Grief is something we will all experience, yet it's often one of the hardest topics to talk about.

In this heartfelt and deeply moving episode of Well, Hello Anxiety, Dr Jodi Richardson welcomes back therapist, mental health educator, relationship expert and podcast host Marie Vakakis for an honest conversation about grief, loss and healing.

Drawing on both her professional expertise and recent personal experiences, Marie shares her reflections on caring for her grandmother through dementia, navigating anticipatory grief, saying goodbye to her beloved dog Walter, and learning how to carry love forward after loss.

Together, Jodi and Marie explore why grief is far more complex than most people realise, how it affects us emotionally and physically, the challenges grief can create in relationships, and why empathy - not fixing - is often the most powerful gift we can offer someone who is hurting.

This conversation offers comfort, validation and practical insights for anyone experiencing loss, supporting a grieving loved one, or navigating the uncertainty of anticipatory grief.

Dr Jodi & Marie talk about:
What anticipatory grief really looks and feels like
Why grief and anxiety are often closely connected
The physical and emotional impact of loss
Different grieving styles and how they can affect relationships
The experience of pet loss and why it matters
Why "grief is love with nowhere to go"
Common phrases that aren't always helpful when someone is grieving
The power of empathy, validation and simply showing up
How cultural rituals can support the grieving process
Why grief doesn't disappear—but can become easier to carry over time
Practical ways to support a grieving friend, partner or family member

Connect with Marie Vakakis:

🌐 Website: https://marievakakis.com.au

🎙️ This Complex Life Podcast:
https://marievakakis.com.au/podcast

🧠 The Therapy Hub:
https://thetherapyhub.com.au

Connect with Dr Jodi Richardson:

🌐 Website: https://drjodirichardson.com

📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjodirichardson

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drjodirichardson

DO YOU WANT TO HEAR THE POD LIVE? GET YOUR FREE TIX HERE

Loved This Episode?

If this conversation resonated with you, please share it with someone who may need support through grief, loss or life transitions. Your ratings, reviews and shares help us reach more people and continue important conversations about anxiety, mental health and wellbeing.

Remember: We don't heal grief by fixing it - we heal through connection, compassion and being witnessed. ❤️

Grief is something we will all experience, yet it's often one of the hardest topics to talk about.
In this heartfelt and deeply moving episode of Well, Hello Anxiety, Dr Jodi Richardson welcomes back therapist, mental health educator, relationship expert and podcast host Marie Vakakis for an honest conversation about grief, loss and healing.
Drawing on both her professional expertise and recent personal experiences, Marie shares her reflections on caring for her grandmother through dementia, navigating anticipatory grief, saying goodbye to her beloved dog Walter, and learning how to carry love forward after loss.
Together, Jodi and Marie explore why grief is far more complex than most people realise, how it affects us emotionally and physically, the challenges grief can create in relationships, and why empathy - not fixing - is often the most powerful gift we can offer someone who is hurting.
This conversation offers comfort, validation and practical insights for anyone experiencing loss, supporting a grieving loved one, or navigating the uncertainty of anticipatory grief.
Dr Jodi &amp; Marie talk about:
<ul>
<li>What anticipatory grief really looks and feels like</li>
<li>Why grief and anxiety are often closely connected</li>
<li>The physical and emotional impact of loss</li>
<li>Different grieving styles and how they can affect relationships</li>
<li>The experience of pet loss and why it matters</li>
<li>Why "grief is love with nowhere to go"</li>
<li>Common phrases that aren't always helpful when someone is grieving</li>
<li>The power of empathy, validation and simply showing up</li>
<li>How cultural rituals can support the grieving process</li>
<li>Why grief doesn't disappear&mdash;but can become easier to carry over time</li>
<li>Practical ways to support a grieving friend, partner or family member</li>
</ul>
Connect with Marie Vakakis:
🌐 Website: https://marievakakis.com.au
🎙️ This Complex Life Podcast: https://marievakakis.com.au/podcast
🧠 The Therapy Hub: https://thetherapyhub.com.au
Connect with Dr Jodi Richardson:
🌐 Website: https://drjodirichardson.com
📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjodirichardson
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drjodirichardson
DO YOU WANT TO HEAR THE POD LIVE? GET YOUR FREE TIX <a href="https://www.thelight.com.au/news/well-hello-anxiety-goes-live-join-us-for-a-special-afternoon-of-conversation-connection-and-practical-support">HERE</a>
Loved This Episode?
If this conversation resonated with you, please share it with someone who may need support through grief, loss or life transitions. Your ratings, reviews and shares help us reach more people and continue important conversations about anxiety, mental health and wellbeing.
Remember: We don't heal grief by fixing it - we heal through connection, compassion and being witnessed. ❤️

Our minds didn’t evolve for modern day life. It’s natural to feel anxious, but sometimes we can get stuck in a cycle of anxiety that gets in the way of, well, everything. If you’re looking for a compassionate place to learn how to dial anxiety down and get on with creating a happier life with more calm, contentment, meaning and purpose, this is the podcast for you.
Well, hello anxiety is hosted by anxiety and well-being speaker, educator and bestselling author Dr Jodi Richardson. Through open and honest conversations Jodi and her guests share expertise, inspiration and practical strategies to help you rise to the challenge of being human with the tools you need to thrive.


For education and entertainment purposes only.

Our minds didn’t evolve for modern day life. It’s natural to feel anxious, but sometimes we can get stuck in a cycle of anxiety that gets in the way of, well, everything. If you’re looking for a compassionate place to learn how to dial anxiety down and get on with creating a happier life with more calm, contentment, meaning and purpose, this is the podcast for you. Well, hello anxiety is hosted by anxiety and well-being speaker, educator and bestselling author Dr Jodi Richardson. Through open and honest conversations Jodi and her guests share expertise, inspiration and practical strategies to help you rise to the challenge of being human with the tools you need to thrive.
 For education and entertainment purposes only.

This is ‘Well, hello anxiety’, a podcast where we end the struggle with anxiety and build our toolkit of practical skills to thrive.

Well, hello anxiety with Dr Jodi Richardson

Anxiety happens. What happens next is what matters most. But where to start? And then what? And what if it's someone else you're trying to help? 'Well, hello anxiety' is the podcast where you'll learn answers to all of these questions and so much more. You'll finally see anxiety for what it really is, understand it, learn what the science says about settling it right down and how to help others as well. If you're looking for genuinely helpful, compassionate anxiety help, for yourself, or someone you care about, this is the podcast for you. An award-winning podcast Well, hello anxiety is hosted by anxiety and well-being speaker, educator and bestselling author Dr Jodi Richardson. Through open and honest conversations Jodi and her guests share expertise, inspiration and practical strategies to finally get anxiety out of the way so you can live the life that's waiting for you.



For education and entertainment purposes only.

Anxiety happens. What happens next is what matters most. But where to start? And then what? And what if it's someone else you're trying to help? 'Well, hello anxiety' is the podcast where you'll learn answers to all of these questions and so much more. You'll finally see anxiety for what it really is, understand it, learn what the science says about settling it right down and how to help others as well. If you're looking for genuinely helpful, compassionate anxiety help, for yourself, or someone you care about, this is the podcast for you. An award-winning podcast Well, hello anxiety is hosted by anxiety and well-being speaker, educator and bestselling author Dr Jodi Richardson. Through open and honest conversations Jodi and her guests share expertise, inspiration and practical strategies to finally get anxiety out of the way so you can live the life that's waiting for you.
 
For education and entertainment purposes only.