Society is generally bad at dealing with grief in general. How difficult it would be if you are dealing with a uniquely different kind of sadness, such as friend loss? Irene Weinberg is joined by writer, podcaster, and certified grief educator Hannah Rumsey, who sheds light on why losing a friend is widely considered disenfranchised grief. She explains how the death of her beloved friend Lauren inspired her to launch a podcast and build a community centered on offering proper support for friend-loss grievers.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL HEAR ABOUT THINGS LIKE:

• How the death of her close friend helped Hannah gain more insight about herself and continues to shape her life today.
• Toxic beliefs and stories she told herself that complicated Hannah’s grief.
• The hard work of pulling out of despair and isolation.
• How story writing and writing helped Hannah unravel toxic beliefs and move towards healing. 
• Why and how Hannah created a podcast and a community specifically for friend loss.

WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kg9c0edJv5Q&list=PL7judgDzhkAWmfyB5r5WgFD6ahombBvoh

💛 Special Offers from Hannah Rumsey 💛

Hannah has generously shared a couple of gifts just for Grief & Rebirth podcast listeners:

🌱 15% OFF all 2026 grief groups & events hosted by Hannah

Use promo code REBIRTH2026 for any grief group or event she hosts throughout 2026. https://www.friendsmissingfriends.com/

📖 $50 OFF a Lifebooks Memorial Book

Lifebooks helps you create a beautiful, meaningful memorial for someone you Love.

Visit https://lifebooks.io/ and use code friendsmissingfriends to receive $50 off.

—

✨ Grief & Rebirth: Healing Resources & Tools ✨

🎧 Irene’s Books (Including a Free Audiobook!)

They Serve Bagels in Heaven—Irene’s heartfelt story of love and life beyond.

Listen Free on Audible as a First Time User: https://amzn.to/4dG4l4w

Get the Paperback or Hard copy: https://amzn.to/3XrE995

📚 Embrace Life’s Third Chapter

Good to the Last Drop—A powerful anthology on Aging with purpose: https://amzn.to/3VJgEa5

🛍️ Healing & Self-Care Picks

Curated books and essentials from Irene: https://kit.co/GriefandRebirth

📚 Grief & Rebirth Bookshop

Books by podcast guests for healing & Wisdom: https://bookshop.org/shop/griefandrebirth

🎙️ Podcast & Community

Inspiring stories of transformation on the Grief and Rebirth website: https://griefandrebirth.com

📱 Stay Connected

Subscribe to Grief and Rebirth on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOSDru2EU1djRZaZxxFkMig?sub_confirmation=1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irenesweinberg

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IreneSWeinberg

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@irenesweinberg

🎥 Irene’s Spiritual Awakening Story

Watch how the podcast began: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0mJWKfg5PM

🎙️ Be a Podcast Guest

Have a story or healing work to share?

Apply Here: https://ireneweinberg.com/be-on-the-podcast/

📰 Newsletter

Get updates, tips, and new episodes by signing up to the Grief and Rebirth Substack: https://substack.com/@griefandrebirth

💖 Affiliate Disclaimer

Some links may earn us a commission. We only share trusted, personally recommended resources.

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Irene Weinberg Author, Speaker and Host of Grief and Rebirth Podcast

Irene Weinberg is a public speaker, author, and host of the popular podcast Grief and Rebirth: Finding the Joy in Life. Two months before, during and just after her husband died next to her in a tragic car accident, Irene received profound messages that led to a spiritual awakening and her book They Serve Bagels in Heaven. Having learned to pay attention when seemingly “out of the blue” messages dropped into her head, one day Irene suddenly heard the word “podcast” and so began the next part of her soul purpose.  The mission of Grief and Rebirth: Finding the Joy in Life Podcast, which is touching and helping people all over the world, is to educate, enlighten, and provide healing choices through interviews with grief and trauma specialists, healers, mediums, and people who have inspiring stories of healing, transformation, and rebirth to share. 

You can find the Grief and Rebirth Podcast with its inspiring and uplifting interviews on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, my podcast page, Spotify, and Apple Podcas