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WHO THIS EPISODE HELPS: Anyone coping with the death of a parent or struggling with parenting while grieving will find validation, connection, and hope.

WHAT LISTENERS WILL GET: Insight into living with grief after losing a mother, how writing can support healing, and the importance of honoring legacy while navigating everyday life.

DESCRIPTION:
In this heartfelt episode of Our Dead Dads Podcast, host Nick Gaylord welcomes grief writer Chelsea Ohlemiller, who lost her mother Rita to cancer in 2017. Chelsea shares how grief reshaped her life as a mother, wife, and teacher, and how writing became her most powerful outlet. What began as journal entries evolved into Hope and Harsh Realities, a platform reaching over 200,000 grieving hearts, and her book Now That She’s Gone: A Daughter’s Reflection on Loss, Love, and a Mother’s Legacy. Together, Nick and Chelsea discuss identity after loss, the challenges of parenting without a parent, and the guilt and grace that come with finding joy after grief. Listeners will hear stories of family, second marriages, and even beloved pets that illustrate how grief touches every corner of life. This conversation is both tender and empowering, reminding us that grief is lifelong, unpredictable, and deeply human, yet it also carries hope, connection, and legacy.

This episode answers:

• What does grief feel like after losing a mother to cancer?
• How can writing help process grief and healing?
• What does it mean to parent children while grieving a parent?
• How do milestones like marriage or graduation trigger new grief waves?
• What role does legacy play in navigating grief?

Key Takeaways:

• Grief doesn’t end after the first year; it evolves with new life milestones.
• Writing can transform private pain into healing for a wider community.
• Parenting without a parent carries unique challenges and ongoing grief.
• Joy, humor, and even pets play a role in grief resilience.
• Honoring legacy helps balance harsh realities with hope and healing.

CHELSEA'S LINKS:

Website: www.hopeandharshrealities.com

Facebook: @hopeandharshrealities

Instagram: @hopeandharshrealities

TikTok: @chelseaohlemiller

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