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Stronger Together Podcast

Stronger Together Podcast

By: with Anne Caldwell and Michael Dixon
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Christina Walton speaks with Michael Dixon about his journey into the world of peer support and mental health in the funeral industry.2022 Hygiene & Healthy Living Personal Development Personal Success Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • Celebrants: Changing Funeral Traditions

    Celebrants: Changing Funeral Traditions
    Jun 29 2026
    Join Todd Reinholt, a licensed funeral director and grief recovery expert, as he shares his journey from healthcare to transforming funerals into authentic celebrations of life. Discover how Todd's personal tragedy led him to redefine funerals, emphasizing humor, storytelling, and personalization. Learn about the importance of normalizing death and grief, and how these elements can foster healing and connection. This episode is perfect for anyone interested in reimagining death care to create meaningful, impactful ceremonies. Behind this podcast is Funeral Professionals Peer Support (FPPS), a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing meaningful peer support and resources for funeral professionals. FPPS exists to foster connection, understanding, and care within a profession that often supports others before itself. Learn more https://funeralspeersupport.co ⸻ CHAPTERS (00:34) - Introduction to Todd's background and journey into funeral service (01:19) - Personal tragedy and career shift (08:53) - Becoming a certified celebrant (16:25) - Grief seminars and community education (23:04) - Insights into grief stages and emotional expression (30:33) - Creative music choices in ceremonies (43:30) - Supporting loved ones through practical gestures (50:40) - Unique funeral rituals and personal stories (58:17) - Celebrating life authentically and breaking taboos OUR SPONSOR Funeral Support Services shares FPPS's belief that caring for those who serve families during life's most difficult moments is essential. We are grateful for their partnership and their ongoing support of initiatives that strengthen the profession through understanding, compassion, and community. Learn more https://funeralsupport.co.jp ⸻ HOSTS Anne Caldwell Michael Dixon – Founder & President, Funeral Professionals Peer Support (FPPS) EXCLUSIVE PRODUCER Peter Jaekel ⸻ PROFESSIONAL & CRISIS RESOURCES • Crisis & Suicide Prevention (Canada)  Phone: 988 (available 24/7)  Website: https://988.ca • Crisis Text Line (Canada & U.S.)  Text HOME to 741741 (free, confidential support)  Website: https://www.crisistextline.org • Remembering A Life  Website: http://www.rememberingalife.com  Resources: Grief education and remembrance resources that help families honor and remember loved ones • National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA)  Phone: 800-228-6332  Website: https://www.nfda.org  Resources: Continuing education, peer support, professional tools • Canadian Funeral Directors Association (CFDA)  Phone: 1-877-688-2332  Website: https://cfda.ca  Resources: Training, advocacy, networking • Cremation Association of North America (CANA)  Phone: 866-426-2621  Website: https://www.cremationassociation.org • Ontario Funeral and Cremation Association (OFCA)  Phone: 1-800-287-7636  Website: https://www.ofca.org • International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association (ICCFA) (United States)  Website: https://iccfa.com
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • The Grave Woman: Redefining Funeral Practices with Cultural Awareness

    The Grave Woman: Redefining Funeral Practices with Cultural Awareness
    Jun 22 2026
    Most people see death care as a somber industry rooted in tradition, but Joél Simone Maldonado, known as The Grave Woman, is rewriting the narrative. A licensed funeral director and embalmer with a vibrant multicultural background, she's on a mission to bring radical inclusivity, cultural authenticity, and community-driven grief to the forefront. Joelle's story—from growing up in a culturally rich Gullah Geechee community, to breaking barriers as a Black woman in death care—reveals how systemic ignorance and racism continue to shape the industry, and more importantly, how those barriers can be dismantled.In this powerful episode, Joelle shares candid insights about her journey navigating a predominantly White industry, fighting tokenization, and advocating for culturally competent death and grief care. You'll discover how her online community and the establishment of the Multicultural Death and Grief Care Academy are creating ripples for change—empowering professionals to serve diverse communities with greater sensitivity and understanding. She explores critical issues like the widespread need for cultural nuance in embalming, the impact of segregation on care practices, and how trauma from systemic racism persists in how we grieve. Behind this podcast is Funeral Professionals Peer Support (FPPS), a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing meaningful peer support and resources for funeral professionals. FPPS exists to foster connection, understanding, and care within a profession that often supports others before itself. Learn more https://funeralspeersupport.co https://thegravewoman.com ⸻ OUR SPONSOR Funeral Support Services shares FPPS's belief that caring for those who serve families during life's most difficult moments is essential. We are grateful for their partnership and their ongoing support of initiatives that strengthen the profession through understanding, compassion, and community. Learn more https://funeralsupport.co.jp ⸻ HOSTS Anne Caldwell Michael Dixon – Founder & President, Funeral Professionals Peer Support (FPPS) EXCLUSIVE PRODUCER Peter Jaekel ⸻ PROFESSIONAL & CRISIS RESOURCES • Crisis & Suicide Prevention (Canada)  Phone: 988 (available 24/7)  Website: https://988.ca • Crisis Text Line (Canada & U.S.)  Text HOME to 741741 (free, confidential support)  Website: https://www.crisistextline.org • Remembering A Life  Website: http://www.rememberingalife.com  Resources: Grief education and remembrance resources that help families honor and remember loved ones • National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA)  Phone: 800-228-6332  Website: https://www.nfda.org  Resources: Continuing education, peer support, professional tools • Canadian Funeral Directors Association (CFDA)  Phone: 1-877-688-2332  Website: https://cfda.ca  Resources: Training, advocacy, networking • Cremation Association of North America (CANA)  Phone: 866-426-2621  Website: https://www.cremationassociation.org • Ontario Funeral and Cremation Association (OFCA)  Phone: 1-800-287-7636  Website: https://www.ofca.org • International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association (ICCFA) (United States)  Website: https://iccfa.com
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    49 mins
  • 17 Days The Sonya and Shane Musgrove Story

    17 Days The Sonya and Shane Musgrove Story
    Jun 8 2026
    In just 17 days, Shane Musgrove's life changed forever. What began as a routine visit to the ER turned into a devastating diagnosis—and a journey through love, loss, and unimaginable grief. In this deeply moving conversation, Shane shares the story of his wife Sonia, their 22-year marriage, and the strength of a family facing the unthinkable. From the overwhelming support of their community to the intimate, final moments spent at home, Shane opens up about what it means to walk through grief while still showing up for his children, his family, and himself. His story is both heartbreaking and profoundly human. Today, Shane has transformed his pain into purpose through "17 Days," using his voice to support others navigating loss. This episode is a powerful reminder of the impact of love, the importance of community, and the resilience of the human spirit. Behind this podcast is Funeral Professionals Peer Support (FPPS), a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing meaningful peer support and resources for funeral professionals. FPPS exists to foster connection, understanding, and care within a profession that often supports others before itself. Learn more https://funeralspeersupport.co CHAPTERS 00:00 - Show Intro & Easter Weekend Banter 02:00 - Introducing Shane Musgrove 03:00 - Life Before the 17 Days 08:00 - Career Background & Early Life Challenges 12:00 - The Day Everything Changed 16:00 - ER Visit & Cancer Diagnosis 20:00 - Breaking the News to Family 25:00 - Rapid Progression & Medical Realities 30:00 - Bringing Sonia Home 35:00 - Community Support & "Pink Porch Lights" 40:00 - Final Days at Home 45:00 - Day 17: Saying Goodbye 50:00 - Creating a Meaningful Final Moment 55:00 - Life After Loss & The Survival Phase 01:00:00 - From Grief to Purpose: The Birth of "17 Days" 01:05:00 - Remembering Sonia: Love & Legacy 01:10:00 - Signs, Faith & Moving Forward 01:15:00 - Grief, Anger & What People Get Wrong 01:20:00 - Closing Reflections ⸻ OUR SPONSOR Funeral Support Services shares FPPS's belief that caring for those who serve families during life's most difficult moments is essential. We are grateful for their partnership and their ongoing support of initiatives that strengthen the profession through understanding, compassion, and community. Learn more https://funeralsupport.co.jp ⸻ HOSTS Anne Caldwell Michael Dixon – Founder & President, Funeral Professionals Peer Support (FPPS) EXCLUSIVE PRODUCER Peter Jaekel ⸻ PROFESSIONAL & CRISIS RESOURCES • Crisis & Suicide Prevention (Canada)  Phone: 988 (available 24/7)  Website: https://988.ca • Crisis Text Line (Canada & U.S.)  Text HOME to 741741 (free, confidential support)  Website: https://www.crisistextline.org • Remembering A Life  Website: http://www.rememberingalife.com  Resources: Grief education and remembrance resources that help families honor and remember loved ones • National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA)  Phone: 800-228-6332  Website: https://www.nfda.org  Resources: Continuing education, peer support, professional tools • Canadian Funeral Directors Association (CFDA)  Phone: 1-877-688-2332  Website: https://cfda.ca  Resources: Training, advocacy, networking • Cremation Association of North America (CANA)  Phone: 866-426-2621  Website: https://www.cremationassociation.org • Ontario Funeral and Cremation Association (OFCA)  Phone: 1-800-287-7636  Website: https://www.ofca.org • International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association (ICCFA) (United States)  Website: https://iccfa.com
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    1 hr and 16 mins
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