Bereavement Room

We continue to talk to our guests from across the African American diaspora, today's episode is a Father's Day special with Darwyn Dave from Dealing with my grief podcast. Darwyn was 10 years old when his father was murdered. We discuss what unraveled on that day and what followed over the years since that day. 

We look at gun laws, apology letters and what it was like for Darwyn's parents living during the time of Jim Crow Law that enforced racial segregation. 

This episode is dedicated to Mansfield Dave and all of our Grandfathers and Fathers. 

You can reach Darwyn at http://www.dealingwithmygrief.com/ 

Thank you for listening.

Your host

Callsuma Ali

PLEASE NOTE TODAY'S EPISODE HAS EXPLICIT REFERENCES TO SUICIDE.

Today's episode is in memory of Geneva Guerrieri.  

Sue Guerrieri a Mindset & Grief Coach joins Callsuma to talk about who Geneva was before she died of suicide in 2018, age just 22. We also discuss emotions and are black and brown ethnic groups doing the emotional work to heal from generational trauma?

Is medication doing more harm than good instead of actually talking about how we truly feel? Is the student population under an immense amount of burden and pressure and are institutions doing enough to support our student population? Food for thought.

Geneva was incredibly bright, active at University as a student trustee and a member of the Democracy and Equality department, she left Bournemouth University with a 1st class honours degree. Geneva then went on to be CIM qualified before she went onto study her Masters at Imperial College, London. 

I leave you all with a final quote from the episode:

"i'm fine" The chameleon of all emotions - Sue Guerrieri. 

The songs for today's episode on our Spotify Playlist Bereavement Room Podcast include Sade, King of Sorrow and Lady Gaga, Million Reasons. 

If you are having thoughts of suicide or are concerned for a young person you can call Papyrus Hopelink for confidential support and practical advice on 0800 068 4141

As always, thank you for listening.

Your Host.

Callsuma Ali

We are pleased to say that @BereavementRoom has a worldwide listen with the USA being our second biggest listening base. This week Callsuma is joined by our first African American guest Keri Pugh from Baltimore, Maryland. Keri is talking to us about her Father-in-law who died of Colon Cancer and Leukemia. Keri was her Father-in laws caretaker, we discuss what it means to be an advocate and the endurance that comes with it.

Thank you for listening.

You can reach Keri on IG @LifeInAClutch

Your host

Callsuma Ali

@BereavementRoom

This week Callsuma is joined by 3rd year Birmingham University student Kajol Desai. Kajol is taking us through her journey as a young carer for her mum from the age of 10. Kajol's story is also one of dual reality and how this impacted her over the years and the beauty in finding her way back to her identity. 

Thank you for listening.

Your host

Callsuma Ali

@bereavementroom

A break in the usual format, to talk to our friend Adrian Rowe.  Adrian isn't actually in the club, but he is surrounded by friends that are and is a great source of support.

He joins us to discuss his perspective on what it means to have a father figure in your life, (something that has definitely shaped both of our lives and who we are today) what it's like to be a dad and the challenges that come with it. This includes how we feel about racism and how to move forward with grief.  Mental health being the centre of today's open dialogue.  "Less hate, more love". - Adrian Rowe

Thank you for listening. 

This episode is dedicated to our Grandfathers and Fathers. 

I am your host

Callsuma Ali @BereavementRoom

Sikh Derby man Kalwinder joins Callsuma in the Bereavement Room to talk about his father who died by suicide in 2006. We reflect on his experiences of being impacted by suicide, poetry as a source of expression and support and the triggers of loss following the recent global pandemic, COVID-19. In this episode we also talk openly about the challenges faced working with mainstream charities and what this means in trying to reach wider communities. 

You can reach out to Kal on twitter -  @khalsir

This episode is dedicated to our Grandfathers and Fathers. Thank you for listening. 

This week we are joined by Journalist Amar Mehta, Amar is talking to Callsuma Ali in the Bereavement Room about his father who sadly lost his life in a tragic car accident in 2008. A story of living the American dream and then adjusting to sudden life changes. Amar opens up about mental health from the perspective of a Indian male, the triggers of loss and the inner sadness of reaching milestones without his Father.

This episode of Bereavement Room is dedicated to our Grandfathers and Fathers.

Thanks for listening.

You can reach us on twitter @BereavementRoom

You can reach Amar Mehta on twitter @TheLawyerAmar

After an extended break we return to the @BereavementRoom for more intimate conversations about death and grief. Due to the unexpected death of Callsuma's father she reunites with old friend Siddharth Nigam over a decade later sharing experiences that have bought them closer together.

Siddharth talks to us about the recent death of his Grandfather (2019). The importance of medical professionals demonstrating empathy and not letting compassion fatigue get the better of them and the surge people have before they die. 

Siddharth puts it so eloquently that death can reflect in all areas of our life, this episode is dedicated to our Grandfathers and Fathers.

We would like to thank everyone that has subscribed downloaded, listened, rated and reviewed. We reached over 1000k downloads because of your support.

Sincerely from the bottom of our heart, thank you for listening. 

Your host

Callsuma Ali

@BereavementRoom

It's time to talk and today's guest is Henna Shah from #CharitySoWhite @CharitySoWhite

Henna talks to Callsuma Ali about child bereavement and what it was like when her mother sadly died when Henna was 10 years old. Originally from the "Endz" that is the wonderful Hounslow to all the way to Oxford University. This is Henna's #TimeToTalk