Licensed professional counselor and grief specialist Chuck Olliff returns to the podcast. Chuck has been leading bereavement support groups for more than 20 years, and in this episode he explains why grief support groups play such an important role in healing and connection after loss.

He walks listeners through the six key topics he covers in his six-week virtual grief groups, offering valuable insights for anyone navigating their own grief or supporting others who are. Chuck's compassionate and practical approach makes the process feel less daunting and more accessible to all.

All of Chuck's groups meet virtually via Zoom, allowing participants to join from anywhere.

To learn more about Chuck Olliff and to register for an upcoming grief group, visit chuckolliff.com.

Chuck also mentions the resources of Alan Wolfelt in this episode. To see Alan's resources you can visit his website here.

Connect with Harbor Hospice & Beacon Hospice:

• Follow Harbor Hospice on Facebook. Follow Beacon Hospice on Facebook.
• For more information about Harbor Hospice, please visit harborhospice.com
• For more information about Beacon Hospice, please visit beacon.life
• For more information about HarborCare & BeaconCare Palliative Services, please visit myharborcare.com
• Please send your questions or comments to the podcast host at jfenter@harborhcs.com.

In this episode of Lighting the Path, host Jerry Fenter welcomes Chuck Olliff, a Licensed Professional Counselor and grief specialist with more than 25 years of experience leading grief support groups. Chuck shares the story of how his journey into grief counseling began unexpectedly — when a local funeral director asked him to facilitate a series of grief groups for families coping with loss.

Together, Jerry and Chuck explore the origins and lasting influence of Elisabeth Kübler-Ross's work on the five stages of grief — denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Chuck offers a thoughtful look at each stage, explaining how they appear in real-life experiences of grief and how understanding them can bring compassion and perspective to the grieving process.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into the emotional landscape of bereavement, the evolving nature of grief support, and the deeply human connection that guides people through loss toward healing.

Topics discussed include:

• Chuck Olliff's personal path to becoming a grief specialist

• Understanding Kübler-Ross's five stages of grief

• How the stages appear in real-world experiences

• The evolving understanding of grief and healing

To learn more about Chuck Olliff and the services he offers, visit www.chuckolliff.com

Connect with Harbor Hospice & Beacon Hospice:

• Follow Harbor Hospice on Facebook. Follow Beacon Hospice on Facebook.
• For more information about Harbor Hospice, please visit harborhospice.com
• For more information about Beacon Hospice, please visit beacon.life
• For more information about HarborCare & BeaconCare Palliative Services, please visit myharborcare.com
• Please send your questions or comments to the podcast host at jfenter@harborhcs.com.

In this episode of Lighting the Path, Jerry sits down with Dr. Emma Jones, author of The Phoenix Blueprint, to talk about resilience, burnout, and the emotional tools needed to thrive as a caregiver. Dr. Jones shares what inspired her to write the book and opens up about the real causes of burnout among healthcare professionals—factors that reach far beyond workload and long hours.

She introduces the concept of "emotional PPE," a metaphor she uses to describe the inner armor caregivers need to protect their emotional well-being—just as firefighters use physical protective equipment to face the dangers of their work. Dr. Jones walks listeners through her six-step model designed to help professionals prevent burnout, restore balance, and reconnect with meaning in their work.

As the conversation unfolds, she offers practical wisdom drawn from her own experience and research, and finally shares the single takeaway she hopes readers and listeners will carry with them from The Phoenix Blueprint.

Listeners who want to connect with Dr. Jones can visit her website or follow her on Instagram for more insights and resources.

• The Phoenix Blueprint: Emerging Stronger from the Blaze of Healthcare by Emma Jones, MD

• Emma Jones, MD – website and additional resources for healthcare professionals (speaking, workshops, and support offerings)

Connect with Harbor Hospice & Beacon Hospice:

• Follow Harbor Hospice on Facebook. Follow Beacon Hospice on Facebook.
• For more information about Harbor Hospice, please visit harborhospice.com
• For more information about Beacon Hospice, please visit beacon.life
• For more information about HarborCare & BeaconCare Palliative Services, please visit myharborcare.com
• Please send your questions or comments to the podcast host at jfenter@harborhcs.com.