Healing Our Grieving Hearts

Healing Our Grieving Hearts Navigating Through Loss and Finding Purpose In 2019, my father was diagnosed with cancer and passed away a week later at the remarkable age of 96.

I am Kay Fontana, Ed.D., and I am deeply familiar with the pain of loss, having experienced numerous heart-wrenching losses throughout my life. At just nine years old, I lost my brother to cancer, and witnessing my parents' immense grief was an unbearable experience. The pain continued as my mother battled Alzheimer's and ultimately passed away in 2014, shortly after my completion of a Grief Recov

ery Support Group. Most recently, in January 2023, I experienced the devastating loss of my husband and soul mate of 40 years due to multiple health issues, including diabetes. Throughout these profound losses, as well as the countless others experienced along the way, including grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, friends, in-laws, co-workers, and cherished pets, I discovered the power of healing and resilience. In 2015, driven by my personal journey, I became a Grief Recovery Specialist, equipping myself with the necessary tools to navigate the complexities of grief and help others find their own path to healing. With an extensive background in grief support and a deep commitment to helping others during their most challenging times, I bring a diverse range of experiences and qualifications to my work as a Grief Recovery Specialist. Alongside this role, I am also a Licensed Spiritual Practitioner (RScP) and hold a doctoral dissertation focused on the Mindfulness and Compassion of Hospice Dementia Care Volunteers. My previous experiences include facilitating grief support groups for both adults and children, serving as a firefighter and paramedic, and being a member of Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) teams for various emergency services. I have also had the privilege of training 9-1-1 dispatchers and hospice volunteers, further enriching my understanding of supporting individuals in their times of need. My passion for helping others during their most difficult moments has been a driving force throughout my life. Combining my personal experiences with loss, my academic background, and my extensive training, I am dedicated to providing compassionate guidance, profound understanding, and practical tools to individuals navigating the complex landscape of grief. I offer the Grief Recovery Group and One-on-One Grief Support, Pet Loss, and Helping Children with Loss programs in the West Valley and online. To schedule a complimentary Grief Breakthrough Session, please click here or visit me at https://HealingOurGrievingHearts.com.

09/10/2026
🎙️New Podcast Episode #127In this week’s episode, we explore what it means to move beyond simply surviving and begin re...
09/05/2026

🎙️New Podcast Episode #127
In this week’s episode, we explore what it means to move beyond simply surviving and begin rediscovering life after the loss of a spouse or soulmate.

There may come a time in grief when something begins to shift. You may feel a spark of curiosity, experience a moment of genuine joy, or begin wondering what your future could look like. These moments do not mean you are leaving your loved one behind. They may be signs that you are beginning to reconnect with the person you are becoming.

We’ll talk about giving yourself permission to want more from life, rediscovering your interests and sense of purpose, and trusting the small moments that may be pointing you toward what comes next.

Listen to today’s episode of the Healing Our Grieving Hearts Podcast: “From Surviving to Rediscovering: Creating a Life After Loss”
(16 minutes, 32 seconds)

👉Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and at Purpose.HealingOurGrievingHearts.com
or
🎧Listen here: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/85a1142d-3bc7-4ffe-96af-572fcc4ca2ff/




09/02/2026

Finding Your Direction

New Podcast Episode #126In this week’s episode, we explore what happens when the future you expected is no longer the f...
08/29/2026

New Podcast Episode #126
In this week’s episode, we explore what happens when the future you expected is no longer the future before you.

After losing a spouse or soulmate, you may find yourself wondering not only, “Who am I now?” but also, “Where do I go from here?” When the life you planned together suddenly disappears, finding your direction can feel overwhelming.

You don’t need to have the whole map. Sometimes healing begins by listening to your own inner compass and discovering the next direction that needs your attention.

In this episode, I’m also introducing something very close to my heart: “Navigating New Horizons: The Compass Rose Framework,” an eight-week discovery program I created to help widows gently explore grief, healing, identity, connection, spirituality, and purpose as they find their way forward.

Listen to today’s episode of the Healing Our Grieving Hearts Podcast: “Finding Your Direction When Life No Longer Looks the Same”
(16 minutes, 43 seconds)

Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and at Purpose.HealingOurGrievingHearts.com or Listen here: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/60414ac8-f306-4d44-8c23-86b38cf63f4c/




08/25/2026

Who Am I Now?

I asked ChatGPT to create an image of me and my work based on my bio and the photos I uploaded… and I absolutely love wh...
08/24/2026

I asked ChatGPT to create an image of me and my work based on my bio and the photos I uploaded… and I absolutely love what it created! 💜

From grief support and spiritual guidance to sound healing, writing, retreats, and helping women rediscover purpose after loss, so much of what fills my heart is tucked into this one picture. And, of course, Dojo had to be right there beside me (because he always is)! 🐾

It feels like a beautiful reminder that all the pieces of my journey have come together for one purpose: to bring compassion, healing, hope, and connection to others. From sorrow to strength. From loss to purpose.

Now, if only I had that beautiful sunset view out my window!



New Podcast Episode #125In this week’s episode, we explore one of the most profound questions that can arise after losi...
08/22/2026

New Podcast Episode #125
In this week’s episode, we explore one of the most profound questions that can arise after losing a spouse or soulmate: Who am I now?

When so much of life has been built around “we,” suddenly living as “I” can feel unfamiliar and disorienting. We’ll talk about grieving not only the person we love, but also the life we shared and the person we used to be, while gently rediscovering the woman who is still here.

Rediscovering yourself does not mean leaving your spouse behind. It means honoring who you have been while becoming curious about who you are now and who you may still become.

Listen to today’s episode of the Healing Our Grieving Hearts Podcast:
“Who Am I Now? Rediscovering Yourself After the Loss of a Spouse”
(15 minutes, 49 seconds)

👉Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and at Purpose.HealingOurGrievingHearts.com
or
🎧Listen here: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/23480580-de17-49d7-b723-969e448dbb8e/




🎙️New Podcast Episode #124In this week’s episode, we explore how poetry can give voice to the emotions of grief when or...
08/15/2026

🎙️New Podcast Episode #124
In this week’s episode, we explore how poetry can give voice to the emotions of grief when ordinary words simply are not enough. Whether we read the words of others or write a few lines of our own, poetry can create a safe and meaningful space for love, longing, memories, sadness, and even hope.

You do not have to consider yourself a poet to experience the healing power of poetry. Sometimes all it takes is one honest sentence that begins with, “I remember…” or “Today, grief feels like…”

Listen to today’s episode of the Healing Our Grieving Hearts Podcast: “The Role of Poetry in Processing Grief”
(17 minutes, 41 seconds)

👉Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and at
Purpose.HealingOurGrievingHearts.com
or
🎧Listen here: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/42784505-6c24-4ca8-a598-4a06ce32136e/




New Podcast Episode #123In this week's episode, we explore one of the most painful and unexpected parts of grief: when ...
08/09/2026

New Podcast Episode #123
In this week's episode, we explore one of the most painful and unexpected parts of grief: when friends begin to disappear after the loss of your spouse or soulmate.

Many people don't know what to say or how to show up, and their silence can leave us feeling even more alone. In today's episode, we talk about why this happens, how to cope with the secondary loss of friendships, and how to remain open to the meaningful connections that may still be waiting for you.

Listen to today's episode of the Healing Our Grieving Hearts Podcast: "When Friends Disappear After Loss"
(13 minutes, 25 seconds)

Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and at Purpose.HealingOurGrievingHearts.com
or
Listen here: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/b4edb060-bfa7-4e0d-a461-3380a1697a7a/




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