Our Dead Dads Child Loss, Addiction, and Resilience in Grief with Kathy Julien - Episode 44
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WHO THIS EPISODE HELPS: Parents grieving a child, families facing addiction, and anyone seeking hope in the aftermath of devastating loss.
WHAT LISTENERS WILL GET: Insight into grief recovery, how to honor a child’s legacy, and ways to channel pain into healing, service, and community.
DESCRIPTION:
In this deeply moving episode, host Nick Gaylord welcomes Kathy Julien, a trailblazing jet pilot and mother who lost her 24-year-old son Eric to the devastating mix of addiction and diabetes. Kathy shares her raw story of child loss, addiction struggles, and the ongoing grief that forever changes a parent. Listeners will hear how she fought for her son through multiple rehabs, survived the heartbreak of his decline during COVID, and found ways to process unimaginable pain. From creating a tree memorial at his skate park to launching her podcast Another Empty Kitchen, Kathy reveals how grief can transform into connection, advocacy, and purpose. This episode is about loss, resilience, and building a legacy of love in the face of tragedy.
This episode answers:
- How do parents cope after losing a child to addiction and illness?
- What role does community support play in processing grief?
- How can grief be transformed into purpose and legacy?
- What strategies help parents avoid being consumed by depression after child loss?
- How can creating a foundation or podcast help honor a child’s memory?
Key Takeaways:
- Grief after child loss never disappears but can fuel purpose.
- Addiction is a disease, not a moral failure.
- Memorials and rituals create living legacies for lost children.
- Transforming pain into service helps parents survive devastating grief.
- Sharing stories publicly can connect grieving families worldwide.
CHECK OUT KATHY'S PODCAST - ANOTHER EMPTY KITCHEN
WEBSITE: https://www.anotheremptykitchen.com - Click into the website and select "PODCAST" at the top
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