In a society that often avoids conversations about death and mourning, Speaking Grief opens the door to a more honest, compassionate understanding of loss. This national public media initiative by WPSU, with philanthropic support from the New York Life Foundation, seeks to reframe grief as a natural, varied human experience that should be witnessed, not fixed.
At the center of Speaking Grief is an Emmy award-winning documentary that delves into the transformative nature of losing a loved one. The project extends beyond the screen, featuring a media-rich website, ongoing social media content, and community engagement events to normalize grief and improve grief literacy. At its core is a guiding belief: one of the most powerful ways we can support people who are grieving is by equipping their friends, families, colleagues, and communities with the skills and confidence to offer grief-literate care. It’s a project rooted in empathy, designed to uplift and amplify diverse grieving voices and challenge common misconceptions, like the idea that grief follows a neat timeline or set of rules.
Meet the Creator: Lindsey Whissel Fenton
Lindsey Whissel Fenton, M.Ed., CT, is the creator and visionary behind Speaking Grief and its companion platform, Learning Grief. An Emmy award-winning filmmaker, certified thanatologist, and grief educator, Lindsey serves as a senior producer and director at WPSU. Her work focuses on grief, trauma, and mental health, and she is deeply committed to shifting cultural narratives around how we process and talk about loss. Lindsey also serves on the board of directors for the National Alliance for Children’s Grief (NACG), where she helps shape the national discourse around supporting young people through bereavement.
Note: Lindsey Whissel Fenton is not a licensed therapist or medical professional. The content in Speaking Grief, Learning Grief, and this blog post is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have about a medical or mental health condition. If you or someone you know is in crisis, free and confidential help is available 24/7 in the United States by calling or texting the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
Q&A with Lindsey
What is your biggest piece of advice for individuals who are grieving?
I’d actually like to pivot a bit and share my biggest piece of advice for people who are supporting someone who’s grieving. At the heart of both Speaking Grief and Learning Grief is the belief that one of the most meaningful ways we can help those who are grieving is by equipping their support systems with the tools to offer care that aligns with their good intentions.
So, here it is: When in doubt, just hear them out.
Grief doesn’t need to be fixed—it needs to be witnessed. Words often fall short, and sometimes they can unintentionally do harm. What tends to feel most supportive is a quiet, caring presence—someone willing to sit in the discomfort and let the grieving person feel what they feel without judgment or pressure. Just being there, without trying to steer or solve, can be a powerful act of love.
What inspired you to create Speaking Grief?
The short answer is that a former colleague suggested WPSU explore a project related to the loss of a child. I picked up that thread, did some research, discovered a massive gap in our societal awareness around grief, and began working to use our resources and reach as a PBS/NPR affiliate to do something about it.
The more nuanced answer involves a moment I’ve never forgotten. In my early twenties, during a sleep study, a lab tech quietly shared, “My dad just died.” And I responded with silence. Not out of apathy—but because I didn’t know what to say. That experience has stayed with me for more than fifteen years. It was a profound moment that revealed just how unprepared most of us are to respond to grief, even when we care deeply.
That’s why I’m passionate about grief education. Because I don’t want anyone else to experience what that lab tech did—to share something so beautifully and terribly personal and be met with silence. And I don’t want anyone else to experience what I did—to feel so much empathy rise inside you and still be unable to respond in the way your heart wants to.
Do you have any go-to resources you recommend for those navigating grief or supporting someone who is?
Well, Speaking Grief and Learning Grief, of course! (Said with a wink and a laugh.) But truly—while a lot of people think of Speaking Grief as just a documentary, the website includes more than 40 resource pages and over 350 unique video clips. There’s a wealth of content there designed to support both grievers and those who want to support them.
Beyond that…this is a tough question because, over the past seven-plus years working in this space, I’ve had the privilege of learning from so many brilliant minds and beautiful hearts—people who’ve created insightful books, websites, blogs, and podcasts.
If I had to narrow it down, here are a few of my go-to recommendations:
- National Alliance for Children’s Grief – A strong, helpful starting point for supporting grieving children and teens (I’m on the board, but I’d recommend them even if I weren’t!)
- Tides Programs – A wonderful local resource here in State College, PA, providing peer support for grieving families
- Grief Out Loud – A podcast produced by the Dougy Center that offers honest, heartfelt conversations about grief
- HEARTplay – A Boston-based program doing thoughtful work around grief resources for neurodivergent kids
And finally, I’m working with the Yale Child Study Center on expanding their Grief-Sensitive Healthcare Project. The website is still in development, but I’m excited about its potential to fill critical training gaps for anyone working in healthcare—not just clinicians but also support staff and administrators.
An Evolving Commitment to Grief Literacy: From Speaking Grief to Learning Grief
Speaking Grief laid the foundation for building grief-literate communities—an effort that continues with Learning Grief and its focus on the next generation. While Speaking Grief helps adults better understand and support one another during loss, Learning Grief focuses on building emotional resilience in children and teens. Made possible through funding from the Imagine Learning Foundation, this free online resource is designed to help mentors, educators, coaches, caregivers, and other trusted adults support young people navigating grief.
Learning Grief offers practical tools to model grief literacy and provide guidance for difficult conversations. The platform teaches adults and kids how to recognize grief responses, support peers through tough times, and build emotionally safe communities through articles, videos, and downloadable activities. Developed in collaboration with nationally recognized experts in child and adolescent psychology, trauma, and bereavement, Learning Grief is a profoundly thoughtful and inclusive resource that acknowledges all types of loss. Whether you’re supporting a teen who lost a grandparent or a child facing parental separation, Learning Grief helps you meet them where they are—with care, empathy, and evidence-based support.
Turning Intention into Action: Follow the Nudge
Rounding out WPSU’s grief literacy portfolio is Follow the Nudge—a free web app that helps people offer consistent, compassionate support to someone who is grieving. Grounded in the idea that small gestures over time can have a big impact, the app sends gentle, research-informed prompts to encourage meaningful check-ins and acts of care. Whether it’s remembering a significant date, reaching out during a tough week, or simply showing up with kindness, Follow the Nudge turns grief literacy into everyday practice—making it easier to support others not just in the immediate aftermath of loss, but over the long haul.
Additional Resources from the Speaking and Learning Grief Series
- Improving Grief Literacy: This piece introduces Learning Grief and outlines why educating ourselves about grief is key to building a more supportive and understanding society.
- Infant Loss, Pregnancy Loss, and Infertility: Exploring a form of grief that’s often unspoken, this blog highlights the need for validating and supporting those experiencing pregnancy or infant loss and infertility.
- 5 Myths About Children’s Grief: This article dispels common misconceptions about how children grieve and emphasizes the importance of honesty and developmentally appropriate support.
- Grief-Aware Gatherings: Learn how to create more inclusive and mindful events for individuals who may be grieving, with actionable advice for hosts and planners.
- How to Write a Sympathy Card: A practical guide to writing a heartfelt, supportive message when someone is grieving—offering authentic and comforting language.
- You Don’t Need to Be a ‘Feelings Person’: A helpful reminder that you don’t need to be highly emotional to show up for someone who is grieving. This post shares simple, meaningful ways to offer support.
Grief is a universal experience, but it doesn’t have to be lonely. Through Speaking Grief and Learning Grief, WPSU and Lindsey are helping to build a more compassionate culture where individuals of all ages feel seen, supported, and empowered to navigate loss in their own way. Whether you’re grieving, supporting someone who is, or guiding young people through their own emotions, these resources remind us that simply showing up—and listening—can make all the difference.