Good Grief: Making Space for Joy After Loss ft. Angela Nissel

In this deeply honest and unexpectedly joyful conversation, Kelley sits down with author and television writer Angela Nissel to explore the layered reality of grief, caregiving, and rebuilding a life after loss. Together, they unpack the quiet, everyday griefs that linger long after the funeral, the guilt and self-blame many Black women carry, and the emotional toll of being “the strong one.”

Angela shares how losing her mother forced her to reimagine her relationship with work, success, and joy—leading her to choose freedom, presence, and connection over burnout and external validation. This episode is both a permission slip and a gentle guide for anyone navigating grief while trying to stay human in a world that asks them not to.

Key Takeaways

• Grief isn’t just about loss—it’s also about the stories we tell ourselves, including guilt and responsibility that were never ours to carry.
• Caregiving teaches presence in a way productivity never can—and those quiet moments often become the most meaningful memories.
• Loss can create clarity, helping you reevaluate relationships, work, and what truly matters.

Episode Highlights & Timestamps

• 00:03:30 – The Unexpected Weight of Grief: Angela shares how self-blame and guilt showed up after her mother’s passing—and why so many Black women internalize responsibility for loss.
• 00:10:30 – When Grief Forces You to Feel: A powerful reflection on how grief disrupts emotional avoidance and reveals what no longer aligns in your life.
• 00:14:00 – Redefining Work, Success, and Freedom: Angela opens up about leaving behind hustle culture and choosing a life centered on time, relationships, and joy.
• 00:31:00 – Caregiving, Presence, and What Actually Matters: A moving conversation on caregiving, being present, and why small moments of connection become the memories that last.

For You, Listening

If you’re holding grief right now—big or small—try this: Take five minutes today to pause instead of pushing through. Reach out to someone you love, not to perform strength, but to be real. Or ask someone in your life a question about their story—something you’ve never asked before.Let yourself choose presence, even in small ways. That’s where the healing begins.

Connect with Angela

• Website: Angela Nissel
• Instagram: @angelanissel
• Pre-order the book: Good Grief, Pass the Bread, My Mom Is Dead, (available wherever books are sold)

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