Kathy Julien
Child Loss, Addiction, and Resilience in Grief with Kathy Julien - Episode 44
DESCRIPTION:
In this episode, host Nick Gaylord sits down with longtime friend and loyal listener Lisa Spychalski to share her deeply moving grief journey. Lisa opens up about losing her mother at just eight years old, reconnecting with her estranged father only to lose him again as a teenager, and enduring the tragic death of her sister in a devastating car accident. She reflects on the silence around her mother’s alcoholism, the complicated emotions of estrangement, and the weight of decades of grief carried forward. Lisa also shares the recent loss of her beloved dog Hazel, underscoring how grief continues to shape her life. Through heartbreak, humor, and raw honesty, Lisa demonstrates how resilience and connection make survival possible. This powerful episode shines light on how grief changes families, reshapes identity, and tests the bonds of love and memory.
WHO THIS EPISODE HELPS:
Parents grieving a child, families facing addiction, and anyone seeking hope in the aftermath of devastating loss.
WHAT LISTENERS WILL GET:
Insight into grief recovery, how to honor a child’s legacy, and ways to channel pain into healing, service, and community.
THIS EPISODE ANSWERS:
How do parents cope after losing a child to addiction and illness?
What role does community support play in processing grief?
How can grief be transformed into purpose and legacy?
What strategies help parents avoid being consumed by depression after child loss?
How can creating a foundation or podcast help honor a child’s memory?
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Grief after child loss never disappears but can fuel purpose.
Addiction is a disease, not a moral failure.
Memorials and rituals create living legacies for lost children.
Transforming pain into service helps parents survive devastating grief.
Sharing stories publicly can connect grieving families worldwide.
KATHY’S LINKS:
FACEBOOK (PERSONAL): https://www.facebook.com/Skogirl
WEBSITE: https://anotheremptykitchen.com/
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