Grief is a Sneaky Bitch

Guests Hui-Wen Sato, Lisa Pahl, and Dr. Sunita Puri join host Lisa Keefauver for a special episode of Grief is a Sneaky Bitch Podcast produced with nonprofits ‪@medicinalmediaorg‬ and ‪@unlikelycollaborators‬One doctor, one nurse, and two social workers walked into a podcast studio to explore what does it really mean to live honestly with grief, caregiving, and the hard decisions we’re never taught to navigate? Earlier this year, Lisa brought together three extraordinary voices who have spent their lives at the intersection of healing, meaning-making, and end-of-life care:✨ Hui-wen Sato — pediatric ICU nurse, writer, and advocate for courageous conversations ✨ Lisa Pahl — hospice social worker, co-creator of The Death Deck, and champion for compassionate dialogue✨ Dr. Sunita Puri — palliative care physician, author of That Good Night—and so much more than what she doesTogether, they unpack the emotional labor behind caregiving, the barriers that keep us from talking openly about death, and the unexpected ways grief can shape us into more connected, more alive humans. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by caregiving, uncertain about end-of-life choices, or simply hungry for a more compassionate world, this conversation is for you.Brand new season, Season 7, will begin in December 2025, so make sure you’re subscribed on Apple Podcast so you’re notified when the episode drops!▶️ Learn more about our host:Website - https://lisakeefauver.com/Substack - https://afgowithlisakeefauver.substack.com/▶️ Learn more about our guests:Hui-Wen Sato - https://heartofnursing.blog/Dr. Sunita Puri - https://sunitapuri.com/Lisa Pahl - https://thedeathdeck.com▶️ Learn more about our non-profit collaborators for this special episode here:Medicinal Media - https://www.medicinalmedia.com/Unlikely Collaborators - https://www.unlikelycollaborators.com/➡️ Themes: narrative therapy, grief, storytelling, healthcare, identity, palliative care, uncertainty, empathy, mental health, loss, end-of-life care, emotional toll, family dynamics, good death, healing, hospice, compassion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hospice Nurse Penny as she’s known to millions on Tik Tok and Instagram joins host Lisa Keefauver for this episode of Grief is a Sneaky Bitch podcast. They explore Penny’s journey into hospice care, the myths surrounding hospice, and the importance of reframing our understanding of grief and death. Penny emphasizes that hospice care is about enhancing the quality of life for patients and dispelling misconceptions about the dying process. In this conversation, Penny and Lisa explore the complexities of end-of-life care, emphasizing the importance of centering the patient, advocating for honest communication, and addressing death anxiety. They share personal stories and insights on how to navigate difficult conversations about dying, the significance of understanding cultural differences, and the need for medical professionals to engage in meaningful discussions about hospice and palliative care. The dialogue highlights the emotional challenges faced by families and caregivers while also offering hope and strategies for finding meaning in the dying process. MORE ABOUT GUESTPenny Smith, BSN, RN is a (US) nationally certified hospice and palliative care nurse, social media influencer and author of Influencing Death, Reframing Dying for Better Living. For 20 years, Penny has worked in a variety of care settings and roles within hospice and is currently working as a hospice quality assurance nurse for an organization in Washington state. Penny is a passionate advocate for hospice education with a mission to normalize the end-of-life process to remove the stigma and fear around hospice care, death and dying. During the pandemic she found her way to social media and discovered a unique way to utilize her death care expertise to provide education to a worldwide audience at a grassroots level. Using a variety of teaching styles including TikTok trends, dark humor, dancing and storytelling, Penny has gathered over 2 million followers across her social media platforms as @hospicenursepenny. ABOUT THE SHOW & HOSTLisa 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.Watch her TEDx talk, Why Knowing More About Grief Can Make it Suck Less hereSubscribe AFGO with Lisa Keefauver on Substack here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jennifer Hassel, author of 'Badass Grief joins host Lisa Keefauver' to discuss her journey through profound loss and the adventures that followed. Jennifer shares her early experiences with grief, the legacy of her husband Mark, and how she navigated parenting while grieving. The discussion emphasizes the importance of living fully in memory of loved ones and the challenges of finding happiness amidst sorrow. In this conversation, they explore the complexities of grief, resilience, and the journey of healing after profound loss. They discuss the importance of finding agency, the role of purpose in navigating grief, and the nonlinear path of healing. Jennifer shares her personal experiences and insights, emphasizing the need for compassion and support for those who are grieving. The conversation highlights the significance of acknowledging hard feelings while also recognizing moments of growth and hope.Key Takeaways·      Finding ways to remember loved ones is essential.·      Adventures can be a form of healing after loss.·      Finding agency in grief is crucial for healing.·      Having a purpose, even a small one, can help navigate loss.·      Resilience is a journey that takes time and effort.·      Offering hope to others can be a powerful act of compassion.·      It's important to connect with those further along in their grief journey.·      Recognizing personal growth can be difficult but is essential. MORE ABOUT GUESTJennifer E. Hassel was a lawyer who then became a registered nurse after living through her husband’s terminal illness, their mutual suffering, and her own grief. Writing from what she knows through first-hand experience, she has been published in The Philadelphia Lawyer, Joyful Life Magazine, The Sun, and the local newspaper of her hometown. profession and practice of nursing. Badass Grief is her first book. You can pick up a copy at your favorite online bookseller or your local bookstore. Learn more about Jennifer at jenniferhassel.com or subscribe to her new Substack at https://substack.com/@jenniferhasselABOUT THE SHOW & HOSTLisa 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.Watch her TEDx talk, Why Knowing More About Grief Can Make it Suck Less hereSubscribe AFGO with Lisa Keefauver on Substack here  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Grief is a Sneaky Bitch podcast, host Lisa Keefauver welcomes mother-daughter duo Suzy Hopkins and Hallie Bateman to discuss their new book, 'What to Do When You Get Dumped.' Suzy’s world fell apart when just a few weeks shy of her retirement, her husband of more than 30 years announced he was leaving her. Relying on her skills as a journalist, she set out to understand what other people did to move forward in the wake of this particular type of loss. With creativity, grit, talent, and humor, Suzy and her daughter Hallie joined forces for a second time to create a graphic book that helps us feel seen and understood in the grief that comes from being dumped. Key Takeaways: ·     Family dynamics play a significant role in how we process grief.·     Writing can be a powerful tool for processing grief.·     Humor can help navigate the darkness of grief. mor can coexist with grief and provide relief.·     Creative expression can be a powerful tool for processing grief.·     Art allows for a cathartic exploration of emotions.·     Self-compassion is crucial in the healing journey.·     Setting boundaries is essential for personal healing.·     Witnessing a loved one's healing can inspire personal growth. MORE ABOUT GUESTSuzy Hopkins is a former newspaper reporter and magazine publisher. She is co-author of What to Do When I’m Gone and her latest book, What To Do When You Get Dumped with her daughter, writer and illustrator Hallie Bateman. You can follow Suzy on Instagram @hopkinssuzy. Hallie Bateman is the author of four books. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, The New Yorker, Buzzfeed and many others. She lives in Cincinnati with her husband, their twins and a dog named Spinelli. You can learn more about Hallie and her illustration and creative works by visiting halliebateman.com  ABOUT THE SHOW & HOSTLisa 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.Watch her TEDx talk, Why Knowing More About Grief Can Make it Suck Less hereSubscribe AFGO with Lisa Keefauver on Substack here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome ESPN Sports Broadcaster Lauren Sisler to Grief is a Sneaky Bitch podcast with host Lisa Keefauver. As a sportscaster and former collegiate gymnast, Lauren is passionate about sports, but even more passionate about telling the stories of the coaches, athletes, and fans who make it more than a game. Lauren's life was not always marked by victories. In 2003, as a freshman at Rutgers University, tragedy struck when she unexpectedly lost both parents within hours of each other to their hidden battle with prescription drug addiction. In this conversation, Lauren shares her profound journey of grief following the sudden death of both her parents when she was just 18. She reflects on the complexities of understanding their deaths, the impact of addiction, and the importance of storytelling in processing trauma. Through her experiences, Lauren emphasizes the significance of empathy, acceptance, and gratitude in healing, ultimately encouraging others to embrace their own stories, no matter how messy they may be. MORE ABOUT GUESTLauren Sisler is a national award-winning sports broadcaster who has been captivating audiences with her insightful coverage on ESPN since 2016. Not only is she a powerhouse in the broadcasting world, but she’s also the author of the compelling new book, 'Shatterproof.' Through her grief, Lauren emerged from the shadows of shame and found renewed hope. Her message is clear: confront adversity with bravery, own your story, and let it propel you towards a future filled with greater meaning and fulfillment. You can pick up a copy of her autobiography Shatterproof and learn more about her work as a broadcaster, speaker, and storyteller at www.laurensisler.com ABOUT THE SHOW & HOSTLisa 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.Watch her TEDx talk, Why Knowing More About Grief Can Make it Suck Less hereSubscribe AFGO with Lisa Keefauver on Substack here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.