#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 and plenty of guilt and comparison! So join us for tentative celebrations, a relaxed catch-up as we reflect on life lately, and updates on what we're hoping for in the months ahead.

As always, the conversation takes a few unexpected turns (and may include a little TMI!), so grab a cuppa and spend some time with us. You'll also find out why there won't be any new episodes for a few weeks - and when you can expect us back.

Thank you so much for listening, sharing, supporting, and being part of this community. Reaching our special milestone (you've got to listen for that nugget of information!) simply wouldn't have happened without you, and we're incredibly grateful. 

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#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 Karen Sutton from Cheltenham in Gloucestershire, England (just a few miles down the road from me!). Karen is the UK's first widow coach and an Intuitive Psychology Coach.

Karen's husband, Simon, died suddenly in 2016 after suffering a cardiac arrest while out on a bike ride, leaving her to navigate life as a widowed mum to their two children.

Together, we talk about Karen's own experience of grief and the lessons she's learned along the way. We explore the powerful role that focus plays in the grieving process - why it's so easy to become consumed by our pain, how gently shifting our focus can help, and the difference it can make over time.

This conversation is packed with practical insights for anyone living with loss, including ways to refocus without denying your grief. Plus, Karen is a big advocate of hope - so you know we're going to bond on that topic! 

For more about Karen, her social media, and her podcast, visit:

https://www.karensutton.co.uk
https://www.instagram.com/karensuttonwidowcoach/
https://www.facebook.com/karensuttonwidowcoach
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-widow-podcast/id1576872824

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Episode transcripts: thesilentwhy.buzzsprout.com

Thank you for listening.

#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 Toolshed.

In this series, I’m visiting the garden tools shared by our Let’s Chat guests (from my metaphorical toolshed) and turning them into practical, supportive tools we can use when we face grief. One per episode. Together, we’ll unpack them and explore how to actually use them when grief shows up.

And in this episode, I’m looking at how a chair and a blanket (given to us by Kriss Kevorkian, in her Let’s Chat episode about environmental and ecological grief), can help us prepare for, and get through, grief.

Think of it as building your own toolkit - ready for whenever you need it most.

Listen to Kriss' full episode, Let’s Chat… Environmental and Ecological Grief, here: https://www.thesilentwhy.com/podcast/episode/7e424efd/lets-chat-environmental-and-ecological-grief-with-dr-kriss-kevorkian

If all this is new to you, and you have no idea what’s going on, listen to the episode I put out introducing this new series, ‘Introducing… The Grief Toolshed’:
https://www.thesilentwhy.com/podcast/episode/7dad62e8/introducing-the-grief-toolshed

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Support the show: buymeacoffee.com/thesilentwhy

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Episode transcripts: thesilentwhy.buzzsprout.com

Thank you for listening.

#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 not this one) and sometimes Chris joins me (like this one).

Anyway, welcome to another Graveyard Musing from me, Claire Sandys (host of The Silent Why podcast).

In this musing, Chris (husband) and I are wandering around the Glasgow Necropolis in Scotland - a city of the dead.

So, come with us to hear our impromptu musings as we explore this fascinating place.

For the photos that accompany this episode, so you can visualise what we're talking about, visit: https://www.thesilentwhy.com/post/graveyard-musings-goes-to-glasgow

If you want to hear more episodes like this, check out:

Graveyard Musings, Oxford, JRR Tolkien's grave:
https://www.thesilentwhy.com/podcast/episode/7ded9daf/graveyard-musings-wolvercote-oxford-grave-of-jrr-tolkien-author-of-the-lord-of-the-rings

Graveyard Musings, Tyne Cot & Ypres, Belgium: https://www.thesilentwhy.com/podcast/episode/7f63d7e9/graveyard-musings-tyne-cot-and-ypres-belgium

Graveyard Musings, Moorslede, Belgium: https://thesilentwhy.buzzsprout.com/1799189/episodes/15249654-graveyard-musings-moorslede-belgium

Graveyard Musings: Llanfair Talhaiarn, Wales:
https://www.thesilentwhy.com/podcast/episode/7e418cc4/graveyard-musings-llanfair-talhaiarn-wales

Graveyard Musings: Gloucestershire, England (Part 1 of 3):
https://www.thesilentwhy.com/podcast/episode/76b3f1f7/graveyard-musings-gloucestershire-england-part-1

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What's a Herman? / Buy a Herman - thehermancompany.com

Support the show: buymeacoffee.com/thesilentwhy

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How to talk to the grieving:  thesilentwhy.com/post/howtotalktothegrieving

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Episode transcripts: thesilentwhy.buzzsprout.com

Thank you for listening.

#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 Toolshed.

In this series, I’m visiting the garden tools shared by our Let’s Chat guests (from my metaphorical toolshed) and turning them into practical, supportive tools we can use when we face grief. One per episode. Together, we’ll unpack them and explore how to actually use them when grief shows up.

And in this episode, I’m looking at how a hand fork and Baby Bio (given to us by Lis Whybrow, in her Let’s Chat episode about end of life and grief coaching), can help us prepare for, and get through, grief.

Think of it as building your own toolkit - ready for whenever you need it most.

Listen to Lis' full episode, Let’s Chat… End of Life and Grief Coaching, here:
https://www.thesilentwhy.com/podcast/episode/7c8f94d8/lets-chat-end-of-life-and-grief-coaching-with-lis-whybrow

The blog I mention: 'We all have triggers, but did you know you have glimmers too?':
https://www.thesilentwhy.com/post/triggersandglimmers

If all this is new to you, and you have no idea what’s going on, listen to the episode I put out introducing this new series, ‘Introducing… The Grief Toolshed’:
https://www.thesilentwhy.com/podcast/episode/7dad62e8/introducing-the-grief-toolshed

If you want to hear more from Lis, she was also Loss 25 of 101, talking about the loss of a professional accreditation:
https://www.thesilentwhy.com/podcast/episode/7b4d6c4b/loss-25101-loss-of-a-professional-accreditation-lis-whybrow

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Thank you for listening.

#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 hope. 

These very short, episodes will pop up every now and then to help you take a moment to check in and see how you're really feeling.  

Less than 9 minutes total, including 2 minutes of time for you (and you alone) - join me (Claire Sandys, podcast host) and allow yourself to press pause on life for a short while. 

And for this episode, I'm asking you to sit on the rocks of Sentosa, as the water laps below, and just take a moment to pause. 

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Support the show: buymeacoffee.com/thesilentwhy

Sign-up to my mailing list (only used for sharing news occasionally!): thesilentwhy.com/newsletter

How to talk to the grieving:  thesilentwhy.com/post/howtotalktothegrieving

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Episode transcripts: thesilentwhy.buzzsprout.com

Thank you for listening.

#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 Pandor from Wiltshire, England, an advocate for the blind, para-athlete (runner), qualified counsellor, and World Record holder.

Yahya lost his eyesight in 2021 at the age of 25 years old, due to a combination of Macular Degeneration and Toxoplasmosis. In just 10 months, he went from enjoying life with vision, to finding his way in a dark world.

Yahya shared the unique challenges of being blind, what this kind of grief was like for him, what he misses most, and what sighted people probably take for granted the most.
 
For more about Yahya, visit:
https://www.instagram.com/yahyapandor94
https://www.insight-counselling.org
https://www.youtube.com/@the_blind_runner
https://www.tiktok.com/@isapandor 

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What's a Herman? / Buy a Herman - thehermancompany.com

Support the show: buymeacoffee.com/thesilentwhy

Sign-up to my mailing list (only used for sharing news occasionally!): thesilentwhy.com/newsletter

How to talk to the grieving:  thesilentwhy.com/post/howtotalktothegrieving

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Episode transcripts: thesilentwhy.buzzsprout.com

Thank you for listening.

#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 Grief Toolshed.

In this series, I’m visiting the garden tools shared by our Let’s Chat guests (from my metaphorical toolshed) and turning them into practical, supportive tools we can use when we face grief. One per episode. Together, we’ll unpack them and explore how to actually use them when grief shows up.

And in this episode, I’m looking at how a tree pruner (given to us by Jared Altic, in his Let’s Chat episode about being a Police Chaplain, can help us prepare for, and get through, grief.

Think of it as building your own toolkit - ready for whenever you need it most.

Listen to Jared's full episode, Let’s Chat… Police Chaplains, here:
https://www.thesilentwhy.com/podcast/episode/79748b98/lets-chat-police-chaplains-with-jared-altic

If all this is new to you, and you have no idea what’s going on, listen to the episode I put out introducing this new series, ‘Introducing… The Grief Toolshed’:
https://www.thesilentwhy.com/podcast/episode/7dad62e8/introducing-the-grief-toolshed

If you want to hear more from Jared, he was also Loss 56 of 101, talking about dealing with loss, grief and death daily in his role as a Police Chaplain:
https://www.thesilentwhy.com/podcast/episode/4b8bb873/loss-2101-loss-of-both-parents-to-dementia-katie-elliott

Plus, he has a fantastic podcast called 'Hey, Chaplain': https://heychaplain.buzzsprout.com/

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What's a Herman? / Buy a Herman - thehermancompany.com

Support the show: buymeacoffee.com/thesilentwhy

Sign-up to my mailing list (only used for sharing news occasionally!): thesilentwhy.com/newsletter

How to talk to the grieving:  thesilentwhy.com/post/howtotalktothegrieving

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Episode transcripts: thesilentwhy.buzzsprout.com

Thank you for listening.

#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 Grief Toolshed.

In this series, I’m visiting the garden tools shared by our Let’s Chat guests (from my metaphorical toolshed) and turning them into practical, supportive tools we can use when we face grief. One per episode. Together, we’ll unpack them and explore how to actually use them when grief shows up.

And in this episode, I’m looking at how a Swiss Army Knife (given to us by Katie Elliott, in her Let’s Chat episode about Self-Awareness), can help us prepare for, and get through, grief.

Think of it as building your own toolkit - ready for whenever you need it most.

Listen to Katie's full episode, Let’s Chat… Self-Awareness, here:
https://www.thesilentwhy.com/podcast/episode/7b7d32af/lets-chat-self-awareness-with-katie-elliott

Amiko cards and poster:
https://www.littlechallenges.com/store 

If all this is new to you, and you have no idea what’s going on, listen to the episode I put out introducing this new series, ‘Introducing… The Grief Toolshed’:
https://www.thesilentwhy.com/podcast/episode/7dad62e8/introducing-the-grief-toolshed

If you want to hear more from Katie, she was also Loss 2 of 101, talking about the loss of both parents to dementia:
https://www.thesilentwhy.com/podcast/episode/4b8bb873/loss-2101-loss-of-both-parents-to-dementia-katie-elliott

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thesilentwhy.com  |  Instagram  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  LinkedIn

What's a Herman? / Buy a Herman - thehermancompany.com

Support the show: buymeacoffee.com/thesilentwhy

Sign-up to my mailing list (only used for sharing news occasionally!): thesilentwhy.com/newsletter

How to talk to the grieving:  thesilentwhy.com/post/howtotalktothegrieving

Review the show: Apple Podcasts  |  Spotify  |  Goodpods

Episode transcripts: thesilentwhy.buzzsprout.com

Thank you for listening.

#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 not this one) and sometimes Chris joins me (like this one).

Anyway, welcome to another Graveyard Musing from me, Claire Sandys (host of The Silent Why podcast).

In this musing, Chris (husband) and I are wandering around Wolvercote Cemetery in Oxford, England - because there was one very special grave there that we wanted to see... that of the author, JRR Tolkien. 

So, come with us to hear our impromptu musings as we explore where one of the world's most famous authors is buried.

For the photos that accompany this episode, so you can visualise what we're talking about, visit: https://www.thesilentwhy.com/post/graveyard-musings-goes-to-oxford

If you want to hear more episodes like this, check out:

Graveyard Musings, Tyne Cot & Ypres, Belgium: https://www.thesilentwhy.com/podcast/episode/7f63d7e9/graveyard-musings-tyne-cot-and-ypres-belgium

Graveyard Musings, Moorslede, Belgium: https://thesilentwhy.buzzsprout.com/1799189/episodes/15249654-graveyard-musings-moorslede-belgium

Graveyard Musings: Llanfair Talhaiarn, Wales:
https://www.thesilentwhy.com/podcast/episode/7e418cc4/graveyard-musings-llanfair-talhaiarn-wales

Graveyard Musings: Gloucestershire, England (Part 1 of 3):
https://www.thesilentwhy.com/podcast/episode/76b3f1f7/graveyard-musings-gloucestershire-england-part-1

Send us Fan Mail

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thesilentwhy.com  |  Instagram  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  LinkedIn

What's a Herman? / Buy a Herman - thehermancompany.com

Support the show: buymeacoffee.com/thesilentwhy

Sign-up to my mailing list (only used for sharing news occasionally!): thesilentwhy.com/newsletter

How to talk to the grieving:  thesilentwhy.com/post/howtotalktothegrieving

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Episode transcripts: thesilentwhy.buzzsprout.com

Thank you for listening.

#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 Toolshed.

In this series, I’m visiting the garden tools shared by our Let’s Chat guests (from my metaphorical toolshed) and turning them into practical, supportive tools we can use when we face grief. One per episode. Together, we’ll unpack them and explore how to actually use them when grief shows up.

And in this episode, I’m looking at how a bag of compost (given to us by Dr Colleen Crary, in her Let’s Chat episode about PTSD), can help us prepare for, and get through, grief.

Think of it as building your own toolkit - ready for whenever you need it most.

Listen to Colleen’s full episode, Let’s Chat… PTSD, here:
https://www.thesilentwhy.com/podcast/episode/772c3bcd/lets-chat-ptsd-with-dr-colleen-crary

If all this is new to you, and you have no idea what’s going on, listen to the episode I put out introducing this new series, ‘Introducing… The Grief Toolshed’:
https://www.thesilentwhy.com/podcast/episode/7dad62e8/introducing-the-grief-toolshed

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

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thesilentwhy.com  |  Instagram  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  LinkedIn

What's a Herman? / Buy a Herman - thehermancompany.com

Support the show: buymeacoffee.com/thesilentwhy

Sign-up to my mailing list (only used for sharing news occasionally!): thesilentwhy.com/newsletter

How to talk to the grieving:  thesilentwhy.com/post/howtotalktothegrieving

Review the show: Apple Podcasts  |  Spotify  |  Goodpods

Episode transcripts: thesilentwhy.buzzsprout.com

Thank you for listening.