Today we're revisiting ambiguous grief (aka grieving someone who is still alive). This can happen for so many reasons, ranging from addictions and dementia to divorce, incarceration, the foster system, and countless others. We're talking about what ambiguous grief is, why it is particularly challenging, and a few ideas for coping.

Visit whatsyourgrief.com for hundreds of free articles we've written about all things grief and loss.

If you like the podcast, we think you'll love WYG Grief Support Hub. It's our online membership community that brings grievers together for learning, creativity, and support. You don’t have to navigate grief alone - participate in grief conversation sessions and groups, a discussion forum, grief support webinars, creativity projects, community writing sessions, and more. You can learn more here and join.

If you're a grief professional, we have a community for you too. https://whatsyourgrief.com/grief-professionals-community/

You can also make a donation here at any time to help us keep the lights on.

Get Lessons to Write On: A Guided Grief Journaling Intensive here. https://whatsyourgrief.ck.page/products/lessons-to-write-on-grief-journaling

Pick up the What's Your Grief Book

• Bookshop.org
• Barnes & Noble
• Amazon
• Books A Million
• IndieBound

There are a lot of resources out there about childhood bereavement, but many leave off at the end of childhood. In this episode, we tackle some of the ways childhood losses leave imprints well into adulthood.

Visit whatsyourgrief.com for hundreds of free articles we've written about all things grief and loss.

If you like the podcast, we think you'll love WYG Grief Support Hub. It's our online membership community that brings grievers together for learning, creativity, and support. You don’t have to navigate grief alone - participate in grief conversation sessions and groups, a discussion forum, grief support webinars, creativity projects, community writing sessions, and more. You can learn more here and join.

If you're a grief professional, we have a community for you too. https://whatsyourgrief.com/grief-professionals-community/

You can also make a donation here at any time to help us keep the lights on.

Get Lessons to Write On: A Guided Grief Journaling Intensive here. https://whatsyourgrief.ck.page/products/lessons-to-write-on-grief-journaling

Pick up the What's Your Grief Book

• Bookshop.org
• Barnes & Noble
• Amazon
• Books A Million
• IndieBound

In this episode we responde to a listener question about managing the shame that often comes with continuing to feel sadness as the months and years pass. Plus, some chat on childhood bereavement, grief and video games, and creativity at funerals.

If you like the podcast, you'll love WYG Grief Support Hub (it's our griever member community - think of it as our Patreon, but a zillion times better). Support the podcast and get TONS more grief support. You can learn more here and join.

Visit whatsyourgrief.com for hundreds of free articles we've written about all things grief and loss.

If you're a grief professional, we have a community for you too. https://whatsyourgrief.com/grief-professionals-community/

You can also make a donation here at any time to help us keep the lights on.

Get Lessons to Write On: A Guided Grief Journaling Intensive here. https://whatsyourgrief.ck.page/products/lessons-to-write-on-grief-journaling

Pick up the What's Your Grief Book

• Bookshop.org
• Barnes & Noble
• Amazon
• Books A Million
• IndieBound

We've been on a summer break, but we'll be back soon with our regular schedule. In the meantime, we're here to discuss one of our favorite topics—grief in television and films. Specifically, we explore the multiverse, which has appearing frequently in recent media and often intersects with grief. From Wandavision to Dark Matter, we'll delve into why some of these portrayals can offer an unexpected comfort in grief, however fictionalized.

If you like the podcast, you'll love WYG Grief Support Hub (it's our griever member community - think of it as our Patreon, but a zillion times better). Support the podcast and get TONS more grief support. You can learn more here and join.

Visit whatsyourgrief.com for hundreds of free articles we've written about all things grief and loss.

If you're a grief professional, we have a community for you too. https://whatsyourgrief.com/grief-professionals-community/

You can also make a donation here at any time to help us keep the lights on.

Get Lessons to Write On: A Guided Grief Journaling Intensive here. https://whatsyourgrief.ck.page/products/lessons-to-write-on-grief-journaling

Pick up the What's Your Grief Book

• Bookshop.org
• Barnes & Noble
• Amazon
• Books A Million
• IndieBound

Grief can prompt many people to stop using substances when that use gets unmanageable. Though it is often an important and healthy decision, giving up alcohol or another substance brings its own set of new struggles and losses. Eleanor shares her personal experience with managing grief in and from sobriety.

Eleanor's article:
Grief and Sobriety: Discovering Loss Amid Positive Change

Other articles that may be helpful on grief and substance use:

Understanding Grief, Alcohol, and the Brain

Using Alcohol to Feel Feelings

Sober Curious news story

Support getting sober:
SAMHSA’s National Helpline
AA
NA

If you like the podcast, you'll love WYG Grief Support Hub (it's our griever member community - think of it as our Patreon, but a zillion times better). It is open for new members now! Support the podcast and get TONS more grief support. You can learn more here and join.

Visit whatsyourgrief.com for hundreds of free articles we've written about all things grief and loss.

If you're a grief professional, we have a community for you too. https://whatsyourgrief.com/grief-professionals-community/

You can also make a donation here at any time to help us keep the lights on.

Get Lessons to Write On: A Guided Grief Journaling Intensive here. https://whatsyourgrief.ck.page/products/lessons-to-write-on-grief-journaling

Pick up the What's Your Grief Book

• Bookshop.org
• Barnes & Noble
• Amazon
• Books A Million
• IndieBound

In this episode we dive into a topic that is estimated to impact as many as 1 in 4 families in the US: the grief of estrangement. Join us as we unpack the rollercoaster of emotions that come with feeling disconnected from loved ones, whether it's family or friends. Estrangements happen for countless reasons, but they can be especially prevalent after bereavement losses. We'll delve into the complexities of estrangement grief, and explore strategies for coping and finding healing along the way.

If you like the podcast, you'll love WYG Grief Support Hub (it's our griever member community - think of it as our Patreon, but a zillion times better). It is open for new members now! Support the podcast and get TONS more grief support. You can learn more here and join.

Visit whatsyourgrief.com for hundreds of free articles we've written about all things grief and loss.

If you're a grief professional, we have a community for you too. https://whatsyourgrief.com/grief-professionals-community/

You can also make a donation here at any time to help us keep the lights on.

Get Lessons to Write On: A Guided Grief Journaling Intensive here. https://whatsyourgrief.ck.page/products/lessons-to-write-on-grief-journaling

Pick up the What's Your Grief Book

• Bookshop.org
• Barnes & Noble
• Amazon
• Books A Million
• IndieBound

Back in 2014 - approaching 10 years ago - we recorded an episode on overdose grief (you can listen to it here if you missed it). We have lost people to addiction so this was (and is) a topic near and dear. But there are some significant ways the landscape of addiction and substance related death has changed in the last decade. Some of those changes impact when, why, and how people are grieving following overdose deaths. So it seemed about time we do an updated episode.

If you like the podcast, you'll love WYG Grief Support Hub (it's our griever member community - think of it as our Patreon, but a zillion times better). It opens for new members on June 1! Support the podcast and get TONS more grief support. You can learn more here and join the waitlist to be notified when membership opens.

Visit whatsyourgrief.com for hundreds of free articles we've written about all things grief and loss.

If you're a grief professional, we have a community for you too. https://whatsyourgrief.com/grief-professionals-community/

You can also make a donation here at any time to help us keep the lights on.

Get Lessons to Write On: A Guided Grief Journaling Intensive here. https://whatsyourgrief.ck.page/products/lessons-to-write-on-grief-journaling

Pick up the What's Your Grief Book

• Bookshop.org
• Barnes & Noble
• Amazon
• Books A Million
• IndieBound

Losing a pet (and grieving pet) is a profound and often overlooked form of disenfranchised grief. In this episode, we delve into the complexities of why pet loss holds such significance. Beyond the surface, there are layers of emotion and impact that don't always get talked about. We'll share our own experiences saying farewell to furry companions, and also insights from countless individuals we've supported through pet loss over the years.

A few reminders --

We have a free webinar on self-compassion on May 20th. You can sign up here: https://streamyard.com/watch/WP7vXWnap8Vw

If you like the podcast, you'll love WYG Grief Support Hub (it's our griever member community - think of it as our Patreon, but a zillion times better). It opens for new members on May 15th! Support the podcast and get TONS more grief support. You can learn more here and join the waitlist to be notified when membership opens.

Visit whatsyourgrief.com for hundreds of free articles we've written about all things grief and loss.

If you're a grief professional, we have a community for you too. https://whatsyourgrief.com/grief-professionals-community/

You can also make a donation here at any time to help us keep the lights on.

Get Lessons to Write On: A Guided Grief Journaling Intensive here. https://whatsyourgrief.ck.page/products/lessons-to-write-on-grief-journaling

Pick up the What's Your Grief Book

• Bookshop.org
• Barnes & Noble
• Amazon
• Books A Million
• IndieBound