Sounds of SAND

#114 On Grief, Belonging & Intimacy: David Whyte & Gayle Karen Young

Jan 9, 2025

Join poet and philosopher David Whyte, whose work beautifully intertwines poetry with profound human experiences, and cultural architect Gayle Karen Young, a leader in fostering thriving relationships. They delve into the complex realms of grief and intimacy, revealing how loss can deepen our connections. The conversation highlights the importance of vulnerability and collective rituals, alongside insightful reflections on balancing urgency with depth in our fast-paced lives. Together, they inspire listeners to embrace the beauty of existence and the power of presence.

56:11

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Episode guests

Gayle Karen Young

david whyte

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Quick takeaways

The podcast emphasizes that engaging with grief through poetry can foster resilience and emotional connection amidst loss.

It highlights the role of vulnerability in deepening intimacy within relationships and encouraging authentic emotional conversations in communities.

Deep dives

The Power of Poetry and Grief

Poetry serves as a profound tool for reflecting on grief and the shared human experience of loss. It allows individuals to connect with the past and present emotionally, offering comfort during difficult times. The discussion highlights how poetry has been utilized throughout history as a medium to process sorrow, emphasizing that the oldest recorded poem deals with lamentation and grief. By turning towards rather than away from grief, people can find resilience and understanding within their emotional landscape.

Intro

3min

Embracing Grief and Intimacy

29min

The Nature of Care and Connection

11min

Balancing Urgency and Depth: The Poetic Duality of Sound

5min

The Radiance of Existence: Embracing Joy and Connection

3min

The Beauty of Connection and Silent Presence

6min

Recorded live at a SAND Community Gathering (December 2024) hosted by Zaya and Maurizio Benazzo.

In this intimate conversation with poet and philosopher David Whyte and his wife, cultural architect Gayle Karen Young, explore the tender territories of grief, belonging and rest.

Drawing from David’s new book Consolations II, this unique dialogue offers a glimpse into how two lives intertwine in both understanding and living these essential human experiences and how loss and heartbreak can become doorways to deeper belonging.

The conversation weaves together poetry, contemplative wisdom, and the authentic experience of two people who have walked the path of partnership through its many thresholds. It offers both practical insight and spiritual nourishment for anyone seeking to understand how we grow through love’s many faces—from its first tender beginnings to its most profound depths of kinship.

David Whyte, raised between his Irish mother’s imaginative influence and his father’s Yorkshire landscapes, now calls the Pacific Northwest home. He is the author of twelve books of poetry and five books of prose, holding a degree in Marine Zoology and bringing rich experience from his years as a naturalist guide in the Galapagos Islands and leader of expeditions in the Andes, Amazon, and Himalaya.

Gayle Karen Young is a cultural architect and catalyst for human and organizational development who believes the world needs leaders who are “able for” what lies ahead. With over two decades in leadership development, she focuses on both the visible, practical aspects of leadership and the invisible work of creating spaces where others can thrive.

Topics:

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:37 Meet the Guests: Gayle Karen Young and David Whyte

02:41 The Power of Poetry and Reflection

03:37 Exploring Grief and Intimacy

09:02 Collective Grief and Global Suffering

27:20 The Role of Vulnerability in Leadership

30:14 Exploring Grief and Progressive Patriotism

30:52 The Everyday Invitation to Vulnerability

31:42 Understanding the Path of Care

35:34 The Seasonality of Care and Grief

39:19 The Overwhelming Nature of Modern Connectivity