Shows
What's Your Grief PodcastGrief Passed DownWhat's your earliest memory of grief in you family of origin? In this episode we talk about the way that grief passes down through generations, through the culture grief that is created in our families. We consider the ways that the grief of our parents and caregivers has an impact on us, just as the grief of their parents and caregivers had an impact on them. We talk a little bit about our own family grief histories, and offer some food for thought when reflecting on your own intergenerational grief. Visit whatsyourgrief.com for hundreds of free ar...2024-11-1737 minWhat's Your Grief PodcastGrief Groups: Your Honest InsightsIn this episode, we dive into the results of our recent survey, where over 500 of you shared your thoughts on finding and participating in grief groups. From the challenges of connecting with the right group to the value of group support, we explore what makes grief groups work—and where they sometimes fall short. Visit whatsyourgrief.com for hundreds of free articles we've written about all things grief and loss. If you like the podcast, we think you'll love WYG Grief Support Hub. It's our online membership community that brings grievers together for learning, creativity, and...2024-10-3150 minWhat's Your Grief PodcastIs There a Right Way to Grieve?In this episode we talk about a common social media quip - "there is no right way to grieve". For those of us who look back on some of our grief coping as not the healthiest, that statement can feel both true and untrue. We share our thoughts and talk about Charles Corr's 2023 Omega article, "Is it True That “There are no Right or Wrong Ways to Grieve”?" Visit whatsyourgrief.com for hundreds of free articles we've written about all things grief and loss. If you like the podcast, we think you'll love WYG Grief Support...2024-10-2447 min
What's Your Grief PodcastGrief Ritual for the ReluctantIn this episode, we explore the research surrounding grief and ritual, challenging the idea that rituals are always what you might imagine. For those who shy away from traditional ceremonies, we discuss how rituals can be deeply personal, flexible, and self-created to reflect the individual needs of the griever. We talk about how rituals can provide comfort and meaning in unexpected ways, tailored to who you are and what resonates with you. Visit whatsyourgrief.com for hundreds of free articles we've written about all things grief and loss. If you like the podcast, we think you...2024-10-0643 min
What's Your Grief PodcastGrieving Through the Lens of AttachmentIn this episode, we provide a quick introduction to attachment theory and explore how attachment styles can influence the way we grieve. From how we receive support to how we maintain continued bonds, our attachment style can have a greater impact than we might realize Visit whatsyourgrief.com for hundreds of free articles we've written about all things grief and loss. If you like the podcast, we think you'll love WYG Grief Support Hub. It's our online membership community that brings grievers together for learning, creativity, and support. You don’t have to navigate grief alon...2024-09-3052 min
What's Your Grief PodcastWhat's Your Grief Question: How Important is Grief Journaling?In this episode we answer a question from a listener who has always been a journaler, but doesn't feel interested or able to journal about grief. We also talk about the risks of comparison in grief and coping. Visit whatsyourgrief.com for hundreds of free articles we've written about all things grief and loss. If you like the podcast, we think you'll love WYG Grief Support Hub. It's our online membership community that brings grievers together for learning, creativity, and support. You don’t have to navigate grief alone - participate in grief conversation sessions and g...2024-09-1533 min
What's Your Grief PodcastBetween Presence and Absence: A Conversation on Ambiguous GriefToday we're revisiting ambiguous grief (aka grieving someone who is still alive). This can happen for so many reasons, ranging from addictions and dementia to divorce, incarceration, the foster system, and countless others. We're talking about what ambiguous grief is, why it is particularly challenging, and a few ideas for coping. Visit whatsyourgrief.com for hundreds of free articles we've written about all things grief and loss. If you like the podcast, we think you'll love WYG Grief Support Hub. It's our online membership community that brings grievers together for learning, creativity, and support. You don...2024-08-2043 min
What's Your Grief PodcastGrief Grown Up: The Adult Impact of Childhood BereavementThere are a lot of resources out there about childhood bereavement, but many leave off at the end of childhood. In this episode, we tackle some of the ways childhood losses leave imprints well into adulthood. Visit whatsyourgrief.com for hundreds of free articles we've written about all things grief and loss. If you like the podcast, we think you'll love WYG Grief Support Hub. It's our online membership community that brings grievers together for learning, creativity, and support. You don’t have to navigate grief alone - participate in grief conversation sessions and groups, a d...2024-08-2048 min
What's Your Grief PodcastSadness Without ShameIn this episode we responde to a listener question about managing the shame that often comes with continuing to feel sadness as the months and years pass. Plus, some chat on childhood bereavement, grief and video games, and creativity at funerals. If you like the podcast, you'll love WYG Grief Support Hub (it's our griever member community - think of it as our Patreon, but a zillion times better). Support the podcast and get TONS more grief support. You can learn more here and join. Visit whatsyourgrief.com for hundreds of free articles we've written about...2024-07-3132 min
What's Your Grief PodcastGrief Across the MultiverseWe've been on a summer break, but we'll be back soon with our regular schedule. In the meantime, we're here to discuss one of our favorite topics—grief in television and films. Specifically, we explore the multiverse, which has appearing frequently in recent media and often intersects with grief. From Wandavision to Dark Matter, we'll delve into why some of these portrayals can offer an unexpected comfort in grief, however fictionalized. If you like the podcast, you'll love WYG Grief Support Hub (it's our griever member community - think of it as our Patreon, but a zillion time...2024-07-2239 min
What's Your Grief PodcastGrief and Getting SoberGrief can prompt many people to stop using substances when that use gets unmanageable. Though it is often an important and healthy decision, giving up alcohol or another substance brings its own set of new struggles and losses. Eleanor shares her personal experience with managing grief in and from sobriety. Eleanor's article: Grief and Sobriety: Discovering Loss Amid Positive Change Other articles that may be helpful on grief and substance use: Understanding Grief, Alcohol, and the Brain Using Alcohol to Feel Feelings Sober Curious news story S...2024-06-1143 min
What's Your Grief PodcastExploring the Grief of EstrangementIn this episode we dive into a topic that is estimated to impact as many as 1 in 4 families in the US: the grief of estrangement. Join us as we unpack the rollercoaster of emotions that come with feeling disconnected from loved ones, whether it's family or friends. Estrangements happen for countless reasons, but they can be especially prevalent after bereavement losses. We'll delve into the complexities of estrangement grief, and explore strategies for coping and finding healing along the way. If you like the podcast, you'll love WYG Grief Support Hub (it's our griever member community - t...2024-05-3135 min
What's Your Grief PodcastThe Grief of Overdose and Substance-Related DeathsBack in 2014 - approaching 10 years ago - we recorded an episode on overdose grief (you can listen to it here if you missed it). We have lost people to addiction so this was (and is) a topic near and dear. But there are some significant ways the landscape of addiction and substance related death has changed in the last decade. Some of those changes impact when, why, and how people are grieving following overdose deaths. So it seemed about time we do an updated episode. If you like the podcast, you'll love WYG Grief Support Hub (it's o...2024-05-2551 min
What's Your Grief PodcastPet Loss: The Complexities of Saying Goodbye to Our AnimalsLosing a pet (and grieving pet) is a profound and often overlooked form of disenfranchised grief. In this episode, we delve into the complexities of why pet loss holds such significance. Beyond the surface, there are layers of emotion and impact that don't always get talked about. We'll share our own experiences saying farewell to furry companions, and also insights from countless individuals we've supported through pet loss over the years. A few reminders -- We have a free webinar on self-compassion on May 20th. You can sign up here: https://streamyard.com/watch/WP7vXWn...2024-05-1444 min
What's Your Grief PodcastNavigating Grief with Self-CompassionSelf-compassion can be tough to come by in grief. We compare ourselves to who we were, who we want to be, to others grieving, to how we think grief "should be", and on and on. In this episode, we talk about the challenges of practicing self-compassion, what self-compassion is (and isn't) and some tools for navigating grief with self compassion. We have a free webinar on self-compassion on May 20th. You can sign up here: https://streamyard.com/watch/WP7vXWnap8Vw For more info on self-compasssion, Kristen Neff has a great website: https://self-compassion.o...2024-05-1247 min
What's Your Grief PodcastThe Practicalities of Handling Grief TriggersIn this episode, we dive deep into the practical challenges of handling grief triggers. Join us as we share both our professional advice and personal stories on navigating grief's everyday trigger —from anniversaries and special places to unexpected everyday moments. We'll discuss strategies for managing emotions at work, during social gatherings, and through significant life events. If you like the podcast, you'll love WYG Grief Support Hub (it's our griever member community - think of it as our Patreon, but a zillion times better). Support the podcast and get TONS more grief support. You can learn more her...2024-04-2844 min
What's Your Grief PodcastThe Confusion of Grieving Without TearsThere are many complicated and unexpected grief experiences. One that comes up time and again is why sometimes we expect to cry and . . . don't. It's more common than you'd think and in this episode we're chatting about why. If you like the podcast, you'll love WYG Grief Support Hub (it's our griever member community - think of it as our Patreon, but a zillion times better). Support the podcast and get TONS more grief support. You can learn more here. Visit whatsyourgrief.com for hundreds of free articles we've written about all things grief and loss...2024-04-1941 min
What's Your Grief PodcastGrieving When the Relationship was ComplicatedPeople are complicated. Human relationships are complicated. There are many people in our lives with whom we have love-hate relationships with. We don't just grieve when the people we have positive relationships die. We can also grieve people who harmed us, caused us pain, and were abusive. There are many reasons why grieving these people can bring up unique challenges. In this episode we talk about those difficulties and what you can do to cope. If you like the podcast, you'll love WYG Grief Support Hub (it's our griever member community - think of it as our Pa...2024-04-0942 min
What's Your Grief PodcastThe Ebbs and Flows of Grief Over TimeYou hear all the time that grief isn't linear, but that doesn't change the surprises in the ways it ebbs and flows over time. In this episode we talk about the predictably unpredictably cycles of grief and the ways grief continues wax and wane as it intersects with so many other aspects of life. But we start with a good old chat about trying to get our sh*t together and just how hard that can be. If you like the podcast, you'll love WYG Grief Support Hub (it's our griever member community - think of it a...2024-04-0342 min
What's Your Grief PodcastGrieving a FriendIn this episode, we talk about grieving a friend. Litsa has had four friends die in the last four years. As a grief therapist and someone who is not new to grief, it has left her reflecting on some of the unique and unexpected aspects of these losses. Though we're primarily focusing on when a friend dies in this episode, you can check out this article about grieving a friend following a falling out or estrangement. If you want to read more about the death of a friend you can check out these articles: https://whatsyourgrief.c...2024-03-2242 min
What's Your Grief PodcastRevisiting the Continuing Bonds Theory of GriefContinuing Bonds Theory is both one of our favorite grief theories and also a griever favorite. And yet it's been ages since we've done an episode about it. So long, in fact, that a new book and a fair bit of new research has come out that has further shaped how with think about continuing bonds. If you're grieving and you haven't heard of continuing bonds, we think you'll probably like it. And if you're familiar with continuing bonds, we hope it will remind you of some of your connections and also bring a few new insights. B...2024-03-1655 min
What's Your Grief PodcastHow Do You Categorize Grief?If you've ever wondered why our grief support isn't broken down by type of loss, today you'll find your answer. In this episode we talk about the question "what's your grief?". Specifically, we break down why, for us, this question has always had less to do with who died and more to do with the unique nature of your relationship with that person and the specific experiences and challenges of your grief. If you like the podcast, you'll love WYG Grief Support Hub (it's our griever member community - think of it as our Patreon, but a z...2024-03-0735 min
What's Your Grief PodcastThe Many Complicated Feelings Around Final GoodbyesIn this episode, we address a question from a bereaved mom who didn't see her daughter after her daughter's death. She finds herself wondering if she should have fought harder to see her daughter. This brings up so many questions held by grievers no matter what decisions they made around a death -- often some variation of "should I have done something differently and would that have eased this pain?" *** The WYG Hub (it's our griever member community - think of it as our Patreon, but a zillion times better) is open for new members...2024-02-2945 min
What's Your Grief PodcastBuilding Walls to Avoid Further LossThis week we respond to a question from one of our Hub members. Grief anxiety is very real and, unfortunately, the very connections that can ease anxiety in grief can also be the source of that anxiety. We're chatting about that complicated experience after loss when you find yourself fearful of creating new relationships for fear of losing people while also wanting connection and fearing being alone. The thoughts and feeling are so complicated. *** The WYG Hub (it's our griever member community - think of it as our Patreon, but a zillion times better) is op...2024-02-2231 min
What's Your Grief PodcastGrief Comfort and Grief Criticism on Social MediaIn this episode, we dive into the world of grief in the digital era. Specifically we talk about what it really means to express sorrow online and the frustrating misconceptions that grief posts are just for attention. Some people turn to social media for support during tough times and genuine empathy means looking past the many assumptions about what's behind these posts. Sign up for our free February grief support webinar here. Visit whatsyourgrief.com for hundreds of free articles we've written about all things grief and loss. Join the WYG Hub (it's our g...2024-02-1541 min
What's Your Grief PodcastBefriending GriefIn this episode, Litsa and Mary chat about what it means to 'befriend grief'. This includes plenty of thoughts about how modern western culture shapes our beliefs about death and grief, with a healthy dose of how we try to counteractive some of the pressures to pathologize grief. In this episode, Mary mentions the follow books that have had a big impact on her grief lens: The Wild Edge of Sorrow The Smell of Rain on Dust Visit whatsyourgrief.com for hundreds of free articles we've written about all things grief and loss. ...2024-02-0859 min
What's Your Grief PodcastRelief in GriefIn this episode respond to a question about feeling relief after a death. But first, we talk about the recent Vox article The Race to Optimize Grief and the wild wild west of how AI is changing the way people mourn. Visit whatsyourgrief.com for hundreds of free articles we've written about all things grief and loss. You can read more about relief in grief here. Join the WYG Hub (it's our griever member community - think of it as our Patreon, but a zillion times better). It opens for new members four times per yea...2024-01-3135 min
What's Your Grief PodcastThe Grief of Anticipated-Sudden DeathsIn this episode we talk about a new article on the website that Litsa wrote about a concept she's termed "paradoxical grief". It's the often-confusing experience of grieving a loss that is both anticipated but also sudden and shocking. We talk about this experience that is both incredibly common and yet also rarely talked about in grief, in part because it can feel difficult to explain. You can check out the article here: https://whatsyourgrief.com/the-paradoxical-grief-of-anticipated-sudden-death/ Visit whatsyourgrief.com for hundreds of free articles we've written about all things grief and loss. You can re...2024-01-2634 min
What's Your Grief PodcastFrom Grief Literacy to Grief HumilityWe kick off this episode with our review of the new Dan Levy Netflix film "Good Grief". If you haven't watched it and don't want any spoilers, jump into the episode closer to minute 27. In the rest of the episode we address a common question that comes up for grievers: with so much information out there about grief, why aren't people more grief-literate? Which of course begs the question, what is grief literacy? Should that be what we strive for? We're not so sure. The documentary Litsa mentioned about finding out secrets after a death is called S...2024-01-1857 min
What's Your Grief PodcastMoving Forward Challenges (in the New Year and Beyond)Come to the free Grieving in the New Year Webinar with Litsa this Sunday - sign up here -- https://whatsyourgrief.ck.page/432a2df1e7 This week we're talking about all the surprising challenges of facing the new year in grief. Everything from the passage of time to a Hub member question about what it means to 'live your best life' without fear of forgetting. The book Litsa mentioned in the episode is Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retrea in Difficult Times (though she hasn't read it, so don't think of this as a...2024-01-0939 min
What's Your Grief PodcastThe Griefy-est Time of the YearWe're back with an episode about - you guessed it - grief at the holidays! Sure, we've talked about this basically every year here on the podcast. Yes, we have approximately a zillion articles about it on the website. AND we still have more to say on the topic! Because there is simply so much that the holidays bring up when it comes to loss. Other holiday grief support: For a lot more practical and creative support, watch our free webinar on coping with grief at the holidays here. Find tons of articles about coping with grief at the holidays...2023-12-2031 min
What's Your Grief PodcastGrief Meets Existential DreadIn this episode we're going deep, talking about a very common but rarely discussed issue in grief: existential dread. Loss can make us face big questions about life and purpose. It makes us face our own mortality. This week we talk about what it's like to gaze long into the abyss. We reflect on our own discomfort with death (and our comfort with that discomfort). We don't have ads or a patreon. What helps us most is if you join the WYG hub for grief learning and connection. Open for summer cohort through May 31, 2023 and will then r...2023-05-3139 min
What's Your Grief PodcastMother's Day & Father's Day GriefMay is here and that means the looming grief triggers of Mother's Day and Father's Day are upon us. In this episode we cover all the basics - why it's hard, who is impacted (spoiler alert: it isn't just bereaved parents and bereaved children), and some suggestions for coping. We have tons of Mother's Day and Father's Day articles and support over on What's Your Grief. Start with some of our favorites. Other mentions from the episode: Honest Obituaries site. We don't have ads or a patreon. What helps us most is if yo...2023-05-0937 min
What's Your Grief PodcastWhen Grief Meets AnxietyAnxiety is one of those grief experiences that is incredibly common and yet often catches people off guard. If you experienced difficult levels of anxiety before a loss, it can feel worse than ever as you navigate grief. And even if you never struggled with managing anxiety before, your loss can bring it up. In this episode we talk about the relationship between grief and anxiety, some common reasons for it, and offer some suggestions on how to manage it. Here are the two of the anxiety workbooks we mentioned: Anxiety and Phobia Workbook Get O...2023-04-1246 min
What's Your Grief PodcastWhat Are You Doing Here?This week we're reflecting on what's were doing here. Not in the existential sense (though we're certainly always angsting about that on some level). But in the sense that we're curious what you want to hear more of. We hope you'll give a listen and then answer these 3 (very simple) questions to help guide our future episodes. https://form.jotform.com/230677758851066 We don't have ads or a patreon. What helps us most is if you join the WYG member community for grief education, connection, accountability, a grief book club & more. It is only $8.33/month if you join a...2023-03-1223 min
Grief Is My Side HustleEp. 95. What’s Your Grief: Grief Clinicians Eleanor Haley & Litsa WilliamsSit down with Meghan as she talks with the outstanding duo fo Eleanor Haley and Litsa Williams to talk about the publication of their recent book–What's Your Grief: Lists To Help You Through Any Loss
Eleanor Haley, MS and Litsa Williams, MA, LCSW-C are the co-founders of the online
community What’s Your Grief, one of the largest online grief and bereavement support organizations. Both are mental health professionals
with a collective 25+ years of experience working with people coping with all types of
complicated losses and life transitions. Eleanor and Litsa met whi...2023-03-0258 min
What's Your Grief PodcastDecades On, Grief Still Surprises UsThough there have been significant losses in our lives in the decades since, each of us looks back to the deaths of a parent early in life as formative to our lives and specifically our work in grief. In this episode, we reflect on the ways those remote personal losses still surprise us - even now. We don't have ads or a patreon. What helps us most is if you join the WYG member community for grief education, connection, accountability, a grief book club & more. It is only $8.33/month if you join annually and it is a bi...2023-02-2227 min
What's Your Grief PodcastAsk Me Anything (about Grief)Litsa's flying solo this week, answering questions about grief submitted on Instagram. Talking about supporting partners, siblings, navigating grief conversations with friends, plushies, and more! We don't have ads or a patreon. What helps us most is if you join the WYG member community for grief education, connection, accountability, a grief book club & more. It is only $8.33/month if you join annually and it is a big part of what keeps the podcast going - https://whatsyourgrief.com/online-grief-community/ If you're a grief professional, we have a community for you too. https://whatsyourgrief.com/grief-professionals-community/...2023-01-3131 min
What's Your Grief PodcastNew Year, Same MeWe're two days into 2023 and the theme for us has been . . . meh. That 'new year, new me' rhetoric gets old fast. In this episode we're talking about why moving into a new year can feel hard, especially for grievers. That means musing about what happiness is (and isn't), the appeal (and risks) of a 'fresh start', and living a 'because of' life instead of an 'in spite of' life. Read Eleanor's article that we mention here. Want to join our free webinar on coping with grief in the new year? Sign up here- https://whatsyourgrief.ck.page/70975d2c...2023-01-1428 min
What's Your Grief PodcastWinter of Our DisconnectionEleanor's been feeling pretty disconnected this holiday season. Though that might sound better than feeling terrible, it turns out that numbness and disconnection are their own version of unsettling. In this episode, we're tackling this common-but-difficult-to-describe experience in grief - feeling nothing and what to do about it. 2022 is winding down and we'd love your support to keep this podcast going in 2023. Please consider joining our What's Your Grief circle community - there are tons of great resources to help you in your grief. Your $12/month (or $100/year) is a huge part of keeping this podcast going. ...2022-12-2345 min
What's Your Grief PodcastFeeling Relief in GriefRelief is one of the more common grief emotions and yet it is one that people often feel ashamed to mention. So today we're talking about relief in grief - what it is, what it isn't, how to understand it, and personal experiences with it. About us: Eleanor Haley, MS and Litsa Williams, MA, LCSW-C are the co-founders of What's Your Grief, one of the largest online grief and bereavement support communities. Both are mental health professionals who have lived through significant death and non-death losses. Since late 2012 they have been growing WYG as a resource for g...2022-12-1219 min
What's Your Grief PodcastHoliday Musings on Family & ImpermanenceThis week we were feeling the post-Thanksgiving emotional grief hangover. That means musings on family, holidays past and present, and the ways we grieve the things we assumed would always be part of our lives, but aren't. We don't have ads or a patreon. What helps us most is if you join the WYG member community for grief education, connection, accountability, a grief book club & more. It is only $10/month and it is a big part of what keeps the podcast going - https://whats-your-grief-community.circle.so/ Also, if you like the podcast we're pretty sure yo...2022-12-0128 min
What's Your Grief PodcastGrieving the Past, Present, and FutureThis week we talk about yet another unexpected aspect of grieving - realizing that we in many ways grieve the past, the present, and the future. This expands on a few things we talked about in the nonfinite grief episode, so make sure you catch that one too. We don't have ads or a patreon. What helps us most is if you join the WYG member community for grief education, connection, accountability, a grief book club & more. It is only $10/month and it is a big part of what keeps the podcast going - https://whats-your-grief-community.circle.so...2022-11-1042 min
What's Your Grief PodcastWhen Families Grieve DifferentlyThis week we're answering a listener question about how to cope when the differences in family grief styles start to cause strain between family members. Join the WYG member community for grief education, connection, accountability, a grief book club & more. Plus, you can watch the live stream of us recording each week. $10/month and it is what keeps the podcast going - https://whats-your-grief-community.circle.so/ Our book is available anywhere you buy books: Amazon Barnes & Noble Bookshop Books A Million Indiebound Hudson Booksellers Powell's Target Social stuff: Instagram Faceboo...2022-11-0129 min
Feel Good From Within with Yvette Le Blowitz - #spaitgirl podcastWhat's Your Grief? with Eleanor Haley, MS & Litsa Williams, MA LCSW-C, Mental Health Professionals, Co-Authors Feel Good From Within with Yvette Le Blowitz - #SPAITGIRL Podcast EP.194 - What's Your Grief w/Eleanor Haley, MS and Litsa Williams, MA LCSW-C, Mental Health Professionals, Co-Authors What's Your Grief? is a timely reminder that you don't have to grieve alone. Losses, big and small, turn your world upside down. What's Your Grief? will help you through all of them. Many life changes need to be grieved, from the loss of a loved one to the loss of a job, from a breakup to a relocation, and al...2022-10-3151 min
What's Your Grief PodcastNonfinite Grief (grieving the life you expected)In this episode we talk about the little-discussed, but incredibly common experience of nonfinite grief. This is an experience that can happen after a death, but also after countless nondeath losses. Join the WYG member community for grief education, connection, accountability, a grief book club & more. Plus, you can watch the live stream of us recording each week. $10/month and it is what keeps the podcast going - https://whats-your-grief-community.circle.so/ Our book is available anywhere you buy books: Amazon Barnes & Noble Bookshop Books A Million Indiebound Hudson Booksellers Powell's Target Social stuff:2022-10-2531 min
What's Your Grief PodcastWhen Grief Feels Ugly, Mean & MessyThis week we're discussing when and why grief can leave you with a mountain of ugly, mean, and messy feelings. Join the WYG member community for grief education, connection, accountability, a grief book club & more. Plus, you can watch the live stream of us recording each week. $10/month and it is what keeps the podcast going - https://whats-your-grief-community.circle.so/ Our book is available anywhere you buy books: Amazon Barnes & Noble Bookshop Books A Million Indiebound Hudson Booksellers Powell's Target Social stuff: Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinte...2022-10-1729 min
What's Your Grief PodcastWhat's Your (Grief) QuestionYou've sent us your grief questions; we've done our best to share some answers. Or at least talk through some thoughts. How do you handle it when people make assumptions about your grief that are all wrong? How do you strengthen continued bonds? (And some rambling on sleep to boot). Join the WYG member community, where we have tons of grief education, support, connection, a book club. Plus, you can watch the live stream of us recording each week. $10/month and it is what keeps the podcast going - https://whats-your-grief-community.circle.so/ Our book is av...2022-10-1136 min
What's Your Grief PodcastDo We Recover From Grief?In this episode, Eleanor and Litsa talk about a question that has created some disagreement on social media recently: do we 'recover' from grief? Our book is available anywhere you buy books: Amazon Barnes & Noble Bookshop Books A Million Indiebound Hudson Booksellers Powell's Target To join the WYG member community, where we have tons of grief education, support, connection, a book club, and where you can watch the live stream of us recording and chat along - https://whats-your-grief-community.circle.so/ As always, follow us on social Instagram Facebook ...2022-10-0236 min
What's Your Grief PodcastLists to Help You Through Any LossOur book is available for pre-order (and you can even get a free digital download companion thank you here for pre-ordering). Order it today for delivery on the release date - September 27, 2022: Amazon Barnes & Noble Bookshop Books A Million Indiebound Hudson Booksellers Powell's Target Become a WYG member community, where we have tons of grief education, support, connection, a book club, and where you can watch the live stream of us recording and chat along -- https://whats-your-grief-community.circle.so/ As always, follow us on social Instagram Facebook Twitter ...2022-09-0936 min
What's Your Grief PodcastEverybody's Grieving for the WeekendOur book is available for pre-order here (with a free digital workbook download if you pre-order!) To join the WYG member community, where we have tons of grief education, support, connection, a book club, and where you can watch the live stream of us recording and chat along - https://whats-your-grief-community.circle.so/ As always, follow us on social Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest TikTok2022-09-0237 min
What's Your Grief PodcastAll About Anger in GriefOur book is available for pre-order here (with a free digital workbook download if you pre-order!) To join the WYG member community, where we have tons of grief education, support, connection, a book club, and where you can watch the live stream of us recording and chat along - https://whats-your-grief-community.circle.so/ Read more articles about grief and anger here. As always, follow us on social Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest TikTok2022-08-2643 min
What's Your Grief PodcastGrief and the Passage of TimeOur book is available for pre-order here (with a free digital workbook download if you pre-order!) To join the WYG member community, where we have tons of grief education, support, connection, a book club, and where you can watch the live stream of us recording and chat along - https://whats-your-grief-community.circle.so/ Read more articles about the passage of time As always, follow us on social Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest TikTok2022-08-1940 min
What's Your Grief PodcastAnnouncement: We're Back!Needless to say, it's been a while! But we're back with an exciting announcement. To join the WYG member community, where we have tons of grief education, support, connection, a book club, and where you can watch the live stream of us recording and chat along - https://whats-your-grief-community.circle.so/ - As always, follow us on social Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest TikTok2022-08-1909 min
What's Your Grief PodcastGrief HindsightAfter a death we do a lot of looking backwards. We think about what we should have known or done differently. We imagine a different world, and ideal world, if things had just taken another path. This becomes wound up in our grief - we beat ourselves up for the past based on things we can only know in the present. In this episode we talk through what that looks like, why we do it, and how to avoid getting sucked too far down the blackholes of counterfactual thinking and hindsight bias in grief. 2020-09-1832 min
What's Your Grief PodcastGrief ExpectationsWhat we believe about grief often starts from a young age. We get messages from family, friends, community, and the media about what grief is 'supposed' to look like. Those messages become beliefs and those beliefs have a very real impact on the way we judge our grief (and often ourselves!). Today we're talking about the ins and outs - where to we get these ideas about grieving and how to they affect us?2020-09-0133 min
What's Your Grief PodcastIs Grief Ever 'On Hold'?Terms like delayed grief and absent grief get thrown around a lot. Recently, people have been suggesting that distancing may be putting people's grief 'on hold'. In this episode, we talk about whether grief is ever 'on hold', how external circumstances can have a very real impact on grieving, and why delayed grief can sometimes happen. Oh, and we do some musing about our own grief. 2020-06-3033 min
What's Your Grief PodcastGrief Math and Other MusingsIn this episode we ramble and reflect out loud a bit, so don't say we didn't warn you. Thinking about the ways grief has us doing mental math calculations up, down, and sideways. How old would he be now? She's been gone longer than we were married . . . How many more years until I am the age he was when he died? And on and on. Talking about grief math and the what-ifs and doing some personal processing of our own grieving as we go. 2020-06-2432 minWhat's Your Grief PodcastPositive Psychology, Grief, and PERMAThough positive psychology may sound like a field that is all about just thinking happy thoughts, nothing could be further from the truth. This well-researched, practical approach to boosting well-being is a WYG when it comes to grief and coping. In this episode we're talking about PERMA and challenging you to some momentum from the school of positive psychology. 2020-06-0653 min
What's Your Grief PodcastA Lesson in Avoiding AvoidanceWhen the world changes, the way we operate in the world has to change. Grief forces us to make new decisions about the things we do, the things we don't do, and how we cope. Today we talk about how so many of those decisions may feel good in the short term, but often don't serve us in the long-run. Avoidance sounds like it is obvious, but sometimes it hides in corners we don't even recognize. 2020-05-2045 min
What's Your Grief PodcastIn Grief, Is It Ever Too Late?When a lot of time has passed after a loss, we hear all sorts of questions - is it too late for counseling? Is it too late to reconnect with people I lost touch with? Is it too late to ask for stories and memories? We're pretty strong believers that, in grief, it is never too late. 2020-05-1441 min
What's Your Grief Podcast7 Types of Grief and Loss to Know Right NowThere is a lot of discussion right now about the many ways people are experiencing grief - the grief of death related losses, but also many other types of grief that are coming up in the world. Today we're sorting through 7 types of grief we think may be relevant and impacting you right now. 2020-05-0840 min
What's Your Grief PodcastIs It Okay To Talk To My Kids About My Dead Mom?We received a question recently about talking to children about people who have died, especially those people the child never met. We get questions like this a lot. Is it normal? Is it okay? Will it screw up my kids? The quick answers: yes! yes! no! For the long answers, tune in. 2020-05-0637 min
What's Your Grief PodcastBinge-Worthy Grief Movie and TelevisionSeeing as a lot of us are spending more time at home than usual, we asked our readers/listeners for some of the best depictions of grief in movies and television. In this episode, we share your responses and our thoughts. 2020-05-0147 min
What's Your Grief PodcastWhat's Your Grief Question?We did an "Ask Us Anything" on Instagram and turns out your grief questions were a little too big to answer on Instagram. So today we are answering some of your pressing questions about grief - from widow dating to friends disappearing after a death, we're covering some tough topics in less than 35 minutes. Have a question you would like to see us cover? Email us at whatsyourgrief@gmail.com2020-04-2235 min
What's Your Grief PodcastGrief in the Time of COVID-19Whether you were grieving before the coronavirus crisis or you've just lost a loved one and are navigating through the dark days of early grief, the current crisis is changing the way we grieve. We have heard from people all over the world and we've been touched personally, so it seemed about time to end our long hiatus to offer some observations, thoughts, and hopefully even support for everyone coping with grief right now (which just so happens to be a lot of us). 2020-04-1737 min
What's Your Grief PodcastNavigating Social Media While GrievingWith over 150 million social media users in the US alone, we can no longer conceptualize grief support and support systems without considering online social interaction. As the co-founders of multiple online spaces, we believe online platforms provide grieving people with powerful tools for connecting and coping in the wake of loss. However, just like in real life, online spaces and interactions can, at times, be difficult to navigate. Intro by tom_luft (c) copyright 2011 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/tom_luft/34080 Notes: www.whatsyourgrief.com...2018-03-3036 min
What's Your Grief PodcastGrief Themes in Pixar's CocoPixar must have a secret deal with Kleenex. They seemed determined to bring audiences to tears with every movie they make. This is fine by us, though, because these tender and relatable films make great teachable moments for children and adults alike. In this episode of the WYG podcast, we take a look at themes related to grief and death in Pixar's latest movie, Coco. Intro by tom_luft (c) copyright 2011 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/tom_luft/340802018-03-2130 min
What's Your Grief PodcastGrief in TV, Movies, and Pop-CultureWe're back after a brief hiatus with an update on WYG and our plans for the future of this podcast. We're especially interested in talking about grief in current events, pop-culture, and the world around us and the ways these depictions help us and hurt. Intro by tom_luft (c) copyright 2011 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/tom_luft/340802018-03-1319 min
What's Your Grief PodcastCoping with Identity Changes After a LossA loss of any kind can lead to difficult identity changes. Shifts in one's sense-of-self, roles that no longer need to be fulfilled, and added responsibilities culminate to create overwhelming stress and confusion as a person has to figure out who they are in the context of life after loss. In this podcast, we discuss the many ways that loss leads to identity changes. We also discuss ways to stay focused on the pieces of you that will stay the same and how to remain flexible towards the elements of your life that will have to change.2017-11-0234 min
What's Your Grief PodcastGrief and Defense MechanismsSigmund Freud first proposed the concept of ‘defense mechanisms’ as an element of his influential theory of personality. For those of you who took Psych 101, think back to the Id, Ego, and Superego in which all elements, with the exception of the ego, reside in the unconscious. Since their introduction, the concept of defense mechanisms has been expanded quite a bit, and they are still used today to try to understand certain behavioral patterns. In this episode of the What’s Your Grief Podcast, we discuss how people sometimes use defense mechanisms to cope with grief. 0:00...2017-06-0531 min
What's Your Grief PodcastReturning to Work After the Death of a Loved OneMany people have to return to work within days after experiencing the death of a loved one. Others have a little more flexibility, but must eventually take the step to return to the workplace and workforce. In this podcast the girls of What's Your Grief discuss returning to work after the death of a loved one. They address some of the common barriers and offer suggestions for reducing stress during this transition. 0:00 - 5:40: Announcements 5:40 - 15:00: Things we've watched and read about grief 15:00 - 35:00: Returning to work after the death of a...2017-04-2736 min
What's Your Grief PodcastThe Conflicting Emotions of GriefOne emotional experience that many grieving people find particularly confusing is the realization that their thoughts, emotions, and needs occasionally seem to conflict with one another. In this episode of the What's Your Grief Podcast, we discuss the sometimes conflicting emotions of grief. We also answer a reader questions about seeking therapy after a loss. Show Notes: www.whatsyourgrief.com/forty-eight2017-03-0939 min
What's Your Grief PodcastGrieving the Loss of a HomePeople give up homes for various reasons. Sometimes the circumstances are in their control (such as making the choice to sell a house and move to a new one) and sometimes they aren’t (like in the case of foreclosure, house fire, natural disaster, or death of the primary resident). Leaving a home can be very sad and emotional regardless of the reason. In today's podcast, we discuss the emotional experience of saying goodbye to a home and grieving places from the past. Show Notes: www.whatsyourgrief.com/forty-seven2017-02-1536 min
What's Your Grief PodcastGrief in 'This is Us'We've been telling you for weeks to get caught up on NBC's 'This is Us' because we're going to talk about it. Well, today is the day. If you've been watching This is Us, then you've probably noticed the many grief themes that have played out in episodes 1-11. In this episode of the What's Your Grief Podcast, we discuss four of the main grief themes that we've observed in this critically acclaimed television show. Notes: www.whatsyourgrief.com/forty-six2017-01-1339 min
What's Your Grief PodcastHow to Handle Holiday Tradition After a DeathBy far one of the hardest outcomes to accept about the holidays after the death of a loved one is that tradition needs to be changed or skipped. Traditions your loved one used to be involved with have to change and even those they weren’t a part of may seem entirely too difficult to manage. The worst thing you can do is set your holidays on autopilot and hope things work themselves out. Not only does this put you at risk of being majorly blindsided by your grief, but it also takes away from your traditions. In this epis...2016-12-2231 min
What's Your Grief PodcastManaging Expectation at the Holidays and Other TopicsPeople tend to have a lot of expectations about the holiday season. This is true during times of peace and during times of turmoil. After the death of a loved one, grieving people continue to have expectations about the holiday season. Sometimes these expectations are based on past ideals that have become impossible to replicate since someone integral to existing ritual and tradition has died. Sometimes these expectations are based on anxiety and worst-case-scenarios. And sometimes they are based on pressures put upon us by ourselves and by others. In this episode of the What's Your Grief Podcast we will di...2016-12-0836 min
What's Your Grief PodcastGrief in 'Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life'In this special edition of the What's Your Grief Podcast Litsa and Eleanor discuss the recent Gilmore Girls revival. Not your typical gossip session, this discussion focuses specifically on the grief themes the hosts observed throughout the four episode season. 'Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life' meets up with the Gilmore women a decade after the original series ended and four months after the death of spouse, father, and grandfather Richard Gilmore. True to life, each character handles grief in their own unique way. P.S. There will be a few spoilers.2016-11-3032 min
What's Your Grief PodcastDating a Widower and Other TopicsSeason 2: Episode 3: Dating a Widower and Other Topics 0:00 - 5:00 : NFDA Conference Impressions The intersection between grief support and funeral homes 5:00 - 13:45: Talk of a Lifetime Have the Talk of a Lifetime: Conversations around family history, legacy, and how people want to be remembered Talk of a Lifetime cards and conversation starters 13:45 - 15:50: National Alliance for Grieving Children New book: When Someone Dies: A Child-Caregiver Activity Book Child Grief Awareness Month: November is Child Grief Awareness Month 15:50 - 19: 15: Grief in the Media...2016-11-2132 min
What's Your Grief PodcastGrief in Six Words and Other TopicsIn this episode of the What's Your Grief podcast we discuss the new grief website, Grief in Six Words, adjusting to the school year after a death, answer a reader's question about grief counseling and discuss a few times that grief has made us feel like mean and ugly people. Minute 0:00 - 3:00: Introduction Minute 3:00 - 10:00: Grief in Six Words Website Minute 10:00 - 15:30: Update on the WYG Bookclub Minute 15:30 - 21:30: Adjusting to the school year after a death Minute 21:30 - 26:30: Reader Question Minute 26:30 - 33:00: A few of the times grief has made us feel like ugly or mean people 2016-10-0333 min
What's Your Grief PodcastLoneliness in Grief and Other TopicsWelcome to Season 2, Episode 1 of the What's Your Grief Podcast. This season we're going to shake up our format a little and cover several different topics during each 30 minute episode. In this episode we talk about some of the new resources WYG has to offer; grief reading and movies; and we discuss the concept of loneliness in grief. Minute 0:00 - 5:00: Introductions Minute 5:00 - What's new with WYG Minute 10:30 - Resource shout out Minute 12:15 - Grief books and movies Minute 16:00 - The unique loneliness of grief If you have a grief question that you would like to hear answer...2016-09-0830 min
What's Your Grief PodcastHow Attitudes About Death Impact GriefIt stands to reason that how a person feels about life and death, in many ways, will impact the way they grieve. Perhaps they hold on tightly to their pain for fear that if they let go their loved one’s life will be forgotten or meaningless. Perhaps they refuse to fully face their grief because it makes them uncomfortable to think about death. Perhaps they find comfort in their beliefs, or perhaps they question their faith when they don’t feel comfort. We should really talk more about how attitudes about death impact grief. Perhaps it feels selfish turning...2016-06-0821 min
What's Your Grief PodcastUnderstanding the Difference Between Support and ComfortWhen something sad, bad, or anxiety producing happens in the life of someone we care about, our immediate instinct is to comfort. Of course it is – we’re good people! And often this instinct is useful because comforting is exactly what the situation calls for; for example a child’s bruised knee or a nervous first day on the job are both situations where a “there, there, you’ll be okay” goes a long way. However, in the early days of grief, there is very little anyone can say to take away a griever’s pain and there is very litt...2016-04-2500 min
What's Your Grief PodcastReconnecting with Life After LossWhat have you stopped doing since experiencing the death of your loved one? More specifically, what do you no longer do that you used to previously enjoy or find fulfilling? These may be things that you stopped doing them because you don't have the time, they require too much effort, they remind you of your loved one, or they seem less fun. These are things like walking your dog in the evening, going to church on Sunday, getting a hair cut, cooking dinner a few times a week, art, listening to music, coffee with a friend, journaling, finding daily grat...2016-03-3133 min
What's Your Grief PodcastParenting While GrievingAs if parenting we’re hard enough, you’ve recently experienced the death of someone you love. You’ve done your best to shelter your children from death, loss, and grief for their entire lives, and now it seems you have no choice but to allow these frightening realities into your family home. Even if your child is not directly impacted by the loss, the pain of one family member often affects the family as a whole. In order for you, the parent or guardian, to be an engaged, patient, consistent, and loving presence, you have to deal with the int...2016-03-0944 min
What's Your Grief PodcastDealing With Valentine's Day After a DeathAlthough Litsa and I have never been big on Valentine's Day, we realize many of you may have warm, fond memories of Valentine's Days past. Regardless of where you typically fall of the Valentine's Day love-hate spectrum, a day focused on romance and love can be hard on those who are feeling sad. In this episode of the What's Your Grief Podcast we discuss some very specific ways to spend Valentine's Day when you're grieving. We discuss options for staying in alone or with a small group of people and, for those of you who hate sitting around the hous...2016-02-1031 min
What's Your Grief PodcastExpanding Our Understanding of LossThere is a common misconception that death is the only loss that results in grief. Although the loss of a loved one is one of the most devastating types of loss, there are many other circumstances - such as addiction, mental illness, infertility and/or the loss of a relationship, home, job, pet, health, hopes and dreams, faith, identity. etc - that might cause a person to grieve. In this episode of the What's Your Grief Podcast, we encourage people to expand their understanding of grief and loss so they can better understand their own relationship with loss and so...2016-01-2121 min
What's Your Grief PodcastThinking About New Year's ResolutionsWith New Years just a few days away, you may be tempted to make a resolution for 2016; especially if 2015 has been a tough year. In this episode of the What's Your Grief Podcast, we discuss the positives, pitfalls, and practicalities of making a New Year's resolution when you're grieving. Show Notes: www.whatsyourgrief.com/thirty-two2015-12-2830 min
What's Your Grief PodcastYour Questions About Holiday Grief AnsweredIn this episode of the What’s Your Grief podcast, we answer your questions about coping with holiday grief. I’m worried the holidays will be very sad and glum. How can I be strong for everyone? My loved one just died and now the holidays are here, what do I do? The anniversary of my loved one’s death is right around the holidays, what do I do? Is it okay if I skip the holidays altogether? How do I politely respond to people who ask why I don’t like/celebrate the holidays? How do I deal with fe...2015-12-0927 min
What's Your Grief PodcastThe Guilt of Feeling Better and Living Life After a LossAfter the death of a loved one, things like feeling better, letting go of belongings, making changes, and just generally living life after the loss can be complicated. Things like when to remove your wedding ring, give away your loved one's belonging, and even when it's okay to laugh again are very personal and often difficult decisions to make. In this episode of the What's Your Grief Podcast, we discuss the guilt and hesitancy many people feel when taking steps forward (or even laterally) and making changes after the death of a loved one. Show not...2015-11-1022 min
What's Your Grief PodcastThe Continuum of Negative CopingAfter the death of a loved one, it is easy to find yourself engaged in negative coping. These types of coping allow for people to avoid grief triggers, difficult emotions, and tough situations. Ultimately, though, they can be part of a cycle that prevents you from truly processing your experiences and from learning how to live now that your loved one is gone. Many people don't realize that negative coping exists on a continuum, where 'normal' behaviors become maladaptive. It is easy to recognize some of these behaviors - like substance use and negative coping- while others - l...2015-09-3026 min
What's Your Grief PodcastGoing Back to School After a Death It is normal to be nervous about sending your child back to school after a death. As a parent, it's in your nature to want to protect your child after a death. If your family experienced the death of someone special this summer, there is a good chance you've been watching your child to see if they're coping and adapting well. If possible, you may have spent extra time over the summer coping together as a family. Maybe you've even been spoiling them a bit, trying to make the pain in their life just a little bit more tolerable. 2015-08-3126 min
What's Your Grief PodcastGrief Raves and Faves In this episode of the What's Your Grief Podcast, Litsa and Eleanor discuss their grief favorites - favorite movies, favorite songs, favorite books, and even favorite grief cliche they love to hate. Listen to this episode to hear their recommendations and then share your own favorites with the WYG community in the page comments or on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram using the hashtag #GriefFavorites. Show Notes: www.whatsyourgrief.com/twenty-seven/ 2015-08-2027 min
What's Your Grief PodcastGetting Married After a DeathAlthough your wedding is a happy and joyous occasion, it can be a bittersweet when someone important has died and isn't there for your special day. There are lots of little ways to bring yourself comfort and honor and remember the person you who has died on your wedding day. In this episode of the What's Your Grief Podcast we invite our grief friend Jana DeCristofaro of the Dougy Center to help us discuss planning and navigating your wedding day after a loss. Show Notes: www.whatsyourgrief.com/twenty-six2015-07-2431 min
What's Your Grief PodcastMilestones and Weddings After a DeathWhen someone dies, those they leave behind not only grieve for the present but they also grieve for their loved one's absence in the future. For children and teens, complicated feelings and emotions around future milestones like weddings, starting a family, and graduations can be expected. In this episode of the What's Your Grief Podcast, we invite Jana DeCristofaro from the Dougy Center to talk with us about the many ways that grief can impact children, teens and families when it comes to marriage and weddings. We also share a few tips and tricks for attending weddings a...2015-07-2428 min
What's Your Grief PodcastLocating Grief Support Locally and Beyond After a death, finding grief support in your community can be a confusing task. Although great resources often exist, many people have limited awareness of them until they're actually needed. Sadly, there are also times when formal grief support does not exist locally, in these cases people must find help and healing in other places. In this episode of the What's Your Grief Podcast, we detail the types of resources that exist, how to find them, and what to do when formal support can not be found in your own community. Show Notes: whatsyourgrief.com/twenty-four2015-07-0629 min
What's Your Grief PodcastMaintaining Relationships After a Death When times are hard, the support of friends and family members can go a long way. Yet unfortunately after the death of a loved one relationships can sometimes become changed and strained. If people don't make an effort to maintain relationships they often lose touch, which can lead to feelings of loneliness, isolation, and secondary loss. In this episode of the What's Your Grief Podcast, we discuss some of the common reasons why people fall out of touch after experiencing the death of a loved one and simple ways to ensure important relationships aren't lost forever.2015-06-2929 min
What's Your Grief PodcastGuilt and Regret in Grief Feelings of guilt and regret are common after the death of a loved one. These two complicated emotions often go hand in hand and, for the person experiencing them, can cause quite a bit of confusion, shame, and distress when left unresolved. In this episode of the What's Your Grief Podcast we discuss the differences between guilt and regret; the ways in which society, our internalized biases, and our support systems can cause us to minimize and avoid these feelings; and we discuss constructive ways to acknowledge, understand, and cope with our own individual guilts and regrets no matter how b...2015-06-0832 min
What's Your Grief PodcastSupporting a Grieving Teenager Supporting a grieving teenager or young adult can be a pretty big head scratcher for parents and professionals. Although teens are a lot like adults when it comes to grief, there are a few key differences due to personal history, social support, and stage of life. In this episode of the What’s Your Grief Podcast we talk about specific considerations for supporting a grieving teen. Show Notes: www.whatsyourgrief.com/twenty-one/2015-06-0136 min
What's Your Grief PodcastDealing With Your Loved One's Belongings How to approach the daunting task of sorting through a loved one's belongings can be a complicated and personal decision. Objects big and small can trigger a wide range of emotions, from nostalgia and laughter to tears and longing. Decisions about what to keep, donate and throwaway can also present a range of challenges. In this episode of the What's Your Grief podcast, we address some of the many questions we receive on this topic and offer some thoughts to get you started. Show Notes: www.whatsyourgrief.com/twenty2015-05-1329 min