Curating Grief

“I don’t want to move on without them …” Have you ever thought this after losing a loved one? The idea of leaving a loved one behind can be  very painful.

In this episode of the Curating Grief podcast, certified grief coach Charlene Lam explores the idea of the "dash between" - that stretch between date of birth and date of death - and how we can carry our loved ones forward with us into the future. 

The start of the year can be a hard time for many people – how about you? I'm Charlene Lam, certified grief coach and curator of The Grief Gallery. In this episode of the Curating Grief show, I check in with my own grief and I have to admit, “This time of year is hard for me.” 

As I walk and talk from the streets of Lisbon, we explore the concept of 'seasons of grief', tying it to significant dates and times of the year that can trigger feelings of loss. 

I talk about the loss of my grief colleague Poppy, and how different losses may require different coping skills. I introduce the concept of the 'terroir of my being', where the influence and loss of loved ones shape me as a person, much like soil conditions affect the flavors of wine or beef. I’d love to hear what this season is life for you and your grief.

00:00 Introduction to Seasons of Grief

00:37 Checking in with my own grief: A Postcard from Portugal

02:41 Coping with Grief: The Loss of Poppy

05:07 The Terroir of My Being: A New Perspective on Grief

08:19 Connect with me

Grief and the Holidays: This time of year can bring up a lot for grieving people. It will be my 11th winter holidays since my mother died. I'm Charlene Lam, certified grief coach and curator of The Grief Gallery. In this episode, I share how I cope with and celebrate during the holidays, despite the disruption to cultural traditions and seasonal rituals.

Why "curate" grief? What does it mean to "curate" anyway? In this episode, certified grief coach Charlene Lam shares the origin story of The Grief Gallery and why she believes we are ALL curators after a loved one dies. It starts with the soy sauce ...

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Welcome to the Curating Grief podcast. How do we choose what to keep after a loved one dies? It's a question that many grievers struggle with. Certified grief coach and founder of The Grief Gallery Charlene Lam has an uncommon answer: Curating and exhibitions.