Death on the Daily

When grief makes life feel unsteady, sometimes what we need isn't to "fix" the feeling - it's to find something solid to stand on.  This guided meditation invites you to visualise yourself as a tree: roots growing deep and stable into the earth, a steady trunk at your core, and branches that can move with life's winds without losing their connection to what holds them. Grief...

Does Father's Day fill you with grief and dread? You're not alone, for many grievers this day is so hard. This episode is your Father's Day grief survival guide. Whether your dad, stepdad, or any other father figure in your life has died, whether your relationship with your dad is complicated or estranged, whether you've lost a child or been through any stage of baby loss, or wheth...

What happens when grief arrives outside the natural order of life? In this deeply personal crossover episode, me and Death on the Daily meets Luke Alfano’s Too Young to Grieve to explore one of grief's most isolating dimensions - when someone dies decades too soon. Luke lost his dad at 21, I lost my daughter Ngākau Raiona at 21 weeks of pregnancy. Two completely different losses, but so many of th...

What if aging isn't something to resist — but one of the most sacred initiations of being human? In this deeply moving conversation, I (Tanya Wilkinson) am joined by author, elder in training, life transitions coach, mentor and facilitator, Donna Lancaster, to explore what it truly means to become an elder, and why our culture's obsession with anti-aging is costing us. Donna shares how eld...

What if the feelings you've been working hardest to avoid in grief — anger, shame, fear — aren't the villains you think they are? In this deeply nourishing conversation, I'm joined by Dr Chloe Paidoussis Mitchell: Chartered Counselling Psychologist, author, and someone who has navigated profound personal loss herself. Chloe brings a message that I believe every griever needs to hear — that our mos...

There are things in life we tell ourselves we simply wouldn't survive. For me (Tanya Wilkinson), that deepest fear was my child dying before me. Today I share the story of my daughter, Ngākau Raiona , whose name means lioness heart in her and her Daddy’s Māori language, who was stillborn at 21 weeks following TFMR after a devastating diagnosis at the 20-week anatomy scan. I shares the moment t...

What does it mean to leave a legacy for a life that was so tragically short? In this deeply moving episode of Death on the Daily I chat with Manon Dave — BBC's Head of Future World Design, Creative Director, Musician, and bereaved father — to explore how grief can become a doorway to purpose, impact, and enduring love. Manon and his wife Trusha lost their beautiful daughter, Maya Saanvi Dave. In t...

This guided body scan meditation for grief gently moves through your whole body with awareness, relaxation and deep gratitude — honouring the body that carries you through loss and through life.  Perfect for anyone navigating bereavement, life transitions, or the emotional weight of grief. Suitable for all levels — lie down or sit, take what feels right.  In this somatic grief meditation you'l...

What happens when grief finds you young — before you even have words for it? Jamie Gamache lost his dad to a sudden heart attack at just two years old. Then at 18, his stepdad Keith died in a sudden accident. Jamie joins me (Tanya Wilkinson) today, to share how childhood grief quietly shaped his identity, his creativity, and his drive — and why he believes there are two types of pain: “ pain that...

Grief is universal. Every single one of us will experience it. And yet, when grief arrives, many of us find ourselves navigating it in a world that suddenly falls silent. In this episode of Death on the Daily , I am joined by Sally Douglas , co-host of the podcast Good Mourning and co-author of Good Mourning: Honest Conversations About Grief and Loss . Together we explore the reality of living wit...

If you’re navigating grief, anxiety, or emotional overwhelm, this guided safe place meditation is designed to help you reconnect with a sense of calm and safety in your body. Grief can place a huge demand on our nervous system. In this meditation, you’ll be gently guided to visualise a safe, calming place - real or imagined - where your body can soften, settle, and feel supported. Through groundin...

In this episode of Death on the Daily , I’m exploring why death and grief remain taboo in our society - and how avoiding these conversations costs us as humans.  Drawing from my personal journey through the grief of losing her Grandad and daughter, I share how we all have an innate capacity to hold and navigate death and grief. We discuss: Why talking about death and grief feels awkward and heavy....

In this powerful episode I chat with Amber Jeffrey, founder of The Grief Gang, to talk about grief, mental health, and why feeling your grief is a radical act in a world that tells you to move on. Amber shares her experience of losing her mum at 19 and later her dear friend Poppy - plus the frustration that led her to build a grief community that feels human, creative, and alive. This conversation...

I’m joined by the incredible Lisa Marshall (The Widow Diaries) to talk about her profound journey of grief as a widow following the suicide of her husband, Alan. Lisa discusses the complexities of navigating life as a solo mother of three, the coexistence of grief and joy, and the societal stigma surrounding suicide.  Emphasising the importance of support, understanding, and the need for open conv...

So much grief content tells us that grief is just “love with nowhere to go”. But what happens when the relationship wasn’t loving - or wasn’t only loving? In this episode of Death on the Daily , I explore the often unspoken experience of grieving someone who you had a complicated, painful, distant or unfinished relationship with.  When grief our holds anger, relief, guilt, numbness, apathy or conf...

In this episode I (Tanya Wilkinson) share the powerful but gentle practice of recognising and celebrating tiny wins as we are navigating our grief. Discussing how grief can feel isolating and exhausting, and encouraging you to honour your small achievements as a way to navigate through the weeds of grief.  By focusing on these tiny wins, you can cultivate self-compassion and recognition of how you...

I am joined today for a profound conversation with Dr. David Casarett, a physician, researcher, and tenured Professor at the Duke University School of Medicine. Dr. Casarett is the Chief of Palliative Care for Duke. We speak about the often misunderstood process of dying. David shares insights from his extensive experience at the bedside of dying patients, emphasising the body's remarkable bio...

This guided meditation invites you into deep relaxation through a gentle body connection practice inspired by the starry night sky.  As you are guided through each part of your body, you’ll visualise a star shining brightly, helping you soften, ground, and reconnect with yourself. This meditation supports nervous system regulation, body awareness and creating a sense of safety within.  This practi...

In this episode I explore why avoiding grief can feel more overwhelming than actually allowing ourselves to feel it - especially in busy, modern lives. I share how grief avoidance can be deeply dysregulating to the nervous system, activating our fight, flight, or freeze response - and why this makes grief feel even heavier over time. Drawing from my personal experience of baby loss as a bereaved m...

In this episode of 'Death on the Daily', I, Tanya Wilkinson am exploring the Winter Solstice and its themes of death, grief and deep rest.  Looking at the importance of rest, reflection, and honouring our grief. Discussing how the solstice symbolises both the longest night and the return of light, encouraging you to embrace the darkness as a necessary part of personal growth and transforma...

I am joined today by Kayleigh O'Connor, Holistic Grief Coach and founder of Good Grief where she trains other grief coaches including me. We explore the complexities of grief, focusing on the our patterns of avoidance, what we can and can’t control, and the impact of secondary losses.  We discuss the role of the nervous system in processing grief and the significance of connecting to and expan...

Let's talk about the profound impact of grief on Liverpool FC following the tragic death of Diogo Jota. Speaking to the individual and collective experiences of grief within the team, the emotional responses of players and fans, and the challenges of performing when we're grieving.  The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding grief as a universal experience that affects perfo...

In this episode of 'Death on the Daily', Tanya Wilkinson discusses the challenges of navigating grief during the holiday season. She shares her personal experiences and offers practical tips for coping with grief during Christmas, emphasizing the importance of self-compassion, setting boundaries, and creating new rituals. Tanya encourages listeners to honor their feelings and prioritize se...

Today I’m joined by Jamie Thrower, who is a Queer death doula, educator, and founder of Queer Grief Club.  We explore what it really means to show up at the threshold of death, and why so many grief spaces still don’t feel safe or welcoming for Queer people. This episode is for anyone who has ever grieved, ever supported someone through loss, or ever wondered how we can build a world where everyon...

Today we explore the multifaceted nature of anger experienced during grief. How anger can manifest towards various entities, including oneself, loved ones, and even spiritual beliefs. Speaking to the complexity of unresolved feelings related to loss and the emotional turmoil that accompanies the grieving process. Sign up to my newsletter to receive your FREE Grief, Grace & Growth 12 page ebook...