Grief Witnessed

Grief Witnessed

Grief Witnessed is a podcast about the kind of grief we don’t talk about enough and the power of being truly seen inside it. Each episode shares real, honest stories of loss in all its forms: the death of a partner, parent, or child… the grief of divorce… the life you thought you’d have but didn’t get. This podcast exists to witness grief. NOT to fix it, rush it, or tidy it up. Just to sit with it.

  1. Jul 8

    Show Me You're Okay: with Todd Smith Widower from Lung Cancer

    Don't forget to watch on Youtube! In this episode of Grief Witnessed, I sit down with Todd to share the story of his wife, Rachel, and the seven months that changed their family's life forever. Rachel was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer on her birthday in April of 2023, despite never smoking a day in her life. Todd remembers reacting with complete panic, while Rachel, despite being devastated, met the diagnosis with incredible calm and clarity. Looking back, Todd shares the guilt he carried, wishing he could have been steadier for her in those first moments. As Rachel went through treatment, Todd says he felt like he was living in hell. Working in oncology while his own wife was dying from cancer was both a blessing and a burden. His coworkers and patients understood in a way few others could, but there was no escaping the reality they were living. Todd opens up about the night he knew the end was near, simply by the look in Rachel's eyes. She entered hospice the day before she passed away. In one of the most heartbreaking moments of his story, Todd shares that he stepped away to shower and check on their two children. On his drive back, Rachel died before he could make it to her side. We also talk about the promise he asked Rachel to make before she died: to somehow let him know she was okay. We talk about how she kept that promise. This episode is about guilt, grace, signs from the people we love, and learning that the moments we replay in our minds can never outweigh a lifetime of loving someone well. 🤍

    Show Me You're Okay: with Todd Smith Widower from Lung Cancer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Grief Witnessed is a podcast about the kind of grief we don’t talk about enough and the power of being truly seen inside it. Each episode shares real, honest stories of loss in all its forms: the death of a partner, parent, or child… the grief of divorce… the life you thought you’d have but didn’t get. This podcast exists to witness grief. NOT to fix it, rush it, or tidy it up. Just to sit with it.

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