On Allowing Yourself Space, Finding Flow & Changing the Culture of Grief with Reagan J. Pasternak

Episode 89: On Allowing Yourself Space, Finding Flow & Changing the Culture of Grief with Reagan J. Pasternak (Equestrian Author Spotlight Podcast)

10/7/2021

Episode 89: Welcome to the Equestrian Author Spotlight podcast! In each episode, you’ll hear inspirational stories from horse book authors, including writing advice and marketing tips to help you write your own horse book. If you are an author, aspire to be an author, or simply love horse books, then you are in the right place!

In this week's episode, you'll meet Canadian-born actress, singer, and writer Reagan J. Pasternak. You'll learn ...

About Reagan's successful career in the entertainment industry, and what inspired her to start a dialogue about changing the culture of grief by adding "author" to her long list of accomplishments.
Why Reagan decided to take a unique approach to healing in her book, Griffin’s Heart: Mourning Your Pet With No Apologies, through a hybrid format (part memoir, part journal, and part keepsake) to create a comprehensive resource for pet owners in grief.
And MUCH more!

Watch Reagan J. Pasternak's Interview on YouTube!

Or listen to the audio version.

About Reagan J. Pasternak

Reagan J. Pasternak is a Canadian-born film and television actress (HBO’s “Sharp Objects”, Netflix/HULU/HBO’s “Being Erica”, BET’s “Ms. Pat”), singer, and writer. She currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband, son, and five rescue animals.

Reagan J. Pasternak Interview Excerpt

Carly: You are a Canadian-born film and television actress, and singer. You recently added author to your accomplishments. Congratulations! Tell us about your debut book Griffin’s Heart: Mourning Your Pet With No Apologies.

Reagan: For 85 million households across the US, pets provide joy, companionship, and uncompromising love. When a pet dies it can be devastating and isolating, especially during a pandemic. Griffin’s Heart takes a new approach to healing in a hybrid format (part memoir, part journal, and part keepsake) and seeks to become the comprehensive resource for pet owners in grief.

The book approaches the idea of grief from many angles, leveraging therapeutic ideas from psychology, philosophy, art, and world religions. Throughout the book the reader is engaged to participate by examining their emotions, journaling out their thoughts, documenting memories, placing photos, and more. By the end of the book, the reader will have created a personalized keepsake to commemorate their beloved animal that can be revisited for years to come.

Carly: What inspired you to write about this topic?

Reagan: I started writing Griffin’s Heart after the death of my soulmate animal, Griffin, as a way to help heal my wound and find meaning in my grief. Through this process I began to understand that the crushing weight of my loss was not unique to me and that for millions of people whose pets are their family, there was a need for a compassionate and insightful resource. The book is everything I wish I’d had after my Griffin died and it’s my hope that readers will find comfort, insight, companionship, and hope in the pages.

Carly: Is there a message in your book that you hope readers will grasp?

Reagan: With Griffin’s Heart, I seek to change the culture of grief around mourning animals. Those in grief, and anyone seeking to help after the loss of a beloved pet can now turn to Griffin’s Heart and embrace an uncompromising, unapologetic, and honest approach to healing.

The culture of grief when it comes to our animal companions leaves many bereaved pet owners feeling lost and isolated. Too often, the expectation from friends and family is that the mourning period should last no more than a few days to weeks. But the loss of an animal can be equally as devastating as a human loss — it’s just that the support and resources for this brand of grief have been in short supply.

Griffin's Heart provides readers with interactive tools, healing exercises, and unwavering companionship to help them navigate their grief and honor the life of their beloved animal ‘being.' I encourage readers to explore their darkest feelings, make peace with them, and find meaning in their loss. Throughout the book, I provide constant comfort by sharing insights from my own 10-year long journey of healing. Also, a portion of the book proceeds are donated to various animal charities.

Connect with Reagan J. Pasternak

Photo by Kelly Parker

Website: https://www.griffinsheart.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/griffinsheart
Instagram (Reagan): https://www.instagram.com/reaganjpasternak
Instagram (Griffin’s Heart): https://www.instagram.com/griffinsheartbook
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ReaganPasternak
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/ReaganPasternak
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/griffin-s-heart

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About Your Host Carly Kade

Photo by Shelley Paulson Photography

Carly Kade is an award-winning author, horse owner, creativity coach, and the host of the Equestrian Author Spotlight Podcast. She helps fellow writers start, grow, and expand their author careers. Creative writing makes her spurs jingle!

Carly's In the Reins equestrian romance book series was written with horse lovers in mind, no matter which discipline they ride. The horses are as vital to moving the story forward as the human characters are.

These books are perfect for poolside reading, taking to the beach, or settling down with after a day of horseback riding.