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.
28episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
166. Coming Out, Starting Over & Hot Flashes: Heather Vickery on Living with Joy
1w ago00:41:54Tap to summarizeWhat happens when you finally stop living by everyone else's rules and start living your truth? This week, I sat down with transformational coach, Human Design expert, and all-around brave human Heather Vickery of Vickery & Co for a warm, honest, and deeply moving conversation about what it really looks like to come out later in life.Heather opens up about coming out after years of living a life that looked great on the outside: married, successful, a mother. But didn't fully reflect who she was on the inside. She shares what it was like to navigate divorce, redefine her relationship with her children as they grew into adults, and do all of that while going through menopause. (Because of course.) This is the kind of conversation that reminds you: it is never too late to choose yourself.You can find Heather here: https://vickeryandco.com/Want to Join the Good Grief Society? https://www.nikkithedeathdoula.com/the-good-grief-societySupport me on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/nikkithedeathdoulaGet merch and find any other info you need on the podcast here: https://www.nikkithedeathdoula.com/podcast
Transcribe →165. The Raw Truth About Traumatic Loss with Author & Coach G. Scott Graham
2w ago00:47:01Tap to summarizeTW: language, graphic description of traumatic deathWhat does grief actually look like when the loss is sudden, traumatic, and completely shatters the life you knew? In this powerful and unfiltered conversation, author, coach, and psychedelic support coach G. Scott Graham opens up about the traumatic death of his husband — and what the experience taught him about the limits of clinical language, the courage it takes to feel real emotions, and what healing actually requires.You can find G Scott here: https://gscottgraham.com/Want to Join the Good Grief Society? https://www.nikkithedeathdoula.com/the-good-grief-societySupport me on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/nikkithedeathdoulaGet merch and find any other info you need on the podcast here: https://www.nikkithedeathdoula.com/podcast
Transcribe →164. Living Grief: How Author Jackie Disch Turned the Sudden Loss of Her Wife Into a Memoir
3w ago00:45:11Tap to summarizeKicking off our 4-week Pride Month series celebrating voices from the LGBTQIA+ community, we sit down with Jackie L. Disch. Jackie is a poet, indie author, and the woman behind a raw and honest grief memoir; Losing Katy: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Living Grief. It is a genre-bending work that weaves together poetic prose, journal entries, and emotional insight to paint an intimate portrait of what she calls "living grief." The memoir follows her journey from just before the sudden death of her wife, Katy, through the third anniversary of that loss.In this conversation, Jackie opens up about what it means to lose a spouse without warning, how writing became her lifeline, and why she believes grief isn't something you get over, it's something you learn to carry.Whether you've experienced loss yourself, love someone who has, or simply want to hear a story about how deep love can go, this episode is for you.You can find Jackie here: jackieldisch.comAnd her book: https://www.amazon.com/Losing-Katy-Memoir-Living-Grief/dp/1665310480/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.oj2TLojOcFn0Y-YMTklkbKAOg-1KjX2fWdru89knFdc.6CQFvIBr2EEtyEA1mpvqTcStRSm9Oxk9h0C4wHb9U-o&qid=1756238881&sr=1-1Want 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/
Transcribe →163. Honoring What Matters: The Art of Memorialization with Liz Balli of Dignity Memorial
May 2700:39:05Tap 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
May 2000:20:50Tap 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!!
May 1300:06:24Tap 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 →