This week, I’m stepping outside of our regular programming to bring you a gentle and deeply meaningful bonus episode. The holidays can be a beautiful time, but for so many, they also bring forward tender memories, fresh aches, and the weight of grief, whether your loss is recent or years in the past.

As we approach the season, I felt called to share a conversation from my other podcast, Hospice Redefined, where I speak with three incredible humans who have spent years walking alongside families through the end-of-life journey. Each of them also carries their own personal grief story, and in this episode, they open their hearts to share their wisdom, their pain, and the ways they’ve learned to honor their loved ones during the holidays.

Before we begin, I share my own experience of losing my dad almost two years ago, and how grief has continued to shape me in ways I didn’t expect. I talk about a simple analogy, grief as a circle inside a square, and how our life expands around it, even though the circle never truly shrinks. It still holds its weight. It still matters.

Inside this heartfelt episode, you’ll hear stories and support from:

John: A hospice social worker who shares how bringing a loved one’s favorite holiday dessert back to the table helped an entire family breathe again, break the silence, and feel connected on a day that felt unbearable.

Jamie: A widow who lost her husband suddenly just days before Thanksgiving. She talks about adapting traditions, creating new rituals, and allowing herself to celebrate again, without leaving her husband’s memory behind.

Carrie: A bereavement coordinator who offers practical strategies for navigating holidays with more compassion and less pressure. She shares powerful insights about expectations, energy, rest, and creating space for joy even when grief feels close.

Together, we explore:

• Why grief often resurfaces during the holidays

• How avoiding the season doesn’t work and what to do instead

• The healing impact of honoring your loved one in small, meaningful ways

• How to adapt traditions or create new ones that support your heart

• Why lowering expectations can protect your emotional well-being

• What to do when memories feel sharp, sudden, or overwhelming

• How community, storytelling, and support can bring real comfort

My hope is that this episode feels like a soft hand on your back. And a reminder that whatever you’re carrying this season, you don’t have to hold it alone. Grief is part of being human. And even in its heaviness, there can be connection, tenderness, and moments of light.

If this episode supports you, please share it with someone who might need a little extra comfort this time of year.

Thank you for being here.

Thank you for letting this space hold you.

I honor you and your story.

Lots of love,

Rachel

About Rachel Carta, RN

As a Registered Nurse, Author, Functional Nutrition Counselor, & Life Coach, I help women who are tired of feeling off: low energy, digestive issues, brain fog, mood swings, or just not feeling like yourself. You can wake up with energy. You can feel good again in your body. You can reconnect to the vibrant, grounded you. You don't have to do this alone. Book a free consultation here: RachelCartaRN.com/schedule.