

To connect with Theo: Boyd, visit her website:

https://thinktheo.com/

Links to “Bereaved But Still Me” Social Media and Podcast Pages:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bereaved-but-still-me/id1333229173
Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/heart-to-heart-with-michael

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HugPodcastNetwork
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGPKwIU5M_YOxvtWepFR5Zw
Website: https://www.hug-podcastnetwork.com/

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bereaved-but-still-me--2108929/support.

When we grieve the loss of a loved one, we try our best to keep them with us, to hold them close in our hearts and to tell their stories to others. But can our loved ones reach out to us? Can we open our minds and our hearts to the possibility that they somehow need us as much as we still need them? Can they comfort us in our time of need?

Whitney Samorano is the mom of twin boys, Orion and Maverick who were born in 2017. In 2020, when the boys were two-and-a-half, Orion drowned in the middle of the night in his grandmother’s pool during a visit. Whitney and her husband eventually divorced, but they remain supportive of each other and are great friends. Whitney developed a podcast, The Selfish Griever, to share her experiences with her grief and to support others. Whitney’s passion is to let others know they are not alone or judged in their grief and in the ways they choose to remember their loved ones and keep their memory alive.

Links mentioned on this episode:

www.theselfishgriever.com
Instagram @theselfishgriever

Links to “Bereaved But Still Me” Social Media and Podcast Pages:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bereaved-but-still-me/id1333229173
Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/heart-to-heart-with-michael

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HugPodcastNetwork
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGPKwIU5M_YOxvtWepFR5Zw
Website: https://www.hug-podcastnetwork.com/

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bereaved-but-still-me--2108929/support.

What happens when we lose our loved one after years of living with dementia? How did writing about living with dementia help Melissa Geiser to deal with her grief? What can be learned from years of watching a loved one die from dementia?


Melissa Geiser is a blogger and the only child of her mother Pat. At the end of 2013, Pat’s friends started calling Melissa when they became worried about Pat. Pat had been living in the same house for over 30 years, but suddenly she would ask her friends to lead her home after she finished working out at the gym.

Melissa had just started back to college and her marriage was struggling, so this situation with her mother couldn’t have come at a worse time. In the end, Melissa felt she had to move her mother to Oklahoma to be near her.

Melissa has written a blog to help others who were also experiencing loving someone with dementia entitled “Departure from Logic.” She is planning on using her blog to write a book to help others living with loved ones who are suffering from dementia. Today’s show is “When Your Loved One Dies from Dementia” and our Guest Host is Nancy Jensen.

Links to “Bereaved But Still Me” Social Media and Podcast Pages:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bereaved-but-still-me/id1333229173
Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/heart-to-heart-with-michael

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HugPodcastNetwork
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGPKwIU5M_YOxvtWepFR5Zw
Website: https://www.hug-podcastnetwork.com/

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bereaved-but-still-me--2108929/support.

What is a grief doula? Why might a young person suffering from great loss determine to write and speak about it? What growth can come from a miscarriage?

Alexandra Galviz is a young woman who has experienced a great deal of grief. Today she is here to talk about her experience with miscarriage and the fallout that caused her to spiral down to into a depth of grief and despair that caused her to metamorphose into Authentic Alex, a blogger, a speaker, and a guide.

In this episode, we learn more about Alexandra, her miscarriage, her spiritual odyssey, and her blog.

Helpful Links Related to this Episode:

Website: https://www.alexandragalviz.com
Alexandra's newsletter: https://crossingthethreshold.substack.com

Support the show

Links to “Bereaved But Still Me” Social Media and Podcast Pages:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HugPodcastNetwork
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Website: https://www.hug-podcastnetwork.com/

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What happens when we lose our spouse after decades of being together? What is caregiver guilt and how do you recover from that? Why would someone decide to go from being a lawyer to becoming a creative writer?

Debbie Weiss is a writer, a former lawyer, and a widow. Her mother passed away when she was 42 and then her husband passed away in his 40s. Debbie and her husband were together for 32 years – they had been high school sweethearts. He was a huge part of her life and he wanted to protect her from his cancer diagnosis. Sadly, his choices meant Debbie became his caretaker while not really understanding the progression of his disease.

Debbie has written a book to help others who have experienced a devastating loss. Her book, Available As Is, is a midlife widow’s search for love. In this episode, she talks with Michael about loss, finding a new passion in life, and letting go of the things that were holding her back.

Helpful Links Related to this Episode:

Website: https://debbieweissauthor.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/debbieweissauthor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/debbie_weiss_author/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dweisswriter/

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bereaved-but-still-me--2108929/support.