Podcast
Good Grief with Nikki the Death Doula
Hosted by Nikki Smith; Death Doula, Grief Coach, Podcaster, Nature lover · EN
Demystifying and destigmatizing grief with compassion and humor. We'll dive into all the ins and outs of grief and loss and meet some guests along the way.
If you like Terrible, Thanks for Asking or We Can Do Hard Things, you'll love Good Grief.
25episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
163. Honoring What Matters: The Art of Memorialization with Liz Balli of Dignity Memorial
1w ago00:39:05Tap to summarizeWhat does it really mean to memorialize someone, and why does it matter more than most of us realize?I sat down with Liz Balli of Dignity Memorial, for an honest and compassionate conversation about death, grief, and the profound importance of honoring those we've lost. Liz brings a thoughtful, human-centered perspective to an industry that touches every single one of us.We explore the evolving landscape of burial practices and dig into what the act of memorialization really does for the living. Whether you're navigating a recent loss, thinking ahead for your own end-of-life planning, or simply curious about how we as a culture relate to death, this episode will leave you with both comfort and clarity.Want to Join the Good Grief Society?https://www.nikkithedeathdoula.com/the-good-grief-societySupport me on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/nikkithedeathdoulaYou can find me here: https://linktr.ee/nikkithedeathdoulaGet merch! https://good-grief-podcast.printify.me/
Transcribe →162. Caregiver Resentment: The Taboo Nobody Talks About
2w ago00:20:50Tap to summarizeCaregiving is often described as an act of love. Because it is.But what doesn’t get talked about enough? The moments when it also feels overwhelming, exhausting… and yes, even resentful.In this episode, we’re having the honest conversation most caregivers keep to themselves.Because you can love someone deeply and still feel frustrated, trapped, or completely drained by the responsibility of caring for them. And that doesn’t make you a bad person!! It makes you human.Want to Join the Good Grief Society?https://www.nikkithedeathdoula.com/the-good-grief-society Support me on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/nikkithedeathdoulaYou can find me here: https://linktr.ee/nikkithedeathdoulaGet merch! https://good-grief-podcast.printify.me/
Transcribe →Season 9 coming next week!!
3w ago00:06:24Tap to summarizeWelcome to Season 9! I have a lot of great things coming this season and I’m so excited to have you all back. New episode dropping next week!You can find me at www.nikkithedeathdoula.comWant to Join the Good Grief Society?https://www.nikkithedeathdoula.com/the-good-grief-societyHave a burning question for Nikki the Death Doula? Leave me a message here: https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/458190/1/9pa2xynf4iwbj6p1Support me on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/nikkithedeathdoulaGet merch! https://good-grief-podcast.printify.me/
Transcribe →161. Escaping a Cult, Surviving Unimaginable Loss, and Reclaiming Personal Power with Isabella Young
Apr 1500:37:33Tap to summarizeTW: mentions of murder, SA and some strong language.This episode is not an easy listen, but it’s an important one. In this week’s episode, I sit down with Isabella Young, a survivor whose life took a devastating turn when she escaped a messianic cult led by her ex-husband. What followed was unimaginable loss, deep trauma, and the long, complicated road back to herself.Isabella also shares how her lived experience shaped her work today, helping others identify harmful patterns, reclaim their autonomy, and begin healing from deep emotional wounds.You can find Isabella at: www.feelingbetternaturally.lovehttps://youtube.com/@feelingbetternaturally.natureSubstack: https://feelingbetternaturally.substack.com/Want to Join the Good Grief Society?https://www.nikkithedeathdoula.com/the-good-grief-societyHave a burning question for Nikki the Death Doula? Leave me a message here: https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/458190/1/9pa2xynf4iwbj6p1Support me on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/nikkithedeathdoulaYou can find me here:https://linktr.ee/nikkithedeathdoulaGet merch! https://good-grief-podcast.printify.me/ Music: Cherry Monday by Kevin MacLeod - licensing info can be found at filmmusic .io
Transcribe →160. Caregiving, Humor, and Heart with Mark Steven Porro
Apr 800:43:02Tap to summarizeTW: mentions of bodily functionsIn this episode, I sit down with Mark Porro, author of A Cup of Tea on the Commode, to talk about his experience giving up his bachelor lifestyle to care for his mother during her final months.Mark shares the raw, unfiltered reality of stepping into the role of caregiver with no experience outside of a sense of humor.This conversation is for anyone who has ever found themselves exhausted, overwhelmed, or quietly wondering if they’re doing any of this “right.” (Spoiler: there is no perfect way to do this.)Mark brings honesty, vulnerability, and a surprising amount of wit to a topic that can feel incredibly heavy. His story is a reminder that even in the messiest, most human moments, there can be connection, meaning, and even a little laughter.You can find mark at:https://acupofteaonthecommode.org/andhttps://www.youtube.com/@acupofteaonthecommodeWant to Join the Good Grief Society? Join today!https://www.nikkithedeathdoula.com/the-good-grief-societyHave a burning question for Nikki the Death Doula? Leave me a message here: https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/458190/1/9pa2xynf4iwbj6p1Support me on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/nikkithedeathdoulaGet merch! https://good-grief-podcast.printify.me/ Music: Cherry Monday by Kevin MacLeod - licensing info can be found at filmmusic .io
Transcribe →159. Talking About Death Won’t Kill You: How Honest Conversations Change Everything
Apr 100:51:38Tap to summarizeWhat if talking about death didn’t feel so… heavy?In this episode, I sit down with the hosts of End of Life Conversations to explore what happens when we stop avoiding the topic we’re all quietly thinking about. (You know, the one we tend to shove into the emotional junk drawer labeled “deal with later.”)We talk about why these conversations matter more than we think, how they can actually bring connection instead of discomfort, and what it looks like to approach them with honesty, curiosity, and a little more courage than we feel ready for.You can find Wakil and Annalouiza here; https://www.endoflifeconvos.com/Want to Join the Good Grief Society? Join today!https://www.nikkithedeathdoula.com/the-good-grief-societyHave a burning question for Nikki the Death Doula? Leave me a message here: https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/458190/1/9pa2xynf4iwbj6p1Support me on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/nikkithedeathdoulaYou can find me here:https://linktr.ee/nikkithedeathdoulaGet merch! https://good-grief-podcast.printify.me/ Music:https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3495-cheery-monday
Transcribe →158. Why Do People Grieve So Differently? Understanding Grief Personas with Sarah Baldwin.
Mar 2500:36:14Tap to summarizeIn this episode I sit down with Sarah Baldwin, co-founder and CEO of Restfully, to explore a concept that can change the way we understand grief: grief personas.We often expect grief to look a certain way. Lots of tears, deep sadness, and a clear emotional timeline. But anyone who has experienced loss (or supported someone through it) knows that grief doesn’t follow a script.Sarah shares how the idea of grief personas helps explain these differences and why recognizing them can reduce conflict, increase empathy, and help us support each other better after loss.If you’ve ever wondered why your sibling, partner, or friend seems to grieve so differently than you do, this conversation will help you understand what’s really going on and how to meet each other with more compassion.You can find Sarah at: https://restfullycare.comWant to Join the Good Grief Society? Join the Waitlist now! https://www.nikkithedeathdoula.com/good-grief-waitlistHave a burning question for Nikki the Death Doula? Leave me a message here: https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/458190/1/9pa2xynf4iwbj6p1Support me on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/nikkithedeathdoulaYou can find me here:https://linktr.ee/nikkithedeathdoulaGet merch! https://good-grief-podcast.printify.me/ Music:https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3495-cheery-monday
Transcribe →157. Stigmatized Death, Unfinished Business, and Finding Forgiveness with Cat York
Mar 1800:38:49Tap to summarizeTW: Some discussions of addictionWhat happens when someone you’re not close to dies… and you’re the one legally responsible?In this episode, I sit down with Cat, host of Call Her Cat, to talk about the death of her father—whom she was estranged from at the time of his passing. Despite the distance in their relationship, Cat stepped in as his Medical Power of Attorney, made end-of-life decisions, and arranged his funeral.We explore what it’s like to grieve someone you had a complicated history with. The love that may have existed. The hurt that definitely did. The expectations from others. And the internal tug-of-war between duty, resentment, tenderness, and relief.You can find Cat’s podcast here: https://unityyork.podbean.com/Want to Join the Good Grief Society? Join the Waitlist now! https://www.nikkithedeathdoula.com/good-grief-waitlistHave a burning question for Nikki the Death Doula? Leave me a message here: https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/458190/1/9pa2xynf4iwbj6p1Support me on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/nikkithedeathdoulaYou can find me here: https://linktr.ee/nikkithedeathdoulaGet merch! https://good-grief-podcast.printify.me/ Music:https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3495-cheery-monday
Transcribe →156. Collective Trauma and Grief: How to Cope in a World That Feels Broken
Mar 1100:27:31Tap to summarizeTW: mass casualty events, pandemic, light political topicsA lot of people are asking the same quiet question: Why do I feel so heavy right now?In this episode, I unpack the concept of collective grief and why so many of us feel exhausted, anxious, numb, or on edge. You are not weak. You are not broken. You are responding to brokenness.We explore what grief actually is beyond death loss, and the kind of sorrow that never gets acknowledged publicly.If you have felt “off” for years, this conversation might connect some dots.We also look at historical patterns of collective grief, including moments like September 11 attacks, the Vietnam War, etc. Some grief was repressed. Some was transformed into movements. Where do we see those echoes now?Let’s talk honestly about why navigating grief feels harder today.Want to Join the Good Grief Society? Join the Waitlist now! https://www.nikkithedeathdoula.com/good-grief-waitlistHave a burning question for Nikki the Death Doula? Leave me a message here: https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/458190/1/9pa2xynf4iwbj6p1Support me on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/nikkithedeathdoulaYou can find me here:https://linktr.ee/nikkithedeathdoulaGet merch! https://good-grief-podcast.printify.me/ Music:https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3495-cheery-monday
Transcribe →Rewind - 75: Grief, We’re Doing it Wrong!
Mar 400:31:11Tap to summarizeHey all, scheduling was rough so I’m tossing up this rewind episode from 2024. We will be back next week!!Want to Join the Good Grief Society? Join the Waitlist now! https://www.nikkithedeathdoula.com/good-grief-waitlistHave a burning question for Nikki he Death Doula? Leave me a message here: https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/458190/1/9pa2xynf4iwbj6p1Support me on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/nikkithedeathdoulaYou can find me here: https://linktr.ee/nikkithedeathdoulaGet merch! https://good-grief-podcast.printify.me/ Music:https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3495-cheery-monday
Transcribe →