Grief is the New Normal Podcast with Dr. Heather Taylor

Anticipatory Grief: Understanding and Coping Before the Loss

In this episode of Grief is the New Normal, Dr. Heather Taylor explores the complexities of anticipatory grief, which occurs before an actual loss. She defines it as a real and valid form of grief that can be emotionally exhausting and often misunderstood. Through a personal story about her grandmother, Dr. Taylor illustrates how anticipatory grief can manifest and offers...

Navigating Grief: Understanding and Coping Over Time with Jen Reisinger, LMHC

In this insightful episode, Dr. Heather Taylor welcomes back Jen Reisinger, LMHC, PMH-C to discuss the complex and unpredictable nature of grief. They explore how grief manifests at different times and in various forms, often catching people off guard. Using metaphors like ‘waves of grief’ and ‘tsunamis,’ they illustrate the profound impact of grief on in...

Navigating Grief with Chronic Illness: Redefining Your New Normal

In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed psychologist and grief specialist, explores the often-overlooked grief associated with chronic illness. Dr. Taylor shares her own personal journey with postpartum cardiomyopathy and how it has reshaped her life. She discusses the multifaceted nature of this type of grief, including the loss ...

Navigating Family Systems and Grief

In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor converses with Sarah Grace Stevenson, a licensed marriage and family therapist associate from Alabama. They delve into the pervasive nature of grief in family systems, examining how different family members process and express grief. Sarah Grace shares insights on the importance of intentionality in handling grief, how unresolved gr...

Confronting Death: Embracing Real Conversations About Grief

In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed psychologist and grief specialist, dives deep into the societal discomfort surrounding death. Dr. Taylor discusses why it's crucial to normalize conversations about death and offers practical advice on how we can start doing so. She highlights the importance of using direct language, being present...

Navigating Perinatal Loss and Grief Support with Emily Guarnotta

In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor is joined by Dr. Emily Guarnotta, a licensed psychologist and certified perinatal mental health provider (PMH-C) from South Carolina. They discuss the often overlooked grief associated with perinatal loss, including miscarriage and stillbirth. Dr. Emily shares her personal journey with postpartum depress...

Grief's Emotional Math: Understanding Shifts in Relationships

In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed psychologist and grief specialist, addresses the complex emotional dynamics that emerge through grief, particularly how relationships are affected. The discussion highlights 'emotional math'—the unexpected support and disappointments from people during grief. Dr. Taylor explains why some people ...

Navigating Birth Trauma and NICU Experiences with Compassion: A Conversation with Lauren Hunter, LCSW, PMH-C

In this episode, host Dr. Heather Taylor welcomes Lauren Hunter, an LCSW and PMH-C based in New York, to discuss the profound impacts of birth trauma and the NICU experience. Lauren shares her personal journey and professional insights into supporting women through fertility challenges, pregnancy, and postpartum phases, with...

Navigating Identity Loss Through Grief

In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal', Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed psychologist and grief specialist, dives deep into how grief affects not just the sense of loss but the sense of self. She discusses how losing someone can upend one's identity, disrupt roles, routines, and hobbies, and create a feeling of disconnection from the self. Dr. Taylor also shares personal anecdotes, highlig...

Navigating Grief: A Conversation with Malisa Hepner, LCSW

In this insightful episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor speaks with Malisa Hepner, an LCSW from Oklahoma, about the intricacies of grieving and how it affects daily functioning. Malisa shares her personal journey through significant losses and her professional experience in hospice care, emphasizing the isolating nature of grief and society’s emotional un...

Grief, Burnout, and Compassion Fatigue: Navigating Emotional Exhaustion

In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed psychologist and grief specialist, addresses the intersection of grief and burnout, particularly focusing on compassion fatigue. She discusses the exhausting nature of grief and the additional strain of caregiving roles, providing practical strategies for managing and protecting one's ...

Breaking Barriers: Exploring Grief, Healing, and Racial Trauma with Ashley McGirt, LICSW

In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor welcomes Ashley McGirt, LICSW and founder of the Therapy Fund Foundation. Ashley shares her personal journey into the field of mental health, driven by the loss of her grandmother and the systemic racial trauma impacting black and marginalized communities. They discuss Ashley's wo...

Grieving the Person They Never Were

In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor addresses a rarely discussed aspect of grief - mourning the version of a person that never existed. From unfulfilled roles and emotionally distant relationships to unresolved anger and relief, she explores the complex emotions that arise when grieving those you wished had been different. Dr. Taylor emphasizes the validity of these f...

Navigating Grief and Cancer Through Children's Eyes: A Conversation with Irma Prosser

In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor welcomes returning guest Irma Prosser to discuss her new children's book, 'Grandma Has No Hair.' The book, which portrays a child's perspective on a grandparent undergoing cancer treatment, aims to normalize the emotional and routine changes children face. Irma shares her personal in...

Navigating Grief in the Workplace with Dr. Heather Taylor

In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal', Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed psychologist and grief specialist, addresses the pervasive issue of handling grief in the workplace. She highlights the inadequacies of current bereavement policies and the unrealistic expectations placed on grieving employees. Dr. Taylor discusses the profound impact of grief on job performance, co...

Grief and the Social Battery: Navigating Energy Depletion

In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor, a grief psychologist, delves into the exhausting nature of grief and its impact on social interactions. She introduces the concept of 'grief mode' and explains how it affects brain function and the nervous system, leading to extreme fatigue. Dr. Taylor discusses the importance of normalizing and validating the...

The Validity of Anger in Grief: Embracing the Fiery Side of Loss

In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor discusses the often overlooked and misunderstood emotion of anger in the grieving process. Dr. Taylor emphasizes that anger is a natural and valid response to loss, challenging societal norms that view it as destructive or something to suppress. Throughout the episode, she shares personal experiences and...

Navigating Collective Grief in Uncertain Times

In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor discusses the pervasive sense of collective grief felt in today's political climate. She outlines how current events and political transitions contribute to a sense of loss, disillusionment, and identity crisis. Dr. Taylor addresses the compounded impact of personal and systemic grief, emphasizing the need for practical s...

Navigating Grief in the New Year: Season Two Kickoff

In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor welcomes listeners to season two of the podcast, focusing on the complexities of dealing with grief as a new year begins. Dr. Taylor shares personal experiences and offers insights into managing grief without succumbing to societal pressures for New Year’s resolutions. She discusses the importance of setting intenti...