Sunflowers & Red Feathers

  Interview Series: Megan Hillikka @cultivatedfamily Megan lost her daughter, Aria, in 2016. She learned during her own grief journey that allowing herself to grieve and letting her painful emotions in made her grief become lighter. She ran to physically get the energy out and remembers sobbing so hard it felt like her chest was ripping apart. She calls these experiences and trying times, doing “grief work.” She believes that doing the “grief work” - allowing and processing your grief - is the only way to find joy and happiness after child loss. Now she has her own podcast called, Grieving Moms Podcast. Megan has workshops that walk you through meditations, tapping, and other methods to process your grief. She also does one-on-one coaching and guidance. You definitely want to listen to this episode!  Find her workshop at: www.stoptalkingstartfeeling.com Website & Podcast: www.meganhillukka.com/podcast -Sunflowers & Red Feathers Check out our  flowpage  to see how you can #wat

Alex Plaumann About Sudden Loss In this episode, we had Alex Plaumann from Judy’s Way Incorporated as a guest. Alex and his brother started Judy’s Way Incorporated in honor of their mother. She died in a car accident in April 2020. Judy’s Way Inc is a non-profit that provides grief support and financial assistance for families who are dealing with funeral expenses, which for some, can be very unexpected and overwhelming in an already difficult time. Alex understands and has experienced this type of sudden loss and empathizes for those that are dealing with that and the need to plan and pay for a funerary costs. Judy's Way Inc is such a beautiful tribute to his mother and we enjoyed talking with Alex. Sudden losses are rarely planned for. Loved ones left behind are often left with the quick planning and unexpected financial stresses for funeral arrangements and carrying out the wishes of their loved one, if any. The more aware people are of programs such as Judy's Way Inc, the b

  Getting Personal: A Look Into Our Stories  There are many similarities in our grief stories and the ways our children died. That’s one of the reasons that we, Steffanie and Kristina have bonded. We now have the same fear, the same anxiety. Water. Drowning. And, especially seeing children near swiftly moving water. It’s a trigger for us because of our trauma. We aren’t talking about triggers in this episode though, we wanted to talk about how the places in which our trauma happened were - are - beautiful places. They were our “happy places”. How can something so beautiful - the great outdoors, water, God’s wonderful works of art - bring so much pain and anxiety now? Will that ever change? This episode covers our stories from the days our children passed. Obviously, there is so much more we could say about that day but this a look into our "worst day ever" and some of the emotions that we had. Grab a box of tissues if you need to. We share our stories in hopes that you woul

  Listen to our Portraits of Grief Podcast Interview Sunflowers & Red Feathers:   Child Loss, Deeply Bereaved Yet Encouraged Episode Description: Special guests Kristina and Steffanie from the online community and blog cast “Sunflowers and Red Feathers,” join us to share their parallel grief stories. After both going through the unimaginable of losing a child during the same year, Kristina & Steffanie found friendship in each other. Together as bereaved mothers and friends, these inspiring two have created a beautiful, safe space to encourage and support other bereaved parents. And, talk truths about child loss. A touching episode you won’t want to miss. @portraits_of_grief