In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with our friend and grief advocate, Leslie Weirich, whose decades-long journey through caregiving and loss has shaped her mission to bring hope and understanding to others. From caring for aging parents and siblings to navigating unimaginable personal tragedies, Leslie’s story offers both powerful perspective and practical wisdom for anyone touched by grief or the caregiving experience.

We explore the parallels between caregiving and grief, the importance of creating supportive workplaces, and why connection truly is protection. Leslie shares the inspiration behind her book The Gift of Grief, along with candid thoughts on why traditional bereavement policies fall short and how employers can better support their people. Whether you’re a caregiver, an HR leader, or someone walking through loss, this conversation will leave you with hope, tools, and a renewed sense of community.

Leslie Weirich has been speaking on the topic of Mental Health, Suicide Prevention and Grief since 2017. She often says, “She didn’t choose this work, but this work chose her.” Through her own experiences, she discovered the transformative power of grief, learning to navigate the complexities of loss and uncovering the resilience that emerges from pain. Her commitment to mental health support is deeply personal, having been greatly affected by the loss of her son. On September 10, 2016, her door bell rang at 2:30 in the morning and changed her life forever. Her 20-year-old son Austin died by suicide while a Junior at Wabash College in Crawfordsville, IN. She resigned from her full-time job as a recruiter and began speaking throughout the nation and never looked back. She wrote "The Gifts of Grief," in 2024, which details her journey through four decades of personal loss.

Episode Highlights:

[2:55] – Introducing Leslie Weirich and her background in caregiving and advocacy.
[5:00] – Leslie’s early caregiving journey with her parents and brothers.
[8:25] – Turning personal loss into advocacy and public speaking.
[10:41] – Writing The Gift of Grief and the healing process behind it.
[14:25] – Caregivers and the risk of suicidal ideation — why connection matters.
[17:09] – “Connection is protection” and practical systems that lighten the caregiver’s load.
[19:34] – How managers can support employees during and after caregiving.
[22:25] – Rethinking the three-day bereavement policy.
[28:32] – Expected vs. unexpected loss and the unique support each requires.
[32:22] – Grieving with hope and carrying forward the legacy of loved ones.
[33:21] – Where to connect with Leslie online.

Links & Resources:

• Leslie’s website: https://leslieshope.org/
• Leslie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-weirich-a55a73159/
• Book: The Gift of Grief by Leslie Weirich
• Cornerstone of Hope: https://cornerstoneofhope.org/
• Leslie's website: https://leslieshope.org/
• https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mental-health-breakthroughs-for-young-adults-families/id1653016005
• Michael George The Pink Book https://www.soaringfamilies.com/PinkBook
• Bereave: https://www.bereave.io/