Shadow of a woman watching the sunset, image of new podcast about grief, love, loss, and heal with Mary-Frances O’Connor Ph.D. & Daniel Shapiro JD

The Grieving Brain: Love, Loss, and Healing

Original Air Date Wednesday, February 16, 2022 

Losing people we love is a universal human experience. Yet, how we deal with the loss, and grieving comes in different forms for each individual and often it is an extension of the love we felt for the departed. Some may take solace in the company of others to help them cope while others grieve for years in solitude.

There is no right or wrong way to grieve and there is no specific length of time it takes for grief to wane. Neuroscience shows that our brains change during grief and after certain treatments for complicated grief, post-traumatic growth can be achieved.

To discover ways to restore a meaningful life after a loss, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two authors who have books that focus on loss and grief.

Mary-Frances O’Connor explains the findings from her book, The Grieving Brain: The Surprising Science of How We Learn from Love and Loss and Daniel Shapiro recounts his experience with loss and the lessons he extracted from his grief.

Tune in:

Meet Our Guests:

Podcats about grief and loss with Mary-Frances O'Connor PhD and Lisa Cypers Kamen

Mary-Frances O’Connor, Ph.D. is an associate professor of psychology at the University of Arizona, where she directs the Grief, Loss and Social Stress (GLASS) Lab, which investigates the effects of grief on the brain and the body. O’Connor earned a doctorate from the University of Arizona in 2004 and completed a fellowship at UCLA. Following a faculty appointment at UCLA Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology, she returned to the University of Arizona in 2012. Her work has been published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, Biological Psychiatry, and Psychological Science, and featured in Newsweek, the New York Times, and The Washington Post.

Book: The Grieving Brain: The Surprising Science of How We Learn from Love and Loss

Mary-Frances O’Connor — Healing the Grieving Brain:

  • Why it is difficult for humans to process the universal experience that is death. {1:59}
  • The differences between trauma and grief and loss in our brains. {5:09}
  • Grief feels different for different losses because grief is an extension of the love we felt for the individual. {8:19}
  • Signs an individual has moved from grief into Prolonged Grief Disorder. {17:57}
  • Mary-Frances explains how the brain changes during grief and the different treatments used when working with complicated grief.   {23:10}
  • Restoring a normative life after grief is different for everyone. {27:44}

Follow Mary-Frances O’Connor:

The Grieving Brain: Love, Loss, and Healing with Mary-Frances O’Connor Ph.D. & Daniel Shapiro JD

Dan Shapiro is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Brain Research Foundation, a foundation that exists to accelerate discoveries of the human brain by funding pioneering neuroscience research. A graduate of the University of Chicago Law School and lifelong Chicagoan, he has practiced trial law nationally for many years. He enjoys spending his time reading and hanging out with his grown children.

Book: The Thin Ledge: A Husband’s Memoir of Love, Trauma, and Unexpected Circumstances

Daniel Shapiro — Love, Loss, and Healing:

  • Daniel shares an intimate account of his family’s journey and explains how his book, The Thin Ledge came together. {33:24}
  • For some, grief offers a renewed look at the world and life. {44:39}
  • How spirituality and the moral dimensions of grief can offer empathy and relief to those grieving.  {49:03}
  • Insights gleaned from Daniel’s experience have fueled his motivation for future projects. {55:19}

Follow Daniel Shapiro:

Shareables:

“When we bond with someone it creates permanent neurobiological changes in our brains.” @doctormfo on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “Grief is distinct from trauma.” @doctormfo on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “My thought was that if I don't write an intimate version of this story there wouldn't be much point in writing the book.” @dpshapiro on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “One doesn't entirely get over the loss of a loved one but the role the loss plays changes.” @dpshapiro on @HHTalkRadio Share on X

Our Proud Sponsors:

Redecor

—Is a home design app and a mobile game in one that is fun and inspiring to play. Enter your designs in challenges and let other players be the judge. Download Redecor for free on the App Store or Google Play Store.

Joybird

—To make your home a happy haven and find furniture that fits your style, check out Joybird Furniture. Visit joybird.com/happiness to get 30% off your purchase.

Grab More Joy Below:

Are We Happy Yet? Eight Keys to Unlocking a Joyful Life — A boot camp manual for greater emotional fitness. Happiness waits for no one and sometimes we all need support. What is getting in the way of your happiness right now?

H–Factor: Where is Your Heart? — Lisa’s documentary film explores the journey of human happiness. Emotions are contagious and happiness is a universally desired state. We tend to forget we all have the freedom to be happy or the liberty to be miserable each day.

Home » Episodes » Health & Wellness » The Grieving Brain: Love, Loss, and Healing

Continue Your Journey:

Visit Our Blog
Work With Lisa
Grab A Course!

Related Episodes:

LISTEN ANYWHERE

Nothing gives happiness like a free gift...

Sign-up, stay connected, be gifted access to a free meditation video, and receive our monthly Happiness Headlines eZine.

No spam, we promise. We don’t share your information. Get updates on special offerings, events and optimal lifestyle management tips.

Nothing gives happiness like a free gift...

Sign-up, stay connected, be gifted access to a free meditation video, and receive our monthly Happiness Headlines eZine.

No spam, we promise. We don’t share your information. Get updates on special offerings, events, and optimal lifestyle management tips.

AN AWARD-WINNING SHOW WITH with tens of millions of downloads worldwide