S is for sadness

In this honest and emotionally vulnerable episode of Blindsight, host Bill Lundgren sits down with therapist and guide dog user Darran Zenger for a heartfelt discussion on one of our most avoided emotions—sadness. Darran opens up about preparing to say goodbye to his beloved guide dog, sharing what it’s like to sit in the rawness of grief while still showing up with empathy and presence. Bill reflects on the loss of his own father and the misguided emotional norms he grew up with, particularly the message that “men don’t cry.” Together, they unpack: The nature of sadness as neither good nor bad The toxic cultural expectations—especially for men—to suppress emotion The difference between sadness and depression How suppressed grief can manifest as anger or even violence Practical tools for navigating sadness: music, movement, journaling, reaching out, and community Whether you're grieving, caring for someone who is, or just trying to understand your own emotions better, this episode is a powerful invitation to feel more deeply and heal more fully. Chapter Markers 00:00 – Opening: Mental health is not a luxury 01:05 – Introducing sadness: it’s not good or bad, it just is 02:24 – Bill’s personal story about emotional suppression 04:05 – Darran’s guide dog and sitting with loss 07:00 – The masculine pressure to suppress emotion 09:30 – The cost of unprocessed sadness 11:58 – Toxic positivity and being told to “buckle up” 14:27 – The need for empathy over solutions 16:37 – Sadness vs. depression: how to tell the difference 20:36 – What sadness looks like in daily life 22:00 – Music, movement, and peanut butter: self-care ideas 25:24 – Writing and drawing as emotional processing tools 26:56 – The power of bilateral stimulation and nature walks 29:13 – Medication, sleep, and the role of therapy 31:17 – Group therapy and peer support for grief 33:38 – Final thoughts: it’s okay to feel 35:58 – Next time on Blindsight: “A is for Anger”