The Empowered Grief Journey Podcast

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/

Episode 62: Turning Pain Into Purpose with LaCole Smith: From Tragedy to Triumph

In this powerful episode of The Empowered Grief Journey Podcast, host Chris Mamone sits down with transformative leader and cancer advocate Nicole Smith. Nicole opens up about her incredible journey from surviving a devastating house fire and losing her mother, to battling through a life-altering accident and cancer. Her story is a raw and resilient testament to the power of faith, purpose, and healing.
Through her book Leap of Faith and her mission-driven work, Nicole helps women reclaim their voice, share their stories, and turn their deepest pain into lasting impact. If you're seeking inspiration, clarity, or the courage to rise from your own grief, this conversation is for you.
You can connect with LaCole here: https://www.facebook.com/lacole.smith.2025

Episode 61: Grief, Faith & Identity: Bishop Barlow on Finding Purpose After Loss

In this heartfelt episode of The Empowered Grief Journey Podcast, host Chris Mamone welcomes Bishop Barlow — author, minister, and founder of Known Ministries — for a deeply moving conversation about grieving a profound loss while continuing to live out his spiritual calling.
Bishop shares how grief reshaped his faith and purpose, and how he continues to guide others through his writing, teaching, and service to underreached communities. Through his blog Away From the Mirror, his books, and his YouTube teachings, he encourages others to reconnect with their identity in God and share the power of their testimony.
This conversation explores the intersection of grief, faith, identity, and spiritual resilience, offering encouragement for anyone navigating pain while still choosing to show up with purpose.

Episode 60: From Burnout to Alignment: Crystal Robinson on Healing Through Science and Soul

In this episode of The Empowered Grief Journey Podcast, host Chris Mamone welcomes Crystal Robinson, a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach and the founder of Crystal Moon Holistic Healing.
Crystal shares her powerful story of leaving behind a 30-year corporate engineering career to follow a more spiritually-aligned path of service and healing. Through her work, she now helps high-achieving professionals reconnect to themselves through a blend of science, soul, and sacred self-awareness.
Together, they explore how grief and burnout can serve as turning points toward deeper clarity, the importance of mind-body-spirit integration, and what it really means to live with purpose. This conversation is an invitation to simplify your wellness journey — and come home to yourself.

Episode 59: From Collapse to Clarity: Rebuilding Life After Divorce with Jeff from Divorce Daddy

In this episode of The Empowered Grief Journey Podcast, host Chris Mamone sits down with Jeff, the founder of Divorce Daddy, who shares his raw and transformative journey through the aftermath of a toxic marriage and a painful divorce.
Jeff opens up about the fog he lived in, the unexpected fallout of betrayal and loss, and the pivotal moment when he chose not to stay stuck in victimhood, but to rise. Now, after rebuilding his life, reconnecting with his children, and stepping fully into his purpose, Jeff helps others do the same: navigate heartbreak, reclaim their voice, and create a life that feels like their own again.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone healing after a relationship loss or redefining themselves after being broken open.

Episode 58: Grief, Motherhood, and the Sacred Path to Healing with Jana Wellemeyer

In this heartfelt episode of The Empowered Grief Journey Podcast, host Chris Mamone speaks with Jana Wellemeyer — a Coast Guard wife, homeschooling mother of three, and a healing guide shaped by profound loss.
Jana opens up about her experiences with multiple miscarriages and a stillbirth, and the deep emotional toll of grieving while trying to show up for everyday life. Through the grief recovery method, shamanic teachings, and Reiki, Jana discovered that healing isn’t linear — but it is possible.
She now helps others navigate their pain with compassion and presence, offering safe, supportive guidance for those carrying unresolved grief. This conversation is a powerful reminder that even through unimaginable pain, we can find meaning, joy, and the courage to heal.

Episode 57: Grief, Purpose & Resilience: Heidi Prowse on Losing Her Husband and Leading Through Healing

In this heartfelt episode of The Empowered Grief Journey Podcast, host Chris Mamone sits down with Australian community advocate and author Heidi Prowse, OAM, to explore her journey through grief, leadership, and healing.
After the passing of her husband Andrew to cystic fibrosis, Heidi found herself navigating a new world of sorrow, identity, and rediscovery. Rather than retreat from life, she stepped into a deeper calling—advocating for mental health, supporting others facing health challenges, and using her voice to make meaning from loss.
Heidi shares her story with warmth, wisdom, and raw honesty, reminding us that even in our darkest seasons, purpose and connection are still possible.
Whether you're grieving, leading, or searching for hope, this episode offers a gentle yet powerful reminder: you don’t have to be whole to be helpful, and healing doesn’t mean hiding your pain.

Episode 56: The Power of Forgiveness (Part 2): Breaking Cycles & Reclaiming Identity with Scott Stewart

In this powerful return episode of The Empowered Grief Journey Podcast, host Chris Mamone welcomes back Scott Stewart, a professional speaker and personal development advocate who continues to share his inspiring path from childhood adversity to emotional freedom.
Scott opens up about what it means to truly forgive without forgetting, how he broke free from a generational cycle of manipulation and abuse, and how forgiveness became the most liberating act of self-love in his healing journey. Together, they dive deeper into the emotional impact of father wounds, reclaiming identity, and finding the courage to speak your truth and live it.
This conversation is a reminder that no matter where you come from, you have the power to choose a different ending — one rooted in purpose, self-respect, and peace.