What if a shared journey through loss could spark an inspiring platform that brings healing to countless others? Welcome to the eighth season of "Bereaved But Still Me," where our personal stories intertwine with hope and resilience. Join me, Michael LIben, alongside my dear friends and colleagues, executive producer Anna Jaworski and producer Nancy Jensen, as we explore the birth and evolution of our podcast. The bonds we formed years ago, nurtured through parenting children with congenital heart defects, have created a sanctuary for bereavement support. Together, we honor the memories of our loved ones while fostering a sense of purpose and renewed strength.

Our podcast is more than just a collection of stories; it is a testament to friendship and the power of collaboration. Nancy, who initially joined us as our first guest, now plays a crucial role as a producer, and her journey following the loss of her daughter Jessica highlights the importance of this community. Through personal experiences and shared tears, we have built a platform that not only serves as a vital outlet for grief but also reinforces our connections and shared mission. From the initial sparks of connection via an old-school listserv to our current reach, we reflect on the camaraderie that has driven us forward.

In this heartfelt episode, we invite you to explore the therapeutic dimensions of podcasting with us. Our conversations with professionals like Silke Herwald and cherished friends such as Carter and Faye Mayberry have enriched our understanding of grief and healing. We engage in meaningful discussions on topics ranging from faith to the diverse ways people experience loss. As we expand our horizons to include episodes in multiple languages, our goal remains steadfast: to inspire hope and connection within our ever-growing community.Thanks to our newest HUG Patron, Ayrton Beatty and long-standing Patrons: Laura Redfern, Pam Davis, Michael Liben, Nancy Jensen, Alicia Lynch, Deena Barber, Carlee McGuire, Carter & Faye Mayberry, and Frank Jaworski. We appreciate you!We appreciate it when people support Hearts Unite the Globe podcasts. Thanks to our newest supporters - Annie Ulchak (Patreon) and Judy Miller (Buzzsprout)!

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

Can a story of loss become a beacon of hope for others navigating the difficult journey of bereavement? Join us as Sheri Turner and Desiree Vaught share their poignant personal experiences with congenital heart defects and the profound impact on their lives. Sheri opens up about the loss of her firstborn, Thomas, and the challenges of raising her surviving children amid grief, including the emotional turmoil of a miscarriage. Desiree reflects on her son Logan’s brief yet meaningful life and the incredible strength she found in creating a support group for bereaved parents. Their stories highlight the resilience found in community and the healing power of shared experiences.

Navigating the emotional complexities of parenting after trauma can be an arduous road. Sheri and Desiree share their reflections on the self-doubt that often accompanies difficult medical decisions for a child. They discuss how grace and patience are crucial in the grieving process and emphasize that each person's journey is uniquely their own. Together, they explore the peace that can be found in accepting past choices, despite the heartbreak. Their shared experiences remind us that compassion and understanding are vital as we make peace with our past and present decisions.

After reconnecting online after more than two decades, Sheri and Desiree are now channeling their grief into a joint project: a book of essays dedicated to children lost to heart defects. This collaboration aims to break the silence surrounding grief, offering solace and connection through storytelling. Desiree shares how writing has been essential to her healing, while Sheri emphasizes the power of diverse narratives to validate others' feelings. Through this endeavor, they hope to provide a platform for parents to share their stories and find comfort in knowing they are not alone on their journey.

Helpful Links:

Baby Hearts Press: https://www.babyheartspress.com

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How do you measure the impact of a life well-lived, especially when that life is cut short by illness? Join us as we uncover the incredible journey of Uri Lahav through the heartfelt stories of his parents, Elisheva and Michael. From their daring move from the United States to Israel to raising a family in a foreign land amid the backdrop of war, this episode paints a vivid picture of resilience, community, and the enduring power of a passionate spirit.

In our conversation, we reflect on the profound experiences of the Lahav family, focusing on the remarkable life of their firstborn son, Uri. He wasn't just an athlete but a beacon of inspiration who found his calling in judo, teaching and mentoring others despite the physical pain he often endured. We recount the joys and challenges of Elisheva and Michael as new immigrants raising bilingual children and how Uri's social nature and dedication to judo created a ripple effect, fostering a sense of belonging and community involvement wherever he went.

Finally, we tackle the harrowing battle Uri faced with multiple myeloma in his 40s. Through experimental treatments and unwavering support from his family, Uri's story is one of courage and relentless hope. Elisheva and Michael share their emotional journey of navigating grief while honoring their son's legacy through annual donation drives and the lasting connections Uri made. This episode is a poignant tribute to a life that continues to inspire, offering insights on resilience, love, and the ways we can honor our lost loved ones.

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Have you ever wondered how to navigate the emotional maze of caring for a parent with dementia? Join us as Karmon Hill opens her heart and shares her poignant journey of moving her mother across states and ultimately finding her a memory care facility. We discuss the delicate balance of respecting her mother’s past as an esteemed educator while confronting the painful realities of cognitive decline. Karmon’s story is a testament to the power of community support and the deep emotional resilience required in caregiving.

In our conversation, Karmon emphasizes the critical steps needed to prepare for future caregiving, including the importance of legal documents like power of attorney and living revocable trusts. She offers practical advice on finding supportive healthcare professionals and resources, and shares her own strategies for maintaining family harmony amidst the challenges. Don't miss out on essential tips for remote caregiving, the value of open family dialogues, and Karmon's impactful lessons from her mother's dementia experience.

Become a Spreaker Supporter: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bereaved-but-still-me--2108929/support

Guests: 

• Dr. Ken Doka, Senior Vice President of Grief Programs at the Hospice Foundation of America
• Amy Tucci, President and CEO of the Hospice Foundation of America 
• Alex LaMorie Advisory Board Member of the Autism and Grief Project

Overview of the Autism and Grief Project:

• Website launched in September 2022 to provide grief resources for autistic adults, their families, and professionals
• Features testimonials, social stories, animations, and information on death and non-death losses
• Goals are to help autistic individuals navigate complex emotions and contextualize grief

Importance of addressing autism and grief: 

• Emerging area of focus as more autistic individuals reach adulthood
• Opportunity to expand understanding of diversity in grief experiences

Benefits of the project:

• Provides support and validation for those grieving personal losses
• Establishes baseline understanding while respecting the uniqueness of each experience
• Spreads awareness of available resources for the autism community

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 Patron: https://www.hug-podcastnetwork.com/patreon.html

Link mentioned in the episode: https://www.autismandgrief.org/

Become a Spreaker Supporter: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bereaved-but-still-me--2108929/support

Can a mother’s love shape an entire family’s destiny? Join us for a deeply moving tribute to Zipporah Liben, the resilient mother of host Michael Liben and a beacon of strength for her family. Alongside Michael are his siblings, Shirah Ozery and Rabbi Dan Liben, and guest host Anna Jaworski. They come together to share intimate stories and memories that celebrate Zipporah’s life, her unique upbringing between New York and Tel Aviv, and her vital contributions to the Zionist movement. Journey with us as we hear about Zipporah’s unwavering love for Israel, her role as a devoted mother, and the indelible impact she left on her children and grandchildren.

Explore the profound and often challenging experience of anticipatory grief as the Liben family recounts their mother’s strength and resilience during the decline of their father’s health. Shirah and Dan offer heartfelt insights into their mother's renewed connection to Israel post-Six-Day War and her inspiring feminist influence. Listen to stories of Zipporah’s courage, hospitality, and her involvement in pivotal social movements. Through the laughter and tears, Michael, Shirah, and Dan honor her legacy and share how her values continue to guide and inspire their lives. This episode is a touching homage to a remarkable woman whose spirit and teachings resonate through generations.

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

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bereaved-but-still-me/id1333229173

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HugPodcastNetwork
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGPKwIU5M_YOxvtWepFR5Zw
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Join us in this episode as our host Michael Liben opens up about the complexities of explaining death to his children and welcomes the insights of James Robinson who did likewise with his little ones. Together, they'll explore James' son Nadav's impactful life, marked by a congenital heart defect, and the unwavering spirit it revealed. His story, though filled with vulnerability, is a testament to the remarkable endurance of love and the human soul.

Parenting children with special medical needs is unique, often requiring parents to balance transparency with the preservation of childhood innocence. In this heartfelt exchange, between bereaved fathers Michael and James, they recount the promises made to their children to be forthright in the face of life-altering medical conditions. Discover how their children surprised them with their remarkable adaptability, and how the definition of 'normal' was reshaped within the walls of a home where love and medical care were intertwined.

They conclude this episode by traversing the path of healing that unfolds in the wake of profound loss. James shares his family's transformative road trip across America, an exploration of grief and remembrance following Nadav's passing. This moving experience culminates in the creation of "More Than We Expected: Five Years with a Remarkable Child," a memoir by James that seeks to offer comfort and connection to those on similar journeys. Through these stories, we honor the legacies of our loved ones and the infinite capacity of the human heart to heal and embrace resilience.

To Order James' book, use this link: https://www.amazon.com/More-Than-We-Expected-Remarkable/dp/1637588224

Or you can visit his website here: https://morethanamemoir.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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HugPodcastNetwork
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGPKwIU5M_YOxvtWepFR5Zw
Website: https://www.hug-podcastnetwork.com/Become a Patron: https://www.hug-podcastnetwork.com/patreon.html 

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How can a person suffering tremendous loss get unstuck in grief? Have you ever felt as though you’re wearing cement boots of grief? How can we move forward in our grief?

Join us in this fascinating episode with Toni Alexander. As a bereaved person herself, Toni Alexander attacks the grief process from within. As an author, she looks on grief from a more philosophical perspective. As a teacher, she has brought her lessons from loss forward to help guide others on their grief journey.

Toni is no stranger to grief. She has lost both of her parents and a spouse. The death of her mother hit her particularly hard and inspired her book, Mom’s Dying? Encouragement for the Journey, and Embracing Life Changes: Praising Through Pain where she interviewed other people who had experienced losses to assist them with loss through suicide, illness, and other life-altering events. She is here today to give us guidance on how to navigate the difficult experiences of getting unstuck in grief and how to help us move forward in our grief.

For More Information:
Mom’s Dying? Encouragement for the Journey: https://tinyurl.com/MomsDying-AntoinetteMBaker

Moving Forward: Taking Time to Love Yourself: https://www.amazon.com/MOVING-FORWARD-Taking-Time-Yourself-ebook/dp/B0973ZLJG8?ref_=ast_author_mpb
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/

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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.


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.

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.