The Grief Collection

with Bianca Welsh

Grief is the one guarantee in life, we will all experience a great loss at some point in our lives, yet we’re so unprepared for it, we rarely talk about it and often shy away from these uncomfortable conversations. After experiencing her own grief and loss when Bianca and her husband James lost their baby boy, Herbert, at full term in January 2022, the subsequent journey felt overwhelming, lonely and fraught with societal expectations. In Bianca’s podcast she hopes to bring stories of hope and experience from everyday people, but honing in on the things that did or didn’t work during an individual’s experience of the worst time of their lives. Healing from grief, loss and trauma can be a very individual journey, with no linear trajectory and no guide book. Bianca hopes people might be inspired or motivated by ideas or different ways to navigate life after loss.

Listen via Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube.

Episodes

Episodes
Episode 7: Indira Naidoo - The Healing Power of Nature; Navigating Grief After Losing a Sister
Episode 7: Indira Naidoo - The Healing Power of Nature; Navigating Grief After Losing a Sister

In this poignant episode, host Bianca Welsh converses with Indira Naidoo, celebrated Australian broadcaster and author, about her journey through grief following the suicide of her sister. Bianca and Indira explore the intersection of grief, healing, and nature, discussing the therapeutic impact of gardening, the significance of journaling, and the importance of finding stillness. Indira's personal narrative provides profound insights into coping with loss and the enduring strength of familial connections. 

The episode also features Dr. Mai Frandsen, who delves into the psychological aspects of grief, the role of journaling, and the critical need for balance between processing emotions and daily obligations.

Episode 6: Pippa Dickson - After the Last Walk: What the death of my dog taught me about life, love and compassion
Episode 6: Pippa Dickson - After the Last Walk: What the death of my dog taught me about life, love and compassion

In this episode host Bianca Welsh interviews her friend Dr. Pippa Dickson about the loss of her beloved dog, Art. They discuss how pet grief is often minimized, the deep connections pets can have in our lives, and the challenging emotions they experienced. Pippa shares personal stories and insights on coping mechanisms, such as finding symbolism in Greek mythology and seeking community support online. The episode also touches upon broader themes of grief, identity, and cultural treatment of emotions, with reflections from Dr. Mai Frandsen, a psychologist specializing in health behavior change. This episode highlights the importance of validating all forms of grief and finding ways to navigate through the journey of loss.

Episode 5: Emily Judd - When the World Stopped: Emily's Stillbirth Journey and What Helped Her Breathe Again
Episode 5: Emily Judd - When the World Stopped: Emily's Stillbirth Journey and What Helped Her Breathe Again

Emily shares her poignant journey through grief following the stillbirth of her son, Jack at full term, while she was on maternity leave from work. Bianca and Emily discuss the process of healing, and her ongoing quest to navigate life after loss. They also explore the coping mechanisms, both adaptive and maladaptive, that Emily has employed and offers insights into what has and hasn’t worked in her healing journey.

Episode 4 - Melody West: After Them at 50, When Both Parents Die
Episode 4 - Melody West: After Them at 50, When Both Parents Die

Excerpt goes here.In this beautiful episode host Bianca Welsh speaks with Melody West about her profound experiences and reflections on the deaths of her parents. Having lost both of them to cancer, her Dad in her 20’s and her Mum in her 40’s, her experience of anticipatory grief, and how each loss altered her life and perspective over time will resonate with many who have to watch loved ones lose their battles with various cancers.

Episode 3 - Tom Moir: Behind the Badge: Overcoming Trauma and Grief as a Police Officer
Episode 3 - Tom Moir: Behind the Badge: Overcoming Trauma and Grief as a Police Officer

Grief isn't just through death - it can be through the loss of something, perhaps that something is the loss of ourselves through the experience of trauma, or perhaps the safety of the world we thought we knew...

In this episode host Bianca Welsh speaks with Tom Moir, a Detective Senior Constable with Tasmania Police, having joined in 2014 at the age of 19. He investigates some of Northern Tasmania's most serious drug and firearm offenders. In 2020, Tom was diagnosed with complex PTSD, severe depression and anxiety, largely as a result of repeat exposure to a range of traumatic incidences, the toll of which nearly claimed his life.

Complementing this conversation, Dr. Mai Fransden provides a psychological perspective on trauma, grief, and various therapeutic methods.Excerpt goes here.

Episode 2 - The Choiceless Choice Part 2
Episode 2 - The Choiceless Choice Part 2

Continuing on from Part 1, Bianca and James discuss the importance of understanding, connection, and finding one's purpose in the aftermath of grief. Reflecting on the different coping strategies they used, the episode provides insights into how individuals and couples can support each other through the complex journey of grief. The conversation is enriched by the expertise of Dr. Mai Fransden, who offers psychological perspectives on coping and healing.

Episode 1 - The Choiceless Choice Part 1
Episode 1 - The Choiceless Choice Part 1

In this emotional and heartfelt premiere episode of From Experience: The Grief Collection, host Bianca Welsh shares her deeply personal story of facing grief and loss with her husband James.