Return to Jesus Podcast (Season 2, Episode 4): Grief, Joy, and Finding Beauty in the In-Between with Chelsea Ohlemiller

Hey friend,

This conversation is tender, beautiful, and one I think you’ll carry with you for a while.

I sat down with Chelsea Ohlemiller, a grief advocate, speaker, and author whose journey through the loss of her mother reshaped how she lives and loves today. Chelsea shares so honestly about the ways grief shows up, sometimes quietly, sometimes like a storm, and how it can actually live alongside joy. Yes, both. At the same time.

We talked about giving ourselves permission to feel happy again, the guilt that sometimes comes with that, and how writing became a healing outlet for her in the middle of the mess.

Here are two takeaways I hope stay with you:

Grief and joy are not opposites, they can walk hand-in-hand. Feeling joy after loss doesn’t mean you’ve forgotten. It means you’re still living.

There is no perfect timeline. Your grief journey is yours alone, and there is no “right” way to walk through it.

Chelsea’s words will make you feel seen and less alone, especially if you're holding heartache of your own. This episode is for anyone who’s loved deeply and lost someone who shaped their world.

Let’s keep learning to return, even to joy, one gentle step at a time.

Truly Yours,

Jen

Grab your copy of Return to Jesus here - https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/747877/return-to-jesus-by-jen-thompson/

Check out her Website, Happiness, Hope & Harsh Realities: www.hopeandharshrealities.com

Follow Chelsea on Facebook: @hopeandharshrealities

Follow Chelsea on Instagram: @hopeandharshrealities

Follow Chelsea on TikTok: @chelseaohlemiller