Empathy Fails: He’s in a Better Place

Hey, my fellow floaters! Welcome back to The Afterwords, the podcast where we tackle the intricate dance of life, loss, and the wild things that happen in between. I'm Miley Navarro, your host and today, I’m joined by my super insightful nine-year-old daughter, Zuma. We’re here to remind you that messy, ungraceful growth is just part of finding your flow in this cosmic journey. Personal growth often looks like stumbling face-first into enlightenment.

Today’s episode is a special one as Zuma makes her podcast debut to help us explore the awkward intersection of grief and empathy. You know—the times when people try to say the right thing and ultimately fail miserably. We’ll share some cringeworthy "comforting" things said to us after losing Kingston, as well as the science behind why our brains turn into awkward mess-machines when faced with our own discomfort in the face of someone else's pain.

You’ll hear all about our misadventures and giggle through the absurdity of grief brain, and how it makes forgetting things not only common but laughably relatable. Plus, we’re breaking down some empathy basics and offering tips on what to say (and what not to say) to someone who’s grieving.

Stick around for the rollercoaster ride that is grief, and how we manage to find light, laughter, and the importance of connection during our toughest times. From the quirky significance of wombat poop to the infamous five stages of grief, we’re covering it all. Thank you for joining us on this heartfelt—and sometimes hilariously awkward—journey.