Episode #16
The Trimesters of Grief: Losing a Child, Carrying Loss & Finding Life Again with Katie Rizzo
What does it mean to keep living after experiencing a loss that changes everything? In this deeply personal episode of The Kelly Healing Project, Kelly sits down with author Katie Rizzo to talk about the loss of her 25-year-old son, Nicholas, to addiction—and what grief has actually looked like in the aftermath. Before talking about how Nicholas died, Katie shares who he was: a son, brother, friend, and person deeply loved by his family. Together, Kelly and Katie explore the complicated layers of losing someone to addiction, including the stigma surrounding substance use, the questions that remain after loss, and the reality that grief doesn't follow a predictable timeline. Katie also shares the idea behind her memoir, The Trimesters of Grief , and the unexpected parallels she began noticing between pregnancy and grief—from the physical symptoms and numbness of early loss to eventually realizing that grief isn't something we simply finish or leave behind. The conversation explores what it means to continue a relationship with someone after death, why Katie began writing poetry to Nicholas “across the veil,” and how writing became a way to express emotions she couldn't always put into ordinary words. Kelly also opens up about her own experience with traumatic loss, creating an honest conversation about the different ways grief can affect our identities, relationships, nervous systems, and ability to trust life again. Rather than trying to turn loss into something positive or tie grief into a neat ending, Katie shares what she's learning about allowing grief and joy to exist at the same time—and continuing to live while still carrying the person you love with you. In this episode: • Remembering Nicholas beyond his addiction • Losing a child to addiction and the stigma surrounding that loss • Katie's “Trimesters of Grief” framework • Why grief doesn't have a finish line • Writing and poetry as ways of processing loss • Continuing a relationship with someone after death • The complicated relationship between grief, guilt, and joy • How traumatic loss can affect identity and relationships • The practices that have helped Katie continue moving forward • Why healing doesn't have to mean letting go • Learning to carry grief while continuing to live Katie is the author of The Trimesters of Grief and None of Them Are You . Connect with Katie and learn more about her work at katierizzo.com . Support the show Thank you so much for being here and listening today. If this episode resonated with you, I'd love to stay connected. Visit thekellyhealingproject.com to explore more podcast episodes, coaching, and resources for your healing journey. You can also reach me anytime at thekellyhealingproject@gmail.com . Your healing, your growth, and your power truly matter—and I'm so grateful you're here.
