Enduring Grief

What happens when grief is not tied to death, but to the life you thought you were going to have? In this honest and moving episode of Enduring Grief, Sarah sits down with Brad to talk about living with schizophrenia, losing confidence, facing stigma, and rebuilding a meaningful life one day at a time. Brad shares how medication, therapy, community, nature, and self-awareness have helped him accep...

What if your grief response is not “wrong,” but a clue to how you learned to survive? In this warm, honest, and funny conversation, Sarah welcomes Elizabeth Orr, author of The Unfiltered Enneagram , to explore how the Enneagram can help us better understand grief, support, anger, love, and emotional shutdown. Together, they look at how different personality types may carry loss, from the fiery ang...

What happens when the life you knew disappears, but you still have to wake up and live the next day? In this heartfelt episode of Enduring Grief , Sarah Peterson sits with Marlis and Dean for an honest conversation about identity, loss, and the painful moments when life no longer feels familiar. They talk about illness, parenting through hardship, losing roles that once defined them, and learning...

What do you do when grief leaves you asking, “Now what?” In this heartfelt episode of Enduring Grief , Sarah Peterson sits down with Aurena, licensed mental health counselor, yoga instructor, and co-creator of the Planet Grief deck. Aurena shares how the loss of her mother inspired a practical, compassionate tool for grievers and the people who love them. Together, Sarah and Aurena talk about rece...

What does it really mean to show up for someone whose pain cannot be fixed? In this heartfelt episode of Enduring Grief , Sarah Peterson sits down with her dear friend Katie Hartley to talk about grief, friendship, and the quiet power of practical support. Katie shares how her years as a hospice nurse, along with her own personal losses, shaped the way she cared for Sarah after the death of Sarah’...

What if grief is not something to fix, but something asking to move through us with care, witness, and community? In this heartfelt episode of Enduring Grief , Sarah Peterson welcomes Pixie Lighthorse for a powerful conversation about loss, kinship, and the deep need for support when life breaks open. Pixie shares why grief cannot be rushed, hidden, or carried alone, and how a “support core” can h...

What if refuge in grief is not a place where pain disappears, but a small moment where you can finally breathe? In this heartfelt episode of Enduring Grief , Sarah Peterson sits down with Marlis and Dean to talk about finding steadiness when loss feels too heavy to carry. Together, they explore what true refuge can look like, from feeling your feet on the ground to calling a friend, reaching out t...

What happens when the marriage ends, but the grief stays? In this honest and deeply human conversation, Sarah welcomes divorce coach Steph Kafoury to talk about the loss that can come with divorce, even when leaving was the right choice. They speak with care and humor about anger, sadness, identity, parenting, dating, support, and learning to trust yourself without needing a perfect plan. Steph sh...

What if the pain you never asked for could still become a place where beauty, courage, and connection grow? In this heartfelt Season 3 conversation of Enduring Grief, Sarah Peterson, LCSW welcomes artist and author Mary Marquiss to discuss Behind the Painting: An Artist’s Memoir. Mary shares how painting and writing helped her live through miscarriages, divorce, family suicide, stroke, cancer, bet...

What happens when grief returns years later and knocks the breath out of you all over again? In this episode, Sarah Peterson, LCSW opens up about the deep waves of grief she faced nearly 10 years after losing her child and her dad within just a few months. With honesty and care, she shares why grief is not something we “finish,” but something we keep practicing as life changes. This season expands...

Join host Sarah Peterson, LCSW, for an honest, heartfelt Q&A as she wraps up Season 2 of Enduring Grief . In this episode, Sarah responds to listener questions about the unpredictable journey through loss—touching on what changes to expect from grief counseling, why people grieve differently, and the complex emotions like guilt around finding joy after loss. Expect thoughtful reflections on “t...

In this thought-provoking episode of Enduring Grief, host Sarah Peterson is joined by Dr. Marlis Beier and Dr. Dean Sharpe to unravel the unique journeys of experiencing loss. Together, they explore the profound contrast between sudden loss—such as accidents or traumatic deaths—and natural, expected death. From the overwhelming physical shocks that grief creates to the distinct emotional landscape...

On this episode of Enduring Grief , host Sarah Peterson, joined by special guest Shanan Kelley, explores the real-life complexities of navigating loss in our fast-paced world. Listen as they address topics like the power of listening, the underestimated skill-building needed for grief, and why being “kinder to yourself” might be among the most important healing practices. The conversation weaves t...

Compassionate listening is at the heart of grief support—but what does it truly look like in practice? In this episode of Enduring Grief , host Sarah Peterson teams up with guests Dr. Marlis Beier and Dr. Dean Sharpe to unpack the subtle art of "being with" rather than "fixing" in moments of loss. Discover why grievers themselves might need to learn the skill of compassionate self-listening, and w...

In this heartfelt episode of Enduring Grief, host Sarah Peterson is joined by Elizabeth Johnson, Director of the Peaceful Presence Project, for a moving conversation about the realities of living after significant loss. Together, they unpack the raw experience of child loss, exploring the shock, isolation, and “life-cracking eruption of hell” that accompanies sudden, unexpected tragedy. Listeners...

In this eye-opening episode of Enduring Grief, host Sarah Peterson sits down with Lesley Sacks, Executive Director of Hopewell House, to explore the unique realities of anticipatory grief - the grief we carry before a loss fully arrives. Drawing on years of experience in hospice care, Lesley offers insights into supporting families and individuals facing the slow goodbye. The conversation uncovers...

In Part 2 of our forgiveness series (continuing from Episode 13), host Sarah Peterson, LCSW, is joined again by Dr. Marlis Beier and Dr. Dean Sharpe to explore what happens after forgiveness is offered—or withheld. Together, they explore the emotional aftermath of strained relationships, grief, and the complexity of healing. From the “grief ring theory” to the role of boundaries and the challenge...

This episode is Part 1 of a special two-part series exploring the messy, powerful, and deeply human experience of forgiveness. Host Sarah Peterson is joined by returning guests Dr. Marlis Beier and Dr. Dean Sharpe for an honest conversation about what forgiveness really means—beyond clichés and simple answers. Together, they explore the emotional and psychological layers of forgiving others, forgi...

On this episode, Sarah Peterson sits down with Brennan Wood to talk about her childhood loss and how it inspired her life’s work with the Dougy Center. If you’re curious about how children process grief differently than adults and why it’s vital to have specialized grief resources, this is the episode for you. Discover why peer support makes a lasting difference, how our culture sometimes gets gri...

Grief isn’t only about death—and this episode shines a light on all the other losses we rarely talk about. Join therapist Sarah Peterson and physicians Dr. Marlis Beier and Dr. Dean Sharpe as they unpack the grief tied to transitions—ending relationships, the loss of health or identity, kids leaving home, or simply life not turning out as planned. Through real stories and reflections, they discuss...

Join Sarah Peterson and her son Sylus on Enduring Grief as they explore the intricate impact of grief on family dynamics and the healing power of shared experiences. Sylus, a remarkable young man who has attended and now works with Camp Courage, shares how communal activities help grieving children realize they are not alone. Together, they discuss the unexpected ways grief strengthens some relati...

Join host Sarah Peterson and her close friend Nora Smith as they explore the nuances of supporting someone through grief in this emotionally charged episode of "Enduring Grief." Discover why Nora insists on recognizing the rawness of grief without trying to soften it. Learn practical tips for pausing before offering words of comfort and hear about a unique colored hearts system that transformed th...

In Episode 8 of Enduring Grief , hosts Sarah Peterson, Dr. Marlis Beier, and Dr. Dean Sharpe tackle the concept of "competitive grief" and the hierarchy of loss. How does one measure their grief against another? Should they even try? With poignant personal anecdotes, the hosts explore the importance of empathy, compassion, and understanding that grief is a deeply personal journey. From the challen...

On this episode of Enduring Grief , Sarah Peterson welcomes the insightful and humor-filled Shanan Kelley. Shanan recounts her profound journey caring for her friend Casey, and then losing her right as the world shut down. Discover how the unexpected global pause led to a personal sabbatical filled with self-care activities like coloring and baking. The conversation offers a unique perspective on...

In Episode 6 of "Enduring Grief," host Sarah Peterson and guests Marlis Beier and Dean Sharpe navigate the emotional labyrinth of grief rituals and traditions. Discover how personal rituals can serve as anchors in turbulent times, providing a sense of control and connection to lost loved ones. The conversation ranges from how to handle the often intense emotions around marked days like anniversari...