My Mourning Routine

Facing loss or transition and still want to notice the sun shining? Join grief coach Lauren Samay as she explores how grief, growth and gratitude affect our mourning routine and why they are important to living fully!

Ep. 83 - Alicia Henry on How Grief is Woven into the Fabric of Being 12/23/2025

Ep. 82 - Lauren O'Connell on Astrology & Grief 12/22/2025

Ep. 81 - A Letter to My Mother 12/22/2025

Ep. 80 - Anna Beecher on Life, and the Living of It 12/18/2025

Ep. 79 - MaKshya Tolbert on Attention as Something to Interrupt Sorrow 12/14/2025

Ep. 79 - MaKshya Tolbert on Attention as Something to Interrupt Sorrow In this intimate conversation, MaKshya Tolbert shares the "why" behind writing Shade is a place; explores loss, as a structure to see grief; the (devastating) consequences of wanting shade; and being invited into yourself. MaKshya practices poetry and placemaking in Virginia, where her grandmother raised her. She was the 2025 Art in Library Spaces Artist-in-Residence at the University of Virginia, 2024 New City Arts Fellowship Guest Curator, and serves on the Charlottesville Tree Commission (2022-present), including as 2024 Chair. Her debut book of poems, Shade is a place (winner of the 2024 National Poetry Series), meanders east-west along the City’s Downtown Mall, seeking a sense of place amid the flux of the Mall’s turning trees, landscape design, and one’s inner life. She has received recent fellowship and residency support from Cave Canem, New City Arts, Lead to Life, the Patricia Valian Reser Center for the Creative Arts’ Long-Term Ecological Reflections program (2024-26 Fireline Fellow), Community of Writers, Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects, the University of Virginia, and the U.S.-Italy Fulbright Commission. Her recent poetry and prose can be found at Poem-a-Day, Emergence Magazine, Nightboat Books, and more. She is the 2025-2030 Associate Editor in Poetry for Interdisciplinary Studies in Literature and Environment (ISLE), published quarterly by Oxford University Press. In her free time, she is elsewhere—a place Eddie S. Glaude Jr. calls, “that physical or metaphorical place that affords the space to breathe.” You can connect with MaKshya at on Instagram. You may purchase wherever books are sold. ------- Get Lauren's to support you on your journey! This meditation is for you if you’re looking to: Lower Stress, Increase your Peace, Connect to your Heart, and Give your energy back to Joy You can connect with Lauren on Instagram via and , on Facebook or through If you are tuning in and finding value in these episodes, please take a moment to -- it means so much and helps make a bigger, connecting splash in the podcasting pond! /episode/index/show/15b98f23-83e1-4e61-a926-ea008159ce6d/id/39401125

Ep. 78 - Anya Faruque on Grief in Romantic Love 11/20/2025

Ep. 78 - Anya Faruque on Grief in Romantic Love In this episode, Anya Faruque speaks to a different level of grief that many of us experience in our lives: Romantic grief. While living losses can hurt deeply, there is tremendous potential for them to transform us for the better, inviting us to create and maintain nurturing relationships with self, first and foresmost, as she believes that "what we go through, we grow through". She shares what wisdom and lessons she has gained going through her own romantic losses and ways for you to support yourself, as time heals a lot-- but it’s dependent on your actions! With over five years of experience as a matchmaker, dating coach, and love consultant, Anya has helped countless individuals unlock the secrets to fulfilling, lasting relationships. Drawing on a deep understanding of both the feminine and masculine mind, she brings a unique perspective to the world of love and romance, blending intuition with well-researched strategies. Anya’s approach is rooted in her own personal journey through love and relationships, giving her a genuine insight into the complexities of human connection. She intuitively guides her clients while offering fresh and innovative ways of thinking about love, challenging conventional wisdom and empowering others to embrace new possibilities in their romantic lives. Originally from Virginia, Anya led a nomadic lifestyle before settling in the breathtaking mountains of North Carolina. Her journey through different places and experiences has only strengthened her belief in the power of love and the transformative impact it can have on one’s life. Whether you’re seeking guidance in your own romantic life or looking for that perfect match, Anya is committed to helping you find and cultivate the love you deserve. You can connect with Anya at and on @aphrodite_alchemy, @anya_faruque & @anya.faruque Mention "Lauren" for 20% off any session with Anya, no expiration! ------- Get Lauren's to support you on your journey! You can connect with Lauren on Instagram via and , on Facebook or through If you are tuning in and finding value in these episodes, please take a moment to -- it means so much and helps make a bigger, connecting splash in the podcasting pond! /episode/index/show/15b98f23-83e1-4e61-a926-ea008159ce6d/id/39100760

Ep. 77 - On Legacy Work, with Matt Jacobson of LifeBooks 03/02/2025

Ep. 75 - Simplifying Estate Planning and End-of-Life Tasks with Adam Zuckerman, of Buried In Work 12/20/2024

Ep. 75 - Simplifying Estate Planning and End-of-Life Tasks with Adam Zuckerman, of Buried In Work Adam Zuckerman is the Founder of Buried in Work, a leading eCommerce platform specializing in estate planning/organization, end-of-life tasks, and estate transitions. With a deeply personal motivation stemming from his experience managing his father's estate, Adam is dedicated to simplifying these complex processes for individuals and families nationwide. As an Eisenhower Fellow, attorney, and MBA, Adam brings a wealth of expertise to his role, combining legal knowledge with entrepreneurial vision to drive innovation in the field of estate planning. Adam's mission is to empower individuals of all ages to navigate the intricacies of estate planning with confidence and ease. Through Buried in Work, he seeks to revolutionize the way people approach end-of-life preparations, ensuring that everyone has access to the resources they need to secure their legacy and protect their loved ones. In this episode, Adam shares a bit of his story, why financial organization is crucial at any age, some top tips for how to simplify estate planning and end-of-life tasks, and the importance of starting NOW. You can connect with Adam and learn more about Buried In Work and the incredible resources available to support you at and via Instagram ------- Get Lauren's to support you on your journey! You can connect with Lauren on Instagram via and , on Facebook or through How delicious would it be for your soul to share the parts of loss that greater society doesn't acknowledge? What if you had a safe space to gather with others, to lighten the load of your grief, and let your heart be heard? ... Now you do! Join Lauren for a special, supportive monthly check-in. One hour, over Zoom, from the comfort of home, in sweatpants. Newsletter subscribers receive a special session discount code to use for 22% off Monthly Grief Circles-- forever, so sign up first If you are tuning in and finding value in these episodes, please take a moment to -- it means so much and helps make a bigger, connecting splash in the podcasting pond! /episode/index/show/15b98f23-83e1-4e61-a926-ea008159ce6d/id/34557320

Ep. 74 - Frisbee Full of Figs: On Enjoying Life's Fruits While They're Ripe 08/28/2024

Ep. 73 - Jessica Fein on Finding Strength and Joy in Breath Taking Moments 08/14/2024

Ep. 73 - Jessica Fein on Finding Strength and Joy in Breath Taking Moments In this episode, Jessica Fein shares: the incredible ways that her experiences with grief have woven themselves into her DNA; how being "whole" means letting others see where you are broken; how her late daughter, Dalia, showed her how to live; and how, in the darkness, there’s always light to be found. Jessica is the author of Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken Genes and host of the “I Don't Know How You Do It” podcast, which features people whose lives seem unimaginable and who triumph over seemingly impossible challenges. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, Newsweek, Psychology Today, The Boston Globe, HuffPost, Scary Mommy, Zibby Mag, Kveller, and more. Jessica is a relentless warrior in the memory of her dynamic daughter whom she lost to rare disease in 2022. Her work encompasses hope and humor, grit and grace-- the tools that make up her personal survival kit. Jessica serves on the Board of Directors of MitoAction. She's the mother of three, whom she and her husband adopted from Guatemala. They live outside of Boston with their quasi-service dog, who trained himself. You can connect with Jessica via her website: through Instagram Facebook and read her blog posts on ----- Get Lauren's to support you on your journey! You can connect with Lauren on Instagram via and , on Facebook or through How delicious would it be for your soul to share the parts of loss that greater society doesn't acknowledge? What if you had a safe space to gather with others, to lighten the load of your grief, and let your heart be heard? ... Now you do! Join Lauren for a special, supportive monthly check-in. One hour, over Zoom, from the comfort of home, in sweatpants. Newsletter subscribers receive a special session discount code to use for 22% off Monthly Grief Circles-- forever, so sign up first If you are tuning in and finding value in these episodes, please take a moment to -- it means so much and helps make a bigger, connecting splash in the podcasting pond! /episode/index/show/15b98f23-83e1-4e61-a926-ea008159ce6d/id/32581817

Ep. 73 - Living With Endometriosis, Grieving Biological Motherhood & Making a Nontraditional Path Beautiful with Julie Freeman-Mullins, of Anam Cara Clay Goods 07/18/2024

Ep. 73 - Living With Endometriosis, Grieving Biological Motherhood & Making a Nontraditional Path Beautiful with Julie Freeman-Mullins, of Anam Cara Clay Goods It can be difficult to find courage to talk about endometriosis and the effects of the disease on fertility. In this episode, Julie shares: her personal story of how circumstances beyond her control have shown her what her life's path is meant to be and how she has embraced walking it; dealing with the loss of something she may never have; the importance of finding the right people to support you; and how turning to creativity and making beauty in hardship was the catalyst for her business, Anam Cara Clay Goods. Julie Freeman-Mullins is a Tennessee girl at heart, having lived most of her life in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. She has been blessed to journey through life with her husband and best friend, Josh. They have been married since 2012 and have 2 fur babies: Saydi, a yellow lab/pyrenees mix, and Pearl, their sweet cat baby. Julie has had a varied career, mostly in nonprofit work with a concentration in hospitality where she worked as a professional chef for over 15 years. Moving to central Virginia in 2018 was a big change for her, but also a change that has brought new and amazing opportunities into her life. Most days you can find Julie working as the Volunteer Recruitment and Communications Coordinator with , an amazing community of folks that has been like a second home for her. And in her spare time, she is also the proud owner of a small business, , where she creates handmade polymer clay jewelry. Her distinct jewelry design gives her the opportunity to share her passion for art while also creating beautiful things for the world to enjoy. It is also a means by which she can give back in meaningful ways, most specifically with raising awareness about the effects of endometriosis and how we can make a positive impact for the millions of women worldwide being affected by this disease. Anam Cara Clay Goods is about more than just the products Julie creates, but the intentional ways she can encourage and empower women to explore their own creativity, to feel good about themselves in their hearts, minds, and bodies, and to believe that-- just like a pair of earrings, we are all better together. You can connect with Julie and find her colorful work on Instagram via and through her website: Sign up for Juile's Learn more about The Learn more about ----- Get Lauren's to support you on your journey! You can connect with Lauren on Instagram via and , on Facebook or through How delicious would it be for your soul to share the parts of loss that greater society doesn't acknowledge? What if you had a safe space to gather with others, to lighten the load of your grief, and let your heart be heard? ... Now you do! Join Lauren for a special, supportive monthly check-in. One hour, over Zoom, from the comfort of home, in sweatpants. Newsletter subscribers receive a special session discount code to use for 22% off Monthly Grief Circles-- forever, so sign up first If you are tuning in and finding value in these episodes, please take a moment to -- it means so much and helps make a bigger, connecting splash in the podcasting pond! /episode/index/show/15b98f23-83e1-4e61-a926-ea008159ce6d/id/32206757

Ep. 72 - Snacks & Rest: On Being Gentler to Yourself and Taking a Break 06/06/2024

Ep. 71 - Mother's Day Musings: On Grief, Gratitude, and the Miracle That Is You 05/13/2024

Ep. 70 - The "Firsts": Navigating the Many "Firsts" After Loss, Part 1 04/05/2024

Ep. 69 - Retreat: What Have You Done for You Lately? 04/01/2024

Ep. 68 - Allowing Spring: Questions and Reflections To Make the Most of This Fertile Season 03/21/2024

Episode 67 - No Man Is an Island: On Asking for Help and a Time-Sensitive Request 03/14/2024

Episode 66 - Standing at the Threshold of Spring: On Surrendering to Growth 03/07/2024

Episode 65 - Allison Pharmakis on Dancing with Grief and Its Gifts 02/29/2024

Episode 65 - Allison Pharmakis on Dancing with Grief and Its Gifts In this episode, Artist + Intuitive Medium Allison Pharmakis shares how she has come to find beauty and deeper connections in loss; how grief has shifted the ways she interacts with humans, at large; what led her to fully embrace and offer mediumship; and how Spirit is ever-present and ready to be of service, if we know how to invite it in. Pharmakis has possessed the unique gift of connecting with the deceased since her childhood. She is a facilitator of healing between the living and the dead, and uses automatism (spirit guided writing and drawing) to help channel and connect the past and the present. Although this was an intuitive ability bestowed upon her, she fine tuned her role as vehicle and vessel. As a teenager, Pharmakis realized that utilizing the medium of automatic drawing helped her to see her visions more clearly. She uses the medium of automatism to connect with spirits, as well as the Tarot. Her Visual Mediumship Sessions and Multi-Deck Intuitive Tarot Readings are hands-on and intimate, yet create a safe environment for beginners, and the more experienced, alike. During each Visual Mediumship Session - which is tailored and personalized to her client - Pharmakis creates an original piece of artwork. She not only aims to heal and inspire, but to supply her clients with the tools to integrate the experience and to strengthen themselves from within. Allison is part of a large team of Psychics, Mediums and Federal Agents (Find Me Group) who assist law enforcement task forces by helping to locate missing people internationally. You can connect with Allison on Instagram via or through ----- Get Lauren's to support you on your journey! You can connect with Lauren on Instagram via and , on Facebook or through If you are tuning in and finding value in these episodes, please take a moment to rate and review My Mourning Routine on Apple Podcasts-- it means so much and helps make a bigger, connecting splash in the podcasting pond: Sign up for Lauren's newsletter /episode/index/show/15b98f23-83e1-4e61-a926-ea008159ce6d/id/30128498

Episode 64 - Let It Roll: Reflections on Keeping Your Peace in the Moments That Might Otherwise Lead You to Lose It 02/25/2024

Episode 63 - Every Day's the 14th: Musings From a Silent Retreat on Being a Valentine for Yourself, Year-Round 02/15/2024

Episode 62 - Dancing Through the Highs and Lows of This Earthly Life 02/08/2024

Episode 61 - Guest Shawn Decker: Musician, Author, and Internet Pioneer, on Living a Life Driven by Creativity and Shaped by Medical Adversity 01/31/2024

Episode 61 - Guest Shawn Decker: Musician, Author, and Internet Pioneer, on Living a Life Driven by Creativity and Shaped by Medical Adversity Shawn Decker is a musician, author and internet pioneer and has commandeered a life driven by creativity and shaped by medical adversity. Diagnosed with HIV at age 11, before the advent of the effective treatments, Shawn’s parents were told that he had six months-to-two-years to live. That was in 1987. At age 14, he skipped his exams to meet Depeche Mode through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. He was crowned Homecoming King at Waynesboro High School in Virginia in 1992, and credits his poor attendance record for the win. At age 20, Shawn opened up about living with HIV by posting one of the first online blogs in 1996. After moving from Waynesboro to Charlottesville, Virginia, Shawn fell in love with the local music scene and, most importantly, a fellow HIV educator, Gwenn. Educating together as a sero-diverse couple- where one partner is HIV positive and the other is HIV negative- Shawn and Gwenn have shared their love story with millions of people. And in some very unique ways. From educational programming on the BBC, MTV, VH1 and even Hong Kong TV, to a Bed In in a Grand Central Station storefront on World AIDS Day. Their candor, humor and openness inspired the inclusion of a sero-diverse couple’s storyline on the scripted MTV series, Shuga which has educated teenagers and young adults around the world. Shawn has been a contributing writer for Poz Magazine since 1997 and his humorous memoir, My Pet Virus: The True Story of a Rebel Without a Cure, was published by the Penguin Group in 2006. From 1992 until 2022, he wrote and performed music as Synthetic Division, cutting his teeth in the basement of Tokyo Rose restaurant, an iconic Charlottesville music scene. His new band, Nouveau Vintage, makes their debut on March 9 at the Please Don’t Tell Album Release party, sharing the stage with Charming Disaster and DJ Cadybug. This Spirit Ball takes place at the Southern Cafe & Music Hall in downtown Charlottesville, VA. In this episode, Shawn talks about his life; the importance of breaking down the stigma and discrimination around HIV; his thoughts on death and living; how music has influenced and supported him through many ups and downs; the song that his mother used to contact him from beyond the grave; words of wisdom; and what lies ahead. You can connect with Shawn, his writings, and music at ; ; and through Instagram & ----- Get Lauren's to support you on your journey! You can connect with Lauren on Instagram and , on Facebook or through If you are tuning in and finding value in these episodes, please take a moment to rate and review My Mourning Routine on Apple Podcasts-- it means so much and helps make a bigger, connecting splash in the podcasting pond: Sign up for Lauren's newsletter /episode/index/show/15b98f23-83e1-4e61-a926-ea008159ce6d/id/29741278

Episode 60 - Becoming a Voice for Compassion and Human Dignity with Guest Marsha Gray Hill, Author of Grief and Grit(s): A Daughter’s Journey of Love and Loss When the World Was Upside-Down Marsha Gray Hill was born and raised in Kinston, North Carolina, before marrying her husband, Gregg, and becoming Mrs. Marsha Hill in 1976. Her adventurous life of raising five children alongside her eldest son’s burgeoning professional tennis career included lots of love and way too many drives down I-95 in a massive Southwind camper. Fifteen grandchildren later, Marsha is still a southern girl, splitting her time between Georgia and Florida. Her family is her pride and joy, and while caring for her mother throughout the COVID pandemic, she experienced firsthand what it’s like to advocate for a deteriorating parent. This experience inspired her to become a voice for compassion and human dignity, which led her to write her debut book, Grief and Grit(s): A Daughter’s Journey of Love and Loss When the World Was Upside-Down, published by Forefront Books and distributed by Simon and Schuster-- hitting shelves far and wide on February 13, 2024! In this episode, Marsha shares her touching story of caring for her mother with Alzheimer's in the especially challenging time of early-Covid-19; how this experience led her to write a book, both to honor her mother and be a source of support for caretakers and grievers alike; and offers words of advice for anyone facing the responsibility of caring for a loved one who is no longer able to advocate for themselves. You may connect with Marsha through her website: Instagram: Facebook: ----- Get Lauren's to support you on your journey! You can connect with Lauren on Instagram and , on Facebook or through If you are tuning in and finding value in these episodes, please take a moment to rate and review My Mourning Routine on Apple Podcasts-- it means so much and helps make a bigger, connecting splash in the podcasting pond: Sign up for Lauren's newsletter /episode/index/show/15b98f23-83e1-4e61-a926-ea008159ce6d/id/29637303

Episode 59 - Three Minutes of Silence: A Call to Collective Consciousness 01/18/2024

Episode 58 - Like Sands Through the Hourglass, Life is Swiftly Passing: What Can You Do Today to Awaken Your Spirit? 01/11/2024

Episode 57 - Re-envisioning by Releasing: How to Make Space for the New by Courageously Letting Go of the Old 01/04/2024

Episode 56 - Fall on Your Knees: Lauren's Story of Visiting her Mother's Grave on Christmas Day 12/27/2023

Episode 55 - One Year of My Mourning Routine Podcast! 12/20/2023

Episode 54 - Little Wins: Acknowledging How Far You've Come Sweetens Your Life 12/13/2023

My Mourning Routine

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