The Silent Why: finding hope in grief and loss
Claire Sandys is on a mission to see if it's possible to find hope in 101 different types of loss and grief (often joined by husband Chris). New ad-free episodes every other Tuesday. With childless (not by choice) hosts, this podcast is packed with deep, honest experiences of grief and hope from inspiring guests. You also get: tips on how to navigate and prepare for loss, blogs, experts, exploring how loss is handled on TV, and plenty of Hermans. For more visit: www.thesilentwhy.com.
Episodes
240 episodes
Loss 66/101: Loss of eyesight: Yahya Pandor
#149. What is it like to choose hope in the dark? To face the grief of losing your sight?This is The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to explore grief, asking if hope can be found in 101 different types of permanent loss.Lo...
The Grief Toolshed: Telescopic Tree Pruner - find your sharp people
#148. How can a metaphorical telescopic tree pruner help us with grief? Let's find out.This is The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to open up conversations around grief, asking if hope can be found in 101 different types of perm...
The Grief Toolshed: Swiss Army Knife - using the tools of self-awareness
#147. How can a metaphorical Swiss Army Knife help us with self-awareness? Let's find out.This is The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to open up conversations around grief, asking if hope can be found in 101 different types of p...
Graveyard Musings: Wolvercote, Oxford (grave of JRR Tolkien - author of The Lord of the Rings)
#146. I've always loved graveyards. I'm not sure what it is about them that draws me in, but a little while ago I decided to record my musings as I wander round them.So that's what these Graveyard Musing episodes are, just me and my pho...
The Grief Toolshed: Compost - it's all about balance (& worms)
#145. How can a metaphorical bag of compost help us get through grief? Let's find out.This is The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to open up conversations around grief, asking if hope can be found in 101 different types of perm...
The Grief Toolshed: The Spade - let's dig deep into grief
#144. How can a metaphorical spade help us get through grief? Let's find out. This is The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to open up conversations around grief, asking if hope can be found in 101 different types of permanent lo...
Introducing... The Grief Toolshed
#143. How can we make sure we have the right tools when we face grief? This is The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to open up conversations around grief, asking if hope can be found in 101 different types of perman...
New Year, New Loss, New Schedule
#142. Well, it's finally here. Another new year. How are you feeling as we head into 2026?This is The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to open up conversations around grief, to see if hope can be found in 101 different types of lo...
Chris & Claire's Chatty Christmas Catch-Up 2025
#141. Struggling with the festive season? You're not alone. It's not an easy time of year, and it’s been a season of both highs and lows for us too over the years. This is The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to open up conversat...
Australia Update 2: Time flies. And more flies.
#140. How's our big trip 'Down Under' going? This is where you find out. Again.Welcome to The Silent Why - usually a podcast with a mission to open-up honest conversations around grief and explore whether hope can be found in 10...
Australia Update 1: Distracted by kookaburras
#139. How's our big trip going so far? This is where you find out.Welcome to The Silent Why - usually a podcast on a mission to open up honest conversations around grief and explore whether hope can be found in 101 different typ...
Chris & Claire chat Oz, mini mics, Bin Chickens and a special form
#138. We're off on an Ozzie adventure!But, first things first, as promised, the all-important anonymous form: 👉 https://forms.gle/LmFrrd4xvvnEhG5R9 👈 (it'll make sense when yo...
Loss 65/101: Loss of a friend: Hannah Rumsey
#137. Can losing a friend be overlooked in our culture? What happens when the friend who knew you best is gone? And why are there so few resources to help with this kind of grief?This is The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to explore ...
Behind the Scenes: How I make a podcast
#136. (We'll... we've actually done 226 episodes in total. You'll hear me talk about the annoying decision around episode numbering in this 226th episode!)This is The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to open up conversations a...
BLOG REWIND: My Why: Accepting a life I don't want
#135. How do we accept, and live with, a life we never really wanted?Welcome to another My Why Blog episode - where I share the audio version of my latest blog post. But in this case, it’s actually a re-release of the most popul...
Let's Chat... Finding hope as a widow (Rachel Powell)
#134. Let's chat... about finding hope after feeling hopeless as a young widow.Welcome to another Let’s Chat episode, where instead of continuing our 101 Types of Loss list, I (Claire Sandys) sit down with guests who have expertise and ...
Loss 64/101: Loss of a wife: Richard Smith
#133. “Grief isn’t sad – because it reminds you to make the most of today.” Curious about how Richard has reached this conclusion after losing his wife? Hit play and find out. This is The Silent Why, a podcast on a missio...
The (even more) Silent Why (& the Mediterranean Sea)
#132. Life is hectic. Sometimes we simply need to stop for a moment. And that’s what this short episode is all about. Oh, and the beautiful sounds of the Mediterranean Sea that I recorded when we were in Cyprus. Welcome...
Let's Chat... Where does the love go when someone dies (with David Kelly)
#131. Let's chat... about where the love goes when someone dies. Can you still be 'in love' if it's not reciprocated? Does it eventually fade? Or die?Welcome to another Let’s Chat episode, where instead of continuing our 101...
Loss 63/101: Loss through chronic illness and lupus: Olivia Abousaid
#130. Not all losses are bereavements. Sometimes they follow a diagnosis and impact someone for the rest of their life, like with our guest in this episode.This is The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to explore grief, asking if hope ...
Chris & Claire's top takeaways from 20 years of marriage
#129. What are the most valuable things we've learnt - or think really matter - after 20 years of marriage?This is The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to open up conversations around grief, exploring asking if hope can be fou...
BLOG: My Why: How to build mental muscles when you’re feeling weak
#128. Did you know you can build mental muscles, as well as physical ones? And that you can start that any time - no matter how weak you might feel?Welcome to another My Why from Claire Sandys (co-host of The Silent Why podcast). My Why...
Loss 62/101: Loss through menopause: Diane Danzebrink
#127. Think menopause is just a physical change?What if we told you it can also bring grief, loss of identity, and a hit to your mental health?This is The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to open up conversations aro...
Let's Chat... The Adventure of Grief (with Bianca Neumann)
#126. Let's Chat... about seeing grief as an adventure.Welcome to another Let’s Chat episode, where instead of continuing our 101 Types of Loss list, I sit down with guests who have expertise and personal insight into ...
Loss 61/101: Loss of possessions: Naomi Westerman
#125. What impact can possessions have on grief? The lack of them, the loss of them, too many of them etc.This is The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to open up conversations around grief, exploring asking if hope can be found in 101 ...