In this episode of Tell Me Everything, host Danielle Moss welcomes grief specialist Barri Leiner Grant for an open conversation about grief, loss, and the importance of community support, just weeks after Danielle lost her rescue dog of 17 years. Drawing from her personal experience of losing her mother, and her professional journey as a certified grief coach, Barri shares insights into how grief manifests differently for each of us, the complexities surrounding both death and non-death losses (like pet loss and illness), and ways to build meaningful rituals of remembrance.

Throughout the discussion, Danielle and Barri explore their personal stories and offer offer practical advice on supporting others through grief, honoring loved ones, and tuning into what one needs while navigating loss. The episode delivers comfort, wisdom, and actionable tools for anyone going through difficult times—and for those seeking to show up for grieving friends.

Key Topics Discussed

• How Barri became a grief specialist after losing her mother, and the impact of societal messages about grief.
• Grieving as a Full-Body Experience: The physical and emotional responses to grief, including exhaustion, tears, and altered daily routines.
• Death Loss vs. Non-Death Loss: Understanding the different types of grief, including bereavement from death, anticipatory grief, divorce, illness, and the recent “grief pandemic” during COVID.
• Pet Loss and Its Validation: The disenfranchised nature of grieving a pet, societal minimization, and the importance of rituals (such as “ashes day”) to honor animal companions.
• Rituals of Remembrance: Creating personalized rituals to remember loved ones and pets—framing photos, wearing meaningful jewelry, telling stories, and annual traditions.
• Supporting Children Through Grief: Modeling healthy grieving for kids, allowing them to see sadness and emotion, and integrating conversations about loss.
• The Workplace and Grief: Challenges in workplace bereavement policies, advocating for best practices, and how to support colleagues after a loss.
• Communicating with the Bereaved: Helpful ways to reach out, what to say (and what not to say), the power of sharing stories and using the names of those lost, and the value of simple gestures like texts and handwritten notes.
• Grief’s Nonlinearity and Individuality: Accepting that grief is messy, not linear or “tidy,” and allowing oneself and others to experience it in their own way.
• Self-Care During Grief: Concrete strategies for tending to your own wellbeing, such as movement, music, yoga, asking for help, tuning into bodily sensations, and practices for soothing the nervous system.
• Continuing Bonds and Meaning Making: Staying connected to lost loved ones through traditions, objects, and intentional memories—plus the role of signs, synchronicities, and spirituality.
• Grief as a “Superpower” and Companion: Reframing grief’s ongoing presence in life and how it shapes personal growth, compassion, and connectedness.

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Links for this episode:

Follow Barri Leiner Grant:

The Memory Circle

https://thememorycircle.com/about

Barri's Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/thememorycircle/?hl=en

Danielle's Dog Tag Necklace

https://bit.ly/3Ym7YHu

Photo Album

https://go.shopmy.us/p-37248893

Follow Danielle Moss:

Website - https://www.danielle-moss.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/daniellemoss_/

Substack - https://daniellemoss.substack.com/

Danielle Moss sits down with Ailsa Emmel, a former Navy nurse, certified nurse midwife, content creator and mother of twin girls in their 20s. Together, they dive into Ailsa’s inspiring path from growing up in the Bronx to joining the Navy on a dare, balancing a career in women’s health, navigating military family moves, and raising strong, independent twin daughters.

The conversation is open, real, and filled with humor and hard-won wisdom. From the challenges of mom guilt in the age of social media to making quality time with kids, building resilience, and the importance of self-care, Ailsa shares practical advice and relatable stories that every parent and woman will appreciate. They also talk about empowering the next generation, why kindness matters more than grades, and how to avoid the comparison trap.

Whether you’re in the thick of parenting young kids, searching for your passion, or craving reassurance that it’s okay not to have a rigid plan, this episode will leave you feeling seen, supported, and inspired.

Follow along for honest perspectives on motherhood, working mom life, self-discovery, and women’s health—plus how to stay true to yourself (and enjoy cute outfits, too).

In this inspiring episode, Danielle welcomes midwife and advocate Ailsa Emmel for an open conversation on women's health, motherhood, and navigating life’s transitions. Sharing stories from her career in both clinical practice and education, Ailsa reflects on how her passion for supporting women through pregnancy and childbirth has deepened her understanding of community and empathy.

Danielle and Ailsa discuss the realities of modern motherhood, the challenges facing healthcare professionals today, and the importance of advocating for our health. Ailsa offers insights from her years in the field, touching on her own personal turning points, burnout, and the power of leaning on support systems. The discussion also covers embracing vulnerability, building confidence, and redefining success both in career and at home.

Key Topics Discussed

* Ailsa’s journey into midwifery and health advocacy

* The realities of working in women’s healthcare

* Navigating burnout and building resilience as a healthcare professional

* Supporting women through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum

* Personal stories on vulnerability and growth

* Tips for self-advocacy in medical settings

* Finding community and mentorship within healthcare

* Balancing career fulfillment, parenting, and personal wellbeing

* The role of ongoing education and self-reflection

* Redefining success on your own terms

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Follow Ailsa Emmel:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_happygocurly_/

Follow Danielle Moss:

Website - https://www.danielle-moss.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/daniellemoss_/

Substack - https://daniellemoss.substack.com/

In this episode of Tell Me Everything, I sit down with political organizer and strategist Liz Minnella for an honest conversation about power, burnout, and what civic engagement actually looks like right now.

Liz shares how she pivoted from a career in sales and marketing into political organizing in her mid-30s—and how everyday women, especially mothers, are playing a critical role in shaping local and national politics. We talk about why silence isn’t neutral, how policy shows up in our daily lives, and why feeling overwhelmed doesn’t mean you’re powerless.

This conversation covers:

• Why politics feels so personal—and exhausting—right now
• How women are organizing without running for office
• What to do when you care deeply but feel burned out
• The role of social media, community, and local action in real change
• How to stay engaged without sacrificing your mental health

If you’ve ever felt like the system is broken, wondered whether your voice matters, or struggled with how to stay informed and involved without losing yourself, this episode is for you.

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Follow Liz Minnella on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/lizaminnella/?hl=en

Liz's Substack

https://lizaminnella.substack.com/

Connect forward

https://www.connectforwardusa.com/

https://www.instagram.com/connectforward_org/?hl=en

Liz's Podcast, Demfluenced

https://www.instagram.com/demfluenced/?hl=en

Follow Danielle Moss:

Website - https://www.danielle-moss.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/daniellemoss_/

Substack - https://daniellemoss.substack.com/

Host: Danielle Moss

Guest: Riley Sheehey

Episode Summary

In this heartfelt episode, Danielle sits down with artist and illustrator Riley Sheehey who, for the first time, opens up about living with anxiety, OCD, and depression.

Riley shares how she transitioned from being an elementary school art teacher to building a successful studio, collaborating with major brands like Pottery Barn Kids and Ralph Lauren. The conversation delves deeply into mental health, with Riley candidly recounting her OCD diagnosis at age 6, ongoing therapy, and medication management, along with how these experiences have shaped her career and motherhood.

Danielle and Riley explore the challenges and joys of balancing creative work, parenting, and mental health. They touch on the importance of routines, exercise, and professional support, plus the pressure (and perks) of sharing personal stories on social media.

Riley talks about her self-published, illustrated edition of Little Women, and both women share relatable “real life” moments. The episode concludes with Danielle and Riley reflecting on the power of vulnerability and encouraging others to seek help and share their stories.

Key Topics Discussed

• Riley’s path from art teacher to full-time artist and entrepreneur
• Major collaborations
• The impact of childhood OCD and ongoing mental health management
• Choosing to be open about mental health struggles on social media
• Navigating anxiety and depression: what helps and what doesn’t
• The reality of balancing creative work, business, and motherhood
• Setting boundaries on social media and handling online negativity
• Parenting with anxiety and strategies for coping
• Riley's latest project
• Why sharing the hard (and not just the beautiful) matters

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Follow Riley Sheehey:

Riley's Website:

https://www.rileysheehey.com/

Follow Riley on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/rileysheehey/

Riley Sheehey x Pottery Barn Kids:

https://bit.ly/48tJF0d

Riley Sheehey x Ralph Lauren:

https://bit.ly/4pgSBeZ

Little Women:

https://shop.rileysheehey.com/collections/little-women/products/littlewomen

Follow Danielle Moss:

Website - https://www.danielle-moss.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/daniellemoss_/

Substack - https://daniellemoss.substack.com/

Host Danielle Moss sits down with Paige Connell of @sheisapaigeturner. The two working moms dive into the complexities of the mental load, motherhood, and what equitable partnership really looks like.

Paige shares her personal journey, from experiencing infertility and IVF, to fostering and adopting her two oldest children, and balancing life as a working mom to four. She opens up about the moment she reached her breaking point with the mental load, how she and her husband learned to divide domestic responsibilities in a way that works for them, and the realities of going viral online.

The conversation highlights the expectations placed on women, navigating hate on the internet, and practical steps for couples who want to create a more balanced home life.

Whether you’re struggling with the invisible labor of running a household, curious about foster care and adoption, or just need reassurance that you’re not alone in feeling overwhelmed, this episode is a reminder that everyone is figuring it out as they go.

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Follow Paige on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/sheisapaigeturner/?hl=en

Follow Paige on TikTok

https://www.tiktok.com/@sheisapaigeturner

Paige's Substack

https://sheisapaigeturner.substack.com/

Paige's Website

https://www.sheisapaigeturner.com/

Paige's Course

https://paigeconnell.myflodesk.com/mentalloadconversation

Follow Danielle Moss:

Website - https://www.danielle-moss.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/daniellemoss_/

Substack - https://daniellemoss.substack.com/

In this episode, Danielle Moss welcomes her longtime friend Julia Dzafic, the creator behind Lemon Stripes and author of Garden Grown, for a candid conversation about anxiety, motherhood, work, and what happens when you reach your 40s.

Julia opens up about her struggles with postpartum anxiety, her experience with miscarriage, and how sharing her story online helped others—and herself—feel less alone. She talks about finding balance between hustling and being present as a mom, learning to manage anxiety with routines and therapy, and navigating tricky terrain like drinking, parenting picky eaters, and managing the pressures of social media. If you’ve ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes, how to tune out judgment, or just need reassurance that you’re doing enough, this conversation is for you.

Refreshingly honest, heartwarming, and full of laughter, Julia brings all the real-talk you didn’t know you needed.

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Links for this episode:

Julia's Substack, Medicated Millenial Mom

https://medicatedmillennialmom.substack.com/

Julia's Blog

https://lemonstripes.com/

Julia's Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/lemonstripes/?hl=en

Garden Grown

https://geni.us/MA64X

Danielle's Favorite Protein

https://go.shopmy.us/p-31758143

Follow Danielle Moss:

Website - https://www.danielle-moss.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/daniellemoss_/

Substack - https://daniellemoss.substack.com/

In this episode, Danielle shares an honest conversation with one of her favorite follows, Jeffrey Marsh. They talk about the challenges and healing that come after going no contact with toxic parents, and the grief, guilt, and longing that follow.

Both reflect on personal stories of loss, boundaries, and finding support through chosen family and community. Jeffrey even turns the tables on Danielle and asks her a few questions. The episode offers hope, practical wisdom, and encouragement for anyone struggling with difficult family relationships, emphasizing that healing is possible and that there is nothing inherently wrong with you.

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Listen to part two of our conversation on Jeffrey’s Podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/whats-lonelier-holidays-literally-alone-or-with-a/id1711298921?i=1000737105266

Jeffrey’s website

https://www.jeffreymarsh.com/

Follow Jeffrey on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/thejeffreymarsh/?hl=en

Jeffrey’s Books

https://geni.us/vIX3n5

https://geni.us/XvTIE

Danielle’s Deeper Dive on Going No Contact

https://daniellemoss.substack.com/p/going-no-contact-with-my-parents

Follow Danielle Moss:

Website - https://www.danielle-moss.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/daniellemoss_/

Substack - https://daniellemoss.substack.com/

In this solo episode, Danielle Moss shares her story, looking back at a tumultuous childhood marked by emotional abuse, trauma, and abandonment. Danielle dives into the time she spent in a residential treatment center, an abusive relationship in her twenties, and how a search for happiness sparked a cross-country move. After moving to Chicago, she grew her own family and eventually navigated her daughter’s leukemia diagnosis. Along the way, she describes evolving career paths, rom accidental blog designer to co-founder of a successful women's website, and ultimately finding stability in her own chosen family.

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Danielle’s Post on Going No-Contact

https://daniellemoss.substack.com/p/going-no-contact-with-my-parents

Follow Danielle Moss:

Website - https://www.danielle-moss.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/daniellemoss_/

Substack - https://daniellemoss.substack.com/