Grief Is My Side Hustle

Ep. 168: Kristina Amelong on Learning to Live with the Aftermath of What Her Brother Knew

Kristina Amelong's brother, Jay, knew from an extremely young age that he was going to die. Not only that, but he predicted how it would happen, and that he would not live to be an adult. Kristina's gripping and gorgeous memoir, "What My Brother Knew," tells the heartbreaking story of a tragedy rooted in an understanding that reaches far beyond anything that she or I are capable of fully grasping; thus the pinnacle of our conversation today. 

 

I have always said that I struggle with my own spirituality, and my understanding of things that feel juuuussssttt out of our reach. With Kristina, it feels safe and comforting to discuss this topic; like there is someone on my team in this headspace. I hope, in listening to our chat today, that you feel the same. She is a warm and curious presence, and I'm SO intrigued by her journey!

 

These days, Kristina is a writer, photographer, and hollistic healer. According to her own website, "More than anything, I am drawn to stories that ask questions about who we are and why we are here. My spiritual studies have awakened in me a confidence in my connection with All-That-Is. I feel called to lead others to face the uncertainty of our collective future with hope. We can evolve together!"

 

Thank you, as always, for listening. Please rate and review us where possible, and feel free to reach out meghanriordanjarvis.com and leave suggestions or comments!

 

Learn more about Kristina:

https://www.kristinaamelong.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/optimalhealthnetwork/ 

 

 

Ep. 167: Timothy Frie Talks Nutrition & Grief

I think you all are used to me saying this by now, but I found Timothy Frie online- and stalked him into talking to me. He is fascinating, as is his work, and I think once you listen to this episode you’ll agree.

Timothy Frie is a neuronutrition educator, nutritional psychology researcher, writer, and president of the National Academy of Neuronutrition. He helps neurodivergent people who have experienced early-life trauma understand the story behind their relationship with food.

This is such a crucial topic, and Tim does a beautiful job of illuminating how the elements of grief and mental health relate to -and impact- how we fortify ourselves. I loved this conversation, and our hope is that you will, too.

Stay tuned, because Tim and I have more collaborations in the works!

 

More about Timothy Frie:

@timothyfrie

https://www.timfrie.com/

Ep. 166: Hospice Nurse Julie Talks End-Of-Life Expectations Vs. Reality

Hospice Nurse Julie (AKA Julie McFadden) is one of my favorite recurring guests. She is an RN/BSN nurse with a passion for education- she believes that people should know about the dying process BEFORE they're actually going through it with a loved one or themselves. We have a beautiful, funny, and candid conversation about how death and dying are reflected in the media and film, as well as what to actually expect when you're at your loved one's bedside. 

 

Julie will also be a featured author at Grieftastic on November 21, 2025, showcasing her second book, The Nothing to Fear Journal (a companion to her first book, Nothing to Fear). We are SO excited- we know you'll LOVE Hospice Nurse Julie as much as we do!

 

Thank you for listening- please rate, review, and share the podcast if you like what you hear. 

 

More about Julie:
https://www.hospicenursejulie.com/
IG: @hospicenursejulie

Ep. 165: John Palfrey, Defender of the Arts (Brought to you by the MacArthur Foundation).

As Meghan always says, "Art may not solve all your problems, but it CAN save your life." There's definitely a few champions of this philosophy in the world, of course- certainly artists themselves. 

 

Today, however, we are lucky enough to be hosting the remarkable John Palfrey, President of the MacArthur Foundation. The MacArthur Foundation is famous for many things, namely their eponymous grant of $800,000, awarded to fellows of extraordinary talent so that they may support their work long-term.

 

John Palfrey is an educator, scholar, and law professor. His areas of focus include emerging media, Internet freedom, online transparency and accountability, and child safety. In short, he's a defender of miracles, and we're so lucky to hear from him on this episode about how important it is to not lose sight of our original point: ART SAVES LIVES. 

 

Thank you for tuning in, this week and always. If you like what you hear, please rate and review us where possible and tell a friend!

 

More about John:
https://www.macfound.org/ 
https://www.instagram.com/johnpalfrey/ 

 

Ep. 164: Sara Rian is the Siren of Griefy Poetry

Sara Rian writes poems whenever a thought strikes her while washing the dishes, or folding laundry. However, her words, her profound understanding of the human spirit and what it is to grieve, will make you feel as though she wrote each poem for YOU. She's in your head, your heart- you'll feel her work in your bones. This might sound like hyperbole, but it's true, I promise. She has a superpower.

 

Sara sits down with me to discuss her mother's lifelong struggles with suicidality, and how the end of her life has since shaped everything Sara does. She is also a skilled therapist, and her clinical understanding somehow makes her art that much more...visceral. 

 

From her own website: "As a mental health professional, suicide loss survivor, and grieving human, Sara shares her work with others to let them know that they are not alone in their love or grief. While grief and loss are complex topics, she utilizes a minimalist poetry style to capture these heavy experiences in a direct, digestible way. These poems are a balm for both new grievers and those farther along in the journey."

Amen to that! I hope you'll enjoy this conversation as much as I did. Sara is a true light and we are SO excited to see her in-person at Grieftastic this November 21, 2025, as one of our featured authors. 

 

Thanks for listening!

 

More about Sara:

https://www.sararianbooks.com/about
IG: @sara_rian_books

Ep. 163.: Ryan Bowles Helps Us Find Our Faith

As their own website states, Ryan and his wife Calie Bowles started the Good Grief HQ community because they know what it's like to go through grief. They've lost parents, friends, pets, and had a miscarriage. They understand the deep ache that grief causes - the sleepless nights, confusion, and endless "what ifs".

 

Ryan is a dear friend and colleague in this space and I love his perspective on faith and healing. At this moment in time particularly, this conversation felt so necessary. We discuss his steadfast Christianity, my own checkered past with religion and trauma, and how sometimes trusting what you can't see allows you to FEEL on a level you may not have realized you needed. And that can look different for everyone. 

I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I loved having this dialogue with my friend. I always leave our chats feeling lighter, and considering my grief differently. Never a bad thing! 

 

More about Ryan:
https://goodgriefhq.com/homepage
IG: @ryanlbowles

Ep. 162: Daria Burke is a Woman Of Her Own Making

Daria Burke is, according to her own website, an "Author, speaker and possibility pusher. An accomplished business leader and investor-turned-author, Daria is a multiplier of ideas and people, helping them expand to their highest potential, in business and in life."

Indeed, Daria is a teacher. She taught herself how to push through the incredible pain of living with grief, poverty, and an addicted parent in 1980s Detroit. In her book, Of My Own Making, she teaches the reader that (above everything else) belief in oneself can unlock the rest of the world we deserve to have access to. Your mind will try to limit you if you let it; your heart and spirit can do miraculous things if you lean into your personal fortitude. 

We hope you'll enjoy this magnificent kickoff to the latest season of Grief is My Side Hustle! We're so honored to call Daria a friend of the show, as well as a featured author at this year's Grieftastic Book Fair in November. 

 

Thank you for listening!

 

To learn more about Daria:

https://www.dariaburke.com/about 

https://www.instagram.com/dariaburke/ 

Ep. 161: Jennifer Pastiloff is Giving Us Proof of Life!

Hello, fellow grievers! This week I have a special BONUS episode for you, while we work HARD to continue to bring you quality content for our new season coming this fall. 

 

My sweet friend Jennifer Pastiloff joins us just before the release of her new book, "Proof of Life" (available NOW at your favorite bookseller!). According to her own website, "Jen Pastiloff travels the world with her unique workshop “On Being Human,” a hybrid of yoga related movement, writing, sharing out loud, letting the snot fly, and the occasional dance party. Jen has been featured on Good Morning America, New York Magazine, Health Magazine, CBS News and more for her unique style of teaching, which she has taught to thousands of women in sold-out workshops all over the world. Jen leads annual retreats to Italy and France and she is the guest speaker at Canyon Ranch and Miraval Resorts a few times each year. Jen also offers scholarships for her retreats to a woman who has lost a child. She is currently running one which she mentions at the end of our conversation. If you order 10 copies of her new book from your favorite bookstore (yes, even Amazon!) you'll be helping to fund a ticket for a woman in need who has lost a child. 

 

THANK YOU for listening, and for donating if you can. If nothing else, we hope you just sit back and enjoy the pure sunshine that is Jen Pastiloff!

 

Learn more about Jen:

Website:https://jenniferpastiloff.com/proofoflife 
Inatgram: https://www.instagram.com/jenpastiloff/ 

Ep.160. John Onwuchekwa: How to Survive Sibling Loss Using Spirituality and Grief Fluency

It's the season finale already- and I know how to leave a lasting impression!
John Onwuchekwa, (a.k.a. "John O.") is a preacher, a writer, a husband, father, and brother. According to his own website, "Everything in John Onwuchekwa’s life hinges on the power of words, both spoken and written...in one way or another everything John does intersects with the beauty and power of words—both how he has been shaped by them and how he uses them to shape the world around him." 

 

I couldn't agree more. John is a gifted orator and dear friend, and I could engage with him endlessly. This week, please listen in as we discuss the loss of his brother, grief education and fluency, the role spirituality plays in grief (and our lives) and much more! 

 

John is the author of multiple books, including "We Go On: Finding Purpose in All of Life’s Sorrows and Joys."

I hope you'll enjoy this time with John as much as I did- he's definitely someone you need to hear from!

 

Thank you so much for your support of "Grief is My Side Hustle" this season, and always. Please rate and review us wherever you get your shows. We'll back in the fall with more griefy goodness.

 

Find out more about John:

Visit: johno.co
Instagram: @jawn_o

 

 

 

Ep. 159. Jessica Zucker: How to Normalize Reproductive Health

Dr. Jessica Zucker, author of "Normalize It: Upending the Silence, Stigma, and Shame That Shape Women's Lives" is my guest this week...and man, is she someone who tells the truth. About everything. 

 

Jessica is a L.A.-based psychologist who specializes in reproductive and maternal mental health. She has written extensively about how the landscape of her marriage changed in the face of profound loss, as well as eventual parenthood. Jessica is incredibly powerful in how she relates the experience of a devastating miscarriage (suffered while she was home alone). She is also a fierce advocate for women's well-being and safety, especially during pregnancy. 

 

I don't have accurate words to describe how eloquent and sincerely incredible Dr. Jessica Zucker is. I implore you to listen to this episode with an open mind and heart. She is absolutely someone who's journey you will want to follow along with. 

 

Please check out more about Jessica's work at drjessicazucker.com and buy "Normalize It" at your favorite bookseller! 

 

Thank you for being with us this week, and always!