Grief and Life - as we know it!

Ever caught yourself thinking, “my week was the worst”… only to hear what someone else is going through?Welcome to The Grief Olympics!In our latest episode, we dive into the strange, very human habit of ranking pain — from the absurd (yes… even a broken dishwasher ) to the unimaginable (like losing someone you love). It might sound silly on the surface, but it opens up a deeper conversation:Why do we compare suffering?Who gets to decide what “counts” as hard?And what happens when we stop keeping score?This episode isn’t about minimizing pain — it’s about understanding it. All of it. The small frustrations, the big heartbreaks, and everything in between.Because pain isn’t a competition. And nobody wins the gold.

We admire the “strong” ones — the people who go back to work, keep running, keep functioning after life falls apart. But what if the strength we praise is sometimes just a quiet shutdown?In this episode of Grief and Life as We Know It, we explore numbing — why we do it, how it protects us in the short term, and what it can cost us in the long run. From alcohol and overworking to running, cleaning, scrolling, and silence, we unpack the difference between healthy regulation and slowly disappearing from yourself.Blending research, lived experience, and honest reflection, we ask:Is numbing a form of resilience… or a prison?And how do we build the kind of flexibility that lets us feel — without drowning?This is a conversation about survival, awareness, and learning not to abandon yourself in the process.

In this episode, we continue the conversation about identity, grief, and what happens after life changes us. We question the idea that “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” — not as a cliché, but as a real, lived experience. Together, we explore discomfort, resilience, grief beyond death, the role of community, and how strength is built over time through connection, choice, and gratitude. This is a reflective conversation about becoming someone new, learning to live with discomfort, and finding meaning even when life doesn’t turn out the way you expected.

As a new year begins, we reflect on identity - how it shifts, stretches, and sometimes quietly slips away as life unfolds. From moving countries and motherhood to career pauses, illness, grief and the weight of labels like "tradwife', this episode explores what happens when the life you're living doesn't look like the one you imagined.This is not about shaming choices or lifestyles — not at all. Choosing a traditional life can be meaningful, strong, and deeply intentional.This episode is simply a personal reflection on life transitions, identity changes, and how we make sense of ourselves when labels shift — and when the question becomes less “What do I do?” and more “Who am I now?”

How many thoughts run through your mind every single day?And how many of them do you quietly accept as truth—without ever stopping to question them?In this episode, we welcome our very first guest: a cognitive therapist—and one of Nina’s closest friends—for a deeply honest and meaningful conversation about the mind, grief, and the power of awareness.We talk about how our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are connected, and how cognitive therapy can be a gentle yet powerful tool—especially when life feels overwhelming.Not to erase pain.Not to “fix” grief.But to help us understand what’s happening inside us, create space around difficult thoughts, and regain a sense of choice and self-compassion.Through personal stories and real-life reflections, we explore how becoming aware of our inner dialogue can soften suffering, support healing, and help us move forward—one small step at a time.✨ Your thoughts aren’t facts.✨ You’re not doing life wrong.✨ And you do have the power to pause, choose, and respond differently.__________For those listening in Norway, it may be helpful to know that Rask psykisk helsehjelp (RPH) is a municipal, low-threshold mental health service for adults (16+) experiencing mild to moderate anxiety or depression. It offers evidence-based treatment—primarily cognitive behavioral therapy—without the need for a referral and with short waiting times (often 1–2 weeks). The service is free and available in many municipalities, with the goal of preventing difficulties from becoming more entrenched.RPH is not intended for acute or severe conditions; in urgent situations, you should call 113, 116 117, or contact your GP.Support exists—and reaching out can be a powerful first step.__________For those of you listening in the U.S., support is available too — even if it can feel hard to know where to start.If you’re feeling overwhelmed or in emotional distress, you can call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It’s free, available 24/7, and you don’t have to be in immediate danger to reach out.For ongoing support, many people start by talking to their primary care doctor, who can help guide you toward therapy or other resources. You can also find therapists directly through platforms like Psychology Today, TherapyDen, or Open Path, which offers lower-cost options.And if you’re ever in immediate danger, please call 911.You don’t have to go through this alone. Reaching out — even just once — can be a powerful first step.

What really makes us happy?Drawing on research, personal stories, and lived experience with grief, Nina and Katrine explore how happiness shifts over time — and why connection, presence, and awe may be the most powerful sources of joy.

In this milestone episode, we answer the thoughtful, funny, and deeply personal questions sent in by our listeners. We talk about everything from whether you can truly prepare for grief, to how loss shapes relationships, to who actually listens to our podcast (spoiler: it’s not just family!). We also open up about recording across continents, why we chose to do the podcast in English, and whether having guests is still part of the plan. Nina shares one of the most vulnerable moments of her life — finding out her boyfriend had cancer — and how she found strength in the middle of fear and heartbreak. And, of course, there’s humor, including a classic story about our mum’s accidental “horny breakfast.”A heartfelt, honest, and warm Q&A that celebrates connection, growth, and the shared human experience.

In this heartfelt conversation, Nina and Katrine explore the meaning of family, belonging, and finding your people — even when life doesn’t quite turn out the way you imagined. They reflect on what a safe home truly means, why some have to walk away from their families to find peace, and how resilience can be built through love, care, and community. With warmth, honesty, and personal stories from childhood, they remind us that family isn’t always about blood — sometimes, it’s about the people who choose you and stay.

In this episode, Nina and Katrine reflect on family, aging, and what it means when someone who’s always been your anchor suddenly needs your care. Through stories about their 91 year-old grandmother, they explore love across distance, coping with change, and finding gratitude — even in life’s most fragile moments.

In this heartfelt and hopeful episode, Nina and Katrine explore how pets — especially dogs — can bring comfort, healing, and even save lives after loss. They talk about the science behind the human–animal bond, how petting a dog can lower blood pressure and stress, and how animals can sense when something’s wrong — emotionally and physically.With warmth, laughter, and personal stories, the sisters reflect on their own experiences with beloved pets, the joy and responsibility of animal companionship, and why adopting a rescue can be life-changing for both human and animal.Whether you’re a lifelong animal lover or someone who’s never had a pet, this episode will make you smile, maybe tear up a little, and definitely see our four-legged friends in a new light.

In this episode called, "The Stories We Carry", we talk about how grief shows up in unexpected places—from car dealerships to conversations with kids—and how sharing our truths creates connection, compassion, and light in the heaviness

Loneliness is something most of us know intimately — yet it’s still one of the hardest things to say out loud. You can feel lonely in a crowd, in a relationship, after a big life change, or while building a life far away from the people you love.In this episode, sisters Nina and Katrine talk openly about loneliness as a natural part of being human — and the quiet grief that often lives inside it. They reflect on moving abroad, starting over as an adult, how hard it can be to make new friends later in life, and why coming home (and leaving again) can feel both beautiful and deeply painful.They also explore loneliness from a broader perspective — touching on research, societal taboos, and the powerful work of Norwegian comedian Else Kåss Furuseth and Ensomhetspartiet (The Loneliness Party), which helped bring this hidden topic into the public conversation.This is a conversation about grief, belonging, connection, and hope. About holding gratitude and sadness at the same time. And about reminding each other that loneliness is not a personal failure — it’s a signal that we’re wired for connection.If you’ve ever felt alone in your loneliness, this episode is for you. 🤍

When grief hits , some friends disappear - and others become lifelines. Join us as we explore Aristotle's three types of friendships and what they mean when you're grieving.

In this episode Nina and Katrine explore how grief reshapes the brain and body - bringing fog, memory loss and survival mode. With Nina's personal story and practical tools, they shed light on the hidden side of grief, trauma, and healing.

In this episode we explore the different ways we experience and live with loss - from the pain of divorce to the challenges of single motherhood and beyond.

Social media has become a modern space for mourning—where pain meets pixels.For some, it's a lifeline: A place to share memories. Connect with support. Put words to what feels unspeakable. But for others, it can feel like: Pressure to grieve publicly. Fear of judgment, or even silence from people you expected support from.In this episode, we talk about the complex relationship between grief and the feed.What’s helpful? What’s harmful? And how do we know when to share—and when to just… let them?

In this episode Nina and Katrine explore the fine lines between honoring grief and being consumed by it. Through personal stories, cultural reflections and moments from a TV show, they ask: Are we carrying grief - or is it carrying us?

In this episode we dive into the emotional reality of illness - what it means to be seen, heard and treated with dignity, both as a patient and as next of kin. With honesty and heart we share personal stories from hospital rooms, exploring the power of empathy, presence and human connection in healthcare.

New Beginnings – Choosing Love After Loss.What happens when you start to feel happy again after deep loss?In this episode, we talk about what it’s really like to move forward—about grief that lingers, love that returns, and the surprising weight of other people’s expectations.Some people cheer you on. Others question your choices. And sometimes, Janteloven creeps in, whispering that you shouldn’t think you deserve happiness again.But you do.We talk about grief, joy, guilt, and the quiet courage it takes to choose life—and love—again.

In this episode, Nina and Katrine step into the spiritual landscape of grief — the quiet, mysterious space that often opens when someone we love is no longer physically here.We share personal stories of unexplained moments, subtle signs, and experiences that are hard to categorize but impossible to ignore. From sudden sensations of presence to meaningful coincidences that arrive at just the right time, we explore the question many grieving people carry silently: Was that a sign?Drawing on cultural traditions, inherited beliefs, and our own lived experiences, we reflect on how different societies understand the afterlife — and how grief itself can expand our worldview. Sometimes loss doesn’t just break us open; it opens us up.This conversation isn’t about proving anything. It’s about honoring the deeply human need to feel connection — even after death. It’s about how grief can soften our boundaries between the visible and the invisible, and how love may continue in ways we don’t fully understand.Episode 7 is an honest, tender reflection on faith, doubt, mystery, and the quiet hope that maybe — just maybe — love doesn’t end.

In this episode, Nina and Katrine explore how gratitude can coexist with deep loss. Nina shares how, after losing her husband and facing cancer, gratitude became a lifeline—a quiet strength that helped her begin to live again. From small moments like morning coffee and birdsong to the deep presence of love and support, they discuss how grief can heighten appreciation for life’s simplest joys. The episode also touches on cultural contrasts in healthcare and how support systems impact healing. It’s an honest, reflective conversation about choosing gratitude even when life feels unbearable.

What do you actually say to someone who's grieving? Is there a right or wrong way to do it? In this episode, we explore the role of communication in grief - what helps, what hurts and why words matter. Nina shares personal experiences, both positive and negative, shedding light on how meaningful (or awkward) interactions can shape the grieving process.

In this episode , Nina and Katrine discuss the complex layers of grief experienced from both near and far. Katrine reflects on the struggles of being separated by distance during multiple family losses, while Nina opens up about the overwhelming shock of losing loved ones in quick succession. The conversation touches on the challenges of grief when you’re far away, the bittersweet nature of reunions, and the lasting impact of loss on relationships. They also explore how grief ripples out, affecting not just individuals but families as a whole, and share heartfelt stories of support, connection, and the unexpected ways healing begins.

In this episode Nina shares the raw reality of losing her husband, from the scream she doesn't remember to the quiet weight of grief. We dive into how feeling everything - pain, love and even gratitude - can become a path to healing.

In this episode, Nina opens up about her husband's final days - grief, rage, love and the need for normalcy amidst chaos. They also talk about how trauma shapes us, how grief manifests in unexpected ways, and the power of being truly seen in our darkest moments.

In our very first episode, Nina tells the story of losing her husband to cancer — and of daring to love again. When cancer enters her life for the second time, the story becomes less about illness, and more about how you choose to live when life keeps testing you.

This is the intro to our podcast where we tell you a little about how it came to be, and what we will talk about. Hope you'll follow along on our journey!