The Biology of Loss: A Yale Scientist’s Journey Through Child Loss & Addiction - Katie Rizzo

Whathappens when an educator trained in anatomy and biology loses her first-bornson to opioid addiction, discovering that grief physically mirrors the exactstages of pregnancy?KatieRizzo holds master's degrees from YaleUniversity and the University of Colorado School of Medicine, having taughtbiology and anatomy for 15 years. In September 2024, her life was upended bythe loss of her son, Nicholas. Utilizing her scientific background, Katieframed her grief through the lens of gestation—from initial physical nausea tothe eventual "delivery" of asking grief to sit beside her. Today, sheis an author and "accidental poet," using literature to challenge thestigma of addiction.In this episode of FailCraft, Katie joins Ezekiel for a candidconversation about child loss, the biological realities of addiction, and thehealing power of creative expression.Inthis episode of FailCraft, you’ll discover:·        The Gestation Framework: How physical symptoms of grief mirror pregnancytrimesters.·        Asking Grief to Sit Beside You: Inspired by Nick Cave, learning to coexist with lossrather than pushing it down.·        Challenging Addiction Stigma: Understanding how opioids alter brain chemistry andreceptor tolerance.·        The Accidental Poet: How writing poetry became a way to connect across loss.·        The Physical Toll on the Body: How grief impacts the cardiovascular and nervoussystems.·        Grounding Actions for Loss: Practical steps—community, exercise, and creativeexpression—for early grief.ConnectWith Katie Rizzo:·        Website Hub: katierizzo.com·        Social Channels: Follow Katie on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and LinkedIn.·        Upcoming Books:o    The Trimesters of Grief (Memoir out Oct 6 via Koehler Books; audio viaBlackstone Publishing)o    None of Them Are You (Poetry collection out Nov 1 via Extra Extra Publishing)Supportthe Show:·        Fuel the FailCraftMission: https://iferia.nestuge.com/supportme·        Subscribe, leave areview, and share this episode with someone navigating loss!Wantto Be a Guest on FailCraft?·        Connect with Ezekielon PodMatch: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/failcraft00:00 Introduction:Katie Rizzo & The Biology of Loss02:26 Gestation ofLoss: The Physical Trimesters of Grief05:33 BeyondWillpower: Science, Shame, and Opioid Addiction11:08 The AccidentalPoet: Live Reading of "The Pelt"13:10 Community &Cardiovascular Health: The Physical Impact of Grief15:17 GroundedActions for Early Loss and Isolation16:46 Book Releases,Social Media, and Final TakeawaysChapters: