Where's The Grief?

In this episode, my first in the quarantine era, I interview comedian Jim Mendrinos! A veteran of the stand up comedy scene (his is Mr. Comedy 101 as far as I'm concerned), Jim has suffered through a number of losses, including his sister Mary in 1992 to the Aids epidemic. We also talk about the loss of his parents as well as parts of himself. A truly enlightening conversation with a guy I already thought I knew pretty well!

Follow Jim online at http://worldsbestcomic.com

Get his book, The Complete Idiots Guide To Comedy Writing

Hooray! I made it to 100 episodes! 

In this milestone episode, I interview Dr. Heidi Horsley (episode 29) and Author Elizabeth Devita-Raeburn. (episode 27)

Heidi's brother Scott died at 17 and altered the course of her life, as she currently keeps his memory alive in many ways including running the Open to Hope Foundation, a non-profit helping people find hope after loss. She also is recovering from having contracted Covid-19.

Elizabeth's is the author of "The Empty Room," which is widely considered THE book on sibling grief, which she wrote in dealing with the loss of her brother Ted, who died from an auto-immune disease that kept him quarantined in a hospital room for 8 years before taking his life.

https://www.opentohope.com

In this episode, I had my first interview with more than one person! I sat down with Harry Terjanian and Stephanie Sottile, who have lived together for many years and have dealt with many of the ups and downs of comedy tragedy and life together. We talk about our late friend Joseph Rocha as well as a number of other comedy losses. We also talk about the loss of their dog Chubby, and how we are seemingly allowed to grieve the loss of a pet more openly than a person.

Harry Co-Hosts the podcast Man School 202 w Dante Nero!

Make sure and follow Harry and Steph's show, The Unwanted!

In this episode I interview comedian Jessica Rotondi! Jessica's good childhood friend Amy died while they were in college, of still unknown reasons. We talk about how to navigate the difficulties of grieving someone who isn't still a fixture in your life, as well as how to give yourself permission to grieve at all.

Follow Jessica @jessieroro13 on Twitter AND Instagram!

In this episode, I interviewed author John Sardella to talk about his newly published book, "A Journey Without A Map," about his wife Margaret's battle and ultimate death from cancer. He has stayed connected to people by sharing personal stories of life after loss.

Follow John and get the book at https://www.johnsardella.com

In this episode, I interview Canadian radio personality Erin Davis! As one of Canada's most recognizable and beloved voices, the birth and life of Erin's daughter Lauren unfolded in real time with her listeners. After Laurens untimely death in May of 2015, Erin's own journey of grief and loss similarly took place somewhat publicly. In her new book, "Mourning has Broken," Erin details her experiences to bring hope and healing to the rest of us.

Follow all thins Erin Davis at www.erindavis.com

Get "Mourning Has Broken" on Amazon

In This episode, I interviewed Sarah Illiatovitch-Goldman, director of  the Hearts to Art Summer Camp - a summer camp experience for kids aged 7-14 who have unfortunately lost their parents. Being a kid is hard enough, but being a kid with adult problems can be even tougher.  

"The loss is what unites us, but it is not what defines us."

-Sarah Goldman

Find out more about the Hearts to Art Summer camp, which is in association with Chicago's Auditorium Theater

Follow Hearts to Art on Facebook!

In this episode, I sat down with writer Emily Carrus. Emily's husband Daniel died by suicide 5 years ago, at the age of 36. Suddenly finding herself to be a single mother while grieving the death of her husband, Emily takes us through the process by which she has managed not just to survive but to thrive despite the inherent difficulties of having to do it all on her own. 

Once again, sadly, another friend who I had the honor of interviewing on this podcast has passed away. On March 18th, 2020, Brian Baron died from cancer that seemingly came out of nowhere and took him from us in just a month from diagnosis to death.

I'm grateful to have had this conversation with him, and his message to make the most of the time we have left and to cherish those we love is as apt as ever right now.

RIP Brian Baron... May his spirit live on.

In this episode, Jordon talks with author and funeral director Chris Meyer!

After years toiling in the entertainment industry as an underpaid screenwriter, Chris fell into the funeral industry somewhat by accident, and has since made it his calling, learning about how to live a complete life from the ways that people talk about death.

His book "Life in 20 Lessons; What a Funeral Guy Discovered About Life, From Death" is available wherever books are sold!

Find out how to get the book here!

In this episode, Jordon talk with comedian Rob Ryan! Rob's mother died when he was 19 after many years of alcohol abuse, and his brother Tim died by suicide a few years later. We talk about the difficulty that just talking about suicide brings, as well as the different ways in which we push ourselves to deal with the realities. We also have a discussion on how to write jokes about seemingly unfunny topics.

Follow Rob on social media @RobRyanRocks

Check out his website RobRyanRocks.com

Get Rob's Ablum, "Non-Alcoholic" Here!

In this episode, I sat down with comedian Kirk Smith to talk about the difficulties of being a single father, trying to raise an autistic son after the death of his wife 5 years ago. We talk about the importance of being vulnerable onstage when discussing difficult topics, and the value of really connecting with an audience when doing so.

Go to https://www.kirksmithcomedian.com to follow all thinks Kirk and find out when and where he's performing near you!

Kirk wrote a book called "Rice Krispies and Ketchup" about dealing with the issues that come with raising an autistic child. 

Kirk has a podcast about Autism called Autistic: A Comedians Guide to Autism. Listen here!

Follow Kirk on social media @KirkSmithComedy

In this episode, I talk to comedian and storyteller Sharon Spell! Sharon's parents died just 18 days apart in 2011. As a comedian Sharon almost immediately began talking about her loss onstage, and has since gone on to share stories on the RISK podcast, on her own show Gens Stories, and is a Moth StorySLAM winner.

We talk about the importance of community, and of the difficulty in doing jokes about hard topics. 

Follow Sharon at SharonSpell.com!

In this episode, Jordon talks to author Andrea Wilson Woods! Andrea's sister Adrienne (Andrea was also her legal guardian who raised her) died at the age of 15 after a devastating battle with liver cancer. Her newly published book, "Better Off Bald" is a journal-styled memoir that chronicles the 147 from diagnosis to death. 

A story that is equal parts heartwarming and heartbreaking, Andrea and Adrienne teach us the value of living life to the fullest, even in the face of harsh realities. 

Go to BetterOffBald.com to get the book wherever books are sold!

Additionally, Andrea runs a non-profit to help treat and cure liver cancer. Find out more about Blue Faery here!

Andrea also runs Cancer.University - a platform designed to help patients currently undergoing treatment for Cancer. Where's The Grief listeners can gain free lifetime membership with the Promo Code GRIEFPODCAST on the sign up page!

It was bound to happen sooner or later . . . Angelo Lozada, comedian, father, friend, has passed away. A pillar of the comedy community, Angelo succumbed to stomach cancer on December 17th, 2019. While the world is a little darker, I take solace in the fact that I knew him, and that I got the chance to sit down with him and talk about what it's like to lose someone you love.

In my first re-posting (Angelo was Episode 12 of the podcast - recorded in 2015.) I am honored to be able to share this conversation. RIP too Angelo. May his spirit continue to make us all better comedians and people.

Woot woot! In this episode, I sat down with my good friend Jess Wood! Born and raised in LA, Jess had a tumultuous upbringing that had her familiar with loss from an early age. After spending nearly 20 years in NYC Jess moved back to LA shortly after the death of the first love of her life, and has since also lost her mother and several other friends. She recently put her one person show, "It's A Lot" up in LA, and is working on a book of the same title. 

Jess is a podcaster  as well, with a weekly show called Get Wood!

Listen and subscribe!

Follow Jess on all the social medias  - http://www.thejesswood.com

In this episode, Jordon interviews author Shelby Forsythia, author of Permission to Grieve and host of her own podcast, Coming Back: Conversations on Life After Loss. After the unexpected death of her mother in 2013, Shelby became what she calls a “student of grief” as she helps others on the path back into the light.

Huzzah! In this episode, I interviewed comedian Barry Ribs! A fixture of the NYC comedy scene for over 20 years, Barry is known for his unique style of storytelling, and a no punches pulled approach to life in general. An orphan at this point in his life, we talk about the issues we deal with in childhood, and the difficulty of being a father to an addict.

Check out Barry on IG and Twitter @Barry_Ribs

In this special episode, comedian Jay Nog returns to the podcast to talk about his upcoming one man show, "Goody." Jay was among the first guests on the podcast (Episode 4!) to talk about the death of his best friend to suicide in 1999. Even in the 4 years since we first spoke, Jay has gotten married and had a son, as well as continuing to raise awareness about suicide prevention and mental health issues. 

His one man show, "Goody" is a deeply personal story of love and friendship, and an honest and vulnerable look at the journey he has taken back into the light. 

"Goody" runs Oct. 16th, 23rd and 30th at the Under St. Marks Theater in NYC -  Get Tickets here!

Follow Jay Nog online to find out more about what he's doing. 

Listen to Episode 4!

In this episode, comedian Kristy Belich talks about the untimely death of her good friend and mentor, fellow comedian Joseph Rocha. A good friend of Jordon's as well as the Podcast, Joseph was a pillar and a staple of both the NYC and San Fransisco comedy scenes, which made the impact of his loss be felt on every level, and by so many people. We discuss how to allow ourselves to be sad regardless of our relationship to the deceased, and the importance of gratitude in a life when we truly don't know what tomorrow may bring.

Check out some of Joseph's Stand-Up!

Here's a great interview With Joseph!

Follow Kristy Belich @TrustYourGlitter