The Empowered Grief Journey Podcast

Episode 70: Love, Loss, and Legacy: Paula Hill’s Journey After Losing Her Son Austin

In this deeply moving episode of The Empowered Grief Journey Podcast, host Chris Mamone welcomes grief coach and bereaved mother Paula Hill. After the tragic loss of her son Austin in a motorcycle accident in 2022, Paula found herself grieving not only her child but the sudden disappearance of community and support.
Rather than letting grief isolate her, Paula chose to create connection, founding a Zoom support group for bereaved parents and a foundation in Austin’s honor to help others navigate the crushing weight of loss.
Through raw vulnerability, powerful advocacy, and unshakable love, Paula shares how she is transforming her grief into a legacy of support, compassion, and healing for others walking the same path.
If you’re grieving the loss of a child or supporting someone who is, this episode offers deep resonance, hope, and a reminder that no one has to walk through grief alone.
Connect with Paula Here: 

Episode 69: When the Healer Needs Healing: Dr. Gayla Gates on Burnout, Boundaries, and Becoming Whole

In this eye-opening episode of The Empowered Grief Journey Podcast, host Chris Mamone sits down with Dr. Gayla Gates a former family physician, emotional empath, and now a powerful voice for healing beyond the exam room.
From graduating magna cum laude to achieving her lifelong dream of becoming a doctor, Gayla’s path looked like success on the surface. But beneath it, she was silently absorbing her patients’ pain, burning out, and losing herself in a system that didn't honor her soul. After 10 years in clinical medicine, she made a courageous decision to walk away from her career and toward her healing.
Dr. Gayla shares how grief can come not just from loss, but from living out of alignment with your truth. Her journey is one of release, rediscovery, and reclaiming power through radical self-honesty and emotional boundaries.
If you've ever struggled with burnout, identity loss, or redefining your purpose, this episode will speak to your soul.
Connect with Gayla Here:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gayla.gates.9
Instagram: @gayladgates
Linktree: linktr.ee/GaylaJoy
Email theahecoach@gmail.com

Episode 68: From Abandonment to Empowerment with Darice Spencer Shackelford: A Grief Journey of Faith, Healing, and Purpose

In this inspiring episode of The Empowered Grief Journey Podcast, host Chris Mamone is joined by motivational speaker, master life coach, and author Darice Spencer Shackelford. Darice’s journey through grief began in childhood, when her father suffered a severe mental health crisis. That early abandonment was followed years later by the heartbreaking loss of her husband, a U.S. Marine veteran leaving her to raise three children alone.
But Darice didn’t let her grief define her. Through faith, holistic healing, and profound inner work, she rose from her pain and found her purpose. Now the founder of Darice Speaks Life LLC, she empowers single mothers and women to rise, heal, and lead with authenticity and courage.
This episode is a heartfelt exploration of resilience, transformation, and the power of turning pain into personal power.
https://linktr.ee/DeariceSpeaksLifeLLC

Episode 67: Sandy Doyle - Life, Death, and Lessons from the Cemetery with Sandy Doyle

In this insightful and unexpectedly uplifting episode of The Empowered Grief Journey Podcast, host Chris Mamone speaks with Sandy Doyle—author of My Life at the Cemetery: It’s Not As Dead As You Think. With years of experience in the funeral home industry, Sandy offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at life, death, and everything in between.
Sandy shares how her personal grief, including the loss of her husband, intersects with her professional experiences in the cemetery world. Through humor, honesty, and heartfelt wisdom, she explores what the dead can teach us about truly living.
This episode invites listeners to shift their perspective on death, grief, and healing and maybe even find a little lightness in the darkest of places.
Connect with Sandy Here:
Website Link: https://www.sandydoyle-author.com/

Episode 66: Breaking the Box: Psychic Insight, Animal Wisdom & Authentic Living with Alicia Sweezer

In this expansive episode of The Empowered Grief Journey Podcast, host Chris Mamone welcomes Alicia Sweezer, wildlife biologist turned scientific psychic, intuitive life coach, and 3-time bestselling author. With a rare blend of analytical intelligence and intuitive depth, Alicia guides others to embrace their authenticity and break free from the boxes society tries to place them in.
Alicia shares her journey from working with endangered species to becoming a renowned psychic, medium, and animal communicator. Her work challenges outdated ideas about healing, identity, and what’s truly possible when we align with our gifts and trust our path.
If you’ve ever felt like you didn’t fit in or wondered how to integrate your spiritual self with your practical life, this conversation will inspire you to lead with truth, curiosity, and courage.
Website: www.whoknewhealing.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/who_knew_healing
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whoknewhealing

Episode 65: From Tragedy to Transformation with Devin DeGriff: Finding Joy After Unimaginable Loss

In this deeply moving episode of The Empowered Grief Journey Podcast, host Chris Mamone speaks with Devin DeGriff—physical therapist, intuitive healer, transformational coach, and author of Good Grief: The Journey from Grief to Joy. After the tragic loss of her mother to murder, Devin embarked on a powerful healing journey that led her from pain to purpose.
Through embodied healing, therapeutic wisdom, and raw vulnerability, Devin offers a roadmap to reclaiming joy without forgetting the past. She shares how honoring your grief can reconnect you with your core truth and help you rise with resilience.
If you’ve ever felt broken by loss, this conversation offers hope, strength, and the reminder that healing is not only possible, it’s transformational.
Connect with Devin Here:
Instagram:@drdevindegreif: https://www.instagram.com/drdevindegreif/
FB: Dr. Devin DeGreif : https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091981254709
Good Grief book: https://www.drdevindegreif.com/good-grief-book

Episode 64: Energy, Healing, and Purpose with Jose Mendoza: From Surgery to Soul Work

In this illuminating episode of The Empowered Grief Journey Podcast, host Chris Mamone welcomes holistic healer and doctor of Chinese Energetic Medicine, Jose Mendoza. Formerly a cardiovascular surgical specialist, Jose witnessed firsthand how many patients returned unwell despite medical intervention. This led him on a powerful path of discovery, seeking answers beyond the physical.
Jose shares how his background in Western medicine led him to ancient Eastern healing practices, culminating in a 4-year doctorate in Chinese Energetic Medicine. Today, he helps others reclaim their energy, transform their health, and live in greater alignment with their true selves.
Together, Chris and Jose explore the deeper roots of chronic illness, the mind-body-spirit connection, and how reclaiming your energy can open the door to authentic healing and purpose.
Connect with Jose Here:
Instagram handle @jmdcem
Website: risetohuman.com
Link for sessions: risetohuman.com/chinese-energy-medicine-sessions

Episode 63: Grief as a Bridge to Belonging with Laurel O’Sullivan

In this heartfelt episode of The Empowered Grief Journey Podcast, host Chris Mamone welcomes grief educator and guide Laurel O’Sullivan. Once a public interest lawyer, Laurel now dedicates her life to helping others transform deep loss into meaningful connection with themselves, their communities, and life itself.
Laurel shares her profound journey through the sudden deaths of her father, the father of her children, and her beloved 18-year-old son, Patrick, who died by suicide. With raw honesty and deep empathy, she explores how grief can open pathways to resilience, healing, and a more authentic sense of belonging.
Together, Chris and Laurel discuss how honoring grief creates space for transformation and how we can learn to carry loss with love and purpose.
Connect with Laurel Here:
Social media links: https://laurelosullivanjd.substack.com/Linked In": https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurelosullivan/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GriefAdvocate
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurel_osullivan/