Guide Through Grief

In the tenth episode of season two of Guide Through Grief, host Tom Van Ness closes out season two with a special solo episode. Episode ten, released on April 10th, 2026, marks the three-year anniversary of Lesley Van Ness's, Tom's late wife, passing. Tom shares some commentary and reflections about his grief journey and thanks the viewers for their support along the way. Through these two seasons of Guide Through Grief, so much has been accomplished. Connecting people through stories, resources, and vulnerability has always been the goal of this podcast. Grief is the great equalizer, and no one should have to endure it alone. Thank you to everyone for joining Tom and our guests as they have shared their stories, and we can't wait to see what the future holds. 
 
Support Us:   https://linktr.ee/GuideThroughGrief
 
About Guide Through Grief: Hosted by Tom Van Ness, the second season of Guide Through Grief explores others' grief journeys and the different realities of losing a loved one. Guide Through Grief is a space where people can open up about their experiences, share the lessons they've learned, and reflect on how they've continued to grow through grief. The goal of this podcast is to create a safe and supportive place for anyone navigating a grief journey, a place to lean on one another and share openly. Because there is no single “right” way to grieve, only your way. And remember: I got this. You got this. We all got this. #Grief #Grieving #Widower #grieftraps #griefjourney #widowed #trigger #griefambush #trauma #widow

In the ninth episode of season two of Guide Through Grief, host Tom Van Ness is joined by guest Keith T. Hardeman, who taught various classes that Tom attended in college. Keith's wife, Shelly, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017 and fought a 14-month-long battle, which prompted Keith to publish two books sharing his experience of being a primary caregiver for his wife. Through Kemo therapy sessions, testing, and hard-fought battles, Keith's family supported each other every step of the way, borrowing strength from one another during their most challenging days.
 
Keith's Books:
 
"Don't say "Everything happens for a reason" by Keith T. Hardeman
https://a.co/d/06HsNtgn
 
"The Shadow of Trepidation: Reflections on Caregiving During My Wife’s Battle with Breast Cancer" by Keith T. Hardeman
https://a.co/d/05ZKpMeN
 
 
Support Us:  https://linktr.ee/GuideThroughGrief
 
About Guide Through Grief: Hosted by Tom Van Ness, the second season of Guide Through Grief explores others' grief journeys and the different realities of losing a loved one. Guide Through Grief is a space where people can open up about their experiences, share the lessons they've learned, and reflect on how they've continued to grow through grief. The goal of this podcast is to create a safe and supportive place for anyone navigating a grief journey, a place to lean on one another and share openly. Because there is no single “right” way to grieve, only your way. And remember: I got this. You got this. We all got this. #Grief #Grieving #Widower #grieftraps #griefjourney #widowed #trigger #griefambush #trauma #widow

In the eighth episode of season two of Guide Through Grief, host Tom Van Ness is joined by guest Frankie Murphy Giesing, who shares his personal grief journey. Frankie's father, Frank Murphy, passed away in 1986 from Liver Melanoma he had contracted during his military service in Vietnam. Frankie was 10 years old at the time of his father's passing and has a unique and enlightening perspective on what grief looks like for a child. Frankie shares impactful stories of acceptance and growth through some of the most challenging moments of his life, and how he has observed the Holy Spirit move in all of it.
 
Support Us:  https://linktr.ee/GuideThroughGrief
 
About Guide Through Grief: Hosted by Tom Van Ness, the second season of Guide Through Grief explores others' grief journeys and the different realities of losing a loved one. Guide Through Grief is a space where people can open up about their experiences, share the lessons they've learned, and reflect on how they've continued to grow through grief. The goal of this podcast is to create a safe and supportive place for anyone navigating a grief journey, a place to lean on one another and share openly. Because there is no single “right” way to grieve, only your way. And remember: I got this. You got this. We all got this. #Grief #Grieving #Widower #grieftraps #griefjourney #widowed #trigger #griefambush #trauma #widow

In the seventh episode of season two of Guide Through Grief, join host Tom Van Ness and guest Ryan Murphy as they discuss the various financial impacts of losing your spouse or someone in your household. Adjusting to life after loss is difficult in its own right, but add to it the substantial shift in financial responsibility of the household, and you are in a scary and daunting situation. Paying bills you may not have been in charge of paying previously, purchasing everyday necessities, and even health insurance are all aspects of everyday life that are now left to you. In this episode of Guide Through Grief, Tom and Ryan hope to shed light on the realities of adjusting to increased financial responsibility after loss, and how to make the most of your available resources.
 
Support Us:  https://linktr.ee/GuideThroughGrief
 
About Guide Through Grief: Hosted by Tom Van Ness, the second season of Guide Through Grief explores others' grief journeys and the different realities of losing a loved one. Guide Through Grief is a space where people can open up about their experiences, share the lessons they've learned, and reflect on how they've continued to grow through grief. The goal of this podcast is to create a safe and supportive place for anyone navigating a grief journey, a place to lean on one another and share openly. Because there is no single “right” way to grieve, only your way. And remember: I got this. You got this. We all got this. #Grief #Grieving #Widower #grieftraps #griefjourney #widowed #trigger #griefambush #trauma #widow

In the sixth episode of season two of Guide Through Grief, join host Tom Van Ness and guest Katy Krieg Obrien, as she shares her story of loss as well as new beginnings. Katy is a teacher, mother of two, and a recent newlywed as of 2025. However, in September of 2021, tragedy struck when Katy and her late husband, Casey, both fell ill with Covid-19. Katy was able to recover, whereas Casey's sickness took a turn for the worse, leading to his passing on September 17th, 2021. In this episode, Katy shares about what life is like remarrying after loss, and the challenges of motherhood while grieving.
 
Support Us:  https://linktr.ee/GuideThroughGrief
 
About Guide Through Grief: Hosted by Tom Van Ness, the second season of Guide Through Grief explores others' grief journeys and the different realities of losing a loved one. Guide Through Grief is a space where people can open up about their experiences, share the lessons they've learned, and reflect on how they've continued to grow through grief. The goal of this podcast is to create a safe and supportive place for anyone navigating a grief journey, a place to lean on one another and share openly. Because there is no single “right” way to grieve, only your way. And remember: I got this. You got this. We all got this. #Grief #Grieving #Widower #grieftraps #griefjourney #widowed #trigger #griefambush #trauma #widow

In the fifth episode of season two of Guide Through Grief, host Tom Van Ness is joined by guest Brynne Behringer, a mother, an author, and a widow of three years. Brynne brings an incredible point of view to the Guide Through Grief podcast, filled with experience, wisdom, and compassion. She shares how the loss of her husband, Mike, impacted her and her 3 children's lives, and how, as a mother, she has approached the topic of grief with her family and community. Brynne encourages honesty and transparency, especially in supporting her own children through their grief journeys, eventually taking her and her family's experience and writing her book, "The Stars That Stay," an important story about how we can continue to connect with those we have lost.
 
Check out Brynne's book, "The Stars That Stay," HERE
 
Support Us:  https://linktr.ee/GuideThroughGrief
 
About Guide Through Grief: Hosted by Tom Van Ness, the second season of Guide Through Grief explores others' grief journeys and the different realities of losing a loved one. Guide Through Grief is a space where people can open up about their experiences, share the lessons they've learned, and reflect on how they've continued to grow through grief. The goal of this podcast is to create a safe and supportive place for anyone navigating a grief journey, a place to lean on one another and share openly. Because there is no single “right” way to grieve, only your way. And remember: I got this. You got this. We all got this. #Grief #Grieving #Widower #grieftraps #griefjourney #widowed #trigger #griefambush #trauma #widow

In the fourth episode of season two of Guide Through Grief, host Tom Van Ness is joined by guest Harold (Hal) B. Oakley, who specializes in Trust & Wealth Preservation, to discuss the difficult topic of the inevitable, how to prepare for a loss in the family. The conversation is a tough one to start, but it is absolutely crucial to the strength and preparedness of one's family. When navigating profound loss, there are so many things to address and questions to answer, so sitting down with your spouse and having these difficult conversations is intermingled with how we cope with such big life changes. These topics can relate to power of attorney, litigation, life insurance, and important documentation. As well as the more mundane topics like passwords, daily finances, and social media accounts. All are equally important to discuss and plan for. In this episode, Tom and Hal hope to stress the importance of estate planning and ideally, inspire others to have these crucial discussions.
 
Support Us: https://linktr.ee/GuideThroughGrief
 
About Guide Through Grief: Hosted by Tom Van Ness, the second season of Guide Through Grief explores others' grief journeys and the different realities of losing a loved one. Guide Through Grief is a space where people can open up about their experiences, share the lessons they've learned, and reflect on how they've continued to grow through grief. The goal of this podcast is to create a safe and supportive place for anyone navigating a grief journey, a place to lean on one another and share openly. Because there is no single “right” way to grieve, only your way. And remember: I got this. You got this. We all got this. #Grief #Grieving #Widower #grieftraps #griefjourney #widowed #trigger #griefambush #trauma #widow #estateplanning

In the third episode of season two of Guide Through Grief, Tom Van Ness and guest Tracy Schlepphorst discuss how important it is to support children through their grief. At the age of 6, Tracy lost her father to cancer. This tragedy affected her greatly, and in her later years, made her keenly aware of the importance of helping children process their grief, not internalize it. Throughout her life, Tracy has experienced great loss with the passing of her mother and, later, her brother. Her grief journey has inspired her to create tools for families experiencing loss in the form of stories. Her books, "Eden and Her Happy" and "My Emotional Belly," aim to support children through their own grief journeys.
 
Support Us: https://linktr.ee/GuideThroughGrief
 
About Guide Through Grief:
Hosted by Tom Van Ness, the second season of Guide Through Grief explores others' grief journeys and the different realities of losing a loved one. Guide Through Grief is a space where people can open up about their experiences, share the lessons they've learned, and reflect on how they've continued to grow through grief. The goal of this podcast is to create a safe and supportive place for anyone navigating a grief journey, a place to lean on one another and share openly. Because there is no single “right” way to grieve, only your way. And remember: I got this. You got this. We all got this. #Grief #Grieving #Widower #grieftraps #griefjourney #widowed #trigger #griefambush #trauma #widow

In the second episode of Season 2 of "Guide Through Grief," Tom Van Ness and Season 1 guest Dr Ryan Stivers return to discuss where Tom's grief journey stands today. Grief traps or "grief ambushes" are a constant reality for those grieving loved ones. It can be something as ordinary as a closet full of their clothes, or even their car, but the grief can come on strong and fast. Learning how to identify and react to grief traps has been an important part of Tom's grief journey. Through this discussion with Dr Stivers, Tom will share how holidays, celebrations, and even anticipated plans take on different and multifaceted meanings when living with grief.
 
Support Us: https://linktr.ee/GuideThroughGrief
 
About Guide Through Grief: Hosted by Tom Van Ness, the second season of Guide Through Grief explores others' grief journeys and the different realities of losing a loved one. Guide Through Grief is a space where people can open up about their experiences, share the lessons they've learned, and reflect on how they've continued to grow through grief. The goal of this podcast is to create a safe and supportive place for anyone navigating a grief journey, a place to lean on one another and share openly. Because there is no single “right” way to grieve, only your way. And remember: I got this. You got this. We all got this. #Grief #Grieving #Widower #grieftraps #griefjourney #widowed #trigger #griefambush #trauma

In the first episode of season two of Guide Through Grief, Tom Van Ness and season one Co-Host Bob Woolsey talk about Bob's personal grief journey and his experience as a gratitude coach. As a teenager, Bob experienced a tragedy when his father committed suicide in 1989. Bob will share how life changed in an instant and his personal response as a child experiencing such profound grief. Through the changes and challenges, Bob manages to hold tight to the gift in the hell, facing each step with gratitude even when the future was uncertain. From his childhood years to now, owning and operating his family's jewelry business, Bob's story is an incredible example of living in gratitude and allowing yourself to grieve in your own way.
 
Support Us: https://linktr.ee/GuideThroughGrief
 
 About Guide Through Grief: Hosted by Tom Van Ness, the second season of Guide Through Grief explores others' grief journeys and the different realities of losing a loved one. Guide Through Grief is a space where people can open up about their experiences, share the lessons they've learned, and reflect on how they've continued to grow through grief. The goal of this podcast is to create a safe and supportive place for anyone navigating a grief journey, a place to lean on one another and share openly. Because there is no single “right” way to grieve, only your way. And remember: I got this. You got this. We all got this. #Grief #Grieving #Widower #grievingmother #grievingson