Grief is a Sneaky Bitch
Psychology & Relationships
About
Grief is a Sneaky Bitch creator and host Lisa Keefauver is on a mission to reimagine grief one conversation at a time, helping us to center aliveness in a world full of loss. Yes, this is a podcast all about grief. Since 2019, Lisa and her guests have been exploring the expansiveness and pervasiveness of grief in our lives. Let's face it: 100% of us experience grief, multiple times in our lives. Lisa witnessed it time and time again in her career as a social worker and in her personal life—most significantly when she lost her husband in 2011. More recently, she experienced ambiguous grief while navigating breast cancer in 2024. And yet, individually and collectively, we're so grief-illiterate, and that's causing us all harm. So she's on a mission to reimagine grief so we can center aliveness in a world full of loss. She's so glad you're joining us. She brings her deep curiosity, love of conversation, and knowledge of how
Episodes
- Sandi Serling | Fear Unzipped
Sandi Serling, host of Fear Unzipped, joins Lisa Keefauver to discuss the links between grief, love, and spiritual healing. They explore how fear impacts the nervous system, perception, and identity, and how awareness can help reshape our…
- Sara Rian | Complexity of Love and Loss
Host Lisa Keefauver speaks with poet Sara Rian about navigating the complexities of love, grief, and trauma, particularly in the context of suicide loss. Rian shares her personal journey, her poetry, and insights on living authentically.
- Marisa Renee Lee | Waiting For Dawn
Marisa Renee Lee returns to discuss her book "Waiting For Dawn," focusing on living with ongoing uncertainty, grief, and chronic illness. The conversation covers gray grief, identity shifts, acceptance, energy management, and systemic barr…
- Shelby Forsythia | Of Course I'm Here Right Now
Grief Educator Shelby Forsythia joins host Lisa Keefauver to discuss Forsythia's book, "Of Course I’m Here Right Now." They explore three unspoken stories grievers tell themselves and three supportive phrases that avoid trying to fix or di…
- Lizzie Pickering | When Grief Equals Love
Grief educator Lizzie Pickering joins host Lisa Keefauver to discuss how grief changes over time, emphasizing that love and connection persist after loss. The episode explores themes of continuing bonds, cultural expectations of grief, and…
- Darnell Lamont Walker | Never Can Say Goodbye
Death doula Darnell Lamont Walker discusses his book "Never Can Say Goodbye," which reflects on his work accompanying the dying. The conversation covers how curiosity, storytelling, and compassion are essential in end-of-life care and supp…
- Naila Francis | Hallowed Nature of Grief
Naila Francis joins Lisa Keefauver to discuss the sacred nature of grief, including anger associated with complicated relationships with the deceased. They explore how nature, creativity, and writing can help metabolize grief and how new l…
- Charlene Lam | Curating Grief
Grief coach Charlene Lam discusses with host Lisa Keefauver how to navigate grief, particularly by curating the belongings and memories left behind after losing a loved one. The conversation explores the emotional processing involved in de…
- Nina Rodriguez | Sibling Loss Into the Light
Nina Rodriguez joins host Lisa Keefauver to discuss sibling loss, societal stigmas around addiction-related deaths, and the ongoing process of living with wonderment. Rodriguez shares her experience of unexpected loss and honoring the love…
- Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer | Poetic Response to Loss
Poet Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer joins host Lisa Keefauver to discuss navigating grief, particularly after experiencing significant personal loss. They explore how poetry, metaphor, and self-compassion can aid in processing loss, emphasizing…
- Lisa Pahl | Talking About Death
Hospice social worker Lisa Pahl joins host Lisa Keefauver to discuss death, dementia, and grief. Pahl shares insights on end-of-life care, hospice support, and tools for meaningful end-of-life conversations, drawing from her experience in…
- Sah D'Simone | Dancing with Grief
In this episode, Sah D’Simone speaks with host Lisa Keefauver about his mother's death, the tendency to avoid pain even during healing, and the significance of somatic embodiment. D’Simone shares personal stories about loss and healing, dr…
- Michelle Hord | What We Owe The Grieving
Michelle Hord joins host Lisa Keefauver to discuss catastrophic loss, drawing from her personal experiences and her essay in O Magazine. The episode explores societal beliefs about grief, the myth of fixing it, and the complexities survivo…
- Power of Narratives and Grief in Healthcare
Host Lisa Keefauver and guests Hui-Wen Sato, Lisa Pahl, and Dr. Sunita Puri explore living with grief, caregiving, and end-of-life care. The conversation touches on emotional labor, barriers to discussing death, and how grief can foster co…
- Penny Smith | Reframing Dying for Better Living
Hospice nurse Penny Smith joins host Lisa Keefauver to discuss hospice care, its importance in enhancing quality of life, and dispelling myths about the dying process. They explore patient advocacy, honest communication, death anxiety, and…
- Jennifer Hassel | Badass Grief
Jennifer Hassel, author of "Badass Grief," shares her experiences with profound loss, parenting while grieving, and finding agency and purpose in healing. The episode emphasizes remembering loved ones, embracing adventures as a form of hea…
- Suzy Hopkins & Hallie Bateman | What To Do When You Get Dumped
Host Lisa Keefauver talks with Suzy Hopkins and Hallie Bateman about their book "What To Do When You Get Dumped." They discuss processing grief from breakups, the role of family, and how writing and creative expression can aid healing.
- Lauren Sisler | Shatterproof
ESPN broadcaster Lauren Sisler shares her experience of grieving the sudden loss of both parents to prescription drug addiction when she was 18. She discusses the complexities of their deaths, the impact of addiction, and how sharing her s…
- Mary-Frances O'Connor | Tending to Our Grieving Body
Mary-Frances O’Connor, an expert on grief’s impact on the brain and body, discusses her book "The Grieving Body." The episode explores how stress from loss affects physical health, particularly cardiovascular health, and highlights the bod…
- Serene Meshel-Dillman
Host Lisa Keefauver talks with producer Serene Meshel-Dillman about her documentary series "Take Me Out Feet First." The series follows individuals navigating end-of-life decisions, discussing grief, and the importance of agency and dignit…
- Consolee Nishimwe & Barbara Becker | Pain, Resilience, & Hope
Consolée Nishimwe, a Rwandan genocide survivor, and Barbara Becker discuss grief, trauma, resilience, and the healing process with host Lisa Keefauver. They explore empathy, storytelling, community support, and overcoming stigma.
- Sundari Malcolm | Grief Gems
This episode features Sundari Malcolm, a Grief Doula, discussing her personal experiences with loss and her mission to help others navigate life transitions. Topics include friendship loss, caregiving, complicated grief, and indigenous hea…
- Cole Imperi | Non-Clinical Approach to Grieving
Host Lisa Keefauver speaks with thanatologist Cole Imperi about a non-clinical approach to grief, covering grief literacy, community support, cultural influences, shadow losses, and the importance of rituals and vulnerability.
- Olivia Abousaid | Finding Agency in Grief
Host Lisa Keefauver speaks with grief coach Olivia Abousaid about the complexities of grief, including its relation to community, chronic illness, and cultural factors. They discuss finding agency amidst loss, the role of anger, and the im…
- Anne Gudger | The Fifth Chamber
Author Anne Gudger shares her journey of navigating love and grief following the accidental death of her husband, detailing her experiences in her memoir "The Fifth Chamber." The conversation explores themes of shock, grief support, and co…
- Litsa Williams | What's Your Grief?
This episode features Litsa Williams, co-founder of What’s Your Grief, discussing grief, loss, and addiction. Williams, a grief therapist with over 15 years of experience, explores themes of disenfranchised grief, ambiguous loss, and the s…
- Susan Lieu | The Manicurist's Daughter
Susan Lieu joins Grief is a Sneaky Bitch to discuss her memoir, The Manicurist's Daughter, which evolves from her solo show about her mother's death. The conversation covers grief beliefs shaped by family, the silence around loss, cultural…
- Susan Grau | Infinite Life, Infinite Lessons
This episode features intuitive medium Susan Grau discussing her book "Infinite Life, Infinite Lessons." The conversation covers the soul's journey, healing from grief, the afterlife, trauma, near-death experiences, and spiritual connectio…
- Allison Gilbert | The Joy of Connections
Emmy Award-winning journalist Allison Gilbert joined host Lisa Keefauver to discuss grief, joy, and loneliness, lessons from their book "The Joy of Connections," and the importance of communication in relationships.
- Kathleen Blackburn | Loose of Earth
Kathleen Blackburn discusses her memoir "Loose of Earth," detailing her childhood experiences with a homeschooling family, her father's cancer diagnosis, and the intersection of personal grief, memory, and political loss. The conversation…
- Jamie Thrower | Creativity in the End
Jamie Thrower, founder of the Queer Grief Club, discusses with host Lisa Keefauver how personal loss, including pregnancy loss, shapes grief beliefs. The episode explores creative expression through art and photography as tools for mindful…
- Domenica Feraud | Exploring Grief On Stage
Doménica Feraud talks with Lisa Keefauver about her play 'Someone Spectacular,' which examines grief through the experiences of six characters in a support group. Feraud shares personal lessons about grief, her mother's influence, and the…
- Jessica Waite | The Widow's Guide to Dead Bastards
This episode features Jessica Waite, author of "The Widow’s Guide to Dead Bastards," discussing her experiences with grief, betrayal, and healing. Topics include early loss, mental health
- Special Episode #1 | Lisa Keefauver & Co-Host Kousha Navidar
Host Lisa Keefauver and co-host Kousha Navidar address listener questions on topics including compounding grief, expressing needs, and processing loss through movement and rituals. The conversation highlights navigating grief with self-com…
- Alica Forneret | Mother Loss & Motherhood
This episode features Alica Forneret discussing themes of grief, including mother loss, adoption, grieving complicated relationships, and the experience of grief as a Black woman. Host Lisa Keefauver explores these topics with Forneret, wh…
- Dr. Red Hoffman | Violent and Complicated Loss
Dr. Red Hoffman shares her experiences with violent and complicated grief, detailing the loss of her father and boyfriend, and her transition into acute care surgery and palliative medicine. She emphasizes self-compassion and support for s…
- Dr. Joanne Cacciatore | Bearing the Unbearable
This episode features Dr. Joanne Cacciatore, an expert in traumatic grief and a bereaved mother, discussing themes of loss, healing practices, and cultural challenges in grieving. Dr. Cacciatore shares insights from her work at Arizona Sta…
- Tembi Locke | From Scratch
Actress and author Tembi Locke joins Grief is a Sneaky Bitch to discuss navigating grief after the death of her husband. She emphasizes the importance of acknowledging both the pain of loss and the joy of life, and finding connection amids…
- Jessica Fein | Breath Taking
Jessica Fein shares her experience navigating life with a terminally ill child, emphasizing the importance of living in the present and finding joy even in difficult circumstances. Her journey, detailed in her memoir "Breath Taking," highl…
- Human, Not Superhero (Episode Revisit) | Hui-Wen Sato
This episode revisits a conversation with pediatric ICU nurse Hui-Wen Sato, focusing on the realities of professional grief and the need for cultural shifts in healthcare. Sato shares her personal resources and the role of storytelling in…
- J.S. Park | As Long As You Need
J.S. Park, a hospital chaplain and author of "As Long As You Need: Permission to Grieve," shares insights on his personal journey, the nature of grief, and the importance of acknowledging future losses and relocating hope.
- Julie McFadden | Nothing to Fear
Hospice Nurse Julie McFadden, known for her online presence, shares her experience in normalizing discussions about death and hospice care. Host Lisa Keefauver also highlights resources related to grief and her book.
- Ronit Plank | When She Comes Back
Ronit Plank shares her experiences of abandonment by her parents, her mother's involvement with Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, and the profound grief that resulted. Her memoir, "When She Comes Back," delves into the nature of loss and the impact…
- Alua Arthur | Briefly Perfectly Human
Death doula Alua Arthur discusses her memoir Briefly Perfectly Human, arguing that acknowledging our temporary existence can foster a more compassionate and magical life. She founded Going with Grace to help people find peace with themselv…
- Nikki Mark | Tommy's Field
Nikki Mark discusses the unexpected death of her son, Tommy, in 2019 and her subsequent journey of healing, which included exploring various alternative therapies. She also details the creation of Tommy's Field, a public athletic field, to…
- Peter Levine | Somatic Experiencing
This episode features a discussion with Peter A. Levine, the developer of Somatic Experiencing, a neurobiological approach to trauma healing. Levine holds doctorates in Medical and Biological Physics and Psychology, and has authored severa…
- Claire Bidwell Smith | Invitation to Conscious Grieving
This episode features a conversation with grief therapist and author Claire Bidwell Smith. They discuss common themes in grief, such as loss of self-identity, guilt, rumination, anxiety, and fear, and explore ways to move through these exp…
- Devin Moss | You Are Loved. You Are Not Alone
This episode features a conversation with Devin Moss, host of the Momento Mori podcast, who discusses his work as a Humanist Chaplain. Moss shares experiences, including accompanying an inmate on death row, and explores existential questio…
- Darnell Lamont Walker | Toward Healing & Happiness
This episode features Darnell Lamont Walker in a conversation about life choices, grief and loss within the Black community, and the use of creativity and play for healing. Walker, an Emmy-Nominated children's television writer and death d…
- Asa Merritt | Six Sermons
The episode discusses grief and loss through the lens of Asa Merritt's