welcome to grief talks

 Linda Marshall is an entrepreneur, published author, certified grief specialist, life/relationship coach, trainer, speaker, hypnotherapist, and mental health advocate. She has lived through tragedy and loss in her own life and is now passionate in inspiring others to heal and grow through their own grief.  In addition to publicly speak about her own personal grief story, she has volunteered with the Halifax Regional Police, Victim Services, helping victims of sudden death, sexual assault, and domestic violence. She loves inspiring and working directly with her clients, as well as teaching suicide intervention skills (ASIST) to students, first responders, military, health care workers, teachers, and community volunteers.  

She lost her first marriage of 13 years due to addictions and became a single parent with two daughters. Years later on February 17, 2011, her spouse Barry lost his battle to mental illness and  suicide. This tragedy left her and her family shattered. After this traumatic event in her life, Linda moved back to her hometown of Halifax, Nova Scotia, where she was suddenly an empty nester. She left her successful career in the corporate world in Toronto for a new life and switched gears to help others in grief. This meant advancing her education in a completely different field at the age of 45. 

Linda married her current husband Jon, a retired military veteran on December 31, 2014.  She has two married daughters Amanda (Ryan) & Alisha (Rob), one stepson Tyler (Brittany), and three grandchildren (Theresa, Parker & Adeline).   Although Nove Scotia will always be considered home, she currently resides near her daughters and grandchildren in Brantford, Ontario.  

For more information on her book “It’s My Grief & I’ll Cry If I Want To” or to contact Linda directly please go to www.griefreliefcoaching.ca. Her book is also available through amazon.ca (https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1773713698/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_9-H.Fb566MB90) and amazon.com. 

Karen Dean is an entrepreneur, resilience expert, author, and speaker who has lived her entire life in rural Nova Scotia.  She finds immense joy in being a single mom to her three amazing children, in spending time with her cute farm animals, and in sitting on her deck looking out over the beautiful Musquodoboit River and her “little piece of paradise”.  Her mission is to empower women to live their best life, no matter what the world throws at them, and to give back in huge ways through projects like her book We Are Unbreakable and her Nova Scotia Strong clothing fundraiser that raised $96,000 to support the families and communities affected by the horrible mass shooting that happened in Nova Scotia in April 2020.  For more information or to contact Karen, please go to https://weareunbreakable.ca/

Lisa’s diverse career has led her from corporate sales and sales training to a career in the charitable sector including leadership roles with academic and healthcare charities. She is also a Dale Carnegie coach.  

As a teen, Lisa experienced the powerful force of grief with the loss of her brother; a journey that shaped her outlook and approach. Several years later at the age of 33, she lost her partner, Jack, following his journey with cancer. When she lost her Dad rather suddenly after a short illness, the lessons learned from these experiences influenced her ability to navigate the anticipation of his death, the grief that followed and the strange mix of gratitude and guilt she felt with the loss of a parent.  

Embracing uncertainty, sadness, and self doubt, she defined her direction with the support of friends, mentors, family and a healthy dose of humour and hope.  Throughout the challenges, Lisa describes her dance with grief as a gift that she would never have wished for but would not trade.  

Today, outside of her 9-5 career, Lisa lives in Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia with her partner Ryan and their entertaining fur family. She is a semi- retired runner, an avid gardener, a proud community volunteer.