In this episode, I’m joined by registered psychiatric nurse and certified grief coach Adrienne Bender, who opens up about her powerful, personal journey through unimaginable loss and unwavering resilience. We explore her newly published memoir, The Almost Miracle Years, and the deeply human stories behind it—stories of surviving the deaths of both her children, and the strength it took to find hope and purpose in the aftermath. With remarkable vulnerability and warmth, Adrienne shares the truth behind her grief, how she found meaning through suffering, and why she believes in celebrating life, even amidst heartbreak.
Among many other topics, we explore:
Living Through the “Almost Miracles”: How both of Adrienne’s children defied the odds and what it meant to cherish moments of joy, even when the bigger picture looked grim.
Resilience as a Daily Choice: Finding the strength to get out of bed, schedule joy, and stay present even when it’s just for an hour or a cup of coffee.
Raw Grief and Real Healing: Why Adrienne chose to write with honesty, including the missteps, messy moments, and hard truths that accompany deep loss.
The Power of Intentional Moments: From a daughter’s hospital Halloween party to a son’s decision to pursue college, Adrienne shares how focusing on what’s beautiful can anchor us through stormy seasons.
Humor, Ritual, and Celebration: Adrienne talks about using laughter, birthday traditions, and intentional acts of remembrance to stay connected with her children after their passing.
Hope Beyond This Realm: Why Adrienne believes in the afterlife, and how that belief gives her strength and purpose in continuing to be a mother, storyteller, and guide.
Join us for this profoundly moving conversation about choosing to live, love, and lead with purpose (even after loss) and why Adrienne’s story is one of triumph, not tragedy.
You can get Adrienne Bender’s book,
The Almost Miracle Years, on Amazon and her website
.