Holding Space for Collective Grief

Welcome to Season 5 Episode 3 of Two Wives and A SPARK!
In this raw and reflective episode, we speak from the heart about the heaviness so many are carrying right now. From environmental disasters, to political unrest, to the dis-ease so many of us are holding–the grief is layered—and it’s not just personal, it’s collective.
We talk about what it means to hold space for ourselves and each other in the midst of it all, and how we’ve been navigating (or not navigating) the overwhelm. This conversation felt like a mirror for us, and we hope it’s a companion for anyone feeling exhausted, tender, or stretched thin by the weight of the world right now.
Together, we explore:
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The importance of naming what hurts—and honoring it
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How collective grief lives in the body and what helps us release it
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Boundaries as a radical act of self-love and community care
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Why joy and rest must be a part of the journey
Resources Referenced in this Episode:
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The Body Keeps the Score, by Bessel van der Kolk
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Oprah’s interview with Sebastian Junger on trauma, healing, and belonging
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Dan Savage’s reminder to keep fighting, keep dancing (quote: “During the darkest days of the AIDS crisis, we buried our friends in the morning, we protested in the afternoon, and we danced all night. The dance kept us in the fight because it was the dance we were fighting for. It didn’t look like we were going to win then and we did. It doesn’t feel like we’re going to win now but we could. Keep fighting, keep dancing.”)
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Prentis Hemphill quote: “Boundaries are the distance at which I can love you and me simultaneously.”
We don’t have answers—but we’re learning to hold what’s hard without losing ourselves, to stay present without collapsing, and to return to connection as often as we can.
As always, thank you for listening and tuning in. We appreciate you.
This time we have some questions for you!
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What did this spark for you?
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What do you want us to explore next week?
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What questions do you have for us?
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Would you be interested in gathering together—virtually or in person—with other pod listeners & Joy Warriors?
We would love to hear from you! Connect with us on Instagram or send us an email at twowivesandaspark@gmail.com. And check out our site: www.twowivesandaspark.com.
If you’re curious, here’s more information on what we do at SPARK Equity In Action.