188 What a Death Doula Knows About Grief That Most of Us Don't (1/2) | Sierra Campbell Artwork

How To Deal With Grief and Trauma

You can't go through life without experiencing loss and trauma the question is how do we deal and live with the grief and pain? Join Nathalie Himmelrich, grief expert and author, talking to people who have experienced grief and trauma first-hand. If you want to be inspired by others who traveled through their grief and trauma, found that healing is possible, and came out the other end knowing they can survive and thrive in life after loss. For more info: www.nathaliehimmelrich.com

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How To Deal With Grief and Trauma

188 What a Death Doula Knows About Grief That Most of Us Don't (1/2) | Sierra Campbell

May 13, 2026 • Nathalie Himmelrich • Season 18 • Episode 188

0:00 | 47:18

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This is the first of a two-part episode. Check out part 2: 189 What a Death Doula Knows About Grief That Most of Us Don't (2/2) | Sierra Campbell

What does someone who has spent more than three decades sitting with the dying actually know about grief, and what can that teach the rest of us about living?

Today's guest is an elder caregiver, end-of-life doula, and founder of a leading end-of-life education platform. She began working in care at sixteen, opened her own home care services by twenty-one, and has since supported hundreds of people through the final chapter of their lives. As a two-time cancer survivor, she brings both professional expertise and lived experience to one of the most avoided conversations of our time.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome
03:10 Sierra's life story
07:10 What facing death taught me
08:49 The effect of unresolved generational trauma
10:09 Presence in being with the dying
15:52 When the support we get is not the support we need
24:11 Grief of not being able to be a mother
28:18 What do people grieve most at the end of their life
31:05 Families who are not prepared for a loved one's death
34:17 Anticipatory grief
34:48 Being prepared for someone dying
40:51 Being present when people die

Whether you are grieving a loss, supporting someone who is, or simply carrying an unspoken awareness that you are not prepared for what lies ahead, this conversation offers grounding, clarity, and practical perspective.

About our guest
An experienced elder caregiver and end-of-life doula, Sierra Campbell is the founder of Choose Nurture. With more than three decades of experience in the field, Sierra is a leading voice in end-of-life reform. She combines her professional background with her personal journey as a cancer survivor to educate and support ageing adults and their loved ones.

choosenurture.com
IG: choosenurture
TED talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sLENQbRSls

Resources mentioned

Book - Stephen Levine: One Year to Live

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