Family Flowers Only by Grief Ireland

This week I sit down with Megan Kelly who shares the devastating loss of both her brother Graham and her mum Samantha, who died by suicide just over a year between each other.
Megan speaks with incredible honesty about navigating two profound losses so close together, something very few people experience, and the impact it has had on her life. We had an open conversation about suicide, mental health, and the reality of grieving in such complex circumstances.
This is a deeply important conversation, helping to bring understanding, reduce stigma, and encourage more open conversations around mental health.
⚠️ Content note: This episode contains discussion of suicide and mental health which some listeners may find distressing. Please take care while listening.
If you have been affected by anything in this episode, support is available:
📞 Samaritans (Ireland): 116 123 (freephone, 24/7)
📱 Text HELLO to 50808 (Crisis Text Line Ireland)
For those seeking support or connection in their own grief journey:
• My Spousal Loss Retreat Weekend is now open, you can find more information at:
www.griefireland.com
• You can also learn more about my May 5K a Day Challenge and join the team here:
https://forms.gle/11PTTxQsAXd3icBXA

This week I sit down with Lauren Golden a clinical psychotherapist, who shares the loss of her brother Daniel who died by suicide.
Lauren speaks about the complexity of Daniel’s mental health in the lead-up to his death, including his diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Despite the challenges he faced she reflects on how she never thought for a moment it would end this way, a reality that so many families can relate to.
Drawing from both her personal experience and her professional background Lauren offers a deeply insightful conversation around mental health, suicide, and grief. She also speaks about her own grieving process and how she found a way to move through her loss in a way that felt healthy and supportive.
This is an honest and important conversation that brings both understanding and compassion to a topic that is often difficult to speak about.
You can find Lauren on Instagram @LaurenGolden
For more information on Grief Workshops and Grief Retreats please visit www.griefireland.com

This week I sit down with Dympna Little known to many online as @dimplestilskin, recognised for her sharp wit and dark humour.
In this conversation Dympna shares a very different side of herself, speaking openly about the loss of her mum, Lily. With honesty and vulnerability, she reflects on her grief, the impact her mum had on her life, and how that loss continues to shape her.
While Dympna is known for her humour, this episode shows the depth behind it, how laughter and grief can exist side by side. She allows herself to go to places we don’t often see, offering a powerful and human insight into loss.
This is a heartfelt and honest conversation about love, grief, and the many ways we cope.

This week I sit down with Lauren Keaney who shares the devastating loss of her brother Thomas who died in Australia after being the victim of a one-punch attack.
Thomas had emigrated from Galway and Lauren speaks about the shock of losing him so suddenly in such violent circumstances, and the heartbreak of having to bring him home to Ireland.
She reflects on the impact of losing someone at the hands of another person, the shock, the pain, and the deep sense of injustice that can come with that kind of loss.
This is a powerful and emotional conversation about sibling grief, sudden loss, and learning to live with something that should never have happened.
For more information on our Grief Workshops visit www.griefireland.com
To watch this video podcast episode in full - https://after-the-flowers.circle.so/checkout/after-the-flowers-membership

This week I sit down with Sarita Egan a mum of four who shares the heartbreaking loss of her husband Mark, who died by suicide. Mark had also battled for a period with severe psychosis on and off whilst coming off anabolic steroids.
Sarita speaks openly about the shock of what happened, the guilt she carries, the complexity of Mark’s mental health in those final weeks, and the devastating impact his loss has had on her and their children. She shares her experience with honesty and courage, shedding light on a topic that is often misunderstood and rarely spoken about.
This is a deeply emotional conversation about grief, mental health, and the ripple effect it continues to have on a family.
⚠️ Content note: This episode contains discussion of suicide and mental health which some listeners may find distressing. Please take care while listening.
If you have been affected by anything in this episode, you can contact Samaritans for support:
📞 Freephone 116 123 (Ireland & UK)
🌐 www.samaritans.org
For more information on grief support and resources, visit www.griefireland.com.
You can find Sarita on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/sarita_innerlightpsychotherapy/