Grief And Light Podcast: Exploring Grief & Lighting The Way To Hope

Producing a podcast about grief and reconciliation is like balancing on the edge of a knife. Exquisite equilibrium is required and demanded by the guests and listeners. It's like that discomfort you feel when attending a viewing, and the stress of saying the right thing to the family of the deceased. 

If anyone can adopt the right emotional posture, say the right thing, empathize and sympathize, and educate her audience on dealing with grief, it's Nina Rodriguez, creator / host of The Grief and Light podcast. 

What I admire about Nina's skills is her ability to listen intently to her guests, empathize, ask exploratory questions about coping with grief, and then connect with guests. To be clear, this podcast is not a "tragedy of the week" show. Nina Rodriguez offers listeners solo episodes and guest interviews. Her guests are not only those who are grieving but professionals who can help people cope with grief, from psychologists to grief counselors. 

The Grief and Light podcast explores grief, loss, and life in the "after" openly, authentically. Nina Rodriguez says: "Our mission is to foster a grief-informed world, give a voice to the nuanced human experience of grief, and light the way for other grievers to feel hope as they navigate this reality." 

Nina created the Grief and Light Podcast after the sudden and unexpected loss of her only sibling, Yosef, as an authentic exploration of grief and life after loss. Through each conversation, she aims to give a voice to the griever’s experience, and foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world. 

Nine was a guest on Grief'd Up with Rebecca Feinglos. On the show,  | Nina Rodriguez shared her experience of the death of her little brother and only sibling, Yosef, at 32, to fentanyl poisoning. His death transformed her into a passionate advocate for grief support and stigmatized loss.

One of my favorite episodes is a solo episode from July 2, 2025, called
"The Grief of Uncertainty in Unprecedented Times." In this solo, audio-only episode, host Nina explores the unspoken grief many of us are carrying right now—the grief of uncertainty. 

In the episode, Nina says: "From political turmoil and climate anxiety, to the dizzying pace of technological change, we’re living in times that feel increasingly unsteady. This isn’t just stress; it’s a kind of ambient grief. It's the ache of losing the future we thought we were heading toward."

Nina summarizes: "The episode reflects on: Why uncertainty feels so destabilizing to our nervous systems, how ambient, ongoing grief impacts our sense of safety, the importance of slowing down to recalibrate and feel, what it means to find your anchor through ritual, rhythm, or aligned action, and how we can take meaningful action without burning out."

Nina reaches out to her listeners: "Whether you’re doomscrolling, feeling disoriented, or just trying to catch your breath, this conversation offers gentle perspective and practical footholds for staying grounded in chaotic times. If you’ve been quietly wondering, 'Is it just me?' this episode is for you."

Beyond the podcast, Nina extends her heart-centered support through The Community, grief-tending circles, 1:1 grief tending sessions, speaking engagements, active presence on social media, and Substack. In fact, her Substack is excellent and has one of the best newsletter names I've ever seen -- Resting Grief Face. The newsletter content is as good as, and better than, the inventive name. Check it out. 

Nina, who is based in South Florida, has been featured in various publications and podcasts, regularly contributes to Get Griefy Magazine, co-authored Resilient A.F.: Stories of Resilience (2025), and completed the Grief Care Professional Certificate Program under renowned psychotherapist and best-selling author of It's OK That You're Not OK, Megan Devine.

Nina Rodriguez is a grief-informed guide, storyteller, and creator of spaces where loss, reflection, and resilience meet. After the sudden and unexpected passing of her only sibling, Yosef (2019), she launched the Grief and Light podcast (2023) as an honest exploration of grief, life after loss, and post-traumatic growth. Her mission is to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world.

 As creator, host, and producer, she has built the show into a platform that amplifies griever voices, fosters compassionate understanding, and illuminates pathways forward, showing that grief is not something to “fix,” but something to tend, honor, and live with. The podcast is now approaching its 100th episode, has been recognized with a 2025 award from Women Who Podcast Magazine.

​An experienced speaker, Nina has presented on grief at the University of Miami, the 2025 Latinas in Podcasting Virtual Summit, and at events co-created with Reimagine, including a three-part series on sibling loss, grief and podcasting, pathways to grief support, among others. She has also hosted Reimagine’s monthly "Room for Grief" gathering on multiple occasions.

I admire her ability to build a sustainable business that helps people and the community. When you're an independent podcaster, such tactics are advisable and help sustain the podcaster. There are times when an indie podcast can build a legitimate business aligned with the podcast's central theme. 
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In episode 55, Nina welcomed Matt Gilhooly on grieving loved ones, pet loss, and healing through storytelling. Matt is the creator/host of The Life Shift podcast, which highlights life-altering moments and humanizes the struggles and triumphs through them all. The Life Shift won an Ear Worthy Award in 2024, and in April 2025, Matt received a notification from FeedSpot that The Life Shift had been named one of the 60 Best Life Changing Podcasts. 

On the show, which was an emotional roller coaster ride, Matt Gilhooly shared his profound journey through grief, beginning with the sudden loss of his mother at a young age. He reflected on how this pivotal moment shaped his life and the way he processes emotions. 

Nine says of the show: "The discussion delved into the complexities of grief, the impact of childhood trauma, and the perfectionist tendencies that can arise from a desire to mask pain. Matt also contrasted his experiences with anticipatory loss, particularly with his grandmother, highlighting the importance of open communication and the profound grief associated with losing his pet, Mikey." 

The show itself, The Grief and Light podcast, has a lot going for it. Sound design is clean, and the show's structure is thoughtfully organized. Nina plays a clip of the guest before the intro music and then does her opening and introduces her guest. That setup keeps loyal listeners returning and can entice new listeners. 

Nina is an excellent host, relying on honesty, sincerity, and a respect for her audience to attract listeners. There are plenty of podcasters from network-supported shows that offer therapy on their podcasts. While they may be professional, they lack the earnestness, honesty, attentiveness, and kindhearted approach that Nina Rodriguez seems to employ instinctively. 

 The Grief and Light podcast also has a solid video version, with a clear, straightforward video feed that avoids the YouTube shows where host and guest are surrounded by electronic equipment.

Finally, Nina does something I wish other indie podcasts would do, which is focusing on summarizing the episode and reminding 
listeners/viewers of actionable items. As humans, we have a limited capacity to retain information and attach it to action. These hour-long interviews on so many podcasts have a limited shelf life, as listeners who applaud them quickly forget the specifics of what was said. The core remains of the interview after some time has passed is nothing more than a generalized feeling.

Nina Rodriguez is smart and savvy for emphasizing a summary and reminders because it brings her audience back for more episodes. 

All of us suffer from grief at one time or another in our lives. The
 Grief and Light podcast can help anyone better manage that episode of grief. When the loss is profound, grief is not an emotion that easily fades away. It can remain for months, years, or a lifetime. Nina Rodriguez can help. 

Nina shares: "Grief can be a heavy subject. My intention is always to humanize it. To reflect what it sounds, looks and feels like to meet people exactly where they are, without masks, and in their most honest and vulnerable form, held with reverence and truth."

Finally, even if you are not personally suffering from grief, you probably know a loved one or friend who is. Even though our intentions may be pure, we make so many mistakes when trying to console someone and assist with their grief journey. In that case, listen to the Grief and Light podcast. 

You're not alone, Nina Rodriguez wants you to know. 

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