All posts by MaryMac

MaryMac is a grief and bereavement specialist, host of The Mary Mac Show podcast, award-winning author, speaker, executive grief coach, consultant and founder of The Foundation For Grieving Children, Inc., the first national public charity of its kind which raises funds to assist, counsel, comfort and educate children, teens, young adults and their families after a loved one's death.

Announcing The Mary Mac Show | Understanding Your Grieving Heart After a Loved One’s Death

The Mary Mac Show Podcast

After much thought and many months of research and education of how to create a podcast, my show is finally here.

Decades ago I thought it would be wonderful to have a radio show on the grieving process after someone had died. I looked into it a few times and each time the cost was exorbitant.

As years passed and podcasting came about, I considered this media as a much better alternative for many reasons.

First, whatever I created could be hosted online forever for a much lesser charge.

Secondly, the work I did would be accessable to everyone, anywhere in the world they may be.

Thirdly, as time goes on, and a newly bereaved individual finds The Mary Mac Show, they will be able to start at the beginning or jump around to the episode which resonates with them for that period of time in their grieving process.

And lastly, it gave me a place to speak with the hurting directly, easily, intimately and share my over three decades of knowledge and lifelong pain from my own grief experiences.

So I’ve worked long days and nights over the last few months learning all I needed to know about how to set up a podcast. There is so much to learn!

The first person that needs thanking is Kayleigh Hanlin, co-Founder of Empowered Minds whom I met at a conference in September. Her organization helps children to live a life of self-love, self-acceptance and self-confidence through workshops and using their book The J.O.Y. Journal (Just Be You)!

She graciously introduced me to her cousin Justyn Bostick and his podcast Creating The Game. Justyn helped guide me through the podcast process and we had a wonderful conversation which led to an interview on his podcast.

Although I’ve never met them, I’d also like to thank Pat Flynn, whose site Smart Passive Income includes his podcasts The SPI Show and The Ask Pat Show. His videos on podcasting are outstanding.

John Lee Dumas‘ podcast, Entrepreneurs On Fire or Fire Nation, also has a detailed course on podcasting which was invaluable to me.

Yet the most important person to acknowledge is my David. His support and encouragement through these very long days made this possible. He listened through all the struggles, offered advice, and stayed awake till all hours of the night while I worked on the computer to create this baby. I am truly blessed to have him in my life. Thank you so much, David.

To all who helped my podcast become a reality, I appreciate your generosity of spirit.

Go to The Mary Mac Show to listen to my welcome podcast and learn more!

P.S. It is important to start with Episode 1 and work your way through. I have a method to my madness in that I incorporate several exercises within the first number of episodes which are foundational so even when the holidays have passed, please start from the beginning. Thank you.

Happy Thanksgiving

Especially at this time of year, although all year long, I want to say how grateful I am for you.

Dealing with the death of a loved one is a stressful process and I appreciate the trust you have in me.

As we begin to move into the holiday season, please be kind to yourself.

A very special surprise is coming on Sunday, December 8, 2019. I will keep you posted.

Meanwhile, enjoy this time with family and friends.

I will be thinking of you.

9/11 – 18 Years Later

As a native New Yorker, I had mixed feelings about visiting ground zero, the Freedom Tower and the 9/11 Memorial Museum. Years ago in 2005 I remember visiting when the pit was still there and all that you could see was the silver gate with the American Flag with all the names of those who died that day.

Yet when we finally did visit, I was mesmerized by all the artifacts and history and, of course, sorrow.

Here is what the Freedom Tower looks like today.  It’s the first of two that will grace the skyline of downtown Manhattan when they are finally finished.

I remember looking straight up to it as we stood very close and being amazed, just as I was amazed when I would be at street level and look up to the original Twin Towers.

I experienced three milestones in the Towers:  a celebratory dinner at Windows on the World with my parents the last night of classes finishing up my MBA, my engagement at the observatory deck, and my 40th birthday dinner also at Windows on the World.

I remember rifling through all my pictures to find those special photos and feeling grateful I did find them.

Here are some favorites from the 9/11 Museum:

White Rose on Victim's Birthday

They place white roses on the names of those who are having birthdays!

Andrew Fisher - WTC Victim

Andrew Fisher was the brother of Nina Fisher, who was high school friends with my brother.

Go here to see video of the grounds:  Original Footprint of WTC

This was the mangled reck of a FDNY truck!

This lady was the best tour guide!  If you take a head-set tour (and you certainly must do so), I hope you are fortunate to have her!

Here are two videos which show the details on the last piece of steel and the memorials placed on it.

Last Piece of Steel Part I

Last Piece of Steel in WTC Side 2

If you are able to visit New York and might be apprehensive to see all the history, please don’t.  It will inform you and make you so grateful that you live in the greatest nation on earth.

God Bless all those who survived, who were first responders, military who defend us, and those who died on September 11, 2001.

Dealing with the Homicide of a Loved One

Real Perspectives LogoAs many of you may know, many years ago my former husband’s daughter was murdered at the age of 11. This brought us on an 18 year journey to find her killer and another two years to see him brought to justice.

Recently I was a guest on LaTonya Moore’s radio show, Real Perspectives, where the conversation moved into how to not only handle grief after a murder, but other advice for how to more effectively move through the grieving process regardless of how your loved one died.

If you are dealing with the homicide death of a loved one, you may wish to listen in here.