Welcome back, Keep Grief Weirdos! In this special mid-break episode, Tracy and MC dive into heartfelt listener letters, share big announcements, and explore the often-overlooked layers of grief—from sibling loss and parental relationships to the challenges of coping during the holiday season. One listener writes in about navigating sibling loss and the emotional complexities of carrying a BRCA1 mutation, sparking a candid discussion about health anxiety, generational grief, and the resilience required to move forward. Another wrote reflecting on the loss of a dream as his daughter builds a life across the country — a poignant reminder that grief isn’t always about death but often about the changes in relationships and expectations. Another letter gives us a deeply moving story of finding peace and healing through a serendipitous connection with someone who bridges the divide between life and the afterlife—proof that sometimes the universe works in mysterious ways. A final letter wrote about how hard it can be to let go of the stuff left behind when life circumstances don't allow us to keep them.At the end of the episode, Tracy & MC have a couple of announcements!

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Join the Hope Circuit!
We have a vibrant and supportive online community for you! It is the perfect space to connect with others navigating grief, loneliness, or life transitions. From weekly accountability calls to journaling sessions and bi-weekly movie nights, there’s something for everyone seeking support, connection, and a little holiday cheer.

Sign up here: https://hopecircuit.circle.so/checkout/all-access

Have a woo-woo story or a topic you’d love us to cover in Season 2? Send us an email at [email protected], drop us a voicemail on Spotify, or reach out via social media. Let’s keep grief weird together! 

Stay tuned, stay weird, and don’t forget to mark your calendars! 

Check out⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Keep Grief Weird on Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for exclusive episode notes, resources, and opportunities to connect!

Instagram:

-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@keepgriefweird⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@mc.phd ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@shutterbean⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thehandwritingclub⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok:

-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@mc.phd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook:

-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@tracyshutterbean⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@emseyphd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music kindly provided by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tom Rosenthal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The song excerpted at the beginning and end of each episode is "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Have We Met Before? feat. Fenne Lily"⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from the album⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Z-Sides⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, released in 2018.

MC McDonald and Tracy Benjamin host Keep Grief Weird, produced by Tracy Benjamin. For questions, stories, or comments, please reach out via DM on Instagram (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@keepgriefweird⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) or email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Let's complete our first season of Keep Grief Weird with a RECAP! Fear not, we'll be back. In this episode, Tracy and MC explore various themes surrounding nostalgia, childhood memories, and the complexities of grief. They reflect on their favorite TV shows as 80s kids, the impact of memory on grief, and the importance of humor in healing. Their discussion also touches on celebrity scandals, personal growth through grief, and the significance of listener engagement. As they recap their podcast season, they share insights from their episodes and express excitement for future topics, including the weirdness of grief and woo-woo stories. Stay tuned for Season 2!

Check out⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Keep Grief Weird on Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for exclusive episode notes, resources, and opportunities to connect!

Instagram:

-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@keepgriefweird⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@mc.phd ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@shutterbean⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thehandwritingclub⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok:

-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@mc.phd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

X:

-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@shutterbean⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook:

-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@tracyshutterbean⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@emseyphd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music kindly provided by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tom Rosenthal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The song excerpted at the beginning and end of each episode is "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Have We Met Before? feat. Fenne Lily"⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from the album⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Z-Sides⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, released in 2018.

MC McDonald and Tracy Benjamin host Keep Grief Weird, produced by Tracy Benjamin. For questions, stories, or comments, please reach out via DM on Instagram (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@keepgriefweird⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) or email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Instagram:

-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@keepgriefweird⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@mc.phd ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@shutterbean⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thehandwritingclub⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok:

-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@mc.phd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

X:

-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@shutterbean⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook:

-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@tracyshutterbean⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@emseyphd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music kindly provided by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tom Rosenthal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The song excerpted at the beginning and end of each episode is "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Have We Met Before? feat. Fenne Lily"⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from the album⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Z-Sides⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, released in 2018.

MC McDonald and Tracy Benjamin host Keep Grief Weird, produced by Tracy Benjamin. For questions, stories, or comments, please reach out via DM on Instagram (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@keepgriefweird⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) or email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

MC and Tracy kick things off with a fun chat about the joys of compression socks and readers (because we're all about comfort here), before diving into the real stuff — grief myths! Wasn't grief already hard enough without a bunch of myths? Yes. Yes, it was.

First on the chopping block is the idea that “time heals all wounds.” Yeah, not so much. Grief isn’t something you just “get over” with time—it’s a lifelong thing, and that’s totally okay. They also debunk the myth that kids don’t grieve. Spoiler: they do, duh. Next, they tackle the whole “the first year is the hardest” myth. Guess what? That’s not a one-size-fits-all truth either. Grief’s timeline is different for everyone. They also bust the myth that you’ll eventually go back to being the “old you” after healing. Truth is, grief changes you — and that’s part of the process. Oh, and about therapy? Not all therapists are created equal, so finding the right one is key.

In the final part, they keep things real and hilarious as always, mixing in stories about dental work and angels (yes, it all connects!). They chat about how grief isn’t just endless tears —it can come with moments of laughter too. And angels.

Check out⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Keep Grief Weird on Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for exclusive episode notes, resources, and opportunities to connect!

Instagram:

-⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@keepgriefweird⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@mc.phd ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@shutterbean⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thehandwritingclub⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok:

-⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@mc.phd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

X:

-⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@shutterbean⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook:

-⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@tracyshutterbean⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@emseyphd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music kindly provided by⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tom Rosenthal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The song excerpted at the beginning and end of each episode is "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Have We Met Before? feat. Fenne Lily"⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from the album⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Z-Sides⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, released in 2018.

MC McDonald and Tracy Benjamin host Keep Grief Weird, produced by Tracy Benjamin. For questions, stories, or comments, please reach out via DM on Instagram (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@keepgriefweird⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) or email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode, we dive headfirst into the world of celebrity deaths and the intriguing emotional rollercoaster they stir up. Inspired by Billy Joel’s hit song "Only the Good Die Young," we ask: why are we so fascinated by celebrity death? Why does it seem like so many of our icons, from Amy Winehouse to Kurt Cobain and Heath Ledger, leave us too soon? And what’s up with the infamous 27 Club?

We take a deep dive into parasocial relationships—the one-sided (but totally normal!) bonds we form with celebrities we’ve never met but feel like we know. It’s wild how deeply we can grieve someone we’ve only seen through a screen or heard through speakers, but it’s real, and we’re here to explore why that happens. Social media has turned these experiences up to eleven, giving us constant access to tributes, memorials, and even AI-generated versions of our lost icons. Could AI and holograms change the way we grieve in the future? Will we still mourn when we can ‘see’ a performer on stage after they're gone? Through some personal stories and relatable reflections, we’ll look at how mourning celebrities can mirror our own grief for loved ones, and how these public losses shape the way we navigate our private grief. Join us for a thought-provoking and maybe even healing conversation about the lasting influence these stars have on our lives, even after they’re gone.

Instagram:

-⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@keepgriefweird⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@mc.phd ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@shutterbean⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thehandwritingclub⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok:

-⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@mc.phd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

X:

-⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@shutterbean⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook:

-⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@tracyshutterbean⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@emseyphd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music kindly provided by⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tom Rosenthal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The song excerpted at the beginning and end of each episode is "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Have We Met Before? feat. Fenne Lily"⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from the album⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Z-Sides⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, released in 2018.

MC McDonald and Tracy Benjamin host Keep Grief Weird, produced by Tracy Benjamin. For questions, stories, or comments, please reach out via DM on Instagram (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@keepgriefweird⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) or email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Get ready for an especially lively and heartfelt episode as Tracy and MC dive into your letters! This time, they're tackling an eclectic mix of topics that will have you laughing, reflecting, and reminiscing. They start out as randomly as ever, talking about theater warm-up exercises and those nostalgic AOL chatrooms that shaped our early internet lives. Tracy and MC share some seriously cathartic swearing stories as well as their original AOL handles.

But it’s not all laughs — things get real as they open up about their experiences with grief. Through listener letters, they explore the bittersweet moments that come when you recognize pieces of your lost loved ones in yourself. From the uncanny resemblance in the mirror to the traits passed down through generations, they delve into the complex emotions that come with aging and the desire to carve out their own identities. This episode also touches on the fascinating intersections of genetics, societal pressures, and the modern obsession with filters and cosmetic tweaks.

As always, it’s a conversation that’s as deep as it is diverse, highlighting how grief weaves its way into every corner of our lives—even the way we see ourselves. Tune in for a mix of fun, nostalgia, and raw, honest reflections!

Join⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Keep Grief Weird on Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for exclusive episode notes, resources, and opportunities to connect!

Instagram:

-⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@keepgriefweird⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@mc.phd ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@shutterbean⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thehandwritingclub⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok:

-⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@mc.phd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

X:

-⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@shutterbean⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook:

-⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@tracyshutterbean⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@emseyphd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music kindly provided by⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tom Rosenthal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The song excerpted at the beginning and end of each episode is "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Have We Met Before? feat. Fenne Lily"⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from the album⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Z-Sides⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, released in 2018.

MC McDonald and Tracy Benjamin host Keep Grief Weird, produced by Jake Youmell. For questions, stories, or comments, please reach out via DM on Instagram (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@keepgriefweird⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) or email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Grief can have a significant impact on relationships, both positively and negatively. It can be challenging for partners and friends to understand and support someone who is grieving, leading to feelings of isolation. However, grief can also bring people closer together and foster deeper connections. The experience of loss can increase empathy and understanding, leading to more authentic and meaningful interactions. Clear and honest communication about needs and feelings is crucial in navigating relationships during grief. It is important to express what you need and not rely on others to guess, while also being open to understanding the needs of others. Practice and time are necessary to navigate the complexities of grief in relationships. In this part of the conversation, MC and Tracy discuss the challenges of navigating grief in relationships. They explore how different experiences of loss can affect connections and relationships, and how grief can make individuals more sensitive to others' words and actions. They also emphasize the importance of seeking therapy and creating space for grief within the relationship without letting it overwhelm the relationship. The conversation ends with a lighthearted discussion about three things that someone could conjure MC and Tracy with in the event of their absence.

Join⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Keep Grief Weird on Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for exclusive episode notes, resources, and opportunities to connect!

Instagram:

-⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@keepgriefweird⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@mc.phd ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@shutterbean⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thehandwritingclub⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok:

-⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@mc.phd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

X:

-⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@shutterbean⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook:

-⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@tracyshutterbean⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@emseyphd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music kindly provided by⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tom Rosenthal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The song excerpted at the beginning and end of each episode is "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Have We Met Before? feat. Fenne Lily"⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from the album⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Z-Sides⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, released in 2018.

MC McDonald and Tracy Benjamin host Keep Grief Weird, produced by Jake Youmell. For questions, stories, or comments, please reach out via DM on Instagram (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@keepgriefweird⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) or email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Hosts MC McDonald and Tracy Benjamin discuss their experiences with grief and share insights they wish they had known earlier in the process. They talk about the importance of acknowledging and accepting emotions, the different ways grief can manifest, and the need for self-compassion and understanding. They also touch on the impact of loss on identity and the challenges of navigating grief in a society that often overlooks or misunderstands it. The hosts discuss the challenges of starting over in college, the evolving relationship with grief over time, the difficulty of talking about grief openly, and the societal expectations around expressing emotions. They also touch on the importance of finding healthy outlets for anger and the power of swearing AND exercise. Overall, the conversation highlights the need for more open and honest conversations about grief and the importance of self-expression. Stay tuned to the end to hear their favorite curse words.

Join ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Keep Grief Weird on Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for exclusive episode notes, resources, and opportunities to connect!

Instagram:

- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@keepgriefweird⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@mc.phd ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@shutterbean⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thehandwritingclub⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok:

- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@mc.phd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

X:

- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@shutterbean⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook:

- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@tracyshutterbean⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@emseyphd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music kindly provided by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tom Rosenthal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The song excerpted at the beginning and end of each episode is "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Have We Met Before? feat. Fenne Lily"⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from the album ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Z-Sides⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, released in 2018.

MC McDonald and Tracy Benjamin host Keep Grief Weird, produced by Jake Youmell. For questions, stories, or comments, please reach out via DM on Instagram (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@keepgriefweird⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) or email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode of Keep Grief Weird, MC and Tracy dive into the 'both and' concept in grief, illustrating how grief is a blend of contradictory emotions. They stress the importance of balancing conflicting realities without choosing sides and explore the role of forgiveness in the healing process. Applying the 'both and' philosophy to relationships, parenting, and storytelling, they highlight the unique and complex nature of each person's grieving journey. The conversation also covers viewing divorces as learning opportunities and the significance of emotional nuance. Tune in for a thoughtful discussion on navigating the multifaceted landscape of grief and life.

Instagram:

- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@keepgriefweird⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@mc.phd ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@shutterbean⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thehandwritingclub⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok:

- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@mc.phd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

X:

- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@shutterbean⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook:

- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@tracyshutterbean⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@emseyphd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Others:

- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Handwriting Club Substack Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Handwriting Club Etsy Shop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Handwriting Club Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music kindly provided by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tom Rosenthal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The song excerpted at the beginning and end of each episode is "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Have We Met Before? feat. Fenne Lily"⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from the album ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Z-Sides⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, released in 2018.

MC McDonald and Tracy Benjamin host Keep Grief Weird, produced by Jake Youmell. For questions, stories, or comments, please reach out via DM on Instagram (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@keepgriefweird⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) or email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Join MC and Tracy as they discuss various therapeutic interventions for grief, including CBT, ACT, and complicated grief therapy. They also explore the benefits of art therapy, group therapy, eco-therapy, dance therapy, and bibliotherapy. Emphasizing the importance of finding a safe and connected therapist, they delve into the healing roles of creativity, nature, and supportive relationships in the grief process.

Join ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Keep Grief Weird on Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for exclusive episode notes, resources, and opportunities to connect!

Instagram:

- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@keepgriefweird⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@mc.phd ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@shutterbean⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thehandwritingclub⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok:

- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@mc.phd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

X:

- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@shutterbean⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook:

- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@tracyshutterbean⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@emseyphd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Others:

- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Handwriting Club Substack Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Handwriting Club Etsy Shop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Handwriting Club Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music kindly provided by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tom Rosenthal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The song excerpted at the beginning and end of each episode is "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Have We Met Before? feat. Fenne Lily"⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from the album ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Z-Sides⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, released in 2018.

MC McDonald and Tracy Benjamin host Keep Grief Weird, produced by Jake Youmell. For questions, stories, or comments, please reach out via DM on Instagram (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@keepgriefweird⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) or email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.