Miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant loss are particularly difficult losses to navigate. These losses can leave many loved ones wondering how to help. In the second part of this series, Sara interviews Chelsey Hedglin, hospital chaplain and bereavement coordinator, about how family members and friends can help their loved ones during pregnancy and infant losses. They discuss what to say and what not to say, which questions are okay to ask, and how to navigate relating and comparing grief. They also give practical ideas for gestures and ways to help out. We hope that this interview brings comfor ..read more

Pregnancy and infant losses can often feel like a grief that so many parents carry silently. In our first ever interview, Sara sits down with Chelsey Hedglin, a chaplain and bereavement coordinator at a local hospital in Nashville. Chelsey serves as the perinatal chaplain and provides support to parents who have experienced a prenatal loss, infant loss, or adverse diagnosis during pregnancy.  In part one of this interview, Chelsey and Sara discuss this unique type of loss while focusing on the parents’ grief. They cover grief comparison, defining the term for a bereaved parent, options fo ..read more

In the second episode of our mini series - “The Anatomy of Early Grief” - we cover common mental side effects “early” grief can cause. From confusion to dissociation, we talk through our own lived experiences and how our mental health was impacted through our loss. Sara also explains the difference between acute stress disorder and post traumatic stress disorder. As a note - this episode is not intended to be medical advice. We encourage you to seek professional medical care if you are experiencing prolonged or severe physical side effects that could be caused by grief ..read more

Grief might be most commonly thought of as an emotional experience but it can also be an intense physical experience. In the first episode of our mini series - “The Anatomy of Early Grief” - we talk about the physical effects that grief can bring. Sara breaks down the different nervous systems that our bodies have and their important functions. Susanna covers common physical side effects that early grief can cause like sleep and digestion issues. We share our candid experiences and how we cared for ourselves during that time. As a note - this episode is not intended to be medical advice. We en ..read more

True crime entertainment is more popular than ever - and more problematic than ever. In this episode we discuss four key reasons why true crime entertainment hurts grieving people. If you have been a consumer of true crime media, know that we have been there too! After much consideration and experiencing the tragedy of traumatic loss, we made a decision to find entertainment elsewhere. We ask that you would listen to our thoughts and consider a different perspective before streaming another episode of a “binge-worthy” show that capitalizes on the tragic death of real people. As a note to our l ..read more

Season two of Grief Talk is here! After taking a quick break, we are back and ready for another season of deep dives into the world of grief and loss. We talk about how we are doing as we approach the anniversary of our brother’s death. We also discuss our plans for the upcoming season. October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. In this episode, we send our love to all those who are grieving the loss of a baby. While this is not a loss either of our hosts have experienced, we would love to share with the grief community how we can support people who have experienced pregnancy or inf ..read more

We wrap up the first season of Grief Talk with some of our favorite memories of our older brother, Leland, who passed away 5 years ago. Memories of live music, trying new foods, and childhood mischief warm our hearts as we remember the years we had with Leland. This lighter-hearted episode reflects how our grief can grow from painful trauma to warm memories. Memories and photos of the years we have together are all we have now and hold sacred the remembrance of our brother ..read more

The support person role is integral to a griever. It is natural to want to care for a grieving loved one or friend.  Where do you start? How do you use your gifts to tend to a grieving person? When do you offer your help? In this episode we talk about some conventional and unconventional ways that we were cared for in our early grief. We also touch on how to check your expectations when supporting a grieving person.  ..read more

Grief is uncomfortable. Our cultural response to seeing a grieving person upset is to say something to cheer them up. Although well-intended, many of the phrases used to try to lift the spirits of a grieving person can be hurtful and confusing. In this episode we discuss some common platitudes heard by grieving people and why they aren’t helpful. Some of the platitudes we discuss include: “Everything happens for a reason.” “They’re in a better place.” “It was God’s plan.” In this episode, we reference a helpful guide by therapist Whitney Goodman, LMFT. You can follow her on Instagram at @sitwi ..read more

Hearing that a friend or family member has lost a loved one can bring up a lot of questions. It is natural to feel curious about the circumstances surrounding someone’s death. While a natural curiosity is harmless, asking intrusive questions can put a grieving person in an uncomfortable situation. In the second part of a two-part series on questions, we give support people alternative questions to ask and responses to hearing about a death that are more sensitive to the grieving person. You are not entitled to a response or answer to any specific question, but there are other helpful ways to i ..read more