In this gentle and heartfelt solo episode, I reflect on the first year of grief and the many emotional “firsts” that come with loss: The first birthday, Christmas, holiday, anniversary, and even the first unexpected moment of laughter.

I share personal stories, including how my husband Bill and I now honour our son Matthew’s birthday, and why we’ve chosen sunshine over tradition when it comes to Christmas.

I also explore the emotional weight of anticipation, the quiet moments that catch us off guard, and the small, meaningful rituals that help keep love present in our everyday lives.

This episode is for anyone navigating the painful first year, or supporting someone through theirs, or simply trying to understand the complex, unpredictable journey of grief.

You’ll be gently reminded that:

• There’s no right way to grieve—only your way
• It’s okay to feel joy, guilt, longing, and laughter all at once
• Even in grief, there are glimmers of love and connection

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Grief and loss are experiences we never ask for but they shape us in profound ways.

In this deeply personal episode, I open up about my own journey through grief: the loss that shattered me, the heartbreak I never expected, and the surprising gifts that emerged from the pain, such as clarity, resilience, compassion, and a deeper connection to life and much more.

This conversation is an honest invitation to see grief as more than something to “get through.” Instead, what if we approached it as a sacred journey, a path that, while brutally painful, can transform us in ways nothing else can?

Whether you’re grieving a loved one, navigating a major life change, or supporting someone through loss, this episode will help you:

• Understand the hidden lessons and gifts in grief
• Find meaning and hope during painful seasons
• Embrace healing while honoring your loss

Grief can break us but it can also open us.

If you’ve ever wondered how to keep going when life falls apart, or how to show up for someone who’s hurting, this episode is for you.

Connect With Louise Bates: https://linktr.ee/louisebates

If this episode moved you, please consider leaving a review and sharing it with someone who might need it.

You help this show reach others walking their own path through grief.

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In this episode I dive deep into the classic concept of the five stages of grief—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

But are these stages really universal? And do they truly reflect your unique grief journey?

Join me as I explore:

• The origins of the five stages and why they’ve become so popular.
• Common misconceptions and myths around grief stages.
• How grief is a deeply personal experience that doesn’t always follow a set path.
• Ways to recognise and honour your own unique process of healing.
• Tips for supporting yourself and others through grief, beyond the stages.

Whether you’re grieving a loss or supporting someone who is, this episode will help you find freedom from expectations and embrace your own authentic grief.

Tune in and discover why your grief story deserves to be honoured on its own terms.

Recommended reading: On Death & Dying by Elizabeth Kubler Ross

Connect with Louise Bates: https://linktr.ee/louisebates

If this episode moved you, please consider leaving a review and sharing it with someone who might need it.

You help this show reach others walking their own path through grief.

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“How many children do you have?”

It’s a question that comes up easily in conversation, often asked with good intentions and without much thought.

But for those of us who have experienced the loss of a child, it can bring a wave of emotion.

It touches a tender part of us, stirring grief, love, and the quiet reality of what could have been.

In this episode, I explore the emotional weight this question can carry. I speak honestly about the pause that comes before answering, and the personal journey of navigating between truth and emotional safety.

I share my own experience with this question, and offer reflections on how we can hold space, for ourselves and for others when loss is part of the story.

This episode is for anyone who carries grief quietly, who continues to love a child no longer here, and who wishes their experience could be acknowledged without needing to explain.

In this episode, I reflect on:

The emotional impact behind a seemingly simple question

What it’s like to parent a child who is no longer living

Why grief often lives in the things left unsaid

How to honour our children while protecting our own emotional boundaries

The unique challenges of invisible motherhood or fatherhood

Connect with Louise Bates: https://linktr.ee/louisebates

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Today, I am delighted to welcome my dear friend, Catherine Williamson, as my guest.

This episode reflects the quiet, often unacknowledged grief that follows the end of a relationship. Unlike death, there’s no formal goodbye—just the lingering presence of memories, lost dreams, and shared routines. It speaks to the pain of mourning someone who is still alive, the emotional confusion it brings, and the lack of visible closure.

Yet, within this sorrow lies a potential gift: the opportunity for healing, reflection, and growth. The message is one of compassion and solidarity for anyone navigating heartbreak—not just from a person’s absence, but from the end of love itself. It invites us to honour our grief, not fix it, and to gently uncover meaning amid the loss.

If you are grieving someone who is still alive, if your heart is heavy with unanswered questions and silent prayers, know that you are not alone.

Let us walk this path together, with open hearts and gentle hands, as we seek to find the gift within our grief.

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might find it helpful.

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review – it helps us reach more people navigating the journey of grief.

Recommended reading:

The journey by Brandon Bays

The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield

Permission to screw up by Kristen Hadeed

Connect with Catherine Thompson: https://linktr.ee/catherinewilliamson

Connect with Louise Bates: https://linktr.ee/louisebates

#relationships #breakup #heartbreak

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Grief doesn't adhere to a schedule.

It comes in waves, in quiet moments, and sometimes in the most unexpected ways.

My guest today Vicki Holton has walked through many forms of grief, each unique in its own weight.

Now, she faces a new and deeply painful chapter: the anticipatory grief of knowing her son lives with a life-limiting heart condition.

In this heartfelt conversation, we explore the complexities of grieving—what it looks like, how it evolves, and what might lie ahead.

While this episode holds sorrow, it is also woven with hope, strength, and unexpected light.

Recommended Book: Love You Forever by Robert Munsch

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might find it helpful.

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review – it helps us reach more people navigating the journey of grief.

Connect with Vicki through her socials: Vicki Holton

Instagram: AEBWELLNESS

Connect with Louise Bates: https://linktr.ee/louisebates

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In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode we welcome Grant Harris, a gifted medium who has dedicated his life to helping people find peace, closure, and healing through spiritual connection.

As someone who bridges the gap between the physical world and the spirit world, Grant shares how mediumship can be a powerful tool in the grieving process.

He is known for his compassionate, grounded approach to spiritual connection.

He works with individuals and groups to help them find comfort and clarity after loss and is passionate about helping people understand that they are never truly alone.

Together, we explore how connecting with loved ones who have died can offer validation, comfort, and sometimes even the permission to move forward. Whether you're a sceptic, a believer, or somewhere in between, this conversation offers compassionate insight into how mediumship can provide hope for those navigating the pain of loss.

What We Cover in This Episode:

What a medium is and how Grant discovered his abilities

Common misconceptions and fears around mediumship

Real-life stories of how spirit communication has helped the grieving

How validation from spirit can ease guilt, unanswered questions, and unresolved emotions

Tips for those who are curious or seeking a session with a medium

The importance of ethical, compassionate practice in spiritual work

Why It Matters:

Grief is often filled with lingering "what ifs," regrets, and a yearning for continued connection. Mediumship, when practiced responsibly, can offer reassurance that our loved ones are still with us in spirit and that love truly transcends death. Grant’s work illustrates how these messages can become a profound part of the healing journey.

Checkout his website: www.grantharrismedium.com

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might find it helpful.

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review – it helps us reach more people navigating the journey of grief.

https://linktr.ee/louisebates

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Clare Spiers has dedicated her career to supporting individuals navigating the complex journey of grief, drawing from her own diverse experiences with loss. Having personally faced various forms of grief, she understands the profound impact it can have on one’s life. Through her own therapeutic journey, Clare was able to address and resolve her unresolved grief, ultimately becoming a certified Grief Recovery Specialist.

In her practice, Clare offers innovative walk-and-talk grief groups and retreats, providing a compassionate space for individuals to process their emotions in a supportive environment. Many of the most effective therapists are those who have endured significant emotional challenges themselves; they transform their pain into purpose. Clare exemplifies this transformative journey, using her experiences to guide others toward healing and hope.

Website: www.peopleboost.co.uk

Books recommended: The Grief Recovery Handbook by John James and Russell Friedman

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might find it helpful.

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review – it helps us reach more people navigating the journey of grief.

https://linktr.ee/louisebates

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.