Ep. 89 Addison Brasil on Compound Grief & an LGBTQ perspective on loss

Shapes Of Grief

I absolutely loved this conversation with Addison Brasil. It is so full of wisdom and possibilities in the face of profound, multiple losses. It will not be for everyone, but if you’re someone who doesn’t want your losses to define your entire life moving forward, then sit down and tune in to this one.

"Addison Brasil's new book is a must-read for anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one."

Addison Brasil lost his brother to cancer, found his father after suicide, and survived a fatal event that killed a dear friend and left him relearning to walk all before age 30. Despite being "just to the left" of death so intimately, whenever someone would share they had experienced loss or ask how to support another person dealing with the loss he would freeze. After thirteen years in the grief club arena, Addison's new book is something he wants to offer to anyone grieving. First Year of Grief Club: A Gift From A Frend Who Gets it (#1 New Release in Death, Grief, and Spirituality) is available on Amazon now.

First Year of Grief Club: A Gift From From A Friend Who Gets It. (Not someone who would ever claim to know exactly how you’re feeling, but from someone who gets that flowers, condolences, and casseroles are just the beginning.)
Starting from the first day, it provides a companion through the first year of what Addison Brasil calls real-life grief. The daily, and then weekly offerings are manageable check-ins from a friend who gets it. It’s a way of showing your support and also remaining a pillar of support for a year after the loss or the death of a loved one.

Addison says the Pandemic helped him realize how universal grief is- and it is not just the loss of a loved one, it results as the loss of anything meaningful.

Excerpt from First Year of Giref Club:

“In a way, we are all grieving a world we once knew. In a pandemic- possible world, our ways of grieving formally and informally have shifted. Our ability to gather to support each other has been threatened. Ceremonies and rites of passage our society has long-practiced have been minimized or passed over completely. Real-life grief in a pandemic-possible world predates anything that’s ever existed in the arena we now play in. “

Editorial Reviews:

"Addison Brasil has taken his thirteen years of grief and proven that rituals created around honoring one's journey, not trying to fix it, can lead us to our own wisdom and tools for loss."

CHIP CONLEY New York Times Bestselling Author, Founder of Modern Elder Academy, and Wisdom Well

“Having had the privilege of becoming friends with Addison, I can confidently say that few people speak about healing grief through finding meaningful connection and service as eloquently and thoughtfully as he does. In his book, he shares deeply valuable perspectives that have helped me find the tools and approaches to healing that I had yet to uncover previously. If you or someone you know is suffering, I could not recommend more highly taking the opportunity to immerse yourself into this book.”

ZAK WILLAMS: Mental Health Advocate, Founder You Can Pym

“There is no right or wrong way to grieve. Everyone does it in their own time, but this book certainly helps you along that journey. It offers a life lesson that everyone needs to learn.”

Dr. RANJ SINGH: Author, Celebrity Doctor & TV Personality
“ So, please skip the overpriced flowers and undercooked casseroles. Send this book to anyone entering the grief club!”

SHELLEY PAXTON Author of Soulbbatical