I’ve known Natasha Dongell since I was a kid (which was longer ago for me than for her, I assure you), and I’ve long looked up to her as a source of wisdom, but this newly released book of hers (a memoir titled When Lynn Died) is a resource on grief that I truly hope makes a broad impact in the world.
In our conversation we briefly recap the story of crisis that led to her wanting/needing to write this book, but beyond that, she shares helpful thoughts on how people can deal with grief & the grieving, while also giving us a vulnerable window into a life that is not “perfect” but is healed.
To follow along with Natasha’s Substack, find her here (and to watch this conversation via video you can either do so on YouTube here or experimentally embedded in the post below.
Chapters:
05:48 - Understanding the Book's Purpose
08:59 - The Crisis: Lynn's Sudden Death
10:15 - Navigating Grief and Community Support
12:10 - The Role of Vulnerability in Healing
15:05 - Cultural Perspectives on Grief
18:20 - Practical Tips for Supporting the Grieving
29:22 - Navigating Vulnerability in Grief
35:03 - The Importance of Community Support
39:23 - The Journey of Writing a Book on Grief
48:55 - Remarriage and Processing Grief
01:03:44 - Finding Balance in New Relationships
01:07:32 - New Chapter
keywords: grief, loss, emotional intelligence, church, support, relationships, healing, vulnerability, mourning, community
Some Takeaways:
Lynn's unexpected death was a profound shock.
Grief is often poorly understood in church communities.
Emotional intelligence is crucial in navigating grief.
Vulnerability is uncomfortable but necessary for healing.
Supportive relationships are key to processing grief.
The church often struggles with acknowledging brokenness.
Language around grief is often lacking in Western culture.
It's important to lean in and ask about the lost loved ones.
Listening to the names of the deceased can be healing.
Building trust with others is essential for sharing grief.
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