Grief and Rebirth: Finding the Joy in Life podcast

September 03, 2025 Showing Up For A Grieving Friend Or Family Member (Rerelease)

This week, we revisit our episode with Aly Bird, a coach, an author, a therapist-in-training, and a widow who is the author of the wisdom-filled book titled Grief Ally: Helping People You Love Cope with Death, Loss, and Grief. When Aly was 30 years old, the person she loved and trusted most in her life suddenly died, leaving her in a world that no longer made sense.

In the aftermath of her loss, Aly quickly realized that her positive experience of support was unique and unlike the horror stories of isolation and ignorance that she was hearing from her widowed peers. With unconditional love, courage, and brutal honesty, Aly and her support network began navigating how to live in her new reality, and this collective experience inspired her to write her wisdom-filled book.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL HEAR ABOUT THINGS LIKE:

The terrible cliches people say to the grieving that are more harmful than helpful.
What happened during a party about three months after Will transitioned that inspired Aly to write Grief Ally.
Aly’s experience with a workshop instructor that convinced her that we need to shift the way we support people who are grieving.
Ways Aly now advises people to show up for a grieving friend or relative.

SOME QUESTIONS IRENE ASKS ALY:

What are the differences between supporting grieving adults and grieving children?
How does a person handle wanting to help in an environment that has become unpredictable and is changing frequently?
What is the difference between being a superhuman and a superhero?

Episode Blog Post: https://ireneweinberg.com/aly-bird-the-optimal-ways-each-of-us-can-show-up-for-a-grieving-friend-or-family-member-the-terrible-cliches-people-say-to-grieving-people-that-are-more-harmful-than-helpful-and-the-right-questions

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nF20v34HktE

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