100 episodes
What's Your Grief Podcast Eleanor Haley & Litsa Williams
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- Health & Fitness
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4.4 • 129 Ratings
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In this podcast Eleanor Haley, MS and Litsa Williams, MA, LCSW-C, the mental health professionals behind the website and book 'What's Your Grief', leave no stone unturned in demystifying the complicated and messy world of living life after loss.
One digestible topic at a time, Haley and Williams distill topics ranging from grief theory to coping. Grievers and grief professionals alike will find their approach practical, relatable, informative and engaging. Grief is sad and confusing, but your grief support doesn't have to be.
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Grief and Getting Sober
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 -
Exploring the Grief of Estrangement
In 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 - 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 -
The Grief of Overdose and Substance-Related Deaths
Back 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 our griever member community - think of it as our Patreon, but a zillion times better). It opens for new members on June 1! Support the podcast and get TONS more grief support. You can learn more here and join the waitlist to be notified when membership opens.
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 -
Pet Loss: The Complexities of Saying Goodbye to Our Animals
Losing 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/WP7vXWnap8Vw
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 opens for new members on May 15th! Support the podcast and get TONS more grief support. You can learn more here and join the waitlist to be notified when membership opens.
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 -
Navigating Grief with Self-Compassion
Self-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.org/
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 opens for new members on May 15th! Support the podcast and get TONS more grief support. You can learn more here and join the waitlist to be notified when membership opens.
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 -
The Practicalities of Handling Grief Triggers
In 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 here.
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
Customer Reviews
Audio needs improvement
Great content and such a novel, important concept! Loved the episode on losing “home.” There is a persistent “buzz” in the background that makes it hard to listen; perhaps invest in a better mic, as this content is great and would be wonderful for people to be able to listen to.
Overdose Explanation
I grew up with 2 mothers, my biological mother and her partner, and they are both addicts. I lost my step mother to a heroin overdose while I watched my mother overdose in my arms countless times. I wanted to point out a few things that were missed in this podcast .. setting aside the emotional / psychological reason behind the loss of my stepmom, the sciencfic reason behind her death was the amount of fentanyl in the heroin she purchased.. the intention behind her use was to get high, not to die however this does not qualify under “unintentional death due to excessive use” .. also something more important that was missed, I belong to a Nar-Anon Program now for 2 years which has changed my life drastically. Nar-Anon is a 12 step program for those affected by an addicted loved in, family member or friend. We need more awareness that this program is put in place to help with grief, guidance and turning the power back to yourself while learning how to detach with love.
My experience with drug addiction is very intense and not a topic I take lightly. I suggest bringing in a speaker who can tell that story to help listeners reach out to a program.
-Taylor Caiafa
Grief follow up
Love the show! Can y’all talk about a person losing abilities earlier in life because of a condition such as MS? I’m living it at 40 years old and some days are mentally hard.