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Chanita Stephenson from MAFS joins Jonny for this week's episode of Keep It Grief. A qualified social worker, content creator and Married at First Sight favourite, Chanita opens up about losing her mum to cancer and the ways grief has changed her life almost three years on. Chanita shares the story behind the 50th birthday party she organised for her mum, bringing friends and family together to celebrate her life, share memories and keep her spirit at the centre of the day. Together, Jonny and Chanita explore the idea that there is no "right" way to grieve, and how birthdays, anniversaries and other significant dates can bring a complicated mix of joy, anxiety and sadness. They also discuss the trauma of watching a parent become seriously ill and die, the pressure people can feel to be there for their loved one at the end, and the lasting memories that can stay with you afterwards. From dark humour and crying at unexpected moments to the little rituals that keep a loved one's memory alive, Jonny and Chanita talk about what it really means to carry someone with you after they're gone - and how, slowly, you can begin to step back out into the world as a different version of yourself. Keep It Grief is proudly in partnership with The Estate Registry, which supports people through the practical realities that follow the loss of a loved one: ⁠https://estate-registry.co.uk/⁠ 👋 FOLLOW KEEP IT GRIEF Instagram: ⁠ / keepitgriefhq ⁠ TikTok: ⁠ / keepitgriefhq ⁠ Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/28Y8eTM... 💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION Email Jonny & Neil: [email protected] We read everything and your stories help shape future episodes. 👍 Like the video if it connected with you 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week 📢 Share with someone who might need this conversation🎵 CREDITS Produced by Cold Fries Music & Fonts: EnvatoLicenses: Available on request

Ben Kennedy (founder of His Grief UK) joins Jonny for this week's episode of Keep It Grief, while Neil is away. They read an email from listener Emma, who reflects on the devastating sudden loss of her husband three years ago and the complex struggle of rebuilding life as a young single mother without feeling like she is leaving him behind. Connecting over shared experiences, Ben opens up about the sudden passing of his 29-week pregnant wife, Jo, and their unborn baby son, detailing the overwhelming shock of that night and the heartbreaking reality of having to deliver the news to his four-year-old son, George, the next morning. Together, Jonny and Ben discuss the unique challenges men and fathers face when navigating sudden loss - touching on the frustrating legal and administrative hurdles ("sadmin"), the concept of moving forward rather than "moving on," and why allowing children to see both tears and laughter is key to carrying a loved one's memory forward Keep It Grief is proudly in partnership with The Estate Registry, which supports people through the practical realities that follow the loss of a loved one: ⁠https://estate-registry.co.uk/⁠ 👋 FOLLOW KEEP IT GRIEFInstagram: ⁠  / keepitgriefhq  ⁠TikTok: ⁠  / keepitgriefhq  ⁠Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/28Y8eTM... ⁠💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATIONEmail Jonny & Neil: [email protected] read everything and your stories help shape future episodes. 👍 Like the video if it connected with you 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week 📢 Share with someone who might need this conversation 🎵 CREDITS Produced by Cold Fries Music & Fonts: EnvatoLicenses: Available on request

This week's episode of Keep It Grief opens up with a poignant listener email from Steven, who reflects on the devastating sudden loss of his wife, Mandy. Reconnecting over shared experiences of unexpected loss, Neil reflects on the initial shock, police proceedings, and overwhelming emotions following his partner Lottie's passing. Moving through the personal realities of daily life after loss, Jonny describes the emotional experience of dropping his son off at preschool - stepping into the very same room he attended as a child - and navigating the bittersweet longing for his late mother to share in those moments. Together, the hosts discuss the concept of viewing loss as an unwanted breakup, the struggle with "grief guilt" during good days, and why moving forward isn't about leaving loved ones behind, but carrying their memory with you. Keep It Grief is proudly in partnership with The Estate Registry, which supports people through the practical realities that follow the loss of a loved one: https://estate-registry.co.uk/👋 FOLLOW KEEP IT GRIEF Instagram: ⁠  / keepitgriefhq  ⁠ TikTok: ⁠  / keepitgriefhq  ⁠ Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/28Y8eTM... 💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION Email Jonny & Neil: [email protected] We read everything and your stories help shape future episodes. 👍 Like the video if it connected with you 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week 📢 Share with someone who might need this conversation🎵 CREDITS Produced by Cold Fries Music & Fonts: EnvatoLicenses: Available on request

In this week's episode of Keep It Grief, Jonny & Neil are joined by listener Holly and Louise Williams from the charity Suicide&Co.  Marking World Suicide Prevention Day, they open up a vital and deeply personal conversation about navigating grief after suicide, overcoming the unique silence, shock, and isolation that families often carry. Holly shares touching memories of her sister Bryony and details her experience losing her 14 years ago, while Louise reflects on the loss of her sister, Lynsay.  Together, they discuss the clinical complexities of suicide bereavement - from dealing with coroners and autopsies to shifting the language we use and processing the overwhelming weight of pain.  If you’ve ever lost someone, supported someone through grief, or just want real conversations about life’s harder moments, you’re in the right place. You can find Suicide&Co here: https://www.suicideandco.org/ Do you need to speak to someone? You can find Samaritans here: https://www.samaritans.org/ or call them at 116 123. Keep It Grief is proudly in partnership with The Estate Registry, which supports people through the practical realities that follow the loss of a loved one: https://estate-registry.co.uk/👋 FOLLOW KEEP IT GRIEFInstagram:   / keepitgriefhq  TikTok:   / keepitgriefhq  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/28Y8eTM...💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATIONEmail Jonny & Neil: [email protected] read everything and your stories help shape future episodes.👍 Like the video if it connected with you🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week📢 Share with someone who might need this conversation🎵 CREDITSProduced by Cold FriesMusic & Fonts: EnvatoLicenses: Available on request

This week on Keep It Grief, Jonny and Neil share a heartwarming email from a listener, Shelly, about how tracking the little things can keep a loved one's memory alive.  It sparks a raw conversation about the realisation that "grief is a thief," leaving families feeling robbed of future opportunities and milestones.  They talk about Neil's recent emotional blowout, the struggle of putting too much pressure on yourself, and how easy it is to completely neglect your own physical health and well-being when focusing on fixing or caring for a partner through illness.  With the recent passing of Dolly Parton, Jonny and Neil reflect on her generous legacy and universal love, closing things out with a sobering reminder that while grief is a rubbish gift, it ultimately gives you a fragile but precious perspective on life If you’ve ever lost someone, supported someone through grief, or just want real conversations about life’s harder moments, you’re in the right place. Keep It Grief is proudly in partnership with The Estate Registry, which supports people through the practical realities that follow the loss of a loved one: https://estate-registry.co.uk/ 👋 FOLLOW KEEP IT GRIEF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keepitgriefhq/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keepitgriefhq Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/28Y8eTMEZ86Ccd4R2sgkfW 💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION Email Jonny & Neil: [email protected] We read everything and your stories help shape future episodes. 👍 Like the video if it connected with you 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week 📢 Share with someone who might need this conversation 🎵 CREDITS Produced by Cold Fries Music & Fonts: Envato Licenses: Available on request

This week on Keep It Grief, Jonny and Neil read out a beautiful email from a listener, Sarah, about grieving quietly and the guilt of feeling like everyone else has stopped wanting to hear about the person you've lost. It sparks a raw conversation about survivor's guilt, why "why me?" might be the wrong question, and why the answer might really be "why them?" They talk about building a life without the people who should be there to hear about it, and share a dream that finally brought two people who never got to meet face to face. With National Grief Awareness Day just days away, Jonny and Neil talk about what they wish everyone understood about grief and close things out with a poem that very nearly finished them both off. If you’ve ever lost someone, supported someone through grief, or just want real conversations about life’s harder moments, you’re in the right place. Keep It Grief is proudly in partnership with The Estate Registry, which supports people through the practical realities that follow the loss of a loved one: https://estate-registry.co.uk/ 👋 FOLLOW KEEP IT GRIEF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keepitgriefhq/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keepitgriefhq Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/28Y8eTMEZ86Ccd4R2sgkfW 💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION Email Jonny & Neil: [email protected] We read everything and your stories help shape future episodes. 👍 Like the video if it connected with you 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week 📢 Share with someone who might need this conversation 🎵 CREDITS Produced by Cold Fries Music & Fonts: Envato Licenses: Available on request

In this episode, Jonny & Neil are joined by Luke Alfano, who shares his story of losing his dad suddenly at just 21 years old while in his final year of university.  Luke opens up about how he channeled his grief into building the "Too Young to Grieve" community to support young adults navigating loss, mental health, and the unique challenges of major life steps without their loved ones.  Plus, the boys discuss new research on the power of nature in processing grief and share a powerful conversation about the personal "signs" that keep our connections alive.  If you’ve ever lost someone, supported someone through grief, or just want real conversations about life’s harder moments, you’re in the right place You can find Luke’s page, Too Young to Grieve here Keep It Grief is proudly in partnership with The Estate Registry, which supports people through the practical realities that follow the loss of a loved one: https://estate-registry.co.uk/👋 FOLLOW KEEP IT GRIEFInstagram:   / keepitgriefhq  TikTok:   / keepitgriefhq  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/28Y8eTM...💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATIONEmail Jonny & Neil: [email protected] read everything and your stories help shape future episodes.👍 Like the video if it connected with you🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week📢 Share with someone who might need this conversation🎵 CREDITSProduced by Cold FriesMusic & Fonts: EnvatoLicenses: Available on request

Jonny and Neil explore the small, unexpected moments that make us feel connected to the people we've lost. Sparked by a listener's heartbreaking poem about losing her husband to cancer, the guys open up about the "signs" that have found them recently. Along the way, they talk honestly about the exhaustion of carrying grief while putting on a brave face for the world, and why looking for these small moments of connection isn't about closure - it's about staying open to the people we love, even after they're gone. Keep It Grief is proudly in partnership with The Estate Registry, which supports people through the practical realities that follow the loss of a loved one: https://estate-registry.co.uk/ 👋 FOLLOW KEEP IT GRIEF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keepitgriefhq/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keepitgriefhq Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/28Y8eTMEZ86Ccd4R2sgkfW 💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION Email Jonny & Neil: [email protected] We read everything and your stories help shape future episodes. 👍 Like the video if it connected with you 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week 📢 Share with someone who might need this conversation 🎵 CREDITS Produced by Cold Fries Music & Fonts: Envato Licenses: Available on request

In this episode of Keep It Grief, hosts Jonny and Neil dive into a powerful conversation about the finality of life and our tendency to withhold our deepest feelings until it is too late.  Triggered by a request from Jonny’s father, the guys reflect on why eulogies and profound expressions of love are almost always heard by everyone except the person they are actually about.  They urge you at home to break this cycle by having those meaningful conversations, sending a text, or sharing a moment of appreciation out loud across the kitchen table while your loved ones are still here to experience them. Keep It Grief is proudly in partnership with The Estate Registry, which supports people through the practical realities that follow the loss of a loved one: https://estate-registry.co.uk/ 👋 FOLLOW KEEP IT GRIEF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keepitgriefhq/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keepitgriefhq Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/28Y8eTMEZ86Ccd4R2sgkfW 💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION Email Jonny & Neil: [email protected] We read everything and your stories help shape future episodes. 👍 Like the video if it connected with you 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week 📢 Share with someone who might need this conversation 🎵 CREDITS Produced by Cold Fries Music & Fonts: Envato Licenses: Available on request

This episode of Keep It Grief brings a deeply personal and poignant perspective to the table.  Hosts Jonny and Neil open up about the milestones and everyday moments that shape their lives after loss. Jonny shares a heart-melting yet difficult moment from his week when his three-year-old son, Louis, unexpectedly initiated a conversation about death, asking if his late Nana and a family dog were together on a walk.  This leads the guys into an honest discussion about navigating grief with children and overcoming the temptation to hide the finality of loss behind euphemisms. Later in the episode, the guys tackle the uncomfortable realities of social media in the "grief world". They call themselves out on the pressure to create content while balancing the fine line of respect for their loved ones. Together, they dive into a raw and vulnerable conversation about the dangers of opportunistic "grief clickbait-ism," viral TikTok trends, and the "toxic positivity" that often forces a superficial pretense over genuine pain. They also read moving messages from listeners sharing their own fundamental transformations after profound loss, reminding everyone in this "club" that they are not alone. Keep It Grief is proudly in partnership with The Estate Registry, which supports people through the practical realities that follow the loss of a loved one: https://estate-registry.co.uk/ 👋 FOLLOW KEEP IT GRIEF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keepitgriefhq/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keepitgriefhq Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/28Y8eTMEZ86Ccd4R2sgkfW 💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION Email Jonny & Neil: [email protected] We read everything and your stories help shape future episodes. 👍 Like the video if it connected with you 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week 📢 Share with someone who might need this conversation 🎵 CREDITS Produced by Cold Fries Music & Fonts: Envato Licenses: Available on request

This episode of Keep It Grief brings a deeply personal and poignant perspective to the table. Hosts Jonny and Neil open up about the milestones and everyday moments that shape their lives after loss.  Neil celebrates a major breakthrough as his camper van, Lottie, is finally completed and back on the road. What started as a bittersweet decision after his partner's passing has evolved into a 2.5-year journey toward finding freedom and a space where he can still feel her presence. Later in the episode, Jonny shares his recent experiences DJing on the festival circuit, reflecting on how he uses music as a powerful ritual to invite his late mother into his current world.  Together, the guys dive into a raw and vulnerable conversation about the social awkwardness surrounding grief, and explore why society often shies away from discussing lost family members, despite it being the one thing grievers want most to keep their memories alive. Keep It Grief is proudly in partnership with The Estate Registry, which supports people through the practical realities that follow the loss of a loved one: https://estate-registry.co.uk/ 👋 FOLLOW KEEP IT GRIEF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keepitgriefhq/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keepitgriefhq Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/28Y8eTMEZ86Ccd4R2sgkfW 💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION Email Jonny & Neil: [email protected] We read everything and your stories help shape future episodes. 👍 Like the video if it connected with you 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week 📢 Share with someone who might need this conversation 🎵 CREDITS Produced by Cold Fries Music & Fonts: Envato Licenses: Available on request

Alana Springsteen, the Nashville-based country music sensation, joins Jonny and Neil in this week's episode of Keep It Grief. Visiting London during her UK headline tour, Alana joins the guys in the pub for an incredibly raw, vulnerable, and perspective-shifting conversation about what it means to grieve when there is no physical death. At just 25 years old, Alana opens up about a different kind of loss - grieving the childhood she wished she’d had, the emotions she was never taught to process, and the safety she had to find within herself. Keep It Grief is proudly in partnership with The Estate Registry, which supports people through the practical realities that follow the loss of a loved one: https://estate-registry.co.uk/ 👋 FOLLOW KEEP IT GRIEF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keepitgriefhq/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keepitgriefhq Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/28Y8eTMEZ86Ccd4R2sgkfW 💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION Email Jonny & Neil: [email protected] We read everything and your stories help shape future episodes. 👍 Like the video if it connected with you 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week 📢 Share with someone who might need this conversation 🎵 CREDITS Produced by Cold Fries Music & Fonts: Envato Licenses: Available on request

Everyone loses the same person, but nobody loses the same relationship. Because every bond is unique, grief looks completely different for everyone - meaning one person’s comfort can easily be another’s heartbreak. In this episode of Keep It Grief, Jonny and Neil explore how these differing perspectives play out within families navigating loss. They discuss the heavy physical exhaustion that comes with carrying trauma, reflecting on how the body often reacts to grief before the mind can fully process it. Jonny shares his experience of returning to the hospital where his mum was treated for a checkup scan, recounting the intense anxiety it triggered and the profound appreciation he gained for what she endured.  Meanwhile, Neil opens up about his own struggles with becoming a bit reclusive and the ongoing anxiety that drives him to constantly check on his dad at night.  Finally, the pair read a moving listener email that perfectly illustrates how family members can handle the exact same loss in entirely opposite ways just to survive. Keep It Grief is proudly in partnership with The Estate Registry, which supports people through the practical realities that follow the loss of a loved one: https://estate-registry.co.uk/ 👋 FOLLOW KEEP IT GRIEF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keepitgriefhq/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keepitgriefhq Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/28Y8eTMEZ86Ccd4R2sgkfW 💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION Email Jonny & Neil: [email protected] We read everything and your stories help shape future episodes. 👍 Like the video if it connected with you 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week 📢 Share with someone who might need this conversation 🎵 CREDITS Produced by Cold Fries Music & Fonts: Envato Licenses: Available on request

Jonny and Neil talk about why birthdays can become some of the hardest days to navigate after losing someone you love. Neil also reveals how he'd genuinely react if he won £1 million, reflects on the unique perspective he's gained witnessing grief while filming weddings and explains why those emotional moments never stop affecting him. Meanwhile, Jonny shares a heartfelt message from his son that he wishes his mum could have heard, before the conversation turns to Men's Mental Health Month and whether enough people even know it exists. Keep It Grief is proudly in partnership with The Estate Registry, which supports people through the practical realities that follow the loss of a loved one: https://estate-registry.co.uk/ 👋 FOLLOW KEEP IT GRIEF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keepitgriefhq/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keepitgriefhq Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/28Y8eTMEZ86Ccd4R2sgkfW 💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION Email Jonny & Neil: [email protected] We read everything and your stories help shape future episodes. 👍 Like the video if it connected with you 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week 📢 Share with someone who might need this conversation 🎵 CREDITS Produced by Cold Fries Music & Fonts: Envato Licenses: Available on request

Cici Coleman, best known for her role on the hit Channel 4 dating show First Dates, joins Jonny & Neil for a powerful and honest conversation about grief, loss, resilience, relationships, and finding your way after tragedy. Cici opens up about losing her mum at a young age, navigating her teenage years without her, and how grief has shaped her outlook on life, love, dating, and relationships. She shares the challenges of growing up while dealing with loss and explains how those experiences continue to influence her today. The conversation also explores Cici's unconventional career journey. After leaving school early with no formal qualifications, she found a way into the banking industry and built a successful career while trying to make sense of a world that had changed forever. And of course, no conversation with Cici would be complete without talking about First Dates. She reveals when we can expect more of the show, why the next series is the best, and gives her honest thoughts on what Fred Sirieix is actually like off camera. If you’ve ever lost someone, supported someone through grief, or just want real conversations about life’s harder moments, you’re in the right place. Keep It Grief is proudly in partnership with The Estate Registry, which supports people through the practical realities that follow the loss of a loved one: https://estate-registry.co.uk/ 👋 FOLLOW KEEP IT GRIEF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keepitgriefhq/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keepitgriefhq Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/28Y8eTMEZ86Ccd4R2sgkfW 💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION Email Jonny & Neil: [email protected] We read everything and your stories help shape future episodes. 👍 Like the video if it connected with you 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week 📢 Share with someone who might need this conversation 🎵 CREDITS Produced by Cold Fries Music & Fonts: Envato Licenses: Available on request