BLOG: My Why: How to build mental muscles when you’re feeling weak

The Silent Why: finding hope in grief and loss

The Silent Why: finding hope in grief and loss

27:29

Gary Sinise is an award winning actor, on the stage, TV and big screen. He is best known for playing Lieutenant Dan in Forrest Gump. Inspired by this role and his family members, Gary is now the head of the Gary Sinise Foundation, which offers support for service members who need help with mental wellness, trauma, physical recovery, and loss. He Also plays concerts worldwide for our nation’s defenders and their families, boosting morale and offering gratitude for their sacrifices as part of the Lt. Dan Band. Jay and Gary discuss the changing needs of American service members and their families, the many services the Gary Sinise Foundation provides, how Gary’s work helped him through personal loss and much more. Today's episode was produced by Tani Levitt and Mijon Zulu. To check out more episodes or to learn more about the show, you can visit our website Allaboutchangepodcast.com. If you like our show, spread the word, tell a friend or family member, or leave us a review on your favorite podcasting app. We really appreciate it. All About Change is produced by the Ruderman Family Foundation. Episode Chapters (0:00) intro (1:11) Veterans’ changing needs over the past half century (7:57) Veterans’ appreciation of Gary’s portrayal of Lt. Dan (10:25) By helping others, we step out of ourselves (11:46) The Lt. Dan Band (15:29) How the death of Gary’s son Mac impacts his activism (17:33) Bringing services to American heroes wherever they are (19:45) Accurate portrayals of veterans in film and TV (20:58) How can people get involved with the Gary Sinise foundation (24:24) Goodbye For video episodes, watch on www.youtube.com/@therudermanfamilyfoundation Stay in touch: X: @JayRuderman | @RudermanFdn LinkedIn: Jay Ruderman | Ruderman Family Foundation Instagram: All About Change Podcast | Ruderman Family Foundation To learn more about the podcast, visit https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/ Looking for more insights into the world of activism? Be sure to check out Jay’s brand new book, Find Your Fight , in which Jay teaches the next generation of activists and advocates how to step up and bring about lasting change. You can find Find Your Fight wherever you buy your books, and you can learn more about it at ⁠⁠www.jayruderman.com⁠⁠ .…

27 days ago 35:47

MP3•Episode home

Fetch error

Hmmm there seems to be a problem fetching this series right now. Last successful fetch was on May 27, 2025 01:33 (13d ago)

What now? This series will be checked again in the next day. If you believe it should be working, please verify the publisher's feed link below is valid and includes actual episode links. You can contact support to request the feed be immediately fetched.

#128. Did you know you can build mental muscles, as well as physical ones? And that you can start that any time - no matter how weak you might feel?
Welcome to another My Why from Claire Sandys (co-host of The Silent Why podcast). My Why episodes are audio versions of my latest blog post.
If you'd prefer to read it, you can find it here: https://www.thesilentwhy.com/post/how-to-build-mental-muscles-when-you-re-feeling-weak
Flexing your mental muscles is like training your body - it takes time and consistency. But once you start, they grow stronger and more reliable. In this episode, I’m sharing the tips and tools that helped me through tough times, including practical ways to stay grounded and protect your sanity and your relationships.
Think of this as a mental workout: exercises to support you when your mind feels hormonal/confused/frustrated/depressed/griefy [you fill in the gap].
If you’re aware that you’re not always your best self - snapping at loved ones, stuck in negative thought spirals, or simply struggling to cope with your own mind - this episode is for you.
(And if you’re supporting someone who’s feeling that way, it might help you too.)
For more on the Amiko Cards I mention: https://www.littlechallenges.com/store

Send us a text

Support the show

-----
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.

Chapters

1. Introduction to Mental Muscles (00:00:00)

2. Tip 1: Stop the Thought Spiral (00:05:39)

3. Tip 2: Close Your Mouth (00:13:11)

4. Tip 3: Open Your Mouth (00:19:26)

5. Tip 4: Be Kind to Yourself (00:24:27)

6. Tip 5: Don't Lose Hope (00:31:00)

220 episodes

#Fitness #Society #Mental Health #Loss #Grief #Hope #Help #Alone #Lost #Grieving #Joy #Survivor #Conversations #Lonely #pClaire Sandys #Bereavement

BLOG: My Why: How to build mental muscles when you’re feeling weak

published 27 days ago

MP3•Episode home

Fetch error

Hmmm there seems to be a problem fetching this series right now. Last successful fetch was on May 27, 2025 01:33 (13d ago)

Send us a text

Support the show

Chapters

1. Introduction to Mental Muscles (00:00:00)

2. Tip 1: Stop the Thought Spiral (00:05:39)

3. Tip 2: Close Your Mouth (00:13:11)

4. Tip 3: Open Your Mouth (00:19:26)

5. Tip 4: Be Kind to Yourself (00:24:27)

6. Tip 5: Don't Lose Hope (00:31:00)

220 episodes

#Fitness #Society #Mental Health #Loss #Grief #Hope #Help #Alone #Lost #Grieving #Joy #Survivor #Conversations #Lonely #pClaire Sandys #Bereavement

All episodes

The Silent Why: finding hope in grief and loss

1
Chris & Claire's top takeaways from 20 years of marriage 1:15:44

13 days ago1:15:44

1:15:44

#129. What are the most valuable things we've learnt - or think really matter - after 20 years of marriage? This is The Silent Why , a podcast on a mission to open up conversations around grief, exploring asking if hope can be found in 101 different types of permanent loss. On 26 May 2025, we celebrated 20 years of marriage! It's a big deal for us as we love being married and find we don't have that much to celebrate in life! So we decided to sit down and discuss what we've learnt over the past two decades, and share what we believe have been the most important ingredients in keeping our marriage as healthy and strong as possible. And since we host a podcast, we thought 'why not record it for you to hear too?' So that's exactly what we did. No editing (just the music and usual polish), a Sunday afternoon chat - published on Monday night. In the build-up, we each wrote down our top five things we think have made the biggest difference in our relationship, but we didn’t share them with each other in advance. Were there overlaps? Surprises? Disagreements? You'll have to listen to find out! If you’d like to hear more about us, especially our story around infertility and childlessness, you can hear us open up in a similar way in Loss 3: Loss of Fertility - https://www.thesilentwhy.com/podcast/episode/492a29c1/loss-3101-loss-of-fertility-chris-and-claire-sandys-part-1 Send us a text Support the show ----- 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.…

The Silent Why: finding hope in grief and loss

1
BLOG: My Why: How to build mental muscles when you’re feeling weak 35:47

27 days ago35:47

35:47

#128. Did you know you can build mental muscles, as well as physical ones? And that you can start that any time - no matter how weak you might feel? Welcome to another My Why from Claire Sandys (co-host of The Silent Why podcast). My Why episodes are audio versions of my latest blog post. If you'd prefer to read it, you can find it here: https://www.thesilentwhy.com/post/how-to-build-mental-muscles-when-you-re-feeling-weak Flexing your mental muscles is like training your body - it takes time and consistency. But once you start, they grow stronger and more reliable. In this episode, I’m sharing the tips and tools that helped me through tough times, including practical ways to stay grounded and protect your sanity and your relationships. Think of this as a mental workout: exercises to support you when your mind feels hormonal/confused/frustrated/depressed/griefy [you fill in the gap]. If you’re aware that you’re not always your best self - snapping at loved ones, stuck in negative thought spirals, or simply struggling to cope with your own mind - this episode is for you. (And if you’re supporting someone who’s feeling that way, it might help you too.) For more on the Amiko Cards I mention: https://www.littlechallenges.com/store Send us a text Support the show ----- 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.…

The Silent Why: finding hope in grief and loss

1
Loss 62/101: Loss through menopause: Diane Danzebrink 1:16:04

6 weeks ago1:16:04

1:16:04

#127. Think menopause is just a physical change? What if we told you it can also bring grief, loss of identity, and a hit to your mental health? This is The Silent Why , a podcast on a mission to open up conversations around grief, exploring asking if hope can be found in 101 different types of permanent loss. Loss #62 of 101: Loss through menopause In this episode, we welcome Diane Danzebrink, advocate, educator, and author of Making Menopause Matter . Diane experienced surgical menopause following surgery related to a potential ovarian cancer diagnosis in 2012. What followed was a mental and emotional decline that she never expected, and a battle few talk about openly. This topic is especially close to our hearts. In 2019, Claire (your host) was also thrust into surgical menopause following a total hysterectomy, so we’ve been waiting to find the right person to speak to about the unique grief and loss tied to menopause. And we definitely found her! Diane brings both lived experience and professional dedication to this conversation. She works tirelessly to support women through the often-invisible losses of menopause while campaigning for improved education, awareness, and support. In this heartfelt episode, Diane speaks openly about the loss of identity, confidence, stability, and mental health, and how she ultimately transformed her pain into purpose. Whether you’re going through menopause, supporting someone who is, or simply want to better understand this transition, this episode offers compassion, clarity, and hope. To find out more about Diane, her book and her work: https://dianedanzebrink.com https://menopausesupport.co.uk/ My blog on PMDD: https://www.thesilentwhy.com/post/lostinside Our story with loss of fertility & childlessness: https://www.thesilentwhy.com/podcast/episode/492a29c1/loss-of-fertility-chris-and-claire-sandys-part-1 Sadly, since the podcast aired, the group I mentioned, Together in Surgical Menopause, had to close as a group. Send us a text Support the show ----- 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.…

The Silent Why: finding hope in grief and loss

1
Let's Chat... The Adventure of Grief (with Bianca Neumann) 53:26

8 weeks ago53:26

53:26

#126. Let's Chat... about seeing grief as an adventure. Welcome to another Let’s Chat episode, where instead of continuing our 101 Types of Loss list , I sit down with guests who have expertise and personal insight into different aspects of loss. In this episode, I (Claire) have the pleasure of talking with Bianca Neumann, the Assistant Director of Bereavement at Sue Ryder – a charity dedicated to providing the right support, at the right time, for people who are end of life or grieving. We explore the idea of grief as an adventure - what it is, what it isn’t, and how we can navigate its unfamiliar terrain. Bianca shares insights on how grief is often misrepresented, the power of support groups, and why learning to self-soothe in sorrow matters. We also talk about the idea that while we can’t choose our losses, we can choose how we respond. And we reflect on one powerful question: What do you want from life? Also, Bianca adds a tool to my metaphorical shed, which is bursting with resources to help us grow through grief. For more about Bianca and Sue Ryder's work (including their Grief Kind Spaces), visit: https://www.sueryder.org/authors/bianca-neumann/ https://www.sueryder.org/our-campaigns/grief-deserves-better/ https://www.sueryder.org/grief-support/ Send us a text Support the show ----- 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.…

The Silent Why: finding hope in grief and loss

1
Loss 61/101: Loss of possessions: Naomi Westerman 52:10

10 weeks ago52:10

52:10

#125. What impact can possessions have on grief? The lack of them, the loss of them, too many of them etc. This is The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to open up conversations around grief, exploring asking if hope can be found in 101 different types of permanent loss. Loss #61 of 101: Loss of possessions In this episode we welcome Naomi Westerman, a playwright, screenwriter, and author from South East London. Naomi's experienced profound loss from a young age, and with that, the difficult task of sorting through her loved ones’ possessions. Naomi shares about the emotional weight of dealing with a parent's belongings after they die, the unexpected and sometimes painful discoveries made during this process, and how our personal experiences, relationships, and circumstances shape the way we interact with these items. She also talks openly about her two-year journey to sort through her mum’s house and the surprising childhood object she still treasures, and the special jumper she chose for her dad’s burial. Naomi has also wrestled with the difficult "why" questions that can arise in grief – Why me? Why did this happen? So, she shares with us what has helped her find healing, connection, and hope. To find out more about Naomi and her book, Happy Death Club, visit: http://www.naomiwesterman.com http://www.happydeathclub.org http://www.instagram.com/naomi_writes_death Send us a text Support the show ----- 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.…

The Silent Why: finding hope in grief and loss

1
Let's Chat... Writing and running through grief (with Justin Creps) 54:18

12 weeks ago54:18

54:18

#124. Let's Chat... about how writing and running can help us through grief. Welcome to another Let’s Chat episode, where instead of continuing our 101 Types of Loss list , I sit down with guests who have personal insight into different aspects of loss. In this episode, I (Claire) have the pleasure of talking with fellow podcaster and writer, Justin Creps. Justin is a teacher based in Ohio and co-hosts the podcast Writing in Progress , which is how I first discovered him. Justin and I share a deep love for podcasting and writing - though he’s also an avid runner, which is where our similarities take a sharp turn! But when I learned how both writing and running helped him process grief, I was keen to chat about it. Justin had shared a powerful blog post with me, one he wrote in 2022 about navigating the grief of his wife’s miscarriage. His story is a moving reminder that we all process loss in our own ways, and it sparked an important conversation about the role of creativity in grief. In this episode, we explore writing as a tool for processing grief (fiction or nonfiction), how life’s hardest moments shape us as writers, the unexpected ways helping others can also help us heal, and how running plays an important role in Justin’s journey. This is an honest, heartfelt conversation about grief, resilience, and the power of storytelling. I can’t wait for you to hear it. Find out more: Justin and his writing: https://www.justincreps.com 'Hey Logan' blog post: https://jmcmarathon.blogspot.com/2022/02/hey-logan.html?view=flipcard '"Why did it matter?" - My final thoughts to the class of '22' blog post: https://jmcmarathon.blogspot.com/2022/06/why-did-it-matter-my-final-thoughts-to.html?view=flipcard 'The Red Line' blog post: https://jmcmarathon.blogspot.com/2021/04/the-red-line.html?view=flipcard Writing in Progress podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1124339 https://www.instagram.c Send us a text Support the show ----- 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.…

The Silent Why: finding hope in grief and loss

1
101 LOSS COUNTDOWN: 60 down, 41 to go 1:07:17

14 weeks ago1:07:17

1:07:17

#123. Can hope be found in 101 different types of loss? We're well on our way to finding out, as we reach another milestone! We've hit loss number 60 on our mission to explore 101 different types of permanent loss, meaning we only have 41 (!) to go. Now over halfway to our goal. In this episode, we (Chris & Claire Sandys) pause briefly to discuss life in general (something new we thought we'd try!), the last batch of losses (51-60), and what nuggets of wisdom we've taken from each guest. We're loving every second of talking to others on this podcast, but we're also learning a lot about healthy ways to process our own grief, whether childlessness, pets, relatives, friends, health, or even just the day-to-day losses we sometimes face. And the not-yet-famous-but-might-be-one-day 'Hermontage' is back! As we, once again, mix together the last 10 guests' Hermans. If you don't know what a Herman is, check out the link below. Huge thanks to Thea Rickard, Mark Field, Laura Burns, Lisa Newman, Kay Backhouse, Jared Altic, Rachel Hart, Dannie-Lu Carr, Ken Anderson and Bex Eyles. If you'd like to see our guests and encourage them, pop over to our social media for the latest collage of their lovely faces and hit 'like'. Full list of our 101 losses: https://www.thesilentwhy.com/101losses Send us a text Support the show ----- 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.…

The Silent Why: finding hope in grief and loss

1
Let's Chat... How Covid-19 changed death rituals (with Natasha Mikles) 46:29

16 weeks ago46:29

46:29

#122. Let's Chat... about how the Covid pandemic reshaped important death rituals. These 'Let’s Chat' episodes are conversations with guests who have experience/expertise in a particular area of loss. In this episode, I (Claire Sandys) chat to Natasha Mikles who is an assistant professor at Texas State University. Natasha is a scholar of stories about death and what happens next, and researches traditions related to death and grief around the world (especially in Tibet and the Americas). Her most recent book, ‘Shattered Grief: How the Pandemic Transformed the Spirituality of Death in America’, examines how Covid-19 affected the spirituality of death and the grieving rituals surrounding it. Grief is not just a personal experience, it is a community journey shaped by rituals that connect us to the dead and each other. This conversation reveals how Covid-19 drastically altered the rituals we rely on during loss, redefining our understanding of mourning. We explore the fascinating world of death rituals across different cultures, including the Tibetan sky burial ceremony. Natasha and I reflect on how the pandemic forced religious communities to innovate, balancing tradition with contemporary needs, often using technology as a bridge to maintain connection in times of isolation. This episode discusses the vital role of community in mourning, the psychological impact of Covid-related deaths, the importance of ritual, how other cultures and religions honour and recognise death, and how Covid-grief can differ from other forms of grief. Plus, how you can have your body eaten by vultures in the US ...legally! For more about Natasha: www.hellscholar.com For her book: https://cup.columbia.edu/book/shattered-grief/9780231558921 Amazon: https://gogl.to/3Mzd Send us a text Support the show ----- 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.…

The Silent Why: finding hope in grief and loss

1
Loss 60/101: Loss in happy life transitions: Bex Eyles 55:52

18 weeks ago55:52

55:52

#121. Go on, be honest, can you understand why someone who's getting remarried, or celebrating a miracle pregnancy, or beginning a new job, might be experiencing some unhappiness alongside the cheer? This is The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to open up conversations around grief, exploring whether hope can be found in 101 different types of permanent loss. Loss #60 of 101: Loss in happy life transitions In this episode, we meet Bex Eyles from Berkshire in England. She's a professional counsellor who joined us to talk about the sneaky grief that can weave its way into life’s celebrations. And we feel it’s important to say that just because grief can show up in these moments it doesn’t mean joy and gratitude aren’t there too. Bex, like so many others, has felt immense happiness and gratitude in her life’s changes, but she’s also honest about the unexpected emotions that surfaced at the same time, and we're really grateful she was happy to explore these with us. Bex has navigated bereavement, divorce, fertility struggles and loss of time, and opens up about the unexpected emotions like fear, loss and guilt, that came with suddenly being pregnant after believing it might never happen. She talks about the joy, the fear of finally having what she longed for, and how, as a counsellor, she navigated her grief and processed these complex feelings. Acknowledging the emotions of loss in a joyful life transition doesn’t diminish the happiness or gratitude felt in those moments. Both can coexist, and that’s okay. For more about Bex visit: www.pineforesttherapies.com Send us a text Support the show ----- 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.…

The Silent Why: finding hope in grief and loss

1
Chris & Claire's Reflections on Christmas & New Year 48:18

20 weeks ago48:18

48:18

#120. Well, after our 'looking ahead to Christmas' episode, how did it go? Were our festive hearts filled with joy? Or were there tears?! This is The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to open up conversations around grief, to see if hope can be found in 101 different types of loss, and we're Chris & Claire Sandys, your childless hosts. Every year, we dedicate an episode to sharing our thoughts and feelings about the Christmas season - before, and after, it happens. Now that the holiday buzz has settled and a new year has begun, we’re back to reflect on how Christmas 2024 unfolded, whether our intentional choices helped us enjoy it, and how we’re stepping into 2025. Includes; Sherlock Holmes, cinnamon buns, advent calendars, and Chris' meat monologue explaining Meat Chicken! And if you want some questions to reflect on as you enter a new year, here's the 10 we mention in the episode: 1. Personal high moment/experience for you individually this year. 2. Personal lowest moment of the year. 3. Joint best memory 4. Joint hardest memory. 5. Biggest personal dream you have for the future. 6. Biggest fear you have for the future. 7. Something you don't want to take into next year. 8. Something you really want to take into next year. 9. 3 things you want to achieve this year. 10. 3 things you want to stop/be better at/improve on. To listen to our pre-Christmas episode, 'Chris and Claire's Chatty Christmas Catch-up', visit: https://www.thesilentwhy.com/podcast/episode/793f6bd9/chris-and-claires-chatty-christmas-catch-up Send us a text Support the show ----- 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.…

The Silent Why: finding hope in grief and loss

1
The (even more) Silent Why (& a storm) 6:28

22 weeks ago6:28

6:28

#119. 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 beautiful sounds of a distant thunderstorm that I recorded in Belgium. 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 7 minutes total, including 2 minutes of time for you and you alone - join me (Claire Sandys, podcast host) in an imaginary place and allow yourself to press pause on life for a short while. And for this episode I'm asking you to sit by a window with me and watch the beautiful storm on the horizon from our Air BnB in Belgium. Listen to the rain and thunder, watch the lightning and take a moment to think about things as you enter a new year. Send us a text Support the show ----- 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.…

The Silent Why: finding hope in grief and loss

1
Chris & Claire's Chatty Christmas Catch-Up 54:41

24 weeks ago54:41

54:41

#118. Struggling with the festive season? You're not alone. As a childless couple, we've been there too, especially when family is at the heart of so many celebrations. This is The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to open up conversations around grief, to see if hope can be found in 101 different types of loss, and we're Chris & Claire Sandys, your childless hosts. Every year we release an episode where we chat about how we're feeling about Christmas. We started with an episode in 2021, talking about how hard it felt and Chris' loss of Christmas spirit, then we did another in 2022 (Finding Comfort at Christmas - which included other podcast guests' experiences), and in 2023 we had 'Chris & Claire chat Christmas and Childlessness', and now here we are again with all things Christmassy, Chrissy and Clairey. In this episode we chat about how we're finding the lead up to Christmas this year, how we feel about being childless and how that's changed over the years, what our hopes are going forwards, and lots of other stuff that pops up. Including, a flu-inspired Chris yelling 'Mistletoe' a few times! All the other Christmas and New Year episodes and blogs we mention, that you might want to check out if you're struggling this year, can be found on one page: https://www.thesilentwhy.com/christmas And don't forget, if you're feeling alone, we're always here and we love to hear from you. Send us a text Support the show ----- 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.…

The Silent Why: finding hope in grief and loss

1
Loss 59/101: Loss of a police career and self-worth: Ken Anderson 1:05:44

26 weeks ago1:05:44

1:05:44

#117. What do you do when the career you love is gone, and you're barely staying afloat? And why is helping yourself so much harder than helping others? This is The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to open up conversations around grief, to see if hope can be found in 101 different types of permanent loss. Loss #59 of 101: Loss of a police career and self worth In this episode, we meet Ken Anderson from York, England; a retired police officer whose life took an unexpected turn after a nearly 20-year career as a response officer, firearms officer, and trainer. Ken's front-line career came to an abrupt end after a serious car crash, during a police chase, which left him injured. What followed was a deeply challenging period of his life. In July 2023, Ken hit rock bottom as he struggled with depression, self-doubt, and the heartbreak of losing the "police family" he cherished. But this isn’t just a story about loss—it’s about hope. Ken shares how three simple words—“Are you OK?”—were a turning point that prevented him ending his life. Today, he’s transforming his pain into purpose, advocating for mental health awareness and meaningful connection. This conversation is a raw and honest look at: The emotional toll of emergency service careers How to navigate the depths of depression and loss The power of reaching out and supporting one another in times of need We also explore how Ken is finding new purpose and meaning after such a profound life shift. And of course, we wrap up with our signature question: What’s your Herman? Curious to learn more? Visit thesilentwhy.com/herman . For more about Ken visit: www.phoenix-rises.co.uk https://www.linkedin.com/in/ken-anderson-8842b0313/ And for more about Andy's Man Club (mentioned in the episode), visit: https://andysmanclub.co.uk/ Send us a text Support the show ----- 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.…

The Silent Why: finding hope in grief and loss

1
Let's Chat... Grieving out loud on social media (with Rebecca Feinglos) 49:41

29 weeks ago49:41

49:41

#116. Let's Chat... about what it looks like when we use social media to show and share our grief. These 'Let’s Chat' episodes are conversations with guests who have experience/expertise in a particular area of loss. In this episode, I (Claire Sandys) chat to Rebecca Feinglos in North Carolina who is a certified grief support specialist and the founder of Grieve Leave - which offers grief support, education and training for workplaces. By the age of 31, Rebecca had lost both her parents and was dealing with the end of her marriage, these losses led her to take a year off to process them all, which is what she called her Grieve Leave. During this time, Rebecca started blogging about her grief and its popularity eventually led her to set up Grieve Leave as an organisation in 2021 to help others. This online community now has an impressive 30,000 members worldwide, who all share their grief, or are looking to help others who are grieving, particularly through the use of social media. With her experience of seeing and sharing grief online, I was keen to talk to Rebecca about grief in the online world. Does it help or hinder us? How has the internet opened up new areas of grieving for us? And how do we accept those? There's a lot of ground covered in this chat, including raccoons (!) and a question I've never asked before in a Let’s Chat episode (for you regular listeners, see if you can work out what it is.) For more about Rebecca and Grieve Leave: https://www.grieveleave.com https://www.instagram.com/grieveleave https://www.instagram.com/rfeinglos Viral video of Rebecca & Adele: https://www.tiktok.com/@rfeinglos/video/7177076659344919850 Send us a text Support the show ----- 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.…

The Silent Why: finding hope in grief and loss

1
Loss 58/101: Loss through precocious (early) puberty: Dannie-Lu Carr 47:44

31 weeks ago47:44