The Dead Sibling Society

S2, E6: Rufus Harrington & Karen Taylor – The Psychology of Grief

In this bonus episode, and our final episode of Season Two, we’re joined once again by consultant in cognitive behavioural psychotherapy, Rufus Harrington, alongside cognitive behavioural therapist Karen Taylor.
Together, Rufus and Karen answer both our questions, and questions sent in by you, exploring some of the many challenges that can come with grief. 
From overwhelming thoughts and anxiety, to guilt, anger, and the pressure to "move forward", they offer practical insight into why grief can affect us in the ways it does, and gentle strategies that may help us cope.
We talk about what grief and trauma does to the brain, why there’s no "right" way to grieve, and how understanding our thoughts, emotions and behaviours can help us navigate life after loss with a little more self-compassion.
Whether you’re newly bereaved or many years into your grief, we hope this conversation leaves you feeling a little more understood, and reminds you that you don’t have to figure it all out on your own.
Thank you for being part of Season Two of The Dead Sibling Society. 
Your support, messages, and willingness to share your stories mean more to us than we could ever put into words 🤍

S2, E5: Dr Emily Cooper: Losing Alexander & Isabelle

In our fifth episode of Season Two, we sit down with Dr Emily Cooper. 
Emily is a senior lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire, and a mum of four beautiful children. Emily lost her son, Alexander in 2021, and her daughter Isabelle, in 2024, both to a rare genetic condition.
Emily speaks to us about her experience of losing both Alexander and Isabelle, the complexity of navigating grief while continuing to parent, and the reality of living with a diagnosis that so little is known about. She also shares how her family’s experience has led her to advocate for greater awareness, support, and research for others facing similar circumstances.
We talk about the uncertainty that comes with rare conditions, the weight of unanswered questions, the love that sits alongside unimaginable loss, and the ways people try to make sense of something that feels impossible to understand.
It’s an episode that holds both love and honesty, and a reminder of the strength it takes to keep going in the face of so much honesty.

S2, E4: Zara Muse - Trying to find the humour in grief

In our fourth episode of Season Two, we sit down with Zara Muse. After Zara’s Mum, Janet, died in 2019, Zara turned to painting to help with her grief, and has since developed an incredible career, using only a palette knife to create her beautiful portraits. 
Zara speaks to us about her own experiences of grief, and why she believes it needs to be spoken about with more honesty, humour, and humanity. 
We talk about the strange and sometimes daft ways we cope, the lengths we’ll go to for the people we love, creativity, tattoos, finding light without minimising the pain, and why grief doesn’t have to be spoken about in hushed tones to be taken seriously.
It’s an episode full of warmth, wit, and truth – you’ll probably laugh more than you cry - and a reminder that there’s no “right” way to grieve, only your own.
Zara brought the most wonderful energy with her, and I can promise this one will have you laughing far more than crying! 
 
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For more information on the brilliant Zara and her work:https://zaramuse.com

S2, E3: Amber Jeffrey & The Grief Gang

In our third episode of Season Two, we sit down with Amber Jeffrey - whose mum, Sue, died suddenly from a heart attack when Amber was just 19.
Amber talks to us about that moment, the shock of grief and being so young, and what it’s like trying to keep going when the person who anchored your life is suddenly gone. She shares how those first few years shaped her, and the long, uneven process of figuring out who you are after something like that happens.
We talk about The Grief Gang - the community, podcast, and space Amber has created - and how she has turned something so painful into something that helps others, and has became part of her own grief journey.
Amber, Gracie and Callum talk honestly about rebuilding your life, living alongside grief rather than fixing it, and about the strange, slow work of finding meaning again after something terrible, (and also the heartbreak of losing a 4- legged friend.)
It’s an episode about grief, identity, and what can grow when people are brave enough to speak about what they’ve been through.
 
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For more information on the incredible Amber and her work:https://www.thegriefgang.com 

S2, E2: Kay Backhouse - Losing my brother, finding myself

In our second episode of Season Two, we sit down with Kay Backhouse - whose younger brother, Syd, died in 2019 at age 35 after being diagnosed with a rare neuroendocrine tumour.
Kay talks to us about growing up with him: the mischief, the chaos, and the kind of closeness that comes from having a little brother five years younger. She shares what those final years were like, the ways she spoke honestly about death with Syd, and the shock of what grief does when it hits the centre of your family.
We also talk about her book, ‘Losing You, Finding Me’, and the way writing became both a lifeline and a mirror for her. 
Kay talks about how Syds’ death changed her from the inside out, and why she retrained as a grief counsellor so she could sit with other people in the depths of their grief. 
It’s an episode about siblings, about identity, and about the strange, terrifying, beautiful work of rebuilding yourself when the person who helped shape you isn’t here anymore.
 
 
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For more information on Kay and her work: https://www.kaybackhouse.com/
Kay’s book is available to buy here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Losing-You-Finding-Kay-Backhouse/dp/1914083938

S2, E1: Chanel Williams & Her Brother James - The Vivienne

In the first episode of Season Two, we talk with Chanel Williams - whose brother, James Williams, known to many as The Vivienne died in January of this year after taking Ketamine. 
Chanel shares what it was like growing up with James: the teasing, the in-jokes, and how the same brother who drove her mad as a teenager became her best friend and an uncle her kids adored.
She speaks about the day he died, the shock that followed, and the space that kind of grief leaves behind when you never get to say goodbye. 
We also talk about the work she’s been doing since James' death - using her voice to raise awareness around ketamine use and addiction, and to tell the truth about what this kind of death really takes from a family.
It’s an episode about siblings, about love and about how complicated it is when the person who knew you best isn’t here anymore.
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Watch the beautiful posthumous tribute to Drag Race legend The Vivienne. Featuring unseen archive, and touching interviews with close friends and family of the first ever winner of Drag Race UK. 'Dear Viv' on BBC 3
For help and support with mental health, drug or alcohol use, and other challenging circumstances, please see: adferiad.org

S1, E8: How has grief changed us?

In the final episode of series one, Gracie and Callum reflect on how their own experiences - Callum was just 12 when his brother Liam died and Gracie's older sister Laura died last year - and discuss how their own grief has changed them. We know that everyone's experience of grief is very different. But does grief make you seek attention and is attention-seeking always a bad thing? Get in touch via all forms of social media to tell us how your own experience of grief has changed you.

S1, E7: Rufus Harrington

This week Callum and Gracie are getting some of their - and your - big questions answered by Rufus Harrington, BABCP, Consultant in Cognitive Behavioural Psychology. Rufus is just the man to tackle some of the trickiest topics thrown up by this podcast and by any journey through grief like survivors' guilt, how to find your place in a grieving family and why we all need to face it, feel it and file it.We loved Rufus and we hope you did too! If you've got any questions for him or feel he might be able to help you, you can contact him at cbtclinics@btopenworld.com.

S1, E6: Nicola Nuttall

In this episode of the Dead Sibling Society, Gracie and Callum are joined by Gracie's mum Nicola, who tells us all about her daughter Laura and her book 'The Stars Will Still Be There' - a raw but beautifully written account of how Nicola helped her daughter make the most of her remaining time, while dealing with her own pain along with that of Gracie and husband, Mark.Get your tissues at the ready - this one is emotional.

S1, E5: Amanda Prowse

In this episode of the Dead Sibling Society, Gracie and Callum are joined by Amanda Prowse, who is a multi-million bestselling author who has published more than thirty novels and is one of the most prolific writers of contemporary fiction in the UK today. In 2022, Amanda lost her brother Simon. With a few tears, but lots of laughter Amanda talks to Gracie and Callum about the impact that devastating loss has had on her and her family, and how it has changed the person she is today.Find out more about Amanda here and buy her new book, Swimming to Lundy, here.