Weaving Happiness Through Grief with Stephanie Duran

Season 1 | Episode 9: A Bucket List of New Memories

When time becomes uncertain, memories become everything. In this emotionally rich episode, Stephanie shares the powerful moment when she and Jeff, just days before a life-altering surgery, chose hope over fear. With their hearts full of cautious optimism, they sat down for dinner at their favorite place, the Surf and Sand Hotel in Laguna Beach, and created a bucket list, not out of desperation, but from a deep desire to keep dreaming, living, and loving. It wasn’t just a list of destinations or adventures, it was a sacred symbol of belief that there was still more life left to be lived, more laughter to share, and more memories to make.
Stephanie reflects on how that small slip of paper became their roadmap to resilience. Each item represented another day, another chance, another victory against the odds. She brings us into the beauty of those quiet, joy-filled moments, soaking in time with family, toasting with wine in the jacuzzi, and holding onto the rituals that made them feel alive and connected. As Jeff faced surgery with strength and grace, Stephanie held onto the one thing she had always clung to in moments of uncertainty, faith in the future, and the belief that even in the midst of pain, love can still write the most beautiful chapters. This episode is a tribute to the life-affirming power of intention, presence, and holding onto hope even when nothing is guaranteed.
My hope is that the stories shared here bring you comfort, inspire hope, and serve as a reminder that even in the darkest moments, light still exists.
💛 Join me as we weave happiness through the grief.
Let’s build a community of strength, support, and healing together. Send me a DM over on social—I’d love to connect with you!
Instagram: @stephanieduranofficial
Facebook: Stephanie Duran
** Podcast Produced by Identity Brand by Monica Kline **

Season 1 | Episode 8: A Day of Hope & Buying More Time

In this deeply moving episode, Stephanie shares the whirlwind of determination, desperation, and unwavering love that followed Jeff’s devastating diagnosis. Faced with a prognosis of just three to six months to live, she refused to sit still and let fate decide the outcome. What unfolded next was a race against time, countless calls to medical professionals, tapping into every resource, and holding onto faith that a different path was possible. Through a series of serendipitous connections and pure perseverance, Stephanie and Jeff found themselves at a world-renowned cancer center where, for the first time in days, they were offered something they hadn’t dared to hope for: a chance.
Stephanie recounts the emotional weight of hearing the words “we can treat this,” and the power that hope had to shift everything. It was a moment of light in the heaviest darkness, a day that changed the trajectory of their journey. In sharing this story, she brings us into the fragile space between fear and faith, where advocacy, intuition, and love intersect to create possibility. This episode is about more than just a medical breakthrough, it’s about what it means to fight for the people we love and to believe in more time, even when the odds feel impossible.
My hope is that the stories shared here bring you comfort, inspire hope, and serve as a reminder that even in the darkest moments, light still exists.
💛 Join me as we weave happiness through the grief.
Let’s build a community of strength, support, and healing together. Send me a DM over on social—I’d love to connect with you!
Instagram: @stephanieduranofficial
Facebook: Stephanie Duran
** Podcast Produced by Identity Brand by Monica Kline **

Season 1 | Episode 7: The Diagnosis - 3 to 6 Months!

In this heartbreaking and emotionally raw episode, Stephanie takes us back to the moment everything changed. What started as an annoying, lingering sinus infection became something far more serious, a diagnosis that no one could have anticipated. After a series of inconclusive doctor visits and mounting symptoms, Jeff finally asked to be taken to the hospital. What followed was a devastating revelation: a tumor the size of a lime wrapped around his optic nerve, and a prognosis of just three to six months to live.
Stephanie shares the surreal and crushing hours that followed how time seemed to freeze as they held each other on a hospital bed, paralyzed by fear and disbelief. But amidst the panic and heartbreak, a shift began. Drawing on her own past experiences with advocacy and love, Stephanie found the strength to step into action. This episode is a gripping and powerful reminder that even when the world collapses around us, the human spirit is capable of rising, fighting, and choosing hope, even in the darkest of hours.
My hope is that the stories shared here bring you comfort, inspire hope, and serve as a reminder that even in the darkest moments, light still exists.
💛 Join me as we weave happiness through the grief.
Let’s build a community of strength, support, and healing together. Send me a DM over on social—I’d love to connect with you!
Instagram: @stephanieduranofficial
Facebook: Stephanie Duran
** Podcast Produced by Identity Brand by Monica Kline **

Season 1 | Episode 6: It Was Fine, Until It Wasn't

What happens when everything finally feels like it's fallen into place, only to have it begin quietly unraveling? In this emotional episode, Stephanie shares the turning point in her and Jeff’s journey, when life seemed picture-perfect: new careers, a new home, and the joy of finally living under the same roof after years of long-distance love. Together, they had built a life filled with intention, laughter, and love, and were finally settling into a rhythm that felt like forever. But just as they were beginning this beautiful new chapter, something started to feel off.
Stephanie recalls the creeping concern of Jeff’s lingering sinus infection, seemingly minor at first, then stubbornly persistent. As the weeks passed, symptoms lingered, grew stronger, and cast an unspoken shadow over their happiness. Despite their natural tendency to brush off worry, Stephanie’s intuition began to stir. A trip to watch her daughter play softball and the quiet moments in between revealed subtle changes in Jeff that couldn’t be ignored. “It was fine, until it wasn’t,” she reflects, marking the moment life shifted without warning. This episode is a heartfelt reminder that even in seasons of joy, grief can arrive quietly, and that love, in all its forms, teaches us how to brace for the unthinkable with grace, presence, and courage.
My hope is that the stories shared here bring you comfort, inspire hope, and serve as a reminder that even in the darkest moments, light still exists.
💛 Join me as we weave happiness through the grief.
Let’s build a community of strength, support, and healing together. Send me a DM over on social—I’d love to connect with you!
Instagram: @stephanieduranofficial
Facebook: Stephanie Duran
** Podcast Produced by Identity Brand by Monica Kline **

Season 1 | Episode 5: The Distance Was Unbearable

Long-distance love is never easy but when the heart knows, it knows. In this powerful episode, Stephanie shares the deeply emotional journey of maintaining a cross-border relationship with Jeff, filled with airport goodbyes, missed flights, and tender moments that linger long after they're over. Whether it was a last-minute dash through security or an accidental fuel mishap that led to a missed flight and an unexpected night together, every second became sacred. They clung to every hour they could spend with each other, savoring the small gestures, love notes, sweet treats, and whispered “see you soon”, that kept their connection alive and growing stronger with each visit.
As the distance began to weigh heavier on their hearts, they made the bold decision: Jeff would leave his career, his home, and the life he knew in Canada to build a new one with Stephanie in California. From chasing dreams to literally building a life and business together, this episode is a moving tribute to what it means to go all in for love. It's about the risks we take when our hearts are certain, and the reward of finally getting to live the life we dreamed about for so long. “The Distance Was Unbearable” is a reminder that love, when true, is always worth fighting and waiting for.
My hope is that the stories shared here bring you comfort, inspire hope, and serve as a reminder that even in the darkest moments, light still exists.
💛 Join me as we weave happiness through the grief.
Let’s build a community of strength, support, and healing together. Send me a DM over on social—I’d love to connect with you!
Instagram: @stephanieduranofficial
Facebook: Stephanie Duran
** Podcast Produced by Identity Brand by Monica Kline **

Season 1 | Episode 4: Through The Eyes of A 5-Year Old

In this tender and enchanting episode, Stephanie takes us deeper into the heart of her love story with Jeff-this time, through the eyes of an innocent five-year-old. As she shares treasured memories from a romantic weekend getaway in Laguna Beach, we begin to see how their love, as rich and magical as any fairy tale, had a way of touching the people around them. Whether it was a stranger offering a heartfelt compliment at LAX or a young girl mistaking them for a real-life prince and princess, the love between Stephanie and Jeff was palpable, radiant, and unmistakable.
Stephanie beautifully recounts the moments that made their relationship feel timeless-how they slowed down, soaked up every second together, and allowed their connection to unfold with ease and authenticity. This episode reminds us that when love is true, it leaves an imprint not just on the hearts of those who share it, but on those lucky enough to witness it. It's a celebration of the kind of love that speaks volumes without saying a word-and of the quiet, everyday magic that makes life unforgettable.
My hope is that the stories shared here bring you comfort, inspire hope, and serve as a reminder that even in the darkest moments, light still exists.
💛 Join me as we weave happiness through the grief.
Let’s build a community of strength, support, and healing together. Send me a DM over on social—I’d love to connect with you!
Instagram: @stephanieduranofficial
Facebook: Stephanie Duran
** Podcast Produced by Identity Brand by Monica Kline **

Season 1 | Episode 3: Complete Opposites

Love isn’t always about finding someone who mirrors you. It’s about discovering someone who complements you in unexpected ways. In this episode, Stephanie shares the beautiful and deeply personal story of her once-in-a-lifetime love with Jeff. On paper, they couldn’t have been more different. He was from a tiny hamlet in Canada, she was from the bustling city of Los Angeles. He grew up Catholic and Irish, she had a diverse background of Jewish, Mexican, and Scottish roots. Despite these differences, their values, passions, and undeniable chemistry brought them together in a love that felt magical and invincible.
Stephanie recounts their serendipitous connection, the little moments that bonded them—family, music, sports, and even the way Jeff championed her in the simplest of things, like an unexpected football pass that left him in awe. She explores how their love transcended geography, culture, and expectations, proving that true connection isn’t about sameness, but about the unspoken understanding between two hearts. This episode is a heartfelt reflection on the kind of love that transforms, defies logic, and continues to shine even after loss.
My hope is that the stories shared here bring you comfort, inspire hope, and serve as a reminder that even in the darkest moments, light still exists.
💛 Join me as we weave happiness through the grief.
Let’s build a community of strength, support, and healing together. Send me a DM over on social—I’d love to connect with you!
Instagram: @stephanieduranofficial
Facebook: Stephanie Duran
** Podcast Produced by Identity Brand by Monica Kline **

Season 1 | Episode 2: Strength Through Loss

In this episode, Stephanie shares a deeply personal story of perseverance, resilience, and the lessons learned through life’s unexpected detours. From her journey into law school-facing rejection, setbacks, and ultimately triumph-to the heartbreaking loss of her beloved brother, she reflects on how challenges shape us and push us forward.
Through stories of determination, sacrifice, and finding balance between ambition and love, Stephanie reminds us that setbacks are not roadblocks but stepping stones. She discusses the profound impact of loss, the grief that follows, and the power of choosing to continue-whether it’s in career, personal growth, or relationships. This episode is an inspiring reminder that even in the face of adversity, we can rewrite our paths and find strength in the most unexpected places.
My hope is that the stories shared here bring you comfort, inspire hope, and serve as a reminder that even in the darkest moments, light still exists.
💛 Join me as we weave happiness through the grief.
Let’s build a community of strength, support, and healing together. Send me a DM over on social—I’d love to connect with you!
Instagram: @stephanieduranofficial
Facebook: Stephanie Duran
** Podcast Produced by Identity Brand by Monica Kline **

Season 1 | Episode 1: How Childhood Challenges Shape Us

In this very first episode of Weaving Happiness Through Grief, Stephanie opens up about the early moments in life that unknowingly built the foundation for her resilience. From an independent five-year-old navigating her way home alone to witnessing her father’s struggles with gambling and an unexpected imprisonment, Stephanie shares how these formative experiences shaped her perspective on overcoming adversity.
Through personal stories of hardship, loss, and the unwavering strength of her family, she explores how life’s toughest moments often prepare us for the unimaginable challenges ahead. With wisdom gained from her childhood, including the guiding power of the Serenity Prayer, Stephanie reflects on how these lessons helped her navigate grief and rediscover joy after losing the love of her life.
This episode is an invitation to reflect on our own journeys—on the ways our past has shaped us, on the strength we’ve built without even realizing it, and on the hope that exists even in our darkest moments. Join Stephanie as she takes the first step in this series, guiding us through love, loss, and the beautiful, unexpected second chances life has to offer.
My hope is that the stories shared here bring you comfort, inspire hope, and serve as a reminder that even in the darkest moments, light still exists.
💛 Join me as we weave happiness through the grief.
Let’s build a community of strength, support, and healing together. Send me a DM over on social—I’d love to connect with you!
Instagram: @stephanieduranofficial
Facebook: Stephanie Duran
** Podcast Produced by Identity Brand by Monica Kline **