Grief is something we will all experience, yet it's often one of the hardest topics to talk about.

In this heartfelt and deeply moving episode of Well, Hello Anxiety, Dr Jodi Richardson welcomes back therapist, mental health educator, relationship expert and podcast host Marie Vakakis for an honest conversation about grief, loss and healing.

Drawing on both her professional expertise and recent personal experiences, Marie shares her reflections on caring for her grandmother through dementia, navigating anticipatory grief, saying goodbye to her beloved dog Walter, and learning how to carry love forward after loss.

Together, Jodi and Marie explore why grief is far more complex than most people realise, how it affects us emotionally and physically, the challenges grief can create in relationships, and why empathy - not fixing - is often the most powerful gift we can offer someone who is hurting.

This conversation offers comfort, validation and practical insights for anyone experiencing loss, supporting a grieving loved one, or navigating the uncertainty of anticipatory grief.

Dr Jodi & Marie talk about:

• What anticipatory grief really looks and feels like
• Why grief and anxiety are often closely connected
• The physical and emotional impact of loss
• Different grieving styles and how they can affect relationships
• The experience of pet loss and why it matters
• Why "grief is love with nowhere to go"
• Common phrases that aren't always helpful when someone is grieving
• The power of empathy, validation and simply showing up
• How cultural rituals can support the grieving process
• Why grief doesn't disappear—but can become easier to carry over time
• Practical ways to support a grieving friend, partner or family member

Connect with Marie Vakakis:

🌐 Website: https://marievakakis.com.au

🎙️ This Complex Life Podcast:
https://marievakakis.com.au/podcast

🧠 The Therapy Hub:
https://thetherapyhub.com.au

Connect with Dr Jodi Richardson:

🌐 Website: https://drjodirichardson.com

📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjodirichardson

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drjodirichardson

DO YOU WANT TO HEAR THE POD LIVE? GET YOUR FREE TIX HERE

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If this conversation resonated with you, please share it with someone who may need support through grief, loss or life transitions. Your ratings, reviews and shares help us reach more people and continue important conversations about anxiety, mental health and wellbeing.

Remember: We don't heal grief by fixing it - we heal through connection, compassion and being witnessed. ❤️

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What happens when exhaustion becomes your normal? In this episode, Dr Jodi Richardson sits down with kinesiologist, yoga and meditation teacher Ilana Kosakiewicz, whose own experience with chronic fatigue and autoimmune illness forced her to stop - and ultimately transformed her life.

Together they explore:

The early whispers of burnout we often ignore
Why so many women have normalised exhaustion
The difference between rest and recovery
How “white space” resets the nervous system
Micro‑moments of rest that actually work
The power of Yoga Nidra and non‑sleep deep rest
How slowing down helps us show up better for the people we love
This conversation is a gentle reminder that rest isn’t indulgent - it’s essential.

Connect with Ilana Kosakiewicz:

Website: https://ilanak.com.au/

Instagram & Facebook: IlanaK.Kinesiology

LinkedIn: Alana Kazakovich

Podcast: The Energy Shift

Connect with Dr Jodi Richardson:

https://linktr.ee/drjodirichardson?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabqDVAw_zhoG3IXGRhgjn-J14BFJy50ztJbCHywMfZobVH12nX1USMbisI_aem_QViUbKkXHlwbD3y4kGcvGQ

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What if anxiety isn't the problem?
In this thought-provoking conversation, Dr Jodi Richardson is joined by psychologist and author Diante Fuchs to explore why so many people continue to struggle with anxiety despite trying therapy, strategies, and self-help tools. Dee shares her powerful Anxiety Trifecta framework, revealing the mental, emotional, and physical factors that can keep anxiety stuck.

Together, they discuss:

Why anxiety is a signal, not a flaw
The difference between ordinary anxiety and stuck anxiety
How fear of anxiety can keep the cycle going
Why uncovering root causes matters
The role of the nervous system in ongoing anxiety
Dee's practical EASE Method for responding differently to anxiety
How acceptance, compassion, and engagement can help you reclaim your life

This episode offers a hopeful and refreshing perspective: there is nothing wrong with you, and anxiety may have more to teach you than you realise.

Connect with Diante Fuchs
Website: theunstuckinitiative.com
Instagram: @ease.anxiety
TikTok: @ease.anxiety

Access the Stuck Anxiety Checklist discussed here: https://www.theunstuckinitiative.com/stuckanxietychecklist

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