Bishop Briggs on Grief, Loss, and Finding a New Normal

Going There with Dr. Mike

Singer-songwriter Bishop Briggs joins host Dr. Mike Friedman on Going There with Dr. Mike to explore the profound and transformative nature of grief. Dr. Mike welcomes Bishop to discuss her personal journey following the loss of her sister, Kate, to ovarian cancer in 2021. The conversation centers on the societal pressure to “return to normal” after a life-altering event and challenges the idea that healing is a linear process. Bishop’s album, Tell My Therapist I’m Fine, provides a raw and honest backdrop to the discussion, which delves into how we can cope with unimaginable loss and find a new way to live when everything has changed.

The conversation delves into Bishop’s path through the isolating nuances of mourning, from feeling disconnected and numb to the complex process of finding meaning without resorting to toxic positivity. Bishop openly shares her experience with suicidal ideation and the pivotal conversation that helped pull her from the depths, as well as her decision to start a low-dose antidepressant to help her through the darkest moments. She also introduces the powerful analogy of grief as “glitter”—something that never truly goes away but remains a part of you forever. The episode explores the unique parallels between the pressures of performing on stage and the emotional labor of performing “normalcy” for others while navigating intense personal pain.

Listen to Bishop Briggs talk with Dr. Mike about grief, mental health, and more. Then, make sure to follow Going There with Dr. Mike via your favorite podcast provider to hear all the new episodes from Season 5. You can also follow the Consequence Podcast Network for updates on all our shows.

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If you are struggling or thinking about harming yourself, please seek help by contacting the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. For help with substance abuse and mental health, please call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357.