grief
When Facebook Forces You to Remember: Social Media and Unexpected Grief
Social media platforms have created what I call "algorithmic mourning"—where technology, not the grieving person, decides when it's time to remember.
pet loss
Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day
To everyone missing someone with four paws (or two wings, or however many legs)—you're not alone in this. As my vet told me on the day I said goodbye to Samson, "they were lucky to be loved by you," and you were blessed to love them.
grief
When Empathy Fails: Understanding Disenfranchised Grief
Disenfranchised grief occurs when empathy fails—when family, friends, and the larger community fail to recognize and support a grieving person. But what I found in my research was even more striking: the fear of empathic failure, where people grieve in silence simply anticipating rejection.
pet loss
The Why Behind the Work: Reflecting on a Summer of Sharing My Research
I've just wrapped up an unexpected summer tour of my dissertation research. As I reflect on this whirlwind of posters, presentations, and first-time academic conference navigation, I keep getting asked the same question: "Why this research?"
grief
What We Carry: African American Grief as a Measure of Love
A few days ago, someone reached out to tell me my dissertation gave them 'permission to simply grieve and be.' They were wrestling with feeling grief for their dog 'because...I'm Black.' Their message reminded me why we need to expand how we understand grief across cultures and communities.
grief
When Representation Dies: The Disproportionate Grief of Losing "Our People"
When Malcolm Jamal Warner died, I didn't just lose an actor I occasionally saw on TV. I lost a piece of my childhood, a representation of Black boyhood that was intelligent and loved, and a reminder of possibilities that seemed within reach.
grief
Welcome to Heart & Science
A space for stories, research, and reflection at the intersection of grief, culture, and the human-animal bond. This is where I’m starting—with honesty, imperfection, and community.
grief
So…What Is This Blog, Anyway?
Not sure what this blog is about? That’s fair. Here’s a look at the core themes—grief, grace, growth, and sometimes cats.