
Hosted by Jordon Ferber · EN

In this episode I talk with comedian Benny Blue about his recent one-man show, "Live From My Mother's Funeral." After his mother Virginia passed away in 2021, Benny found talking about his experience of grief on stage to be one of the few things that allowed him to be honest while still looking for humor in an otherwise traumatising moment. Comedy allows us to talk about such a wide variety of things that we don't often talk about in our regular lives, and while we all deal with grief, it's one of the few things we don't always acknowledge. Benny's show combines aspects of stand up comedy along with some theatrical pieces that blend together in a reimagined version of his mothers funeral that allows both him and the audience to process things together. We also talk about how the writing and performing of this kind of material is so different from the promotion and sharing of the show. Follow Benny and all that he does at https://www.bennyblueeyes.net/ Check out the Special - LIVE FROM MY MOTHERS FUNERAL

In this episode, I talk with Author Chris Cochran about his book, "What's Good About Today? A Purpose Driven Life." After getting a terminal cancer diagnosis at the age of 21, Chris' son Christian managed to keep his own optimism and uplifting spirit about him, inspiring those around him to be mindful and grateful for the life they have, and to earnestly exclaim all that which is good about today. We talk about just how important perspective is when dealing with such a devastating loss, and how much it helps to keep talking about our loved ones. Follow Chris at https://www.chriscochranspeaks.com Get the book, "What's Good About Today?" HERE

In this episode, I talk to author Annie Sklaver Orenstein about her new book, "Always A Sibling: The Forgotten Mourners Guide To Grief." After years of struggling with her own grief after the death of her brother Ben to a suicide bomber in Afghanistan, Annie began writing what ultimately became the book that she wished had existed when her loss was fresh. As a skilled reasearcher, Annie surveyed and interviewed dozens of other bereaved siblings, weaving their stories together with her own, along with detailed references to so many of the resources and support that is out there. We obviously talk (and bond) over the fact that bereaved siblings are often overlooked - hence the Forgotten Mourners moniker, and how impactful it is to finally have found a community and a vocaulary to talk about our siblings with. We also talk about the surreal expereince of having to sell and promote someting so deeply personal. Get the book and find out more about Annie! https://www.amazon.com/Always-Sibling-Forgotten-Mourners-Guide/dp/030683149X https://www.annieorenstein.com Follow Annie on Instagram @AnnieSklaverOrenstein

In this episode, I talk with clinical psychologist and author Dawn DiRaimondo about her book, "Surviving Sibling Loss: The Invisible Thread That Connects Us Through Life And Death." Dawn was already a therapist when her brother Michael was killed while deployed in Iraq. Finding few resources and liturature about sibling loss, Dawn decided to write the book that she had wished existed when she was newly bereaved, incorportating interviews and insights from interviews with other bereaved siblings alongside her own experience. Follow Dawn and get her book at her website, https://drdawndiraimondo.com/ (or get the book directly from Amazon!)