Most people freeze in the face of grief. Jen Noonan walks toward it.

As a licensed clinical social worker at The Children’s Room, Jen supports children, teens, and families after the death of a parent, sibling, or child. Her work is quiet, courageous, and sacred—the kind of care most people couldn’t imagine doing. But for Jen, this is the work that called her.

In this conversation, we explore what it means to hold space for grief without trying to fix it, how kids experience and express loss differently than adults, and why just being there—especially in the hard moments—can be everything.

We also talk about:

• Why children often lead the way in grief
• The myths that keep adults from showing up
• How to talk to grieving kids in honest, age-appropriate ways
• What it really looks like to “hold space”
• The difference between avoiding grief and being present with it

If you've ever struggled with what to say to someone in grief—or feared saying the wrong thing—this episode offers clarity, compassion, and hope.

Plus: I share a bit about my own work on grief literacy, including my TEDx Talk on how we can become a more grief literate society.

Learn more about The Children's Room at their website or on Instagram

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"This is my go-to podcast for inspiration and to discover new approaches to embrace the challenges in my life." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me reach more people -- just like you -- find strategies and insights to do the things that feel undoable. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

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Order Jessica's memoir, Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken Genes

Watch Jessica's TedX Talk

Music credit: Limitless by Bells

Nicola Kraus burst onto the literary scene as co-author of the global sensation The Nanny Diaries. But her story didn’t stop there—and in this episode, she opens up about what came next. From ghostwriting and caregiving to lead parenting and late-in-life bat mitzvah prep, Nicola shares the real-life experiences that shaped her new novel, The Best We Could Hope For.

We talk about:

• What it’s really like to have overnight success—and what comes after
• Caring for her mother over a 14-year cancer journey
• How Gen X is redefining parenting and breaking cycles
• The surprising link between joy and self-discipline
• Managing anxiety, creative work, and caregiving at the same time
• Why reclaiming milestones (like an adult bat mitzvah!) matters

Nicola is funny, sharp, and deeply honest about what it takes to show up—for family, for your work, and for yourself.

Key Takeaways:

• Early success doesn’t guarantee an easy road. Even after a global bestseller, Nicola had to hustle, pivot, and rebuild.
• Caregivers need care too. Whether it's sleep, support, or someone to show up at 5 a.m., help matters—and asking for it is essential.
• Joy requires discipline. It may not just arrive on its own. Make room for it through conscious, embodied effort.
• Break big projects into small, doable steps. Post-its, lists, and visible progress can make even the most overwhelming seasons manageable.
• Energy doesn’t lie. When deciding what to take on, ask yourself: if this disappeared, would I feel relieved or disappointed?
• Name the hard stuff. Denial creates wounds. Acknowledging pain—within families, relationships, or ourselves—is the first step to healing.
• It’s never too late to reclaim a ritual or milestone. Whether it’s a midlife bat mitzvah or something else entirely, meaningful experiences have no expiration date.

Find more about Nicola:

Instagram

Website

Facebook

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

"This is my go-to podcast for inspiration and to discover new approaches to embrace the challenges in my life." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me reach more people -- just like you -- find strategies and insights to do the things that feel undoable. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. Follow now!

Sign up for my newsletter and learn more about these remarkable stories at www.jessicafeinstories.com

Order Jessica's memoir, Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken Genes

Watch Jessica's TedX Talk

Music credit: Limitless by Bells

In this powerful conclusion to our two-part series, we uncover the shocking truth behind Stacy's murder and follow Susan's extraordinary seven-year fight for justice.

After three years of relentless investigation, Susan finally received validation that her sister was murdered by her husband, known only as "Diablo." But this breakthrough was just the beginning of an even longer journey to justice.

The episode reveals the chilling motive behind Stacy's murder, detailing how forensic experts ultimately proved what Susan had known all along. We walk through the grueling legal process that finally led to Diablo's conviction - a full seven years after Stacy's death.

Most powerfully, we witness Susan's transformation from grieving sister to powerful advocate, as she now helps other families navigate the painful limbo of "undetermined death" cases. Her story demonstrates how personal tragedy can become a catalyst for meaningful change.

If you're interested in writing your story and want to learn about one-on-one coaching or Jessica's new writing community, reach out to her directly at www.jessicafeinstories.com. Whether you have a personal experience to share, a Substack to launch, or any story waiting to be told, there are opportunities to learn and grow together.

Learn more about Susan Altman:

News Story

Instagram

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

"This is my go-to podcast for inspiration and to discover new approaches to embrace the challenges in my life." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me reach more people -- just like you -- find strategies and insights to do the things that feel undoable. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. Follow now!

Sign up for my newsletter and learn more about these remarkable stories at www.jessicafeinstories.com

Order Jessica's memoir, Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken Genes

Watch Jessica's TedX Talk

Music credit: Limitless by Bells