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May 7, 2025 39 mins

Sometimes, life delivers blow after blow, leaving you gasping for air. Whether it’s the loss of a job, a home, or someone you love, grief can feel all-consuming—like joy may never return. For Betsy Stephenson, the heartbreak came in rapid succession. Within just six weeks, she lost her mother-in-law to dementia, her family dog to cancer, and—most devastating of all—her son to suicide. But instead of allowing the grief to swallow her whole, Betsy turned to writing.

Through raw, unfiltered reflections captured in real time, she began to process her pain and offer hope to others walking through similar darkness. In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, Betsy shares her journey through unimaginable loss, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and what inspired her to publish her intimate memoir, Blackbird. Her story is both deeply emotional and quietly courageous—a reminder that even in the darkest skies, light still finds a way through.


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Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg King & Marley Miller



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