Joanna opens up about the experience of widowhood, the emotional isolation of grief, and the well-meaning things people say that often miss the mark. She discusses the importance of allowing yourself to fully feel emotions instead of hiding them, how friends and family supported her during suicidal ideation, and the ways grief reshaped her relationship with her daughter.

The conversation also explores:

How to support someone who is grieving without smothering them
Why “How are you?” can feel impossible to answer
Anger toward God, loved ones, and life itself
Trauma, emotional honesty, and parenting through grief
The balance between needing solitude and needing connection
Why every person experiences grief differently

Joanna also discusses her one-woman show Widow, which she is bringing to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and how storytelling can help teach people how to truly love and support those who are grieving.

Joanna’s work:

The Occasional Epiphany by Joanna Lowe
Cup A Joe Productions Facebook

Subscribe to Fishing Without Bait on your favorite podcast player.

Support us on Patreon for ad-free episodes:
Fishing Without Bait Patreon

Pick up our book:
Learn to Fish Without Bait: A 365-Day Mindfulness Journal and Adult Coloring Book

Joanna shares the story of losing her husband just months after their marriage—a loss that didn’t just take a partner, but reshaped her entire world. She opens up about experiencing prolonged grief disorder, losing years of her life to trauma, and the physical, emotional, and neurological effects that followed.

This conversation explores:

The reality of grief beyond what society expects
How trauma impacts the body and mind
The loss of identity, faith, and emotional connection
Why “I know how you feel” can be harmful
The importance of sitting with pain instead of trying to fix it

This is not a conversation about “moving on.” It’s about learning to exist again.

Beyond her personal journey, Joanna continues to create across multiple platforms:

🎶 The Occasional Epiphany:
https://ceeteecee.bandcamp.com/album/the-occasional-epiphany

🎙️ The Grin Reapers Club Podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/show/66bwzvlXpuOcdxbk3a2ygo

🎬 Cup a Joe Productions:
https://www.facebook.com/cupajoprod
🎧 Calls to Action
Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast player
Support us on Patreon (ad-free episodes): https://www.patreon.com/c/fishingwithoutbait
Pick up our book:
“Learn to Fish Without Bait: A 365-Day Mindfulness Journal and Adult Coloring Book”
https://www.lulu.com/shop/james-ellermeyer-lpc-ma-ncc-lpc/learn-to-fish-without-bait/paperback/product-6n9rd8.html?page=1&pageSize=4

From the uncertainty of the PICU to the first small signs of awareness, Emily walks us through the emotional highs and devastating lows of recovery. She recounts moments of hope—like McKenna responding for the first time—and moments where that hope seemed to disappear just as quickly.

As the journey unfolds, Emily shares what it was like to advocate fiercely for her daughter in life-or-death situations, including a critical moment where speaking up quite literally saved McKenna’s life. Through it all, time lost meaning, routines became survival, and resilience became essential.

This episode also explores the long road of recovery—rehabilitation, regaining movement, and the emotional milestone of bringing McKenna home. But the journey didn’t end there. Emily shares the next challenge: kidney failure, the transplant process, and her unwavering certainty that she would be the one to donate.

This is a story of courage, advocacy, and the deep connection between parent and child—where love becomes the driving force through unimaginable circumstances.

This is Part 2 of Emily’s story.

👉 Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app
👉 Support us on Patreon for ad-free episodes: https://www.patreon.com/c/fishingwithoutbait
👉 Pick up our book: “Learn to Fish Without Bait: A 365-Day Mindfulness Journal and Adult Coloring Book”
https://www.lulu.com/shop/james-ellermeyer-lpc-ma-ncc-lpc/learn-to-fish-without-bait/paperback/product-6n9rd8.html?page=1&pageSize=4

Emily describes how she sensed something was wrong with her healthy two-year-old daughter weeks before doctors confirmed it. Despite multiple visits and reassurances that it was “just a virus,” her body told her otherwise. The anxiety built until one terrifying afternoon when her daughter collapsed in her arms.

From calling 911, to the helicopter ride to Children’s Hospital, to hearing the words “open heart surgery,” Emily walks us through the moment-by-moment unfolding of crisis. She reflects on fear, being unheard, trust in medical professionals, and the power of intuition.

This is Part 1 of a deeply moving story about resilience, advocacy, recovery, and the spiritual strength that carried her through.

Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform so you don’t miss Part 2.
Support us on Patreon for ad-free episodes: https://www.patreon.com/c/fishingwithoutbait
Pick up Jim’s book: Learn to Fish Without Bait https://www.lulu.com/shop/james-ellermeyer-lpc-ma-ncc-lpc/learn-to-fish-without-bait/paperback/product-6n9rd8.html?page=1&pageSize=4

Raised in a rigid evangelical environment, Jenni shares the personal challenges and pivotal moments that led her to relocate to New York City, ultimately pursuing a career that harmonizes spirituality with social justice. After a transformative experience in advertising and the corporate world, Jenni's quest for deeper understanding propelled her into seminary at Union Theological Seminary, where she studied interfaith social justice and political science.

Discover how Jenni's personal struggles with complex PTSD and her discovery of yoga and mindfulness as powerful tools for her own healing inspired her to assist others facing similar challenges. Learn about her journey through yoga teacher training during the COVID-19 pandemic, which connected her with Kula for Karma, an organization dedicated to integrating yoga and mindfulness to support those dealing with trauma and mental health issues.

Jenni also discusses her book "Femi-Evangelical," where she critiques the religious doctrines that shaped her early life and advocates for a reclamation of faith grounded in justice, equality, and personal empowerment, especially for women.

This enlightening conversation not only sheds light on Jenni's impactful work and personal growth but also offers valuable insights into the healing power of integrating mind, body, and spirit practices into recovery and wellness frameworks.

Tune in for an engaging and uplifting discussion that promises to enrich your understanding of faith, healing, and personal transformation.

Find out more about Kula for Karma at www.kulaforkarma.org

Are you finding benefit from this show?  We appreciate any support with our Patreon page!  Pledge as little as $1 a month for extra clips, behind the scenes and more at www.patreon.com/fishingwithoutbait !

Subscribe to our Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Music, TuneIn or look for it on your favorite Podcatcher!