How do you move from feeling stuck to finding meaning and healing in your grief?

In today’s episode, I’m honored to speak with David Kessler, one of the world’s foremost experts on grief and the author who expanded Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’s original five stages of grief by adding a sixth stage: meaning. We explore how common reactions like avoidance, blame, and bargaining are a normal part of the grieving process, and how finding meaning can be a transformative step toward healing. Whether you’re grieving a loss or supporting someone who is, this conversation will help you better understand the continuum of grief and the power of creating meaning.

Here's what we cover:

* The 5 stages of grief and how different parts of us experience loss

* David’s 6th stage of grief and how it developed out of his own story

* The most important question to ask someone who is grieving

* David’s 7 guidelines for creating meaning after loss

* Why grief is intimately linked to joy

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Find a full transcript and list of resources from this episode here.

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Music by Andy Luiten

Sound editing by Kelly Kramarik

While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only.

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