Phoenix Rising With Dr Z: Conversations About Grief and Loss

0059: The Anniversary of My Cancer Diagnosis

The Anniversary of My Cancer Diagnosis
In this deeply personal solo episode, Dr. Christina Zampitella opens up about the emotional weight of the two-year anniversary of her leukemia diagnosis. From lingering fears and disrupted sleep to a powerful reminder that grief and trauma don’t follow a linear timeline, Dr. Z shares how even after healing begins, the body and mind continue to carry echoes of the past.
Whether you're a survivor, a caregiver, or someone supporting a loved one through illness, this short but powerful reflection reminds us of the importance of compassion — especially toward ourselves.
 
CHAPTERS
00:00 – Introduction 00:49 – Remembering the gap in podcast episodes 01:10 – Cancer diagnosis, multiple losses, and memory triggers 02:00 – Signs of emotional and physical distress around the anniversary 03:00 – Lingering fear of symptoms returning 04:00 – Practicing self-compassion and facing mortality 04:52 – Reflection on hair loss, visual comparisons, and milestones 05:45 – Sharing as a way to heal 06:20 – Final thoughts: Navigating anniversaries with honesty and hope
 
💬 Let’s Talk
Has an anniversary ever hit you harder than expected? Do you feel your body remembering even before your mind catches up?
Drop your thoughts or questions in the comments — we’d would love to hear from you.
#PhoenixRising #CancerAnniversary #GriefSupport #TraumaHealing #Survivorship #MentalHealthAwareness #DrZ #PodcastForHealing #SelfCompassion

0058: Unanticipated Loss with Jennifer Levin, FT (Part 2)

Unanticipated Loss with Jennifer Levin, FT – Part 2
Grieving the unimaginable takes more than time — it takes validation, stabilization, and the space to be fully human. In Part 2 of this deeply moving conversation, Dr. Christina Zampitella continues her discussion with grief and trauma expert Dr. Jennifer Levin, diving into what it really means to navigate unanticipated loss.
This episode offers a rare and honest look at:
The internal and external experiences of traumatic grief
How the body carries the weight of sudden loss
What it means to "resource" someone before they’re ready to process
How grief shows up in real life — not just theory
The dangers of toxic positivity and forced timelines for healing
How to find the right kind of therapeutic support for traumatic grief
Whether you're grieving or supporting someone who is, this episode is filled with insight, warmth, and clarity.
 
⏱️ CHAPTERS:
00:00 – Welcome back & setting the stage 01:10 – Why trauma work doesn’t begin right away 04:50 – Stabilization and building a therapeutic alliance 06:00 – Moving the trauma out of the center of the grief 08:30 – Resourcing clients: what it means and why it matters 12:00 – When your way of grieving makes others uncomfortable 14:45 – The power of group support and shared grief 17:20 – How unanticipated loss can reshape who we are 21:10 – The body keeps the score — even in grief 23:30 – Why avoidance can feel protective (but isn’t sustainable) 25:30 – Oscillation in grief: approach and withdraw 27:00 – Advice for people navigating unanticipated loss 28:30 – The pain of losing a child and the depth of guilt 30:00 – What not to say to someone grieving 32:00 – Finding the right therapist for traumatic grief 35:00 – The need for trauma-informed grief care 36:00 – Dr. Levin’s resources and closing reflections

058: Unanticipated Loss with Dr. Jennifer Levin (Part 1)

Unanticipated Loss with Dr. Jennifer Levin (Part 1):
Unanticipated loss can shake the very core of who we are — leaving us not only grieving but questioning, searching, and trying to make sense of the senseless. In this special two-part episode, Dr. Christina Zampitella sits down with Dr. Jennifer Levin, a nationally recognized expert in traumatic grief, to explore what makes these sudden losses so different — and why the healing process often looks unlike anything else.
Together, they explore:
The distinction between traumatic and non-traumatic grief
How rumination and the need for a cohesive narrative impact healing
The emotional fallout of ambiguous or unexpected loss
Why grief isn't something to "fix" but rather something to companion
Whether you’ve experienced a sudden loss or support others who have, this episode offers insight, compassion, and powerful validation for anyone navigating the unthinkable.
Part 2 drops next week, so stay tuned!
⏱️ Chapters:
00:00 – Welcome + Intro to Dr. Jennifer Levin 02:00 – How Jennifer got into traumatic grief work 08:30 – The difference between anticipated and unanticipated loss 13:45 – Why sudden loss is uniquely disorienting 18:15 – “Unexpected but not surprising” vs. “sudden and shocking” deaths 23:20 – The emotional and psychological aftermath of traumatic loss 25:00 – Rumination, narrative gaps, and meaning-making 29:30 – The addiction model of grief: Is rumination a form of coping? 32:00 – The long arc of healing and why it takes time

057: Chronic Illness and Grief with Angela Dean (Part 2)

In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, Dr. Christina Zampitella and Angela Dean continue exploring the complex emotional landscape of chronic illness. From rebuilding identity after diagnosis to understanding the nuances of grief in long-term illness, this episode dives deep into what it means to live fully — even when your body won’t cooperate.
Whether you're navigating illness yourself or supporting a loved one, this episode offers insight, compassion, and validation for the many ways grief shows up when chronic illness changes everything.
 
Chapters
0:00 – Intro: Picking up where we left off1:45 – How relationships shift after illness6:10 – Parenting while managing chronic illness9:40 – The grief of changed routines and abilities12:30 – Fear of being a burden15:18 – “Who am I now?” – identity grief and self-worth19:55 – The trauma of medical care and being dismissed24:12 – Reclaiming agency and reframing the narrative
28:30 – Creating space for both joy and grief32:00 – Final thoughts and what helps in the hard moments

057: Chronic Illness and Grief with Angela Dean (Part 1)

Description:In this two-part series, Dr. Z sits down with psychologist Dr. Angela Dean for a powerful, candid conversation about chronic illness and its impact on mental health, relationships, identity, and grief. Drawing from their personal and professional experiences, they unpack the uncertainty, systemic barriers, and invisible losses that come with chronic conditions — as well as the deeply emotional work of advocating for yourself (or someone you love) in a complex and often disconnected medical system.
Whether you’re living with a chronic illness, supporting someone who is, or working in the healthcare or mental health space, this conversation offers a validating look into the human side of chronic care.
Stay tuned for part 2 dropping 11/25.
Chapters 0:00 – Welcome & Intro to the Episode 1:25 – Meet Dr. Angela Dean 4:10 – From Set Design to Psychology 7:00 – Why Chronic Illness & Grief Matter 10:00 – Defining Chronic vs. Terminal Illness 12:45 – The Weight of Medical Uncertainty 17:20 – The Grief of Not Knowing 20:45 – Advocacy, Coordination, & the Healthcare Maze 24:30 – The Emotional Toll of Managing Chronic Illness 27:15 – Identity and Illness: “I have” vs. “I am” 33:00 – Shifting Language & Reclaiming Identity 35:30 – Medication Compliance & Psychological Resistance 41:00 – The Cost of Care: Financial Strain & Systemic Barriers 44:15 – Secondary Losses (Relationships, Intimacy, Self-Worth) 51:30 – Wrap Up & What’s Coming in Part 2
 Be sure to subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss a conversation. If this episode resonates, please leave a review or share with someone who might need it.

056: Understanding and Helping Grieving Children with Jacey Ludlam, M.S. (Part 2)

Understanding and Helping Grieving Children with Jacey Ludlam, M.S. (Part 2)
In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, Dr. Christina Zampitella and licensed counselor Jacey Ludlam continue exploring how grief shows up in children — and how caregivers, teachers, and clinicians can recognize the signs, respond with compassion, and support healing over time.
From behavioral shifts to developmental impacts, Jacey unpacks how grief manifests across different ages — including misdiagnoses like ADHD, internalized shame, and dissociation. The episode also offers practical insights for caregivers: how to talk to kids about death, what art and play can reveal, and when it’s time to seek professional help.
Whether you're a parent, therapist, or someone who supports children, this episode offers grounded, trauma-informed guidance you can use right now.
 
Chapters:
00:00 – Intro 01:00 – How grief shows up in children’s play, art, and behavior 03:45 – Misdiagnosis: Grief vs. ADHD 07:00 – The role of trauma in overlapping mental health conditions 10:00 – Judgment, shame & guilt in 7–9 year olds 12:00 – Using art to process grief 14:00 – Giving children safe choices when expressing emotions 17:00 – Signs of healing in grieving children 20:00 – Why grief resurfaces across developmental stages 23:00 – 3 key ways to support a grieving child 25:00 – How to answer difficult questions about death 28:00 – Age-appropriate language & metaphors 30:00 – Should kids attend funerals or viewings? 33:00 – The danger of leaving kids in the dark 36:00 – Creative expression & storytelling as tools for healing 38:00 – Why peer groups matter for grieving kids 40:00 – When is professional help necessary? 44:00 – The long-term effects of dissociation 46:00 – What happens when a child’s self-concept breaks down 47:30 – How serious illness changes a child’s understanding of death 49:00 – Closing thoughts & what’s coming next
 

056: Understanding and Helping Grieving Children (Part 1)

Understanding and Helping Grieving Children
Grief doesn’t skip over children — but it often gets overlooked or misunderstood.
In this episode, Dr. Z is joined by childhood bereavement expert Jacey Ludlam, M.S. from the Center for Grief and Trauma Therapy to talk about what grief looks like at different developmental stages, how to spot the signs in children who “seem fine,” and how adults can offer the kind of support that truly helps.
Whether you're a parent, caregiver, educator, or clinician, this conversation offers compassionate, practical insights into how to show up for grieving kids — without overwhelming them or shutting them down.
Chapters
00:00 – Welcome & Episode Overview 01:48 – How Cindy got into grief work 04:30 – Do children really understand death? 07:02 – Developmental stages of childhood grief 09:45 – Signs of grief in younger kids vs. teens 13:15 – What children often fear but won’t say 15:40 – Why honesty matters (and how to do it right) 19:22 – Common mistakes adults make with grieving children 23:10 – Using rituals and legacy items to support healing 25:55 – Grieving in schools: what teachers should know 29:15 – How to keep the door open for hard conversations 32:40 – When to consider therapy for a grieving child 35:20 – Final thoughts & practical takeaways

055: Why NOT The 5 Stages of Grief? with Dr. Rebecca Morse

Denial. Anger. Bargaining. Depression. Acceptance. These are the “stages of grief”. Does this really describe the whole experience of grief and bereavement? What are some better ways to think about and navigate grief?
About Phoenix Rising with Dr. Z In life, we so often avoid the complex and personal expression of grief. The avoidance makes it difficult to explore and share our grief in our everyday lives. Yet, it is a natural and universal human experience. In Phoenix Rising with Dr. Z, we will be deconstructing and highlighting the different aspects of grief and loss.
If you found this podcast helpful please share it, subscribe, and leave a rating or review wherever you get your podcasts. We want to be a resource for anyone who is experiencing loss and this is a simple way you can help us spread the word. If you are struggling with grief and need some professional help we encourage you to find a licensed therapist, and if you can, one who specializes in trauma, death, loss, and grief. If you are in Delaware you can reach out to The Center for Grief and Trauma Therapy at www.CenterForGriefTherapy.com, or by calling (302) 635-0505

054: Navigating Traumatic Loss with Dr. Ted Rynearson

Navigating Traumatic Loss with Dr. Ted Rynearson | Phoenix Rising with Dr. Christina Zampitella
 
In this episode of Phoenix Rising, Dr. Christina Zampitella dives deep into the themes of grief and trauma with Dr. Ted Rynearson, a retired psychiatrist with extensive experience in sudden unnatural deaths. Dr. Rynearson shares his personal story of loss and the importance of resilience and early support in coping with grief. The conversation touches on the impact of violent deaths, the significance of imagery in processing trauma, and the role of group therapy in healing. Dr. Z and Dr. Rynearson also explore the need for community-based peer support groups to address the gap in mental health resources. Join us for an insightful discussion on finding meaning and healing in the wake of traumatic loss.
 
00:00 Introduction to Phoenix Rising
00:28 Meet Dr. Ted Rynearson
01:36 Personal Story of Loss and Resilience
03:00 Understanding Unnatural Deaths
03:58 Historical Perspectives on Grief
07:01 The Dual Narratives of Violent Death
08:13 The Role of Imagery in Processing Trauma
16:10 Group Therapy and Resilience
20:16 Personal Reflections and Coping Strategies
22:55 The Importance of Support Systems
27:43 Challenges and Misunderstandings in Grief Therapy
38:49 Creating Peer-Led Support Groups
44:03 Conclusion and Future Plans
46:53 Closing Remarks

053: The Loss of a Sibling: A Journey Through Grief, Suicide, and Family with Nicole Jamison (Part 2)

053: The Loss of a Sibling: A Journey Through Grief, Suicide, and Family with Nicole Jamison (Part 2)
 
Join Dr. Christina Zampitella on Phoenix Rising as she delves into the heart-wrenching journey of surviving the loss of a loved one to suicide. In this emotional and insightful episode, Dr. Z interviews a guest who intimately shares her experiences, from the initial moments of discovering her sister's suicide to the challenges of supporting her niece and nephew. Listen as they discuss the profound impact of multiple losses, the importance of acknowledging and expressing emotions, and the critical need for community and professional support. They also emphasize the significance of open dialogues about mental health and suicide, aiming to dismantle the stigma and foster understanding. This episode provides a compassionate guide for anyone navigating the complexities of grief, trauma, and healing.
 
00:00 Introduction to Phoenix Rising
00:28 Discussing Suicide and Its Complexities
01:17 A Personal Story of Loss
05:01 The Aftermath and Family Impact
09:03 Coping Mechanisms and Community Support
21:22 Navigating Multiple Losses
37:18 Upcoming Podcast Plans
37:50 Emotional Reactions to Suicide
38:51 Stigma and Secrecy Around Suicide
41:01 Recognizing Risk Factors
42:38 Finding Support and Healing
51:38 The Importance of Open Dialogue
54:44 Growing Through Grief
01:06:07 Final Thoughts and Resource