In this episode, Holly Gainsboro speaks with Caroline Williams, a 37-year-old yoga instructor and massage therapist from Florida, about her journey living with glioblastoma. Diagnosed while 20 weeks pregnant, Caroline faced unimaginable challenges and life-changing decisions while continuing to care for her young daughter. She shares how community support, self-advocacy, and her commitment to hope have carried her through since her 2019 diagnosis. Together, Holly and Caroline discuss resilience, loss, and the importance of not letting anyone define your timeline when facing brain cancer.

Caroline Williams lives in Tampa Florida with her daughter, Lily, and husband, Jason. She was diagnosed with Glioblastoma in March 2022. Before her diagnosis, she owned a massage therapy and yoga business. Now, she dedicates her time to her family, writing, and hobbies.

Caroline's Instagram: @soulshinesss

Holly Gainsboro, founder of Golden Heart Grief Support & Education, is a certified grief support specialist/coach andcertified grief educator. Following the death of her late husband, Steven, Holly felt pulled to be present for others experiencing their own losses—not just pertaining to death, but any event that may result in a grief response. She guides those who have suffered losses by helping them navigate their way through grief, transitioning them to a place of joy and hope. Holly also facilitates grief support groups, and grief education workshops. You can learn more on her website: https://www.goldenheartgrief.com

Produced by Cindy Ballaro with On Track Marketing – cindyballaro@yahoo.com

In this episode, Holly Gainsboro speaks with Hank Glassner about his experience as a husband and father caring for his wife, Jordy, who was diagnosed with glioblastoma in 2023. Hank shares how their family, including their young son Brody, navigates caregiving, parenting, and anticipatory grief while focusing on quality of life. He and Holly discuss the challenges of control, self-care, and finding support through therapy and community. They also reflect on communicating with children about illness, the importance of compassion from medical professionals, and Jordy’s advocacy work through her podcast Grief Street.

Hank Glassner is a devoted husband, father and caregiver. Since Jordy Glassner’s diagnosis with glioblastoma, he has stood beside her as she courageously uses her journey to raise awareness through social media and her podcast Grief Street. As a caregiver, he balances advocacy and support while parenting their spirited three-year-old — all while trying to navigate what it means to keep life functional, healthy, and full of meaning in the midst of it all.

Grief Street Podcast: https://www.griefstreetpodcast.com

Grief Street on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/griefstreetpod

Holly Gainsboro, founder of Golden Heart Grief Support & Education, is a certified grief support specialist/coach and certified grief educator. Following the death of her late husband, Steven, Holly felt pulled to be present for others experiencing their own losses—not just pertaining to death, but any event that may result in a grief response. She guides those who have suffered losses by helping them navigate their way through grief, transitioning them to a place of joy and hope. Holly also facilitates grief support groups, and grief education workshops. You can learn more on her website: https://www.goldenheartgrief.com

Produced by Cindy Ballaro with On Track Marketing – cindyballaro@yahoo.com

In this episode, Holly Gainsboro interviews Amber Barbach, founder of the Glioblastoma Research Organization (GBMRO), about her journey after losing her father to glioblastoma in 2018. Amber shares how her grief inspired her to launch GBMRO, which has since raised over $2.7 million for research and awareness initiatives, including podcasts and a documentary. She reflects on her father’s life, their family’s caregiving experience, and the different ways she and her mother processed loss. Amber also discusses nonprofit leadership, the challenges of this work, and the upcoming second annual Glioblastoma Summit in Miami this November.

In 2018, after losing her father to glioblastoma, Amber Barbach founded the Glioblastom Research Organization, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness and funding research to find a cure. Since then, she has raised over $2.7 million, supported thirteen fully funded projects at top U.S. cancer centers, and built the largest active digital community in the brain cancer space. As founder and director, Amber oversees strategy, funding, and brand partnerships, while also hosting the podcast Glioblastoma AKA GBM. Recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30, Worthy 100, and other honors, she continues driving global impact in glioblastoma research and advocacy.

You can learn more about Amber and GBMRO here:

Website: https://www.gbmresearch.org/

Podcast: https://www.gbmresearch.org/the-podcast

IG: https://www.instagram.com/glioblastomaresearch/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/glioblastomaresearch

Holly Gainsboro, founder of Golden Heart Grief Support & Education, is a certified grief support specialist/coach and certified grief educator. Following the death of her late husband, Steven, Holly felt pulled to be present for others experiencing their own losses—not just pertaining to death, but any event that may result in a grief response. She guides those who have suffered losses by helping them navigate their way through grief, transitioning them to a place of joy and hope. Holly also facilitates grief support groups, and grief education workshops. You can learn more on her website: https://www.goldenheartgrief.com

Produced by Cindy Ballaro with On Track Marketing – cindyballaro@yahoo.com

In this episode, Holly welcomes Dr. Joshua Black, a leading grief and bereavement researcher, for a fascinating conversation about the role of dreams and grief. Joshua explains the different types of grief dreams - those with or without the deceased - and how they reflect a person’s emotional state. He shares how dreams can bring comfort, highlight unresolved pain, or surface as distressing nightmares, along with strategies for working through them. Holly and Joshua also discuss cultural perspectives, dream recall, and his grief dreams worksheet, offering meaningful insights into how dreams can support healing after loss.

Joshua Black, PhD, is a grief and bereavement researcher, speaker, educator, and host of the Grief Dreams Podcast. He holds a master’s degree in psychology from Trent University and a PhD in psychology from Brock University. His research has focused on dreams and waking experiences of the deceased, continuing bonds, bereavement during the COVID-19 pandemic, and bereavement in the context of homelessness. As a leading academic expert in grief dreams, which can involve dreams of the deceased, Joshua has dedicated his efforts to raising awareness about this intriguing phenomenon through his website, podcast (with over 230 episodes), social media (link), and media interviews. He is dedicated to raising awareness of those who are bereaved who are not being provided with the necessary bereavement support. Currently, Joshua works as the Bereavement Initiative Manager at the BC Centre for Palliative Care, where he leads bereavement-related research.

You can learn more about Joshue here:

Website: https://www.griefdreams.ca

Podcast: https://www.griefdreams.ca/podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/griefdreams

Holly Gainsboro, founder of Golden Heart Grief Support& Education, is a certified grief support specialist/coach and certified grief educator. Following the death of her late husband, Steven, Holly felt pulled to be present for others experiencing their own losses—not just pertaining to death, but any event that may result in a grief response. She guides those who have suffered losses by helping them navigate their way through grief, transitioning them to a place of joy and hope. Holly also facilitates grief support groups, and grief education workshops. You can learn more on her website: https://www.goldenheartgrief.com

Join Holly and Elizabeth as they discuss the topic of dating after the loss of a spouse or life partner, emphasizing that there is no right or wrong time to start dating and the importance of listening to one's own intuition. They share their personal experiences with dating after losing their spouses, highlighting the challenges and support they encountered along the way. Both women emphasized the importance of taking time for oneself, making decisions at one's own pace, and finding a supportive partner who respects one's grief journey.

Holly Gainsboro, founder of Golden Heart Grief Support& Education, is a certified grief support specialist/coach andcertified grief educator. Following the death of her latehusband, Steven, Holly felt pulled to be present for others experiencing their own losses—not just pertaining to death, but any event that may result in a grief response. She guides those who have suffered losses by helping them navigate their way through grief, transitioning them to a place of joy and hope. Holly also facilitates grief support groups, and grief education workshops. She is thrilled to co-host Creating Space for Grief & Hope with her dear friend and colleague Elizabeth Catignani. You can learn more on herwebsite: https://www.goldenheartgrief.com

Elizabeth Catignani is a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist, Certified Creative Grief Coach, and founder of the online platform Her Creative Wellness. After experiencing baby loss and young widowhood by the age of 27, Elizabeth has made it her mission to support and empower others on their own unique path through loss and healing. She is the author of “Creative Grieving: A Hip Chick’s Path from Loss to Hope” (available on Amazon and Audible) and “The Creative Grieving Workbook” (now available on Apple Books). You can learn more on her website: https://www.hercreativewellness.com

I’m honored to welcome Jessica Correnti to the podcast today. Jessica is a certified Child Life Specialist and grief expert who brings both professional insight and deeply personal experience to our conversation. She shares her journey through multiple pregnancy losses and how those experiences have shaped her compassionate approach to grief support. We explore the importance of validating grief, creating lasting memories, and nurturing continuing bonds after a loss—especially in the context of child and family bereavement. Jessica also offers a closer look at her work with children facing difficult experiences and discusses the helpful tools and books she’s created to support both kids and adults on their grief journey.

Jessica Correnti is a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS), author, bereaved mom, and grief specialist. She has written four children's books: The ABCs of Grief, The ABCs of Grief: Emotions & Feelings, Forever Connected, and the forthcoming third and final book in The ABCs of Grief series (title to be released soon, publishing in early 2026).

She is the founder and owner of Kids Grief Support, a private practice providing therapeutic sessions to grieving children and families across the globe through expressive activities, developmentally appropriate diagnosis and grief education, and other support to aid in processing and coping with various grief experiences.

As a leading expert in children’s grief, her work has been featured in Oprah Daily, People Magazine, Motherly, CNBC, Good Morning Washington, New York Family Magazine, Great Day Washington, and others. You can find Jessica on Instagram @kidsgriefsupport and www.kidsgriefsupport.com.

Holly Gainsboro, founder of Golden Heart Grief Support& Education, is a certified grief support specialist/coach andcertified grief educator. Following the death of her latehusband, Steven, Holly felt pulled to be present for others experiencing their own losses—not just pertaining to death, but any event that may result in a grief response. She guides those who have suffered losses by helping them navigate their way through grief, transitioning them to a place of joy and hope. Holly also facilitates grief support groups, and grief education workshops. She is thrilled to co-host Creating Space for Grief & Hope with her dear friend and colleague Elizabeth Catignani. You can learn more on her website: https://www.goldenheartgrief.com

Elizabeth Catignani is a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist, Certified Creative Grief Coach, and founder of the online platform Her Creative Wellness. After experiencing baby loss and young widowhood by the age of 27, Elizabeth has made it her mission to support and empower others on their own unique path through loss and healing. She is the author of “Creative Grieving: A Hip Chick’s Path from Loss to Hope” (available on Amazon and Audible) and “The Creative Grieving Workbook” (now available on Apple Books). You can learn more on her website: https://www.hercreativewellness.com

In this heartfelt episode, I welcome friend and fellow advocate Shawn Carey, who opens up about the devastating loss of his mother, Wendy, to glioblastoma. From the early days of her misdiagnosis to the strength she displayed throughout her illness, Shawn reflects on the legacy Wendy left behind. Together, he and Holly talk candidly about navigating terminal illness, the unique grief of losing aparent, and how honoring a loved one’s memory can take many forms. Shawn shares how his advocacy work has helped him find healing—and how the brain tumor community, though born of tragedy, has become a place of deep connection and purpose.

Shawn Carey is a dedicated advocate and former care partner for his mother, Wendy, who passed away from Glioblastoma in 2018. Since her passing, Shawn has worked to bring meaningful change for brain tumor patients and their care partners. Focusing on the care partner experience, he regularly advocates on Capitol Hill for increased funding to further research and treatment options. Through his advocacy work, Shawn has partnered with many organizations, including StacheStrong and the National Brain Tumor Society.

Shawn earned his Bachelors degree from Wilkes University in Communications Studies and currently works as a public relations and communications professional. His past professional experience includes financial services, product marketing and most recently healthcare. He currently resides in Binghamton, NY.

Holly Gainsboro, founder of Golden Heart Grief Support & Education, is a certified grief support specialist/coach and certified grief educator. Following the death of her late husband, Steven, Holly felt pulled to be present for others experiencing their own losses—not just pertaining to death, but any event that may result in a grief response. She guides those who have suffered losses by helping them navigate their way through grief, transitioning them to a place of joy and hope. Holly also facilitates grief support groups, and grief education workshops. She is thrilled to co-host Creating Space for Grief & Hope with her dear friend and colleague Elizabeth Catignani. You can learn more on her website: https://www.goldenheartgrief.com

Elizabeth Catignani is a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist, Certified Creative Grief Coach, and founder of the online platform Her Creative Wellness. After experiencing baby loss and young widowhood by the age of 27, Elizabeth has made it her mission to support and empower others on their own unique path through loss and healing. She is the author of “Creative Grieving: A Hip Chick’s Path from Loss to Hope” (available on Amazon and Audible) and “The Creative Grieving Workbook” (now available on Apple Books). You can learn more on her website: https://www.hercreativewellness.com

Join Holly and Elizabeth as they discuss when anger arises on one's grief journey. Although not experienced by everyone, anger is not unusual when grieving. Anger is often a protection mechanism for underlying feelings, and it’s important to acknowledge and honor what is coming up for you. Holly and Elizabeth share their own experiences with anger, why anger may surface in relation to loss, as well as helpful tools and techniques for releasing anger in a healthy and supported way.

Holly Gainsboro, founder of Golden Heart Grief Support& Education, is a certified grief support specialist/coach andcertified grief educator. Following the death of her latehusband, Steven, Holly felt pulled to be present for others experiencing their own losses—not just pertaining to death, but any event that may result in a grief response. She guides those who have suffered losses by helping them navigate their way through grief, transitioning them to a place of joy and hope. Holly also facilitates grief support groups, and grief education workshops. She is thrilled to co-host Creating Space for Grief & Hope with her dear friend and colleague Elizabeth Catignani. You can learn more on her website: https://www.goldenheartgrief.com

Elizabeth Catignani is a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist, Certified Creative Grief Coach, and founder of the online platform Her Creative Wellness. After experiencing baby loss and young widowhood by the age of 27, Elizabeth has madeit her mission to support and empower others on their own unique path through loss and healing. She is the author of “Creative Grieving: A Hip Chick’s Path from Loss to Hope” (available on Amazon and Audible) and “The Creative Grieving Workbook” (now available on Apple Books). You can learn more on her website: https://www.hercreativewellness.com