Chapters (01:49) - Navigating Grief With Dr. Amanda McNeil (11:57) - Navigating Feelings of Grief AND Hope (20:12) Finding Balance in the Grieving Process (26:33) - Supporting Friends in Grief and Avoidance (34:24) Navigating Pain and Questioning God (39:59) - Nurturing Faith and Healing After Loss Podcast Summary Grief can feel like an isolating journey, but what if it could also be a path to purpose and understanding? Join us for a conversation with Dr. Amanda McNeil, a grief counselor who turned personal tragedy into a mission to help others navigate their own loss. As we share personal reflections on teenage emotions and the universal experience of feeling alone in our pain, Dr. McNeil offers her unique insights into the diverse ways grief can manifest. Listen as we explore the importance of recognizing and validating these differences, and how Dr. Amanda's journey from loss to leadership coaching inspires hope amidst darkness. Children often find it challenging to understand grief and loss, and our discussion reveals how movies and shows can mirror these intense emotions. We highlight the importance of meeting kids where they are emotionally, allowing them to express their feelings without rushing to soothe them with hope. By drawing from personal experiences, we highlight the balance between sadness and hope, underscoring empathy and emotional acknowledgment as key pathways to healing. The journey through grief is not just for children but for all of us, and we explore how these lessons can resonate with adults too. Supporting friends in grief can be a delicate task, especially when they turn to avoidance. Our conversation offers strategies for providing loving support and encouraging professional help without overwhelming those in pain. Through humor and honesty, we consider the impact of our wishes on loved ones, fostering a perspective that honors both the joy of life and the complexities of loss. Whether you're processing your grief or supporting someone else, this episode is a reminder that healing is a journey we undertake together. ********************* Support the Unlikely Housewives!  Represent with our UH Merch!bit.ly/unlikelymerch   Midwest Parent Educators: https://bit.ly/mpeuh25 If you are a first-time conference attendee, you qualify for their First-Time Family discount code. Even better - if you’re parents of preschoolers, you can get FREE conference admission by applying for the Parents of Preschoolers discount code. More details are on the webpage link. Sunlighten Sauna Sponsor: https://get.sunlighten.com/unlikely  Save up to $1700! Join our community on Facebook and connect with us on Instagram!  Write an apple review and YOUR review could be read on our next episode!  Hosted by Tori Shirah and Tracy Stine Contact us ➡️ UnlikelyJoCo@gmail.com