Grief. It’s raw, messy, and often swept under the rug by cultural norms and societal expectations. In this powerful episode of Fearless Fireside Chats, we’re smashing through the silence to have the conversations that matter most.

Ramiya opens up about the pain of losing her dad as a teenager, sharing the unspoken challenges of navigating loss at such a formative age. Joining her is the incredible Sita Patel, a South Asian baby loss advocate and host of the Grieving HeartBeats podcast, who courageously shares her story of losing her son, Arjun, during labour due to hospital negligence.

Key takeaways include understanding the non-linear nature of grief, the importance of emotional support, and the cultural challenges surrounding grief in the South Asian community. Join us in this heartfelt conversation as Sita opens up about her experiences and offers insights on how to compassionately support others dealing with loss.00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:31 Sita's Story: The Loss of Arjun02:01 Initial Phases of Grief05:50 Reactions and Support10:51 Navigating Grief and Societal Expectations14:57 Cultural Perspectives on Grief20:09 Honoring and Remembering Loved Ones24:22 The Healing Power of Crying25:13 The Importance of a Safe Space26:54 Grief is Not Linear27:17 Individual Grieving Processes29:25 The Impact of Loss on Daily Life31:52 Coping Mechanisms and Tools33:31 The Role of Community and Support36:11 Cultural Perspectives on Grief44:36 Advice for Those in Grief48:30 The Need for Open Conversations About Grief

Let’s rewrite the narrative around grief—one honest conversation at a time.

If you or someone you know is navigating grief, you don’t have to do it alone. Here are some incredible organisations offering support.

🫶🏾 You’re not alone, and support is always within reach.

• Sands (Stillbirth & Neonatal Death Charity): sands.org.uk – A leading UK charity providing support for those affected by baby loss.
• Tommy’s (Pregnancy and Baby Loss): tommys.org – Offers resources, research, and support around baby loss.
• Child Bereavement UK: childbereavementuk.org – Support for families grieving the loss of a child or baby.
• Miscarriage Support: miscarriagesupport.org.nz – A New Zealand-based charity offering information and resources for miscarriage support worldwide.
• Cruse Bereavement Support: cruse.org.uk – One of the UK’s leading charities offering grief support through one-on-one sessions, helplines, and local groups.
• The Good Grief Trust: thegoodgrieftrust.org – Provides resources and connections to support groups and services across the UK for people experiencing all types of grief.
• Mind (Grief and Loss): mind.org.uk – Information and support on how grief affects mental health, with guidance on accessing further help.
• GriefShare: griefshare.org – A global network of grief recovery support groups to help those experiencing loss.
• The Compassionate Friends: compassionatefriends.org – Provides support for families after the loss of a child, with chapters around the world.
• Refuge in Grief: refugeingrief.com – Offers online resources, support programs, and community spaces to help people through the grieving process.