Category Archives: Emotional Challenges

The Mary Mac Show | Disenfranchised Grief I

The Mary Mac Show Podcast

In Episode 60, we delve into the trauma and pain mourners feel when they can’t fully express their loss after a loved one’s death.

There are so many situations where someone feels shame after a loved one’s death and cannot express their grief and pain because the relationship may not have the proper ‘label’ or the relationship has been so strained or secret.

Many types of death carry a stigma that society places on it and, consequently, many bereaved feel stifled in openly showing their grief.

Often times people make others feel less than or embarrassed when a person has overdosed, or took their own life, or was murdered or killed another and themselves in a vehicular homicide crash.

They convey that something is wrong with a woman who has a miscarriage or stillbirth or several.

It could be a secret gay relationship was never known and the surviving partner must keep that to themselves because their lover was married, perhaps even with children and only hurt with come to his family.

It might be an ex-spouse who caused all sorts of pain and your children are grieving his or her death, but where does your grief fit in?

This week we discuss many different types of disenfranchised grief and next week we will look at what we can do to soothe ourselves when we are dealing with such a death.

Additional Notes:

If you are feeling shame either because you’ve imposed it on yourself for what you “think” a certain death means to you, or because others are making your feel that way, you might find solace in this EFT Tapping Video by Arianna Opper, D.O. She has a very soothing voice and aura.

If you’d like to explore her other videos, please go here.

To see my signature Heart of Gold “I Remember” Mug, either for yourself or as a gift for someone grieving the death of a loved one, please go here. A portion of all proceeds help fund The Foundation for Grieving Children, Inc., the first national non-profit public charity which benefits children, teens, young adults after a loved one’s death.

Much Love,

Mary Mac xoxo

The Mary Mac Show | Dealing with Devastating Disappointment

The Mary Mac Show Podcast

In Episode 59, we discuss how those who claimed to have your back after the death of a loved one, slowly or abruptly exit your life and how others unexpectedly appear at your side.

It is very difficult to understand how people who are close to you in life can tell you one thing at the funeral when you are at your most vulnerable, only to reneg on you in the future.

It’s incomprehensible how the people, whose word you took as fact, fail to follow through for you.

In this episode we talk about how to handle this pain.

Additional Notes:

When you’ve had serious emotional blows, taking Bach’s Rescue Remedy can be very helpful. (Does contain alcohol, so be aware.) A few drops on your tongue and a short nap can calm you.

Also, you can find our new collections of creative products and gifts for yourself or others who are grieving at The Mary Mac Store. We also honor the military, law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs and other First Responders who have given the ultimate sacrifice. Visit and take a look around. Read the “About Us” page to learn more about how our shop was formed.

A portion of all sales goes to support The Foundation for Grieving Children, Inc., the first national non-profit public charity which benefits children, teens, young adults after a loved one’s death.

The Mary Mac Show | The Gift of Simplicity

The Mary Mac Show Podcast

In Episode 57, we discuss how simplifying our surroundings and the way we live our life can lead to a calmer everyday existence while we are working through our grieving process.

So often when we are grieving a significant individual in our lives, we don’t take the time to consider how we can simplify things so we don’t feel so overwhelmed.

In this episode we look at various ways to decrease our tasks and pressure. It helps us to think through this process and minimize our lifestyle so we release additional pressure that is not needed.

A website that I ran across recently helps us to scream out our frustration and anger. Go to Just Scream! A wonderful service where you call in to this telephone number and literally just scream into the phone and hang up. Very cathartic.

(561) 567-8431 – www.justscream.baby

The Mary Mac Show | Christmas and Hanukkah

The Mary Mac Show Podcast

In this week’s episode, we speak about Christmas, Hanukkah and other year-end holidays and how we can best navigate through them.

If this is the first year without your special loved one, there are many decisions that need to be made to help yourself get through them with the least amount of stress and anxiety.

You can also pick up my book Holiday Grief: How to Cope with Stress, Anxiety and Depression After a Loved One’s Death, available immediately to download.

Listen in to Episode 53 as we discuss how to help ourselves through the holidays and specific techniques to make this stressful time more emotionally manageable.

Bless you.

xoxo

The Mary Mac Show | The Gift of Thanksgiving

The Mary Mac Show Podcast

In this week’s episode, we speak about Thanksgiving.

Some other countries also celebrate this glorious day where we have a lovely feast of food and appreciate our family and friends.

But when we’ve experienced a loved one’s death, it can be a difficult holiday when someone very special is missing.

Listen in to Episode 51 to learn ways to enjoy your Thanksgiving, focusing on what we have versus what we are longing for.

And remember to pick up my ebook Holiday Grief: How To Cope With Stress, Anxiety and Depression After a Loved One’s Death right here on my site on the left hand margin.

Additional Notes:

Learn EFT, the Emotional Freedom Technique with Brad Yates.

Meditation Videos to help you rest. Choose which resonate with you.

Also, I hope you will help support my podcast by using the links on the site. It would be much appreciated.

Please share with anyone you know who might benefit from this knowledge. Also subscribe to my podcast on whichever podcast platform you listened in.

xoxo