Written by:
Sandra Calzadilla
LMHC
Written by:
Sandra Calzadilla
LMHC
Grief is inevitable. Whether losing a loved one, family member or grieving a change in circumstances, grief is a part of life. It can still be incredibly difficult to talk about, however, and many change the subject without really dealing with it. If you’re looking for companionship in your grief journey or coping skills for a recent loss, these podcasts on grief are full of advice, stories, and more.
1. Terrible, Thanks For Asking
Nora McInerny lost her husband, her father, and her unborn second child in “one catastrophic year.” Now, she writes about how we handle grief, and our willingness to ignore it to save face.
Her podcast explores what it means to be honest about our mental health at the moment, rather than pretending like everything is ok.
Listen wherever you find your podcasts.
2. Griefcast
We often see a lot of comedians running mental health podcasts, and while it may seem odd, it does make sense after a while – after all, grief and comedy are more connected than you may think. “Griefcast is a podcast that examines the human experience of grief and death – but with comedians, so it’s cheerier than it sounds,” the website states.
This podcast features a new guest every episode to talk about their experience with grief; the honest, the raw, the heartbreaking, the sometimes funny moments.
Listen on Apple Podcasts.
3. Unlocking Us
This Dr. Brene Brown podcast is about mental health and the “conversations that unlock the deeply human part of who we are, so that we can live, love, parent, and lead with more courage and heart.” Topics include loneliness, living with faith, and storytelling.
Their episode with grief expert David Kessler is a good place to start. Listen on Spotify.
4. Grief Out Loud
Losing someone is never easy, but not feeling like you can talk about it is difficult and isolating. This podcast from the Dougy Center wants you to talk about your grief out loud, in public, and they’re here to support you while you do it.
Episodes feature children, teens, and anyone who’s dealt with grief and willing to share their story. In their most recent episode, a young woman shares how much anger she felt at her dad’s suicide, and how she had to deal with those emotions before they damaged her relationships.
Listen on Spotify.
5. Grief Unfiltered
“One thing I’ve learned about grief is no one talks about it and you’re just supposed to figure out how to deal with it, but I’m ready to start the conversation.” Host Jayme Allis was sick of feeling so lonely in her grief journey.
She started this podcast to talk to others and give space for their grief while encouraging listeners to make room for their own.
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, and Spotify.
6. Grief & Guts
Melissa Dlugolecki’s world changed when her daughter was born – and four months later, it changed again. Absolutely devastated, she “sought every means to “fight” grief.” She joined parent groups and traveled around the world to hear experts.
“Disappointed, I discovered like all adversities in life, there is no way to “beat” grief,” she writes. Dlugolecki started her podcast to discuss the real strategies she found to cope with her grief, and give others what they need to navigate the uncomfortable stages of grief. It takes guts, she writes, but it’s worth it.
Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
7. Grief is a Sneaky B!tch
Title aside, this honest and raw podcast is here for the deep conversations we don’t always want to have, but sometimes really, really need to. Lisa Keefauver, MSW, is a clinical social worker who’s seen her fair share of grief – her own and others.
She started this podcast to talk to CEOs, writers, and everyday people to discuss how culture and societal expectations force us to shape our grief.
Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
8. Good Mourning
Sally Douglas and Imogen Carn want to normalize talking about loss and grief in a world that makes death taboo. Their podcast is honest and even a little funny at times, talking about losing someone to suicide to watching someone slowly fade from a degenerative disease.
Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
9. Give Grief a Chance
Mindset and grief recovery coach Diane Morgan’s podcast on grief deals with all kinds of loss; from jobs to pets to divorce. With it, she hopes to bring awareness to grief and allow for others to share their experiences. Topics include trying to run from grief, why it’s so hard to deal with, and how no two journeys are the same.
Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
10. The Grief Sofa Podcast
Podcast hosts Alice Williams and Lucy Dennis share weekly stories from others on their grieving journey, from those who have lost parents, family members, and even an episode on how to deal with a grieving friend.
Every episode is just about giving space to share their story, much like a friend would on another friend’s couch.
Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
11. End of Life University
Hospice physician and author Dr. Karen Wyatt is familiar with loss, grief, and death. Her podcast outlines all that end-of-life care entails; burials, planning, and of course, grief. This compassionate and heart-opening podcast is there for anyone who needs to know that end-of-life isn’t always the end.
Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts
12. Where’s the Grief?
Podcast host and comedian Jordon Ferber dives into the inevitability of death and how we can tackle grief with honesty and compassion. Every episode interviews someone dealing with grief, whether from losing parents at a young age or losing a brother to suicide.
Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
13. The Mindfulness and Grief Podcast
Author and thanatologist Heather Stang hosts this podcast designed for both those who work with grief professionally and those who have recently lost someone. Here, Stang offers compassionate advice and tips for a mindful approach to grief and the complicated emotions that come with it.
Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
14. Dealing With My Grief
This first-hand account follows Darwyn M. Dave, who lost his father in 1978 when he was ten years old. As time went on, he realized he wasn’t over it, and his grief was impacting his life significantly. He started this podcast to share his coping mechanisms and connect with others dealing with similar pain.
Listen on Apple Podcasts.
15. What’s Your Grief
This grief support podcast is here to provide resources, personal stories, and coping skills to those grieving. It comes from the mental health website of the same name and is hosted by mental health professionals Eleanor Haley and Litsa Williams. Topics include how to not avoid your grief and grief expectations.
Listen on Apple Podcasts and Stitcher.
When to See a Therapist for Grief
Whether you lost someone recently or are still dealing with the impact of a loss early in life, there are counselors and therapists who can help you. Healing is not linear, and there are many ways to feel your grief in healthy ways. If you’re ready to talk to someone about your grief, find a therapist today.
Additional Resources
- Mental Health America
- National Alliance on Mental Health
- MentalHealth.gov
- Online Therapist Directory: Sort therapists by specialty, cost, availability and more. Watch intro videos and see articles written by the therapists you’re considering working with. When you’ve found a good match, book an online therapy appointment with them directly.
Are you ready to connect with a therapist but feel a little overwhelmed by all your options? Speak with one of Choosing Therapy’s Client Navigators. Client Navigators are mental health professionals who will listen to what you’re looking for in a therapist and help pair you with the best possible fit. Getting started is free, easy, and confidential.
