Grief is a Sneaky Bitch

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Mental Health #176

About Show


Grief is a Sneaky Bitch creator and host Lisa Keefauver is on a mission to reimagine grief, one conversation at a time.


Yes this is a podcast all about grief. She and her guests explore the expansiveness and pervasiveness of grief in our lives, because let’s face it, 100% of us experience grief, multiple times in our lives. Lisa witnessed it time and time again in her career as a social worker and in her personal life too with the most significant loss being her husband in 2011. More recently, she experienced ambiguous grief as she navigated breast cancer in 2024. And yet, individually, and collectively, we’re so grief-illiterate and that is causing us all harm. So, she's on a mission to reimagine grief, one conversation at a time. So glad you’re joining us.


She brings her deep curiosity, love of conversation, and knowledge of how language and culture shapes our experiences of ourselves and our world (including our grief) to each unscripted conversation. From thought leaders, CEO's and social workers to authors, educators, researchers, filmmakers and stay-at-home moms, her guests open up about the complexity, confusion, and even confidence they have gained by navigating a grief journey of their own.


About Host


 

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More
Recent Episodes
  • Alica Forneret | Mother Loss & Motherhood
    Nov 19, 2024 – 1:12:20
  • Dr. Red Hoffman | Violent and Complicated Loss
    Nov 12, 2024 – 1:29:14
  • Dr. Joanne Cacciatore | Bearing the Unbearable
    Oct 29, 2024 – 1:10:10
  • Tembi Locke | From Scratch
    Oct 22, 2024 – 57:02
  • Jessica Fein | Breath Taking
    May 24, 2024 – 1:14:11
  • Human, Not Superhero (Episode Revisit) | Hui-Wen Sato
    May 7, 2024 – 1:22:17
  • J.S. Park | As Long As You Need
    Apr 30, 2024 – 1:15:10
  • Julie McFadden | Nothing to Fear
    Apr 23, 2024 – 1:13:52
  • Ronit Plank | When She Comes Back
    Apr 9, 2024 – 1:19:32
  • Alua Arthur | Briefly Perfectly Human
    Apr 2, 2024 – 1:05:58
  • Nikki Mark | Tommy's Field
    Mar 27, 2024 – 1:12:12
  • Peter Levine | Somatic Experiencing
    Mar 19, 2024 – 1:13:57
  • Claire Bidwell Smith | Invitation to Conscious Grieving
    Mar 5, 2024 – 1:13:14
  • Devin Moss | You Are Loved. You Are Not Alone
    Feb 27, 2024 – 1:35:05
  • Darnell Lamont Walker | Toward Healing & Happiness
    Feb 20, 2024 – 1:05:48
  • Asa Merritt | Six Sermons
    Feb 14, 2024 – 1:09:53
  • Honoring Your Not All Better Yet Days | Bonus Interactive Episode
    Feb 7, 2024 – 39:25
  • J.J. Duncan | Stories Create Openings
    Jan 30, 2024 – 1:24:17
  • Gina Moffa | Moving On Doesn't Mean Letting Go
    Jan 23, 2024 – 1:12:14
  • Steph Sarazin | Soulbroken
    Jan 16, 2024 – 1:18:13
  • Meghan Riordan Jarvis | End of the Hour
    Jan 9, 2024 – 1:20:49
  • Sally Douglas & Imogen Carn | Good Mourning
    Jan 2, 2024 – 1:06:19
  • Wendy MacNaughton | How to Say Goodbye
    Dec 19, 2023 – 1:16:41
  • Brennan Wood | Children and Grief
    Dec 12, 2023 – 1:14:33
  • Emily Nagoski | Grief, Stress and Burnout
    Dec 5, 2023 – 1:31:11
  • Lisa Keefauver | My Season With Cancer
    Oct 10, 2023 – 37:46
  • Katie Joy Duke | Still Breathing
    Sep 12, 2023 – 1:11:42
  • Bethany Harvey | Dipped In It
    Aug 16, 2023 – 1:11:36
  • Aly Bird | How to Be a Grief Ally
    Jul 26, 2023 – 1:12:04
  • Steph Jagger | Everything Left to Remember
    Jul 11, 2023 – 1:08:44
  • Laurel Braitman | What Looks Like Bravery
    Jun 21, 2023 – 1:17:28
  • Daniel Wallace | This Isn't Going to End Well
    Jun 6, 2023 – 1:15:34
  • Barbara Becker | Living with the End in Mind
    May 23, 2023 – 1:07:32
  • Colin Campbell | Finding the Words
    May 9, 2023 – 1:11:59
  • Rabbi Steve Leder | For You When I'm Gone
    May 2, 2023 – 1:09:50
  • Michelle Hord | The Other Side of Yet
    Apr 25, 2023 – 1:09:44
  • Cyndie Spiegel | Microjoys
    Apr 18, 2023 – 1:06:03
  • Fatema Jivanjee-Shakir, LMSW | Body Grief
    Apr 4, 2023 – 1:09:16
  • Sunita Puri, MD | That Good Night
    Mar 21, 2023 – 1:02:42
  • Mary-Frances O'Connor | This is Your Brain on Grief
    Mar 10, 2023 – 1:06:12
  • Krissy Teegerstrom | I Was Already Everything
    Dec 6, 2022 – 58:41
  • Bonus Holiday Episode | 10 Tips for Navigating The Holidays in Grief
    Nov 22, 2022 – 20:06
  • Hui-Wen Sato | Human, Not Superhero
    Nov 15, 2022 – 1:17:01
  • Myra Sack | Being With The Both And
    Nov 2, 2022 – 1:01:11
  • Rachel Yehuda, PhD | Grief, Stress, and Rituals
    Oct 18, 2022 – 1:05:37
  • Annie Brewster, MD | Healing Power of Storytelling
    Jul 14, 2022 – 56:27
  • Naomi Edmondson | Safer Grief Spaces
    Jun 30, 2022 – 56:34
  • Cecilie Surasky|Discovering Aliveness
    Apr 28, 2022 – 1:11:20
  • Rachel Rusch | Improv Lessons
    Apr 14, 2022 – 1:02:57
  • J'aime Morrison | Upwell of Grief
    Apr 4, 2022 – 1:01:21
Recent Reviews
  • Christa Hillhouse
    Thanks for holding my hand while I miss my Mom
    My Mom died this year and listening to your podcast has helped me deal with the many overwhelming feelings - and I also appreciate the encouragement to be kinder to myself in the process. I think of Mom every day and sometimes I want someone to be with me on the journey, and that’s when I listen and learn from you and your many generous guests. Thank you for all that you do for others. It truly helps.
  • Jetman38
    What a Gift
    Dear Lisa, Your show is truly a gift that has saved me. My dad passed away way too soon at age 77 in February of 2023. He went in the hospital with double pneumonia and died 2 weeks later. My sisters and mom held him as he took his last breath. The trauma, tragedy and grief of that drowned me , but your show threw me a life preserver. Your messages and guidance has helped me to feel seen and heard in this grief illiterate country we live in. Thank you for your compassionate , deeply caring approach to grief and for the amazing guests you have on your show. A dedicated listener , Jessica Etman ( NY)
  • Mercurysqueen
    What a treasure!
    I stumbled upon your podcast when looking for new work by Devin Moss. I recently finished his Memento Mori podcasts and was looking for more interviews and similar work. And then I found you. Wow. Just wow. Your work resonates completely with my journey in end of life work, a trek that I’ve been on for decades. I am now listening to you back-to-back to catch up! I can’t wait for your new book - I just ordered it from Amazon. 🙂 Thank you for being a gentle spirit and sharing your experiences and those of your guests with us. I especially appreciate you sharing your own health journey. I wish you peace and blessings and I thank you for the gift of your work.
  • CBKWKK
    Grief IS a normal reaction to loss, dammit
    I research and write for a living, but I never had to dig so deep into the unknown until the death of my beloved wife. I had never experienced such a devastating loss and could not wrap my head around it. Because there are societal pressures to "get better," I didn't want to sit with the frightening thought that I'd gone crazy just because I wasn’t fitting into the "norm" of “recovery.” Lisa is absolutely right: Americans are grief illiterate. The only way to break any stigma is to discuss the undiscussable. Look, if we can become so comfortable hearing about topics such as erectile dysfunction that there are radio ads played during afternoon drive time, surely we can talk about grief. It impacts every single human. More than 3 million Americans die every year. Statistically, researchers say for every death, five people are affected by the loss. I do fuzzy math, but doesn't that mean some 15 million people are wandering around the U.S. every year who are grieving their person? Why aren't we talking about this? While I'm sorry for the reason Lisa had to start this podcast and sorry for the reason I had to find it, I'm glad that I did. I'm grateful for the wealth of knowledge and hope these conversations will become so commonplace that we can start addressing ways to help each other heal because we're NOT crazy; we're grieving.
  • K OConnor
    I love sneaking around with you
    I've been listening, most recently with the programs featuring Joon and Ronit. I am wrapped up in your concept, your threads portraying the ways in which grief thrusts itself into our lives that are not a consequence of death. You are an exquisite host.
  • JayneeBentley
    J. S. Park
    I’ve listened to your episode with Joon a couple of times and learn something different every time. Thank you for holding space for my to process my grief at the loss of my husband nine months ago.
  • MsGPRTx
    Great podcast
    I have so enjoyed Lisa’s podcast. I am so glad we’re getting them more frequently now. I loved the discussions she has with authors that have also been through some kind of grief. She has opened my eyes into a subject that’s not often talked about or simple to handle. I have recommended this podcast to many people. THANK YOU for what you do, and keep them coming!!
  • Ali Moncrieff
    Support in a wickedly challenging moment
    I began by cherrypicking from these amazing podcast episodes—ones that seemed to fit with what I needed as I navigated traveling to see my gravely ill brother on the heels of losing our Dad and our family home. Then I just ended up listening to whichever one came next because they’re all so good. There are so many profound pearls of reality and wisdom in these conversations, and I am so grateful to have found Lisa’s podcast. As I travel this path, I honestly have a ton of fear. And I am in awe of the energy that has allowed me to be just where I am with my brother. Lisa‘s particular grace and communication around grief have really helped support me in this wickedly challenging moment. Thank you, thank you so much. 🙏🏼
  • Chelsea London Lloyd
    What a great podcast!
    So glad to have found Lisa’s content. My mom has been battling breast cancer so listening to this show has helped me learn more about the pov of someone with cancer who has also experienced loss, thanks Lisa for what you’re doing!
  • SDiane123
    Love
    Thank you for sharing… may you continue to heal . Your work is very meaningful and insightful. Be well and with love
  • Iluvbug1
    Beautiful
    I have so far lost my little sister to a drug in 2011, my dad to suicide in 2017, and my mom to dementia last month… I am no stranger to grief. This podcast helps me feel less alone. It’s just full of gorgeous conversations with amazing people…I’m in awe of these stories and with the host, Lisa, as well, who walks the guests in a beautiful way through their stories… thank you Lisa!!
  • LoriMason
    Deepens and Broadens My Understanding of Grief
    I’m a textile artist who specializes in designing memorial quilts from the clothing of those who have passed on. I spend my days working closely with my clients who are in grief and then am steeped in their grief and memories as I (literally) piece together the story of the loved one who has passed on. Your podcast is a constant resource to me. It has both deepened and broadened my understanding of grief and my ability to work in a healing, beneficial way with my clients. We are all the better for it and I’m very grateful.
  • Knovy
    Connection
    I've been listening now for 4 years. I first found this podcast after my brother died and no one I knew personally had experienced this type of loss. I was seeking out other grievers but am not the group meeting type. Since beginning to listen my mother has also died. And my sister had a seizure only to discover she has glioblastoma. She has had 3 surgeries, the last revealing that the most problematic areas of tumor cannot safely be removed. This podcast has been getting through all this traumatic and anticipated grief.
  • Superman2936
    Helped me so much when I needed it, and still does!
    I lost my wife in November of 2022, after a very, very short battle with cancer, 23 days, and I was so devastated and lost and broken, that I needed support and guidance wherever I could find it. This podcast has been one of those resources and I love listening whenever I can. I can’t wait to read the boo!!!!!
  • Rocevents
    The Power of Verbalizing Grief
    Your podcast provides valuable insights and reminders that we are all humans navigating through the highs and lows of life, especially during the journey of grief. It's comforting to know that we are not alone and that sharing our stories can create a sense of connection and understanding. Thank you for creating such a heartfelt and thought-provoking podcast.
  • Peacefulandreal
    Barbara Becker
    so many beautiful experiences shared born from grief. Barbara shared a beautiful grief moment about Console, a woman who survived the Rwandan Genocide- the moment she was embraced when she couldn’t speak .. and the sages said “if we want to live fully, the best way is to walk into the face of death and mortality and not run away from it” I loved the practice in zen buddhism called “KOAN” and the question she was given about her journey through family Alzheimer’s. The KOAN was powerful. once again so great to be with you Lisa, and listen to your questions that open the conversations in such a beautiful way. I find myself always anticipating the next podcast. Always wishing you a healthy journey 💕💕
  • DD-man
    Your podcast is so needed
    It feels off to say I enjoy this podcast. Instead I appreciate it, learn from it and benefit from it. I’m so glad you emphasize our cultural grief illiteracy and work to improve on it. Today I was particularly struck by how we struggle to redefine ourselves after a loss.
  • schmidty24
    Healing
    I found this podcast soon after losing my son of 22 years. The variety of viewpoints on grief and trauma have been incredibly important in my journey toward healing. Thank you Lisa
  • Mlrolly
    A calm safe space
    Beautiful authenticity. Love her voice and her guests. It’s eased my grief this year.
  • F_H__
    Brutiful
    This podcast has really helped me in the healing journey since my father recently passed away too young after a 17 year battle with cancer. Thank you❤️
  • JennJenn81
    Just what I needed
    I binged this entire podcast from beginning until today. I often feel closest to my forever 8, my Madison in the presence of others in grief. She died in 2020 from the flu and I miss her so much. I am so thankful to have found this podcast. Thank you so much Lisa for holding space and breaking down the wall of taboo around grief. -Jenn
  • Bitterroot Lake
    Open and honest
    Lisa is very open and honest about the grieving process! There is so much we, as the western culture, get wrong in our grief. I have learned a great deal about myself simply listening to others explain theirs in great detail on her podcast. I love how well researched and experienced her guests truly are!!
  • M. R. Saferstein
    Helpful and meaningful
    A close friend of mine died ten days ago. Listening to Dr. Rachel Yehuda’s discussion with you gave me important information in dealing with this loss and others. I too worked with Holocaust survivors and learned many of life’s most meaningful lessons from them. Thank you for a podcast which helps us navigate the world of grief! Merle R. Saferstein
  • bloomfountain
    Thank You!
    How I wish I had found this podcast 6 years ago, but better late than never. I am still on my journey with grief and will be for the rest of my life. This podcast is all about conversations and normalizing grief of all kinds. An absolute must listen to for people dealing with grief of all kinds.
  • Rue1960
    Love
    I love this podcast! It’s helped me so much since the loss of my parents! Keep them coming! You are doing amazing things!
  • Andrew geek
    Paradigm shifting podcast
    Great podcast that de-pathologizes grief and focuses on suffering as a shared human experience. Highly recommended!
  • MaryJaneLoveLace
    Cottage industry of greif
    Making a cottage industry out of greif, as the true narcissist she is, she has no real empathy for other’s greif - she just wants attention, praise, and your money.
  • Sorry_Charlie
    Thank you
    Finding this podcast during the toughest grief journey of my life has been a gift, truly. I suggest this podcast to all my friends and family, wherever you are in your journey, whether grieving or not, there is something deep and emotionally nourishing here to connect with and learn from, and it’s just delivered so beautifully. Thank you so much for bringing your wonderful work to this platform, and touching my life with your palpable empathy and honesty. I am losing my dad to GBM, and this grief is no joke. I feel sometimes it will physically turn me inside out, and untangling my own grief from my mom’s and my brother’s while also trying to support them and care for my dad on this path we are on has been immensely difficult. Your podcast has helped me find deep and connective empathy in a way I didn’t know was possible from a platform such as this. -Rachel, ATX
  • coffeepup
    Helping me through a tough time
    Thanks Lisa for your podcast. Experienced a devastating loss recently and I’m so grateful I found your podcast. Along with counseling and good friends who know how to hold space, your podcast is getting me through an extremely rough time in my life.
  • Aprilreese38
    Dr. Cleary on grief
    Thank you for inviting Lizzie on the show. Her personal story and perspective on grief are not only touching, but also helped me realize there are a lot of tools and support available for those dealing with loss. Thank you to Lisa and Lizzie for such an inspiring discussion.
  • Viviswardrobe
    Amazing podcast
    I’m so thankful for this podcast. I thank the host and the guest that share their stories and create a space to talk about grief, because like we say, grief is something that 100% of us will experience. Thank you.
  • KirstenT MD
    Dr Lizzie Cleary
    Thanks for the conversation with Dr Lizzie Cleary. I found her insights, both from professional and personal experience, wise and revelatory. Please have her again to continue the conversation.
  • Mleselun
    Dr. Lizzie Cleary
    Thank you so much for including Lizzie’s compassionate experience, presence, and tender wisdom. She’s a gift!
  • Dehmeila
    Dr Cleary
    How I wish my husband Ed who died January 6, 2021 and I had the opportunity to have the type of counseling band support that is offered by Dr.Cleary and her team . This podcast helped me understand my complicated feelings and regrets. StageIV Prostate Cancer literally ended my relationship as a wife and lover and thrust me into the role of caretaker and health advocate. As an Oncology nurse at a large teaching hospital, this transition was still painful and difficult despite all my years of nursing experience which included Hospice . Thank you !
  • nbencuya
    Insightful interview with Dr. Lizzie Cleary
    I so appreciated this wonderful conversation with Lizzie. It was especially powerful to hear both her professional and personal experiences of grief. Thank you!!
  • SS24681
    Thank you!
    Thank you for including Lizzie Cleary in your conversation! Such a meaningful conversation and I so appreciated her wisdom and warmth.
  • kdpauli
    Loved Dr. Cleary
    Her professional expertise combined with personal experience is really powerful!
  • AdrianaD24
    Thanks for the conversation with Dr. Lizzie Cleary
    I really enjoyed this episode!
  • greg-621
    Thoughtful and caring
    The interview with Lizzie Cleary was impactful and informative. I appreciate the host Lisa offering this platform for open conversations about death, dying, and grief and including experts like Dr. Cleary.
  • skinnycowrocks
    Loved Dr. Cleary episode
    Thank you for including Lizzie Cleary's conversation
  • Diana Greenwold
    Dr. Lizzie Cleary
    Thanks so much for hosting important conversations and having fabulous guests like Dr. Lizzie Cleary!
  • Dr_Anne_gma
    Loved todays Podcast!
    Dr Lizzie Cleary was a great guest! So informative and her discussion on how to manage regret was so helpful? Thank you for having her as a guest and for your work!
  • Shawnshawn61
    Thank You
    Your conversation with Lizzie Cleary and her mom’s suicide. Her logic was so spot on. There are things beyond our control.
  • ElizabethTee
    Smart, insightful, truly changing the conversation about grief
    I sometimes get intimidated by a full hour podcast, but I have been riveted by every conversation in this series. Lisa is a gifted interviewer and there is so much shared compassion and wisdom in each episode. Educational, comforting, and so helpful.
  • Katie in Washington
    Transformative
    Listening to these conversations has enabled me to articulate my own grief more precisely, has helped me show up (and keep showing up) for close people in my life who are navigating significant losses, and has helped me talk openly about grief and loss at home with my young kids as well as at work with my colleagues. Highly recommend this podcast for anyone ready to skill up to support others who are grieving or to support you through you’re own grief. If we were all better versed in the unavoidable reality of grief, I have to think the world would be a gentler place.
  • Bob😎😎
    Compassionate caring
    I lost my brother to suicide 15 years ago. Now and again I still get stuck. Thank you for intimately sharing your grief journey, revealing that there is no normal path. That the connectedness of others’ compassionate caring helps many years down the road too. Peace and thank you for the dialog.
  • 92mhn
    White supremacy viewpoint?
    I have enjoyed Lisa’s podcast for a few years until today when in the latest episode she refers to the western idea of grief with one of that of white supremacy. Very distasteful and honestly offensive.
  • livp417327
    This podcast is saving me
    I lost my mom to pancreatic cancer two years ago and my dad to a stroke just over a month ago. I knew I had to address my grief somehow, and I decided a podcast would be perfect for the commute to work and school. I’ve been listening to this podcast since a week after my dad passed and it has helped me SOOOO much. I have learned to forgive myself and understand that guilt is a common emotion in grief. I’ve learned that it’s better to feel your emotions and really sit with them instead of shoving them down and ignoring them. My own experiences have been normalized and validated through the stories of others. I laughed, I cried, I was inspired, and I made change to my own daily life in order to incorporate grief into in the healthiest way possible. I only wish I found this podcast when my mom died because I think it would have greatly impacted my grieving process in a positive way. I’m working toward my MSW and I can only hope to be half as good of a clinical social worker as Lisa is. I’ve shared this podcast with my whole family in the hopes they listen and heal as I have.
  • Hope's Daughter
    I love this podcast
    My beloved mother died 6 months ago of cancer and this podcast validates and normalizes all of my feelings . It helps me realize that I am not alone . As a fellow social worker I appreciate this podcast and am happy to support a fellow social worker and mom. Lisa your voice is so soothing, thank you so much for this podcast! I know there are a lot of grief podcasts out there, give this one a try, you won’t regret it!
  • Losing for Good
    Naming the Loss
    Seven months into grieving my husband of 43 years and I’ve been binge listening GSB . There is so much wisdom in these podcasts. Lisa facilitates the telling of narrative so skillfully. This particular episode had me scribbling down so many things I want to explore - like naming the losses, anticipating the next loss that will inevitably happen, the people that show up when you need them, and recognizing joy when it comes. Thanks, Lisa!
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