Shapes Of Grief

This is such an important perspective that hasn't yet been explicitly been explored by the podcast. In this episode, Mandy Gosling shares her experience of being a bereaved child after her mother died when she was aged 9. We explore how this early loss can impact a person's life, affecting their relationships and sense of self in the world. Grief has not always been supported well, and certainly, for several generations of adults who were bereaved as children, they are still living with the ripple effects of that. 

Phoenix talks about their grief following family estrangement because of their LGBTQ identity. This is a kind of disenfranchised grief that many LGBTQ+ people experience with little to no recognition or support from society. Life can change in an instant, yet the loss remains ambiguous because nobody has died. #ambiguousloss #disenfranchisedgrief

"I am white-anglo, living on unceded Turrbal and Jaggera lands in a place called Meanjin (colonially known as Brisbane, Australia). I am sighted, hearing, mostly able-bodied, monolingual, and in my mid-forties. I am queer, in a complex myriad of ways. My sexuality is fluid, currently asexual. I am polyamorous by orientation, and unpartnered by choice. The best words I can find for my gender are cisgender unwoman. I identify with the gender I was assigned at birth, but I reject its socially constructed strictures. I have what the DSM calls ADHD, though I prefer to depathologise this by calling it zoomy brain. I am autistic, but functionally allistic due to deeply internalised masking. I am a parent, and became so via my own body undergoing pregnancy and birth. My three children are now adults; two cisgender daughters and a trans/non-binary adult kid. Aside from my children, my kinship system is not biological, but consists of beloved friends and queerfamilial kin. I am a survivor of many and varied traumas. I am strong as fuck. I am fragile as cobweb. I am full of love. I am full of rage. I am kind."

Sacha and Liz discuss childhood cancer, anticipatory grief and the misunderstandings that often surround incurable disease. They talk about the different meanings between incurable, terminal, palliative care and end-of-life. Sacha describes what is was like going through anticipatory grief and how her son wanted to speak about his death in ways that would surprise her.  #childhoodcancerawarenessmonth #childhoodcancer #anticipatorygrief #parentalbereavement #cancer

About Shapes of Grief:

Shapes of Grief is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing competency around loss, grief and bereavement literacy. Curated by Psychotherapist and grief specialist Liz Gleeson, Shapes of Grief equips individuals with the tools and expertise necessary for understanding and supporting the complex needs of the bereaved, or people grieving any type of loss.

With a curriculum that has been meticulously developed to include the most comprehensive evidence-based material available, Shapes Of Grief stands out as the only program to feature contributions from international grief experts. The award-winning online programme offers different levels of training to accurately meet the needs of each learner.

A conversation about some of the needs of bereaved people and why Grief.Coach texting service could be a wonderful balm for people during their most vulnerable months and years. 

About Shapes of Grief:

Shapes of Grief is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing competency around loss, grief and bereavement literacy. Curated by Psychotherapist and grief specialist Liz Gleeson, Shapes of Grief equips individuals with the tools and expertise necessary for understanding and supporting the complex needs of the bereaved, or people grieving any type of loss.

With a curriculum that has been meticulously developed to include the most comprehensive evidence-based material available, Shapes Of Grief stands out as the only program to feature contributions from international grief experts. The award-winning online programme offers different levels of training to accurately meet the needs of each learner.

Sometimes I wish the world were a little smaller, so I could meet my guests in person. Adriana is one of those people who I’d love to spend time with. This, for me, was a beautiful, insightful, honest and tender conversation about humanity, addiction, love, capacity to show up in the face off death, or not, and finding our feet again, literally, after profound loss. #cancer #addictionandloss #death #grief #movement #dancinggrief

Biography

Adriana Marchione has been involved in the arts for over thirty years as a filmmaker, dancer, photographer and is internationally recognized in her work as a movement-based expressive arts therapist and educator. Since 2002, Adriana has taught at the renowned Tamalpa Institute, WHEAT Institute in Canada and founded her own wellness center in San Francisco. She has presented her creative healing approach, with a focus on addiction, eating disorders, trauma and grief, at festivals, conferences, and treatment centers including South by Southwest, Studio le théâtre du Corps in Paris and the prestigious Commonwealth Club of California. Adriana created When the Fall Comes in 2014, a performance project that culminated in a short film based on her own life story encountering intimate grief and loss. When the Fall Comes was translated into French and Korean and streamed in universities across America and Canada through Kanopy. She has been in recovery from alcoholism for 29 years and was awarded Artist of the Year by ‘In Recovery’ magazine in 2016. Adriana recently released The Creative High, an award-winning documentary film featuring nine artists with substance use disorder who are transformed by the creative process.

This interview really hit me in the guts. It is sometimes a roll of the dice how our lives can unfold. Damien’s story is an incredible story of resilience and determination in the face of loss and hopelessness. Following a significant childhood trauma, at the age of 14, Damien found himself sole carer for his younger brother in a new country without any supports. What followed were years of addiction, criminality & an overdose which gave him a brush with death. Damien became very familiar with that ‘rock bottom’ place and yet somehow found the internal courage and strength of character to completely transform his life, despite meeting significant social stigma due to his criminal record.

Damien and I met through Social Entrepreneurs Ireland, who do amazing work to support Social Enterprises in Ireland. 

Spéire Nua

The founder of Spéire Nua is Damien Quinn. Damien had his own challenges with substance abuse and criminality right through his teens and well into his twenties. He realised he needed to change when it was too late. Knowing that he would be looking at a lengthy prison sentence, Damien made the decision to use the time to get an education.

What he found though, when his time was served, was that no matter what he had done to improve his employability, the label always outweighed the progress he had made since ‘that time’.

This led to disillusionment with the whole system which seemed stacked against him, even though he was after putting in a huge effort to change, become educated and employable and to do all the right things to set himself up to start again.

His progress started to wain and he was finding himself right back where he started. He felt it was no wonder people kept ending up back in there. After a bought of misery and then some treatments Damien returned home to start again.

Unable to get employment anywhere, he reengaged with education to fill his days. As he progressed with education he found employment through a friend and hasn’t looked back since.

Throughout his studies, he has always been interested in making easier for people that are actively trying to turn their lives around and his goal is to make sure that no one has to experience the difficulties he did when trying to rebuild his life.

Rosie Mankes’s mother has had dementia for ten years. She had to be transitioned into assisted living, and then into memory care. And little by little, Rosie has had to watch her mother go. She recently wrote an article (https://thriveglobal.com/stories/what-i-wish-i-knew-when-i-transitioned-my-mom-into-an-assisted-living-facility/) about this deeply troubling experience that more and more of us are going to have to go through. It starts like this:

I am watching my mother’s brain die, right before my eyes. During a recent visit, she said to me, “Please, Rosemarie, can you help me remember who my children are?” I held my composure and said, “Of course, Mom, let’s go through them. There’s Betty Ann, Tommy, Carl, and me.” She looked deep into my eyes and tried to repeat the names but couldn’t. So, we did it again, and again, until her frustration and agitation seemed to settle. She said to me, “I’m so upset that I can’t remember things. How many children do I have, six?” I said, “You have four.” And then we repeated their names numerous times until she somehow felt soothed.

To learn more about Rosie and her work, visit

https://www.rosiemankes.net

To learn more about Rosie's book, Find Your Joy and Run With It, visit

https://www.rosiemankes.net/book

Rosie Mankes is a life coach, motivational speaker, and author of Find Your Joy and Run With It, a heartwarming memoir about overcoming her second battle with cancer, the transitioning of her mother into an assisted living facility, and the unexpected loss of her brother, all within one year. Rosie’s recovery from these major challenges inspired her to become a life coach, in order to help people pull through significant adversity and life challenges. Rosie is a resident of New Jersey, where she lives with her husband. She is the mother of two grown sons.

#grief #ambiguousloss #dementia #grieftraining #griefpodcast #rosie mankes

About Shapes of Grief:

Shapes of Grief is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing competency around loss, grief and bereavement literacy. Curated by Psychotherapist and grief specialist Liz Gleeson, Shapes of Grief equips individuals with the tools and expertise necessary for understanding and supporting the complex needs of the bereaved, or people grieving any type of loss.

With a curriculum that has been meticulously developed to include the most comprehensive evidence-based material available, Shapes Of Grief stands out as the only program to feature contributions from international grief experts. The award-winning online programme offers different levels of training to accurately meet the needs of each learner.

Mary brings a whole other perspective to the podcast with this very tender and beautiful episode. Two ‘giants’ in her life, Fr John and Brendan were more than Uncles to Mary. They were constant forces of good, founts of wisdom and a huge part of her life. When Fr John developed vascular dementia, Mary found herself in the role of carer. Shortly after his death, Brendan too was diagnosed with a different form of dementia and once again, Mary stepped in. Her collection of poems “Into the Grey” will resonate with anyone who has ever found themselves in the role of carer, or lost someone to dementia or Alzheimers. Through poetry and chat, we explore this ambiguous loss that often has loved ones on their knees with exhaustion.

Mary’s story resonated with me on a deep level, having lost my father in March 2021, also with dementia. Her book moved me greatly and I highly recommend getting your hands on this treasure. Please buy directly from the Nursing homes (link below) who took amazing care of Fr John and Brendan, and who need the money to fix their roof!

When Alan Creedon was a young boy, his sister Aoife was quietly removed from their home and placed in a home for children with disabilities, as was the 'done thing' in rural Ireland. This ambiguous loss and the resultant disenfranchised grief would play a significant part in how Alan would engage with life and other people. After decades of depression, Alan decided to embark on a solo journey, walking from the UK to his hometown in Kerry, in memory of his sister Aoife. To speak about what had been unspeakable for years.   

#disenfranchisedgrief #cerebralpalsy #ruralireland #childrenshome #bereavement #meaningmaking #ambiguousloss 

www.endless-river.org (book, mindfulness courses, nature connection events all on there) Insta: https://www.instagram.com/alan_creedon_/

FB:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009184006368 (I share a lot of my work and thoughts on here, even though it's a personal account) 

People in Ireland can buy my book from here https://www.bookhubpublishing.com/product/the-search-for-still-waters/ It's also for sale in O Mahony's in Limerick - the only physical bookshop you can get it from in Ireland! 

It's online here as well https://www.omahonys.ie/r_search_results.php?k=alan%20creedon&f=k

About Shapes of Grief:

Shapes of Grief is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing competency around loss, grief and bereavement literacy. Curated by Psychotherapist and grief specialist Liz Gleeson, Shapes of Grief equips individuals with the tools and expertise necessary for understanding and supporting the complex needs of the bereaved, or people grieving any type of loss.

With a curriculum that has been meticulously developed to include the most comprehensive evidence-based material available, Shapes Of Grief stands out as the only program to feature contributions from international grief experts. The award-winning online programme offers different levels of training to accurately meet the needs of each learner.

Psychologist Dorothy Holinger, author of 'The Anatomy of Grief', talks to Liz about her early experience of loss and how it shaped her life as a psychologist. They discuss Prolonged Grief Disorder, how grief affects the body, the heart, the brain, how some people make meaning from their loss and experience psychological growth, while others do not. A rich discussion relevant to everyone. https://dorothypholinger.com 

#grief #griefinthebody #thephysiologyofgrief #cardiomyopathy #takotsubocardiomyopathy #dorothyholinger #prolongedgriefdisorder #theanatomyofgrief

About Shapes of Grief:

Shapes of Grief is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing competency around loss, grief and bereavement literacy. Curated by Psychotherapist and grief specialist Liz Gleeson, Shapes of Grief equips individuals with the tools and expertise necessary for understanding and supporting the complex needs of the bereaved, or people grieving any type of loss.

With a curriculum that has been meticulously developed to include the most comprehensive evidence-based material available, Shapes Of Grief stands out as the only program to feature contributions from international grief experts. The award-winning online programme offers different levels of training to accurately meet the needs of each learner.

I absolutely loved this conversation with Addison Brasil. It is so full of wisdom and possibilities in the face of profound, multiple losses. It will not be for everyone, but if you’re someone who doesn’t want your losses to define your entire life moving forward, then sit down and tune in to this one.

"Addison Brasil's new book is a must-read for anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one."

I really enjoyed this conversation with Sandy Adams about how she navigated her grief following her partner's sudden and unexpected death. In fact, it was so interesting, I asked her to do a part 2! 

Sandra has a lot of wisdom to share, so this is well worth listening to. Most of all, she offers a voice of hope after profound loss. I was particularly delighted to learn how the Shapes Of Grief podcast and then training programme, helped her to navigate the experience of grief and gave her options that she wasn't finding elsewhere: YES!

#grief #bereavement #suddendeath #spousalbereavement #partnerloss #whenthepersonyoulovedies #survivingloss #compassion #resilience #flexiblity

More about Sandy here https://mrskilpatrick.wordpress.com

About Shapes of Grief:

Shapes of Grief is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing competency around loss, grief and bereavement literacy. Curated by Psychotherapist and grief specialist Liz Gleeson, Shapes of Grief equips individuals with the tools and expertise necessary for understanding and supporting the complex needs of the bereaved, or people grieving any type of loss.

With a curriculum that has been meticulously developed to include the most comprehensive evidence-based material available, Shapes Of Grief stands out as the only program to feature contributions from international grief experts. The award-winning online programme offers different levels of training to accurately meet the needs of each learner.

The official launch of Shapes Of Grief was a truly powerful evening, last Thursday, March 31st 2022. 

Branwen Kavanagh opened and closed the event with her beautiful music. 

Introduction was given by Liz Gleeson, who shared a personal story of loss and then talked about the many Shapes Of Grief.

Ruth Fitzmaurice read three pieces, including from her book 'I found my tribe', about her grief following the deaths of her husband Simon and a year later, her brother John.

Ger Murphy spoke of the grief that followed him through his life having discovered his father dead, at the age of nine, and then his brother's death by suicide twenty years later. Ger also shared a piece about climate grief. 

Kathleen Keyes spoke about the depths of her grief following the deaths of her three children, Grainne, Darragh and Fergal.

Orla Keegan, from the Irish Hospice Foundation, spoke about the Adult Bereavement Pyramid and the structures that bereavement support falls into. 

Marian Cronin and Branwen Kavanagh performed a beautiful dance/song improvisation at the opening of the second half (not in this recording, please see the video on YouTube for this).

Dr Kathryn Mannix talked about the need for proper conversations around death and the importance of presence and tenderness with people who are facing into difficult life events, such as dying or grief. 

About Shapes of Grief:

Shapes of Grief is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing competency around loss, grief and bereavement literacy. Curated by Psychotherapist and grief specialist Liz Gleeson, Shapes of Grief equips individuals with the tools and expertise necessary for understanding and supporting the complex needs of the bereaved, or people grieving any type of loss.

With a curriculum that has been meticulously developed to include the most comprehensive evidence-based material available, Shapes Of Grief stands out as the only program to feature contributions from international grief experts. The award-winning online programme offers different levels of training to accurately meet the needs of each learner.

We know that grief never really goes away, we learn to live with it and accommodate it in our lives. For some people, about 5-10%,  their grief can remain very intense and cause major disruption in their lives for a prolonged period of time; years and even decades. It is normal for grief to endure for years, but when it is debilitating and people find it impossible to readjust to the world after a loss, perhaps it is what has become known as Prolonged Grief Disorder. Here, Andy talks about how grief affected her in a debilitating way for two decades, after her husband Tom died. #prolongedgriefdisorder #drkathyshear #complicatedgrief #stuckgrief #longgrief #grief #bereavement

From the author

My name is Andrea Gilats, and I’m the author of After Effects: A Memoir of Complicated Grief, a compelling new book published by the University of Minnesota Press. In a sentence, here is my story. After my husband died of cancer at the age of 52, I was effectively paralyzed by grief for ten long years, and I continued to live with unresolved grief for ten years after that.

Dr. Katherine Shear, founder and director of Columbia University’s Center for Prolonged Grief, has endorsed After Effects, saying that “Andrea Gilats has given us a beautifully written story of the heartbreaking problem of complicated grief…. Her detailed, honest account of almost two decades of intense suffering after the loss of her beloved life partner will help others understand that there is no shame in grieving in this way—that grief is a form of love.”

I hope you’ll find After Effects helpful in your practice. If you work with grief support groups, or if you would like to gather with colleagues for a book discussion, I would love to virtually visit your group to read from and talk about After Effects.

A very insightful conversation with Linda Allen about her grief following her son’s death by suicide. We explore the physicality of grief, the importance of connection in grief, as well as moments of choice we may have in the grieving process.

Article written by Linda https://www.alustforlife.com/voice/personal-stories/see-you-in-two-minutes-ma-a-mother-writes-her-story-of-losing-her-son-to-suicide

Available on Amazon & kindle

ISBN is 9781911013341

#grief #bereavement #suicidegrief #suicidebereavement #parentalloss

About Shapes of Grief:

Shapes of Grief is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing competency around loss, grief and bereavement literacy. Curated by Psychotherapist and grief specialist Liz Gleeson, Shapes of Grief equips individuals with the tools and expertise necessary for understanding and supporting the complex needs of the bereaved, or people grieving any type of loss.

With a curriculum that has been meticulously developed to include the most comprehensive evidence-based material available, Shapes Of Grief stands out as the only program to feature contributions from international grief experts. The award-winning online programme offers different levels of training to accurately meet the needs of each learner.

Deena Goldstein talks about her father's dying process, death and how writing about her grief helped her through.

#dying #death #bereavement #hospice #deathprocess #whatisdying #oklittlebird #deenagoldstein

About Shapes of Grief:

Shapes of Grief is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing competency around loss, grief and bereavement literacy. Curated by Psychotherapist and grief specialist Liz Gleeson, Shapes of Grief equips individuals with the tools and expertise necessary for understanding and supporting the complex needs of the bereaved, or people grieving any type of loss.

With a curriculum that has been meticulously developed to include the most comprehensive evidence-based material available, Shapes Of Grief stands out as the only program to feature contributions from international grief experts. The award-winning online programme offers different levels of training to accurately meet the needs of each learner.

By the age of 15, Tahseen Rizvi had lost both her parents and was sent to live with relatives in another country, another continent, another culture. What followed was another series of significant losses which would negatively affect every relationship Tahseen would enter, including with her children. This is her story of loss and reconstructing her life as she gained more insight in adulthood. #grief #bereavement #muslimgrief 

About Shapes of Grief:

Shapes of Grief is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing competency around loss, grief and bereavement literacy. Curated by Psychotherapist and grief specialist Liz Gleeson, Shapes of Grief equips individuals with the tools and expertise necessary for understanding and supporting the complex needs of the bereaved, or people grieving any type of loss.

With a curriculum that has been meticulously developed to include the most comprehensive evidence-based material available, Shapes Of Grief stands out as the only program to feature contributions from international grief experts. The award-winning online programme offers different levels of training to accurately meet the needs of each learner.

I often hear grieving people describe their experience of grief 'like a tsunami' that just washes over them. This week's guest, Clemmie Clough, experienced the devastation first-hand of the 2004 tsunami when she was just a child. It was an event that would rob her of her mother and change the trajectory of her life. Clemmie talks about how the trauma of that event has stayed with her and how, as a young adult, she had to address the imprint of the event on her, both physically and psychologically. We talk about how alone people can feel after a very public community disaster, the importance of physical support and how we need to continue to open up these conversations of loss and grief, even years after loss. 

Clemmie is co-host of the podcast 'how is today?' available at https://www.howistoday.com

#grief #bereavement #childhoodbereavement #tsunami2004 #trauma #traumaticloss

About Shapes of Grief:

Shapes of Grief is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing competency around loss, grief and bereavement literacy. Curated by Psychotherapist and grief specialist Liz Gleeson, Shapes of Grief equips individuals with the tools and expertise necessary for understanding and supporting the complex needs of the bereaved, or people grieving any type of loss.

With a curriculum that has been meticulously developed to include the most comprehensive evidence-based material available, Shapes Of Grief stands out as the only program to feature contributions from international grief experts. The award-winning online programme offers different levels of training to accurately meet the needs of each learner.

A tender episode from D Anaya about the sudden death of her little daughter Phoebe and how difficult it was for her to find grief support as a black woman in a predominantly white community. We also talk about sex after loss and the strain on a married couple when a child dies.

#parentalloss #grief #bereavement 

About Shapes of Grief:

Shapes of Grief is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing competency around loss, grief and bereavement literacy. Curated by Psychotherapist and grief specialist Liz Gleeson, Shapes of Grief equips individuals with the tools and expertise necessary for understanding and supporting the complex needs of the bereaved, or people grieving any type of loss.

With a curriculum that has been meticulously developed to include the most comprehensive evidence-based material available, Shapes Of Grief stands out as the only program to feature contributions from international grief experts. The award-winning online programme offers different levels of training to accurately meet the needs of each learner.

There's often nothing more helpful to those who are suffering than an open and frank conversation from someone who has survived the abyss of depression, addiction or grief. I loved talking to Caitriona about the common human struggles of fitting in, not having a sense of belonging, being too identified with our thoughts and the often excruciating road to recovery that requires such committment and courage. Caitriona talks about a time in her life when she wanted to die, how her person Kayla helped her through and in recovery, how she found meaning and purpose in life by helping others who feel suicidal. Both Caitriona and I hope that this conversation will bring hope to those of you listening who might be really struggling this Christmas. You are most definitely not alone. 

In this episode, we speak with Dr Francis McGivern about his recently published book 'Life after a Partners Suicide Attempt'.   #suicideattempt #survivingasuicideattempt Life After a Partner's Suicide Attempt is the first publication to document in depth the lived experiences of the partners of individuals who have attempted to take their own lives. Although no one has died, the ramifications are, nonetheless, life-changing and permanent. Research in suicidology has paid virtually no attention to these partners, other than to explore their role as caregiver. Based on a series of sensitively conducted interviews, Dr. McGivern proposes a psychotherapeutic pathway towards recovery through exploration of personal trauma, relationship injury, reactivation of adverse childhood experiences, ambiguous loss, boundary ambiguity, as well as post-traumatic growth. He highlights implications for psychotherapy training and research and makes recommendations for practice and policy.  Written with both the general reader and practitioners in mind, the author's goal is to share the extensive insights he has gained through his research and in doing so, to give voice to partners worldwide who silently endure the aftermath of their loved one's suicide attempt.

About Shapes of Grief:

Shapes of Grief is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing competency around loss, grief and bereavement literacy. Curated by Psychotherapist and grief specialist Liz Gleeson, Shapes of Grief equips individuals with the tools and expertise necessary for understanding and supporting the complex needs of the bereaved, or people grieving any type of loss.

With a curriculum that has been meticulously developed to include the most comprehensive evidence-based material available, Shapes Of Grief stands out as the only program to feature contributions from international grief experts. The award-winning online programme offers different levels of training to accurately meet the needs of each learner.

Be in with a chance to win this bundle of ten books, signed by the authors!

All you have to do is sign-up to the Shapes of Grief Education Programme during December 2021 to be in with a chance to own this bundle of ten grief books. Use code griefawareness20 for 20% discount during Grief Awareness Week 2021, 2-9th December #griefawareness2021

About Shapes of Grief:

Shapes of Grief is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing competency around loss, grief and bereavement literacy. Curated by Psychotherapist and grief specialist Liz Gleeson, Shapes of Grief equips individuals with the tools and expertise necessary for understanding and supporting the complex needs of the bereaved, or people grieving any type of loss.

With a curriculum that has been meticulously developed to include the most comprehensive evidence-based material available, Shapes Of Grief stands out as the only program to feature contributions from international grief experts. The award-winning online programme offers different levels of training to accurately meet the needs of each learner.

The experience of grief within the lgbtq+ community can be profoundly painful as a result of past losses connected to sexuality. This can be experienced as bereavement (the AIDS crisis), stigmatisation, marginalisation, tacit acceptance from family & community, outright homophobia or erasure by parents or other family members. Many young Irish people left Ireland in the 1980s and 1990s to find a larger gay community and the relief of anonymity in bigger cities such as London. In this episode, Irishman Pat Dollard takes us through the choices he made and why, how he met his partner Mike, the story of their relationship and the utter shock and devastation experienced when Mike went missing while on holidays four years ago. We explore ambiguous loss, meaning making and how grief changes us, as well as the importance of lgbtq specific bereavement groups. Thank you Pat, for this very touching conversation.

#grief #loss #bereavement #ambiguousloss #disappeared #meaningmaking #lgbtqgrief #lgbtq #griefpodcast #grieftraining #griefeducation

About Shapes of Grief:

Shapes of Grief is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing competency around loss, grief and bereavement literacy. Curated by Psychotherapist and grief specialist Liz Gleeson, Shapes of Grief equips individuals with the tools and expertise necessary for understanding and supporting the complex needs of the bereaved, or people grieving any type of loss.

With a curriculum that has been meticulously developed to include the most comprehensive evidence-based material available, Shapes Of Grief stands out as the only program to feature contributions from international grief experts. The award-winning online programme offers different levels of training to accurately meet the needs of each learner.

I'm so grateful to Rach Underhill for this really tender and beautiful episode. It's coming up to two years since Rach's beloved wife Kris died from terminal cancer. Rach takes us through the love story, to Kris' diagnosis and eventual death. The love and grief that Rach experienced from firstly meeting Kris, then losing Kris, are palpable. I think it's perhaps the depth of love and the depth of grief that make Rach's message of hope and choosing life after loss, all the more inspiring. There is a lot of wisdom for all of us here in this chat, delivered with tenderness and humour. We also talk about sex after loss, and having a second chance at love. I'm delighted that Rach has stepped forward to represent the lgbtq+ community on the Shapes Of Grief podcast. 

If you would like to join a lgbtq+ specific bereavement group, contact the #goodgrieftrust at hello@goodgrieftrust.org and they'll put you in touch with the group organisers, Rach & Pat.

#goodgrieftrust #grief #bereavement #lgbtq+ #lgbtq+grief #lesbiangrief #gaygrief #love #loss #lifeafterloss #sexafterloss

About Shapes of Grief:

Shapes of Grief is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing competency around loss, grief and bereavement literacy. Curated by Psychotherapist and grief specialist Liz Gleeson, Shapes of Grief equips individuals with the tools and expertise necessary for understanding and supporting the complex needs of the bereaved, or people grieving any type of loss.

With a curriculum that has been meticulously developed to include the most comprehensive evidence-based material available, Shapes Of Grief stands out as the only program to feature contributions from international grief experts. The award-winning online programme offers different levels of training to accurately meet the needs of each learner.

Dr Vanessa Lacey recently finished her PhD studies on the grief experienced by older transgender women and their families. In this episode, Vanessa talks about her personal experience of loss, what her research uncovered and how she has cultivated an impressive 'live and let live' attitude, despite various attempts to alienate her from her family and hometown. This is a heartwarming conversation and Vanessa certainly engenders a faith in humanity that is enviable. 

#transgenderwomengrief #grief #loss #ambiguousloss #teni #transgenderequalitynetwork #lgbtq+grief #lgbtq+

About Shapes of Grief:

Shapes of Grief is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing competency around loss, grief and bereavement literacy. Curated by Psychotherapist and grief specialist Liz Gleeson, Shapes of Grief equips individuals with the tools and expertise necessary for understanding and supporting the complex needs of the bereaved, or people grieving any type of loss.

With a curriculum that has been meticulously developed to include the most comprehensive evidence-based material available, Shapes Of Grief stands out as the only program to feature contributions from international grief experts. The award-winning online programme offers different levels of training to accurately meet the needs of each learner.

Stephen Teap became a young widower when his wife Irene died of cervical cancer, leaving him to parent two young boys age 2 and 4 alone. In this conversation, Stephen talks about the hope, the denial and the devastation of living with terminal cancer and how grief following Irene's death has been for him and his young boys, Oscar and Noah.

#grief #bereavement #cervicalscandal #widowhood #singledad #cervicalcancer #childhoodgrief #childhoodbereavement

About Shapes of Grief:

Shapes of Grief is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing competency around loss, grief and bereavement literacy. Curated by Psychotherapist and grief specialist Liz Gleeson, Shapes of Grief equips individuals with the tools and expertise necessary for understanding and supporting the complex needs of the bereaved, or people grieving any type of loss.

With a curriculum that has been meticulously developed to include the most comprehensive evidence-based material available, Shapes Of Grief stands out as the only program to feature contributions from international grief experts. The award-winning online programme offers different levels of training to accurately meet the needs of each learner.

Dr Nyasha Grayman speaks to Liz about the premature birth of her sons, navigating a white healthcare system and the death of one of her twins. We talk about why 'nice' therapists need more grief & trauma training and why more black psychologists are needed in America.  

For a comprehensive grief education, go to www.shapseofgrief.com and sign-up today. 

#grief #bereavement #blackgrief #twindeath #twintotwintransfusionsyndrome #whenonetwindies #griefeducation #griefpodcast

About Shapes of Grief:

Shapes of Grief is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing competency around loss, grief and bereavement literacy. Curated by Psychotherapist and grief specialist Liz Gleeson, Shapes of Grief equips individuals with the tools and expertise necessary for understanding and supporting the complex needs of the bereaved, or people grieving any type of loss.

With a curriculum that has been meticulously developed to include the most comprehensive evidence-based material available, Shapes Of Grief stands out as the only program to feature contributions from international grief experts. The award-winning online programme offers different levels of training to accurately meet the needs of each learner.

In January 2020, Andrew McGinley's three children Carla, Darragh and Conor died suddenly and tragically in their home. Following trial, their mother was found not guilty of murder for reason of insanity. In this conversation, Andrew talks about his love for his three children, how he continues his bonds with them through fulfilling promises that he made to them, and the urgent need for mental health reform in Ireland.

Buy tickets to Andrew's fundraiser at https://asdarraghdid.ie

#grief #bereavement #andrewmcginley #conorsclips #asdarraghdid #mentalhealthreform

About Shapes of Grief:

Shapes of Grief is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing competency around loss, grief and bereavement literacy. Curated by Psychotherapist and grief specialist Liz Gleeson, Shapes of Grief equips individuals with the tools and expertise necessary for understanding and supporting the complex needs of the bereaved, or people grieving any type of loss.

With a curriculum that has been meticulously developed to include the most comprehensive evidence-based material available, Shapes Of Grief stands out as the only program to feature contributions from international grief experts. The award-winning online programme offers different levels of training to accurately meet the needs of each learner.

Kristine Carlson and her husband Richard Carlson, author of 'Don't Sweat the Small Stuff', which was No 1 on the New York Times Best Seller list for 100 consecutive weeks, were enjoying their success when tragedy struck. Richard died suddenly and unexpectedly while on a flight to New York. In this conversation, Kristine talks to Liz about how life changed after Richard's death and how she used his teachings to help her to find meaning in her grief. Also available on Shapes Of Grief youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN_6WOp6p_GXhArbMfxvaUg

A movie based on Kristine's book 'Heart Broken Open' will soon be released and her book will be available again from Sep 15th 2021, also on her website: https://kristinecarlson.com

#grief #bereavement #widowhood #dontsweatthesmallstuff #newyorktimes #richardcarlson #kristinecarlson

About Shapes of Grief:

Shapes of Grief is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing competency around loss, grief and bereavement literacy. Curated by Psychotherapist and grief specialist Liz Gleeson, Shapes of Grief equips individuals with the tools and expertise necessary for understanding and supporting the complex needs of the bereaved, or people grieving any type of loss.

With a curriculum that has been meticulously developed to include the most comprehensive evidence-based material available, Shapes Of Grief stands out as the only program to feature contributions from international grief experts. The award-winning online programme offers different levels of training to accurately meet the needs of each learner.

A rich, rich conversation with the wonderful Caoimhe Butterly about how she has navigated grief through many years of activism and advocacy work and how, as both humans and psychotherapists, we can adequately meet people who are experiencing profound suffering and loss in their lives. 

#advocacy #activism #humanitarianwork

About Shapes of Grief:

Shapes of Grief is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing competency around loss, grief and bereavement literacy. Curated by Psychotherapist and grief specialist Liz Gleeson, Shapes of Grief equips individuals with the tools and expertise necessary for understanding and supporting the complex needs of the bereaved, or people grieving any type of loss.

With a curriculum that has been meticulously developed to include the most comprehensive evidence-based material available, Shapes Of Grief stands out as the only program to feature contributions from international grief experts. The award-winning online programme offers different levels of training to accurately meet the needs of each learner.

Ep. 69 Meghann Scully talks to Liz about her brother's death when they were teenagers, followed by her father's death a year later. Meghann shares how her grief affected her and how unexpressed grief caught up with her in her twenties through addiction.  Podcast is available on all podcasting platforms and on www.shapesofgrief.com.  #grief #bereavement #griefeducation #meghannnscully #siblinglossGrief Education Programme for Mental Health Professionals at www.shapesofogrief.com, subscribe now!

About Shapes of Grief:

Shapes of Grief is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing competency around loss, grief and bereavement literacy. Curated by Psychotherapist and grief specialist Liz Gleeson, Shapes of Grief equips individuals with the tools and expertise necessary for understanding and supporting the complex needs of the bereaved, or people grieving any type of loss.

With a curriculum that has been meticulously developed to include the most comprehensive evidence-based material available, Shapes Of Grief stands out as the only program to feature contributions from international grief experts. The award-winning online programme offers different levels of training to accurately meet the needs of each learner.

Have you ever wondered how you would respond to receiving a terminal diagnosis? In this conversation with Clair, we talk about dying, living, available choices when living with a terminal illness and the 'battle' language that often accompanies cancer. Clair is refreshingly honest and a breath of fresh air. 

Hi Everyone, I took a little break from the podcast to accompany my lovely Dad on his final weeks on planet earth. After he died, I launched myself into completing a project that I've been curating for the past few months, an online Grief Education Programme for Healthcare Providers and Mental Health practitioners. This episode is an introduction to the programme, I hope you'll sign-up and please do spread the word!

#griefeducation #bereavementeducation #grief

About Shapes of Grief:

Shapes of Grief is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing competency around loss, grief and bereavement literacy. Curated by Psychotherapist and grief specialist Liz Gleeson, Shapes of Grief equips individuals with the tools and expertise necessary for understanding and supporting the complex needs of the bereaved, or people grieving any type of loss.

With a curriculum that has been meticulously developed to include the most comprehensive evidence-based material available, Shapes Of Grief stands out as the only program to feature contributions from international grief experts. The award-winning online programme offers different levels of training to accurately meet the needs of each learner.

Sarah’s first major loss happened when she was just twelve weeks old and her adoring mother Mags died as a result of an asthma attack. Sarah’s Dad raised her and her brother until he died tragically when Sarah was just eight years old. What followed next were several weeks of confusion and trauma before Sarah and her brother were put into the safe arms of their aunt and uncle, and travelled to the other side of the Atlantic ocean, where they are adored by a large, loving, blended family. Sarah is an incredible advocate for Children’s grief and has already published her first book for children on grief. Adults and children alike will find much wisdom and comfort in Sarah’s words about how to navigate grief.

A conversation with Lord Mayor of Dublin Hazel Chu on Racism, Discrimination and Grief. 

#grief #racism #discrimination 

About Shapes of Grief:

Shapes of Grief is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing competency around loss, grief and bereavement literacy. Curated by Psychotherapist and grief specialist Liz Gleeson, Shapes of Grief equips individuals with the tools and expertise necessary for understanding and supporting the complex needs of the bereaved, or people grieving any type of loss.

With a curriculum that has been meticulously developed to include the most comprehensive evidence-based material available, Shapes Of Grief stands out as the only program to feature contributions from international grief experts. The award-winning online programme offers different levels of training to accurately meet the needs of each learner.

An outdoor horse girl, the bereavement group in a dingy basement just didn't work for Adrienne Freeland after her brother died by suicide. Seeing a problem that needed fixing, Adrienne contacted her local hospice to talk about setting up an alternative kind of bereavement group; in her barn with the horses. In this episode, Adrienne explains some of the ways in which the people she supports find hope and moments of peace while with the horses. 

#grief #bereavement #suicide #griefoutdoors #bereavementgroup

About Shapes of Grief:

Shapes of Grief is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing competency around loss, grief and bereavement literacy. Curated by Psychotherapist and grief specialist Liz Gleeson, Shapes of Grief equips individuals with the tools and expertise necessary for understanding and supporting the complex needs of the bereaved, or people grieving any type of loss.

With a curriculum that has been meticulously developed to include the most comprehensive evidence-based material available, Shapes Of Grief stands out as the only program to feature contributions from international grief experts. The award-winning online programme offers different levels of training to accurately meet the needs of each learner.

In 2019, Carrie Thompson's worst nightmare came true when her beautiful son Ben died by suicide. In December 2020, Carrie had an article published in the New York Times that documented her journey through the NH48 - the 48 highest peaks of New Hampshire, a challenge she set herself to pay homage to her son who adored the outdoors. Carrie shares some of her grief experience with Liz in this moving and important conversation about parental loss and suicide bereavement.

#suicide #hiking #cherylstrayed #carriethompson #newhampshire48 #nh48 #suicidebereavement

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/28/opinion/hiking-grief.html

About Shapes of Grief:

Shapes of Grief is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing competency around loss, grief and bereavement literacy. Curated by Psychotherapist and grief specialist Liz Gleeson, Shapes of Grief equips individuals with the tools and expertise necessary for understanding and supporting the complex needs of the bereaved, or people grieving any type of loss.

With a curriculum that has been meticulously developed to include the most comprehensive evidence-based material available, Shapes Of Grief stands out as the only program to feature contributions from international grief experts. The award-winning online programme offers different levels of training to accurately meet the needs of each learner.

Filmmaker Jill Campbell talks to Liz about the making of the documentary Seat 20D, which tells the story of Suse Lowenstein, a bereaved mother whose son Alexi was one of 270 people killed in the Lockerbie terror attack thirty two years ago. Jill talks about making the documentary, what she learnt about grief. Jill also speaks about how her family are now dealing with the death of her father, Zoom funerals and the loss of ritual due to Covid19. 

Watch the documentary here https://www.seat20d.com

#lockerbie #grief #bereavement

About Shapes of Grief:

Shapes of Grief is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing competency around loss, grief and bereavement literacy. Curated by Psychotherapist and grief specialist Liz Gleeson, Shapes of Grief equips individuals with the tools and expertise necessary for understanding and supporting the complex needs of the bereaved, or people grieving any type of loss.

With a curriculum that has been meticulously developed to include the most comprehensive evidence-based material available, Shapes Of Grief stands out as the only program to feature contributions from international grief experts. The award-winning online programme offers different levels of training to accurately meet the needs of each learner.

Psychotherapist, Mother and author Gill Mann speaks to Liz about living with her son's mental illness, how it impacted her and the family and the grief that followed his sudden and untimely death when travelling abroad as a young man.

About Shapes of Grief:

Shapes of Grief is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing competency around loss, grief and bereavement literacy. Curated by Psychotherapist and grief specialist Liz Gleeson, Shapes of Grief equips individuals with the tools and expertise necessary for understanding and supporting the complex needs of the bereaved, or people grieving any type of loss.

With a curriculum that has been meticulously developed to include the most comprehensive evidence-based material available, Shapes Of Grief stands out as the only program to feature contributions from international grief experts. The award-winning online programme offers different levels of training to accurately meet the needs of each learner.

A really interesting discussion on Grief and Trauma from Trauma Therapist Meghan Riordan-Jarvis, who also experienced ptsd herself following the sudden and unexpected death of her beloved mother. Lots to learn here, for anyone experiencing or working with trauma. We talk about trauma in the therapy room, times when touch is necessary in therapy (co-regulation) and what modalities can be useful in taking a bottom-up approach to trauma therapy.

#trama #ptsd #grief #bereavement #bestgriefpodcast #ACEs #somaticexperiencing #peterlevine #besselvanderkolk #gabormate #patogden #sensorimotorpsychotherapy

Dr Esther Ramsey Jones is a Palliative Psychotherapist with years of experience supporting people towards the end of their lives. In her latest book "The Silly Thing: Shaping the Story of Life and Death", Esther takes us through the poignant turn of events in her life when her own mother became suddenly ill and was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.  In this episode,  Esther talks to Liz about her relationship with her mother and what surprised her about how she met her mother's illness and impending death.

A wonderful conversation with Lindsey Whissel Fenton about many facets of grief, in particular, Disenfranchised Grief.

Lindsey Whissel Fenton is a senior producer at WPSU, the PBS/NPR affiliate station in Central Pennsylvania. She’s an Emmy award-winning storyteller who is passionate about using public media to build empathy. Lindsey produced, directed, and wrote the documentary Speaking Grief and continues to produce content for the initiative’s website and social media presence.

Sharing a few words about meeting our grief during the holidays, a time when grief can often be exacerbated.

I hope this is helpful to you.

Liz 

#grief #bereavement #griefatchristmas #griefduringtheholidays #holidaysandgrief #christmasandgrief

About Shapes of Grief:

Shapes of Grief is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing competency around loss, grief and bereavement literacy. Curated by Psychotherapist and grief specialist Liz Gleeson, Shapes of Grief equips individuals with the tools and expertise necessary for understanding and supporting the complex needs of the bereaved, or people grieving any type of loss.

With a curriculum that has been meticulously developed to include the most comprehensive evidence-based material available, Shapes Of Grief stands out as the only program to feature contributions from international grief experts. The award-winning online programme offers different levels of training to accurately meet the needs of each learner.

Sometimes I as I write these descriptions, I know that my words simply do not do justice to the story being shared; this episode is one of those times. Dana Lawson takes us through her experience of learning to live with cancer, go through extreme domestic violence and still come out the other side with a focus on achieving life-long dreams, despite her life experience. Dana talks about the 'battle' language of cancer, why that didn't serve her and why she chose, instead, to befriend her cancer as a part of her body.  Inspiring doesn't do this justice!

About Shapes of Grief:

Shapes of Grief is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing competency around loss, grief and bereavement literacy. Curated by Psychotherapist and grief specialist Liz Gleeson, Shapes of Grief equips individuals with the tools and expertise necessary for understanding and supporting the complex needs of the bereaved, or people grieving any type of loss.

With a curriculum that has been meticulously developed to include the most comprehensive evidence-based material available, Shapes Of Grief stands out as the only program to feature contributions from international grief experts. The award-winning online programme offers different levels of training to accurately meet the needs of each learner.

In this episode, Norah reflects on the many shapes of grief that are manifesting in Ireland today, from the recent tragedies in Dublin and Cork, to the Mother & Babies Homes scandal that has caused widespread grief throughout the nation.

On a more personal note, Norah shares her experience of domestic abuse, the physical violence she endured and how she found the courage to get out. She generously shares her experience through Richard’s illness and death and how she found her feet again, in the midst of crippling grief.

Please share the episode and as always, do consider becoming a Patron on patreon.com/shapesofgrief

#norahcasey #dragonsden #bobbykerr #focusireland #motherandbabyhomes #kenturk #drpaulgreegan #professorjohncrown #grief #bereavement

About Shapes of Grief:

Shapes of Grief is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing competency around loss, grief and bereavement literacy. Curated by Psychotherapist and grief specialist Liz Gleeson, Shapes of Grief equips individuals with the tools and expertise necessary for understanding and supporting the complex needs of the bereaved, or people grieving any type of loss.

With a curriculum that has been meticulously developed to include the most comprehensive evidence-based material available, Shapes Of Grief stands out as the only program to feature contributions from international grief experts. The award-winning online programme offers different levels of training to accurately meet the needs of each learner.

An extraordinary story of navigating multiple losses in a short space of time and how Autumn consciously chose to allow herself to experience joy again, in the face of bereavement overload, trauma and unmeasurable tragedy.

#Parentalloss, #bereavementoverload, #organdonation #boldlyintothedarkness

About Shapes of Grief:

Shapes of Grief is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing competency around loss, grief and bereavement literacy. Curated by Psychotherapist and grief specialist Liz Gleeson, Shapes of Grief equips individuals with the tools and expertise necessary for understanding and supporting the complex needs of the bereaved, or people grieving any type of loss.

With a curriculum that has been meticulously developed to include the most comprehensive evidence-based material available, Shapes Of Grief stands out as the only program to feature contributions from international grief experts. The award-winning online programme offers different levels of training to accurately meet the needs of each learner.

Juliet Rosenfeld had been married to Andrew just 7 months when her beloved husband died of cancer. Five years on, Juliet has published a poignant memoir of their journey together with a cancer diagnosis, the strategies that Andrew employed to deal with his illness and how his death, despite his serious diagnosis, still came as a shock. We talk about the denial in both Andrew’s illness and also the ambiguity from the medics and what that meant to Juliet and her experience of grief.

Three years after her world stopped turning when her family were hit by a sudden and traumatic loss, Niamh Fitzpatrick has written a raw and tender memoir of her experience of grief, following the death of her sister and also the more silent losses of an IVF journey and the end of her marriage.  This book and indeed this conversation, are a veritable gift to the listeners and readers, as Niamh takes us through an authentic, vulnerable and profoundly courageous account of her experience of grief, from an intellectual, emotional and physical perspective. I got so much out of Niamh’s book and was deeply touched by our time together, I hope you benefit from this conversation too.

#tellmethetruthaboutloss #captaindarafitzpatrick #rescue116 #grief #bereavement #griefpodcast #niamhfitzpatrick

About Shapes of Grief:

Shapes of Grief is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing competency around loss, grief and bereavement literacy. Curated by Psychotherapist and grief specialist Liz Gleeson, Shapes of Grief equips individuals with the tools and expertise necessary for understanding and supporting the complex needs of the bereaved, or people grieving any type of loss.

With a curriculum that has been meticulously developed to include the most comprehensive evidence-based material available, Shapes Of Grief stands out as the only program to feature contributions from international grief experts. The award-winning online programme offers different levels of training to accurately meet the needs of each learner.

Local Greystones Councellor, Dr. Mags Crean, speaks to Liz about the death of her parents, just a few weeks apart and how the birth of her first child in the middle of these losses contributed to her delayed grief. We talk about how unexpressed grief can build up and, in Mags' case, cause unbearable panic and anxiety. 

Liz and Mags talk about the economics of grief and how difficult it can be for those in lower socio-economic classes to access grief support and why now, this needs to be addressed.

As always, a tender and intimate conversation, please do share!

#grief #bereavement #delayedgrief #anxiety #prolongedgrief #complicatedgrief

About Shapes of Grief:

Shapes of Grief is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing competency around loss, grief and bereavement literacy. Curated by Psychotherapist and grief specialist Liz Gleeson, Shapes of Grief equips individuals with the tools and expertise necessary for understanding and supporting the complex needs of the bereaved, or people grieving any type of loss.

With a curriculum that has been meticulously developed to include the most comprehensive evidence-based material available, Shapes Of Grief stands out as the only program to feature contributions from international grief experts. The award-winning online programme offers different levels of training to accurately meet the needs of each learner.

Dr Mekel Harris, Clinical Psychologist, speaks about her tremendous grief following the death of her mother who was also her best friend. Liz and Mekel draw comparisons between our individual losses experienced around the time of bereavement and the collective loss following the death of George Floyd, a brutal death that has left the world reeling and crying out for change. Mekel discusses the ongoing grief of racism, injustice and marginalisation and how white allies can help.

The first thirty minutes cover Makel’s personal bereavement and the latter half of the episode explores the collective grief experienced by People of colour for centuries. Please do share this episode far and wide.

#grief #bereavement #blacklivesmatter #georgefloyd #antiracist

About Shapes of Grief:

Shapes of Grief is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing competency around loss, grief and bereavement literacy. Curated by Psychotherapist and grief specialist Liz Gleeson, Shapes of Grief equips individuals with the tools and expertise necessary for understanding and supporting the complex needs of the bereaved, or people grieving any type of loss.

With a curriculum that has been meticulously developed to include the most comprehensive evidence-based material available, Shapes Of Grief stands out as the only program to feature contributions from international grief experts. The award-winning online programme offers different levels of training to accurately meet the needs of each learner.

So privileged to be joined again, for the third time, by Dr. Kathryn Mannix, Palliative Doctor and author of the bestselling book 'With the End in Mind".  Kathryn talks about how dying and death have changed as a result of Covid19, demystifying what is happening in our hospitals and what families need to know about how their loved ones may be cared for.  She takes us through how a death due to Covid may pan out and what we can expect or look out for if we are providing palliative care in the community. A must-listen for anyone touched by Covid19 including healthcare providers, Dr. Mannix talks about some of the strategies used by healthcare staff to break the barriers potentially caused by PPE gear and social distancing. 

Big thanks to Kathryn for so generously sharing her wisdom with so many and making a difference in how we approach tender conversations relating to dying and death. 

#dyingincovid19 #death #dyingprocess #drkathrynmannix #withtheendinmind #grief #griefpodcast #applepodcasts #anchorfm

About Shapes of Grief:

Shapes of Grief is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing competency around loss, grief and bereavement literacy. Curated by Psychotherapist and grief specialist Liz Gleeson, Shapes of Grief equips individuals with the tools and expertise necessary for understanding and supporting the complex needs of the bereaved, or people grieving any type of loss.

With a curriculum that has been meticulously developed to include the most comprehensive evidence-based material available, Shapes Of Grief stands out as the only program to feature contributions from international grief experts. The award-winning online programme offers different levels of training to accurately meet the needs of each learner.

What a rich conversation this was, speaking to Katrina Taee and Wendelien McNicoll about their personal experiences of loss, their work with the dying and the bereaved, through to the recent launch of their very valuable book 'Surving the Tsunami of Grief'. 

Between them, Katrina and Wendelien have a wealth of personal experience of loss as well as a very palpable passion for being of service to those who are dying and those who are grieving. We speak about euthanasia, sibling grief and how grief can strike at any time, no matter how long after the loss.

I had such a rich morning with these women, I hope you can feel as equally moved by them through this conversation.

#grief #bereavement #griefbooks #survivingthetsunamiofgrief 

About Shapes of Grief:

Shapes of Grief is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing competency around loss, grief and bereavement literacy. Curated by Psychotherapist and grief specialist Liz Gleeson, Shapes of Grief equips individuals with the tools and expertise necessary for understanding and supporting the complex needs of the bereaved, or people grieving any type of loss.

With a curriculum that has been meticulously developed to include the most comprehensive evidence-based material available, Shapes Of Grief stands out as the only program to feature contributions from international grief experts. The award-winning online programme offers different levels of training to accurately meet the needs of each learner.

Ger and Liz talk about how it is to be living in such unprecedented times and how being with the unknown can bring us to places that we usually don’t stop to face when in the usual busyness of life. We draw parallels between the collective grief that is in the air and the personal experience of loss through death.

There are more questions here than answers, but our conversation may mirror some of what you have been wondering, thinking, raging against and feeling hopeful for, over these past few weeks.

#grief #bereavement #covid19 #coronavirus #isolation #anxiety #rumi #poetryincrisis 

About Shapes of Grief:

Shapes of Grief is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing competency around loss, grief and bereavement literacy. Curated by Psychotherapist and grief specialist Liz Gleeson, Shapes of Grief equips individuals with the tools and expertise necessary for understanding and supporting the complex needs of the bereaved, or people grieving any type of loss.

With a curriculum that has been meticulously developed to include the most comprehensive evidence-based material available, Shapes Of Grief stands out as the only program to feature contributions from international grief experts. The award-winning online programme offers different levels of training to accurately meet the needs of each learner.

When we are grieving, it is often as if the whole world has turned upside down and we need to navigate our new reality on very shaky ground. The pandemic Covid 19 that we are now living through will elicit feelings of grief and anxiety for many of us as we try to understand and process our new reality and find stability amongst the chaos. In this episode, Liz describes what can happen in our bodies in times of stress and how we can best take care of ourselves during these uncertain times. 

#grief #anxiety #covid19 #selfcompassion #vagusnerve #stressrelief

About Shapes of Grief:

Shapes of Grief is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing competency around loss, grief and bereavement literacy. Curated by Psychotherapist and grief specialist Liz Gleeson, Shapes of Grief equips individuals with the tools and expertise necessary for understanding and supporting the complex needs of the bereaved, or people grieving any type of loss.

With a curriculum that has been meticulously developed to include the most comprehensive evidence-based material available, Shapes Of Grief stands out as the only program to feature contributions from international grief experts. The award-winning online programme offers different levels of training to accurately meet the needs of each learner.

Having coffee with a friend today, we commented on how we all have our stories, we all have our 'stuff'. This isn't always apparent when we look at each other. For those watching Nicola Crean complete her first Iron 'Man' in Cork last year, it would not have been obvious what hurdles she had overcome in the previous few years and how running had become her way of staying sane as the life she knew unravelled around her.

In this honest and down-to-earth conversation, Nicola describes a very relatable account of meeting a partner, starting a home and family, the mental health issues that would stop them all in their tracks and force Nicola to start again, from scratch, raising two bereaved children alone. 

This episode deals with suicide.

If you are affected by any of the issues in this podcast, here are some contact details that may be supportive:

This was a really interesting talk with Jimmy Edmonds, award-winning filmmaker and bereaved father, on what his grief is like for him and how being creative helped him to find expression for his grief. Along with his wife Jane, Jimmy Produced and Directed the beautiful documentary 'A Love that Never Dies' - which documents life after their son's death as well as the grief journeys of several other bereaved parents. 

In this episode, Liz talks to Kate Gunn, author of 'Untying the Knot - how to consciously uncouple in the real world', about the grief of separation and divorce. 

A lovely episode with psychologist Chris Germer on how Self-Compassion can be a really useful practice at times of Grief.  Understanding the biology of self-compassion can assist us in understanding the mechanism of how kindness not criticism can support us through grief. 

Julia Samuel’s book Grief Works contains a wealth of information and wisdom on the process of grief, grounded in years of experience as a Grief Therapist and with deep awareness of how grief can be for many people. In this inspiring conversation, Julia and Liz talk about the paradox of grief -  “The essence of grief is that we are forced, through death, to confront a reality we inherently reject’ and how we can best support ourselves and each other during the painful weeks, months and years that can follow the death of someone we love.

On September 30th 2014, Sheila and Barry Boland learned that their beloved 3 year-old son Oisín had an incurable brain tumour and had only weeks to live. Treatment could buy them some more time, but Sheila and Barry took a road less travelled and decided instead to focus on making every day special for their beloved boy.

Five years later, Sheila opens up to Liz about the incredible experience that would follow; one filled with equal parts of devastation and beauty and how it would propel Sheila onto a spiritual path in a search of meaning in the madness.

This episode features their first conversation. Following from this conversation, Sheila felt that there was still so much more that she wished she had said, so a further conversation is coming your way!

Back in the Winter of 2018, when I was planning the launch of the Shapes Of Grief podcast, two other women in Ireland were doing the same.  Venetia Quick and Sasha Hamrogue launched the Grief Encounters podcast at the same time.  It was lovely to finally meet with Venetia (unfortunately Sasha wasn’t there that day) and share experiences of our past few months hosting the podcasts and what we’ve learnt from people about grief.

Both Shapes Of Grief and Grief Encounters have been met with such support in Ireland and Abroad, with a common goal of opening up the conversations around grief so that those grieving can feel less isolated and those supporting them will have a better understanding of the enormity that a bereavement or other traumatic event can have on someone’s life.

Grief Encounters is available on most podcasting platforms and, like Shapes Of Grief, they have a private facebook group for those experiencing grief at this time.

If you have been supported by either Shapes Of Grief or Grief Encounters, please do consider giving us a rating and a review wherever you get your podcast, it's much appreciated!

About Shapes of Grief:

Shapes of Grief is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing competency around loss, grief and bereavement literacy. Curated by Psychotherapist and grief specialist Liz Gleeson, Shapes of Grief equips individuals with the tools and expertise necessary for understanding and supporting the complex needs of the bereaved, or people grieving any type of loss.

With a curriculum that has been meticulously developed to include the most comprehensive evidence-based material available, Shapes Of Grief stands out as the only program to feature contributions from international grief experts. The award-winning online programme offers different levels of training to accurately meet the needs of each learner.

When Helen was 5, her baby brother Martin died in a cot death. She remembers his little white coffin being put into the neighbours car, her other brother, who was four at the time, remembers that car registration number to this day, over fifty years later.

Decades later, Helen went on to found the Children’s Grief Centre in Limerick, supporting children who are grieving. In this conversation, Helen and Liz discuss children’ grief and draw on their experience as counsellors to discuss some of the important themes that can come up for children who are grieving and offer some really practical suggestions on how to best support grieving children, whether their loss be through bereavement or parental separation.

At just 23 years of age, Australian Palliative care doctor Merran Cooper became a widow when Mark, her childhood sweetheart and husband, died of leukaemia. Forced to move out of her home while still shell-shocked at her husband’s death, it would be three more decades until Merran followed her heart and studied medicine, becoming a palliative doctor to help change the broken system on how we approach dying and grief.

In this moving account of loss and a complete rebuilding of the self, Merran introduces us to her newly developed Electronic End of Life Plan - she is passionate about opening up better conversations about death and dying and helping people to take responsibility for how their end of life could be.

It was wonderful to speak to Roy Remer, Executive Director of the Zen Caregiving Project (formerly Zen Hospice Project), talk about what brought him to be drawn to work with people at the end of their life and what he has learnt from accompanying hundreds of people through the dying process. Roy shares some great wisdom with Liz about how we might approach accompanying our dying loved ones and what really matters. As always, this is a rich and educational conversation. 

About Shapes of Grief:

Shapes of Grief is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing competency around loss, grief and bereavement literacy. Curated by Psychotherapist and grief specialist Liz Gleeson, Shapes of Grief equips individuals with the tools and expertise necessary for understanding and supporting the complex needs of the bereaved, or people grieving any type of loss.

With a curriculum that has been meticulously developed to include the most comprehensive evidence-based material available, Shapes Of Grief stands out as the only program to feature contributions from international grief experts. The award-winning online programme offers different levels of training to accurately meet the needs of each learner.

I was delighted to be joined by Dr. Kathryn Mannix for another episode of Shapes Of Grief. In this episode, we discuss the #ihfforum 2019 'Dying is Everybody's Business', at which Kathryn was keynote speaker. We take a look at what it takes to be an effective caring professional, how to avoid burnout and, when someone is dying, how do we know when "enough is enough". 

People who care for other people may find this episode particularly useful, so please do share it!

When Ger was 9 years old, he found his father dead at home. Unable to process his grief, it would be shut inside for many years until Ger found his way, as a young adult, into a caring profession and gradually began to address his own inner landscape and wounding. His early experience of his father's sudden death and unexpressed grief caught up with him eventually and he developed stomach issues which lead him to discover Somatic Psychotherapy, opening a door into working psychotherapeutically with others. Ger talks to me about his personal experience of grief, how it unfolded in layers over the years and how a spiritual perspective can be a great resource for us in times of overwhelm. We talked about ways that we can manage the collective grief we feel about climate change and the environmental legacy we are leaving our children. Such a rich conversation with Ger Murphy on a range of grief perspectives and a little poetry woven throughout. 

Eight years ago, Gretta Manners had a full time career in teaching and was a busy (and exhausted) mother of three young children; Hazel, 4, Maria, 2 and Tadhg, 6 months. She began to feel unwell and eventually went to the Emergency Dept. of her local hospital to find out what was wrong with her. It would be almost a year before Gretta got home again. What followed was months in hospital due to a rapid onset brain injury of unknown cause. Gretta lost her ability to talk, to walk, to determine the difference between her conscious and sleeping mind. She was plagued with a ‘ticker tape’ of nightmares and felt like she had ‘gone mad’. An encounter with a trial drug, along with a dedicated consultant (Prof. Tubridy), meant that Gretta’s deteriorating condition was thankfully stopped in its tracks and she would be able to start to slowly rebuild the broken brain connections, needing to learn to walk and talk all over again. The dedication of her family who didn’t leave her side during all of those institutionalised months and a consultant who really cared, meant that Gretta was given the best possible chance at life again, against all the odds.

Whilst Gretta defied many of the medical opinions in that she learnt to walk again, manages to run a couple of laps of the running track, can walk and drive and do day to day activities, she did not make a full recovery. Her balance remains a challenge and she often has difficulty with her short-term memory. She gets easily overwhelmed by a lot of conversation and sometimes it’s just too difficult for her to process what is going on in a busy room. In this conversation, we hope to highlight the losses that can be associated with acquired brain injury and hopefully make people more aware of this invisible condition that is often accompanied by invisible struggle. What comes across utmost in this conversation is how compassionate medical care and a dedicated circle of family and friends can really make a difference to a person’s outcome.

Thirteen years ago, Declan Hammond received a phonecall that is every parent's worst nightmare; his son had been involved in a mining accident abroad and was killed instantly.  Declan was spiralled into what felt like an alternative reality, his life would never be the same again. In this brutally honest account of his grief, Declan describes how, for a number of years, he felt mad with grief. It was in the company of other bereaved parents where he found understanding, as many of his former friends fell away, unable to tolerate his grief. Declan speaks about how his grief transformed him over the years and how he has now made meaning from his loss.

For many of us, we take it for granted that our text will read something like “a beautiful baby girl was born at 5.55am, 8.2lbs, mother and baby doing great”, but for Annemarie McCarthy and her husband, the reality was far from this. The 20 week scan showed anomalies that would render the rest of Annemarie’s pregnancy a constant source of stress and worry. When baby Ruth took her first breaths alone, her parents hoped that the worst was over and, once reparative surgery would be completed, they would take Ruth home and get on with their lives. Little did they know that their epic journey to keep their baby alive was just beginning. Ruth’s complications were a lot more than they and the medical team first realised, resulting in numerous surgeries, interventions and four years on  a life-support machine.  By the time Ruth was well enough to shed her reliance on the various machines that kept her alive for the first few years of her life, her mother Annemarie describes herself as ‘an empty shell’. Trying to keep her daughter alive for five years had taken it’s toll on Annemarie and after her second child was born, she realised that she was in dire need of therapeutic intervention to help her to rebuild herself after the years of stress and trauma that her family had been through. In this honest and open conversation, Annemarie gives us an insight into the disenfranchised grief of having a sick child and how that experience would change everything about her life in the weeks, months and years that followed. It is truly such a privilege to bear witness to these stories. 

About Shapes of Grief:

Shapes of Grief is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing competency around loss, grief and bereavement literacy. Curated by Psychotherapist and grief specialist Liz Gleeson, Shapes of Grief equips individuals with the tools and expertise necessary for understanding and supporting the complex needs of the bereaved, or people grieving any type of loss.

With a curriculum that has been meticulously developed to include the most comprehensive evidence-based material available, Shapes Of Grief stands out as the only program to feature contributions from international grief experts. The award-winning online programme offers different levels of training to accurately meet the needs of each learner.

Aisling Fitzgibbon and her mother Martha were inseparable. As well as mother and daughter, they were best friends and soul mates. Following a few years of depression in her early twenties, Aisling went on a journey of finding meaning and purpose in her life, accompanied every step of the way by her beloved mother Martha. When Martha suddenly became critically ill, all of Aisling's spiritual learnings were put to the test and she had to dig deep to be able to come to terms with her mother's impending death. Aisling takes us through that journey and talks about how she accompanied her mother in her dying process and how finding meaning in her mother's death helped her to cope with the enormous grief she experienced. Listen to Aisling and be inspired!

When Siobhan was two years old, both her parents, her older brother who was seven and her aunt all died in a drowning tragedy on Carlingford Lough. Siobhan, her  eleven month-old brother Terry and a nine-year-old sister Orla, were separated from each other and taken in by two sets of grandparents and were raised in a society that didn’t condone mourning or talk of grief.  Siobhan tells us about how she created an imaginary life for herself as a child and how this loss coloured her life experience and influenced her life choices. Decades later, Siobhan still feels anxious whenever she has to wait for someone and how she finds solace in the company of family and friends. She finds healing in the work she does with grieving children who come to the Rainbows programme which Siobhan facilitates and offers advice to anyone supporting a grieving child.

#rainbows #grief #carlingfordlough #drowning #grief #bereavement

About Shapes of Grief:

Shapes of Grief is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing competency around loss, grief and bereavement literacy. Curated by Psychotherapist and grief specialist Liz Gleeson, Shapes of Grief equips individuals with the tools and expertise necessary for understanding and supporting the complex needs of the bereaved, or people grieving any type of loss.

With a curriculum that has been meticulously developed to include the most comprehensive evidence-based material available, Shapes Of Grief stands out as the only program to feature contributions from international grief experts. The award-winning online programme offers different levels of training to accurately meet the needs of each learner.

In 2000, a bus carrying 7 young tourists in Bolivia crashed into a ravine killing all of the 9 passengers on board; the driver had fallen asleep. Among them were two young Irish sisters. In this episode, Musician and Poet Siobhan Daffy, talks about the sudden death of her best friend, the importance of getting the girls home to Ireland and how community and poetry supported her in coming to terms with her bereavement. Two years later, Siobhan’s little brother Donnacha died suddenly, leaving a bereft family. They were barely coming to terms with their grief when their father also died.  Siobhan speaks about the magnitude of love and loss that hit her family and how they coped together, somehow finding a way to grieve, to find the courage to move forward with their enormous grief and to take heart in the love and life that still remained for them.

The accident was widely covered in the Irish press at the time https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/driver-in-ravine-horror-deaths-may-have-dozed-off-26118447.html

About Shapes of Grief:

Shapes of Grief is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing competency around loss, grief and bereavement literacy. Curated by Psychotherapist and grief specialist Liz Gleeson, Shapes of Grief equips individuals with the tools and expertise necessary for understanding and supporting the complex needs of the bereaved, or people grieving any type of loss.

With a curriculum that has been meticulously developed to include the most comprehensive evidence-based material available, Shapes Of Grief stands out as the only program to feature contributions from international grief experts. The award-winning online programme offers different levels of training to accurately meet the needs of each learner.

Author of "Love's last gift" Bebhinn Ramsey recounts the sudden death of her husband Alistair while on holidays in San Francisco, leaving her widowed at 31 with a baby and a toddler. At the age of thirty-one Bébhinn had lost her soulmate, the father of her two young sons, but also her faith in life.Bebhinn tells of how the weight of her grief made her feel like a 'cornered rat' and how she went on a search for the cure for grief. That search lead her to The Work of Byron Katie, which provided her with a map that worked for her and helped her to navigate her grief by taking a spiritual approach to her experience. A heart-warming story from a beautiful woman. Bebhinn's ebook can be bought on Amazon at https://www.amazon.co.uk/Loves-Last-Gift-Bebhinn-Ramsay/dp/1444743112

In Love's Last Gift, this inspirational and thought-provoking memoir, we journey with Bébhinn as she searches for answers and a sense of meaning to her husband's untimely death. From walking the Camino de Santiago with her two young sons in the weeks following Alastair's death, to spiritual retreats and self-reflection, we discover how Bébhinn eventually finds peace, happiness and acceptance by opening her mind and her heart.
Love's Last Gift is a beautifully-written and ultimately uplifting memoir of hope, courage and eternal love.

In 2008, Bébhinn Ramsay set up ARCH, the Alastair Ramsay Charitable Trust, and moved to Florianópolis, Brazil to oversee Child Health Florianópolis, a child-focussed charity.
All royalties from Love's Last Gift go directly to ARCH.

About Shapes of Grief:

Shapes of Grief is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing competency around loss, grief and bereavement literacy. Curated by Psychotherapist and grief specialist Liz Gleeson, Shapes of Grief equips individuals with the tools and expertise necessary for understanding and supporting the complex needs of the bereaved, or people grieving any type of loss.

With a curriculum that has been meticulously developed to include the most comprehensive evidence-based material available, Shapes Of Grief stands out as the only program to feature contributions from international grief experts. The award-winning online programme offers different levels of training to accurately meet the needs of each learner.

Helen Lamb, owner and founder of the Dublin Wellness Centre, takes us on an intimate journey through her experience of grief following the death of her beloved husband when their baby boy was just months old. Listeners who have accompanied loved ones through cancer will resonate deeply with some of the experiences that Helen shares. She talks about the acute loneliness of grief and the importance of friends who ‘get’ exactly what you’re going through. Helen describes how grief changed her and how she approached loving again after losing ‘the love of her life’. 

About Shapes of Grief:

Shapes of Grief is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing competency around loss, grief and bereavement literacy. Curated by Psychotherapist and grief specialist Liz Gleeson, Shapes of Grief equips individuals with the tools and expertise necessary for understanding and supporting the complex needs of the bereaved, or people grieving any type of loss.

With a curriculum that has been meticulously developed to include the most comprehensive evidence-based material available, Shapes Of Grief stands out as the only program to feature contributions from international grief experts. The award-winning online programme offers different levels of training to accurately meet the needs of each learner.

Catherine Monaghan talks to Liz about life after the sudden death of her brother, what the grief of losing a sibling was like for her and how Tony’s death affected every part of her life. To read Cath’s article in the Irish Times, click here https://www.google.ie/amp/s/www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/health-family/my-brothers-were-inseparable-until-one-died-1.3878482%3fmode=amp

About Shapes of Grief:

Shapes of Grief is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing competency around loss, grief and bereavement literacy. Curated by Psychotherapist and grief specialist Liz Gleeson, Shapes of Grief equips individuals with the tools and expertise necessary for understanding and supporting the complex needs of the bereaved, or people grieving any type of loss.

With a curriculum that has been meticulously developed to include the most comprehensive evidence-based material available, Shapes Of Grief stands out as the only program to feature contributions from international grief experts. The award-winning online programme offers different levels of training to accurately meet the needs of each learner.