Episode 56 ~ Grief Doesn’t Play Fair: Mon Trice Williams On Healing Beyond Survival Mode скачать в хорошем качестве

Episode 56 ~ Grief Doesn’t Play Fair: Mon Trice Williams On Healing Beyond Survival Mode

What happens when grief arrives all at once—and refuses to follow the rules? In this deeply moving episode of Female Voices: Life & Loss, host Teresa Reiniger sits down with Mon Trice Williams (aka Poet Emma Dree)—a widow, mother, poet, author, and curator of healing spaces—who shares how losing her mother, husband, and five other family members within single year reshaped everything she thought she knew about grief, self-care, and resilience. Rather than trying to “fix” her grief, Mon Trice learned to listen to it—and what emerged was a powerful philosophy: self-care isn’t a one-time rescue, it’s a sustainable network. Through poetry, interactive open mics, serenity suppers, and immersive writing experiences, Mon Trice now creates healing spaces that help people process grief, identity shifts, and loss—together. This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating grief, burnout, widowhood, or emotional overwhelm—and for those who feel pressure to be “high-functioning” while silently unraveling. 🌿 GUEST INTRODUCTION Mon Trice Williams, also known as Poet Emma Dree, is a St. Louis–based poet, author, widow, and creative community builder. After experiencing compounded grief from the loss of seven family members in one year, Mon transformed her pain into purpose by curating healing spaces rooted in creativity, reflection, and connection. She is the resident poet at Sweet Art Café in St. Louis and the creator of interactive open mics, serenity suppers, and The Moving Page—a writing retreat on an Amtrak train. Her work centers on grief, identity, self-care, and the healing power of community. 💬 Memorable Quotes ● “Grief does not play by the rules—but it doesn’t have to win the game.” — Mon Trice (03:22) ● “I kept trying to fix my grief instead of letting it be.” — Mon Trice (03:44) ● “You can’t compartmentalize grief. If you suppress it in one area, it shows up somewhere else.” — Mon Trice (07:07) ● “Self-care isn’t a rescue plan. It’s a network that prepares you to take the hit.” — Mon Trice (09:48) ● “Failure isn’t final—it’s feedback.” — Mon Trice (23:18) ● “You don’t have to be a poet to heal through creativity. You just have to begin gently.” — Teresa Reiniger (37:55) 🧠 Topics Discussed ● Compounded grief and losing multiple loved ones in a short time ● Why high-functioning people struggle deeply with grief ● Brain fog, memory loss, and grief’s impact on cognition ● The myth of “getting through” grief quickly ● The eight pillars of holistic self-care ● Creativity as a form of emotional processing ● Building community-based healing spaces ● Interactive open mics and shared reflection as healing tools ● Parenting through grief and honoring different grieving styles ● Boundaries, rest, and redefining productivity 🌱 Key Takeaways ● Grief doesn’t follow a timeline—and comparing your grief to others is harmful ● Self-care must be proactive, consistent, and multi-dimensional ● You cannot “out-perform” or intellectualize grief ● Creativity can unlock healing when words feel inaccessible ● Community reduces isolation and validates your lived experience 📍 Shoutouts & Mentions ● Sweet Art Café (St. Louis, MO) – Healing space & home base for open mics ● Rain Crease – Owner of Sweet Art Café and supporter of creative self-care initiatives ● Pageway Publishing – Publisher of Mon Trice’s children’s books and poetry ● Amtrak (St. Louis to Kansas City Route) – Home of The Moving Page writing experience ⏱️ EPISODE TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Introduction & guest overview 01:41 – Losing seven family members in one year 03:22 – “Grief doesn’t play by the rules” 05:25 – High-functioning women & grief denial 07:07 – Why grief can’t be compartmentalized 08:04 – When writing stopped working 09:48 – The self-care network revelation 11:32 – Self-care brunches & community healing 12:24 – Open mic healing spaces at Sweet Art Café 17:53 – Serenity Suppers & identity exploration 20:04 – The Moving Page: Writing on a train 25:08 – “Don’t let anyone tell you how to grieve” 28:09 – Parenting, masculinity & grief 30:22 – The 8 pillars of self-care explained 33:49 – Why rest is productive 34:41 – Healing through therapy & community 37:55 – Closing reflection & listener question 🧩 Reflection Question for Listeners Who is part of your self-care network—and where might you be trying to do this alone? 🔗 CONNECT WITH THE GUEST 📘 Facebook:   / emma.dree.7   📸 Instagram:   / emma_dree_   📧 Email: montricewrites@gmail.com 💖 JOIN THE CONVERSATION 📩 Email: femalevoiceslifelosspodcast@gmail.com 📘 Facebook: Female Voices: Life & Loss Podcast 📸 Instagram: @femalevoiceslifelosspodcast 🎵 TikTok: @femalevoiceslifeloss � Subscribe, share, and leave a review to help more women feel seen, supported, and less alone.