IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson Hold Space for Grief with Anderson Cooper
Dec 10, 2025
Anderson Cooper, a prominent broadcast journalist and host of the grief-focused podcast All There Is, joins Michelle and Craig for an insightful discussion. He shares his experiences of navigating grief after his mother's death, including how documenting their conversations led to a book and documentary. They explore the individuality of grief and the importance of rituals and community support. Anderson also offers practical advice for talking to someone in mourning and highlights the value of passing family stories to children, emphasizing the significance of living a life that honors loved ones.
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Podcast Born From Personal Grief
- Anderson Cooper started a grief podcast after his mother died and he found the process lonely and overwhelming.
- He began recording his reflections on his phone and then interviewing others to understand how people grieve.
A Year Of Conversations With His Mother
- Anderson made an HBO documentary with his mother to have intentional conversations before she died.
- The project became a book and ensured he and his mother left nothing unsaid.
Finding Dad's Essay Changed Everything
- Anderson found an essay his father wrote titled "The Importance of Grieving" while sorting boxes years later.
- That discovery made him realize he'd never truly grieved and motivated him to face childhood losses.
