#3742

Mentioned in 9 episodes

The Grieving Brain

The Surprising Science of How We Learn from Love and Loss

Book • 2022

Author

Mary-Frances O'Connor

In *The Grieving Brain*, neuroscientist and psychologist Mary-Frances O’Connor, PhD, offers a fascinating new window into one of the hallmark experiences of being human.

The book addresses why it’s hard to understand that a loved one has died, why grief causes various emotions, why grieving takes so long, the distinction between grief and prolonged grief, why we ruminate after loss, and how to restore a meaningful life while grieving.

Based on O’Connor’s trailblazing neuroimaging work, research in the field, and real-life stories, the book combines storytelling, accessible science, and practical knowledge to help navigate loss with more ease and grace.

Mentioned by

Meghan Riordan Jarvis

Mentioned in 9 episodes

Mentioned by

Julie Jancius

in an interview, discussing mental mapping and the impact of grief.

61 snips

Navigating Grief and Spiritual Gifts with Dr. Mary Francis O’Connor

Mentioned by Dr. Emily Musgrove as a source of information on the neurological processes of grief.

22 snips

Dr Emily - Grief Lightening

Mentioned by Renee Garfinkel as O'Connor's earlier book that helped understand how the brain processes loss.

Mary-Frances O’Connor, The Grieving Body: How the Stress of Loss Can be an Opportunity for Healing (Harper One, 2025)

Mentioned by

Krista St. Germain

to explain how the brain relearns predictions after a significant loss.

Grief in the Workplace: Support, Empathy, and Healing

Mentioned by

Laverne McKinnon

when discussing attachment maps and how the brain processes loss.

What If Losing Your Job Is Grief? 💔

Mentioned by

Flora Lichtman

in reference to a previous work by the author.

What Happens To Your Body When You’re Grieving

Mentioned by Dr.

Lee Warren

, referencing O'Connor's work on grief and the anterior cingulate cortex.

Heart Aches and Bone Breaks (S12E51)

Mentioned by

Emily Kwong

at the end of the podcast as the author's upcoming book.

What happens in our brain when we grieve — and how it helps us stay afloat

Mentioned by

Laverne McKinnon

as a book that uses the metaphor of a broken bone to describe grief.

Your Identity Beyond Your Job Title – Laverne McKinnon

Mentioned by

Emily Kwong

at the end of the podcast as her upcoming book about grief and the brain.

What happens in the brain when we grieve

Mentioned by

Dan Harris

as the author of the book and the subject of the podcast episode.

The Science of Loss and Recovery | Mary-Frances O'Connor

Mentioned by

Forrest Hanson

as a wonderful book to prepare for today's conversation about grief.

The Grieving Brain with Dr. Mary-Frances O'Connor

Mentioned by Brandy Lust when explaining the difference between grief and grieving, referencing O'Connor's work on the cognitive and habitual aspects of grieving.