Episode 56 | I Bend, I Don't Break: Life, Love, Death and the Grief That Connects Them
Episode 56 | I Bend, I Don't Break: Life, Love, Death and the Grief That Connects Them
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In this deeply personal episode, Shannon sits down with Racheal Rye and a good bottle of red for a conversation about grief, love, loss and the extraordinary resilience of the human spirit.
Racheal has lost three of her children — Christian, Hannah and Benjamin — each in different circumstances and at different points throughout her life. It is a reality most of us can scarcely imagine, yet one she has been forced to navigate time and time again.
Together, Shannon and Racheal explore what grief asks of us when life changes forever. What it means to keep breathing when the world as you knew it no longer exists. How love endures beyond loss. And how, even in our darkest moments, we find the strength to continue.
This is not a conversation about moving on. It is a conversation about learning to live alongside the unimaginable, and the quiet, hard-won wisdom that can emerge when life bends us to our absolute limits.
Part 2 of this convesation follows next week.
Support Resources
Support Resources
Some stories stay with us long after the conversation ends.
If this episode has stirred memories, emotions or grief of your own, we encourage you to be gentle with yourself in the days ahead. Reach out to someone you trust, spend time with people who help you feel supported, and remember that you do not have to navigate difficult seasons alone.
The following organisations provide support, information and resources for people experiencing grief, bereavement, loss and emotional distress.
Lifeline Australia provides free, confidential crisis support for anyone experiencing emotional distress, struggling to cope, or needing someone to talk to.
You can contact Lifeline anytime:
Phone: 13 11 14
Text: 0477 13 11 14 (6pm – midnight AEST)
NALAG provides grief support, education and bereavement programs for individuals, families and communities experiencing loss. Their services include support groups, workshops, training and resources designed to help people navigate grief and life after loss.
Phone: (02) 6882 9222
Email: nalag@nalag.org.au
NALAG offers support for a wide range of experiences including bereavement, suicide loss, traumatic loss, relationship breakdown, illness and other significant life changes.
Griefline is a national not-for-profit organisation providing free, compassionate and confidential support for people experiencing grief, loss and loneliness. Whether you are grieving the death of a loved one, navigating a significant life change, or supporting someone through loss, Griefline offers a safe space to be heard without judgement.
Support is available through their national telephone helpline, online forums, support groups and a range of grief and bereavement resources.
National Grief Helpline: 1300 845 745
Hours: Monday–Friday 9am–6pm | Weekends 12pm–6pm (AEST/AEDT)
Online Forums & Resources: Available 24/7
Griefline provides support for adults across Australia experiencing any form of grief or loss.
Red Nose Grief and Loss and SANDS Australia have joined together to provide specialised support for individuals and families affected by miscarriage, stillbirth, newborn death, sudden and unexpected infant death, and the death of a child at any age.
Their services include bereavement counselling, peer support, support groups, online resources and information designed to help families navigate grief and life after loss. Support is available regardless of how recent the loss was, recognising that grief has no timeline.
24-Hour Support Line: 1300 308 307
Email: support@rednose.com.au
Support is available for parents, siblings, grandparents, extended family members and anyone impacted by the death of a baby or child.
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