In this episode, Holly Gainsboro speaks with Shannon Traphagen, host of The Game On Glio podcast, about her journey through grief after losing her husband Mike to glioblastoma in 2020 at the age of 44. Shannon shares the story of Mike’s sudden diagnosis, their 20-year marriage, and the heartbreak of interrupted plans for parenthood. She discusses how creating her podcast became a way to honor Mike’s memory and support others in the brain cancer community, eventually growing into her media company, Write Life Media. Together, Holly and Shannon also explore widowhood, dating after loss, and finding “courageous joy” while continuing to live with grief.

This episode is in honor of Brain Tumor Awareness Month, dedicated to raising awareness, supporting patients and families, and advancing research for brain tumors. Donations to help fund research for brain tumors can be made through the Glioblastoma Research Organization at https://www.gbmresearch.org/donate.

Shannon Traphagen is a renowned medical media storyteller, author, and award-winning podcast host. With multiple degrees and certification in Storytelling in Modern Media from Yale University, Shannon launched her business Write Life Media after losing her husband Mike to brain cancer in 2020. Shannon travels the globe, and speaks at conferences in her expert capacity in medical storytelling with an emphasis on oncology care and widowhood. With more than 50K followers on social media, she uses her voice to help others who are navigating hard times in life. She volunteers as a cancer patient advocate. And to date has produced more than 60 episodes of Game On Glio Podcast. Shannon is also a 4.5 star author with two more books being published soon.

You can learn more about Shannon at WriteLifeMediaLLC.com, on Instagram at Game On Glio Podcast or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/gameonglio.

Holly Gainsboro, founder of Golden Heart Grief Support & Education, is a certified grief support specialist/coach and certified grief educator. Following the death of her late husband, Steven, Holly felt pulled to be present for others experiencing their own losses—not just pertaining to death, but any event that may result in a grief response. She guides those who have suffered losses by helping them navigate their way through grief, transitioning them to a place of joy and hope. Holly also facilitates grief support groups, and grief education workshops. You can learn more on her website: https://www.goldenheartgrief.com

Produced by Cindy Ballaro with On Track Marketing – cindyballaro@yahoo.com

In this episode, Holly Gainsboro speaks with Gabby Jimenez, founder of The Hospice Heart, about end-of-life care and the role of hospice. Gabby shares her journey from commercial real estate to hospice nursing and offers insight from witnessing thousands of final moments. Together, they address common misconceptions about hospice, discuss what to expect at the bedside, and explore the emotional and spiritual aspects of dying. Gabby also emphasizes theimportance of presence, energy, and giving loved ones permission at the end of life, while sharing meaningful ways families can find closure and connection.

Gabrielle Jimenez

“Gabby” is a hospice and palliative care nurse, an end-of-life doula, a death and dying educator, a public speaker, and a published author. Her work is rooted in a deep commitment to improving the way people are cared for both at the end oflife and in the tender seasons of grief that follow. She is known for her steady presence at the bedside and her belief that this sacred work must always be met with kindness, honesty, and compassion.

Website: www.thehospiceheart.net

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehospiceheart.net

Holly Gainsboro, founder of Golden Heart Grief Support & Education, is a certified grief support specialist/coach andcertified grief educator. Following the death of her latehusband, Steven, Holly felt pulled to be present for others experiencing their own losses—not just pertaining to death, but any event that may result in a grief response. She guides those who have suffered losses by helping them navigate their way through grief, transitioning them to a place of joy and hope. Holly also facilitates grief support groups, and grief education workshops. You can learn more on her website: https://www.goldenheartgrief.com

Produced by Cindy Ballaro with On Track Marketing – cindyballaro@yahoo.com

In this episode, Holly Gainsboro speaks with Sal Schito, founder of "Music for a Cure," about his journey after losing his wife, Karen, to glioblastoma in 2024. Sal shares how his grief led him to create a powerful fundraising event that will bring community, music, and purpose together to support the Glioblastoma Research Organization. He discusses the inspiration behind the upcoming concert in Knoxville on May 9th and his goal of making a meaningful impact through this initiative. Together, Holly and Sal also reflect on caregiving,grief, and the complex emotions, including guilt and love, that can arise at the end of life.

With this episode, we are also participating in Podcasthon - UNITING PODCASTS WORLDWIDE FOR CHARITY! The first non-profit event to bring together the podcasting community. The charity we are raising awareness for is the GlioblastomaResearch Organization (GBMRO), founded by our guest from Season 3, Ep. 8 Amber Barbach. 100% of the proceeds from "Music for a Cure" will go to GBMRO.

Salvatore “Sal” Schito is the founder of "Music for a Cure," a charity concert created in memory of his late wife, Karen Harte Schito, who passed away from Glioblastoma brain cancer. Inspired by Karen’s love for community and compassion for others, Sal and his three sons, AJ (23), Sal (22), and Gabe (17), are bringing people together through music to raise awareness and funds for research. The inaugural event will take place May 9, 2026, at the Cotton Eyed Joe in Knoxville, Tennessee, benefiting the Glioblastoma Research Organization. Through this mission, Sal hopes to honor Karen’s legacy and help move closer to ending this devastating disease.

To learn more about "Music for a Cure" visit:

Web: https://fundraise.gbmresearch.org/event/music-for-a-cure/e732281

Tickets: https://www.cottoneyedjoe.com/shows/E-mail: ⁠salschito@gmail.com⁠

Holly Gainsboro, founder of Golden Heart Grief Support & Education, is a certified grief support specialist/coach and certified grief educator. Following the death of her latehusband, Steven, Holly felt pulled to be present for others experiencing their own losses—not just pertaining to death, but any event that may result in a grief response. She guides those who have suffered losses by helping them navigate their way through grief, transitioning them to a place of joy and hope. Holly also facilitates grief support groups, and grief education workshops. You can learn more on her website: https://www.goldenheartgrief.com

Podcasthon

https://www.instagram.com/podcasthon_en
https://www.linkedin.com/company/podcasthon/

Produced by Cindy Ballaro with On Track Marketing – cindyballaro@yahoo.com