Sundari Malcolm, a Birth, Grief, and Death Doula, joined host Lisa Keefauver for this episode. In 2007, at 27 years old, and after 7 years of being her Caregiver, Sundari Malcolm lost her mother to Breast Cancer. 4 years later, her father died from the complications of Brain Cancer.

Those experiences redirected her life, and she's made it her mission to equip people with the tools they need to manage life’s greatest transitions.

This conversation travels topics deep and wide from friendship loss, the role of caregiving for one parent, to grieving a complicated relationship with the other parent and the practices and skills we need to metabolize our grief. All along the way Sundari brings warmth, wisdom, and my favorite – a little cheeky humor to this wide-ranging conversation.

Sundari is the founder of A Healing Doula Academy, a self- paced virtual training program for Spiritually led Grief & Death Doulas with a focus on Indigenous healing practices. Sundari is offering this community an enrollment discount of 20%. You can visit www.ahealingdoula.com to learn more and Simply apply the giftcode, SNEAKYBITCH20 at checkout.

05:07 Cultural Perspectives on Grief

07:58 Understanding Friend Loss

14:54 Healing Practices and Self-Care

19:31 Navigating Life as an Orphan

28:03 Spiritual Practices in Grief

29:11 The Role of Caregiver in Grief

29:32 Navigating the Complexities of Caregiving

43:38 The Challenges of Anticipatory Grief

56:10 Understanding Complicated Grief

01:03:55 Reclaiming Intuitive Healing

Lisa Keefauver is a social worker, widow, and grief activist on a mission to reimagine the narratives of grief, one conversation at a time.

Learn more at www.lisakeefauver.com.

Follow @lisakeefauvermsw on Instagram.

Listen to Grief is a Sneaky Bitch Podcast - Available on all podcast platforms.

Read Grief is a Sneaky Bitch: An Uncensored Guide to Navigating Loss. Available in bookstores and on your favorite online booksellers, including Bookshop.Org. Also available as an audiobook.

Watch her TEDx talk, Why Knowing More About Grief Can Make it Suck Less here

Subscribe AFGO with Lisa Keefauver on Substack here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cole Imperi, a clinically trained chaplain and thanatologist joins host Lisa Keefauver to explore the multifaceted nature of grief. They explore the importance of grief literacy, the role of community support, and the cultural perspectives that shape our understanding of loss. Cole shares her experiences working with incarcerated individuals and discusses the concept of shadow losses, emphasizing the need for compassion and understanding in grief. The conversation highlights the significance of rituals, vulnerability, and the importance of building supportive communities for those navigating grief.

Cole Imperi is a thanatologist, author, and researcher whose work focuses on the use of non-clinical tools in support of those experiencing loss and grief. She is the author of "A Guide to Grief" published by Kids Can Press for ages 10-14 and has a second book about grief for adults coming in 2026 from Penguin. Visit www.coleimperi.com to learn more about her work.

09:49 Grief in the Prison System

18:09 Themes of Loss and Home

24:42 Cultural Perceptions of Grief

33:05 Vulnerability of Grievers

38:53 Cultural Influences on Grieving Practices

49:11 Building Community in New Environments

55:09 Writing for Grief Literacy in Teens

01:04:18 Understanding Thanatology and Its Cultural Context

Lisa Keefauver is a social worker, widow, and grief activist on a mission to reimagine the narratives of grief, one conversation at a time.

Learn more at www.lisakeefauver.com.

Listen to Grief is a Sneaky Bitch Podcast - Available on all podcast platforms.

Read Grief is a Sneaky Bitch: An Uncensored Guide to Navigating Loss. Available in bookstores and on your favorite online booksellers, including Bookshop.Org. Also available as an audiobook.

Watch her TEDx talk, Why Knowing More About Grief Can Make it Suck Less here

Subscribe AFGO with Lisa Keefauver on Substack here

Follow @lisakeefauvermsw on Instagram.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Olivia Abousaid joins host Lisa Keefauver for a profound conversation about the complexities of grief, particularly in the context of community, chronic illness, and cultural influences. They explore personal experiences of grief, the importance of rituals, the role of anger, and the necessity of finding agency amidst ongoing loss. The discussion emphasizes the significance of community support, the power of letter writing as a tool for processing grief, and the balance between experiencing joy and sorrow. Ultimately, the episode serves as a reminder that grief is a shared human experience that requires connection, understanding, and compassion. Our conversation traverses a wide landscape of types of losses and facets of grief - from the death of loved ones, witnessing and experiencing racism and genocide, dreams deferred and denied, and the grief over the limitations brought on by living with Lupus, a chronic illness.

Master Certified Coach Olivia understands the profound power of self-improvement and resilience. Born and raised in Dallas to Palestinian parents, her journey has instilled in her a deep appreciation for personal growth and navigating cultural nuances. Now residing in Los Angeles, Olivia combines her life experiences with her expertise as a Master Certified Professional Coach to empower individuals to unlock their full potential. As a dedicated grief and transformation coach, Olivia helps clients navigate their unique journeys through grief—whether it’s the loss of a loved one, coping with chronic illness, or grappling with unfulfilled dreams. Her transformational coaching goes beyond one-size-fits-all solutions, creating a safe space for you to explore your goals, overcome challenges, and embrace your authentic self. Learn more about Olivia by visiting https://www.pact-coaching.com/

09:46 Cultural Context of Grief

15:36 Navigating Complicated Grief

21:12 Agency in Ongoing Grief

30:36 Embracing the Complexity of Emotions

36:32 Sustaining Activism and Personal Well-being

45:19 Understanding Chronic Illness and Grief

56:59 The Importance of Community in Grief

01:05:39 Rituals and Practices for Healing

Lisa Keefauver is a social worker, widow, and grief activist on a mission to reimagine the narratives of grief, one conversation at a time.

Learn more at www.lisakeefauver.com.

Listen to Grief is a Sneaky Bitch Podcast - Available on all podcast platforms.

Read Grief is a Sneaky Bitch: An Uncensored Guide to Navigating Loss. Available in bookstores and on your favorite online booksellers, including Bookshop.Org. Also available as an audiobook.

Watch her TEDx talk, Why Knowing More About Grief Can Make it Suck Less here

Subscribe to Substack AFGO with Lisa Keefauver

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.