How To Deal With Grief and Trauma

·S18 E188

188 What a Death Doula Knows About Grief That Most of Us Don't (1/2) | Sierra Campbell

May 13
47 mins

Episode Description

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This is the first of a two-part episode. Check out part 2: 189 What a Death Doula Knows About Grief That Most of Us Don't (2/2) | Sierra Campbell

What does someone who has spent more than three decades sitting with the dying actually know about grief, and what can that teach the rest of us about living?

Today's guest is an elder caregiver, end-of-life doula, and founder of a leading end-of-life education platform. She began working in care at sixteen, opened her own home care services by twenty-one, and has since supported hundreds of people through the final chapter of their lives. As a two-time cancer survivor, she brings both professional expertise and lived experience to one of the most avoided conversations of our time.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome
03:10 Sierra's life story
07:10 What facing death taught me
08:49 The effect of unresolved generational trauma
10:09 Presence in being with the dying
15:52 When the support we get is not the support we need
24:11 Grief of not being able to be a mother
28:18 What do people grieve most at the end of their life
31:05 Families who are not prepared for a loved one's death
34:17 Anticipatory grief
34:48 Being prepared for someone dying
40:51 Being present when people die

Whether you are grieving a loss, supporting someone who is, or simply carrying an unspoken awareness that you are not prepared for what lies ahead, this conversation offers grounding, clarity, and practical perspective.

About our guest
An experienced elder caregiver and end-of-life doula, Sierra Campbell is the founder of Choose Nurture. With more than three decades of experience in the field, Sierra is a leading voice in end-of-life reform. She combines her professional background with her personal journey as a cancer survivor to educate and support ageing adults and their loved ones.

Resources mentioned

Book - Stephen Levine: One Year to Live

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