A podcast sharing lived experience stories of grief
The Grief Sofa Podcast is a podcast that invites guests to share their grief, hosted by Lucy Dennis and Alice Williams. They cover all f types of grief and encourage guests to share their stories about their loved ones.
On Episode 9 Season 2, Lucy and Alice are joined by Jodie, who lost her sister George to suicide, whilst she was studying for her MA. Jodie opens up about George and the bond that they shared. She discusses how her loss has impacted her life and all of the emotions that she went through during the beginning of her grief and those she continues to go through today.
Jodie talks about how this type of loss was a massive shock and affected her ability to work and therefore how important it was for her to take time out. She describes how she has learnt how to navigate her grief and how she realised that she was never angry at her sister, just at the situation. Jodie talks openly and candidly about what she has done since to help her through her grief journey. She believes in the importance of suicide prevention and also support after suicide loss. She is a host for the New Normal’s Support Group ‘It’s Complicated,’ and is working with the Ollie Foundation to create a support group specifically for sibling loss.
In addition to this episode, on Episode 8 Season 1, Lucy and Alice have Rebecca as a guest who lost her little brother Jack to suicide when they were living in Australia together. Rebecca discusses being the one who found her brother and the trauma and PTSD she has experienced after her loss. She talks honestly about how she was self destructive for the first 6 months of her bereavement and then talks about her experience with counselling and therapy. Rebecca is now a holistic hypnotherapist and breath work facilitator and she speaks about how holistic healing has helped her with her grief journey. She delves into the spiritual journey that she has been on with her dad for the last two and a half years and how this has completely changed her life. She now works with suicide loss survivors. Rebecca gives tips on meditation, exercise, nutrition and more so this is a great episode for those navigating their grief and looking to learn about new methods to help.
Both episodes provide open and honest accounts of their lived experiences and an insight into suicide bereavement with two different ways of coping and healing.