By Sarah Shaoul
4.7
2929 ratings
The podcast currently has 48 episodes available.
In this final episode of Grief Gratitude & Greatness, Sarah speaks with her father about how he met her mom, their young romance and their lives as immigrants to the United States. Sarah and her Dad also reflect on the importance of family, the difficulties of existing as a Jew in Iraq, stark cultural differences and life continuing after Sarah’s mom’s death.
Trigger Warning: This episode references suicide. Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please seek help by dialing 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Grief Gratitude & Greatness is hosted by Sarah Shaoul and is a production of Recursive Delete Audio/Visual in Portland, Oregon.
This episode was produced & edited by Jack Saturn, with additional production by Sarah. The music was by Samantha Jensen.
Grief Gratitude & Greatness is the recipient of a 2020 grant from the Regional Arts & Culture Council.
We're on Instagram (@griefgratitudegreat) and Facebook.
Some closing throughts from Sarah:
“Thank you for joining me on this journey to dissolve stigma and inspire others to engage in difficult conversations. I want to thank all of the wonderful people who agreed to speak with me, and trusted Jack and I to share these conversations with you.
Big thanks to Jack Saturn, without whom this project never would have happened.
Thank you to RACC, the Regional Arts & Culture Council, for recognizing the importance of this project, providing us with a grant to complete this final season.
Lastly, and importantly, thank you to all of you who have chosen to listen, write a review and share your stories. I am forever grateful.
While this might be our final episode, I intend to continue to explore grief, and other expressions of our human condition, through writing and more intimate conversations. You can find my work and contact me via griefgratitudegreatness.com and sarahshaoul.com .
It is my hope that you come away from listening to Grief Gratitude & Greatness with the inspiration to drag your own grief out of the closet and release its grip on you by speaking openly about how you feel. Our episodes will continue to be available to listen and to share.
Thank you again for joining me on this journey.”
This week we share the second of three intimate conversations with people close to Sarah. In this episode Sarah speaks with Sabine, her mother’s best friend growing up in rural Romania, and a longtime family friend. They discuss the reality of being a US immigrant and the mental health challenges some immigrants face.
Trigger Warning: This episode references suicide. Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please seek help by dialing 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Grief Gratitude & Greatness is hosted by Sarah Shaoul and is a production of Recursive Delete Audio/Visual in Portland, Oregon.
This episode was produced & edited by Jack Saturn, with additional production by Sarah. The music was by Samantha Jensen.
Grief Gratitude & Greatness is the recipient of a 2020 grant from the Regional Arts & Culture Council.
We're on Instagram (@griefgratitudegreat) and Facebook.
When Sarah started the Grief Gratitude & Greatness podcast about 6 years ago, people asked why she was embarking on a project about grief. During the podcast’s run, she was asked about her own personal grief story, and realized that while she was helping other people tell their stories, she ended up sharing little of her own.
This week we share the first of three intimate conversations with people close to Sarah. In today’s episode, Sarah speaks with her sister, Amira, discussing grief related to their family's immigrant experience and the very different ways that they grieve the death of their mother.
Grief Gratitude & Greatness is hosted by Sarah Shaoul and is a production of Recursive Delete Audio/Visual in Portland, Oregon.
This episode was produced & edited by Jack Saturn, with additional production by Sarah. The music was by Samantha Jensen.
Grief Gratitude & Greatness is the recipient of a 2020 grant from the Regional Arts & Culture Council.
We're on Instagram (@griefgratitudegreat) and Facebook.
When her life partner died suddenly, Tiana Hill had to confront some difficult truths. She discovered that the man she thought she knew was not all that he seemed. Faced with these revelations, she chose to take ownership of the part she had played in their relationship. Sarah speaks to Tiana about losing her daughter's father, being rejected by his family and how she healed by facing the truth rather than turning away from it.
Tiana Hill is a mom of two and an Arizona native who still calls the desert her home. A yoga instructor, mindfulness teacher and plant-based vegan educator, she is currently on the path to continue her education, studying for a master's degree in counseling, which has been a dream of hers for a very long time.
Grief Gratitude & Greatness is hosted by Sarah Shaoul and is a production of Recursive Delete Audio/Visual in Portland, Oregon.
This episode was produced & edited by Jack Saturn, with additional production by Sarah. The music was by Samantha Jensen.
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. BetterHelp makes it easy to receive the acknowledgement and support you need to get through these challenging times. Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/griefgratitudegreatness . Head over and start talking to a counselor today!
Grief Gratitude & Greatness is the recipient of a 2020 grant from the Regional Arts & Culture Council.
If you appreciate the show, support us on Patreon!
If you have a story of your own that you’d like to share or topics you’d like to hear more about, we’d love to hear from you! Call or text our show at 503-454-6646, or send us a message via the contact link on our website at https://griefgratitudegreatness.com/ .
We're also on Instagram (@griefgratitudegreat) and Facebook.
When we look at history, we see Western culture's invasive influence spreading around the world, replacing local beliefs and customs. Dr. Agya Boakye-Boaten grew up in a village in Ghana, where he was educated in a Methodist all-boys school beginning at the age of 10. Upon coming to the US, he found that many of the things he’d been taught were problematic and required dismantling. Sarah speaks to Agya about becoming "an unapologetic African," the struggle of immigrants to reclaim their identity, and the pressing need for Americans to listen to the pain of Black people.
Dr. Agya Boakye-Boaten, Ph.D., is an an Associate Professor and Chair of the Interdisciplinary / International Studies department at the University of North Carolina at Asheville. His research interests include alternative education for street children, and building the intellectual and creative capacities of students using alternative education strategies.. He is interested in decolonial options, construction of African philosophical thought, effects of colonialism on African aesthetics, and the transformation of indigenous cultures through global engagement.
Grief Gratitude & Greatness is hosted by Sarah Shaoul and is a production of Recursive Delete Audio/Visual in Portland, Oregon.
This episode was produced & edited by Jack Saturn, with additional production by Sarah. The music was by Samantha Jensen.
This episode is sponsored by Lori Mason Design. When someone close to us dies, having a reminder of them that you can see everyday and keep close to you can be a great comfort. Lori crafts memorial quilts for the deceased, transforming their garments — their favorite Hawaiian shirts, their judge's robes, uniforms and other personal fabrics — into a piece of art that reflects their lives. Visit http://LoriMasonDesign.com/ to check out examples of how she honors each individual's unique life with her art.
Grief Gratitude & Greatness is the recipient of a 2020 grant from the Regional Arts & Culture Council.
If you appreciate the show, support us on Patreon!
If you have a story of your own that you’d like to share or topics you’d like to hear more about, we’d love to hear from you! Call or text our show at 503-454-6646, or send us a message via the contact link on our website at https://griefgratitudegreatness.com/ .
We're also on Instagram (@griefgratitudegreat) and Facebook.
A native Hawaiian, David Komeiji’s Japanese Buddhist heritage informs his life of service. In his career as a healthcare professional, David has worked to address the needs of the houseless. He now teaches ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging, to the incarcerated. Sarah speaks to David about sacred space, his rituals of honoring ancestors, and how he works to humanize those who often go unseen in our society.
David Komeiji is a Japanese American, born and raised in Hawaii, who has been many things: a physical therapist, a Shingon priest, an ikebana Master Teacher, a houseless advocate and a volunteer with both the Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon State Penitentiary.
Grief Gratitude & Greatness is hosted by Sarah Shaoul and is a production of Recursive Delete Audio/Visual in Portland, Oregon.
This episode was produced & edited by Jack Saturn, with additional production by Sarah. The music was by Samantha Jensen.
This episode is sponsored by Lori Mason Design. When someone close to us dies, having a reminder of them that you can see everyday and keep close to you can be a great comfort. Lori crafts memorial quilts for the deceased, transforming their garments — their favorite Hawaiian shirts, their judge's robes, uniforms and other personal fabrics — into a piece of art that reflects their lives. Visit http://LoriMasonDesign.com/ to check out examples of how she honors each individual's unique life with her art.
Grief Gratitude & Greatness is the recipient of a 2020 grant from the Regional Arts & Culture Council.
If you appreciate the show, support us on Patreon!
If you have a story of your own that you’d like to share or topics you’d like to hear more about, we’d love to hear from you! Call or text our show at 503-454-6646, or send us a message via the contact link on our website at https://griefgratitudegreatness.com/ .
We're also on Instagram (@griefgratitudegreat) and Facebook.
At the height of Black Lives Matter movement, Andre Middleton finds his passion for music and mentorship intersecting with his experience as a Black man. He finds purpose in helping underserved youth discover their voice, honing their skills in the technical and business aspects of live music production. Sarah speaks to Andre about his childhood in Brooklyn, the racial dynamics of living in Oregon, and the power of creative community engagement.
Andre Middleton builds community via the arts. He is a founding member and the executive director of Friends of Noise as well as a board member of the Portland Institute for Contemporary Art. He is an avid motorcycle rider and an ardent advocate for youth empowerment.
Grief Gratitude & Greatness is hosted by Sarah Shaoul and is a production of Recursive Delete Audio/Visual in Portland, Oregon.
This episode was produced & edited by Jack Saturn, with additional production by Sarah. The music was by Samantha Jensen.
This episode is sponsored by Lori Mason Design. When someone close to us dies, having a reminder of them that you can see everyday and keep close to you can be a great comfort. Lori crafts memorial quilts for the deceased, transforming their garments — their favorite Hawaiian shirts, their judge's robes, uniforms and other personal fabrics — into a piece of art that reflects their lives. Visit http://LoriMasonDesign.com/ to check out examples of how she honors each individual's unique life with her art.
Grief Gratitude & Greatness is the recipient of a 2020 grant from the Regional Arts & Culture Council.
If you appreciate the show, support us on Patreon!
If you have a story of your own that you’d like to share or topics you’d like to hear more about, we’d love to hear from you! Call or text our show at 503-454-6646, or send us a message via the contact link on our website at https://griefgratitudegreatness.com/ .
We're also on Instagram (@griefgratitudegreat) and Facebook.
In the immediate aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, protests against police brutality sprung up in cities across the country, and there has been a reckoning about the continued inequality that exists in our society. Beth Blumklotz grew up African-American and white, raised in a white adoptive household. She observed the duality of how people are treated due to the color of their skin, even in a supposedly liberal city like Portland, Oregon. Sarah speaks with Beth about raising a black son, the discrimination she endured as a young person, and how systemic racism is not black people’s problem to solve.
Beth Blumklotz is a life coach who specializes in relationships, adoption, and advocacy & labor organizing. Beth helps individuals become allies and get from wherever they are to where they want to be, with grace and fearlessness.
Grief Gratitude & Greatness is hosted by Sarah Shaoul and is a production of Recursive Delete Audio/Visual in Portland, Oregon.
This episode was produced & edited by Jack Saturn, with additional production by Sarah. The music was by Samantha Jensen.
This episode is sponsored by Lori Mason Design. When someone close to us dies, having a reminder of them that you can see everyday and keep close to you can be a great comfort. Lori crafts memorial quilts for the deceased, transforming their garments — their favorite Hawaiian shirts, their judge's robes, uniforms and other personal fabrics — into a piece of art that reflects their lives. Visit http://LoriMasonDesign.com/ to check out examples of how she honors each individual's unique life with her art.
Grief Gratitude & Greatness is the recipient of a 2020 grant from the Regional Arts & Culture Council.
If you appreciate the show, support us on Patreon!
If you have a story of your own that you’d like to share or topics you’d like to hear more about, we’d love to hear from you! Call or text our show at 503-454-6646, or send us a message via the contact link on our website at https://griefgratitudegreatness.com/ .
We're also on Instagram (@griefgratitudegreat) and Facebook.
Ill with terminal pancreatic cancer, Susanne Schumann let her family know that she would be choosing Death With Dignity. Her son Ben Orion spent his mother's last day with her and had the incredible experience of supporting her when she made the choice to end her life. Sarah speaks with Ben about his mom and the gift of being present for her death.
Ben Orion lives on the West Coast with his wife and two children.
Grief Gratitude & Greatness is hosted by Sarah Shaoul and is a production of Recursive Delete Audio/Visual in Portland, Oregon.
This episode was produced & edited by Jack Saturn, with additional production by Sarah. The music was by Samantha Jensen.
This episode is sponsored by Lori Mason Design. When someone close to us dies, having a reminder of them that you can see everyday and keep close to you can be a great comfort. Lori crafts memorial quilts for the deceased, transforming their garments — their favorite Hawaiian shirts, their judge's robes, uniforms and other personal fabrics — into a piece of art that reflects their lives. Visit http://LoriMasonDesign.com/ to check out examples of how she honors each individual's unique life with her art.
If you appreciate the show, support us on Patreon!
If you have a story of your own that you’d like to share or topics you’d like to hear more about, we’d love to hear from you! Call or text our show at 503-454-6646, or send us a message via the contact link on our website at https://griefgratitudegreatness.com/ .
We're also on Instagram (@griefgratitudegreat) and Facebook.
In this special edition, Sarah speaks with Seann McKeel, Virginia Gewin and Renee Gorham about their unique experiences with grief during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Seann McKeel is a visual artist, mom and music coordinator for the Children’s Cancer Association’s music program, MyMusicRx. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2020 and has been undergoing chemotherapy.
Virginia Gewin is a science journalist who covers climate change and food security issues. Her work appears in Nature, The Washington Post, Discover, Civil Eats, and many others.
Renee Gorham is co-owner of the Toro Bravo Restaurant Group in Portland, Oregon. She is partner in life and business with John Gorham, mother of two beautiful girls, and lover of all things food and community.
Grief Gratitude & Greatness is hosted by Sarah Shaoul and is a production of Recursive Delete Audio/Visual in Portland, Oregon.
This episode was produced & edited by Jack Saturn, with additional production by Sarah. The music was by Samantha Jensen.
This episode is sponsored by Lori Mason Design. When someone close to us dies, having a reminder of them that you can see everyday and keep close to you can be a great comfort. Lori crafts memorial quilts for the deceased, transforming their garments — their favorite Hawaiian shirts, their judge's robes, uniforms and other personal fabrics — into a piece of art that reflects their lives. Visit http://LoriMasonDesign.com/ to check out examples of how she honors each individual's unique life with her art.
If you appreciate the show, support us on Patreon!
If you have a story of your own that you’d like to share or topics you’d like to hear more about, we’d love to hear from you! Call or text our show at 503-454-6646, or send us a message via the contact link on our website at https://griefgratitudegreatness.com/ .
We're also on Instagram (@griefgratitudegreat) and Facebook.
The podcast currently has 48 episodes available.