The Widow Podcast

Mary-Frances O’Connor: Grief Is Not Something to Be Overcome


Listen Later

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Mary-Frances O’Connor, neuroscientist, psychologist, and author of The Grieving Brain and The Grieving Body.

Mary-Frances has spent her career researching what happens to our minds and bodies when we lose someone we love. Her work helps us understand why grief feels the way it does, how our brains adapt, and why love and loss are so deeply intertwined.

This conversation is full of insight, science, and compassion. We explore what happens in the brain during grief, why waves of grief come and go, and how we can continue our bond with those who have died. Mary-Frances also shares why resilience is the most common response to loss, and why grief is less about “moving on” and more about learning to live with love in a different way.

In this episode we talk about:

  •  Why grieving is best understood as a form of learning
  •  How the brain and body adjust when someone we love dies
  •  The difference between grief (in the moment) and grieving (the ongoing process)
  •  Why the second year of grief can sometimes feel harder than the first
  •  The importance of internal bonds and how they continue after physical loss
  •  What research shows about resilience, prolonged grief, and healing
  •  How grief journeys differ with sudden loss compared to after long-term caregiving
  •  Practical ways we can support ourselves, and each other, through grief
  •  

    Explore Mary-Frances O’Connor’s books: 

    The Grieving Brain by Mary-Frances O'Connor | Waterstones

    The Grieving Body by Mary-Frances O'Connor | Waterstones

     

    I’d love you to join me for Awakening Hope — a free five-day experience.

    Find out more at: https://www.karensutton.co.uk/awakeninghope

     

    For Further Support:

    The Widows Membership: karensutton.co.uk/the-widow-membership

    Coaching and retreats: karensutton.co.uk

     

    Mary-Frances O’Connor – Photo credit: Eric Godoy 

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store

    The Widow PodcastBy Karen Sutton

    • 4.9
    • 4.9
    • 4.9
    • 4.9
    • 4.9

    4.9

    140 ratings


    More shows like The Widow Podcast

    View all
    Grief Out Loud by The Dougy Center

    Grief Out Loud

    312 Listeners

    Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee by Dr Rangan Chatterjee: GP & Author

    Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee

    3,935 Listeners

    The Declutter Hub Podcast by The Declutter Hub

    The Declutter Hub Podcast

    206 Listeners

    Feminist Wellness by Béa Victoria Albina

    Feminist Wellness

    982 Listeners

    The Widowed Mom Podcast by Krista St-Germain

    The Widowed Mom Podcast

    694 Listeners

    Widow We Do Now? by Anita and Mel

    Widow We Do Now?

    345 Listeners

    Unlocking Us with Brené Brown by Vox Media Podcast Network

    Unlocking Us with Brené Brown

    23,610 Listeners

    Widow 180 The Podcast with Jen Zwinck by Jen Zwinck

    Widow 180 The Podcast with Jen Zwinck

    86 Listeners

    Making Space with Hoda Kotb by Hoda Kotb, TODAY

    Making Space with Hoda Kotb

    10,492 Listeners

    The Mel Robbins Podcast by Mel Robbins

    The Mel Robbins Podcast

    20,104 Listeners

    Therapy Works by Julia Samuel

    Therapy Works

    70 Listeners

    The Jamie Kern Lima Show by Jamie Kern Lima

    The Jamie Kern Lima Show

    2,639 Listeners

    The Widow's Walk by Dr. Connie Mariano

    The Widow's Walk

    27 Listeners

    Love is not dead Just my husband! Widow Your Way with Rebecca Johnson by Rebecca Johnson

    Love is not dead Just my husband! Widow Your Way with Rebecca Johnson

    48 Listeners

    The Oprah Podcast by Harpo

    The Oprah Podcast

    1,546 Listeners