Mike Bernhardt

Editor • Poet • Travel Writer

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The Tides of War, tracking WWII refugees and those who honored them

August 14, 2023 No Comments

I am truly thrilled, and honored, to have a story I wrote published in the latest issue of a magazine called Hidden Compass. The Tides of War is about what happened to my wife’s grandparents AFTER they escaped from Nazi Germany and thought they were out of harm’s way, and about our journey to learn more about it, including travel to Ireland and the Isle of Man. It combines two things that are very much a part of my life: travel, and honoring grief. I hope you like it!

The Tides of War

The Tides of War, tracking WWII refugees and those who honored them

August 14, 2023 No Comments

I am truly thrilled, and honored, to have a story I wrote published in the latest issue of a magazine called Hidden Compass. The Tides of War is about what happened to my wife’s grandparents AFTER they escaped from Nazi Germany and thought they were out of harm’s way, and about our journey to learn more about it, including travel to Ireland and the Isle of Man. It combines two things that are very much a part of my life: travel, and honoring grief. I hope you like it!

The Tides of War

Sadie Beyl and I Discuss Grief

March 24, 2023 No Comments

Sadie Beyl, founder of  From Mourning to Light, hosted a Grief Summit in October 2022, and she interviewed me as one of her guest experts. We discussed my book Voices of the Grieving Heart, but we also spoke about something that’s rarely discussed: After our life partner has died, and after all of the time and effort it takes to grieve and keep living, how do we know when it’s the right time to consider a new relationship?

You can learn more about Sadie here.

Blowin’ In the Wind

February 11, 2023 No Comments

When I write about travel, I like to focus on what really hits me. Writing (and hopefully reading) those stories is far more enjoyable than listicles or travelogues.

During our three days in Monteverde, Costa Rica, what hit me—in the face, 24 hours a day—was howling wind and sometimes, eye-stinging rain. I expected some gentle rain, and we had that too; after all, it’s a cloud forest. But the constant, window-rattling, 20-25 mph wind was so loud in our hotel room that we had to visit the farmacia and buy earplugs so we could sleep. …

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Yes, They Wear Underwear

January 28, 2023 No Comments

“Do Amish men wear underwear?”

In my mind, I closed my eyes and slapped my forehead in disbelief at the question. I’m always amazed at what people will ask when they’re learning about other cultures.

Yvonne and I took a guided tour of the Amish Farm and House in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Our guide, who was not Amish, was knowledgeable about the history of the Amish and Mennonite communities in America and gave solid answers to a wide swath of questions. She stared at the man for only a moment before answering. …

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Expressing the Inexpressible: Writing Poetry for Our Grief

August 8, 2022 No Comments

Come to my workshop with Reimagine on Tuesday, September 6, 2022 from 5:00-6:30 PM Pacific time! Experience creating poetry that gives words to images and experiences that can be so hard to express. Reading and writing poetry has power to heal and transform our grief. This workshop is a place for writers and non-writers to experience creating and sharing the poetry of our loss in a safe space. In this interactive workshop, we’ll use readings and simple exercises to explore your own grief journey through poetry. We’ll create poems and share them with other participants in a safe, non-judgmental space (optional). No writing experience or poetic talent required.

Register here! You can pay $15 to support me, or just come for free, your choice!

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