Tom Hartridge
@TomHartridge · 4:56
Past, Present & Future Grief-Don’t Ever Give Up Hope
As I recall, after my mom passed away, I not only struggled immensely from depression and grief, but also to find a therapist to help me get through the grieving process of losing my mom, as well as to try to find a way to alleviate my depression and anxiety. After two months of searching to finally see a therapist, I had the great fortune to contact one who had an opening by the name of Eric Volper
Tom Hartridge
@TomHartridge · 0:40
So I ran out of time. The other thing I wanted to say was, I will forever be grateful to Eric and those of you who are out there, who are suffering from grief, depression, anxiety. Don't ever give up. Call a friend. If you can't find a therapist, family member or reach out to me. I would love to help, because I know what it's like to lose a loved one and friends, and it's painful
Deborah Pardes
@DBPardes · 1:52
I mean, he lives inside you. He gives you the courage probably to breathe in these next few moments, let alone kind of re emerge at some point as you navigate through this grief, which will probably take a long time because grief is very cyclical. It's very repercussive. And as a podcaster, I know I've listened to your episodes. You are somebody who doesn't shy away from conversation
Swell Team
@Swell · 0:15
Zara Lisbon
@ZLisbon · 3:58
Hey, Tom. Thank you for sharing this really beautiful and heartbreaking and devastating story with us all. Grief is really the hardest place to be in, the hardest emotion to have because it's one that you drown in completely, and it sounds like you have been through so much of it so recently. One after another is just, oh, my God, just devastating, especially after all of that, to lose your therapist. I lost a therapist six or seven
Tom Hartridge
@TomHartridge · 5:00
And I know that I use this analogy somewhat when I first announced the tragic news of Eric passing away. But I wanted to read or share an excerpt the very last paragraph of what I wrote and sent to the owner of Just Mine counseling to pass along to Eric's family so they knew exactly what Eric meant to me, how much he meant to me. And here it is
Tom Hartridge
@TomHartridge · 2:08
But what I will say is he having dealt with this twice already with losing both of my parents and he helped me get over the loss of my beautiful, sweet mother is the fact that I will be able to move past this and he is with me and will always be with me for the rest of my life. And he would want me Tom continue on with my message and the podcast. In fact, he would be p***** at me if I didn't do so otherwise
Tom Hartridge
@TomHartridge · 1:48
Ayahuasca in fact, I'll share that I'm considering possibly going back down to South America, scheduling permitting and resources so forth, and having another journey with mother. Ayah if you listen to my fourth episode, that's a great starting point, I think, for us and I would nothing but love to share and exchange our experiences further. But listen to that episode, I think you'll enjoy it
Tom Hartridge
@TomHartridge · 4:31
It's cyclical and you don't exactly know when it will come back or emerge or hit you in the face, so to speak. But time does help. But yes, Ayahuasca was able to help me tremendously get over the grief of losing my best friend and dad that I can assure you wholeheartedly. It was very helpful. And as I said to Ty a little while ago, I think Mother Ayah may be calling me back again. We shall see. But listen to episode four
Deborah Pardes
@DBPardes · 1:03
I really have to say, listening to this thread, I understand why you are in podcasting because you have such a beautiful way of expressing your heart. And I'm so excited to have you here on Swell. And I will just be keeping you in my heart. And I'm glad your podcast is going to thrive with the inspiration of your relationship with Eric
Hey Tom, thank you so much for reaching out. It's good to hear that that swell talks to you as much as yours did me and I will check out your podcast and I will also look forward to the invite to that new swell. Well then I know it's coming our way one day. Keep doing that. Best of luck with travels, I trust a lot well for you, my mind is always waiting for you
Tom Hartridge
@TomHartridge · 1:18
And I'm going to Mexico to seek healing and the healing powers of plant medicine. So I wanted to know I wanted you to know that I was thinking about you. And I will post something about my journey with mother Aya and so forth. So I love to hear from your brother. I hope you're doing well during these crazy times. Take care, man. Talk to you later. Soon
