Skip to content
PodParley
The Silent Why: finding hope in grief and loss podcast artwork

PODCAST · society

The Silent Why: finding hope in grief and loss

by Claire Sandys

Claire Sandys is on a mission to see if it's possible to find hope in 101 different types of loss and grief (often joined by husband Chris). New ad-free episodes every other Tuesday. With childless (not by choice) hosts, this podcast is packed with deep, honest experiences of grief and hope from inspiring guests. You also get: tips on how to navigate and prepare for loss, blogs, experts, exploring how loss is handled on TV, and plenty of Hermans. For more visit: www.thesilentwhy.com.

Publisher-supplied feed metadata · PodParley refreshed Sep 29, 2026 · Source feed

Subscribe · 0 Bookmark

Episodes

  1. A loss, a quick update, and a thankyou!

    Just a very quick update from us. We’ve experienced a loss of our own over the last three weeks, which means our return to the podcast will be delayed a little longer than we’d hoped. We wanted to let you know, rather than leave you wondering where we were. Thank you, as always, for your…

    more

  2. A podcast milestone, a chatty catch-up, and a summer pause

    #154. Join your two favourite hosts as we celebrate (or try to!) a podcast milestone, chat about life, and explain our podcast plans for the summer. We (Chris & Claire!) are revelling in a huge podcast achievement in this episode, and we're doing it in a way only the British can - with mild joy…

    more

  3. Let's Chat... Where to place our focus in grief (Karen Sutton)

    #153. Let's chat... about where we place our focus in grief. Welcome to another Let’s Chat episode, where instead of continuing our 101 Types of Loss list, I (Claire Sandys) sit down with guests who have expertise and personal insight into different aspects of loss. In this episode, I’m joined by...

  4. The Grief Toolshed: Chair & blanket - it's all about the self care

    #152. How can a metaphorical chair and a blanket help us in grief? Let's find out. This is The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to open up conversations around grief, asking if hope can be found in 101 different types of permanent loss. Welcome to my brand-new series of episodes - The Grief...

  5. Graveyard Musings: Glasgow Necropolis, Scotland

    #151. I've always loved graveyards. I'm not sure what it is about them that draws me in, but a little while ago I decided to record my musings as I wander round them. So that's what these Graveyard Musing episodes are, just me and my phone, in a graveyard. And sometimes I go international (but…

    more

  6. The Grief Toolshed: Baby Bio & a hand fork - a dual-pronged attack

    #151. How can metaphorical Baby Bio and a hand fork help us in grief? Let's find out. This is The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to open up conversations around grief, asking if hope can be found in 101 different types of permanent loss. Welcome to my brand-new series of episodes - The Grief...

  7. The (even more) Silent Why (& the Singapore Strait)

    #150. Life is hectic. Sometimes we simply need to stop for a moment. And that’s what this short episode is all about. Oh, and the lapping of the sea in Singapore that I recorded when we were there. Welcome to The Silent Why podcast, here to help you navigate loss and grief, and possibly... find...

  8. Loss 66/101: Loss of eyesight: Yahya Pandor

    #149. What is it like to choose hope in the dark? To face the grief of losing your sight? This is The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to explore grief, asking if hope can be found in 101 different types of permanent loss. Loss #66 of 101: Loss of eyesight In this episode, we spoke to Yahya...

  9. The Grief Toolshed: Telescopic Tree Pruner - find your sharp people

    #148. How can a metaphorical telescopic tree pruner help us with grief? Let's find out. This is The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to open up conversations around grief, asking if hope can be found in 101 different types of permanent loss. Welcome to my brand-new series of episodes - The…

    more

  10. The Grief Toolshed: Swiss Army Knife - using the tools of self-awareness

    #147. How can a metaphorical Swiss Army Knife help us with self-awareness? Let's find out. This is The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to open up conversations around grief, asking if hope can be found in 101 different types of permanent loss. Welcome to my brand-new series of episodes - The...

  11. Graveyard Musings: Wolvercote, Oxford (grave of JRR Tolkien - author of The Lord of the Rings)

    #146. I've always loved graveyards. I'm not sure what it is about them that draws me in, but a little while ago I decided to record my musings as I wander round them. So that's what these Graveyard Musing episodes are, just me and my phone, in a graveyard. And sometimes I go international (but…

    more

  12. The Grief Toolshed: Compost - it's all about balance (& worms)

    #145. How can a metaphorical bag of compost help us get through grief? Let's find out. This is The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to open up conversations around grief, asking if hope can be found in 101 different types of permanent loss. Welcome to my brand-new series of episodes - The Grief...

  13. The Grief Toolshed: The Spade - let's dig deep into grief

    #144. How can a metaphorical spade help us get through grief? Let's find out. This is The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to open up conversations around grief, asking if hope can be found in 101 different types of permanent loss. Welcome to my brand-new series of episodes - The Grief…

    more

  14. Introducing... The Grief Toolshed

    #143. How can we make sure we have the right tools when we face grief? This is The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to open up conversations around grief, asking if hope can be found in 101 different types of permanent loss. After a short break, I’m back with a brand-new series of episodes.…

    more

  15. New Year, New Loss, New Schedule

    #142. Well, it's finally here. Another new year. How are you feeling as we head into 2026? This is The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to open up conversations around grief, to see if hope can be found in 101 different types of loss, and we're Chris & Claire Sandys, your childless hosts. New...

  16. Chris & Claire's Chatty Christmas Catch-Up 2025

    #141. Struggling with the festive season? You're not alone. It's not an easy time of year, and it’s been a season of both highs and lows for us too over the years. This is The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to open up conversations around grief, to see if hope can be found in 101 different...

  17. Australia Update 2: Time flies. And more flies.

    #140. How's our big trip 'Down Under' going? This is where you find out. Again. Welcome to The Silent Why - usually a podcast with a mission to open-up honest conversations around grief and explore whether hope can be found in 101 different types of permanent loss. But right now, things are a...

  18. Australia Update 1: Distracted by kookaburras

    #139. How's our big trip going so far? This is where you find out. Welcome to The Silent Why - usually a podcast on a mission to open up honest conversations around grief and explore whether hope can be found in 101 different types of permanent loss - but right now, things are a little different!...

  19. Chris & Claire chat Oz, mini mics, Bin Chickens and a special form

    #138. We're off on an Ozzie adventure! But, first things first, as promised, the all-important anonymous form: 👉 https://forms.gle/LmFrrd4xvvnEhG5R9 👈 (it'll make sense when you've listened to the episode!) Welcome to The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to open up conversations around grief,...

  20. Loss 65/101: Loss of a friend: Hannah Rumsey

    #137. Can losing a friend be overlooked in our culture? What happens when the friend who knew you best is gone? And why are there so few resources to help with this kind of grief? This is The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to explore grief, asking if hope can be found in 101 different types…

    more

  21. Behind the Scenes: How I make a podcast

    #136. (We'll... we've actually done 226 episodes in total. You'll hear me talk about the annoying decision around episode numbering in this 226th episode!) This is The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to open up conversations around grief, asking if hope can be found in 101 different types of...

  22. BLOG REWIND: My Why: Accepting a life I don't want

    #135. How do we accept, and live with, a life we never really wanted? Welcome to another My Why Blog episode - where I share the audio version of my latest blog post. But in this case, it’s actually a re-release of the most popular blog episode I’ve ever put out (to my surprise!). If you’ve been...

  23. Let's Chat... Finding hope as a widow (Rachel Powell)

    #134. Let's chat... about finding hope after feeling hopeless as a young widow. Welcome to another Let’s Chat episode, where instead of continuing our 101 Types of Loss list, I (Claire Sandys) sit down with guests who have expertise and personal insight into different aspects of loss. In this...

  24. Loss 64/101: Loss of a wife: Richard Smith

    #133. “Grief isn’t sad – because it reminds you to make the most of today.” Curious about how Richard has reached this conclusion after losing his wife? Hit play and find out. This is The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to explore grief, asking if hope can be found in 101 different types of...

  25. The (even more) Silent Why (& the Mediterranean Sea)

    #132. Life is hectic. Sometimes we simply need to stop for a moment. And that’s what this short episode is all about. Oh, and the beautiful sounds of the Mediterranean Sea that I recorded when we were in Cyprus. Welcome to The Silent Why podcast, here to help you navigate loss and grief, and...

  26. Let's Chat... Where does the love go when someone dies (with David Kelly)

    #131. Let's chat... about where the love goes when someone dies. Can you still be 'in love' if it's not reciprocated? Does it eventually fade? Or die? Welcome to another Let’s Chat episode, where instead of continuing our 101 Types of Loss list, I (Claire Sandys) sit down with guests who have...

  27. Loss 63/101: Loss through chronic illness and lupus: Olivia Abousaid

    #130. Not all losses are bereavements. Sometimes they follow a diagnosis and impact someone for the rest of their life, like with our guest in this episode. This is The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to explore grief, asking if hope can be found in 101 different types of permanent loss. Loss...

  28. Chris & Claire's top takeaways from 20 years of marriage

    #129. What are the most valuable things we've learnt - or think really matter - after 20 years of marriage? This is The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to open up conversations around grief, exploring asking if hope can be found in 101 different types of permanent loss. On 26 May 2025, we...

  29. BLOG: My Why: How to build mental muscles when you’re feeling weak

    #128. Did you know you can build mental muscles, as well as physical ones? And that you can start that any time - no matter how weak you might feel? Welcome to another My Why from Claire Sandys (co-host of The Silent Why podcast). My Why episodes are audio versions of my latest blog post. If…

    more

  30. Loss 62/101: Loss through menopause: Diane Danzebrink

    #127. Think menopause is just a physical change? What if we told you it can also bring grief, loss of identity, and a hit to your mental health? This is The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to open up conversations around grief, exploring asking if hope can be found in 101 different types of...

  31. Let's Chat... The Adventure of Grief (with Bianca Neumann)

    #126. Let's Chat... about seeing grief as an adventure. Welcome to another Let’s Chat episode, where instead of continuing our 101 Types of Loss list, I sit down with guests who have expertise and personal insight into different aspects of loss. In this episode, I (Claire) have the pleasure of...

  32. Loss 61/101: Loss of possessions: Naomi Westerman

    #125. What impact can possessions have on grief? The lack of them, the loss of them, too many of them etc. This is The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to open up conversations around grief, exploring asking if hope can be found in 101 different types of permanent loss. Loss #61 of 101: Loss of...

  33. Let's Chat... Writing and running through grief (with Justin Creps)

    #124. Let's Chat... about how writing and running can help us through grief. Welcome to another Let’s Chat episode, where instead of continuing our 101 Types of Loss list, I sit down with guests who have personal insight into different aspects of loss. In this episode, I (Claire) have the…

    more

  34. 101 LOSS COUNTDOWN: 60 down, 41 to go

    #123. Can hope be found in 101 different types of loss? We're well on our way to finding out, as we reach another milestone! We've hit loss number 60 on our mission to explore 101 different types of permanent loss, meaning we only have 41 (!) to go. Now over halfway to our goal. In this episode…

    more

  35. Let's Chat... How Covid-19 changed death rituals (with Natasha Mikles)

    #122. Let's Chat... about how the Covid pandemic reshaped important death rituals. These 'Let’s Chat' episodes are conversations with guests who have experience/expertise in a particular area of loss. In this episode, I (Claire Sandys) chat to Natasha Mikles who is an assistant professor at Texas...

  36. Loss 60/101: Loss in happy life transitions: Bex Eyles

    #121. Go on, be honest, can you understand why someone who's getting remarried, or celebrating a miracle pregnancy, or beginning a new job, might be experiencing some unhappiness alongside the cheer? This is The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to open up conversations around grief, exploring...

  37. Chris & Claire's Reflections on Christmas & New Year

    #120. Well, after our 'looking ahead to Christmas' episode, how did it go? Were our festive hearts filled with joy? Or were there tears?! This is The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to open up conversations around grief, to see if hope can be found in 101 different types of loss, and we're…

    more

  38. The (even more) Silent Why (& a storm)

    #119. Life is hectic. Sometimes we simply need to stop for a moment. And that’s what this short episode is all about. Oh, and the beautiful sounds of a distant thunderstorm that I recorded in Belgium. Welcome to The Silent Why podcast, here to help you navigate loss and grief, and possibly...…

    more

  39. Chris & Claire's Chatty Christmas Catch-Up 2024

    #118. Struggling with the festive season? You're not alone. As a childless couple, we've been there too, especially when family is at the heart of so many celebrations. This is The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to open up conversations around grief, to see if hope can be found in 101…

    more

  40. Loss 59/101: Loss of a police career and self-worth: Ken Anderson

    #117. What do you do when the career you love is gone, and you're barely staying afloat? And why is helping yourself so much harder than helping others? This is The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to open up conversations around grief, to see if hope can be found in 101 different types of...

  41. Let's Chat... Grieving out loud on social media (with Rebecca Feinglos)

    #116. Let's Chat... about what it looks like when we use social media to show and share our grief. These 'Let’s Chat' episodes are conversations with guests who have experience/expertise in a particular area of loss. In this episode, I (Claire Sandys) chat to Rebecca Feinglos in North Carolina…

    more

  42. Loss 58/101: Loss through precocious (early) puberty: Dannie-Lu Carr

    #115. Have you ever considered the losses that might be encountered by going through puberty early? Have you even heard of precocious puberty? Let alone think about it in the context of grief. This is The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to open up conversations around grief, to see if hope can...

  43. BONUS EPISODE: My talk on grief and hope for All Souls' Day

    BONUS EPISODE TIME! ... and this episode contains something that I've never shared on the podcast before. Welcome to The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to open up conversations around grief, to see if hope can be found in 101 different types of loss. Many of you will know that I (Claire…

    more

  44. Loss 57/101: Loss of a husband to suicide while pregnant: Rachel Hart

    #114. How does the grief of losing someone to suicide differ from other deaths? What emotions and questions does it raise? And what if it's your spouse who's died, and you're five months pregnant with his child? This is The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to open up conversations around grief,...

  45. The (even more) Silent Why (& a forest walk)

    #113. Life is hectic. Sometimes we simply need to stop for a moment. And that’s what this short episode is all about. Oh, and the beautiful sounds of the Eternal Forest in Wales… Welcome to The Silent Why podcast, here to help you navigate loss and grief, and possibly... find hope. These new…

    more

  46. Loss 56/101: Loss in the role of a Police Chaplain: Jared Altic

    #112. What is it like doing chaplaincy work on the frontline with the police? Or experiencing the worst humans can do to each other up close? This is The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to open up conversations around grief, to see if hope can be found in 101 different types of permanent loss....

  47. BLOG: My Why: Is grief selfish?

    #111. So, is grief selfish? I mean it's largely about something we're sad about. It's something we've lost or miss. So, is it a selfish thing? Let's open up this can of worms, shall we?! Welcome to another My Why from Claire Sandys (co-host of The Silent Why podcast). My Why episodes are audio...

  48. Turning August from bitter, to sweet

    #110. Do you find the summer hard, painful, a reminder of things you don't have? Whether you have children, don't have children, go on holiday, don't go on holiday - things do shift a bit in this month, and because of that, things are a bit different at The Silent Why HQ too. Welcome to another...

  49. Loss 55/101: Loss through a bad/complex death: Kay Backhouse

    #109. What if your loved one doesn't have a 'good' death? How do you cope with the trauma of witnessing someone suffer at the end of their life? This is The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to open up conversations around grief, to see if hope can be found in 101 different types of permanent...

  50. Graveyard Musings: Moorslede, Belgium

    #108. I've always loved graveyards. I'm not sure what it is about them that draws me in, but a little while ago I decided to record my musings as I wander round them. So that's what these Graveyard Musing episodes are, just me and my phone, in a graveyard. And sometimes I go international (like...

View all 247 episodes →

Type above to search every episode's transcript for a word or phrase. Matches are scoped to this podcast.

Searching…

We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.

No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.

Showing of matches

No topics indexed yet for this podcast.

Loading reviews...

ABOUT THIS SHOW

Claire Sandys is on a mission to see if it's possible to find hope in 101 different types of loss and grief (often joined by husband Chris). New ad-free episodes every other Tuesday. With childless (not by choice) hosts, this podcast is packed with deep, honest experiences of grief and hope from inspiring guests. You also get: tips on how to navigate and prepare for loss, blogs, experts, exploring how loss is handled on TV, and plenty of Hermans. For more visit: www.thesilentwhy.com.

HOSTED BY

Claire Sandys

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does The Silent Why: finding hope in grief and loss have?

The Silent Why: finding hope in grief and loss currently has 247 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is The Silent Why: finding hope in grief and loss about?

Claire Sandys is on a mission to see if it's possible to find hope in 101 different types of loss and grief (often joined by husband Chris). New ad-free episodes every other Tuesday. With childless (not by choice) hosts, this podcast is packed with deep, honest experiences of grief and hope from...

How often does The Silent Why: finding hope in grief and loss release new episodes?

The Silent Why: finding hope in grief and loss publishes regularly with 247 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.

Where can I listen to The Silent Why: finding hope in grief and loss?

You can listen to The Silent Why: finding hope in grief and loss on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts The Silent Why: finding hope in grief and loss?

The Silent Why: finding hope in grief and loss is created and hosted by Claire Sandys.
URL copied to clipboard!