Join us for a deeply moving conversation with Zach Green, an Indigenous Australian chef and mental health advocate, as he opens up about grief, fatherhood, and finding purpose after unimaginable loss. In this Medium Clip, Zach shares heartfelt advice on how to support someone grieving the loss of a child. He explains the power of simply listening, why we need to move away from common clichés like “everything happens for a reason,” and how to respect the individual grieving process.
Zach also reflects on his experience of becoming a stepfather after losing his children, and how that journey led him toward healing, gratitude, and a renewed sense of purpose. His raw honesty provides valuable insight for anyone navigating grief or supporting a loved one through it.
This clip offers just a glimpse of Zach’s powerful story. Be sure to watch or listen to the full episode to explore more of his journey, including how cooking and storytelling have become tools for healing and connection.
About our guest:
Zach Green, also known as the Storyteller Chef, is an Indigenous Australian chef and mental health advocate. After experiencing profound personal loss, Zach found healing through food and storytelling. Today, he creates dining experiences that celebrate Aboriginal culture and open conversations about grief, identity, and resilience. His mission is to use food as a universal language for healing and connection.
Follow our Guest On:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestorytellerchef/?hl=en
Follow Us On:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestevehodgson/
https://www.instagram.com/sharewithsteve/
Episode Highlights:
00:00 - Episode Trailer
00:01 - The power of listening: supporting people through child loss
00:43 - Why you shouldn’t tell someone “everything happens for a reason”
01:17 - Zach’s advice for grieving parents: sit in your grief
02:03 - Grieving on your own terms, without external expectations
03:17 - Supporting friends and family: stop trying to fix things
04:08 - Becoming a stepfather: the emotional transition
05:27 - Learning to accept love and trust from stepchildren
06:12 - Processing emotions and finding peace in a blended family
07:32 - Gratitude for second chances and a new life path
10:26 - Advice for men stepping into fatherhood and blended families
13:07 - Healing through food: how the kitchen became Zach’s safe space
14:36 - How cooking helped Zach process grief and find clarity
15:19 - Food as therapy: connecting with culture and creating joy through cooking
Cold Case Files: Miami
Joyce Sapp, 76; Bryan Herrera, 16; and Laurance Webb, 32—three Miami residents whose lives were stolen in brutal, unsolved homicides. Cold Case Files: Miami follows award‑winning radio host and City of Miami Police reserve officer Enrique Santos as he partners with the department’s Cold Case Homicide Unit, determined family members, and the advocates who spend their lives fighting for justice for the victims who can no longer fight for themselves.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.