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This episode is a special one... Maria has spent years in the death and grief space, but rarely has she had the chance to sit down with someone who understands her specific experience. She's rarely met someone else whose mom also died when she was very young. Today's guest is Miranda Malone, and she is, unfortunately, also part of the very unique Dead Mom Club that Maria is in. Miranda is a grief therapist and the creator of The Dead Mom Club. It's a community you never wanted to join but are so glad exists. Through her work, she's challenging outdated ideas about what grief looks like, pushing back on the misconceptions that make grieving people feel like they're doing it wrong, and building a space specifically for those navigating life after losing a mother. In this conversation they talk about: What it means to lose a mom before you were old enough to remember her, and how that particular grief lives differently in the body The "Dead Mom Olympics," which is the strange experience of having your loss compared to others, even by people who are also grieving Gratitude and grief sitting in the same space, and why that's more complicated than it sounds The misconceptions around grief that Miranda is actively working to dismantle What it means to build community around a loss this specific     About Miranda Malone Miranda Malone is a grief therapist and the founder of The Dead Mom Club — a growing community for people who have lost their mothers. Through her work, she's normalizing conversations around maternal loss and building spaces where no one has to grieve alone. 📱 Follow Miranda — @deadmomtherapist 🌿 The Dead Mom Club More From Philotimo Life Philotimo Life Services Musings of Mortals Newsletter Sign up for our newsletter at philotimolife.com/subscribe

Maria has a soft spot for this one. As a fellow Greek, and a fellow member of the Dead Mom Club, this conversation hit close to home. She sits down with Gus to talk about his mom Julia, the woman behind some of his most viral social media skits, and the cookbook he wrote in her memory after she died in the summer of 2023. If you've been on the internet in the last few years, you've probably stumbled across Gus's content. His skits capturing the gloriously unhinged reality of having a Greek mom, with all the intensity, the love, and food mixed together. In this conversation, Maria and Gus talk about: What it was like growing up as a first generation Greek American and how that experience became the foundation of his comedy What it's like growing up between two cultures Of course his mom, Julia, and how her personality and cooking has left a lasting impression for so many people How grief moved him toward creating his cookbook, and what the writing process was like What he hopes the cookbook gives people, especially those who have lost someone and are figuring out how to navigate their new reality     About Gus Constantellis Gus Constantellis is a Greek American comedian, writer, and content creator based in New York. Known for his viral social media skits about Greek diaspora culture, he is now a published author. His cookbook — My Greek Mom's Cookbook. She Died. — is available now. 🎤 Gus on Tour — Get Tickets 📖 Buy the Cookbook 📱 Follow Gus on Instagram   More From Philotimo Life Philotimo Life Services Musings of Mortals Newsletter   Stay Connected Sign up for our newsletter at philotimolife.com/subscribe

Let the Kids Be Cringe: Toy Story, Play, and the Loss of Make-Believe It's 2010. Maria is on her first date with her high school crush. They're in a movie theatre watching Toy Story 3. And they're both staring at the ceiling, trying desperately not to cry. Sixteen years later, there's a new Toy Story in theatres and Maria spent a whole weekend rewatching every film in the franchise to get ready for it. In this episode, Maria draws on her essay from Musings of Mortals to explore what Toy Story 5 got right about the world Gen Alpha is actually growing up in, with a world of screens before speech, cringe culture as social policing, and play as something increasingly rare and even seen as embarrassing. This one covers: What Toy Story 5 gets right about the pressures kids face today How Gen Alpha is growing up  What researchers mean when they call pretend play a "metaphoric multivitamin" for the developing brain The steep, decades-long decline in free, unsupervised play and how this is impacting mental health Cringe culture as a social fence Why play isn't just for kids, and what it means to never stop being in a creative practice, no matter what form it takes Because grief literacy is life literacy, and so is knowing how to play.     Read the Full Written Version 📖 Let the Kids Be Cringe — Musings of Mortals   Research & Resources Referenced Impact of social media on Gen Alpha — Annie E. Casey Foundation The decline of imaginative play in early childhood — Frontiers in Psychology The power of pretend play for children — Child Mind Institute Pretend play and early childhood development — Florida Atlantic University The decline of play and rise in children's mental health disorders — Peter Gray, Psychology Today Anxiety and depression in young people — PMC Benefits of play for adults — HelpGuide Adult play and wellbeing — National Institute for Play Ocean Vuong on cringe culture — Rolling Stone Philippines

You've seen these movies a hundred times. You know every word, every song, every scene. But have you ever stopped to notice how much death is woven through them? Aladdin. Frozen. Beauty and the Beast. The Little Mermaid. Tarzan. The Lion King. Every single one of these films includes death. Whether explicitly shown or simply implied. From missing moms and parents, to dying heroes or slain villians.  This is what we watched as children. In this episode, Maria shares her talk she did at the 2026 Dying Series Festival in Toronto to explore what Disney films are actually teaching kids about death, grief, and loss, and how this can actually shape the adults they become.   This episode covers: Why Disney films are one of the most powerful and underexamined sites of early grief education What peer-reviewed research reveals about how children understand death through film, and what the distinction between a protagonist's death and a villain's death actually teaches them How adult reactions in the room shape what children learn grief is "allowed" to look like Why euphemisms like "they went to sleep" can cause more harm than honesty Maria's personal experience growing up without her mom, and what it felt like to carry grief in spaces that had no language for it In Canada, roughly one in fourteen children will lose a parent before age eighteen, and what our systems are and aren't doing to support them How New Jersey became the first US state to mandate grief and loss education in public schools in 2024 Why grief education belongs in schools, not just in crisis moments What it means to treat bereavement as a public health priority — and why The Lancet agreed in 2024   You can read a version of this talk on her substack here.

A Conversation with Tracey Robertson of the Home Hospice Association What would it look like if everyone, regardless of income, background, or belief, had access to genuine, compassionate care at the end of life? That's not a hypothetical for Tracey Robertson. It's the work she's been doing since 2014. In this episode, Maria sits down with Tracey, co-founder of the Home Hospice Association -- a Canadian nonprofit leading the way in community-based palliative care, death education, and grief support. Together, they explore what it means to build an organization in a space most people would rather avoid, and why that work has never been more necessary. About the Home Hospice Association Founded in 2014, the Home Hospice Association is a Canadian nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that everyone has access to dignified, compassionate end-of-life care. Through community-based palliative care, grief support, and death education programs, HHA is helping to change the conversation around death and dying -- one person, one family, one community at a time.   Some Important Links Home Hospice Association Donate to HHA today Upcoming Events Get Involved / Volunteer   Stay Connected Sign up for our newsletter at philotimolife.com/subscribe

Grieving the Planet Together: A Conversation with Laura Schmidt of the Good Grief Network What do we do with the weight of watching the world change in ways we can't control? How do we stay present, stay connected, and stay human, when the scale of what we're facing can feel utterly paralyzing? This conversation with Laura Schmidt, co-founder of the Good Grief Network, is one Maria recorded late last year… and it has only grown more relevant since. The Good Grief Network is a nonprofit built on a radical but simple premise: that grief deserves to be witnessed, not bypassed. Through peer support groups and a structured 10-Step Program, they help individuals move through eco-anxiety and climate grief together, building emotional resilience and real community along the way. Understanding Eco-Anxiety & Climate Grief If some of the concepts in this episode are new to you, here are a few places to start: Eco-anxiety Climate grief Death anxiety and Terror Management Theory (TMT)  Bonus Resources & Good Grief Network Updates Get Laura's Book – How to live in a chaotic climate Good Grief Network Programs Good Grief Network Events The Weight Of Climate Change – Written By Maria Subscribe Subscribe to our mailing list at www.philotimolife.com/subscribe

Grief, Memory, and the Stories We Don't Tell: A Conversation with Kiran Rai and Baljit Sangra Some stories don't just move you, they quietly rearrange something in you. Time is one of those. Last year, Maria sat down with Kiran Rai and Baljit Sangra, two storytellers whose work has long lived at the edges of what South Asian stories are "supposed" to look like. They explore grief, aging, love, and loss with an honesty and tenderness that is rare and necessary. Their film, Time, is a deeply intimate documentary that follows an elderly woman navigating the loss of her husband to dementia. It's a meditation on memory, devotion, and what remains when so much has slipped away. What makes it especially extraordinary is that the woman at the centre of the film is Baljit's own naniji, Jeet Kaur.   About Kiran Rai & Baljit Sangra Kiran Rai and Baljit Sangra are storytellers, filmmakers, and photographers whose work centres underrepresented voices and challenges cultural taboos around grief, aging, and family. Together, they are the team behind By The Kollective — a creative studio committed to authentic, human-centred storytelling.   🎬 Watch the Time trailer 🌿 By The Kollective 🖼️ Buy Baljit's Prints   Stay Connected Sign up for our newsletter at philotimolife.com/subscribe

Ritual Is for Everyone: Ceremony, Grief, and the Moments We Forget to Mark What if the moments we grieve most quietly are the ones most deserving of ceremony? Maria sits down with Megan Sheldon, founder of BeCeremonial and one of the most thoughtful voices working at the intersection of ritual, grief, and what it means to be human.  Megan is a cultural mythologist, humanist celebrant, and end-of-life doula based in BC. They discuss how Megan found her way to this work from a young age, what it felt like to experience recurrent pregnancy loss without any ritual framework to hold it, and how those invisible moments of change became the heartbeat of everything Be Ceremonial is built on.  They also dig into what it means to approach grief and ceremony outside of religious tradition, and why secular ritual might be one of the most important things we're collectively missing. Upcoming Events & Workshops End-of-Life Planning Process Ceremonial Training: The Elements of Ritual Pregnancy Loss Ritual  Bonus Resources Scottish Paganism Homicide loss and grief Cumulative Grief Jessie Harold – The Becoming Podcast with Megan Sheldon  Grief in North America, a death-denying society   Stay Connected Sign up for our newsletter at philotimolife.com/subscribe

Dead Mom? Same. Maria sits down with Amanda Katz, founder of The Parentless Club, to talk about what it really means to live without a parent, and why community might be one of the most powerful tools we have for navigating grief. After losing her mother at a young age, Maria knows firsthand how isolating this kind of loss can feel, and how rarely we're given real space to process it. In this conversation, Amanda shares her own experience with parental loss, what moved her to create The Parentless Club, and how a Toronto-based community has grown into a gathering place for people who just get it. They explore why belonging matters so much in grief, how creative and communal spaces can hold what words sometimes can't, and what it looks like to build something meaningful out of loss. If you've lost a parent, or love someone who has, this one's for you.     About The Parentless Club The Parentless Club is a Toronto-based community offering connection, shared understanding, and mutual support for people who have lost a parent. Through events, fundraising for mental health initiatives, and online resources, they're making sure no one has to grieve alone.     Upcoming Events 🌸 Toronto — Motherless Day Tickets 🌸 Winnipeg — Motherless Day  🌸 Vancouver — Motherless Day     Bonus Resources When Your Spouse Loses a Parent Helping Children With Grief     Stay Connected Sign up for our newsletter at philotimolife.com/subscribe

The holiday season is often called "the most wonderful time of the year," but for many, it’s anything but. Instead, it can bring a swirl of heavy emotions and bittersweet memories. In this more sombre, heartfelt episode (very off-brand for us – we know!), we dive into how grief and the holidays often collide, shaping everything from traditions to mental health. In this quickie episode, we touch on: How grief manifests during the holidays Strategies for reimagining traditions and creating space for emotions, whether joyful or sorrowful Meaningful ways to support grieving loved ones, both during the holidays and as the new year begins This episode is a gentle reminder that grief and love often coexist. We wish you the holiday season that you need, and we can’t wait to see you in the New Year.   Additional Resources: Supporting your mental health during the holidays – https://www.samhsa.gov/blog/supporting-your-mental-health-during-holiday-season Facing the New Year when you are bereaved – https://www.vitas.com/family-and-caregiver-support/grief-and-bereavement/holidays-and-grief/facing-the-new-year-when-you-are-bereaved Facing the New Year after the death of a loved one – https://boomingencore.com/facing-a-new-year-can-be-difficult-after-the-death-of-a-loved-one-e20939aa-01c6-4a23-adf1-4c200d251346  Setting your intentions for the new year – https://www.hospiceaustin.org/grief-and-healing-setting-your-intentions-for-the-new-year/  Philotimo Life episodes are now recorded in Miraki Life Workspace, a creative co-working space that fosters community and collaboration. Be sure to follow Philotimo Life on Instagram at @philotimolife and sign up for our newsletter at philotimolife.com/subscribe. Background music by Oleksii_Kalyna from Pixabay.

Have you ever wondered why we carve pumpkins, dress up, and celebrate all things spooky on Halloween? In this episode, Maria dives deep into the fascinating history of Halloween, exploring how this beloved holiday evolved from ancient traditions to the playful celebration we know today. What You’ll Learn: The origins of Halloween in ancient Celtic and Roman festivals How Samhain traditions influenced today’s Halloween customs The history behind trick-or-treating, costumes, and jack-o'-lanterns How Halloween transitioned to a community-focused celebration in the 20th century Discovering medieval traditions like “souling” and “guising” and their connection to modern Halloween activities Important Links: Historical information on Samhain and Celtic traditions – https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/samhain The origins of jack-o’-lanterns and traditional turnip carvings – https://www.history.com/news/history-of-the-jack-o-lantern-irish-origins IMAGES: Absolutely terrifying turnip carvings that would ward off any evil spirit: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/when-people-carved-turnips-instead-of-pumpkins-for-halloween-180978922/ Philotimo Life episodes are now recorded in Miraki Life Workspace, a creative co-working space that fosters community and collaboration. Be sure to follow Philotimo Life on Instagram at @philotimolife and sign up for our newsletter at philotimolife.com/subscribe. Background music by SOULFULJAMTRACKS from Pixabay.

What does it take to navigate the evolving bereavement sector and make informed decisions about death care services? In this episode, Maria sits down with David Brazeau, communications manager at the Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO), to explore the changing landscape of funeral homes, crematoriums, and consumer protection in the death care industry. David shares his journey from journalism to his current role at the BAO, where he focuses on education, communication, and public awareness. They discuss topics like alternative death care practices, including alkaline hydrolysis, and the importance of the preservation of historical cemeteries. David also emphasizes the importance of consumer rights, accessibility through social media, and how the BAO’s digital magazine, Beyond, aims to demystify the bereavement sector for the public. What you'll learn: What the Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO) does to protect consumer rights in the death care industry An introduction to alternative death care options like alkaline hydrolysis (aquamation) and green burials The importance of preserving historical cemeteries and what that process looks like Insights into the regulation and oversight of funeral homes, crematoriums, and cemeteries How storytelling and education through platforms like Beyond magazine help inform the public ----more---- Links: Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO): thebao.ca Beyond Magazine: https://thebao.ca/beyond-bao-magazine/ Funeral, Burial, and Cremation Services Act – https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/02f33 Radical Death Studies – https://www.radicaldeathstudies.com/ Hidden cemeteries of Essex County hold Underground Railroad history via CBC – https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/hidden-cemeteries-essex-county-1.4513193 Why these historians are restoring the graves of former slaves via TVO – https://www.tvo.org/article/why-these-historians-are-restoring-the-graves-of-former-slaves Respecting and remembering those buried in Canada’s first Black Cemeteries via BAO – https://thebao.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Beyond_June2021.pdf   Philotimo Life episodes are now recorded in Miraki Life Workspace, a creative co-working space that fosters community and collaboration. Be sure to follow Philotimo Life on Instagram at @philotimolife and sign up for our newsletter at philotimolife.com/subscribe.

Have you ever wondered how to make estate planning easier or how often you should update your will? In this episode, Maria sits down with Apeksha Jain, a wills and estates lawyer at Sorbara Law, to answer some of these questions. Apeksha offers practical advice on handling probate, finding trustworthy legal counsel, and making estate planning less overwhelming. She also shares her thoughts on the emotional and ethical sides of estate litigation and explains how the Legacy Expo helps open up vital conversations about death and planning for the unexpected. Join us for this insightful episode that breaks down estate planning into clear, actionable steps! ----more---- What you'll learn:  The importance of keeping your will updated and when to revisit it Ways to navigate complex estate disputes and the probate process Why a human-centered approach is crucial in estate planning Practical tips for simplifying legal jargon and making informed decisions The ethical considerations in estate litigation and how to establish trust with legal counsel How estate planning empowers individuals and families to prepare for life’s transitions Resource Links Sabera Law: saberalaw.com How to update a will in Canada – https://www.willful.co/learn/codicils-amendments-and-changing-a-will How to change a will (US) – https://www.legalzoom.com/articles/how-to-change-a-will Glossary of legal terms: US – https://www.uscourts.gov/glossary & CDN – https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/cp-pm/eval/rep-rap/12/lap-paj/p7g.html What are the five components of estate planning? – https://www.davistoftlaw.com/what-are-5-components-estate-planning/ Estate Planning Check Sheet (CDN) – https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/canada/financial-consumer-agency/migration/eng/resources/educationalprograms/ft-of/documents/financial-planning-4-9-eng.pdf Estate Planning Fact Sheet (U.S) – https://finred.usalearning.gov/assets/downloads/FINRED-EstatePlanning-FS.pdf Legacy Expo – https://thelegacyexpo.com/  Philotimo Life episodes are now recorded in Miraki Life Workspace, a creative co-working space that fosters community and collaboration. Be sure to follow Philotimo Life on Instagram at @philotimolife and sign up for our newsletter at philotimolife.com/subscribe.

SHOW NOTES In this episode, Maria sits down with Marny Williams Boladis, the founder of the Hummingbird Center for Hope, a support group dedicated to widowed parents. Marny shares her personal journey of grief and the unique challenges faced by widowed parents and children. Together, they discuss the importance of peer support, recognizing grief moments, and providing practical advice for sole caregivers. Marny also shares her hopes and goals for Hummingbird Center.   What You’ll Learn: The unique challenges faced by widowed parents and how to support them. The importance of peer support and recognizing moments of grief. How the Hummingbird Center for Hope is expanding its services across Canada. Insights into the upcoming Legacy Expo and the role the Hummingbird Center will play. Resource Links: Legacy Expo – https://thelegacyexpo.com/ Hummingbird Center for Hope – https://hummingbirdcentreforhope.com/ Donate today to Hummingbird Center for Hope – https://hummingbirdcentreforhope.com/donate/ Important Programming – https://hummingbirdcentreforhope.com/programming/ Grief and Children – https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Children-And-Grief-008.aspx Grieving while parenting – https://www.care.com/c/grieving-while-parenting-tips-for-coping/ Grieving while parenting II – https://mentalhealthmatch.com/articles/grief/grieving-while-parenting Helping children deal with grief – https://childmind.org/article/helping-children-deal-grief What to Say and What Not to Say to a Grieving Parent – https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/700childrens/2023/07/grieving-a-child When a loved one dies – https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/death.html People Say I'm A Grief Expert, But When My Friend's Husband Died, I Did Something I Deeply Regret – https://www.huffpost.com/entry/how-to-help-grieving-friend-death_n_63c073b8e4b0fe267cb83d4d Philotimo Life episodes are now recorded in Miraki Life Workspace, a creative co-working space that fosters community and collaboration. Be sure to follow Philotimo Life on Instagram at @philotimolife and sign up for our newsletter at philotimolife.com/subscribe.

In this episode, Maria chats with Laura Lavallee, CEO of Evergreen Hospice, about the importance of inclusivity, representation, and individualized care in end-of-life support. They explore the challenges of running a non-profit, managing community support, and adapting to the changing needs of an aging demographic. Laura shares her personal journey into hospice care, her plans for Evergreen’s expansion, and the need for legislative changes to better support palliative care in marginalized communities. What You’ll Learn: The importance of inclusivity and culturally competent care in end-of-life support. How Evergreen Hospice is adapting to the needs of marginalized communities. The challenges of running a non-profit organization reliant on community support and donations. Laura's insights into changing the narrative around grief and death, and her plans for expanding Evergreen’s services. Resource Links: Evergreen Hospice – https://www.evgcares.org/ Evergreen Hospice Gala – https://www.evgcares.org/post/throwback-thursday-a-blast-from-the-past-gala Donate to Evergreen Hospice Today – https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/18791?v2=true Evergreen Hospice Programs – https://www.evgcares.org/services-and-programs Disenfranchised Grief: When no one seems to understand your loss – https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/disenfranchised-grief Disadvantaged and disenfranchised in bereavement: A scoping review of social and structural inequity following expected death – https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0277953619305945 LGBTQ+ Grief: Challenges and Barriers – https://elunanetwork.org/resources/lgbtq-grief-challenges-and-barriers Disenfranchised grief in queer companionship and chosen family – https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2647&context=etd Legacy Expo Information – https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-legacy-expo-ii-tickets-909330641427 The Relentlessness of Black Grief – https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/09/relentlessness-black-grief/616511/ Community Conversation: Grief Through the Lens of Black Communities – https://elunanetwork.org/resources/community-conversation-grief-through-the-lens-of-black-communities Radical Death Studies – https://www.radicaldeathstudies.com/ What to Know About Disenfranchised Grief – https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/what-to-know-about-disenfranchised-grief Grief and loss: An inclusive approach – https://www.dyingwithdignity.ca/blog/grief-and-loss-an-inclusive-approach/ Philotimo Life episodes are now recorded in Miraki Life Workspace, a creative co-working space that fosters community and collaboration. Be sure to follow Philotimo Life on Instagram at @philotimolife and sign up for our newsletter at philotimolife.com/subscribe.