WPSU Grief

WPSU Grief Speaking Grief is produced by WPSU Penn State with philanthropic support from the New York Life Foundation.
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Speaking Grief explores how we can create a more grief-aware society by validating the experience of grievers and helping to guide those who wish to support them. Speaking Grief is a multi-platform, public media initiative that explores how we can create a more grief-aware society by validating the experience of grievers and helping to guide those who wish to support them. The initiative includes

a documentary and website that share diverse representations of grief through candid interviews with grieving individuals and families, whose losses range from stillbirth to su***de, as well as leading grief professionals. It validates grief as a normal, healthy part of the human experience, addresses the importance of support from friends and family, and offers guidance on how to show up for people in their darkest moments.

Grief doesn’t live only in our thoughts.It lives in our senses.For many people, food becomes a powerful way to stay conn...
06/06/2026

Grief doesn’t live only in our thoughts.
It lives in our senses.

For many people, food becomes a powerful way to stay connected to someone who has died. The meal they always made. The recipe written in their handwriting. The dish you only ate together.

Cooking, eating, or even remembering these foods can bring comfort, closeness, and sometimes a wave of longing. All of it belongs.

There’s no right or wrong way to do this.
You don’t have to make it a tradition.
You don’t have to share it with anyone else.

But if you want to, we’d love to know:

What food or meal helps you feel connected to your person?

It’s hard to know what to say to someone who is grieving. But don’t let fear paralyze you into inaction.Megan Devine, ps...
06/05/2026

It’s hard to know what to say to someone who is grieving. But don’t let fear paralyze you into inaction.

Megan Devine, psychotherapist and author of “It’s Ok That You’re Not OK,” shares the impact that silence can have:

“Because we're so weird and so awkward about grief, one of the things that can happen is, as a support person, you feel like, ‘I don't wanna say the wrong thing.’ So, you say nothing.

Saying nothing is a terrible, terrible thing to do to your grieving person.

For the grieving person what that feels like is abandonment. So, not only have they lost their person but they've lost their people.”

Remember that “speaking” grief can be done with actions in addition to or in place of words. Give a hug. Sit with someone in silence. Mow the lawn. Drop off food. Show up.

For more: speakinggrief.org/get-better-at-grief/supporting-grief/be-authentic

Grief ebbs and flows. It can catch you by surprise at the most unexpected of moments. If you’re grieving, try to be gent...
06/04/2026

Grief ebbs and flows. It can catch you by surprise at the most unexpected of moments.

If you’re grieving, try to be gentle with yourself when your grief catches you off guard.

If you’re supporting someone who is grieving, try to be mindful that even if they seem like they are having a good day, their grief is still there.

Supporting someone as they grieve can be hard. Grief, Loss, and Inclusion Consultant Alexia K. Alexander has some sugges...
06/03/2026

Supporting someone as they grieve can be hard. Grief, Loss, and Inclusion Consultant Alexia K. Alexander has some suggestions to help you get more comfortable showing up for your grieving person:

“Grief is so dynamic, so our ability to respond is key.

Mantra, mantra, mantra around this is:

‘You will mess up grief support.’

I think the key thing is compassion. Compassion for yourself and compassion for others.

It has to be this internal space that you're constantly pushing yourself to keep showing up even when it's awkward, even when you sound weird.

And, understand that it's not a griever's job to course correct you. If you sense they're hurt by something that we say, to stay human and to stay really, really humble, pivot to the mistake and say,

‘I didn't mean that. I really meant to say that I see you. I see you in pain. I see you’re hurting. And, I’m here for you.”

For more: speakinggrief.org/get-better-at-grief/supporting-grief/be-authentic

Speaking Grief is produced by WPSU with philanthropic support from the New York Life Foundation.

When you are supporting someone who is grieving, it’s important to examine your own understanding of grief. If you think...
06/02/2026

When you are supporting someone who is grieving, it’s important to examine your own understanding of grief.

If you think it’s a finite process, you might be tempted to urge your person to “finish” their grief.

But, if you know it’s a lifelong experience, you’ll understand that being supportive means helping them find ways to integrate it into their journey.

For more: speakinggrief.org.

Speaking Grief is produced by WPSU with philanthropic support from the New York Life Foundation.

When you are showing up and supporting your grieving person, be careful not to interpret a smile, laugh, or some other i...
06/01/2026

When you are showing up and supporting your grieving person, be careful not to interpret a smile, laugh, or some other indication of happiness as a sign that their grief is “done.” It’s not. Try to make it safe for them by recognizing that the joy can be part of the grief experience.

05/31/2026

“Grief doesn’t stop because you’ve got to go on with your life. It just follows you.”

Michelle Winship puts words to something so many grieving people live every day. The exhaustion that settles into your bones. The way grief shows up alongside school drop-offs, work meetings, dinner, and bedtime routines.

Grief doesn’t pause for responsibility.
It doesn’t wait until life feels manageable.
It comes with you, quietly and constantly.

If you’re moving through your days feeling worn down, you’re not weak.
You’re grieving while carrying the weight of everything else.

That kind of exhaustion deserves compassion, not judgment.

Grief isn’t a straight line. There are all kinds of ups and downs. From the time of day to the time of year, grief chang...
05/30/2026

Grief isn’t a straight line. There are all kinds of ups and downs. From the time of day to the time of year, grief changes constantly.

For more insight on grief: speakinggrief.org/get-better-at-grief/understanding-grief/grief-is

Speaking Grief is produced by WPSU with philanthropic support from the New York Life Foundation.

It’s OK to grieve. Grief is a natural, healthy part of the human experience.
05/29/2026

It’s OK to grieve.

Grief is a natural, healthy part of the human experience.

The belief that grief is somehow bad or problematic leads to grieving people feeling ashamed and isolated and leads to s...
05/28/2026

The belief that grief is somehow bad or problematic leads to grieving people feeling ashamed and isolated and leads to support people missing the mark despite their best intentions.

Grief is OK.

Grieving is normal.

Learn more: speakinggrief.org

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