Des and Terri were together for nearly 40 years, deeply intertwined in every part of their lives. Terri died suddenly at home after suffering a ruptured aneurysm, life changed in an instant.

In this conversation Des speaks about the immediate aftermath of that evening, performing CPR, the arrival of emergency services, and the deeply distressing experience of coming under suspicion due to the circumstances. While later confirmed through a postmortem, this period added another layer of trauma to an already unimaginable loss, and meant he was unable to be with Terri in those first moments after her passing.

This is a powerful and emotional conversation about sudden loss, love, and the complex realities that can follow in the wake of tragedy.

For more information about Spousal Loss Retreats visit www.griefireland.com

Megan speaks with incredible honesty about navigating two profound losses so close together, something very few people experience, and the impact it has had on her life. We had an open conversation about suicide, mental health, and the reality of grieving in such complex circumstances.

This is a deeply important conversation, helping to bring understanding, reduce stigma, and encourage more open conversations around mental health.

⚠️ Content note: This episode contains discussion of suicide and mental health which some listeners may find distressing. Please take care while listening.

If you have been affected by anything in this episode, support is available:
📞 Samaritans (Ireland): 116 123 (freephone, 24/7)
📱 Text HELLO to 50808 (Crisis Text Line Ireland)

For those seeking support or connection in their own grief journey:

• My Spousal Loss Retreat Weekend is now open, you can find more information at:
www.griefireland.com

• You can also learn more about my May 5K a Day Challenge and join the team here:
https://forms.gle/11PTTxQsAXd3icBXA

Lauren speaks about the complexity of Daniel’s mental health in the lead-up to his death, including his diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Despite the challenges he faced she reflects on how she never thought for a moment it would end this way, a reality that so many families can relate to.

Drawing from both her personal experience and her professional background Lauren offers a deeply insightful conversation around mental health, suicide, and grief. She also speaks about her own grieving process and how she found a way to move through her loss in a way that felt healthy and supportive.

This is an honest and important conversation that brings both understanding and compassion to a topic that is often difficult to speak about.

You can find Lauren on Instagram @LaurenGolden

For more information on Grief Workshops and Grief Retreats please visit www.griefireland.com

In this conversation Dympna shares a very different side of herself, speaking openly about the loss of her mum, Lily. With honesty and vulnerability, she reflects on her grief, the impact her mum had on her life, and how that loss continues to shape her.

While Dympna is known for her humour, this episode shows the depth behind it, how laughter and grief can exist side by side. She allows herself to go to places we don’t often see, offering a powerful and human insight into loss.

This is a heartfelt and honest conversation about love, grief, and the many ways we cope.

Thomas had emigrated from Galway and Lauren speaks about the shock of losing him so suddenly in such violent circumstances, and the heartbreak of having to bring him home to Ireland.

She reflects on the impact of losing someone at the hands of another person, the shock, the pain, and the deep sense of injustice that can come with that kind of loss.

This is a powerful and emotional conversation about sibling grief, sudden loss, and learning to live with something that should never have happened.

For more information on our Grief Workshops visit www.griefireland.com

To watch this video podcast episode in full - https://after-the-flowers.circle.so/checkout/after-the-flowers-membership

Sarita speaks openly about the shock of what happened, the guilt she carries, the complexity of Mark’s mental health in those final weeks, and the devastating impact his loss has had on her and their children. She shares her experience with honesty and courage, shedding light on a topic that is often misunderstood and rarely spoken about.

This is a deeply emotional conversation about grief, mental health, and the ripple effect it continues to have on a family.

⚠️ Content note: This episode contains discussion of suicide and mental health which some listeners may find distressing. Please take care while listening.

If you have been affected by anything in this episode, you can contact Samaritans for support:
📞 Freephone 116 123 (Ireland & UK)
🌐 www.samaritans.org

For more information on grief support and resources, visit www.griefireland.com.

You can find Sarita on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/sarita_innerlightpsychotherapy/

Danny was a devoted father to two young boys and a well-known business owner, running a much-loved lodge in the Wicklow Mountains. His sudden death has left an unimaginable void in Brittany's life and in the lives of those who knew and loved him.

In this episode Brittany speaks about the shock of losing Danny so unexpectedly, the reality of navigating life and motherhood in the aftermath, and the deep love and village that continues to carry her through.

This is a powerful and emotional conversation about sudden loss, family, and learning to keep going when everything changes in an instant.

For those who may need support in their own grief journey:

• Tickets for my Parent Loss Grief Workshop in Athlone – April 19th can be found here:

https://www.griefireland.com/grief-retreat/p/grief-workshop-for-partner-loss-athlone

• You can also learn more about my community membership After the Flowers, where members can access full video episodes, support resources and a private community space:

https://after-the-flowers.circle.so/checkout/after-the-flowers-membership

Joachim was a seasoned fisherman who knew the sea well but tragically lost his life when his car slid down the slipway at Belderrig Pier in Mayo and entered the water. The pier surface had become dangerously slippery due to moss and algae and he was unable to escape the vehicle.

Joanna joins me in the very acute early stages of grief to speak about what happened, the shock and devastation of losing her dad in such preventable circumstances, and the reality of navigating grief so soon after a tragedy.

Alongside sharing her father’s story Joanna is determined that no other family should experience the same loss. She is now advocating for proper maintenance and safety standards across Ireland’s piers so that something like this cannot happen again.

This is an incredibly raw and powerful conversation about grief and also about the need for safety measures to be implimented immediately

You can support Joanna’s campaign by signing her petition here:
https://c.org/ZNbyTcyjdg

For those who may need support in their own grief journey:

• Tickets for my Parent Loss Grief Workshop in Athlone – April 19th can be found here:
https://www.griefireland.com/grief-retreat/p/grief-workshop-for-partner-loss-athlone

• You can also learn more about my community membership After the Flowers, where members can access full video episodes, support resources and a private community space:
https://after-the-flowers.circle.so/checkout/after-the-flowers-membership

Rachel speaks about the devastating loss of her husband Nick, who died in a tragic accident when she was six months pregnant with their first child. She also reflects on the earlier loss of her brother Dominic at a young age, a grief that had a profound impact on her life and the path she would eventually take.

Drawing from both lived experience and her professional work, Rachel offers powerful insight into trauma, grief, and the ways people can become stuck in their pain as well as how they can begin to gently move through it.

It’s a thoughtful and deeply insightful conversation, full of wisdom for anyone navigating loss or supporting someone who is.

You can learn more about Rachel and her work at www.rachelgotto.com, and find her on Instagram at @rachelvgotto.

This episode of Family Flowers Only is kindly supported by Flowers.ie.

Flowers.ie is an Irish business helping people send thoughtful, beautiful flowers across Ireland, whether it’s to celebrate, say thank you, or simply let someone know you’re thinking of them during difficult times.

You can find them online at www.flowers.ie and follow along on social media:
Instagram: @flowers.ie
Facebook: flowers.ie
TikTok: @flowers.ie_

A big thank you to Flowers.ie for supporting the podcast and helping these important conversations reach more people.

Tommy speaks openly about the shock of that moment, trying to save his brother by performing CPR, and the lasting impact that night had on him. He reflects on how the trauma changed him, how he tried to bury his grief, and how eventually it all caught up with him.

We also talk about the later loss of his father, and the complicated feelings that followed, including regret, reflection, and the weight of things left unsaid.

This is a powerful and honest conversation about trauma, sibling loss, father loss, and the importance of allowing yourself to feel what you’ve been carrying.

For tickets to upcoming Grief workshops please visit www.griefireland.com

For watch Podcast Video episodes in full and have early access to episodes plus a full supportive membership community with live support calls and therapeutic practises and more please join the "After the Flowers Membership" here

https://after-the-flowers.circle.so/checkout/after-the-flowers-membership

Zoe speaks openly about what it was like to watch her brother become ill at such a young age, the shock of losing him when life should have been stretching out in front of him, and the deep bond they shared as siblings.

She reflects on the aftermath of his death, the silence, and the space he left behind.

This is a tender and honest conversation about loosing someone far too soon, and learning how to carry them with you in the years that follow.

For more information on Grief Retreats please visit www.griefireland.com

To WATCH podcast episodes and find real support in the membership - https://after-the-flowers.circle.so/checkout/after-the-flowers-membership

Lyn first speaks about her wonderful dad Peter who developed depression later in life and struggled openly with his mental health before dying by suicide. She reflects on what it was like to witness that decline, the impact it had on their family, and the shock and grief that follows such a complex loss.

We then move into Lyn’s own journey with secondary infertility, the seven-year struggle to have another baby and the emotional toll of longing, hope, and uncertainty. Lyn shares candidly about what that chapter looked like for her and where that journey has led.

This is a conversation about love, resilience, and the many forms grief can take, both sudden and slow, visible and invisible.

For more information on Lyns work you will find her on Instagram @lynkennedyphotography

For more information on The Grief Workshops please visit www.griefireland.com

Beyond the loss itself, this conversation gently opens into something many people experience after grief, loosing your way, feeling disconnected from your body, your routine, and yourself. Evan shares his perspective as an online coach, speaking about compassion, empathy, and meeting yourself where you are, especially after loss, when motivation and structure can feel impossible.

We also talk about Evan’s coaching platform app Glean and how movement, routine, and self-kindness can become supports rather than pressures during grief.

For anyone looking for additional support you’ll find my membership space After the Flowers here https://after-the-flowers.circle.so/checkout/after-the-flowers-membership

For upcoming Grief Workshops - visit https://www.griefireland.com/

For more information about the incredible work Evan is doing visit: https://www.gleanapp.com

Interwoven throughout this episode is a very open discussion about baby loss, fertility struggles, miscarriage, and the journey toward surrogacy. Roz shares her story with such vulnerability, touching on the quiet grief that so many people carry while trying to build a family often in silence.

This is a conversation about layered loss, grieving a parent while also navigating the heartbreak and hope that comes with fertility challenges and the strength it takes to keep going when life doesn’t unfold as expected.

For those looking for ongoing support, I’ve created a private membership space called After the Flowers.

You can find more information here https://after-the-flowers.circle.so/checkout/after-the-flowers-membership

In this weeks episode I’m joined by Ailbhe O'Donnell, who shares her experience of loss, survival, and the long-term impact of family estrangement.

Ailbhe speaks openly about loss in its many forms the loss of family connection, the loss of identity, the loss of belonging and what it means to grieve people who are still alive.

This episode also explores Alva’s journey through profound mental health struggles in her early adulthood, her experience of feeling unsupported at critical moments, and the slow, hard process of rebuilding a life rooted in self-worth, resilience, and compassion. At its heart, this is a conversation about survival, and learning how to become your own source of care when no one else can.

This episode does not seek to assign blame or make allegations about any individual. All reflections shared are from Ailbhe’s personal perspective, memory, and emotional experience and are presented as such.

Listener Care

This episode may be difficult for some listeners. Please take care while listening, pause if you need to, or skip this episode entirely if it feels like too much right now.

If this conversation brings anything up for you, support is available:

• Ireland: Samaritans — 116 123 (24/7)

• Contact your GP or local mental health services

• International listeners: please seek crisis or mental health support services in your own country

You don’t have to go through this alone.

After the Flowers – Grief Support Membership

If this episode has resonated with you, I’ve recently opened a gentle support space called After the Flowers, a low-cost monthly membership for people navigating grief in all its forms.

It’s a place to connect with other people who understand, take part in group conversations and live Zoom support calls, and access sessions designed to support the nervous system through grief, including breath work, meditation, EFT, and grounding practices. Members also receive exclusive access to podcast video episdoes and conversations.

There’s no pressure it’s simply there if and when it feels right for you.

You can join here

https://after-the-flowers.circle.so/checkout/after-the-flowers-membership

Sophia’s grief journey is complex and deeply personal. In this episode, she speaks about surviving childhood sexual abuse at the hands of her father, the long-term impact that trauma has had on her life, and the work she has done around healing. She also shares her experience of engaging in restorative justice, including visiting her father in prison to confront the past, and how this process has supported her own recovery.

This is an honest, thoughtful conversation about trauma, survival, and the different paths people take toward healing. We also reference our previous episode together which listeners may wish to revisit for further context. Just search for Family Flowers Only with Sophia Murphy.

⚠️ Content notice: This episode contains discussion of childhood sexual abuse, sexual assault, and trauma, which some listeners may find distressing. Please take care while listening.

For those looking for ongoing support, I’ve created a private membership space called After the Flowers.

Join here - https://after-the-flowers.circle.so/checkout/after-the-flowers-membership

To hear more from Sophia her own podcast is called "Having the chats with Peter and Sophia" and you can find that wherever you get your podcasts

Charlotte shares what it was like to be a teenager watching a parent become ill and how even knowing he was sick she never truly believed he would die. She speaks about the shock of losing him so young, the way grief showed up during her teenage years and how that loss has shaped who she is today.

It’s a powerful conversation that offers a rare and important perspective on parental loss through the eyes of a young person.

For more information on joining our membership please visit www.griefireland.com

She speaks about loosing her baby daughter Sienna who was born with a heart condition and lived for just a few precious days. In the months that followed Edel also lost her baby nephew who lived for only one day and later her brother Kevin to cancer.

At the heart of this episode is Edel’s story of true love with her husband John who was diagnosed with a rare form of Parkinson’s known as MSA. Edel speaks so beautifully about the life they shared, the pure character he was, and the indescribable ache of loosing her soulmate.

Edel also shared some of her incredible poetry, her therapy and coping mechanism. She closed the episode by reading one of her own poems and holding little "Sienna bunny" a teddy who was on her lap the whole time.

For more information about Grief retreats and the "After the Flowers" Membership coming soon visit www.griefireland.com

As this year comes to an end I also wanted to share a couple of touching voice notes from listeners and past guests. This really feels like a community here and Im just so grateful to be with you all each week as you walk this difficult road.

Thank you all so much for listening and for sharing. I will see you all on Sunday with another episode. Kathie x

For more information on the upcoming membership join the mailing list on www.griefireland.com

Clara speaks openly about how misunderstood her sister’s passing was and how that added another layer of pain to their loss. She also shares her own experience of grief, the numbness, the fear of not being able to cry or feel anything at all, and the realisation that grief doesn’t always look the way we expect it to.

It’s a deeply honest conversation about sibling loss, love, and learning to trust your own way of grieving.

For more information on grief retreats and support, visit www.griefireland.com.

Peter speaks honestly about the shock of that loss, the devastation that followed, and what it’s like to grieve the death of a child as a parent particularly from a father’s perspective. We talk about how grief can look different for mums and dads, the silence men often carry, and the importance of speaking openly about their pain.

Peter now hosts his own podcast Dads Don’t Cry continuing the conversation around grief and childloss.

Hazel shares the shock of that day, the grief that followed, and the pain of not being able to say goodbye as his coffin had to remain closed. Her honesty, love, and strength shine through every part of this conversation.

For more information on grief retreats and support, visit www.griefireland.com.

She opens up about the PTSD that followed, the fear in the early days, and the long difficult road of trying to understand a loss that can never fully make sense.

It’s a deeply emotional and courageous conversation, shining a light on the reality so many people live with behind closed doors and the importance of compassion, support, and speaking openly about mental health.

For more information on grief retreats and support, visit www.griefireland.com.

At a time of year that’s already so emotional for so many Kitty speaks with incredible honesty about the shock of that night, the grief that follows a sudden death, and the empty space her mam has left behind every day since.

In this episode in collaboration with the Road Safety Authority, we also talk about the devastating impact of drunk driving and the lives changed forever by one decision behind the wheel.

For more information on grief retreats and workshops please visit www.griefireland.com.

In our conversation Matthew speaks openly about going silent after losing his brother believing he had to “just get on with it.” He shares how damaging that silence became and why reaching out talking and seeking support is so important.

It’s an honest, powerful episode with a message that so many people need to hear.

For more information on grief retreats, visit www.griefireland.com.

Each episode takes listeners inside the work of the Garda Technical Bureau, showing how real investigations are built from the ground up. It’s detailed, compelling, and grounded in the realities of what happens behind the headlines.

If you’re looking for a true crime show with substance and heart, this is the one to start.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3EzGXohKAgAo9iu9ADiHgU?si=g9f6uACxRTWuHJi069w2qg

In this powerful and deeply emotional conversation, Niamh speaks about the unimaginable pain of losing a child in such violent circumstances. She opens up about the ripple effect of male-on-male violence, the stigma that still surrounds it, and the devastating reality faced by families left behind.

We also speak about the court process, the search for justice, and the strength it takes to keep going when life has been forever changed.

⚠️ Please note: this episode contains discussion of violent loss, trauma, and grief that some listeners may find distressing.

For more information on grief retreats and support, visit www.griefireland.com

But behind her calm and creative world lies a story of deep loss. Victoria spoke to me about losing her dad to suicide when she was young and the heartbreak, and complexity that came with it. She also shared her experience of living with endometriosis and the grief of multiple miscarriages.

It’s a powerful and emotional conversation about love, loss, and the courage to keep rebuilding in every sense of the word.

For more information on grief retreats, visit www.griefireland.com.

In this deeply honest conversation Valerie speaks about how her life changed after their deaths, the layers of loss, the moments of understanding, and the unimaginable difference between losing a partner and losing a child.

It’s a raw, brave, and deeply human episode one that reminds us how vital compassion, awareness, and support are for those living with such pain.

The views and experiences shared in this episode are those of the guest and reflect her personal perspective. They are not statements of fact about any other individual or family. The conversation is shared for the purpose of understanding and awareness around grief and loss.

For more information on grief retreats, visit www.griefireland.com.

Meagan speaks with courage about the shock and devastation of her family’s loss, the ongoing fight for answers, and the lasting impact of what happened. She also reflects on the inquest process and the change she hopes will come so that no other family has to endure the same pain.

It’s an emotional and powerful conversation about loss, accountability, and love.

For more information about Grief Retreats visit www.griefireland.com

I sit down with Jacinta McIntyre, who lost her sister Sarah in a car crash caused by a careless driver. Sarah was a passenger in the car which claimed the life of the young girl and the driver, a mum of 7 children. Sarah's death changed Jacinta’s life forever.

More than two decades later Jacinta speaks about the grief that never leaves, the ripples of loss that touch every part of a family, and her hope that sharing Sarah’s story might help save others from the same heartbreak.

For more information on Road Safety visit WWW.RSA.IE

For more information on Grief Retreats visit WWW.GRIEFIRELAND.COM

Caitlin speaks honestly about the shock of his death, the guilt she carries knowing he was alone when he passed, and the dark days that followed. It’s a deeply emotional and powerful conversation about love, loss, and the pain of trying to move forward when your world has changed forever.

We also have one of the most open and powerful conversations I’ve ever had about mental health. Shauna talks about the darkness she faced, the weight of it all, and how she found the strength to climb back out of that hole.

This is a deeply moving episode one that will resonate with anyone who has faced the unimaginable and struggled to keep going.

For more information on Grief retreats visit www.griefireland.com

Darragh shares openly about the aftermath of her passing , the grief, the change, and how isolating it can feel when people don’t fully understand. His words offer an important insight into the impact of loss, especially for young people navigating grief.

For more information on THE GRIEF WORKSHOP visit www.griefireland.com

It’s an honest and powerful conversation that I think so many will connect with, and one that sheds light on how children grieve and can feel so different in a world with no parents.

For more information on the Grief Workshop tickets are now available on www.griefireland.com

My guest is Laura Hynes who shares her heartbreaking story of being in a car crash caused by a driver under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Four people were in that car and two lost their lives including Laura’s boyfriend Brendan.

Laura speaks with honesty about the devastation of that night, the grief that followed, and the lasting impact of losing Brendan in such a sudden and preventable way. It’s a powerful reminder of the lives shattered by drink driving, and why these conversations matter.

For more information on the Road Safety Authority please visit https://www.rsa.ie/

For more information on THE GRIEF WORKSHOP please visit www.griefireland.com

She speaks honestly about the impact of grief in its many forms, how it has shaped her life, and the different ways loss can be carried. Abaigéal also shares some of her own poetry, powerful words that bring comfort, honesty, and connection for anyone navigating grief.

You can find Abaigéal on Instagram @poetry_by_abaigeal and you can also buy her poetry book directly from this link here https://abaigeal-warfield.sumupstore.com/product/sea-of-grief-booklet

Visit www.griefireland.com for more information on upcoming Grief Retreats

Fostered out, PJ grew up carrying the loss of his mother, a wound that shaped his life. In time he began to search for his birth mother but alongside the love he had for her came anger and grief for what had been stolen from them both.

This conversation shines a light on the deep impact of the Mother and Baby Homes, and on PJ’s journey of loss, love, and survival.

*Very brief mention of abuse

For more information on Grief Retreats visit www.griefireland.com

Thank you to this episodes supporters Feeling stuck in your body? Grief can weigh heavily on us physically as well as emotionally. If you're ready to try gentle movement from home Ecofitness by Korina Duffy is offering listeners a 30-day free trial. Move at your own pace, in your own space, even in your pyjamas. 💚 Sign up here: ⁠https://coach.everfit.io/package/QJ743362⁠ 🎙️ This episode was brought to you and recorded at GK Media Studio. They also offer a beautiful Legacy Package where you can record your own personal or family podcast, capture memories with a loved one, or tell your story in your own words.They can even travel to you. 📼 Learn more here: ⁠https://www.gkmedia.ie/legacy⁠ For more information on Grief Retreats visit ⁠www.griefireland.com⁠

üíö Sign up here: https://coach.everfit.io/package/QJ743362

🎙️ This episode was recorded at GK Media Studio. They also offer a beautiful Legacy Package where you can record your own personal or family podcast, capture memories with a loved one, or tell your story in your own words. They can even travel to you.

📼 Learn more here: https://www.gkmedia.ie/legacy For more information on Grief Retreats visit www.griefireland.com