We all grieve differently—there is no one-size-fits-all journey for coping with grief.
Grief is a unique concept. It’s something we all think we’re familiar with until we face it ourselves. Sure, we all have heard of the five “stages” of grief—denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance—however, what people experience after a loss cannot always be defined that simply.
While it’s possible for loss to consume our lives and make normal daily tasks seem impossible, there are different ways we can process our emotions while coping with grief.
For some people, it’s nice to talk things out or hear from someone who shares similar experiences. If this sounds like you, and you want to hear from people who know what you’re going through, check out these nine grief and bereavement podcasts that may help get you manage your grief.
1. Griefcast
In dark and difficult times, laughter may be able to help you heal. While grief is not a humorous experience whatsoever, sometimes comedy is a great way to cope with and manage your emotions. Host Cariad Lloyd uses Griefcast as a platform to invite funny people on to talk about their experiences with death and grief.
2. “Terrible, Thanks For Asking”
“How are you?” is often the last question those grieving want to be asked when they’re feeling, well, pretty terrible. “Terrible, Thanks For Asking” asks real people to share their feelings about how they’re truly doing. Host Nora Mclnerny uses this platform to touch upon themes from loss and illness to grief.
3. Where’s the Grief?
If you’re someone who uses humor to cope with grief, this podcast is for you. Where’s the Grief is hosted by comedian Jordon Ferber, who lost his 21-year-old brother. This podcast helps shine some light into the darkest parts of our own existence and encourages a more open discussion about the effects of grief. In each episode, Ferber has open and honest conversations with other comedians and performers who have unique perspectives on grief.
4. Grief Out Loud
Grief is already tough enough without having to deal with it alone. Hosted by Jana DeCristofaro and produced by Dougy Center, Grief Out Loud opens up the often-avoided conversation of grief by bringing a mix of personal stories, tips and interviews with professionals.
5. Grief Dreams
Created by dream expert Dr. Joshua Black, the Grief Dreams podcast seeks to open up conversations about life, loss and the dreams that arise through grief. If you’re looking for a light-hearted, entertaining and sympathetic podcast, this one is for you. Dr. Black’s wide range of guests join the discussion to reveal their dreams they’ve had of passed loved ones.
6. Grief Works
Death affects us all, and with death and loss comes grief. However, grief is profoundly misunderstood—that’s where the Grief Works podcast fills in the gaps. Hosted by Julia Samuel—a grief psychotherapist with over twenty-five years of experience working with the bereaved—this podcast shares stories from those who have experienced great love and loss…and survived.
7. Coming Back: Conversations on Life After Loss
Loss affects everything. Whether your loss is a person, a relationship, a job, a pet or a dream, loss shapes who you are and how you choose to live in the world. Host Shelby Forsythia explores the ideas, resources and stories that help us "come back" to life after death, divorce, illness and more in her podcast, Coming Back: Conversations on Life After Loss.
8. What’s Your Grief
No matter if you are the one grieving or are close to someone who is coping with grief, this podcast may be a good listen for you. Hosted by mental health professionals Eleanor Haley and Litsa Williams, the What’s Your Grief podcast covers topics ranging from grief theory and expectations, to using grief strategies. This series leaves no stone unturned when explaining the complicated and sometimes unexpected experience of living life after loss.
9. The Grief Gang
The Grief Gang podcast normalizes the topic of grief. Host Amber Jeffrey lost her mother at the age of 19, and she has chosen to use this platform to speak of her experience and everything she has learned from losing her mother. Listen to this podcast to know that you are never alone in your feelings and that you can live a happy life and grieve at the same time.
More Resources for Coping with Grief
While listening to grief-related podcasts may work for some, others may prefer different ways to cope with grief. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter, The Turning Stone, for more grief resources like this, plus information to help you through the memorialization process.
