Amanda Kloots on Losing Nick Cordero and What No One Tells You About Grief

darius.derakshan@latimes.com (Darius Derakshan) — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Amanda Kloots opens up about losing her husband, Broadway actor Nick Cordero, to COVID-19, navigating widowhood, dating after loss, and finding joy while still mourning.

In the premiere episode of On Being Human with Dr. Zelana Montminy, the television personality, bestselling author, and host of Good Grief shares what she has learned about grief, healing, love, and rebuilding her life after loss.

When Nick Cordero died at age 41 following 95 days in the hospital, Amanda became a widow and single mother at 38, raising their 1-year-old son, Elvis. Years later, she reflects on how grief doesn't disappear, but how her relationship with it has transformed. Amanda candidly discusses depression, loneliness, how single motherhood reshaped her sense of femininity, and the daily practices that brought light during her darkest days.

She also shares her honest perspective on dating after losing a spouse, why loving someone new doesn't mean letting go of Nick, how his passing altered her faith, and how she keeps Nick's memory alive for Elvis.

What you’ll learn:

Why Amanda Kloots believes we never truly "get over" grief, and what healing actually looks like
How to find moments of joy when you're experiencing profound sadness or depression
The surprising ways grief changed Amanda's identity, femininity, and sense of self
Why dating after losing a spouse doesn't mean letting go of the person you loved
What people get wrong about supporting grieving friends and family
How Amanda talks to her son Elvis about his late father
Why community, therapy, movement, and small daily commitments helped her through her darkest moments
How losing Nick transformed Amanda's relationship with faith, gratitude, and the value of time

By the end of this conversation, you may think differently about grief, love, and what it means to heal. Because as Amanda has discovered, moving forward doesn't require leaving someone behind. Sometimes, learning to live with loss means making room for sadness and joy, gratitude and heartbreak, and the possibility of loving life again.

Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction & What It Means to Be Human

01:58 - Who is Amanda Kloots?

03:24 - How Grief Changes 6 Years Later

06:30 - Is Grief an Emotion or a Journey?

08:06 - Rebuilding Identity & Going Inward After Loss

10:19 - Loss of Femininity & Finding Balance as a Single Mom

12:56 - Reconnecting With Femininity Through Dance

14:58 - What People Misunderstand About Grief

17:13 - How to Support Someone Who is Grieving (Why Simply Showing Up Matters)

20:02 - How Motherhood & Son Elvis Helped Amanda Heal 21:28 - Facing Public Judgment & Finding Joy While Mourning

24:20 - The Importance of Community & Daily Commitments to Joy

26:22 - How Grief Physically Lives in the Body

28:34 - Dating After Widowhood & The Stigma of "Moving On"

32:25 - How Losing Nick Changed Amanda's Faith & Relationship with God

35:53 - Changing Perspectives on Death

37:22 - What to Say to Someone Facing Recent Loss

39:33 - What "Live Your Life" Means Today

42:25 - Ketamine Therapy & Awakening After Trauma

44:05 - Practical Steps to Force Joy During Dark Days

48:09 - Why Grief and Happiness Can Coexist

49:53 - How Amanda Talks to Son Elvis About Death & Nick Cordero

Check out On Being Human with Dr. Zelana Montminy for more honest, thought-provoking conversations about the experiences that shape us, the challenges that connect us, and what it really means to be human.

#AmandaKloots #NickCordero #OnBeingHuman #Grief #GriefAndLoss #Healing #MentalHealth #FindingJoy

We know what’s good for us. We still do the opposite. How do we close that gap?

We scroll when we need sleep. Say yes when we’re overwhelmed. Avoid the conversations that could bring us closer. Keep putting off what matters until life calms down.

In Dr. Zelana On Being Human, behavioral scientist and bestselling author Dr. Zelana Montminy joins familiar voices and leading experts to explore what keeps us stuck and how to move through it. Personal stories meet psychology, science, and practical tools you can use in the moments you usually fall back into old patterns.

You’ll leave equipped with the tools to turn “I know I should” into “here’s how I can,” and better able to make what matters most to you part of how you actually live.

Introducing: Dr. Zelana On Being Human

darius.derakshan@latimes.com (Darius Derakshan) — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 03:27:22 +0000

We know what’s good for us. We still do the opposite. How do we close that gap? We scroll when we need sleep. Say yes when we’re overwhelmed. Avoid the conversations that could bring us closer. Keep putting off what matters until life calms down. In Dr. Zelana On Being Human, behavioral scientist and bestselling author Dr. Zelana Montminy joins familiar voices and leading experts to explore what keeps us stuck and how to move through it. Personal stories meet psychology, science, and practical tools you can use in the moments you usually fall back into old patterns. You’ll leave equipped with the tools to turn “I know I should” into “here’s how I can,” and better able to make what matters most to you part of how you actually live. We know what’s good for us. We still do the opposite. How do we close that gap? We scroll when we need sleep. Say yes when we’re overwhelmed. Avoid the conversations that could bring us closer. Keep putting off what matters until life calms down. In Dr. Zelana On Being Human, behavioral scientist and bestselling author Dr. Zelana Montminy joins familiar voices and leading experts to explore what keeps us stuck and how to move through it. Personal stories meet psychology, science, and practical tools you can use in the moments you usually fall back into old patterns. You’ll leave equipped with the tools to turn “I know I should” into “here’s how I can,” and better able to make what matters most to you part of how you actually live.