Grief Out Loud

• Befriending Grief: Why She's Your Guide, Not Your Enemy – Dr. Jamie Eaddy

  How do we move from seeing grief as something to fix or overcome, to understanding it as a lifelong companion and guide? In this conversation with Rev. Dr. Jamie Eaddy CT, CTP - educator, death doula, founder of Thoughtful Transitions, and creative force behind The Ratchet Grief Project® - she invites us to reimagine grief as a friend who helps us navigate loss, change, and transition. Drawing from her personal lineage of grief through the deaths of her grandmother, cousin, and uncle, Dr. J. shares how these experiences shaped her work supporting individuals and communities, especially those living at the intersections of marginalization and oppression.  We explore: How personal experiences with family deaths shaped Dr. Eaddy's career path  Redefining grief beyond death - as our natural response to loss, change, transition, unmet expectations, unrealized dreams, and shattered assumptions  The concept of "befriending grief" - viewing grief as a companion and guide rather than something to overcome  The Ratchet Grief Project® - creating space for marginalized communities to grieve authentically without conforming to restrictive societal expectations  How racism, sexism, and systemic oppression create additional layers of grief for Black communities  The harmful expectations of "acceptable" grief Current trends in grief work, including the rise of death doulas and increased awareness of non-death losses  Unlearning narratives around strength, silence, and emotional suppression The importance of reclaiming parts of ourselves - like joy - that get left behind in survival     To learn more: Follow Dr. J. @drjamieeaddy on IG.  Visit Thoughtful Transitions Stay tuned for The Ratchet Grief Project coming Fall, 2025

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• One Last Stroller Walk - Navigating Pet Loss

  Welcome to a special "podcast takeover" episode. This week, Lindsey Whissel Fenton, creator of Speaking Grief and Learning Grief, steps in to interview Jana. Their conversation centers on Jana's beloved Boston Terrier, Captain, who died in December 2024 at the age of 15. Lindsey understands this heartache well, as her own sweet dog, Birch, died in May 2022. As a skilled interviewer and a thoughtful friend in grief, Lindsey was the perfect person to explore Jana's experience of loving and grieving for Captain.  Together, Lindsey and Jana delve into how Captain came into Jana's life, the complexities of caregiving for an aging pet, the difficult decisions surrounding their end-of-life, and the subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways pet grief can be minimized or dismissed, by others and sometimes even by us.  This conversation weaves between the personal and professional, touching on: How Captain became a cherished part of Jana's life The physical and behavioral changes Captain experienced in his last two years  Navigating personal loss as a grief professional  The challenging dynamics of deciding when and how to say goodbye  Captain's last day  Jana's evolving relationship with Captain's belongings  Expressing grief through writing and sharing on Instagram (@Captain_the_Furpig) The struggle of making space for pet grief within a field primarily focused on human loss  How grief rituals evolve over time, and the importance of allowing ourselves permission for these changes  A quick content note: we’ll be discussing end-of-life caregiving for a pet, including the decision-making process around euthanasia. We know these are tender topics, so please take care as you listen.  The resource we mention: Supporting Children & Teens After the Death of a Pet or Companion Animal Lindsey Whissel Fenton, MEd, CT (she/her) is an Emmy award-winning filmmaker, international speaker, and grief educator. In her current role as a senior producer/director and instructional designer at PBS/NPR affiliate WPSU, Lindsey focuses on projects related to grief, trauma, and mental health. She is the creator of Speaking Grief and Learning Grief, founder of Empathic Media, and serves on the Board of Directors for the National Alliance for Children's Grief (NACG). She’s also an instructional designer and content creator for the Yale Child Study Center’s Grief-Sensitive Healthcare Project. Lindsey earned her bachelor’s degree in Cinema and Digital Arts from Point Park University, her master’s degree in Learning, Design, and Technology from Penn State, and is Certified in Thanatology through the Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC). She’s a dog mom, avid reader, and rock climber.     

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• Grieving The Death Of A Child - Susie And Nick Shaw’s Story

  When Susie and Nick Shaw’s nine-year-old son William died in a skiing accident, their world shifted permanently. In the six years since that day, they've found ways to carry their grief and stay connected to William, while continuing to honor the boy who inspired so much good in their lives and in their community.  In this deeply moving conversation, Susie and Nick reflect on William’s life—his empathy, his humor, and the motto he created for himself in the year before he died: “Be Yourself.” A simple but powerful phrase that inspired their nonprofit, William’s Be Yourself Challenge.  Together, we discuss: The day William died and what they’ve come to understand about control, safety, and loss Navigating grief as individuals and as a couple  Supporting their son Kai in grieving for his brother Raising Bodhi, their child who was born after William’s death  Creating family rituals, including monthly taco nights and birthday celebrations  Returning to Big Sky, Montana to visit the spot where William died and reclaim their love of skiing Their new project, The Greenhouse, a house for families who are grieving to take a break from daily life  Whether you’re a parent or a caregiver who's grieving, a supporter of one, or someone walking alongside a family coping with heartbreaking grief, this conversation highlights the power of honesty, connection, and intentional grief work.  Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of child death, trauma, and detailed descriptions of the day William died.  More from Susie & Nick:  Susie's writing: Dear William Substack  Susie on IG: @bereavementmom Nick's book: My Teacher, My Son  Learn more: WilliamsBeYourselfChallenge.org  Donate or get involved with The Greenhouse Project: WBYCgiving.org   

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• How They Died Matters, A Daughter's Story - Kari Lyons-Price, MSW

  Sometimes we can't really begin to understand grief - ours or anyone else's - if we don't have space to talk about the death. The context surrounding how someone died matters and can shape our grief in meaningful ways. This was true for Kari Lyons-Price, MSW, who was a caregiver for her parents, Hal and Sylvia, for many years. They died three years apart, her dad in 2019 and her mom in 2022, and the circumstances of their deaths greatly impacted Kari and her grief.  We discuss: How her parents lived - and how they each died Why their death stories matter when it comes to grief The anger and resentment in the immediate aftermath of her father's death What she's done to come to terms with the circumstances of each of their deaths The role advocacy and education in the realm of care facilities played in that process Making decisions about her mother's care in light of how her father died and the pandemic The ongoing, slow nature of grief when someone has a long-term degenerative illness What it's meant to no longer be a caregiver for her parents Overcoming her family's narrative of autonomy and learning to accept support in grief Where Kari finds her foundation now Want to hear more from Kari? Check out her podcast, Live Well. Be Wise.   

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• The Longevity Of Grief

  In this episode, Camila returns to Grief Out Loud six years after her first appearance to share how grief continues to evolve. What began with the sudden loss of her mother at age 21 has now expanded to include the ongoing grief of caregiving for her father, who is living with dementia and Alzheimer's disease.  Camila discusses the unique challenges of long-distance caregiving, the differences between sudden loss and gradual decline, and how these two types of grief intersect in her life. She also discusses navigating major life milestones—including getting married during the pandemic—without her mother's presence.  We Discuss: The difference between sudden loss and the "slow grief" of watching a parent decline  How grief has shifted in the 15+ years since her mother's unexpected death Losing her father as the co-archivist of her mother's life and their family history Managing long-distance caregiving The failures of the elder care system in the U.S. The role of chosen family and support Wedding planning and the question of how to honor her mother's memory  The complexity of being a queer person in traditionally heteronormative grief support spaces  Feeling like she no longer has parents, even though her father is still alive  The therapeutic value of pets  Finding moments of connection and joy with her father despite his condition  Using poetry as a processing tool for grief  About the Guest:  Camila is a poet who has published three books of poetry:  The Progression of Grief (about losing her mother)  New Waters (about falling in love and healthy relationships)  The Longevity of Grief (about caring for her father and how different types of grief intersect) This episode is the third in our 2025 three-part series highlighting the voices of communities who have historically been underrepresented in the grief world. The series is part of an ongoing collaboration between Dougy Center and The New York Life Foundation. We are deeply grateful for New York Life Foundation's tireless support and advocacy for children and teens who are grieving. Grief Out Loud is a production of Dougy Center, the National Grief Center for Children and Families in Portland, Oregon.

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