Enduring Grief

On this episode of Enduring Grief, Sarah Peterson welcomes the insightful and humor-filled Shanan Kelley. Shanan recounts her profound journey caring for her friend Casey, and then losing her right as the world shut down. Discover how the unexpected global pause led to a personal sabbatical filled with self-care activities like coloring and baking. The conversation offers a unique perspective on embracing grief rather than resisting it, highlighting the significant energy spent in avoidance. Also, discover how humor—essential to Shanan's identity—served as an emotional lifeline, reconnecting her with joy during tough times. For anyone struggling with loss, this episode provides valuable thoughts on managing grief with compassion, laughter, and the essential support of a caring community.

In Episode 6 of "Enduring Grief," host Sarah Peterson and guests Marlis Beier and Dean Sharpe navigate the emotional labyrinth of grief rituals and traditions. Discover how personal rituals can serve as anchors in turbulent times, providing a sense of control and connection to lost loved ones. The conversation ranges from how to handle the often intense emotions around marked days like anniversaries and birthdays to practical advice on self-care and community support. Tune in for personal stories and cultural insights that illustrate the importance of intention in commemorating the lives of those we’ve lost. Learn how even familiar TV shows or simple actions can become part of your unique grieving process.

Dean Sharpe trained as a general surgeon and worked in private practice from 1980 to2002. His interests expanded and in 1994 he earned a master’s degree in health administration, becoming the first Vice President of Medical Affairs at St. Charles Medical Center. He shared this position with his surgical practice until 2002 when he became a full-time administrator.  Informatics and computerized medical records arrived, and he facilitated that change at St. Charles from 2004 to 2006 as VP Clinical Informatics.  In his two administrative jobs, relationship and change facilitation were his major roles.

His passion as facilitator and educator led to helping design and facilitate “People Centered Teams”, an organizational and personal seminar beginning 1992. The program grew from St. Charles to national, impacting the lives of over 5000 participants.  He helped design and teach Death and Dying workshops at St. Charles in the 90’s with the goal that caregivers would become more comfortable with their own mortality as well as their patients.  He believes the physician’s role is to facilitate the relationship between patients and their illness, which allows healing, regardless of physical cure.  Teaching the Sacred Art of Living Community seminars are a natural extension of Dean’s interests because of the wedding of psychological and spiritual aspects of the inward journey. He has facilitated Healing the Healers seminars since 2008. Starting in 2017 he has facilitated with his wife the 10-month track (part of a program called Anamcara second year) Soul of Wellness: The course focuses on the lifelong questions “Who are you and what do you want? He is married to Marlis Beier, has two daughters and three grandsons. He lives in Bend, Oregon and enjoys cooking, skiing, hiking, gardening, traveling and being with his family.

Marlis Beier started her professional career in Obstetrics and Gynecology in Bend, Oregon. She found gratification accompanying patients facing life transitions. She learned about grief when her best friend, brother and beloved patients died. Her chronically ill daughter asked her to help her die at age 5. Grief comes not with just the loss of someone but also loss of identity and ability. The diagnosis of MS meant repeated grieving loss of ability and with time, her identity as practicing physician. She found similar gratification volunteering in hospice being with the dying. That’s where she met Sarah. Their deep friendship held space for Sarah as she grieves the tragic loss of her daughter Marley at age 2 from a drunk driver on a Sunday morning.

Marlis has been a spiritual seeker from an early age, learning from many traditions and teachers. She has become a mentor to many through teaching at hospice and the Sacred Art of Living Center. Although she teaches many diverse subjects, her intention is transformation of suffering. Her greatest love is her family, including husband Dean Sharpe, M.D., two daughters, Marissa and Anneliese, and grandsons Thielsen, Sawyer and Kepler. The saga of Anneliese’s health challenges since age one inspired her to become a better doctor, mother and companion to anyone facing illness or challenge.

Sarah Peterson is a licensed clinical social worker with over 13 years of experience in medical social work, hospice care and in private practice. As the founder of Clear Mourning, a nonprofit organization dedicated to shifting the culture of grief through innovation, support, and awareness, Sarah brings a deep understanding of grief and loss to her work. Her personal experiences, including the tragic loss of her two-year-old daughter and father, have profoundly shaped her mission to provide compassionate support to others navigating grief.

Sarah holds a Master of Social Work from Portland State University and has extensive experience in both private practice and nonprofit leadership. She also serves as an adjunct instructor at Portland State, runs her own private practice, and provides supervision for licensure candidates.

This episode of Enduring Grief is a heartfelt conversation between Sarah Peterson and Whitney Eskleson about the journey through loss and the path to healing. Whitney's story is one of resilience and transformation, featuring healing techniques like EMDR, Ketamine therapy, and a Hawaiian healing modality. Whitney discusses the importance of self-acknowledgment beyond grief and shares practical advice on managing daily life during such challenging times. Sarah and Whitney also talk about the neurological impacts of grief and cultivating a supportive work environment for those mourning. Tune in for poignant takeaways that can help anyone facing the complexities of grief to discover their own way forward.

Whitney Eskleson is a dedicated leader who channels her personal journey through grief to inspire connection and resilience in others. With over a decade of experience fostering growth and understanding within a community of young people, she brings a grounded, compassionate approach to some of life’s most challenging experiences. Through navigating loss, Whitney has developed a perspective that honors both the vulnerability and strength that grief reveals, encouraging others to find purpose and transformation on their own paths. Her commitment to youth engagement and personal development is evident in her work, where she emphasizes the importance of empathy, support, and shared experiences in healing.

Join Sarah Peterson, Marlis Beier, and Dean Sharpe as they tackle the challenging aspects of personal grief and societal expectations in episode 4 of Enduring Grief. The discussion spans topics such as the emotional attachment to the belongings of loved ones, anticipatory grief, and the importance of setting personal markers for healing. Dr. Dean Sharpe shares comforting insights on embracing love despite the inevitability of loss, while Marlis Beier discusses the emotional journey, including anger and acceptance. This episode is a must-listen for anyone grappling with grief, offering practical strategies for letting go and encouraging self-awareness in your unique journey. Discover how to find hope and meaning even in the darkest times.