Death on the Daily

What happens when grief arrives outside the natural order of life?

In this deeply personal crossover episode, me and Death on the Daily meets Luke Alfano’s Too Young to Grieve to explore one of grief's most isolating dimensions - when someone dies decades too soon.

Luke lost his dad at 21, I lost my daughter Ngākau Raiona at 21 weeks of pregnancy. Two completely different losses, but so many of the same experiences: the loneliness, the disorientation, the friends who showed up at the funeral and vanished after, and the milestones - weddings, first homes, future children - where we will feel their absence. 

In this episode we explore:

• Why grief that breaks the "expected timeline" of life is so uniquely isolating
• The lost future: milestones, mentors and the imagined life that was taken
• Why people lean away from grief — and the fear of mortality that drives it
• What grievers actually need to hear (hint: say their name)
• How grief within families looks different for everyone under the same roof
• The role of culture, ritual and community in normalising grief
• Death cafes, grief circles and why talking about death helps us live better
• The unexpected gifts that grief can bring — and how to hold them without toxic positivity
• A note to their younger selves: there is still a life for you

Whether you're grieving someone who left too soon, supporting a friend who is, or simply want to understand grief better - this conversation is for you.

Disclaimer: 

This podcast is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Nor is it a substitute for professional support. 

Follow Death on the Daily:

• Do Like, Comment & Subscribe to this channel  @deathonthedaily  
• Share this episode with a friend who might need it. 
• Subscribe to my Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/deathonthedaily/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tanyawilkinson_ 
• YouTube: http://youtube.com/@deathonthedaily
• Find out about my work as a Grief & Life Transitions Coach and connect with me here: https://www.tanyawilkinson.co.uk

About Luke Alfano:

Luke is the founder of Too Young To Grieve, a community supporting bereaved young adults through community meetings ups, workshops, events and peer support. After losing his dad to cancer at 21 and then Nonna at 25, Luke created the platform to help young people feel less alone in grief and open up conversations around loss.

You can connect with Luke Alfano here:

• https://www.instagram.com/lukealfano11/
• https://www.instagram.com/tooyoungtogrieve/
• Plus find Luke’s podcast Too Young To Grieve wherever you get your pods.  

The theme music for Death on the Daily is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Set Free by Katie Gray⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which is used with artist's permission. 

You can connect with Katie and her music and work here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.katiegray.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. 

This podcast is edited by David Strutt, who you can contact here for any editing needs: [email protected]

Chapters:

00:00: Understanding Grief Outside the Natural Order

02:58: The Isolation of Early Grief

06:08: Navigating Support and Community in Grief

08:53: The Impact of Milestones on Grief

12:11: Acknowledging Absences in Life's Milestones

14:48: The Fear of Death and Its Effects on Relationships

17:56: Finding Wisdom and Growth Through Grief

20:50: The Gifts and Lessons from Grief

32:52: The Transformative Power of Grief

35:21: Shifting Family Dynamics Through Grief

41:23: Navigating Different Grieving Styles

44:46: Cultural Perspectives on Grief

52:42: Creating New Rituals in Grief

55:18: Embracing Conversations About Death

01:01:01: Messages of Hope and Moving Forward

What if aging isn't something to resist — but one of the most sacred initiations of being human? In this deeply moving conversation, I (Tanya Wilkinson) am joined by author, elder in training, life transitions coach, mentor and facilitator, Donna Lancaster, to explore what it truly means to become an elder, and why our culture's obsession with anti-aging is costing us.

Donna shares how elderhood isn't simply a matter of getting older. It's the conscious, courageous process of transforming our wounds into wisdom — of extracting the medicine from our hardest human experiences so we can offer it in service to those who come after us.

Together, we explore:

• What it means to be an elder and transforming wounds into wisdom
• The difference between becoming an elder and simply becoming elderly
• Why aging is a spiritual practice — and a grief process
• The cultural devaluation of elders and the importance of community
• What we lose as a society when we sideline our elders
• Aging as a spiritual practice and death as a portal of awakening
• How to move through life — clumsily, imperfectly, and with Bambi-legged courage
• The role of ancestral wisdom in guiding us through life's thresholds

This is one of the most inspiring conversations on Death on the Daily to date. If you've ever feared aging — or wanted to find the beauty in it — this episode is for you.

Are you journeying with grief?

JOIN GRIEF COCOON, my new monthly virtual support session - a sacred space for grief in busy lives: https://tanyawilkinson.co.uk/grief-cocoon 

DOWNLOAD MY FREE Grief, Grace & Growth journaling ebook: https://tanyawilkinson.co.uk/grief-grace-growth-journal

GUIDED "FIND YOUR SAFE PLACE" MEDITATION: https://youtu.be/RO1G2oAOIEU  

Disclaimer: 

This podcast is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Nor is it a substitute for professional support. 

Follow Death on the Daily:

• Do Like, Comment & Subscribe to this channel  @deathonthedaily  
• Share this episode with a friend who might need it. 
• Subscribe to my Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/deathonthedaily/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tanyawilkinson_ 
• YouTube: http://youtube.com/@deathonthedaily
• Find out about my work as a Grief & Life Transitions Coach and connect with me here: https://www.tanyawilkinson.co.uk

You can connect with Donna Lancaster here:

• Website: https://www.donnalancaster.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donnalancs/
• Donna’s books The Bridge and Wise Words for Women are out now

The theme music for Death on the Daily is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Set Free by Katie Gray⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which is used with artist's permission. 

You can connect with Katie and her music and work here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.katiegray.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. 

This podcast is edited by David Strutt, who you can contact here for any editing needs: [email protected]

Chapters

00:00: The Quest for Eternal Youth

02:51: Understanding Elderhood

05:42: The Journey to Becoming an Elder

08:38: Cultural Perspectives on Aging

11:30: The Wisdom of Aging

14:11: The Role of Elders in Society

17:06: The Loss of Guidance and Support

20:03: Embracing the Newness of Aging

23:07: Death as a Portal to Awakening

28:10: Understanding Spiritual Death

30:30: Living with Death Awareness

33:21: Ancestral Wisdom and Guidance

38:04: Honoring Our Ancestors

41:48: Embracing Imperfection

44:40: Bambi-Legged Courage

What if the feelings you've been working hardest to avoid in grief — anger, shame, fear — aren't the villains you think they are?

In this deeply nourishing conversation, I'm joined by Dr Chloe Paidoussis Mitchell: Chartered Counselling Psychologist, author, and someone who has navigated profound personal loss herself. Chloe brings a message that I believe every griever needs to hear — that our most difficult emotions aren't signs that something is wrong with us. They are sacred signals, pointing us toward what we love, what we've lost, and who we're becoming.

We talk about grief as a multilayered, lifelong teacher. About what it means to exist in two worlds at once — functioning on the surface, while something deeper is quietly being reconstructed. And about the simple, body-based practices that can help us stop running from our feelings and start listening to them instead.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why calming the body must come before processing the mind in acute grief
• The neuroscience of co-regulation — and why even 20 seconds of a hug changes your physiology
• How to be with someone who is grieving (hint: it rarely requires words)
• Making friends with anger: giving yourself permission to feel the rage, safely
• Why shame and anger so often live together in grief — and how to move through both
• Journalling, dancing, stomping, screaming: embodied ways to express difficult grief emotions
• The 30-second heart-breathing practice you can do right now, even if you're busy
• What it means to "walk in two worlds" as a griever

Are you journeying with grief?

JOIN GRIEF COCOON, my new monthly virtual support session - a sacred space for grief in busy lives: https://tanyawilkinson.co.uk/grief-cocoon 

DOWNLOAD MY FREE Grief, Grace & Growth journaling ebook: https://tanyawilkinson.co.uk/grief-grace-growth-journal

GUIDED "FIND YOUR SAFE PLACE" MEDITATION: https://youtu.be/RO1G2oAOIEU  

Disclaimer: 

This podcast is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Nor is it a substitute for professional support. 

Follow Death on the Daily:

• Do Like, Comment & Subscribe to this channel  @deathonthedaily  
• Share this episode with a friend who might need it. 
• Subscribe to my Substack: open.substack.com/pub/deathonthedaily/
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/tanyawilkinson_ 
• YouTube: youtube.com/@deathonthedaily
• Find out about my work as a Grief Coach and connect with me here: www.tanyawilkinson.co.uk

You can connect with Dr Chloe Paidoussis-Mitchell and her work here:

• Website: www.dr-chloe.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/dr.chloe.paidoussis.mitchell/
• Chloe's book The Loss Prescription: A Practical Roadmap to Grief Recovery is out now

The theme music for Death on the Daily is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Set Free by Katie Gray⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which is used with artist's permission. 

You can connect with Katie and her music and work here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.katiegray.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. 

This podcast is edited by David Strutt, who you can contact here for any editing needs: [email protected]

Chapters

00:00: Introduction: Emotions as Signposts in Grief

01:59: Personal Stories of Loss and Resilience

04:42: The Messy Reality of Human Existence and Loss

07:07: Making Friends with Loss and Grief

09:34: First Steps to Being Present with Big Feelings

11:31: The Power of Presence and Support in Grief

15:03: Self-Compassion and Self-Touch Practices

19:28: Nature as a Source of Resilience and Grounding

23:08: Curating a Life of Beauty and Connection

25:42: Making Friends with Difficult Feelings

29:13: Healthy Ways to Express and Move Through Anger

35:18: Supporting Busy Lives to Connect with Grief

37:04: Simple Practices to Access, Soothe and Acknowledge Grief

38:16: Resources and Connecting with Dr. Chloe

39:08: Closing Remarks and Gratitude

There are things in life we tell ourselves we simply wouldn't survive. For me (Tanya Wilkinson), that deepest fear was my child dying before me.

Today I share the story of my daughter, Ngākau Raiona, whose name means lioness heart in her and her Daddy’s Māori language, who was stillborn at 21 weeks following TFMR after a devastating diagnosis at the 20-week anatomy scan.

I shares the moment the floor fell away. The phone call in the car where I told my friend "I will not get through this alive" — and the words that changed everything. The promise I whispered to my daughter as I felt her kicking. And what those four painful and extraordinary weeks — from diagnosis to woodland burial — taught me about presence, grief, and what it means to truly be alive.

This is not a story about getting over it. It's a story about moving forwards with grief — and what happens when you choose presence over avoidance, even when presence is the hardest thing in the world.

In this episode, I share: 

• My life before loss — from grief-avoidant corporate leader to Global Head of Marketing at Formula 1
• How an earlier miscarriage became the catalyst for leaving F1 and retraining as a coach
• My grandad's death and what sitting with dementia taught me about holding pain
• The 20-week anatomy scan, the diagnosis of encephalocele, and the decision that followed
• The phone call my friend — and her words that made survival feel possible
• A mama's promise that I made to Ngākau Raiona
• Why grief didn't break me — it rearranged me
• The grief–joy paradox: how feeling the depths allows you to feel the heights
• What my three grandparents and  daughter have taught me about living in alignment and with purpose
• Three grounding practices for anyone navigating grief right now

Disclaimer: 

This podcast is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Nor is it a substitute for professional support. 

Are you journeying with grief?

Download my FREE Grief, Grace & Growth journaling ebook: https://tanyawilkinson.co.uk/grief-grace-growth-journal

JOIN GRIEF COCOON, my new monthly virtual event - a sacred space for grief in busy lives: https://tanyawilkinson.co.uk/grief-cocoon

Resources mentioned:

• 🎙️ Part One of our full TFMR and stillbirth story: https://youtu.be/X0WNe9hg80U 
• 🎙️ Part Two of our story returning home and honouring her: https://youtu.be/PvoDilhvg1Q 
• 📖 I mention the wonderful book Bearing the Unbearable by Joanne Cacciatore

Follow Death on the Daily:

• Do Like, Comment & Subscribe to this channel  @deathonthedaily  
• Share this episode with a friend who might need it. 
• Subscribe to my Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/deathonthedaily/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tanyawilkinson_ 
• YouTube: http://youtube.com/@deathonthedaily
• Find out about my work as a Grief Coach here: https://www.tanyawilkinson.co.uk

The theme music for Death on the Daily is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Set Free by Katie Gray⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which is used with artist's permission. 

You can connect with Katie and her music and work here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.katiegray.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. 

This podcast is edited by David Strutt, who you can contact here for any editing needs: [email protected]

Chapters:

00:00: Navigating Grief: A Personal Journey

02:45: The Impact of Loss on Life Choices

05:36: The Promise of Presence in Grief

08:55: Facing the Unthinkable: A Diagnosis

11:45: Finding Strength in Shared Stories

14:37: Lessons from Grief: Embracing Presence

18:03: Transformative Power of Grief

20:48: Practical Steps to Embrace Grief

23:28: Reframing Grief: A Path to Healing

What does it mean to leave a legacy for a life that was so tragically short? In this deeply moving episode of Death on the Daily I chat with Manon Dave — BBC's Head of Future World Design, Creative Director, Musician, and bereaved father — to explore how grief can become a doorway to purpose, impact, and enduring love.

Manon and his wife Trusha lost their beautiful daughter, Maya Saanvi Dave. In the years since, they have channelled their grief into something extraordinary: the Maya Dave Scholarship Fund — a growing global initiative supporting young women in pursuing careers in music.

We explore what legacy truly means — as something that can live on beyond our time on this earth, even through even the shortest lives. We also discuss how grief shapes our identity, creativity, and purpose, and why building something in Maya's name has become both a healing act and a powerful mission.

Topics covered include:

• The story of Maya Saanvi Dave — her brief but profound life, and the lasting mark she left on her family
• How the Maya Dave Scholarship for Women in Music came to life
• What grief actually feels like day to day — and why Manon describes it as something that "travels with you" rather than something to be fixed or cured
• The concept of the "tattoo of grief" — often times hidden to the world, but worn over the heart always
• How surviving a near-fatal car accident at 18 shaped Manon's philosophy around life, legacy, and squeezing every last drop from each day
• The power of imagination as a core human skill — and why Manon believes play should never be reserved just for hobbies
• Why grief can be a profound creative catalyst, and the importance of jotting down those seeds of ideas even in the deepest weeds of loss

Disclaimer: 

This podcast is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Nor is it a substitute for professional support. 

Follow Death on the Daily:

• Do Like, Comment & Subscribe to this channel  @deathonthedaily  
• Share this episode with a friend who might need it. 
• Subscribe to my Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/deathonthedaily/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tanyawilkinson_ 
• YouTube: http://youtube.com/@deathonthedaily
• Find out about my work as a Grief Coach and connect with me here: https://www.tanyawilkinson.co.uk

You can connect with Manon Dave here:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manondave/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manondave/

The theme music for Death on the Daily is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Set Free by Katie Gray⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which is used with artist's permission. 

You can connect with Katie and her music and work here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.katiegray.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. 

This podcast is edited by David Strutt, who you can contact here for any editing needs: [email protected]

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Grief and Acceptance

01:39 Creating a Legacy Through Love

05:26 The Maya Dave Scholarship: Empowering Women in Music

10:10 Building a Global Network of Creatives

16:20 Lessons from Grief: Understanding Resilience

22:36 The Fragility of Life and Living Fully

29:54 Imagination as a Core Skill for the Future

36:26 Final Thoughts: Embracing Play and Creativity

This guided body scan meditation for grief gently moves through your whole body with awareness, relaxation and deep gratitude — honouring the body that carries you through loss and through life. 

Perfect for anyone navigating bereavement, life transitions, or the emotional weight of grief. Suitable for all levels — lie down or sit, take what feels right. 

In this somatic grief meditation you'll experience: 

• A 15 minute full body scan with gentle relaxation and release 
• Gratitude for each part of your body and all it holds 
• A personal anchor of safety and calm within 
• Affirmations for self-compassion, grace, and healing

If this meditation supports you, please like, subscribe, or share it with someone who might need it too. 

Disclaimer: 

This content is for entertainment and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice.

This practice invites gentle awareness of your body. Before you begin, check in with yourself and see whether it feels right for you to do this meditation today. You know yourself best - trust what feels right for you.

This meditation is not a substitute for professional mental health care. 

Are you journeying with grief?

Download my FREE Grief, Grace & Growth journaling ebook: https://tanyawilkinson.co.uk/grief-grace-growth-journal

JOIN GRIEF COCOON, my new monthly virtual event - a sacred space for grief in busy lives: https://tanyawilkinson.co.uk/grief-cocoon

Follow & Support Death on the Daily:

• Do Like & Subscribe to this channel - and leave a rating and review
• Share this meditation with a friend who might need it. 
• Subscribe to my Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/deathonthedaily/ 
• Buy me a coffee and support the production of this free podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/tanyawilkinson 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/death_onthedaily  
• Find out about my work including as a grief coach: www.tanyawilkinson.co.uk 
• YouTube: http://youtube.com/@deathonthedaily

This meditation is edited by David Strutt, who you can contact here for any editing needs: [email protected]

Chapters:

0:00: Introduction & Setting Your Intention 

0:59: Guided Body Scan & Gratitude Meditation 

14:00: Gentle Return

What happens when grief finds you young — before you even have words for it?

Jamie Gamache lost his dad to a sudden heart attack at just two years old. Then at 18, his stepdad Keith died in a sudden accident. Jamie joins me (Tanya Wilkinson) today, to share how childhood grief quietly shaped his identity, his creativity, and his drive — and why he believes there are two types of pain: “pain that uses you, and pain that you use.”

We cover:

• Growing up without a father & grieving what you never had
• Why talking about the dead — even joking about them — matters more than we think
• Men, grief & why we share facts instead of feelings
• The film Kindling — and why we need stories that show men being vulnerable
• Why Jamie still can't talk about his mum getting older (and why that's okay)
• Counselling, friendship & how to start the conversation

Quote of the episode: "There's pain that uses you. And there's pain that you use."

Are you journeying with grief?

JOIN GRIEF COCOON, my new monthly virtual support session - a sacred space for grief in busy lives: https://tanyawilkinson.co.uk/grief-cocoon 

DOWNLOAD MY FREE Grief, Grace & Growth journaling ebook: https://tanyawilkinson.co.uk/grief-grace-growth-journal

Disclaimer: 

This podcast is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Nor is it a substitute for professional support. 

Follow Death on the Daily:

• Do Like, Comment & Subscribe to this channel 
• Share this episode with a friend who might need it. 
• Subscribe to my Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/deathonthedaily/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tanyawilkinson_ 
• YouTube: http://youtube.com/@deathonthedaily
• Find out about my work as a Grief Coach and connect with me here: https://www.tanyawilkinson.co.uk

You can connect with Jamie Gamache and his work here:

• Kindling: rent on Amazon or Sky 
• Lowkey Films: www.lowkeyfilms.co.uk 
• Jamie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-gamache-85470290/ 

Mental health support resources: 

• www.mind.org.uk 
• Speak to your GP about local NHS Talking Therapies that are available

The theme music for Death on the Daily is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Set Free by Katie Gray⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which is used with artist's permission. 

You can connect with Katie and her music and work here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.katiegray.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. 

This podcast is edited by David Strutt, who you can contact here for any editing needs: [email protected]

Chapters

00:00: Introduction 

02:13: Growing Up with Loss: The Death of Jamie’s Father

03:38: The Sudden Loss of Keith and Its Impact

09:09: Grief as a Catalyst for Independence and Growth

14:44: The Role of Presence and Memory in Healing

18:20: Normalizing Conversations About Death and Grief

21:30: The Power of Storytelling and Shared Humanity

25:01: Challenges in Talking About Death with Family

27:39: Men, Emotions, and Breaking the Silence

33:27: Advice for Grieving Individuals and Support Systems

37:03: The Role of Counselling and Community Support

41:50: Building Deeper Connections Through Vulnerability

46:45: Transforming Pain into Resilience and Growth

48:03: Resources and Final Thoughts

Grief is universal. Every single one of us will experience it. And yet, when grief arrives, many of us find ourselves navigating it in a world that suddenly falls silent.

In this episode of Death on the Daily, I am joined by Sally Douglas, co-host of the podcast Good Mourning and co-author of Good Mourning: Honest Conversations About Grief and Loss. Together we explore the reality of living with grief in a culture that often doesn’t know how to talk about it - and what it truly means to show up for ourselves and each other in the face of loss.

After the sudden death of her mother, Sally found herself confronted not only with the intensity of grief, but with the silence surrounding it in our world. In this honest and compassionate conversation, she shares how grief reshaped her life, how meaningful connection helped her find her way forward, and why we don’t need perfect words to support someone who is grieving.

This episode is a powerful reminder that grief isn’t something we fix—it’s something we learn to carry. And often, the most meaningful support we can offer is simply being there.

Are you journeying with grief?

JOIN GRIEF COCOON, my new monthly virtual support session - a sacred space for grief in busy lives: https://tanyawilkinson.co.uk/grief-cocoon 

DOWNLOAD MY FREE Grief, Grace & Growth journaling ebook: https://tanyawilkinson.co.uk/grief-grace-growth-journal

In this episode, we explore:

• Why grief can feel so isolating—even though it’s universal
• The silence and discomfort that often surrounds conversations about loss
• Why you don’t need the perfect words to support someone grieving
• The power of simply showing up and listening
• How grief can reshape friendships and lead to new connections
• Different grieving styles and why there’s no “right” way to grieve
• The reality of “death admin” and the unseen practical challenges after loss
• Small ways supporters can help—from checking in to offering practical support
• Navigating difficult milestone days like Mother’s Day, birthdays, and anniversaries
• Why giving yourself permission to grieve in your own way matters

Disclaimer: 

This podcast is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Nor is it a substitute for professional support. 

Follow Death on the Daily:

• Do Like, Comment & Subscribe to this channel  @deathonthedaily  
• Share this episode with a friend who might need it. 
• Subscribe to my Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/deathonthedaily/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tanyawilkinson_ 
• YouTube: http://youtube.com/@deathonthedaily
• Find out about my work as a Grief Coach and connect with me here: https://www.tanyawilkinson.co.uk

You can connect with Sally Douglas and her work here:

• https://www.instagram.com/sallydouglasgrief/
• https://www.instagram.com/goodmourningpodcast/
• Good Mourning podcast is on all podcast platforms
• Good Mourning: Honest conversations about grief and loss is out now at all bookstores

The theme music for Death on the Daily is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Set Free by Katie Gray⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which is used with artist's permission. 

You can connect with Katie and her music and work here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.katiegray.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. 

This podcast is edited by David Strutt, who you can contact here for any editing needs: [email protected]

Chapters: 

00:00: Introduction

01:54: Experiencing sudden loss and societal silence

04:23: The importance of open conversations about grief

07:17: Supporting friends who are grieving

11:47: Building grief-supportive communities

16:37: Supporting someone in grief: what to say and do

21:58: The role of small acts of kindness in grief

26:13: Supporting yourself during grief and special occasions

42:32: Honoring loved ones during holidays like Mother’s Day

49:12: Practical tips for supporting grieving friends and family

53:10: Closing thoughts: You are not alone

If you’re navigating grief, anxiety, or emotional overwhelm, this guided safe place meditation is designed to help you reconnect with a sense of calm and safety in your body.

Grief can place a huge demand on our nervous system. In this meditation, you’ll be gently guided to visualise a safe, calming place - real or imagined - where your body can soften, settle, and feel supported.

Through grounding awareness of your senses, breath, and body, this practice helps create a moment of safety, calm and steadiness, alongside your grief. 

This meditation is here for you on the days when everything feels heavy and you need a moment to pause, breathe, and remember that a sense of safety lives within you.

Come back to this practice anytime you need a gentle reset.

You can listen lying down or seated comfortably. Allow yourself to be guided by you, moving at your own pace, and resting whenever you need.

If this meditation supports you, please like, subscribe, or share it with someone who might need its support. 

Disclaimer: 

This content is for entertainment and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice.

This practice invites gentle awareness of your body. Before you begin, check in with yourself and see whether it feels right for you to do this meditation today. You know yourself best - trust what feels right for you.

This meditation is not a substitute for professional mental health care. 

Are you journeying with grief?

Download my FREE Grief, Grace & Growth journaling ebook: https://tanyawilkinson.co.uk/grief-grace-growth-journal

JOIN GRIEF COCOON, my new monthly virtual event - a sacred space for grief in busy lives: https://tanyawilkinson.co.uk/grief-cocoon

Follow & Support Death on the Daily:

• Do Like, Comment & Subscribe to this channel  @deathonthedaily  
• Share this episode with a friend who might need it. 
• Subscribe to my Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/deathonthedaily/ 
• Buy me a coffee and support the production of this free podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/tanyawilkinson 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/death_onthedaily  
• Find out about my work including as a grief coach: www.tanyawilkinson.co.uk 
• YouTube: http://youtube.com/@deathonthedaily

This meditation is edited by David Strutt, who you can contact here for any editing needs: [email protected]

In this episode of Death on the Daily, I’m exploring why death and grief remain taboo in our society - and how avoiding these conversations costs us as humans. 

Drawing from my personal journey through the grief of losing her Grandad and daughter, I share how we all have an innate capacity to hold and navigate death and grief.

We discuss:

• Why talking about death and grief feels awkward and heavy.
• How society’s death avoidant culture disconnects us from our humanity.
• Practical ways to start conversations about death and grief with friends, family, and colleagues.
• The power of entry points like pop culture, books, and personal stories to gently ease into these conversations.

Whether you’re grieving, supporting someone else, or just curious about embracing life fully, this episode offers compassionate guidance on making death and grief part of our everyday conversations.

Disclaimer: 

This podcast is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Nor is it a substitute for professional support. 

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• Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe to this podcast. 
• Plus I always love to hear from you, so please do drop a comment or message to me here: 
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The theme music for Death on the Daily is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Set Free by Katie Gray⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which is used with artist's permission. 

You can connect with Katie and her music and work here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.katiegray.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. 

This podcast is edited by David Strutt, who you can contact here for any editing needs: [email protected]

Chapters: 

00:00: Breaking the Silence on Death and Grief

06:15: Finding Entry Points into Conversations

10:33: Creating Meaning Through Death and Grief

16:07: Building Courage to Talk About Death