When We Lose Them: Love, Loss, and the Permission to Grieve

If the only things certain in life are death and taxes, we sure do a poor job talking about the former. Let's change that.  In this heartfelt conversation, Caroline Culbertson and renowned sport psychologist Dr. Jenny Susser explore the complexities of grief, particularly in relation to the loss of beloved horses. They discuss personal experiences with anticipatory grief, the emotional toll of preparing for loss, and the challenges of communicating about death.  Dr. Jenny shares her recent experiences with the loss of two horses only weeks apart, highlighting the stark differences between expected and unexpected losses. They discuss the importance of recognizing the physical and emotional toll of grief, and the necessity of managing personal energy during difficult times. Grief is an all-consuming physical, emotional, and spiritual process, and it's time we talk about it as such.  This episode is supported by WeRideTogether - a nonprofit organization created to cast light upon the endemic issue of sexual abuse in youth and amateur sports. Their mission is to make the youth and amateur sport environment safer for all athletes. For more information from today's episode, as well as free resources, go here.  00:00 Navigating Grief: Personal Experiences and Reflections 14:53 The Impact of Anticipatory Grief 30:08 The Language of Loss: Communicating Grief 45:13 Finding Presence Amidst Worry 44:43 Understanding Energy and Grief 50:06 Protecting Mental Space During Grief 54:28 The Physical Manifestations of Grief 01:01:06 The Complexity of Anger in Grief 01:05:15 The Permission to Grieve 01:12:07 Finding Permanence in Loss To learn more about Dr. Jenny Susser and her work, visit her website, www.DrJenny.com