All There Is with Anderson Cooper Patti Smith: The ‘Sacred Wounds’ of Grief
14 snips
Jan 9, 2026 
Patti Smith, the iconic singer, poet, and author, opens up about her profound experiences with grief, reflecting on the losses of her husband Fred and brother Todd. She shares that although grief's 'sacred wounds' never fully heal, we learn to navigate through them. Patti emphasizes the coexistence of joy and sorrow, recounts comforting moments with her deceased loved ones, and highlights the importance of creativity in processing emotions. With poignant stories and insights, she reminds us of the ongoing relationships we can cultivate with those we've lost.
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Loss Is A Sacred Wound
- Time does not heal major losses; you learn to navigate them instead.
- Patti Smith calls these enduring pains "sacred wounds" that you live with, not fix.
Shock Of Sudden Loss
- Fred died suddenly at 44 while wrapping a Christmas present and Patti still feels that shock.
- She describes coping while also caring for children and enduring multiple losses in quick succession.
Listening To The Dead
- The dead may still speak but we often forget how to listen, a Pasolini quote Patti repeats.
- She says opening yourself and clearing mental clutter allows messages or presence to come through.
