Meet Rev. Dr. Tammy Isaac | Spiritual Practitioner, Grief Advocate and Educator, Author, and Host of the Permission to Breathe Podcast

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rev. Dr. Tammy Isaac and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rev. Dr. Tammy, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
My work as a Spiritual Practitioner, Grief Advocate and Educator, Author, and Host of the Permission to Breathe Podcast is centered on helping people navigate grief with honesty, faith, and practical tools. Through counseling, education, and storytelling, I create spaces where people can name their pain, release what they have been carrying, and find pathways toward healing.

In the hospital I support patients, families, and staff during some of the hardest moments of life, reminding them that they are not alone. In the community my books, workshops, and podcast extend that same message by normalizing conversations about grief, challenging stigma, and offering resources that people can carry into their daily lives.

The broader impact of this work is that it shifts the way people see grief. Instead of something to be hidden it becomes something that can be shared, honored, and worked through in community. That shift strengthens families, workplaces, and entire communities.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business is an extension of my calling. Through Breathe Counseling Center I focus on grief education, advocacy, and spiritual care. What sets my work apart is that I do not shy away from the hard conversations about loss and pain. Instead, I create safe spaces where people can be honest about their grief and find both spiritual and practical tools for healing. Whether through counseling, books, podcasts, or workshops, my goal is to meet people where they are and walk alongside them.

I am most proud of the fact that what started as my personal journey of loss has now become a platform that helps others. I never imagined that after my mother’s passing, I would one day be leading grief conversations and presentations internationally, publishing books, and speaking to audiences about how to breathe again after heartbreak. That transformation keeps me excited because I know it is making a difference.

It was not easy getting here. Building a business while working full time as a chaplain, writing, and pursuing education has been challenging. I had to learn how to manage my time, invest in myself, and push past fear. There were moments when I felt overlooked or underestimated, but I stayed consistent and trusted the vision God gave me.

The biggest lessons I have learned are to honor the process, to trust God’s timing, and to never measure success only by numbers but by impact. I want the world to know that my brand is about truth, compassion, and presence. My story is about turning pain into purpose, and everything I do flows from that conviction.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend Tyisha came to visit for a week, we would have a full schedule of fun, food, and relaxation. We both love lemon pepper wings, so one of our first stops would be Katy Vibes to enjoy wings and catch the live band. The energy there is always good, and it sets the tone for the week.

We recently discovered a love for Top Golf, so we would spend an afternoon there laughing, competing, and enjoying the food and drinks. Since coffee is a must for us, Starbucks would be a daily stop, whether it is to start the morning or pause in the middle of the day for a good conversation.

Breakfast at Cypress Breakfast House would definitely make the list, especially the croissants with bacon, eggs, and avocado. We would also set aside time for self-care with mani pedis, massages, and plenty of shopping at Houston Premium Outlets.

The week would be about blending our favorite simple joys, good food, live music, coffee breaks, fun activities, and a little pampering. For us it is less about doing everything and more about enjoying time together in places that bring out laughter, conversation, and connection.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout belongs to my late mother, Theresa I. Lewis. She was the heartbeat of our family, raising me and my siblings on her own while running her cleaning and catering business. I watched her leave early in the morning with determination, come home late with tired hands, and still manage to smile and make us feel loved. She showed me what it means to trust God when life is uncertain and to hold your head high even when the world feels heavy. Her prayer life was her anchor, and through it she taught me how to depend on God in every circumstance. Her passing became the turning point that shaped my call to grief education and advocacy. I often say that my life’s work is my way of carrying her forward. Every book I write, every patient or family I serve, and every podcast episode I record is a tribute to her. My mother taught me that even in pain there is purpose, and that truth has become the heartbeat of my work.

Website: https://www.drtammyisaac.com

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