Breathing Wind
Breathing Wind Podcast
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Top 10 Breathing Wind Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Breathing Wind episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Breathing Wind for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Breathing Wind episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
46: Without a Fight
Breathing Wind
11/02/21 • 43 min
How might you care for someone at the end of their life when your relationship isn’t perfect? In this episode, Laura Davis and Sarah Davis talk about caregiving when still healing from past traumas, power dynamic flip from child to caregiver and caring for people with dementia. Laura Davis is a six-time bestselling author who leads transformative writing workshops internationally. Her latest book, a memoir, The Burning Light of Two Stars, is about the dramatic twists and turns of mother-daughter love.
This episode is part of a Breathing Wind miniseries titled Caregiving Journey, hosted by Breathing Wind founder and host, Sarah Davis. The Caregiving Journey miniseries explores:
- How stories of other caregivers can help us feel less alone
- Ambiguous grief and caregiving at end of life
- The shifting roles of the caregiver
- How and why to seek self-care
- Joy in the caregiving journey
In this ~41-minute episode, Sarah and Laura talk about:
- [3:08] Relationships are complicated, which makes grief complicated
- [3:42] Laura’s relationship with her mom
- [9:10] Reconciliation
- [10:03] What was going on in Laura’s life when her mom decided to move to her city and how she processed that
- [12:43] Excerpt from Chapter Two, “The Call”
- [19:41] Laura’s reflections on the call
- [25:11] Caring for someone with dementia
- [25:30] “One of the things that was so confusing to me about dementia in particular is that it's like tuning into a radio station. And sometimes the signal is clear. And sometimes it isn't.”
- [26:51] Entering the world of someone with dementia
- [29:54] What Laura means by explaining she had to wear a “good daughter mask”
- [30:13] “There always was a buffer, and if it wasn't geographic, then it was just that I wasn't going to really share; I never really felt I could share my intimate life with her -- ever. I didn't feel like it was safe to do that. And yet we managed to have a healed relationship. You know, it had some cracks in it.”
- [30:25] “As she changed, the dynamic between us changed.”
- [31:53] How Laura moved her mother to an assisted living facility and her feelings after
- [35:13] “The fight went out of her. And she acquiesced to being there. And she started to feel like she belonged. And it was actually really sad. I mean, on one hand, she became much easier to manage. For me, because she wasn't the fiery, intense emotional woman she'd always been, she became quite passive and sweet, actually. But I felt like this person isn't really my mother, it was like I was dealing with a different person.”
- [36:10] “Anyone who cares for someone with Alzheimer's or [another] dementia is pretty much in a constant state of grief. You're grieving for the person while they're still here. And it's a really sad process.”
- [38:04] How caregiving has transformed who Laura is today
- [39:39] Information on Laura’s book release and pre sale campaign
To find out more about this episode and subscribe to the newsletter, visit the show notes.
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2 Listeners
06: Best Friends
Breathing Wind
03/17/20 • 9 min
This is a bonus episode, and it deviates from the format of what I’ve been producing so far. I have been operating mostly on pause due to travel to France and Spain, as well as dealing with the general fatigue of jet lag and self-quarantine after. I recently heard about a close friend passing away from cancer. She is the daughter of Anne Marie, whose interview I published in February.
In this episode, I talk about:
- My best friend from high school, Melissa.
- Our friendship and its lasting meaning for me.
To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.
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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.breathingwind.com
1 Listener
05: Legacy-Minded and Future-Oriented
Breathing Wind
03/03/20 • 42 min
When someone passes, how do we honor their legacy? Through doing or by being?
In this episode, I interview Dr. Haakon Faste, a design educator and innovation consultant. Dr. Faste discusses growing up with a father who encouraged him to be a maker and designer, as well as how that has shaped his outlook today as an educator.
Dr. Faste talks about:
- His father’s perspective on education, design, and other interests.
- The experience of being with his dad during one of the last weeks of his life.
- The importance of preserving his father’s legacy in the way he lived.
To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.
Connect with us on social media:
Facebook
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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.breathingwind.com
1 Listener
02: Never Alone
Breathing Wind
01/21/20 • 34 min
In our lives, what are the defining moments? How about who is in our life, our family or our friends? In this episode, I interview Benjamin Gunning, a leader at a global design firm who is also a nationally recognized philanthropic advisor, and Treasurer of the Board of Trustees at the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California. Benjamin discusses what it was like to lose his parents, undergo a long period of grief before loss, and grow closer to his family through it.
To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.
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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.breathingwind.com
1 Listener
Guided by Grief
Breathing Wind
01/23/24 • 36 min
“When I was on the Camino, there was this moment when I was spreading [my dad’s] ashes and just talking to him and I realized that was why I was there, that he wanted me there. And I felt so connected to him, and at that time I remember thinking, ‘This is so simple. I can turn off everything and go out for a walk in the woods and be connected with my dad.’”
~ Sarah Davis
In this episode, recorded during the holiday season, we debrief our Christmases: how we spent them, how our grief showed up and how we coped, or didn’t. Reflecting on our conversation with author and plant ecologist Susan Tweit, who still finds so many beautiful ways to be with her late husband Richard, we recall instances of connection with our own dads — and in a very candid moment, reveal some of the moments along our fathers’ end-of-life journeys, exploring some of our regrets and our denial. Again drawing from Susan’s wisdom and devoted mindfulness practice, we also look at the role of love and compassion in our lives, and Sarah shares an especially helpful technique that helps her to meet her mom from that place when she gets overwhelmed or starts to feel intense emotion around her caregiving. Perhaps not surprising, there’s some meandering, as we also talk about aging, the healthcare system and our wishes for more collective and communal death care. But mostly there’s a lot of heart and tender honesty in this episode. We hope you’ll bring your heart to listening and invite you, as always, to share what resonated or what you’ll be carrying forward into your own grief journey.
To find out more about this episode, listen to the episodes referenced, and subscribe to the newsletter, visit the show notes.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.breathingwind.com
03/08/22 • 38 min
“Chemo was really hard. But there were really good days too – they weren't the best feeling healthy days – but there was something that happened on those days. You suddenly have the shift in perspective of appreciating the smallest things, because when you have something that's knocking you, sideways, weekly – I was having chemo every week for 12 weeks – when you have a good moment, the world is more colorful, and everything becomes more incredible. And I got to push my kids on a swing and I was out of bed! All those things become just what living is all about.”
- Carly Moosah
This episode is part of a Breathing Wind miniseries titled Finding Unexpected Joy, hosted by Sarah Davis. The Finding Unexpected Joy miniseries explores the idea that joy can happen in the midst of grief, and that maybe we don’t know yet what might come out of our grief journeys.
In this episode, Sarah talks with Carly Moosah about her mom’s cancer diagnosis and then coming to terms with her own, her perspective on joy in the midst of cancer treatment, and advice she provides for others undergoing cancer treatment. Carly is the co-founder of www.keepemquiet.com, a writer/blogger, breast cancer advocate & survivor, and mum of two. She’s based out of London.
Carly and Sarah talk about:
- Carly’s family history of breast cancer and her mother's experience
- Carly’s fear of cancer and how she shifted her perception toward that of fascination
- How she speaks to her kids about cancer, versus how her mom spoke to her
- Cancer’s warrior mode
- Carly’s advice for listeners
Related resources:
- Carly’s Instagram
- Carly’s Linktr.ee
- Carly’s interview on The Motherless
- Mum Guilt, article in Future Dreams by Carly
- Signs: The Secret Language of the Universe
To find out more about this episode and subscribe to the newsletter, visit the show notes.
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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.breathingwind.com
"Doors To Grief" Ep. 1: Asteroid City
Breathing Wind
02/11/25 • 27 min
“In this movie you've got this guy who's, by all accounts, trying really hard to just keep everything together...That ends up being a much more potent thing for communicating this message than something that's more directly trying to address grief.”
- Andrew Clinnin
Hi, Julia Mark here. I'm honored to share the first installment of my Breathing Wind miniseries called “Doors to Grief.” In this episode, I talk with Andrew Clinnin about how Asteroid City—a visually playful Wes Anderson film—became an unexpected lens for understanding his experience as a young widower.
I know today’s guest, Andrew Clinnin through the online grief group he formed via The Dinner Party. Andrew he has created a wonderful space for people in their 20s and 30s who have experienced partner loss. It was a privilege to learn more about his unique journey.
Whether you’ve seen the film or not, this episode offers a fresh perspective on how stories—both on-screen and in our own lives—shape the way we grieve and grow.
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Android Devices | RSS
About Andrew Clinnin:
Andrew Clinnin lives in San Francisco, trying to survive outside his natural midwestern habitat. He’s most often spotted mumbling to himself behind his work computer, camera, or sewing machine. Andrew’s wife Ellen was a stage actor and playwright who died in 2022 after two COVID-cursed years with gastric cancer. But she doesn’t want us to remember her by that last bit.
Mentioned in this episode:
Sarah’s conversation with the co-founder of The Dinner Party, Lennon Flowers on Apple Podcasts and Spotify (Season 1, Episode 13)
doesthedogdie.com: a database of categorized content warnings for movies, television shows, books, video games and more!
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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.breathingwind.com
04/18/23 • 46 min
“Grief is ever present. It's not like this little cloud that hangs above my head. That's not it. It's the fact that it is a lens through which I view the world and all my relationships constantly. I cannot take off that lens.” ~ Sarah Chaves
In this week’s episode, author Sarah Chaves brings us a rich and stirringly honest conversation about grieving as a mom, daughter and writer who began crafting her story of loss right after her dad died. She walks us into a deeply cathartic moment on that writing journey, opens up about how grief has affected the dynamics in her family relationships and how she both welcomes and feels burdened by playing the role of gatherer and tender. Sarah also unapologetically speaks to the presence of anger in her life, which came as a big surprise after her son was born.
We hope you’ll reflect along with us. Visit Breathing Wind’s Instagram to share what these questions inspire in you.
To find out more about this episode, other resources mentioned, and subscribe to the newsletter, visit the show notes.
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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.breathingwind.com
44: Advocate and Caregiver
Breathing Wind
09/28/21 • 28 min
Who is advocating for cancer awareness in your state? What is their story? In this episode, Kandis Draw and I have a conversation about her caregiving and cancer advocacy. Kandis Draw lives in Chicago, is a classically trained pianist and a lover of philanthropy. She is a member of the Aids Foundation of Chicago Associate Board, Gilda’s Club Chicago Associate Board, and is an active National Advocate for the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance. She has written articles for NOCC National, and Splash Magazine. She writes a column at Curvicality Magazine which is an online magazine focusing on body positivity for plus-sized women. She lost her mom to ovarian cancer in 2014 and since then, has been advocating for ovarian cancer awareness.
This episode is part of a Breathing Wind miniseries titled Caregiving Journey, hosted by Breathing Wind founder and host, Sarah Davis. The Caregiving Journey miniseries explores:
- How stories of other caregivers can help us feel less alone
- Ambiguous grief and caregiving at end of life
- The shifting roles of the caregiver
- How and why to seek self-care
- Joy in the caregiving journey
In this ~28-minute episode, Kandis describes:
- [1:26] How Kandis became a caregiver to her mom with late-stage ovarian cancer
- [2:24] Ovarian cancer is harder to detect than other gynecological cancers
- [3:54] Caregiving is a full-time job
- [5:28] How Kandis discovered her community of supporters
- [7:24] Kandis’ mom did not choose the traditional route of cancer treatment
- [8:37] The value of venting to understanding friends
- [9:45] Sandwich caregiving: how she assumed both roles as a mother-figure to her brother and sister while caring for her mom
- [11:54] Kandis’ caregiving tips
- [15:26] Kandis’ advocacy work and how it helped her find meaning in her loss
- [20:00] Caregiving and then finding work afterward is not easy
- [24:17] Kandis’ encouragement to utilize resources as cancer caregivers
To find out more about this episode and subscribe to the newsletter, visit the show notes.
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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.breathingwind.com
42: Letting Go
Breathing Wind
08/17/21 • 48 min
How do you let go of making everything perfect when caregiving? In this episode, Rachel Mark, Lucy Bellwood and I had a conversation about caregiving. Rachel Mark is a fabrication artist for stop-motion animation and an ADHD/Creative Coach. She took care of her brother, Daniel, who was born with epilepsy and cerebral palsy, and her uncle, Lou, when he was diagnosed with MAL syndrome. Lucy Bellwood is a professional Adventure Cartoonist, writer, and educator. She is taking care of her father, who has moderate stage dementia. This is part one of a two-part episode. The first part is really about letting go — letting go of perfection to be a better caregiver — letting go of expectations of your loved one — and letting go of future expectations. The next part, to follow, is all about being held within (the “self-care” episode).
This episode is part of a Breathing Wind miniseries titled Caregiving Journey, hosted by Breathing Wind founder and host, Sarah Davis. The Caregiving Journey miniseries explores:
- How stories of other caregivers can help us feel less alone
- Ambiguous grief and caregiving at end of life
- The shifting roles of the caregiver
- How and why to seek self-care
- Joy in the caregiving journey
In this ~48-minute episode, Rachel, Lucy and Sarah talk about:
- 03:08: Background on Rachel’s virtual accountability / self employed / freelancer coffee shop turned “emotional support animal” version of a coffee shop
- 08:30: “It's very easy to feel isolated, even when you aren't actually isolated.”
- 09:17: The relationship changes when caregiving
- 10:31: Rachel’s story of caretaking for her uncle Lou with MAL Syndrome
- 12:55: Lucy discussing the negotiation process with another caregiver (her mom) and how she has had to let go of perfectionism when it comes to caregiving
- 18:56: “And I think there's a panic around when we're taking care of someone. And the only thing we can control is how well we're administering the meds on a daily basis and how well we're making sure they're doing their physical therapy. And so we kind of start obsessing and fixating on all of this little minutiae of like he has to get his breakfast exactly at this time.”
- 19:32: “It's a constant reminder of all the things that we can't control.”
- 23:28: Rachel discusses the importance of setting boundaries in her life and how it helped with caregiving for her uncle
- 30:30: Lucy recalling a situation when she noticed her father’s decline due to vascular dementia.
- 31:48: “Grief is 100% the loss of your dreams of a future together and creating new memories.”
- 34:08: Anticipatory grief
- 37:18: How Rachel dealt with the coming and going, as well as staying true to herself while caregiving
- 39:44: Reflections on long-distance caregiving (the “Swooping in” thing)
- 41:35: How to get yourself out of the mindset of task-orientation to provide better care
- 44:22: “And so I've been trying to recognize that the things that are good for my dad are not always the things that he enjoys the most. And there are certain things that I think crisscross both directions.”
To find out more about this episode and subscribe to the newsletter, visit the show notes.
Connect with us on social media:
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.breathingwind.com
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FAQ
How many episodes does Breathing Wind have?
Breathing Wind currently has 106 episodes available.
What topics does Breathing Wind cover?
The podcast is about Society & Culture, Podcasts and Education.
What is the most popular episode on Breathing Wind?
The episode title '46: Without a Fight' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Breathing Wind?
The average episode length on Breathing Wind is 37 minutes.
How often are episodes of Breathing Wind released?
Episodes of Breathing Wind are typically released every 14 days.
When was the first episode of Breathing Wind?
The first episode of Breathing Wind was released on Dec 6, 2019.
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