#06 The Unspoken Weight: Breaking the Silence Around Grief and Loss

Grief. It’s raw, messy, and often swept under the rug by cultural norms and societal expectations. In this powerful episode of Fearless Fireside Chats, we’re smashing through the silence to have the conversations that matter most.

Ramiya opens up about the pain of losing her dad as a teenager, sharing the unspoken challenges of navigating loss at such a formative age. Joining her is the incredible Sita Patel, a South Asian baby loss advocate and host of the Grieving Hearts podcast, who courageously shares her story of losing her son, Arjun, during labour due to hospital negligence.

Together, we dive deep into:

• The cultural stigmas around grief and the pressure to “move on.”
• The emotional toll of invalidated grief and why silence only deepens the pain.
• Sita’s raw journey of remembrance, healing, and advocacy in the wake of unimaginable loss.
• Practical ways to support those grieving—what to say, what not to say, and how to simply be there.

This episode isn’t just about loss; it’s about resilience, love, and breaking taboos. It’s about normalising grief as a part of life and empowering everyone to have these vital conversations, no matter how uncomfortable.

Whether you’re grieving, supporting someone who is, or curious about how cultural dynamics impact our ability to mourn openly, this episode offers real, actionable insights to navigate the journey of loss with grace and authenticity.

Let’s rewrite the narrative around grief—one honest conversation at a time.

Find Support and Resources:

If you or someone you know is navigating grief, you don’t have to do it alone. Here are some incredible organisations offering support:

General Grief Support

• Cruse Bereavement Support (UK): cruse.org.uk | Helpline: 0808 808 1677
• Mind (UK): mind.org.uk | Resources for mental health and grief
• GriefShare (Worldwide): griefshare.org
• Grieving.com (Worldwide): grieving.com | Online grief forums
• Good Grief Trust (UK): thegoodgrieftrust.org
• Compassionate Friends (Worldwide): compassionatefriends.org | Support for bereaved parents

Baby Loss Support

• Sands (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity - UK): sands.org.uk | Helpline: 0808 164 3332
• Tommy’s (UK): tommys.org | Pregnancy and baby loss support
• International Stillbirth Alliance: stillbirthalliance.org

You’re not alone, and support is always within reach.