Grief isn’t just about death—it’s about unexpected change, lost identity, ruptured plans, and transitions of all kindsJoin us for an intimate Fireside Chat on grief—how it shapes us, stretches us, and sometimes surprises us. Hosted by LaunchBreakers, Adrienne Petrino, Grief Movement Guide & Coach and Raeruth Oleshansky, Board of Directors Liaison at Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee & MSW Candidate at University of TennesseeIn this conversation, they will explore:

Creating a safe space for individuals as a community to process their emotions and experiences
What grief looks like through transitions
Tools and practices to promote healing and resilience, such as movement, breathwork, and sound
Connection and support of a caring community through the power of witnessing, storytelling, and shared humanity

This won’t be a space for advice or solutions—but for connection, reflection, and truth-telling. Whether your grief is fresh or long-held, named or unnamed—you are welcome here. Come as you are. Bring your tea, your tissues, your questions, your heart.Adrienne and Rae LaunchBreak ConnectionRae and Adrienne first connected through the mentoring program at LaunchBreak. What began as a mentor-mentee relationship quickly blossomed into a profound connection rooted in their shared commitment to grief work, emotional healing, and transformative leadership. Through deep conversations and aligned values, they discovered a mutual calling to create spaces where individuals can navigate loss, embrace vulnerability, and lead with authenticity.Adrienne Petrino—a creative, grief movement guide, coach, facilitator, speaker, and author of Let All Of It In, a collection of 20 poems that offer glimpses into her heartfelt and emotional journey through grief, loss, and healing.Drawing on her background in movement, mindfulness, and trauma-informed practices, Adrienne partners with individuals, businesses, and organizations to create space for healing, empathy, activation, and growth. Grounded in values of curiosity, connection, and kindness, her coaching style is defined by 'Dancing in the Moment'—adapting each session to meet individuals and groups where they are in their grief while addressing their unique emotional and physical needs.As a PCC, ICF-certified Transformational Life and Grief Coach, Adrienne holds certifications in Trauma-Informed Leadership Fundamentals with Rev. Heather Wagner, Dare to Lead with Brené Brown, Grief Movement with Paul Denniston, and Transforming Trauma and Grief with David Kessler and Alex Howard. Her research and practice focuses on exploring and unleashing the power of trust and transformation during times of unwanted change.“Before working with Adrienne, I felt trapped in my grief. Now, I understand how to honor my body’s signals and move forward with clarity.” N.K.

Raeruth Oleshansky - Born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, “Rae” has dedicated her career thus far to building and enabling successful community organizations. After graduating from the University of Michigan with her Bachelors of Arts in Sociology and a minor in Community Action and Social Change, she spent a year serving the community of Detroit, MI with Repair the World. Currently, she is pursuing her Masters of Social Work at The University of Tennessee while assisting to run Nashville’s largest nonprofit as the Board Liaison at Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. She was the 2022 PENCIL Emerging Young Leaders Board Chair and is a 2022 graduate of Nashville Young Leaders Council.At Michigan she was a member and captain of the Varsity Women’s rowing team, the Student Athlete Advisory Committee community action chair, and a peer and advanced fellow in the Barger Leadership Institute.

Grief in Real Life: How we Carry, Cope & Connect