We had the good fortune of connecting with Loryn Denise and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Loryn, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factor when it comes to This Too Shall Suck Podcast: A Fresh Perspective on Grief being successful is me being authentic to myself and my values. When I am recording an episode, I use my authentic voice, share my authentic story, and use my authentic experiences to serve my listeners in their own journey. There are so many podcasts in the world, and even a decent amount in my particular space; however, my listeners follow me and resonate with who I am because I don’t switch up. I am the same every episode, I am the same in comments, DM’s, emails, and they can tell that I genuinely am sharing to help them in their own grieving journey.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My story of grief work really unknowingly started in 2015. When my mom passed, I started doing a hashtag #SpiritofGW (GW being my mother’s initials) to honor her and as a way to grieve. 4 years later, in August 2019, my dad passed away. When I began my healing journey with grief, I knew I had to honor him and my mom but wasn’t sure what that looked like. I have a background in events so to me it was through putting on events for the community surrounding grief but then Covid shut the world down. I knew I still wanted to honor them and God knew as well so he downloaded This Too Shall Suck Podcast in my spirit. In April 2020, in the midst of a pandemic, I launched the podcast and it took off. It is currently in 57 countries and organically has over 15,000 downloads. I don’t say that to brag I say that to show that if you keep your eye on the vision, God is going to make it happen for you, even if it isn’t in the way you thought.

What I would also like to share is what I am most proud of and that is the community I built. We are all a part of this grief community that none of us asked to be in but we are here, wanting to grow, wanting to heal, and wanting to be the best version of ourselves. I am excited to see how much the podcast and community will continue to grow and expand and the lives that will be transformed just for being a part of the community,

As far as challenges, I definitely had a few. What made it hard was #1 I knew nothing about starting a podcast. I listened to them but had no idea, no desire, or know where to even start putting one together. Second, working through my own grief while trying to serve others in their grieving journey is hard some days. And I say “is” instead of “was” is because grief is a lifelong journey. But, what I learned in my own journey is to be transparent in those moments because that transparency can serve others way more than you think. And #3, it is scary to put yourself out there when you don’t know what the outcome will be. You don’t know how people are going to receive you or your message and that can be scary especially in today’s culture. But, I always had and still do have the focus that “if I can help one person in their grieving journey, then I have done what I needed to do.”

One of the biggest lessons that I learned along the way was stay focused on the vision, stay committed to your message, and be authentically you because if you have those 3 things everything else will fall into place. I learned how to start that podcast and now have the honor and pleasure to help others do the same, I learned how to process my own grief which allows me to serve others in their own, I put my message out there and it was pleasantly received. All of this happened because I focused on the vision, stayed committed to the message, and continued to authentically be Loryn Denise.

To round it all up, the biggest thing I want people to know about Loryn Denise and This Too Shall Suck Podcast is that you can take that pain and turn it into a purpose. That if you focus on the vision God placed in you that it’s going to come to pass, don’t grow weary in doing good. That your trauma, your grief, your pain doesn’t have to define you, you get to define who YOU want to be inside of that. That never give up on that dream or that goal… you’re right there at your breakthrough if you just keep pushing.


Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My friends and I love food so we definitely would be hitting up the food spots lol. But, depending on where they are staying we can start in the north and work our way down. We are most definitely hitting up brunch. Now there are 2 types of brunches, a nice quiet brunch (with bottomless mimosas of course) or a turn up (with you know it bottomless mimosas) so we’ll choose a vibe. If we are starting from the North, we would be in Marietta at L on North (Quiet but bottomless) or Blaqhouse (turnt up & black owned). After we came and took a nap lol We could go back to L on North because they have a live band from 6-close. If we’re in the city there are several to choose from, we could go to brunch on Edgewood to Fin & Feathers, Hobknob in Brookhaven, Ms. Icey’s Kitchen & Bar, Atlanta Breakfast Club (but early because it stays busy), and even Venkman’s for a nice jazz brunch. For dinner we could hit so many places but I love Apt 4B, Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours, or Cru Wine Bar for a little wine & dine! If we want to go out, I’m always down for a more “upscale vibe” or a “hole in the wall” type place. I recently discovered this amazing Cigar Bar in the Battery in Marietta called BURN by Rocky Patel. If the smoke doesn’t bother them, it’s a nice vibe and you meet some of the nicest, most professional people there. But, if we want to go and just dance and have a good time with no judgement, we would definitely hit up El Bar. We could get a “shawty” for $5 which is a shot and a beer and everyone is jamming with no judgement! Late night if we were hungry, we could slide right across the street and hit up Felini’s and get a couple slices of pizza to soak up the shawties lol Honestly, Atlanta has so many pockets and areas that are becoming their own vibe, there is no area that you could choose that could steer you wrong!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I can write a book with this answer lol because there are so many people who have been a part of creating “Loryn Denise.” Without a doubt of course I have to give a huge shoutout to God. My life doesn’t go without giving honor & glory to him. Then, I would have to dedicate this shoutout to my late parents Dennis and Glenda. Everything I have learned, all that I am, is because they shaped me to be this amazing woman. Even in their absence, they guide me everyday and lead me on the path in which I know I should go. I have to give a huge shoutout to my siblings Lanae, Katrese, Denny, & Kristina. I feel bad sometimes for people who don’t have siblings because even through our fussing, I couldn’t imagine life without them and their support in everything that I do. I have to shoutout my friends. My goodness I can write a whole list but my OG Baes, my Blunch Crew, my Hit B’s, my Flight Attendant Crew, My CAU family, My OG Network Marketing crew, the list goes on and on. The support, the tears, the victories… I literally am in awe the support network that God has given me. My family, man oh man… I am grateful the family I was given and even chosen. People don’t always get to say they have an amazing family, but I do. And last but definitely not least, my amazing producer Mike Sick. I told him recently that none of this happens without you. The thoughtfulness, the brainstorming sessions, the ideas, the referrals, heck even the name lol It never goes unnoticed and I am so grateful and appreciative.

Website: Thistooshallsuckpodcast.com

Instagram: @Loryndenise & @Thistooshallsuckpodcast

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-too-shall-suck-podcast

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/Thistooshallsuckpodcast

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAjz9OlqpoU7uuICqYzVBqw

Image Credits
Professional Photography by Kevin Buford (@KuttinKev)

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