364. Working with Your Nervous System in Grief: An interview with Deb Dana

How do you keep living after a traumatic loss changes everything in an instant?In this episode, I sit down with Mom Goes On member Kaydee Castricone, who shares the heartbreaking story of losing both her husband and daughter in a devastating car accident that also left her youngest son critically injured. Kaydee shares what helped her most, including somatic tools, coaching, community support, and learning to hold both joy and pain at the same time.Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/369 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifecoachkrista/Mentioned in this episode:You're Invited to Grief EssentialsJoin us for 8 weeks of expert guidance, practical tools and a community of widows who understand. Next live group begins July 7th – Tuesdays from 12:30-1:30pm Central Click here to learn more and sign up: https://the-widowed-mom-podcast.captivate.fm/grief-essentials-liveJoin us for Grief Essentials Live here

Join us for 8 weeks of expert guidance, practical tools and a community of widows who understand. Next live group begins July 7th – Tuesdays from 12:30-1:30pm Central Click here to learn more and sign up: https://the-widowed-mom-podcast.captivate.fm/grief-essentials-live

Have you ever wondered if your grief is too intense, lasting too long, or somehow a sign that you’re doing something wrong? In this episode, I talk about what it really means to cope with intense grief after losing a spouse and why so many widows unintentionally make grief harder by judging themselves for how they’re grieving. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/368 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifecoachkrista/Mentioned in this episode:You're Invited to Grief EssentialsJoin us for 8 weeks of expert guidance, practical tools and a community of widows who understand. Next live group begins July 7th – Tuesdays from 12:30-1:30pm Central Click here to learn more and sign up: https://the-widowed-mom-podcast.captivate.fm/grief-essentials-liveJoin us for Grief Essentials Live here

What if tapping could help you stay present with grief without feeling completely overwhelmed by it? In this episode, I sit down with Mom Goes On member Judith Lysaker to talk about how tapping became an unexpected but powerful part of her grief journey after the sudden death of her husband, Paul. Join us this week as we discuss the early days of grief, the importance of community, and how writing and tapping helped Judith navigate the disorientation of loss. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/367 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifecoachkrista/Mentioned in this episode:You're Invited to Grief EssentialsJoin us for 8 weeks of expert guidance, practical tools and a community of widows who understand. Next live group begins July 7th – Tuesdays from 12:30-1:30pm Central Click here to learn more and sign up: https://the-widowed-mom-podcast.captivate.fm/grief-essentials-liveJoin us for Grief Essentials Live here

Are you exhausted by the nonstop mental load of solo parenting after loss, even when you’re doing everything “right”? In this episode, I talk about the emotional, mental, and nervous system impact of solo parenting in widowhood and why so many widows feel overwhelmed in ways that rest alone doesn’t fix. Join me this week to hear how solo parenting after loss affects executive functioning, decision-making, emotional regulation, and nervous system capacity. You’ll learn practical ways to reduce the mental load of solo parenting through systems, simplified decisions, community support, age-appropriate responsibility for kids, and intentional rest. This episode is a compassionate reminder that overwhelm is not failure, and you were never meant to carry all of this alone. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/366 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifecoachkrista/Mentioned in this episode:You're Invited to Grief EssentialsJoin us for 8 weeks of expert guidance, practical tools and a community of widows who understand. Next live group begins July 7th – Tuesdays from 12:30-1:30pm Central Click here to learn more and sign up: https://the-widowed-mom-podcast.captivate.fm/grief-essentials-liveJoin us for Grief Essentials Live here

In this episode, I share six powerful lessons I wish someone had told me after I became a widow and the guidance I now give widows as a grief coach. Tune in this week as I talk about the difference between consuming grief content and actually doing the work of healing. I explain why self-compassion matters, why getting the right support and tools is essential, and how widows often stay stuck waiting to feel ready before taking action toward the life they want. This episode is a reminder that fulfillment after grief is possible, and you deserve support getting there. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/365 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifecoachkrista/Mentioned in this episode:You're Invited to Grief EssentialsJoin us for 8 weeks of expert guidance, practical tools and a community of widows who understand. Next live group begins July 7th – Tuesdays from 12:30-1:30pm Central Click here to learn more and sign up: https://the-widowed-mom-podcast.captivate.fm/grief-essentials-liveJoin us for Grief Essentials Live here

As part of my 50 Widows Forward celebration, you can currently receive 10% off Grief Essentials or Mom Goes On. This offer ends June 20… or when 50 widows join. Get the discount code and more information by going to: https://the-widowed-mom-podcast.captivate.fm/50widowsforward

What if understanding your nervous system in grief could completely change how you experience loss, healing, and emotional overwhelm? This week, I sit down with Deb Dana, a renowned clinician, author, and polyvagal expert, best known for translating Dr. Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory into practical, accessible tools for clinicians and the public. Join us as we explore how grief impacts the nervous system and why so many widows feel stuck in survival states after loss. We unpack the role of polyvagal theory, nervous system regulation, and survival responses like fight, flight, and shutdown. You’ll also learn practical ways to work with your nervous system in grief, identify patterns of dysregulation, and find micro moments of safety through glimmers. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/364 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifecoachkrista/ Check out Deb Dana's work here: https://www.rhythmofregulation.com/Mentioned in this episode:You're Invited to Grief EssentialsJoin us for 8 weeks of expert guidance, practical tools and a community of widows who understand. Next live group begins July 7th – Tuesdays from 12:30-1:30pm Central Click here to learn more and sign up: https://the-widowed-mom-podcast.captivate.fm/grief-essentials-liveJoin us for Grief Essentials Live here

What if your grief could become part of an intentional, meaningful next chapter? In this powerful conversation, I sit down with my client Wendy Veazie as she shares her deeply personal journey after the sudden loss of her husband, Peter, and how she learned to reframe her grief story and navigate unimaginable pain without losing herself. In this episode, Wendy opens up about the shock of sudden loss, the physical reality of grief, the stories we tell ourselves after tragedy, and how coaching helped her shift from focusing solely on loss to honoring both her pain and the gifts of her marriage. Together, we explore how grief can coexist with gratitude, authenticity, and intentional living. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/363 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifecoachkrista/Mentioned in this episode:You're Invited to Grief EssentialsJoin us for 8 weeks of expert guidance, practical tools and a community of widows who understand. Next live group begins July 7th – Tuesdays from 12:30-1:30pm Central Click here to learn more and sign up: https://the-widowed-mom-podcast.captivate.fm/grief-essentials-liveJoin us for Grief Essentials Live here

If you’ve been wishing for grief support but assumed coaching was out of reach financially, this message is for you. Mom Goes On offers needs-based scholarships so widows can access the coaching, tools, and community they need to rebuild life after loss. Inside Mom Goes On, you’ll find live coaching, practical grief tools, emotional support, and a community of widows who understand exactly what you’re going through. If money has been holding you back, don’t count yourself out. To apply, click on the Work with Me tab on my website and apply for Mom Goes On. When you complete the application, check the box that says you’re interested in the scholarship: https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/#work-with-me