Books Born from Grief: Writing to Heal and Help with Nathalie Himmelrich {ep. 158}
March 26, 2025
Alexa talks with author and therapist Nathalie Himmelrich about the healing power of writing, how grief informed her six books, and why authors don’t need to be marketing experts to make an impact. They dive into book inspiration, business alignment, and how storytelling serves as a bridge between pain and purpose.
In this episode, Alexa and Nathalie discussed:
- 💡 How it all began: Nathalie reflects on her first book, Grieving Parents: Surviving Loss as a Couple, which grew from sharing her own story online and realizing it could help others.
- ✍️ The unexpected journey to six books: She never set out to be an author, but over time felt called—intuitively and emotionally—to write each one. Every book had a unique purpose and a specific audience in mind.
- 🧠 Writing through grief and trauma: Nathalie shares how her personal losses and professional background as a therapist informed her writing and offered deep healing—both for herself and for her readers.
- 🛠️ Turning pain into purpose: The books weren’t just therapy; they became vital tools for others and opened doors in her business organically.
- 🧭 Advice for nonfiction authors: She emphasizes the importance of knowing why you're writing and who you’re writing for—before anything else.
- 📚 Books as authority-builders: Writing helped Nathalie deepen her expertise and connect with a broader community, even if marketing wasn’t her primary focus.
- 🌉 Bridging understanding: One of her most recent books was born out of the need to help support networks understand grieving loved ones—a powerful reminder that books can change lives.
- 🔁 The circular path of content and connection: From podcasting to speaking to client work, Nathalie shows how different platforms support and reinforce each other, even without traditional marketing.
- 📦 Creative outreach: She offers examples of how her books are used in care packages, support events, and more—demonstrating that marketing can be organic, meaningful, and aligned with your mission.
💬 Memorable Quotes:
“I never thought I’d write a book. But when the idea came, it wouldn’t let me go.”
“Every book I wrote had a purpose: to answer a need I kept seeing again and again.”
“You don’t have to be a marketing expert—if your work resonates, it finds its way.”
🔗 Resources & Links:
- Nathalie Himmelrich’s Website – Home to her podcast, books, and more.
- How to Deal with Grief and Trauma Podcast – Nathalie’s show on grief, trauma, and healing.
- Alexa Bigwarfe’s Publishing Resources for authors.