"Grief is a group project."

In this (surprisingly?) funny episode of Grief'd Up, host Rebecca Feinglos sits down with Laurel Braitman, a bestselling author, speaker, educator, and trailblazer in the field of medical storytelling. Laurel's work at the Stanford School of Medicine's Medical Humanities and the Arts program and her global community of writing healthcare professionals, Writing Medicine, has inspired countless individuals to find healing and mental wellness through storytelling.

Rebecca and Laurel dive deep into their shared experiences of losing parents at a young age, going through divorces, and the unique challenges they faced while trying to outrun their grief. Laurel opens up about her journey of coping with her father's terminal illness from the age of three until his death when she was seventeen, and how her mother's death during the COVID-19 pandemic added another layer to her grief.

They discuss the concept of "grief math"—the constant recalculations grievers do as they compare their own ages and life stages to those of their lost loved ones. Laurel shares how her coping mechanism of overachieving was a way to avoid her difficult feelings and how she eventually learned to confront them.

They also discuss dating and grieving...quite a bit.

Join Rebecca and Laurel as they explore the multifaceted nature of grief, the power of storytelling, and the importance of community in navigating loss. Laurel's insights and experiences provide invaluable perspectives for anyone grappling with grief.

Connect with Laurel Braitman:

● Website: https://www.laurelbraitman.com/
● Instagram: @laurel_braitman
● Books: “What Looks Like Bravery” and “Animal Madness” _____________________________________
Follow for more resources:
● Instagram: @grieveleave
● Website: grieveleave.com
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