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Why We're Afraid to Talk About Death (And How to Change That)
Thursday Tea with Sami
Grief, Loss, and the Power of Connection with Laura J. Cramer
In this episode, I sit down with Laura J. Cramer, founder of Waiting Room Publishing, a Seattle-based indie publishing company creating thoughtful magazines for hospice care, funeral homes, and palliative care settings. Laura's path from professional ballet dancer to journalist to publisher was shaped by profound personal loss — in 2021, she lost both her father and her brother to suicide within the same year. Out of that grief, she created Candlelight Magazine, a publication designed to meet people wherever they are in their grief journey.
We talk candidly about the language we use around death and suicide, the isolation that often follows loss, and why so many of us were never taught how to sit with grief — our own or someone else's. Laura also shares the story of the Wind Telephone, a moving art installation that's inspired similar tributes around the world, and we explore practical, compassionate ways to support someone who is grieving without adding to their emotional load.
In this episode, we cover:
- How Laura's background in ballet and journalism shaped her approach to storytelling around grief
- The origin story of Candlelight Magazine and Waiting Room Publishing
- Why "died by suicide" matters more than "committed suicide" — and how language shapes stigma
- The cultural and religious differences in how we're taught to grieve
- Why saying "no response needed" can be one of the kindest things you offer someone in grief
- The Wind Telephone project and how it helps people speak to those they've lost — find a phone near you or read more at mywindphone.com
- How to support someone without needing a "neat and tidy" ending or closure
- Treating your grief like a detective — observing without judgment
- Free and low-cost resources for grief support, including hotlines and virtual grief groups
Connect with Laura J. Cramer & Waiting Room Publishing:
- Website: waitingroompublishing.com
- Instagram/Social: @waitingroompublishing
- Read Candlelight Magazine free online, or reach out via the contributor page if you'd like to submit a story idea
Find Samia Estrada of Dignus Wellness on social media @DignusWellness
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🎶Special thanks to Nothing Short of Tragic for creating the amazing music you hear in our intro and outro—bringing the perfect vibe to each episode!
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Email me at: SamiaEstrada@DignusWellness.com
Disclaimer:
This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, psychological, or mental health care. Listening to this podcast does not create a therapeutic or clinician–patient relationship.
The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, Dr. Samia Estrada, Psy.D., DipABLM, or Dignus Wellness. Content discussed on this podcast reflects general wellness, lifestyle medicine, and mental health education and may not be appropriate for everyone.
Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized advice or treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or are in crisis, please seek immediate support from local emergency services or a trusted crisis ...
