Podcast on Loss & Overcoming Grief Comforts Listeners

Simonie Levy and Greer Mendel are helping others navigate their way through grief with their podcast, “Grief & Grit: From Heartache to High-Fives with a Dash of Sass,” which can currently be heard on Spotify, Apple and other streaming services.

Both Levy and Mendel are widows – Levy for 16 years and Mendel for three – and personally understand the complexities and emotions surrounding tremendous loss. Their goal is to help others deal with grief, whether caused by the death of a loved one, end of a relationship, loss of a home, finances, or even a dream.

“We want to support, enlighten and empower others. I tell people that in time you can thrive and experience joy and gratitude, even though you experienced a significant loss,” said Levy.

The “grit” in the podcast’s name was chosen for two reasons, according to the women. First, grits are a popular, especially comforting, Southern food. The women hope the podcasts will be consoling for the listeners. Second, a person with grit exhibits courage and resolve, a much-needed trait for overcoming adversity.

Levy and Mendel met in August of 2023, about two years after the death of Mendel’s husband, Jarrod. A mutual friend thought Levy could be helpful since she had dealt with the same circumstance many years earlier. The two hit it off immediately, with Mendel describing it as “love at first sight,” and they have been close friends ever since.

Levy finds joy in a walk with her beautiful labradoodle, Rosie.

“While grief is universal, it is the most isolating experience,” said Mendel. “During each episode, Simonie and I want to make people feel less alone,” she added.

Podcast topics covered to date include pregnancy and infant loss, creating new traditions, navigating the first year of loss, and surviving (and thriving) through milestone occasions. Through sharing their own personal stories, Levy and Mendel hope to create a community of support and reach others so they do not feel so alone.

“We want to normalize grief. Many people do not know how to deal with death. We want others to know it is good to share stories about loved ones who have passed away. We want our children to hear stories about their fathers. It helps keep their memory with us. Through the podcasts, we want to create a space of comfort and hope for a heavy topic. People can still smile and laugh, and the path will become easier as time passes,” Levy emphasized.

Mendel shared that she replicated life-sized photos of her husband throwing their children in the air. She placed them in the children’s playroom as a way to keep him in her children’s lives, especially since they were so young when he passed away.

During a long conversation with both of the podcasters they offered a myriad of insightful suggestions to help people overcome and deal with loss and grief, including:
* There is no timeline for grief. Keep in mind that the process of grieving becomes easier with time.
* There is no prescribed way to experience grief. Each person’s approach will be different.
* Find “your people” who can be there to support you during difficult times.
* Participate in activities that bring you joy, such as walking your dog, journaling, reading or playing a sport.
* Ask for help. Especially during the time immediately following a loss, be clear with others about what is needed, whether meal preparation, picking up children from school, completing forms or running errands.
* Allow yourself to feel all emotions. Whether happy or sad, just sit and be in touch with your feelings.
* Use available resources, whether a therapist, support group or community resources.
* Share how you are feeling with your children. They will then feel free to express their emotions instead of bottling them up inside.
* As time passes, celebrate milestone occasions with happiness and joy. Your loved one would want you to be happy. Comments like “Daddy/Bubbe/Mommy/etc. would be so proud of you,” are comforting to children.
* There is not a reason why this loss happened to you. You will survive and become more resilient.

Mendel’s playroom features large photos of her late husband, Jarrod, with their children.

“I have learned that there are no answers as to why a loss happens. Sadness will ebb and flow, but I tell others to try not to let the tide of sadness pull you back. I can assure people experiencing a loss that they can move forward and create meaningful lives for themselves,” stressed Levy.

“Some say we do not move on, but we must move forward,” said Mendel. “Celebrate the small wins. In the beginning, even getting out of bed is a small victory,” she added.

As Levy and Mendel turned to leave, Levy gave these parting words, “Gratitude and grief can co-exist after all.” Mendel added, “I am grateful for the time I did have with Jarrod.”

Though both women went through a life-changing trauma, Levy and Mendel agreed they had both found a resilience they did not know they had.

For more information on “Grief & Grit” or to listen to a podcast, visit griefandgritpodcast.com or email griefandgritpodcast@gmail.com.