Top 5 podcasts for managing grief

Grief is complicated, harrowing, and almost impossible to avoid in life. We all need to find ways to manage our grief and figure out how to live on without our loved ones.

From grief support groups to spending time with loved ones, there are many strategies to try to manage grief. And for some of us, one of those strategies is to listen to podcasts. 

There are an estimated 4.2 million podcasts around the world, so there’s truly something for everyone (including over 50s). Naturally, there are also plenty that can help you or a loved one through grief. Here are five of the best. 

1. Good Mourning

Good Mourning is a podcast that aims to help people through grief with friendship, connection, and conversation. It was founded by two women who both lost their mothers unexpectedly at around the same time, who went on to form a strong connection and create the kind of grief support they wished they’d had at the time. 

These two Australian women have gone on to build an international community over the last few years, where connections are vital and conversations about grief are the norm. As well as the podcast itself, they host monthly virtual meetups, offer access to community forums and groups, and have published a book. 

2. Griefcast: Funny People Talking About Death 

Griefcast takes a decidedly different approach to grieving – one with humour.

While this podcast certainly still explores common themes such as the stages of grief and tips for managing it, it does so with a touch of humour to try to remind listeners that there is still light beyond the darkness. 

Griefcast was founded by British comedian Cariad Lloyd, who lost her father to cancer as a teenager. She welcomes comedic guests each week to laugh, cry, and talk about the loss and weirdness of grief. Plus, Griefcast won Podcast of the Year at the British Podcast Awards in 2018 (amongst other awards). 

3. Death: Love, Grief and Hope

Death: Love, Grief and Hope was founded by Kiwi Mark Longley after the death of his daughter. Despite there being arguably no grief quite like the grief of losing a child, Mark’s approach is one of hope. In fact, you will often hear his phrase (basically his catchphrase at this point), ‘don’t die with the dead.’

Mark is also a journalist, which gives him an additional insight into how the media represents death, and how this can impact those who are left behind. 

This podcast is short but sweet, with just three episodes moving from Love, through to Grief, and on to Hope. This makes it a good listen to start with to see if a grief podcast could be a good option for you. 

4. What’s Your Grief 

For a professional take on grief, check out What’s Your Grief. This podcast is run by two mental health professionals who offer practical advice and acknowledge that not all grief looks the same. 

Their episodes run the gamut, from managing grief as a result of overdose-related deaths, to the grief of losing a beloved pet, to dealing with triggers. They even discuss grief in popular culture (such as in television and film), and confusing topics such as grieving without crying. 

This is a great podcast for more of a professional take on grieving and how you can work through it. 

5. Terrible, thanks for asking 

Terrible, thanks for asking gets its name from how people actually want to respond when asked how they’re doing. This sets the tone for the podcast itself, taking a refreshing, honest view on grief and the various ways it can occur, and dives into the more uncomfortable aspects of managing it. 

In each episode, host Nora McInerny speaks to everyday people about their experiences, and draws on her own experiences of loss to talk through the various harrowing ups and downs of it all.  

Grief is an individual journey

These podcasts can be a healing balm in an impossible time, and they can also help listeners learn how to open up and have tough conversations about death and dying. They can also be a good reminder to help with your loved ones’ further challenges after your own passing by ways such as setting up Seniors Funeral Insurance and a detailed Will, so that they know your wishes and can carry them out for you.

12 Jul 2024