In this candid conversation, Laura Jaye Cramer shares: how she continues to process the grief and guilt around both her father and brother's tragic deaths by suicide; the before & after "self" revelation in the wake of loss; how your body can force you to rest; and how turning pain into Art led her to create an entire publishing company that supports others through life's many seasons. Laura is the founder of Waiting Room Publishing, an independent media company putting smart, human-centered print magazines into healthcare, senior living, and end-of-life waiting rooms across the United States. Waiting Room Publishing publishes four titles — The Grand Life, Vital Years, Candlelight, and Gigi — each built for a specific audience and environment where people are unusually open and receptive. Before launching Waiting Room Publishing, Laura spent over a decade in journalism, brand strategy, and marketing. She brings a rare combination of editorial instinct, audience-first thinking, and distribution strategy to often overlooked demographics. Laura speaks on the intersection of media and the future of print — and is especially interested in how physical media creates connection in clinical and end-of-life settings. She lives in Seattle, WA with her Great Dane, Cowboy.  You can connect with Laura at www.laurajayecramer.com and can find Candlelight Magazine on Instagram and at www.waitingroompublishing.com ----- If you or someone you know needs mental health support, the following resources are available to provide help: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year; For any mental health crisis or emotional distress, including thoughts of suicide; Call or text 988 National Helpline: Provides confidential treatment referrals and information for individuals and families facing mental health and substance use challenges for free, 24/7; Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) Trevor Project Lifeline: Dedicated to supporting LGBTQIA2S+ youth in crisis; Call 1-866-488-7386 or text 678-678 Boys Town National Hotline: Provides 24/7 support, including Spanish-speaking counselors and translation services for over 140 languages; Call 800-448-3000; text "VOICE" TO 20121 Crisis Text Line: Offers 24/7/365 Emotional support and resources for any type of crisis; text "HEAL" TO 741-741 Teen Line: Provides peer support by teens for teens via hotline, text line, message board, and email; Call 800-852-8336 (6-10pm) or text "TEEN" to 839-863 (5:30-9:30pm) Your Life Your Voice: Offers multiple ways for youth to connect with counselors 24/7 for tips on coping skills, grief, and more; Call 800-448-3000 You Are Not Alone Network: Provides a Native Youth Crisis Hotline and additional resources, including state and national resource guides and wisdom from Elders; Call 1-877-209-1266 ----- Get Lauren's 10-Min Meditation for Grief to support you on your journey! You can connect with Lauren on Instagram via @lauren.samay and @mymourningroutinepodcast, on Facebook @lauren.samay.coaching or through www.laurensamay.com If you would like to support the show: buymeacoffee.com/mymourningroutinepodcast 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 here.

Tim Schramm has dedicated his life to caring for the deceased, and their families.  87% of Americans believe that having a ceremony after a death, whether the body is present or not, is an important part to begin a healthy grief journey.  In this compassionate, unparalleled conversation, Tim speaks about: his service and heart-led experience as a Funeral Director; the sacred work and behind-the-scenes accounts of what it takes to bring a sense of closure to families affected by mass-tragedies; the power of presence; the true value of gathering together; and our human need for ceremony. Tim is a National Funeral Directors Association Spokesperson and began his career at Howe-Peterson Funeral home in 1988 as a Funeral Service Associate. Following his graduation from the Wayne State University Mortuary Science Program in 1989, he completed his residency and became a licensed funeral director in 1990. Tim became the Taylor Location Manager in 1994, was named Vice-President Director of Operations in 2005 and became COO in 2011. After working for three generations of the Peterson family, in 2015 Tim began an ownership transition and in 2017 became the owner and CEO of Howe-Peterson Funeral Homes. Tim currently serves as Commander of(Michigan Mortuary Operations Response Team) and is a DMORT-Team VIC which stands for (Disaster Mortuary Operations Response Team – Victim Information Center) as a Victim Advocate. Tim currently serves as a Trustee for the Funeral Service Foundation , Wayne State University Alumni Association Board of Directors Board of Visitors and WSU Mortuary Science Program Advisory Board. Tim is also Past-President of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association and the Michigan Mortuary Science Foundation. Tools and resources for families walking a grief journey: www.rememberingalife.com Tools for grieving families that have experienced death of a child or those who seek help explaining death to a child: funeralservicefoundation.org You can connect with Tim at www.howepeterson.com ----- Get Lauren's 10-Min Meditation for Grief to support you on your journey! You can connect with Lauren on Instagram via @lauren.samay and @mymourningroutinepodcast, on Facebook @lauren.samay.coaching or through www.laurensamay.com If you would like to support the show: buymeacoffee.com/mymourningroutinepodcast 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 here.

In this episode, Julie Wright Halbert speaks about the power of Presence; how we honor our loved ones by continuing to live; and how we move from the deep pain of grief to joy-- the bridge between grief and happiness (spoiler alert: it's Love). Julie is a death doula, end-of-life educator and leading national voice for grief literacy. Her work is grounded in decades of public service and shaped by the sudden loss of her husband.  After his death, her work shifted from institutional advocacy to accompanying individuals and families through end-of-life transitions and early grief. Formerly a legislative counsel and national education attorney, she brings systems-level insight to the deeply human experiences of dying, bridging ethics, presence, and practical guidance around living, dying, death, and bereavement to hospice systems.  She speaks and writes on death literacy, ethical presence, identity after loss, and what it means to live and die awake, consciously choosing intention and meaning in each moment. Julie is also the founder of 'Rising Phoenix LIFE' and author of the forthcoming book Divine Ashes Ascending. She has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, NPR, Education Week, and The 74.  You can connect with Julie on Instagram @transformational_soul_coaching  through LinkedIn via email: [email protected] Substack @livawake or through her website www.risingphoenix.life  You can access a free meditation from Julie, which is designed to support growth, clarity, and emotional alignment, here. ------- Get Lauren's 10-Min Meditation for Grief to support you on your journey! You can connect with Lauren on Instagram via @lauren.samay and @mymourningroutinepodcast, on Facebook @lauren.samay.coaching or through www.laurensamay.com If you would like to support the show: buymeacoffee.com/mymourningroutinepodcast 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 here.

70% of Americans don't have a will. In this episode, Jermaine Ee shares personal stories behind why he created HeirLight, an app that organizes infomation for you to draft a legal document that represents what you want; how clarity is love, in practical form; and that life's neither about the journey nor the destination, but the company we keep. Jermaine is a founder and storyteller interested in three things: how we spend our time, the work we do, and what we leave behind. His career has zigzagged across ed‑tech, logistics, toys, political campaigns, executive search, and impact projects, but the through‑line has always been the same: helping people make better decisions about their money, careers, and futures. He's run financial aid workshops in low‑income high schools, built a startup to help kids confront their fear of math, and helps hire CEO, studying how talent shapes enduring companies. Through Rotary and other efforts, he has helped lead humanitarian projects from Los Angeles to Colombia, Mexico, and Ukraine, where he worked on refugee housing, medical transport, and frontline logistics. Today Jermaine spends most of his time on HeirLight, a simple & smart will maker designed to turn one of adulthood's most avoided tasks into a fast, modern, emotionally intelligent experience. Born in Los Angeles and raised between LA and Malaysia, he thinks a lot about belonging, identity, and the quiet instructions we leave behind for the people we love. With HeirLight, he's on a mission to help more families move from fear and procrastination to clarity and calm, starting with a 30‑minute guided conversation that ends with a legally binding will and a little more peace of mind. You can connect with Jermaine through Instagram @heirlight &  @eejermaine  or through heirlight.com & eejermaine.com Jermaine is offering podcast listeners 50% off through this link! ------- Get Lauren's 10-Min Meditation for Grief to support you on your journey! You can connect with Lauren on Instagram via @lauren.samay and @mymourningroutinepodcast, on Facebook @lauren.samay.coaching or through www.laurensamay.com If you would like to support the show: buymeacoffee.com/mymourningroutinepodcast 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 here.  

In this poetic episode, Alicia Henry shares: how grief is part of her every cell, in the most beautiful way; how choosing to live seasonally with Nature can provide deep comfort; why Winter is the lightest time of year; and tender words of encouragment for those facing grief. Alicia is a mother, meditation teacher, writer, actor, and ceremonialist. Having spent her childhood in awe of nature's beauty and grace, Alicia continues to explore mindfulness through meditation, poetry, Reiki, and tea ceremony. She facilitates moon circles, intentional gatherings, and wellness retreats for fellow soul travelers on the path of personal exploration. Her offerings are inspired by the ever-unfurling magic of Nature that connects us to Source, giving her the heart space to share these practices with others.  With a passion for storytelling, Alicia's acting journey has brought her on stage from New York City to Virginia, as well as numerous television appearances. As a writer, Alicia has supported well-being brands in bringing their vision to the world, and some of her work has graced billboards across the country. Always with a glass-half-full perspective on life, she is aptly part of the team that helped achieve the International Day of Happiness, which became a United Nations resolution.  You can connect with Alicia on Instagram @alicia__henry or through www.aliciahenry.com ------- Get Lauren's 10-Min Meditation for Grief to support you on your journey! You can connect with Lauren on Instagram via @lauren.samay and @mymourningroutinepodcast, on Facebook @lauren.samay.coaching or through www.laurensamay.com If you would like to support the show: buymeacoffee.com/mymourningroutinepodcast 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 here.  

"Taking the eye-rolls out of astrology", Lauren O'Connell shares: how this celestial framework helps with the emotional & spiritual side of health; how it can be used as a self-care tool to support you through grief; and the ways that it is your blueprint to your highest potential, in every apect of life. Lauren, known as The Modern Astrologer, is an astrologer based in Santa Monica, California, with over a decade of experience helping clients around the world understand their purpose, trust their timing, and navigate life with greater self-awareness. Deeply connected to the Moon and its cycles, Lauren teaches astrology as a lived practice — one that, after the loss of her mother, naturally evolved into a deeper focus on emotional patterns, intuition, and the inner rhythms that shape how we experience life. Through her readings, writings, and gatherings, including The Moon Method™, the Moon Ritual Workbook, and her live Moon events, she helps others move through transition with depth and honesty, while still remembering that life is meant to be lived (ideally with laughter and a well-timed martini)! You can connect with Lauren on Instagram @themoderastrologer or through www.themodernastrologer.com  ------- Get Lauren's 10-Min Meditation for Grief to support you on your journey! You can connect with Lauren on Instagram via @lauren.samay and @mymourningroutinepodcast, on Facebook @lauren.samay.coaching or through www.laurensamay.com If you would like to support the show: buymeacoffee.com/mymourningroutinepodcast 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 here.  

This is a short episode to celebrate 3 years of My Mourning Routine Podcast, launched on Winter Solstice 2022, as well as honor the recent 10th Anniversary of Lauren's mother's death.  Here, she shares a letter that she wrote to her mother, Mary Ellen, on December 17, 2025 during a reflective morning of remembrance. *TIME SENSITIVE:  Lauren opened the doors today 12/21/25 to work with her 1:1 in the New Year.  She is only accepting FIVE new clients to go on a 3-month journey into the heart with, beginning the week of January 5, 2026.  DEADLINE to sign up: December 28, 2025!  Contact Lauren @lauren.samay or through  www.laurensamay.com for an application & more information. ----------- Get Lauren's 10-Min Meditation for Grief to support you on your journey! You can connect with Lauren on Instagram via @lauren.samay and @mymourningroutinepodcast, on Facebook @lauren.samay.coaching or through www.laurensamay.com If you would like to support the show: buymeacoffee.com/mymourningroutinepodcast 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 here.  

Here, author Anna Beecher tenderly shares what brought her to write both her debut novel and recently published memoir, and speaks to: the fragile miraculousness of everything; grief, as a tear in the fabric of the universe; the privilege of aging; and how accepting mortality, as a part of life, is to be more fully alive. Anna is a writer and theatre-maker from the United Kingdom. She is the author of the novel Here Comes the Miracle, which was shortlisted for The Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award. Here Comes the Miracle follows siblings in their twenties, Joe and Emily, during the final year of Joe's life, interweaving their story with that of their Grandparents Eleanor and Edward. Anna's second book, the memoir We All Come Home Alive, was published in 2025. A memoir in essays, We All Come Home Alive,  tells the story of Anna's life through the moments which remade her, from car crashes to bereavement to motherhood. Anna's theater work has been presented by venues including Lincoln Center, Young Vic, Southbank Center, and Barbican London. She is Assistant Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Virginia. Her work is about love. You can connect with Anna through Substack at from Anna Beecher, on Instagram  @annabeecher_writer or through www.annabeecher.com You may purchase Here Comes the Miracle wherever books are sold, and We All Come Home Alive exclusively at New Dominon Bookshop  in Charlottesville, VA, until it's official US release in September '26. ------------ Get Lauren's 10-Min Meditation for Grief to support you on your journey! You can connect with Lauren on Instagram via @lauren.samay and @mymourningroutinepodcast, on Facebook @lauren.samay.coaching or through www.laurensamay.com If you would like to support the show: buymeacoffee.com/mymourningroutinepodcast 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 here.  

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 @processdaily on Instagram.  You may purchase Shade is a place, Penguin 2025, wherever books are sold. ------- Get Lauren's 10-Min Meditation for Grief to support you on your journey! You can connect with Lauren on Instagram via @lauren.samay and @mymourningroutinepodcast, on Facebook @lauren.samay.coaching or through www.laurensamay.com If you would like to support the show: buymeacoffee.com/mymourningroutinepodcast 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 here.  

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 consultwithanya.com and on tiktok @aphrodite_alchemy, Instagram @anya_faruque & Facebook @anya.faruque Mention "Lauren" for 20% off any session with Anya, no expiration! ------- Get Lauren's 10-Min Meditation for Grief to support you on your journey! You can connect with Lauren on Instagram via @lauren.samay and @mymourningroutinepodcast, on Facebook @lauren.samay.coaching or through www.laurensamay.com If you would like to support the show: buymeacoffee.com/mymourningroutinepodcast 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 here.