Body of Wonder

Episode #49 Honoring Grief and Finding Meaning with David Kessler

Body of Wonder

Show Notes

In this episode, we are joined by renowned grief expert and author, Dr David Kessler.

David delves into the intricacies of grief, drawing upon his extensive experience and the wisdom gained from years of working with clients in the field and alongside the pioneering psychiatrist Dr Elizabeth Kubler-Ross.

Throughout this compassionate conversation with hosts Dr. Andrew Weil and Dr. Victoria Maizes, David describes how grief shapes individuals and communities, offering invaluable guidance on how to navigate the complex nature of loss and finding meaning.

He shares practical advice on what to say to someone experiencing grief and provides listeners with essential tools to support themselves and others during times of profound loss.

More from Body of Wonder

Sep 15, 2026

What happens when a police lieutenant becomes one of America's most powerful advocates for psychedelic medicine? In this conversation, Dr. Victoria Maizes and Dr. Andrew Weil sit down with Lt. Sarko Gergerian. He is a Massachusetts police lieutenant, clinical mental health counselor, and co-founder of CLEAR (Community and Law Enforcement Assisted Recovery). Sarko traces his journey from Northeastern University philosophy student to police officer to trained psychedelic therapist, and explains why he has spent over fifteen years as an outspoken critic of the war on drugs. Also covered is the urgent call for first responders to have legal access to the same psychedelic therapies now being fast-tracked by the federal government. With momentum building from federal fast-tracking of psychedelic research to growing state decriminalization movements, Sarko makes an urgent and compelling case for why first responders deserve legal, accessible psychedelic care now. Join us to Lt. Gergerian's insight on what it means to serve and protect.

Jul 28, 2026

Discover how personalized approaches like adaptive therapy, fasting, and integrative medicine are transforming cancer management, especially in the event of metastatic cancer. Dr. Dawn Lemanne, a medical oncologist, and fellowship faculty at the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine shares insights from her pioneering work in the field with Drs Andrew Weil and Victoria Maizes, emphasizing real-time treatment adjustments to better manage cancer.

Feb 27, 2026

How do dogs think, and why do humans share such a powerful bond with them? In this conversation, Dr. Victoria Maizes and Dr. Andrew Weil sit down with Dr. Evan MacLean, director of the Arizona Canine Cognition Center at the University of Arizona, to explore the science behind the canine mind.

Dec 17, 2025

In this special episode of Body of Wonder, Dr. Andrew Weil and Dr. Ann Marie Chiasson turn the tables and interview their longtime colleague and co-host, Dr. Victoria Maizes, about her upcoming book Heal Faster: Unlock Your Body’s Rapid Recovery System. They explore the body’s innate capacity to heal, practical strategies for reducing anxiety, the hidden impact of environmental toxins, personalized nutrition approaches, the value of supplements, and how to prepare for and recover from surgery using integrative tools. Dr. Maizes shares compelling patient stories and actionable guidance that empowers listeners to support their own rapid recovery.

Dec 1, 2025

Dr. Victoria Maizes and Dr. Andrew Weil sit down with Dr. Talal Moukabary, an expert in cardiac electrophysiology, for a look at POTS, long COVID, and the autonomic nervous system.

See all episodes →