The Empowered Grief Journey Podcast

Episode 32: Grief, Identity, and Rebuilding After Rupture with Danielle Francine

In this episode of The Empowered Grief Journey Podcast, I sit down with body transformation expert and coach Danielle Francine for an honest and deeply moving conversation about grief beyond death — the kind that comes from the loss of connection, identity, and the life you thought you’d have.
Danielle shares her personal journey through spiritual questioning, relationship unraveling, and the painful realization that something was missing, even when everything on paper “looked right.” From walking away from a disconnected marriage to rebuilding her life from the inside out, Danielle brings raw truth and empowered reflection to the table.
We explore:
The grief that comes with emotional disconnection in relationships
Listening to your body as a guide in your healing process
Reclaiming joy, self-trust, and purpose after profound rupture
Why grief isn’t always about death — and how every ending can become an invitation to wholeness
“It wasn’t until everything fell apart that I finally came home to myself.”
If you’ve ever questioned your path, your relationship, or your worth, this episode will leave you feeling seen, inspired, and ready to reclaim your power.
🎧 Tune in and join us for a conversation about healing, honesty, and the strength it takes to choose yourself.

Episode 31: Clearing the Mental Clutter: Empowered Thinking with Richard D. Waldman

In this episode of The Empowered Grief Journey Podcast, I sit down with Richard D. Waldman — retired Army veteran, clinical pastor, and creator of Order to Life — for a powerful conversation on the impact of conscious thinking during life’s most challenging seasons.
We explore Richard’s unique journey from real estate and law to coaching and clinical ministry, and how a simple two-step process helped him support others in managing mental chatter, reframing struggle, and finding purpose after trauma.
If you're looking for practical tools to reclaim your mindset and create clarity in the chaos, this episode is for you.
🎧 Topics we cover:
Why your thoughts can keep you stuck in grief (and how to shift them)
The connection between mental discipline and emotional healing
Richard’s Aha moment that led him to coaching and transformational work
This conversation is a gentle reminder that you can take control of your mind — and through that, reclaim your power.
Website: Brainyites.comFacebook: facebook.com/CoachMeRichX (Twitter): x.com/CoachMeRichTikTok: tiktok.com/@brainyitesBook: Your Guide to... A Better Way of Thinking

Episode 30: The Power of Release: Helping Men Feel, Heal, and Break Free from Emotional Suppression

Dr. Brian Tierney is a somatic psychologist, neuroscience professor, and psychotherapist with a passion for integrative healing. Specializing in trauma resolution, couples therapy, and integrative psychotherapy, he blends cutting-edge science with ancient practices to create transformative healing experiences. He shares his grief story from growing up and how that moment had a major impact on how he saw his self image and confidence as a person. He further goes on to share his journey into psychology and helping create a powerful space for men to learn how to grieve and express how they feel beyond the emotion of anger. He also shares a powerful story about discovering a supportive mens group that helped him learn how to open up and express emotion. You don't want to miss this powerful episode of The Empowered Grief Journey!
 
Dr. Brian Tierney Links:
www.somaticdoctor.com
personal instagram #thesomaticdoctor
 
Smart Link  https://pod.link/1734233479
YouTube   Boundless Body Podcast - YouTube
Spotify  Boundless Body | Podcast on Spotify
Instagram   Brian Tierney (@boundlessbodypodcast) • Instagram photos and videos

Episode 29: Restoring Memories: A Photographer's Mission After The Storm

For over 25 years, Krista Kowalczyk has captured life’s most cherished moments as the owner of Impressions Photography. After Hurricane Ian she used her photography skills and volunteered to salvage thousands of flood damaged photographs. That experience led her on a mission to proactively help people secure pictures. Her upcoming book, Beyond the Storm, and her easy-to-follow photo digitizing courses ensure that everyone has the skills needed to keep their own personal photographs safe. 
 
Website: www.thekristak.com
Instagram: @the.krista.k  
YouTube: @the.krista.k

Episode 28: Six Hours That Changed Everything: A Survivor’s Story of Trauma and Healing

What started out as a normal morning for RJ turned into 6 hours that would change her life forever. The Girl That Got Out is a story about survival to stay alive but what came next was even harder. Trying to survive the waves of intense grief and emotion that came from the experience. Tune in to hear Rebecca's powerful story of surviving being held hostage by her ex boyfriend in her apartment and how she escaped and navigated her healing journey. She has an incredibly powerful story that you don't want to miss.
Website: www.girlthatgotout.com
Instagram and Facebook: @girlthatgotout

Episode 27: Pieces of Me: Adoption, Identity Struggles, and Growing Up with Grief

Andrea Mason serves individuals who have felt abandoned, betrayed, and lost and help them take life's adversities to create their authentic and own identity. People who are ready to walk the path less traveled to take a life transformational journey to live the best life. She shares her powerful story of struggling to find her own identity after going through many losses and funerals growing up. Listen to her powerful story stepping into her authentic self and creating an empowering life through grief.
Social Media Handles: Andrea Mason | Instagram, Facebook | Linktree
Website: Virtual Personal Accountability Coach
Gift: YOUR FREE GIFT | Andrea M: Press PLAY

Episode 26: Beyond the Craving: Unpacking the Emotional Patterns Behind Binge Eating

🎙️ Episode Title: Grief, Food, and Feeling: Healing Emotional Eating with Jillian Scott
In this enlightening episode of The Empowered Grief Journey, life coach Jillian Scott shares how our relationship with food is often deeply tied to our emotions—and how grief can silently show up through patterns like binge eating.
Jillian opens up about her personal healing journey, including navigating the emotional aftermath of divorce, and how grief led her to uncover the emotional roots behind her eating habits. She explains how many of us use food as a way to numb, soothe, or avoid our pain—and how bringing awareness to the emotions underneath those patterns can lead to powerful breakthroughs in both grief and self-understanding.
Through compassion, honesty, and actionable insights, Jillian invites us to explore the emotional connection between food, loss, and healing—and how we can begin to meet our grief with intention rather than avoidance.
🎧 Tune in to discover how food can become not just a coping mechanism, but a mirror—and a pathway to emotional freedom.

Episode 25: Healing the Invisible Wounds: Adoption, Identity, and Grief

🎙️ Episode Title: Rooted in Two Worlds – Adoption, Identity, and Grief with Julie Matye
In this introspective episode of The Empowered Grief Journey, Julie Matye opens up about the unique and often unspoken grief that comes with being adopted. Though she expresses deep gratitude for the loving family who raised her and the joyful childhood she experienced, Julie shares how a quiet ache remained—a longing to understand where she came from and who her biological parents were.
Julie discusses how this identity grief shaped her younger years and how her personal journey influenced her work as a social worker supporting children in the state system. Her story shines a light on the complexity of adoption—the coexistence of love and loss, gratitude and longing, belonging and wondering.
This episode is a powerful reminder that grief isn’t always tied to death. Sometimes, it’s about the parts of ourselves we’re still searching for.
🎧 Listen in as Julie shares her path to self-understanding and the healing power of compassion—both for ourselves and the children we serve.