Where's The Grief?

This episode is Exta-Jordanary! This first in-person interview I did in over a year is with my good friend Jordan Hawkes, who lost both of her parents in a car accident when she was just 3 years old. We talk about what it was like to grow up in the shadow of grief that permeated the rest of the family that helped raise her. We also talk about how we find our identities after trauma. Follow Jordan on IG @JordanANoel Check out http://www.streetheroinesfilm.com/ to learn more about her upcoming documentary and follow @StreetHeroines Follow ME across all social media @WheresTheGrief WheresTheGrief@gmail.com  

This interview was a long time coming! After several years of talking about having him on, comedian James Alexander finally had time to talk with me about a variety of losses, including one of his best friends years ago, as well as his father and other family members over the past year. We talk about how different each loss hits us, and the importance of staying true to ones self in spite of circumstances.  Follow James on Twitter @JamesAlexander1 Follow me on Twitter and IG @WheresTheGrief WheresTheGrief@gmail.com

In this episode, I talk with Author Dawn Newton about her new book, "The Remnants Of Summer," a coming of age novel about a young Michigan girl who loses her brother in a tragic drowning accident.  Beginning this book before the death of both of her parents, Dawn put it on the back burner while working on other projects, including "Winded: A Memoir in 4 Stages." We talk about the different ways we create narrative out of the chaos of our circumstances, and how important it is to give ourselves the time to process our grief. Learn more about Dawn and get the book at https://dawnmarienewton.com Follow me @WheresTheGrief

In this episode I talk with NYTimes bestselling author Adam Mansbach about his new book, "I Had A Brother Once. A Poem. A Memoir." Shortly after Adam's brother died by suicide, his first book became number one in the world, creating something of a double life - One who was mourning the loss of his brother and another whose public persona was on a global media tour. We also talk about how artists find ways to filter their grief through their work. Find out more about Adam and ALL his books at http://www.adammansbach.com Follow me across social media @WheresTheGrief WheresTheGrief@gmail.com

In this episode I interview comedian and writer Genevieve Joy! We talk about a diverse number of friends that she has lost over the years, and how our relationship to our own mortality changes over time. We also talk about how important it is to give ourselves permission to actively deal with our emotional hurdles. Follow Genevieve on IG @CatFightJoy Check out http://www.genevievejoy.com/ to learn more about her Podcasts and upcoming events! Follow ME across all social media @WheresTheGrief Email me at WheresTheGrief@gmail.com

In this episode I talk with comedian Mick Diflo about a number of losses he has experienced over the years, including both his parents, two siblings, a niece and a nephew. Coming from a family that didn't always express their feelings to one another, Mick has managed to find new ways to acknowledge the difficulties and use humor to negotiate an ever adapting approach to life and death. Follow Mick online at https://mickdiflo.com Follow ME online @WheresTheGrief on twitter and IG Email me at WheresTheGrief@gmail.com  

In this episode I talk with comedian and fellow podcaster Andrew Steiner! We talk the difficulty we can have in feeling as though we are properly expressing our grief, and how to deal with our struggles when everyone we know only shares their successes. We also talk about the ways in which we prioritize content creation versus promotion, and the power of passion projects. Check out Andrews podcast Knowledge Daddies! Watch the show on YouTube!  Follow me @WheresTheGrief on twitter and IG WheresTheGrief@gmail.com 

Huzzah! This is the first episode I actually recorded after a 3 month hiatus, and also the first episode I've done where we don't deal with the loss of a person, but rather the loss of a whole way of life, of BEING. It felt appropriate to start up again by talking with my good friend Michael Wasserman, a teacher (among other things) who had already been trying to put his life back together when the pandemic hit. We talk about the nature of grief itself, and the different ways that we are all experiencing a sense of loss over the past year.  Follow me @WheresTheGrief on twitter and IG WheresTheGrief@gmail.com 

In this episode I interview comedian and fellow podcaster Jenn Welch! After the death of her father, Jenn found her own ways of coping by being open and creative about her loss. We talk about her Dead Dad Tinder account, and the impact it can have when we take ownership of our own issues. We also talk about how great it is to have a community that welcomes expression, even when it's not funny. Check out Jenn's podcast LadyHD - A Podcast for distractable women! Follow her @JennWelchNow and @LadyHDPod Follow ME on IG and Twitter @WheresTheGrief  Email me anytime at WheresTheGrief@gmail.com

In this episode, I interview Author and fellow bereavement speaker Allison Gilbert! After losing both of her parents at a young age, Allison found solace in being able to tell her story of overcoming the depths of her grief, and in helping others find their own path as well. We talk about the importance of community, and how just being genuine with people, even when dealing with them on a professional level, can create lasting bonds and new perspectives. Follow all things Allison at AllisonGilbert.com! Additionally, Allison has offered listeners of WTG an exclusive discount on her online courses - Use Promo Code EARLYBIRD !

Hello to 2021! What a crazy year it has been for all of us. In addition to the pandemic fatigue we are all collectively feeling, life and death continue to go on. I wanted to take this opportunity to check in on myself and bring you up to speed on how the podcast is going, and the resources that are out there should you need more.  After a brief hiatus, and dealing with some fresh personal grief of my own, I am back at it with new episodes!  PLEASE RATE/REVIEW THE SHOW! If you have ANY questions or concerns, or you just want to send me a nice personal note, feel free to reach out at WheresTheGrief@gmail.com Thank you all for listening! Jordon Ferber

Huzzah! In this episode, I finally sat down for a full hour with my good friend Luciana Rossi!  A registered nurse, and a fellow bereaved sibling, Luci and I met over a decade ago at The Compassionate Friends (TCF) national conference. Luci lost her brother Doug when she was a baby, and her other brother Tony in 2009. She has become a much needed voice in the bereavement community, a leader in the TCF world, and a trusted friend and confidant to me over the years. I am very honored to have her in my life! Follow Luci on IG @CrafyLulu Check out https://www.compassionatefriends.org for find TCF in your area and online.

In this episode, I interview comedian and improv performer Ronny Pasquale! It's been 15 years since Ronny's mother died at the age of 39, when Ronny himself was just 20. He has since managed to combine parts of his pain with his love of dead-mother jokes as a way to cope with the difficult parts of life without her.  We talk about how important being about to have tough conversations can be, as well as just how tough it can be to write jokes about topics the audience might be trying NOT to think about. Follow Ronny on Twitter and IG @RonnyPascale

I don't know who NEEDS to hear this episode right now, but I hope it's a lot! Here's my interview with comedian Myq Kaplan, who manages to create humor out of the intersection of wordplay and philosophy. Enjoy an in depth discussion about the ways that human nature has us alternately hide/express our true feelings, and the power of truly connecting with other humans. Follow Myq at @myqkaplan across social media, or HERE! Check out his podcast Broccoli and Ice Cream! Get Myq's Album AKA here! 

In this episode, I sat down to talk with Ken Levy and Sam Feldman, two of the founders of The National Widowers Organization. Having each lost their wives, both Sam and Ken struggled to find a place where widowers (and men in general) were allowed to be vulnerable and open about their feelings, leading to them stepping up to help others while helping themselves. Check out the National Widowers Organization here!

In this episode, I welcome fellow grief podcaster, Jayme Ails! After the death of her mother to cancer 4 years ago, Jayme struggled to find her way, and ultimately started a podcast about grief (and how the fuck to deal with it) called Grief Unfiltered! We talk about the importance of semantics, and of cutting through the BS to get to a real conversation, especially about difficult topics. Follow Jayme on IG @GriefUnfiltered! 

Jason Rosenthal is a widower who became nationally known after his wife wrote a heart-wrenching column days before her death. He is now sharing his insight about love, loss and living again in his new memoir, "My Wife Said You May Want To Marry Me." We talk about the importance of family support, and the need to connect with people, as well as how to carry someones legacy forward while also creating a legacy of ones own. Go to jasonbrosenthal.com to find out more about Jason, and where to get the book! Follow him on IG @JasonBRosenthal

In this episode, I interview comedian AMarie Castillo to talk about the difficulties of losing her best friend. After her best friend Bex was murdered last year, AMarie struggled to make sense of not just what happened, but how to find a peaceful way forward. We talk about the importance of the family we choose and the community we have to support us. Follow Amarie on all social media @Part_Time_Bro

In this episode, I interview comedian Sharon Simon! A veteran of the NYC standup community, Sharon has dealt with a number of losses, including her mother 10 years ago, and more recently an aunt and her cousin. We talk about how important it is to have a space to speak your truth and claim ownership of your story. We also talk about the difficulties of having to grieve during quarantine.  Follow Sharon's YouTube page Simon Says Laugh! Follow her online at SimonSaysLaugh.com  

In this episode, I interview Mary FitzGerald, CEO of the Eluna Network, a non-profit that supports children and families impacted by grief or addiction. No stranger to loss herself, Mary’s brother Dennis died not too long before she became a mother, as well as beginning to find her reluctant calling in the field of grief and mental health support. We talk about how important having peer support can be, and how much kids AND adults benefit just from having their issues acknowledged. Go to https://elunanetwork.org/ to find out more about support in your area. Follow Eluna on FB!