I’ve known Natasha Dongell since I was a kid (which was longer ago for me than for her, I assure you), and I’ve long looked up to her as a source of wisdom, but this newly released book of hers (a memoir titled When Lynn Died) is a resource on grief that I truly hope makes a broad impact in the world.

In our conversation we briefly recap the story of crisis that led to her wanting/needing to write this book, but beyond that, she shares helpful thoughts on how people can deal with grief & the grieving, while also giving us a vulnerable window into a life that is not “perfect” but is healed.

To follow along with Natasha’s Substack, find her here (and to watch this conversation via video you can either do so on YouTube here or experimentally embedded in the post below.

Chapters:

05:48 - Understanding the Book's Purpose

08:59 - The Crisis: Lynn's Sudden Death

10:15 - Navigating Grief and Community Support

12:10 - The Role of Vulnerability in Healing

15:05 - Cultural Perspectives on Grief

18:20 - Practical Tips for Supporting the Grieving

29:22 - Navigating Vulnerability in Grief

35:03 - The Importance of Community Support

39:23 - The Journey of Writing a Book on Grief

48:55 - Remarriage and Processing Grief

01:03:44 - Finding Balance in New Relationships

01:07:32 - New Chapter

keywords: grief, loss, emotional intelligence, church, support, relationships, healing, vulnerability, mourning, community

Some Takeaways:

* Lynn's unexpected death was a profound shock.

* Grief is often poorly understood in church communities.

* Emotional intelligence is crucial in navigating grief.

* Vulnerability is uncomfortable but necessary for healing.

* Supportive relationships are key to processing grief.

* The church often struggles with acknowledging brokenness.

* Language around grief is often lacking in Western culture.

* It's important to lean in and ask about the lost loved ones.

* Listening to the names of the deceased can be healing.

* Building trust with others is essential for sharing grief.

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