Between Presence and Absence: A Conversation on Ambiguous Grief

In 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 support. You don’t have to navigate grief alone - participate in grief conversation sessions and groups, a discussion forum, grief support webinars, creativity projects, community writing sessions, and more. You can learn more here and join.  If you're a grief professional, we have a community for you too. https://whatsyourgrief.com/grief-professionals-community/ You can also make a donation here at any time to help us keep the lights on.  Get Lessons to Write On: A Guided Grief Journaling Intensive here.  https://whatsyourgrief.ck.page/products/lessons-to-write-on-grief-journaling Pick up the What's Your Grief Book Bookshop.org Barnes & Noble Amazon Books A Million IndieBound

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 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 discussion forum, grief support webinars, creativity projects, community writing sessions, and more. You can learn more here and join.  If you're a grief professional, we have a community for you too. https://whatsyourgrief.com/grief-professionals-community/ You can also make a donation here at any time to help us keep the lights on.  Get Lessons to Write On: A Guided Grief Journaling Intensive here.  https://whatsyourgrief.ck.page/products/lessons-to-write-on-grief-journaling Pick up the What's Your Grief Book Bookshop.org Barnes & Noble Amazon Books A Million IndieBound

In 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'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 discussion forum, grief support webinars, creativity projects, community writing sessions, and more. You can learn more here and join.  If you're a grief professional, we have a community for you too. https://whatsyourgrief.com/grief-professionals-community/ You can also make a donation here at any time to help us keep the lights on.  Get Lessons to Write On: A Guided Grief Journaling Intensive here.  https://whatsyourgrief.ck.page/products/lessons-to-write-on-grief-journaling Pick up the What's Your Grief Book Bookshop.org Barnes & Noble Amazon Books A Million IndieBound

In 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 alone - participate in grief conversation sessions and groups, a discussion forum, grief support webinars, creativity projects, community writing sessions, and more. You can learn more here and join.  If you're a grief professional, we have a community for you too. https://whatsyourgrief.com/grief-professionals-community/ You can also make a donation here at any time to help us keep the lights on.  Get Lessons to Write On: A Guided Grief Journaling Intensive here.  https://whatsyourgrief.ck.page/products/lessons-to-write-on-grief-journaling Pick up the What's Your Grief Book Bookshop.org Barnes & Noble Amazon Books A Million IndieBound

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 groups, a discussion forum, grief support webinars, creativity projects, community writing sessions, and more. You can learn more here and join.  If you're a grief professional, we have a community for you too. https://whatsyourgrief.com/grief-professionals-community/ You can also make a donation here at any time to help us keep the lights on.  Get Lessons to Write On: A Guided Grief Journaling Intensive here.  https://whatsyourgrief.ck.page/products/lessons-to-write-on-grief-journaling Pick up the What's Your Grief Book Bookshop.org Barnes & Noble Amazon Books A Million IndieBound

Today 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’t have to navigate grief alone - participate in grief conversation sessions and groups, a discussion forum, grief support webinars, creativity projects, community writing sessions, and more. You can learn more here and join.  If you're a grief professional, we have a community for you too. https://whatsyourgrief.com/grief-professionals-community/ You can also make a donation here at any time to help us keep the lights on.  Get Lessons to Write On: A Guided Grief Journaling Intensive here.  https://whatsyourgrief.ck.page/products/lessons-to-write-on-grief-journaling Pick up the What's Your Grief Book Bookshop.org Barnes & Noble Amazon Books A Million IndieBound

There 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 discussion forum, grief support webinars, creativity projects, community writing sessions, and more. You can learn more here and join.  If you're a grief professional, we have a community for you too. https://whatsyourgrief.com/grief-professionals-community/ You can also make a donation here at any time to help us keep the lights on.  Get Lessons to Write On: A Guided Grief Journaling Intensive here.  https://whatsyourgrief.ck.page/products/lessons-to-write-on-grief-journaling Pick up the What's Your Grief Book Bookshop.org Barnes & Noble Amazon Books A Million IndieBound

In 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 all things grief and loss.  If you're a grief professional, we have a community for you too. https://whatsyourgrief.com/grief-professionals-community/ You can also make a donation here at any time to help us keep the lights on.  Get Lessons to Write On: A Guided Grief Journaling Intensive here.  https://whatsyourgrief.ck.page/products/lessons-to-write-on-grief-journaling Pick up the What's Your Grief Book Bookshop.org Barnes & Noble Amazon Books A Million IndieBound

We'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 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 all things grief and loss.  If you're a grief professional, we have a community for you too. https://whatsyourgrief.com/grief-professionals-community/ You can also make a donation here at any time to help us keep the lights on.  Get Lessons to Write On: A Guided Grief Journaling Intensive here.  https://whatsyourgrief.ck.page/products/lessons-to-write-on-grief-journaling Pick up the What's Your Grief Book Bookshop.org Barnes & Noble Amazon Books A Million IndieBound

Grief 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 Support getting sober: SAMHSA’s National Helpline AA NA 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). It is open for new members now! 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 all things grief and loss.  If you're a grief professional, we have a community for you too. https://whatsyourgrief.com/grief-professionals-community/ You can also make a donation here at any time to help us keep the lights on.  Get Lessons to Write On: A Guided Grief Journaling Intensive here.  https://whatsyourgrief.ck.page/products/lessons-to-write-on-grief-journaling Pick up the What's Your Grief Book Bookshop.org Barnes & Noble Amazon Books A Million IndieBound