Anger & shame in grief — they are friends, and not enemies with Dr Chloe Paidoussis-Mitchell

What if the feelings you've been working hardest to avoid in grief — anger, shame, fear — aren't the villains you think they are?In this deeply nourishing conversation, I'm joined by Dr Chloe Paidoussis Mitchell: Chartered Counselling Psychologist, author, and someone who has navigated profound personal loss herself. Chloe brings a message that I believe every griever needs to hear — that our most difficult emotions aren't signs that something is wrong with us. They are sacred signals, pointing us toward what we love, what we've lost, and who we're becoming.We talk about grief as a multilayered, lifelong teacher. About what it means to exist in two worlds at once — functioning on the surface, while something deeper is quietly being reconstructed. And about the simple, body-based practices that can help us stop running from our feelings and start listening to them instead.In this episode, we explore:Why calming the body must come before processing the mind in acute griefThe neuroscience of co-regulation — and why even 20 seconds of a hug changes your physiologyHow to be with someone who is grieving (hint: it rarely requires words)Making friends with anger: giving yourself permission to feel the rage, safelyWhy shame and anger so often live together in grief — and how to move through bothJournalling, dancing, stomping, screaming: embodied ways to express difficult grief emotionsThe 30-second heart-breathing practice you can do right now, even if you're busyWhat it means to "walk in two worlds" as a grieverAre you journeying with grief?JOIN GRIEF COCOON, my new monthly virtual support session - a sacred space for grief in busy lives: https://tanyawilkinson.co.uk/grief-cocoon DOWNLOAD MY FREE Grief, Grace & Growth journaling ebook: https://tanyawilkinson.co.uk/grief-grace-growth-journalGUIDED "FIND YOUR SAFE PLACE" MEDITATION: https://youtu.be/RO1G2oAOIEU  Disclaimer: This podcast is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Nor is it a substitute for professional support. Follow Death on the Daily:Do Like, Comment & Subscribe to this channel  @deathonthedaily  Share this episode with a friend who might need it. Subscribe to my Substack: open.substack.com/pub/deathonthedaily/Instagram: www.instagram.com/tanyawilkinson_ YouTube: youtube.com/@deathonthedailyFind out about my work as a Grief Coach and connect with me here: www.tanyawilkinson.co.ukYou can connect with Dr Chloe Paidoussis-Mitchell and her work here:Website: www.dr-chloe.comInstagram: instagram.com/dr.chloe.paidoussis.mitchell/Chloe's book The Loss Prescription: A Practical Roadmap to Grief Recovery is out nowThe theme music for Death on the Daily is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Set Free by Katie Gray⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which is used with artist's permission. You can connect with Katie and her music and work here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.katiegray.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. This podcast is edited by David Strutt, who you can contact here for any editing needs: [email protected]:00: Introduction: Emotions as Signposts in Grief01:59: Personal Stories of Loss and Resilience04:42: The Messy Reality of Human Existence and Loss07:07: Making Friends with Loss and Grief09:34: First Steps to Being Present with Big Feelings11:31: The Power of Presence and Support in Grief15:03: Self-Compassion and Self-Touch Practices19:28: Nature as a Source of Resilience and Grounding23:08: Curating a Life of Beauty and Connection25:42: Making Friends with Difficult Feelings29:13: Healthy Ways to Express and Move Through Anger35:18: Supporting Busy Lives to Connect with Grief37:04: Simple Practices to Access, Soothe and Acknowledge Grief38:16: Resources and Connecting with Dr. Chloe39:08: Closing Remarks and Gratitude