David Kessler, a renowned grief counselor and collaborator of Elizabeth Kübler-Ross, dives deep into how grief shapes our feelings during the pandemic. He explains the five stages of grief and introduces a vital sixth stage focused on meaning-making. Kessler emphasizes that grief extends beyond death, exploring anticipatory grief and the emotional complexities of losing normalcy. He shares insights on finding connection and silver linings in these challenging times, encouraging listeners to navigate their experiences with resilience and hope.
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Kessler's Entry into Grief Counseling
David Kessler's career was shaped by early exposure to grief.
At 13, he experienced his mother's ICU death and a mass shooting.
insights INSIGHT
Five Stages of Grief
The five stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance) are not a linear map.
Grief is a unique and individual experience.
insights INSIGHT
Grief in the Pandemic
Grief applies to any loss, not just death.
The pandemic evokes grief due to lost normalcy.
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In this groundbreaking book, David Kessler journeys beyond the classic five stages of grief to discover a sixth stage: meaning. Drawing from his professional expertise and intensely personal experiences, including the sudden death of his twenty-one-year-old son, Kessler provides insights, collective wisdom, and powerful tools to help those experiencing loss. He argues that finding meaning beyond the traditional stages of grief can transform grief into a more peaceful and hopeful experience. The book emphasizes the importance of witnessing grief and finding ways to honor loved ones, ensuring their legacy continues through the living[1][2][4].
On death and dying
Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
In this seminal work, Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross delves into the emotional and psychological experiences of terminally ill patients through extensive interviews and conversations. The book introduces the now-famous five stages of grief: denial and isolation, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. It challenges the medical culture of the time by emphasizing the importance of listening to and supporting the unique experiences and needs of dying patients. The book has had a profound impact on clinical practice, contributing to the development of hospice and palliative care, and has transformed how society approaches conversations about death and dying[2][4][5].
On Grief and Grieving
Finding the Meaning of Grief Through the Five Stages of Loss
Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
David Kessler
This book, written by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross and David Kessler, explores the process of grief through the lens of the five stages of loss. It delves into the inner and outer worlds of grief, covering topics such as sadness, hauntings, dreams, isolation, and healing. The authors provide practical advice and share personal stories, emphasizing that grief is highly individual and there is no fixed timeline for the grieving process. The book addresses specific circumstances like suicide, multiple losses, and sudden death, making it a valuable resource for those experiencing loss and those supporting them.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of people have been feeling out of sorts: angry, sad, frustrated, and just plain bummed out. Part of the reason for these feelings is obvious, and part has been hard to articulate and understand.
That's probably why a recent interview the Harvard Business Review did with David Kessler went viral when it named the issue point blank. Kessler said what we're all experiencing is grief. He's an expert on the subject who worked with Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, creator of the famous five stages of grief, and also added his own sixth stage to the roadmap to loss. That interview resonated so much with me and others, that I thought it would be useful to bring Kessler on the show to talk through his perspective in a short, special episode of the AoM podcast. Kessler walks us through how the five stages of grief explain how we're often feeling these days during the pandemic, and how we can also work through the sixth stage of grief, in order to find meaning in a dark time.
The Art of Manliness 
