In this episode of The Holiday Survival Podcast, Erin talks with grief guide and soul mentor Teri Gosselin to explore how to navigate the emotional intensity of the holiday season. Teri shares her personal story of losing her brother and how it shaped her approach to embracing both grief and joy simultaneously.

They discuss the pressures of performative happiness, the importance of checking in with your nervous system, and practical ways to create boundaries and self-compassion. Listeners will gain tools to honor their emotions, reclaim their energy, and find small moments of joy and presence, even when the season feels heavy.

In this episode, we explore:

• Giving yourself permission to pause and honor your emotional needs during the holidays.
• How grief and joy can coexist and support deeper presence and awareness.
• Practical ways to check in with your nervous system to manage stress and overwhelm.
• Setting boundaries to protect your well-being without guilt.
• Noticing and appreciating small moments of joy that balance grief and foster presence.

✨ If this episode resonates with you, follow The Holiday Survival Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and leave a rating or review — it helps more people find hope, healing, and a little peace this season. Visit www.holidaysurvivalpodcast.com to listen to past episodes and explore our interactive Holiday Survival Podcast Gift Guide, featuring meaningful, heart-centered finds from small businesses and creators we love.

Connect with Teri on her website or on social media @soulglowandalchemy.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction and Content Warning

00:48 Welcome to the Holiday Survival Podcast

01:56 Meet Teri Gosselin

02:00 Navigating Grief During the Holidays

02:38 Personal Journey and Government Shutdown Impact

08:38 Understanding Emotional Duality

17:38 Practical Tools for Emotional Well-being

23:37 The Coexistence of Grief and Hope

27:54 Final Thoughts and Farewell

CREDITS

Hosted and Produced by Erin Billings

Post Production by Isaac Moreno

Music by Erin Billings

Artwork by Diana Pietzryk