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EP15: Jake Weidenfeld: Grief, Guardianship, and Growing up Too Soon: A Candid Conversation With My Younger Brother
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What does it feel like to lose a parent when you’re 12 years old? How does a grieving teen begin to understand guardianship, money, and the weight of adult responsibilities before high school even starts?
Justin Weidenfeld is joined by his younger brother Jake Weidenfeld to talk about growing up in the shadow of loss and what he’s learned since. Jake shares the reality of being a grieving teen, trying to fit in at school, shutting down emotions, and later discovering that coping can take many different shapes. He also opens up about volunteering at Experience Camps and creating Grief Lift, a nonprofit built to give students the peer-to-peer support he once needed but didn’t have.
Their conversation doesn’t stop at emotions. Jake explains what it was like to have his inheritance tied up in a court-ordered guardianship and what he’s learning now as he pays his own way through college. His story raises bigger questions too: How do we prepare young people for financial independence? What role should family, community, and open conversations play in that process?
This episode reflects on how grief can change the pace of growing up and the responsibilities that come with it. Jake’s perspective is a reminder that even in loss there can be growth, connection, and purpose. He shows how young people can take experiences that feel overwhelming and slowly shape them into something that strengthens not only themselves but also the people around them.
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Introduction to The Currency of Grief
03:59 Jake’s Perspective as a Grieving Teen
07:18 The Day Jake Learned His Dad Died
11:47 Coping With Grief in Middle School
20:01 Creating Grief Lift for Students
27:34 Finding Support Beyond Therapy
32:39 Coping Strategies and WWDD Golf Tournament
48:34 Navigating Guardianship After Loss
55:12 Learning About Money at 18
01:09:31 The College Application Process While Grieving
01:22:45 Taking Responsibility for College Tuition
01:28:45 Experience Camps and the Power of Community
01:34:15 Jake’s Words of Wisdom for Grieving Kids
Connect with Jake Weidenfeld:
Crafting the Perfect Pitch: The Art of Storytelling in Social Entrepreneurship
Connect with Justin Weidenfeld:
Connect with Justin on LinkedIn
Follow The Currency of Grief on LinkedIn
Follow The Currency of Grief on Instagram
Follow The Currency of Grief on TikTok
Subscribe to The Currency of Grief on YouTube
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
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