Dana Douglass Swann is a true Texan (born and raised in Leesville, Texas), who loves fashion, baking, teaching zumba, country and western dancing, and making people laugh. She is the proud mother of 3 sons and 4 beautiful grandchildren, as well as a TedX speaker and the long-standing Executive Assistant at Texas Commission on the Arts . Despite this long career in administration, if asked what she wants to do when she grows up, she would say - “teach Communication at the college level and finish the book that I have started.” Then, laughingly say, “my life is a Lifetime movie waiting to be told”! Dana has been widowed 3 times and married 4 times.

Hear her unbelievable story in this episode where Gaby speaks with Dana about:

• what got her through the toughest days
• how she dealt with awful remarks
• finding inner strength
• how she continues to thrive
• where she found support

This episode is particularly relevant if you've experienced spouse loss or have grieved multiple significant losses in your life.If you found this episode useful, please share it, leave a comment or review so that other grieving people can find this podcast too.

Connect with The Grief Cocoon:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: http://⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.instagram.com/thegriefcocoon⁠⁠
• Facebook: http://⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/thegriefcocoon⁠⁠
• Enquire about 1:1 Support with Gaby by contacting her on thegriefcocoon@gmail.com⁠

Note: If this episode has brought up anything that you need further support with, please talk to a trusted person, a mental health professional or contact your local support services.

In this episode, Gaby speaks with artist, songwriter and performer Eileen Francisco about:

• grieving her separation
• how she used music to express her grief
• the role of both music and therapy in processing loss
• the toll on Eileen's mental health
• dissociation
• the use of a persona
• the perception of time while grieving
• how you can use music in your grieving journey.

Listen to the end to hear one of Eileen's original songs 🎼

By day, Eileen Francisco is a mum of two boys and marketing officer. At night she is an artist, songwriter and occasionally performs under Midnight – a musical alter ego formed after a year of lockdowns, heartache, and grief. As a way to process complex emotions, Eileen spent many nights in front of the piano and Midnight was born in 2021.

Listen to Eileen's music: https://midnightmisc.bandcamp.com/

If you found this episode useful, please leave a comment or review so that other grieving people can find this podcast too.

Connect with The Grief Cocoon:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Join the community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://urlgeni.us/TGC22⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@thegriefcocoon⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thegriefcocoon⁠⁠⁠
• Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/thegriefcocoon⁠⁠⁠
• 1:1 Support: ⁠⁠⁠gabrielageorges.com/grief-guide-coaching ⁠⁠⁠

Note: If this episode has brought up anything that you need further support with, please talk to a trusted person, a mental health professional or contact your local support services.

Aus-based support:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Griefline⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - 1300 845 745⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Lifeline⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - 13 11 14
• Mensline⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - 1300 78 99 78

Acknowledgement of Country: This episode was produced on the sacred lands of the Gimuy-walubarra Yidi People. We pay respect to elders past and present, and extend that respect to all First Nations people listening.

Book into next week's grief movement circle: https://thegriefcocoon.com/store/p/moving-through-grief-circle

In this episode, Gaby shares the questions that can help you identity what you need when you're struggling emotionally.

Grief can be overwhelming, but it can also give us a chance to stop and reflect. It can prompt us to hone in on what truly matters. With this, comes more intention.

The questions shared in this episode are designed to help you live more intentionally and help you consciously practice self-care.

Time stamps:

0.00 Intro

2:01 Question 1 - Sleep

5:18 Question 2 - Food

7:40 Question 3 - Movement

10:18 Question 4 - Connection

13:23 Question 5 - Routine

17:45 Question 6 - Hydration

18:34 Question 7 - Nature

20:52 Question 8 - Content consumption

22:40 Question 9 - Significant dates

23:45 BONUS Question 10 - Hormones

25:42 BONUS Question 11 - Spiritual Practice

Related Articles: ⁠

• Mental Health Is...Moving Your Body
• What Are Physical Emotions?

⁠

Gaby Georges is a multi-disciplinary artist, creative grief guide and founder of The Grief Cocoon. Her work is inspired by her beloved mother, Samira, who she lost to cancer at the age of twenty. She supports people to creatively process, befriend, and transform their grief through creative writing, movement, rituals, and community connection. Through The Grief Cocoon, Gaby offers creative online workshops, a podcast, educational online content, a mobile community app, and 1:1 support. ⁠Follow her on Instagram⁠⁠ or ⁠work with her 1 on 1⁠.⁠

Make suggestions for future solo episodes here: https://q8tnodwa9xx.typeform.com/to/aTIvVXyc

If you found this episode useful, please leave a comment, rating or review to help other grieving people find it too.

Connect with The Grief Cocoon:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Join the community hub for coping tools, education and live events: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://urlgeni.us/TGC22⁠
• Subscribe to our Youtube channel: https://youtube.com/@thegriefcocoon
• ⁠Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thegriefcocoon
• Like us on Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/thegriefcocoon

If this episode has brought up anything that you need further support with, please talk to a trusted person or contact a suitable support service near you.

Acknowledgement of Country: This episode was produced on the sacred lands of the Gimuy-walubarra Yidi People. We pay respect to elders past and present, and extend that respect to all First Nations people listening.