Today we’d like to introduce you to Nina Rodriguez
Hi Nina, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My journey into podcasting and grief support began after the most devastating experience of my life—the sudden loss of my only sibling, Yosef, who passed away the day after he turned 32.
This profound loss completely upended my world, forcing me to reassess my beliefs and how I show up in the world. It also prompted a significant shift in my career.
With the guidance of a holistic career coach, I transitioned from real estate into podcasting and grief support, a path aligned with who I was becoming. This transformation unfolded gradually as I discovered and honed my passion for fostering a grief-informed world, and helping others navigate their own grief journeys.
I also take great pride in being one of the few Latina voices in the podcasting world who focuses on grief. In a society that often sidesteps these difficult conversations, I am committed to changing the narrative around life, loss, grief, and hope. I want those who are grieving to feel acknowledged, validated, and to know that their stories and experiences are important.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of the biggest challenges was unlearning old patterns, shedding what no longer served me, and unbecoming who I once was. This deep inner work, catalyzed by grief’s alchemizing force, reshaped my values, redefined my boundaries, and set me on an entirely new path in life and career.
Additionally, making a full career pivot in your late 30s is no small feat. It required learning a new industry, mastering new technologies, and adopting entirely different ways of working.
The journey has been challenging, demanding that I quickly acquire a range of new skills. From selecting the right equipment and producing a podcast to scheduling interviews and mastering marketing techniques, each step has been a learning experience.
I also enrolled in a Grief Care Certification course led by renowned psychotherapist and best-selling author Megan Devine.
Along the way, I learned how to be vulnerable in a public forum and developed the skills to hold space for life’s most difficult moments.
By sharing my story, I hope to offer others solace in their own journeys. Together, we can create a world that better understands and honors both grief and life.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in grief support, offering both one-on-one coaching, monthly grief circles, and communal experiences designed to help people navigate the complex and often isolating journey of grief.
My work is deeply rooted in the understanding that grief is a natural, human response to loss and change—one that evolves as we do.
Through my grief support practice, I create intentional spaces where individuals can express their emotions, share their stories, and feel truly seen without judgment.
I’m perhaps best known for my podcast, *Grief and Light*, which serves as a platform for open and honest conversations about the nuances of grief and the ways it intertwines with our lives. As one of the few Latina voices in the grief podcasting space, I’m proud to bring a unique perspective to these discussions, challenging societal norms that often silence or marginalize these experiences.
What sets my work apart is the blend of authenticity, empathy, and openness that I bring to everything I do.
My approach is not about offering quick fixes or solutions but about honoring each person’s unique journey through grief. I strive to foster a grief-informed world where people feel empowered to navigate their grief on their own terms, with the support and understanding they deserve.
I’m particularly proud of the community I’ve built—both through the podcast, social media, and through my virtual and in-person grief tending circles. These spaces are designed to bring people closer to themselves and to others, helping them find hope and healing in the midst of loss.
By holding space for these deeply personal experiences, I aim to change the way we talk about and approach grief, creating a ripple effect that extends far beyond the individuals I work with directly.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is creating a space where people feel truly seen, heard, and understood. This is something I channel and achieve through my current work in the grief space.
In a world that shuns or minimizes the complexities of loss, I believe it’s essential to honor and validate each person’s unique experience. This matters to me because I’ve seen firsthand the profound impact that compassionate, empathetic support can have on someone navigating the depths of grief.
Grief is often a lonely journey, but it doesn’t have to be. By fostering connection, understanding, and open dialogue, I aim to help others feel less alone in their pain. This work isn’t just about helping individuals heal; it’s about shifting the way we, as a society, approach grief and loss.
I want to contribute to a world where people feel empowered to embrace their emotions, knowing that they are supported every step of the way.
In doing so, I also honor my own grief and keep my brother’s memory alive.
This mission drives everything I do because I believe that when we honor our grief, we honor our humanity. It’s through this process that we can find hope, meaning, and even transformation in the midst of life’s most difficult moments.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.griefandlight.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/griefandlight
- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grief-and-light-podcast/id1680003901
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2FI3TSz9wPBYu8Eymdegaj
Image Credits
Headshot: Angie Keam Photography
