This episode contains strong language and references to sex and drugs. Listener discretion is advised.

In Episode 10 of Laugh at the Odds Podcast with Heidi and Dave, we speak with New York comedian and COVID-19 widower, Rich Kiamco, on grief and humor. We also discuss the circumstances of his partner Sandy's passing, from his COVID positive diagnosis to his quick decline, as well as the unique challenges that widowed members of the LGBTQIA+ community face, such as disenfranchised grief.

ABOUT OUR GUEST:
 
Rich Kiamco has appeared on The Howard Stern Show, The Wendy Williams Show and he's opened for Gilbert Gottfried and Louie Anderson in Las Vegas. He received standing ovations at FACT: Filipino Americans Coming Together, the largest midwest conference of Fil-Am students and at True Colors, the world's largest LGBTQ youth conference. He can be seen on BuzzFeed's Follow This on Netflix and was pictured on the cover of the NYTimes with The ManKind Project, an international nonprofit mens organization promoting healthy masculinity and emotional growth and his WTY (We There Yet?) Podcast is on ITunes.

OUR GUEST'S LINKS:

https://youtu.be/yh9P2KG7Cdw
https://www.instagram.com/richkiamco/
https://www.RichKiamco.com
info@RichKiamco.com

ABOUT LAUGH AT THE ODDS:

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/LaughAtTheOddsPodcastWithHeidiDave
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BUY AS A COFFEE: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/laughattheodds

In Episode 9 of Laugh at the Odds Podcast with Heidi and Dave, we talk about Heidi's very recent loss, Dave’s own losses from years prior, and how these have affected us both as widowed people, as well as Benji. We also speak with Nancy Saxton-Lopez and Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio, both therapists who ran a pet loss group for 30 years, and co-authors of “The Pet Loss Companion; Healing Advice From Family Therapists Who Lead Pet Loss Groups,” and co-hosts of the podcast “The Pet Loss Companion.” They help us navigate and understand our own experiences with pet loss, and share lessons and advice from their collective years in behavioral health in general, and in the subject of pet loss in particular.

ABOUT OUR GUESTS:

Nancy Saxton-Lopez is a licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist, speaker, trainer, coach and consultant.  She has had over 30 years of clinical and managerial experience in behavioral health.  She currently is Sr. Partner in Clinical Services Management, a behavioral health consulting management firm.  Ms. Saxton-Lopez also maintains a private practice providing therapy and coaching to adolescents and adults.  She is well versed working with adolescent issues, depression, anxiety, and life challenges.  Her main expertise is in grief and bereavement, specifically companion animal loss. She co-led a support group for companion animal loss in New Jersey for 30 years. Ms. Saxton-Lopez also co-authored the book “The Pet Loss Companion; Healing Advice From Family Therapists Who Lead Pet Loss Groups” with Ken Dolan-DelVecchio.  She is a graduate of New York University School of Social Work, has a Certificate in Family Therapy from The New Jersey Center for Family Studies and holds a Certificate from the University of Tennessee in Veterinary Social Work.

Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and Senior Professional in Human Resources. He is a lifelong animal companion enthusiast who, along with fellow therapist Nancy Saxton-Lopez, coauthored The Pet Loss Companion: Healing Advice from Family Therapists Who Lead Pet Loss Groups. Ken and Nancy host The Pet Loss Companion live broadcast on YouTube and Facebook every Thurs at 6PM ET.

Ken is the author or coauthor of three other books, including his latest, Simple Habits of Exceptional (But Not Perfect) Parents.  He is an award-winning leader and keynote speaker in the field of workplace mental health and leadership. In 2017, Ken retired from his 19-year tenure at Prudential, where as Vice President, Health and Wellness, where he was responsible for behavioral health services for US employees, leadership consulting internationally, and violence prevention.  Learn more at GreenGateLeadership.com and see Ken’s videos on YouTube at Work Life Confidential and The Pet Loss Companion.

OUR GUESTS' LINKS:

https://www.kendolan-delvecchio.com/
https://www.GreenGateLeadership.com
PET LOSS COMPANION PODCAST:  https://open.spotify.com/show/4DG0btqT9T6R0RZK15kgcg
PET LOSS COMPANION BOOK: http://www.thepetlosscompanion.com/
SIMPLE HABITS OF EXCEPTIONAL (BUT NOT PERFECT) PARENTS BOOK https://www.kendolan-delvecchio.com/simple-habits-preview/
WORK LIFE CONFIDENTIAL YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUaYKZZR31HPxkVNow8kAuA



ABOUT LAUGH AT THE ODDS:

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In Episode 8 of Laugh at the Odds Podcast with Heidi and Dave, we speak with Kristin Meekhof about her work as a therapist, wellness coach, and her writing. We will delve into the research she did for her work and what she learned about resilience and storytelling from speaking with widows around the world.

ABOUT OUR GUESTS:

Kristin Meekhof is a licensed master's level social worker, co- author of the best-selling book, "A Widow's Guide to Healing" (Sourcebooks, 2015), a life coach and a resilience and wellness expert. She helps people share their message and expand their reach with integrity and authenticity. Kristin has advised some of the most influential people in the media and politics.

https://www.kristinmeekhof.com/

WHERE TO PURCHASE "A WIDOW'S GUIDE TO HEALING"

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Books a Million
Indie Bound

ABOUT LAUGH AT THE ODDS:

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/LaughAtTheOddsPodcastWithHeidiDave
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/laughattheoddspodcast
LINKTREE: https://linktr.ee/LaughAtTheOddsPodcast
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