I’m honored to welcome Jessica Correnti to the podcast today. Jessica is a certified Child Life Specialist and grief expert who brings both professional insight and deeply personal experience to our conversation. She shares her journey through multiple pregnancy losses and how those experiences have shaped her compassionate approach to grief support. We explore the importance of validating grief, creating lasting memories, and nurturing continuing bonds after a loss—especially in the context of child and family bereavement. Jessica also offers a closer look at her work with children facing difficult experiences and discusses the helpful tools and books she’s created to support both kids and adults on their grief journey.

Jessica Correnti is a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS), author, bereaved mom, and grief specialist. She has written four children's books: The ABCs of Grief, The ABCs of Grief: Emotions & Feelings, Forever Connected, and the forthcoming third and final book in The ABCs of Grief series (title to be released soon, publishing in early 2026).

She is the founder and owner of Kids Grief Support, a private practice providing therapeutic sessions to grieving children and families across the globe through expressive activities, developmentally appropriate diagnosis and grief education, and other support to aid in processing and coping with various grief experiences.

As a leading expert in children’s grief, her work has been featured in Oprah Daily, People Magazine, Motherly, CNBC, Good Morning Washington, New York Family Magazine, Great Day Washington, and others. You can find Jessica on Instagram @kidsgriefsupport and www.kidsgriefsupport.com.

Holly Gainsboro, founder of Golden Heart Grief Support& Education, is a certified grief support specialist/coach andcertified grief educator. Following the death of her latehusband, Steven, Holly felt pulled to be present for others experiencing their own losses—not just pertaining to death, but any event that may result in a grief response. She guides those who have suffered losses by helping them navigate their way through grief, transitioning them to a place of joy and hope. Holly also facilitates grief support groups, and grief education workshops. She is thrilled to co-host Creating Space for Grief & Hope with her dear friend and colleague Elizabeth Catignani. You can learn more on her website: https://www.goldenheartgrief.com

Elizabeth Catignani is a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist, Certified Creative Grief Coach, and founder of the online platform Her Creative Wellness. After experiencing baby loss and young widowhood by the age of 27, Elizabeth has made it her mission to support and empower others on their own unique path through loss and healing. She is the author of “Creative Grieving: A Hip Chick’s Path from Loss to Hope” (available on Amazon and Audible) and “The Creative Grieving Workbook” (now available on Apple Books). You can learn more on her website: https://www.hercreativewellness.com

In this heartfelt episode, I welcome friend and fellow advocate Shawn Carey, who opens up about the devastating loss of his mother, Wendy, to glioblastoma. From the early days of her misdiagnosis to the strength she displayed throughout her illness, Shawn reflects on the legacy Wendy left behind. Together, he and Holly talk candidly about navigating terminal illness, the unique grief of losing aparent, and how honoring a loved one’s memory can take many forms. Shawn shares how his advocacy work has helped him find healing—and how the brain tumor community, though born of tragedy, has become a place of deep connection and purpose.

Shawn Carey is a dedicated advocate and former care partner for his mother, Wendy, who passed away from Glioblastoma in 2018. Since her passing, Shawn has worked to bring meaningful change for brain tumor patients and their care partners. Focusing on the care partner experience, he regularly advocates on Capitol Hill for increased funding to further research and treatment options. Through his advocacy work, Shawn has partnered with many organizations, including StacheStrong and the National Brain Tumor Society.

Shawn earned his Bachelors degree from Wilkes University in Communications Studies and currently works as a public relations and communications professional. His past professional experience includes financial services, product marketing and most recently healthcare. He currently resides in Binghamton, NY.

Holly Gainsboro, founder of Golden Heart Grief Support & Education, is a certified grief support specialist/coach and certified grief educator. Following the death of her late husband, Steven, Holly felt pulled to be present for others experiencing their own losses—not just pertaining to death, but any event that may result in a grief response. She guides those who have suffered losses by helping them navigate their way through grief, transitioning them to a place of joy and hope. Holly also facilitates grief support groups, and grief education workshops. She is thrilled to co-host Creating Space for Grief & Hope with her dear friend and colleague Elizabeth Catignani. You can learn more on her website: https://www.goldenheartgrief.com

Elizabeth Catignani is a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist, Certified Creative Grief Coach, and founder of the online platform Her Creative Wellness. After experiencing baby loss and young widowhood by the age of 27, Elizabeth has made it her mission to support and empower others on their own unique path through loss and healing. She is the author of “Creative Grieving: A Hip Chick’s Path from Loss to Hope” (available on Amazon and Audible) and “The Creative Grieving Workbook” (now available on Apple Books). You can learn more on her website: https://www.hercreativewellness.com

Join Holly and Elizabeth as they discuss when anger arises on one's grief journey. Although not experienced by everyone, anger is not unusual when grieving. Anger is often a protection mechanism for underlying feelings, and it’s important to acknowledge and honor what is coming up for you. Holly and Elizabeth share their own experiences with anger, why anger may surface in relation to loss, as well as helpful tools and techniques for releasing anger in a healthy and supported way.

Holly Gainsboro, founder of Golden Heart Grief Support& Education, is a certified grief support specialist/coach andcertified grief educator. Following the death of her latehusband, Steven, Holly felt pulled to be present for others experiencing their own losses—not just pertaining to death, but any event that may result in a grief response. She guides those who have suffered losses by helping them navigate their way through grief, transitioning them to a place of joy and hope. Holly also facilitates grief support groups, and grief education workshops. She is thrilled to co-host Creating Space for Grief & Hope with her dear friend and colleague Elizabeth Catignani. You can learn more on her website: https://www.goldenheartgrief.com

Elizabeth Catignani is a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist, Certified Creative Grief Coach, and founder of the online platform Her Creative Wellness. After experiencing baby loss and young widowhood by the age of 27, Elizabeth has madeit her mission to support and empower others on their own unique path through loss and healing. She is the author of “Creative Grieving: A Hip Chick’s Path from Loss to Hope” (available on Amazon and Audible) and “The Creative Grieving Workbook” (now available on Apple Books). You can learn more on her website: https://www.hercreativewellness.com