Uncensoring Grief, Centering Aliveness, and Navigating Loss with Lisa Keefauver, MSW

GRIEF AND LIGHT

How can we center aliveness in a world full of loss?

In this heartfelt conversation, host Nina Rodriguez and grief activist, TEDx speaker, podcast host, and author, Lisa Keefauver, MSW dive into the complexities of grief, offering insights on grief literacy and the personal experiences that shape how we process loss. They explore the emotional impact of grief, highlighting the gap between learning about grief and living through it.

The discussion unpacks the nuances of emotions, feelings, and moods, shedding light on how understanding these distinctions can support healing. Lisa shares powerful tools from narrative therapy, emphasizing the importance of reframing our grief stories. Together, they explore how self-compassion, mindfulness, and community can help us navigate grief — while still finding moments of joy and connection.

The episode offers practical strategies for cultivating aliveness, delivering delight to others, and embracing our shared humanity in the face of loss.

*** Click here to watch on YouTube ***

Takeaways:

• Grief is a universal experience that affects everyone uniquely.
• Grief literacy is essential to reduce unnecessary suffering during grief.
• Grief is not just sadness; it encompasses a wide range of emotions and experiences.
• Anticipatory grief can be just as profound as the grief experienced after a loss.
• There is no timeline for grief; it is a nonlinear process.
• Seeking support for grief should not be limited to crisis moments.
• Understanding the difference between emotions, feelings, and moods can aid in processing grief.
• Narrative therapy can help individuals articulate their grief experiences.
• All forms of loss are valid and deserve recognition and support.
• Grief is a language that requires learning and understanding.
• Reframing narratives around grief can transform our experiences.
• Self-compassion is essential in dealing with difficult emotions.
• Mindfulness practices help create space between experience and story.
• Finding joy in small moments can counteract feelings of sadness.
• Delivering delight to others fosters connection and joy.
• We are all interconnected, and our suffering is shared.
• Happiness is not a destination but a fleeting state.
• Starting close in can help manage feelings of overwhelm.
• Community support is vital in times of grief.
• Practicing gratitude and beauty-seeking can enhance our aliveness.

Connect with Lisa Keefauver:

• lisakeefauver.com
• AFGO Substack
• Get the Book
• Listen to Grief is a Sneaky Bitch Podcast
• @lisakeefauvermsw

Connect with Nina Rodriguez:

• IG: @griefandlight
• griefandlight.com
• 1:1 Grief Support
• Join Grief and Light: The Community

Disclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers

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Kapitel

1. Preview & Intro song (00:00:00)

2. Excerpt reading from "Grief is a Sneaky Bitch" (00:00:37)

3. Meet Lisa Keefauver (00:01:56)

4. Grief Literacy: The Importance of Understanding Loss (00:04:05)

5. Personal Stories of Loss and Grief (00:08:44)

6. Navigating Grief: The Difference Between Knowledge and Experience (00:15:22)

7. The Nonlinear Nature of Grief (00:18:34)

8. Emotions, Feelings, and Moods: Understanding the Language of Grief (00:27:38)

9. Understanding Narrative Therapy and Grief (00:31:16)

10. Should is a dirty word (00:35:43)

11. Reframing Identity in Grief (00:38:21)

12. Centering Aliveness Amidst Loss (00:42:31)

13. Tools for Cultivating Joy and Connection (00:45:56)

14. Daily Rituals to Build the Musculature of Aliveness (00:53:10)

15. The Story of Aliveness (00:55:16)

16. Connect with Lisa Keefauver (00:56:23)

17. AFGO (00:57:41)

18. Lisa's advice to younger self (00:58:24)