Do you refuse to stay broken after tragedy? Our guest shares his path of discovery.
Loss – especially traumatic loss – can trigger an existential crisis similar to a midlife crisis, but with the added dimension of grief. Our guest Phil Cohen shares his transformative grief journey.
In this Episode:
- 00:00 – Intro & Movie Review: Familiar Touch
- 03:48 – Road Trip to Maryland: Ouija Board and Tomato Pie
- 07:33 – Afterlife Crisis – Grief and Transformation
- 10:11 – Phil Cohen: Losing his 14 year old son; transforming devastation into growth, connection and meaning
- 38:17 – Outro
What Can Cause an Afterlife Crisis?
The transition of a loved one no longer being in their life can trigger doubt about the life they are living and question the life that they want.
What are Signs of an Afterlife Crisis?
An afterlife crisis can occur after the death of a loved one which triggers reevaluation of life, confronting mortality, and questioning life’s achievements. A person may act out of sorrow, be more impulsive and overly sensitive in social situations, and make out-of-the-ordinary or impulsive decisions such as quitting a job, starting a new relationship, selling a home or engaging in high-risk activities.
Is there a Way to Grow from an Afterlife Crisis?
Our guest Phil Cohen lost his 14-year old son in a boating accident. He shares his grief journey and they work he is doing to help people find growth through their grief.
Resources:
You an find more about our guest Phil Cohen and the wonderful work he is doing at the following:
- Website: https://www.philcohen.com
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@philthegriefguy
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philthegriefguy/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GriefGuy
- Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/thegriefguy
- Fact Sheet For Survivors Of Loss
- Are You Going Through A Midlife Crisis? Here Are The Signs & Stages
Related Content:
- S4E39: Traumatic Grief: What it is and How to Find a Therapist to Help Manage It
- S3E38: Navigating Grief and Healing from Loss – with Dr. Ken Doka
- S6E9: Finding Your Breath in the Midst of Grief
- S6E16: Goals After Grief – Gentle, Practical Steps to Move Forward After Loss
- All Grief Episodes
References:
- Introduction – Ouija Board: Topics in Chronicling America – Research Guides at Library of Congress
- A 7-Eleven Stands on the Site Where the Ouija Board Was Named – Atlas Obscura
- How the Ouija Board Got Its Name – Atlas Obscura
- Midlife Crisis: What’s Really Happening? | Psychology Today
Road Trip to Maryland: Ouija Boards and Tomato Pie
This week we head to Maryland, where we learn the interesting story behind the Ouija board. If you get supernatural hunger while communing with the netherworld, try a Maryland Tomato Pie, courtesy the Chesapeake Bay Cookbook by John Shields.
Familiar Touch
In our intro, Charlie mentioned a film about a person with the onset of dementia, from the unique perspective of seeing it from her own eyes. You can see the trailer below.
Among her fellow memory care residents, Ruth feels lost and adrift, certain she has found herself somewhere she does not belong. As she slowly begins to accept the warmth and support of care workers Vanessa (Carolyn Michelle) and Brian (Andy McQueen), she finds new ways to ground herself in her body, even as her mind embarks on a journey all its own. Writer-director Sarah Friedland’s coming-of-old-age feature compassionately follows the winding path of octogenarian Ruth’s shifting memories and desires while remaining rooted in her sage perspective.
https://blog.feedspot.com/palliative_care_podcasts/
Everyone Dies: and yes, it is normal!
Everyone Dies (and yes, it is normal) is a story about a young boy named Jax who finds something special on the beach where he and his grandpa Pops are enjoying a wonderful day. Pops helps Jax understand that death is a normal part of life. This book provides an age appropriate, non-scary, comfortable way to introduce the important topic of mortality to a preschool child. Its simple explanation will last a lifetime. Autographed copies for sale at: www.everyonediesthebook.com. Also available at Amazon
Mourning Jewelry
We offer a way to memorialize your loved one or treasured pet with a piece of handmade jewelry. When people comment on it and the wearer can say for example “I received this when my mother died” which opens the conversation about this loss. All our jewelry is made with semi-precious stones and beads, vintage beads, and pearls. You can choose between earrings or bracelets and the color family. Learn More
