A Tribute To My Dad - Bryan Jung & This Is Why
Grief Out Loud
In this episode Bryan Jung talks about the experience of being only nine years old when his father, a prominent lawyer in the Korean community, was tragically shot by another lawyer. Fifteen months later and just nine days before Bryan’s 11th birthday, his father died. Bryan reflects on the impact of his father’s death, the strength of his family, and how he continues to honor his dad’s legacy. He shares how his grief evolved over time, the role of community support, and the lessons he’s carried into his own life. Bryan also discusses founding , an online...
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How Many Siblings Do You Have? Navigating Sibling Loss with Judy Lipson
Grief Out Loud
In this episode, we talk with Judy Lipson, author of A Celebration of Sisters. Judy shares her journey of sibling loss, reflecting on the deaths of her sisters—Margie, who died of anorexia, and Jane, who died in a car crash—and how their absence shaped her identity. She opens up about the complexities of sibling grief, the impact of Margie's long battle with an eating disorder, and the moment when the grief she had pushed aside for so long finally caught up with her. Through writing, ice skating, and organizing a fundraiser in their honor, Judy found ways to reconnect with her sisters and...
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When Grief & Betrayal Collide: Jessica Waite’s Story
Grief Out Loud
When husband, Sean, died suddenly, she knew him as a dedicated father to their young son and a loving, engaged spouse. In her book, The Widow’s Guide to Dead Bastards, Jessica reveals the shock and heartbreak of discovering Sean's double life. What began as a devastating loss quickly became even more complex as she uncovered the many secrets he had kept—hidden debt, drug use, and infidelity. Jessica talks about the rage, confusion, and emotional turmoil of grieving someone you love while simultaneously reckoning with the truth of who they really were. She reflects on anger as a catalyst...
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Were You Close? Always A Sibling With Annie Sklaver Orenstein
Grief Out Loud
In this episode we talk with , author of Always A Sibling: The Forgotten Mourners. Annie talks about her older brother, Ben, who died when he was deployed in Afghanistan, and how his sudden death reshaped her understanding of grief and loss. They discuss the unique challenges of sibling loss and how Annie ultimately decided to write the book she wished she had when Ben died. We Discuss: Annie’s relationship with her brother Ben and his role in her life The day Annie learned of Ben’s death and the immediate aftermath How grief intersected with anxiety The unique and often overlooked...
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What Remains: Rupert Callender on Grief, Rituals, and Redefining Funerals
Grief Out Loud
In this episode, we talk with , author of . Ru shares his personal experience with profound childhood loss to becoming a self-proclaimed radical undertaker. We also discuss the impact of grief at different life stages, how participation in funerals can be helpful for children, and reimagining rituals to accurately reflect the life of the person who died. Main topics: Parental Loss and Early Grief: Ru reflects on the loss of his father at age 7 and his mother in his 20s, sharing how these defining losses shaped his perspective on death and grief. Boarding School and Emotional Austerity:...
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Shatterproof: Telling The Truth About Grief with Lauren Sisler
Grief Out Loud
Grief can be shattering - and it can also reveal unexpected strength and resilience. In this episode, we’re joined by , award-winning sports broadcaster, ESPN Sideline reporter, and author of . Lauren shares her powerful story of losing her parents, who died within hours of each other during her freshman year of college, and how grief, fear, and shame, kept her from telling her story. Lauren discusses: The initial shock of loss. How grief evolved for her over the years and the tools that helped. The power of sharing her story and connecting...
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It's Okay That It's Not The Same - Grief At The Holidays
Grief Out Loud
[This episode originally aired December, 2023] This time of year can be grueling for anyone, but particularly for those who are grieving. So, each year we put out an episode to help you feel less alone and hopefully more equipped to traverse the next few weeks. Today's guest, Melissa Peede Thompson, M.S., is a Grief Services Coordinator at Dougy Center. While she has lots of professional knowledge in this realm, we asked her to talk about her personal experience of grieving during the holidays. Melissa was six when her sister died of gun violence. She was 13 when her father died in a...
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It Can Be So Awkward - Holidays & Grief
Grief Out Loud
It's our annual holidays and grief episode! In the past we've focused on more tangible tips and suggestions for supporting kids, teens, and adults during this time of year. This year we decided to focus on one person's lived experience with how the holidays can get really awkward when grief is involved. Ana Salazar-Walsh was just nineteen when her father died in a mountain climbing accident. A few months later, it was the first holiday season after his death, but it was actually the third Christmas in a row shadowed by grief. Two years earlier, her father left their family to start a new one...
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Grieving While Parenting - Reshma Kearney
Grief Out Loud
When Reshma Kearney's husband Sean died of suicide, her immediate concern was their three young children. She needed to figure out how to talk to them about his death - and his life - all while meeting their emotional and physical needs. Pretty quickly she realized her needs also had to be met so she could keep showing up for them. Reshma and her kids had an established mindfulness practice before Sean's death and those practices became integral for tending to their grief and finding ways to keep engaging with life. Note: this episode discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is...
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They Are Part Of Our Family - Grieving A Pet
Grief Out Loud
In May of 2024, Christine Passo's beloved dog, Maya Ray, took her last breath in Christine's arms. This wasn't the first time Christine experienced loss or trauma, but the grief she felt and continues to feel for Maya Ray caught her off guard with its intensity and depth. We talk about Maya Ray's last day, how Christine's other dog, Zoe, grieved, and how Christine and her partner are finding ways to continue honoring Maya Ray's life and her place in their family. is a coach who specializes in supporting women through life changes, many of which come with grief. She is also the co-author...
info_outlineIn this episode Bryan Jung talks about the experience of being only nine years old when his father, a prominent lawyer in the Korean community, was tragically shot by another lawyer. Fifteen months later and just nine days before Bryan’s 11th birthday, his father died. Bryan reflects on the impact of his father’s death, the strength of his family, and how he continues to honor his dad’s legacy. He shares how his grief evolved over time, the role of community support, and the lessons he’s carried into his own life. Bryan also discusses founding This Is Why, an online platform that provides space for individuals who lost a parent as a child or teen to share their stories and find connection.
We Discuss:
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Bryan’s memories of his father and the impact of his death on their family
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Navigating life after his father’s shooting and the challenges of childhood grief
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The role of community support and the strength of his mother in keeping the family together
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How volunteering at Camp Erin deepened his understanding of grief and inspired him to create This Is Why
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The power of storytelling in grief and his commitment to continuing his father’s legacy
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Forgiveness and personal growth in the aftermath of tragedy
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How grief anniversaries and milestones continue to shape his journey
Resources & Links:
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Learn more about This Is Why: thisiswhy.life
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Connect with This Is Why on social media
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Information on Camp Erin: elunanetwork.org
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Dougy Center: dougy.org
Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear from you! If you have thoughts on this episode or want to share your own grief journey, email us at [email protected].