Grief Dreams Podcast

Episode 108 - Kevin Toolis - The Irish Wake

Kevin Toolis is a BAFTA winning film maker and writer of the acclaimed death guide My Father’s Wake: How the Irish Teach Us to Live, Love and Die. Toolis has reported on famines, wars and plagues all over the world for The New York Times and The Guardian. As a documentary maker he has filmed in the middle east and directed the Emmy-nominated Cult of the Suicide Bomber television history series. He is also producer/ director of a compelling new stage work Wonders of the Wake that revives the lost art of Irish keening and celebrates the ancient rite of the Irish Wake.

 

In this episode we talk all about the Irish Wake, the death of his brother and father, grief dreams in the Irish culture, grief dreams in families of suicide bombers, and his own grief dreams of those he reports on.

 

You can find more about Kevin at www.myfatherswake.com or on Twitter @KevinToolis

 

Here is his BBC video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALT8zbjnjkY

Episode 107 - Rachel and Hannah - So Dreamy

Rachel Leoman and her cousin Hannah Brown created the podcast So Dreamy (Twitter/Insta: @SoDreamySnack) with the intent of creating a safe and fun space for dreamers to share, hear, and discuss dreams of all kinds. They both have been interested in dreams for as long as they can remember.

 

In this episode we talk about dreams in general, the So Dreamy Podcast, their losses (Rachel’s mom and Hannah’s brother, grandmother, and uncle), and Hannah’s dreams of her deceased grandmother.

 

Check out episode 14, 33, and 41 on the So Dreamy Podcast to hear them talk about specific grief dreams.

Episode 106 - Jay Perry - My Dad Got Sick

As a full-time photographer from Canada, Jay Perry has travelled the country and beyond to capture the moments and memories that matter. Following a photo trip to Haiti in 2010, Jay discovered his passion for helping others. He has since dedicated his time and talent to numerous charitable efforts, while founding his own establishment aptly named Friends With Hearts. Jay recently released his book “My Dad Got Sick” that talks about his experiences taking care of his dying father.

 

We talk about being in a band, becoming a photographer, starting Friends With Hearts, taking care of his dying father, writing his book, his grief, and dreams of his father.

 

For a closer glimpse into Jay’s life, check out www.jayperry.ca, www.friendswithhearts.com, www.mydadgotsick.com or his personal Instagram @jayperry

Episode 105 - Dr. Beth Allen (AKA Bif Naked) - Love All, Serve All

Dr. Beth Allen (AKA Bif Naked) is a prominent alternative artist, performer and songwriter. Throughout her remarkable career, Beth embarked on seemingly endless international tours, several feature films and multiple television roles, only to be struck down with breast cancer at the age of 37. She would discover her passion for advocacy, as a triumphant survivor and someone who helps others first. She wrote her biography in 2016 called “I, Bificus”.

 

In this episode we talk about her music career, breast cancer journey, palliative care volunteering, and death of her father, friend, and dogs.

 

Find more on her at Bifnaked.com, Facebook, instagram and twitter @bifnaked

 

 

Episode 104 - Heather Varner - Storms and Silver Linings

Heather Varner is an east-coast born and bred Canadian who moved to Ontario with her then-boyfriend (now-fiancé) after her mother died in 2014. In the 4.5 years since, Heather has dealt with her grief through therapy, faith, and plenty of writing. She has written pieces about grief and loss that have been published by Time, xoJane, and Elite Daily, and shares her grief journey through her Instagram account @stormsandsilverlinings. At the start of this calendar year she launched a blog called Storms and Silver Linings.

 

In this episode we talk about her love of reading and writing, her relationship with her mother, the death of her mother, writing her grief, and grief dreams of her mother.

Episode 103 - Aditi Loveridge - Pregnancy Loss Healing

Aditi Loveridge is a Certified Life Coach, Mindfulness Meditation Teacher, and owner of Pregnancy Loss Healing. Aditi supports mothers in their journeys after pregnancy or infant loss. Her work includes supporting mothers who have recently experienced loss, are trying to conceive after loss of any kind (pregnancy/infant loss, failed IVF, missed adoption), pregnant again after loss, and those still struggling after the birth of their baby. Aditi helps mothers who have experienced loss to reconnect with trust so that they can step beyond anxiety and fear.

 

In this episode we talk about her grief journey following 2 miscarriages, starting her business, issues people can face after pregnancy loss, tips for helping others through pregnancy loss, and a grief dream of her child.

 

You can find more about Aditi at www.pregnancylosshealing.com, on Facebook: @pregnancylosshealing, and on Instagram: @pregnancylosshealing

Episode 102 - Pennie Hunt - Green Love & Gratitude

Pennie Hunt is a speaker, author, and the President and founder of Journey Through, LLC. Her book is titled “Love Your Life-No Matter What - 76 Tips to Live Life with Love and Gratitude.” She also writes a weekly blog called “Writings From The Corner of Spirit & Brave.”

 

In this episode we talk about a series of life changing events (including the death of her son and dog), her weekly blog, getting a memorial tattoo, and grief dreams of her son and dog.

 

You can find more information on Pennie at www.PennieHunt.com

Episode 101 - Grief Dream Recaps - E05

In this episode we recap some of the dream conversations we have had with guests since August 2018. This is episode 5. 

Episode 100 - Update

In this update episode we (Joshua and Shawn) talk about reaching our 100th episode, Joshua getting his PhD, our new donation options, and plans for 2019.

 

An article by Brock University discussing Joshua’s research - https://brocku.ca/brock-news/2018/12/grief-dreams-can-provide-comfort-and-healing-during-holidays/

 

Episode 99 - Guest Update Episode - Darwyn Dave

This is our first Guest Grief Dream Update Episode with Darwyn Dave from Episode 18. In this episode we talk about his recent loss of his mother, his first grief dream of her, and preparing of the holidays.

 

You can find more about Darwyn at http://www.dealingwithmygrief.com 

 

Episode 98 - Devan Christian - Grieving Over The Holidays

Devan Christian is a Registered Clinical Counsellor in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley. After experiencing many deaths in her own life, she pursued a career path in which she could support those who were experiencing their own grief and loss. Five year ago, she started working in the Hospice Child & Youth and Adult Bereavement Programs; now, she supports those in her surrounding communities with their grief, mental well-being, caregiver stress and life transitions through her private practice in Chilliwack, BC, as well as through her local Community Mental Health Centre.

 

In this episode we talk about her many losses, continuing bonds, starting her private practice, tips for grieving over the holidays, and her own grief dreams.

 

You can find more about Devan at http://www.devanceciliacounselling.com/

 

Blog Post - Getting Though The Holidays While Grieving http://www.devanceciliacounselling.com/blog/

 

Episode 97 - Joe Agostinelli - Ultimo Gifts

While sorting through his father’s belongings, Joe Agostinelli found a letter that was written to him from his father before his battle with leukemia came to an end. The letter had a profound impact on Joe, detailing his father’s love and pride, as well as his continued hopes and dreams for him. At the time of his father’s passing, Joe and his wife had just welcomed a son into the world. These two monumental events happening so close together put Joe on a path of self, societal, and (end of) life examination, inspiring him to create Ultimo Gifts, a service that allows you to keep giving gifts and heartfelt reminders after you have passed on. 

 

In this episode we talk about his father’s illness and death, being a father himself, finding his father’s letter, Ultimo Gifts, and two dreams of his father.

 

You can find more about him at https://www.ultimogifts.com/, and on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @UltimoGifts

Episode 96 - Jan Warner - Grief Speaks Out

Jan Warner is the author of Grief Day by Day: Simple Practices and Daily Guidance for Living With Loss. When her beloved husband Artie died nine years ago, she felt as though she had died too. To give her life meaning after the loss she started the Grief Speaks Out Facebook page, that is a supportive worldwide community with over 2.5 million likes.   

 

In this episode we talk about her relationship with her husband, his death and her grief, authoring her first book on grief, differences she has noticed in people’s grief, and her grief dreams of her husband.

Episode 95 - Jess Etchemendy - Leathersmith

Jess Etchemendy formed 174 Supply Company, which is a discussion of how grief can be transformed through creativity. After the death of his brother, Jess’s trade has become the vehicle he uses to transform his grief. 174 was the motorcycle numbers of his younger brother. Jess’s mission is for the world to look past my brother’s addiction to see a kid who passionately loved living and desired adventure. 

 

In this episode we talk all about leather and being a Leathersmith, his brother’s life, addiction, how he continues a bond with his brother (e.g., riding, leathering, etc.), and grief dreams of his brother.

 

You can find more about Jess at https://www.174supplyco.com 

Instagram: @174supplyco and @companioncollective

Episode 94 - Gary Andrews - Doodle A Day

Gary Andrews is an illustrator and animator who worked on Fireman Sam and for Disney. After his wife Joy died of Sepsis in 2017, he started to doodle his grief and share it on social media. His social media now has a world wide following. In this episode we talk about his love of art, his wife joy, her death, his and his children’s grief, doodle a day, and grief dreams he has had.

 

You can find more about Gary on Instagram and Twitter @garyscribbler

 

News article on him - https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-45893376 

 

Video of his 2 minute animation of his life and loss - https://youtu.be/ViJw1vssKiU