SOLACE: Soul + Grief

Send us Fan Mail Grief presents itself in many forms, including the loss of control during difficult news. Explore how modern dependency on technology for answers differs from seeking spiritual guidance during times of uncertainty and fear. • What might happen if we took our questions to God instead of Google? • Spiritual answers may be different but more meaningful than information alone  • Conne...

Send us Fan Mail Music creates a powerful pathway through grief, offering comfort and expression when words fall short. Ben Kweller, a singer-songwriter who lost his 16-year-old son Dorian in a tragic car accident, channeled his grief into creating the album "Cover the Mirrors," demonstrating how art can become a healing force. • The "Impolitic" podcast with John Heileman featu...

Send us Fan Mail Grief rarely follows the patterns we imagine it will, often surprising us with unexpected moments of both pain and comfort that defy our expectations. Our personal experiences with grief become like unique coloring books that reflect our individual journeys rather than conforming to society's expectations. • Childhood memories of a beloved sister who colored outside the lines...

Send us Fan Mail Today explore the difficult questions that arise during grief and how our Catholic faith offers pathways for healing.  We examine how questions of "why" and "what if" can become poignant prayers and how sharing our stories helps us accept the reality of loss. • Questions beginning with "why" are often not really questions but statements of protest or...

Send us Fan Mail Grief is the process by which healing takes place after loss, requiring time and space to work through the emotional wounds. The work of grieving involves accepting the reality of loss, experiencing the pain, recreating the person in memory, adjusting to life without them, and finding new meaning. • The word "bereavement" means "to be torn apart" • Emotional wo...

Send us Fan Mail The loss of a lover represents the most intimate and personal of all losses, one that people rarely discuss even in grief groups or therapy sessions. Through Pablo Neruda's powerful love poems, we explore how poetry can give voice to the unique grief of losing a romantic partner and provide comfort for those experiencing this particular type of loss. • Grief differs across va...

Send us Fan Mail CAUTION: TODAY'S EPISODE DISCUSSES SUICIDE, PLEASE TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND SKIP TODAY IF THE SUBJECT SEEMS TOO INTENSE. Today, we explore the concept of "self-death" as an alternative term for suicide, reflecting onmy recent experiences supporting those grieving after suicide. The topic emerges from a week filled with suicide-related grief conversations and the lo...

Send us Fan Mail Grief often speaks in simple, powerful truths like "My son is still not here" - words that capture the relentless reality of loss that remains despite our healing efforts. Explore how we can live with these painful realities while still finding connection to God and our loved ones. • Finding prayer in the darkness through simple pleas • Acknowledging the difficulty of wa...

Send us Fan Mail Explore the profound nature of grief through poetic meditation, drawing on theological wisdom and personal imagery to create a space of understanding for those experiencing loss. • Karl Rahner's reflection that "every one of the departed has taken a piece of my heart" • The physical dimension of grief and longing to hold loved ones again • Finding comfort in spiritu...

Send us Fan Mail Finding peace through mindfulness is essential for grief healing. By grounding ourselves in the present moment rather than constantly doing, we can navigate even the most challenging situations with greater clarity. • Welcome this space of healing, love and support for those experiencing grief • Buddha teaches us to question our perceptions, as most are false • Peace becomes possi...

Send us Fan Mail Today we share profound verses from Rumi's "Fountain of Fire" that explore the intersection of love, life, and death. These ancient words offer comfort and new perspectives for those navigating the complex landscape of grief. • Exploration of Rumi's poetic wisdom on how the known merges with the unknown • Reflection on the continuity between this life and the n...

Send us Fan Mail Grief transforms from a static condition to an active process through the concept of "sorrowing"—a verb form shared by a friend also grieving the loss of parents. This perspective honors grief as a journey rather than a problem to solve, connecting us to spiritual traditions that recognize sorrow as a pathway to deeper wisdom. • Ancient poetic texts illustrate how the so...

Send us Fan Mail Spiritual wisdom transcends cultural boundaries when we face grief and loss. Ancient prayers and poetry from Buddhist, Christian, Shinto, Islamic, and Jewish traditions offer comfort by acknowledging pain while providing perspective on life's impermanence. • Dalai Lama reminds us that suffering comes from wanting permanence in an impermanent world • Christian prayers acknowle...

Send us Fan Mail Experience the beloved 23rd Psalm as you've never heard it before through multiple translations that reveal new dimensions of meaning and comfort in this ancient text. • Multiple translations showcase different interpretations while preserving the psalm's essential message • The imagery of shepherd, green pastures, and still waters remains consistent across all versions...

Send us Fan Mail We explore the barriers that prevent some people from fully entering the grieving process, particularly when complex relationships with the deceased create emotional blockages. Examining our hearts during Lent provides an opportunity to address unresolved wounds and cultivate the humility necessary for genuine healing and transformation. • Complex relationships can create barriers...

Send us Fan Mail Today journey with Jesus through his days in the desert, exploring his contemplation of suffering, sacrifice, and the transformative power of love. Jesus shares his ultimate teaching: that love is the only requirement in this life, and the only foundation that will endure. • Jesus teaches that he loved and knew us before we were born, and wrote his name on our hearts • Love forms...

Send us Fan Mail Grief and the Lenten season share profound similarities, inviting us to see Jesus as a companion in our desolation. We explore how Christ's 40-day retreat in the desert mirrors our grief journey—both experiences bringing us face-to-face with limitation, aloneness, and the search for meaning. • The desolation of grief parallels Jesus' desert experience during Lent • Jesus...

Send us Fan Mail EXPLORE with us profound ideas about brokenness and healing through Father Greg Boyle's wisdom, offering insights for anyone navigating loss or feeling disconnected in today's divisive world. • Explore how the image reflects how God welcomes us with  enthusiastic love • Uncover the universal feeling of brokenness that accompanies grief and loss • Examineour collective so...

Send us Fan Mail This episode invites you to explore how grief intertwines with daily routines and how God can be found in every moment of our lives. We share insights and practices to transform ordinary life into a spiritual journey. • Understand the pervasive presence of grief in daily life  • Explore Karl Rahner's teachings on the intersection of routine and spirituality  • Practical steps...

Send us Fan Mail This week’s podcast brings forth the gentle yet powerful theme of healing through words; as we engage in a heartfelt conversation and share insights and experiences, guiding us through the multifaceted nature of grief and the comfort that can be found within poetry and sacred texts. - Explore the vital role of words in navigating grief - Insights on the grieving process - Highligh...

Send us Fan Mail This episode offers a compassionate exploration of grief, emphasizing the importance of open-heartedness, trust, and connection in the healing process; through thoughtful practices to reclaim love and compassion while navigating a personal journey of loss.  In this episode we:   • Emphasize the sacredness of listening during grief  • Encourage curiosity about others’ experiences o...

Send us Fan Mail This episode delves into the profound nature of love experienced during times of grief.  Explore imaginative prayer, the unbroken bonds of love, and how to find healing amid sorrow. • Explore imaginative prayer for comfort  • Understand the unbroken bond of love  • Contemplate the nature of love and grief  • Embrace uncertainty and the space for healing  • Reach out for spiritual...

Send us Fan Mail This discussion centers on the healing process associated with grief, emphasizing the importance of love and radical honesty in navigating personal pain. Explore the complex emotions surrounding loss and the transformative relationships that accompany healing while being encouraged to reach out for support and spiritual direction.  • Understand grief through a personal lens  • The...

Send us Fan Mail This episode dives into the essential qualities that can guide individuals through their grieving journey, especially during holidays that amplify feelings of loss. We discuss nine practical tips for coping with grief throughout the year, encouraging listeners to embrace their emotions and seek support. • Trusting grief as a vital part of healing • Setting healthy boundaries and a...

Send us Fan Mail The episode focuses on navigating the spiritual aspects of grief through the concepts of consolation and desolation as taught by St. Ignatius. Listeners gain insights on how love persists even amid loss while recognizing the importance of addressing desolation to foster healing. • Understanding spiritual consolation and its role in grief • The significance of love in remembering l...