UIOK 74: Eric Hodgdon losing someone else doesn't mean you have to lose yourself

  Welcome or welcome back to the uncomfortable is OK podcast. I’m your host Chris Desmond and this is the show where I chat with fascinating people who have faced down the Uncomfortable. We hear their stories and jump into the strategies they’ve used for getting uncomfortable. Over the last couple of week’s I’ve appeared as a guest on a couple of other podcasts, The Willosophy podcast, and It’s no secret with Dr T. It’s been an interesting and uncomfortable experience being on the other side of the microphone and having questions asked of me. Thankfully after having over 70 conversations with people on this podcast I’ve probably got enough to say to fill up half an hour or so. Being a guest on someone else’s podcast to talk about getting uncomfortable has given me a greater appreciation of story telling. Being able to impart your viewpoint and experience through story is such an important skill, but also a difficult one to master. It makes me appreciate today’s guest, Eric Hodgdon even more. A few years ago Eric went through the trauma of his daughter Zoi’s suicide. Thankfully I have never been placed in a situation like that, and I struggle to comprehend what it must have been like. It’s a tough topic that not many people seem willing to speak about so I’m grateful that Eric is opening up about his experiences. After going through his grieving process Eric realised that he needed to find his way back to better days, and to help those around him to do the same. That’s what this conversation is mainly focussed on, Eric’s grieving, his pathway back to better days and living a life where he is thriving again, and how he is helping others to do the same. Suicide is a tough topic, especially here in New Zealand and if you’re thinking about it then even though it may not seem like it at the moment, that things are going to get better. Reach out and talk to someone you trust. I’ve put a list of numbers you can call in New Zealand in the notes for the show, a quick Google search brings up a raft of contacts in other countries too, please get in touch with Eric or with myself if you need to talk. For those of you who have been impacted by suicide, it will also get better, listen to Eric’s story as he tells us how his life did. In this conversation Eric and I kick it off by talking about some concepts about getting uncomfortable, I was checking the sound levels and then the conversation just seemed to go, so it may not seem to flow like some of the other episodes. Thank you to Traver Boehm for introducing me to Eric. Please share this episode out with people you think may get value from it. Thank you for getting uncomfortable with Eric and me today. • LIFELINE: 0800 543 354 (available 24/7) • SUICIDE CRISIS HELPLINE: 0508 828 865(0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7) • YOUTHLINE: 0800 376 633 • NEED TO TALK? Free call or text 1737 (available 24/7) • KIDSLINE: 0800 543 754 (available 24/7) • WHATSUP: 0800 942 8787 (1pm to 11pm) • DEPRESSION HELPLINE: 0800 111 757 Guest: Eric Hodgdon Website Eric Facebook Eric Instagram   Host: Chris Desmond UIOK Instagram UIOK Facebook Chris Desmond Twitter Support the show on Patreon   Music...