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Tricky Questions About Grief: Is There A Right Way To Do It? What To Say To People In Grief? And Can You Grieve For Things? | Sloane Crosley

Dec 6, 2024

Sloane Crosley, a bestselling author known for her witty takes on grief, joins with Dr. Bianca Harris to unpack the complexities of mourning. They delve into cumulative grief, sharing personal anecdotes of loss and the challenges of acceptance. Crosley critiques traditional grief models and emphasizes the therapeutic power of literature. They also discuss the emotional hurdles of experiencing grief during the holidays and the importance of candid conversations about sorrow, challenging societal taboos around expressing deep emotions.

54:30

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Episode guests

Dr. Bianca Harris

Sloane Crosley

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Grief encompasses not only the loss of loved ones but also non-human losses, challenging the perception that it is solely linked to death.

Cumulative grief illustrates the emotional complexity individuals face when enduring multiple losses in succession, complicating the grieving process significantly.

Effective communication about grief can be improved by asking open-ended questions rather than relying on common yet unhelpful phrases of condolence.

Deep dives

The Reality of Grief

Grief is portrayed as an unavoidable aspect of life that can manifest in many different ways. It encompasses not just the loss of loved ones but also the loss of belongings and experiences, challenging the common perception that grief is solely tied to death. The discussion emphasizes the importance of acknowledging grief as a multifaceted emotion that everyone will face at some point, rather than a taboo that individuals should shy away from. Engaging with this reality can provoke a deeper appreciation for life and the relationships we hold dear.

Intro

2min

Exploring Grief Through Literary Insight

2min

Navigating Grief and Family Dynamics During the Holidays

3min

Navigating the Depths of Grief

24min

Navigating Grief: Breaking Taboos

7min

Navigating the Landscape of Grief

19min

Reflections on Grief and the Writing Process

6min

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A famed author and humorist takes a deep dive into grief (with Dr. Bianca Harris as co-host).

Sloane Crosley is the author of The New York Times bestselling books Grief Is for People, How Did You Get This Number, and I Was Told There’d Be Cake. She is also the author of Look Alive Out There, Cult Classic and The Clasp, both of which have been optioned for film. She served as editor of The Best American Travel Writing series and is featured in The Library of America's 50 Funniest American Writers, The Best American Nonrequired Reading, Phillip Lopate’s The Contemporary American Essay and others. She was the inaugural columnist for The New York Times Op-Ed "Townies" series, a contributing editor at Interview Magazine, and a columnist for The Village Voice, Vanity Fair, The Independent, Black Book, Departures and The New York Observer. She is a contributing editor at Vanity Fair. She has taught at Columbia University and The Yale Writers’ Workshop.