Episode Number: 27
Release Date: 30 July 2026

Episode Title:

Kirsten O'Connor: A Mother's Grief, Journalling Through Loss & Learning to Live Again

⚠ Content Note: This episode contains discussions of suicide, mental illness, traumatic loss, and the death of a child. Please take care of yourself.

Episode Summary

In this episode of Grief Unedited, I'm joined by Kirsten O'Connor, a bereaved mother and author from New Zealand. Following the death of her 24-year-old daughter, Kahlia, Kirsten turned to journalling as a way to survive the unimaginable. What began as a deeply personal coping mechanism eventually became a memoir, offering hope and understanding to others navigating grief.

Together, we have an honest conversation about losing a child, living with the ongoing pain of grief, the fear of forgetting those we love, and why there is no right or wrong way to grieve. Kirsten also shares how writing helped her process her emotions and why open conversations about mental health and bereavement matter more than ever.

About Kirsten O'Connor

Kirsten O'Connor is a New Zealand-based author and bereaved mother whose daughter, Kahlia, died at the age of 24 following significant mental health challenges. After her loss, Kirsten found comfort in journalling, which ultimately became the foundation of her memoir. Today, she shares her story to help others feel less alone in their grief and to encourage more open conversations about bereavement and mental health.

In this episode, we chat about:

• Kirsten's journey through the devastating loss of her daughter and the realities of child loss.
• How journalling became a vital tool for processing grief and eventually led to writing her memoir.
• The importance of remembering loved ones and the fear many bereaved people have of forgetting them.
• Supporting yourself and others through grief when there is no roadmap or timeline for healing.
• The impact of mental illness on families and why compassionate conversations are so important.
• Finding meaning, hope and connection while continuing to carry grief.

Connect with Karen

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/continuumcounselling
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/continuumcounselling
Website: https://www.continuumcounselling.com

Connect with Kirsten O'Connor

Website: https://thisisgrief.nz
Book: The Year After Kahlia
Book: STAY: A Dogs view

Support Grief Unedited

This podcast is a passion project dedicated to keeping conversations about grief honest and unedited. If you find value in these episodes, please consider:

• Subscribing: So you never miss an episode.
• Sharing: Send this episode to someone who might find comfort or insight in it.
• Buying Me a Coffee: To help keep the show running, you can support us here: buymeacoffee.com/griefunedited
• Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this chat, please leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it's the best way to help other people find the show.
• Shop the Grief Journal: Our brand new grief journal, Grief and Growth, is available here: https://amzn.eu/d/0fDaVBLj