Connection Matters Podcast

When Grief Becomes Medicine with John Scaif

Episode Summary

What if the exhaustion you feel isn't just from being too busy, but from grief you've never been allowed to express? In this profound conversation with storyteller and grief ritualist John, we explore how ancient practices of grief work, ritual, and nature connection offer the medicine our modern world desperately needs.

Episode Notes

In this episode, we dive deep into the transformative power of grief work and ritual practices that reconnect us to our wild souls and the natural world. John shares his journey from investment banking to becoming a spiritual translator and grief ritualist, drawing on teachings from influential figures like Robert Bly, Michael Mead, Malodoma Some, and Martin Prechtel.

We explore why unexpressed grief manifests as exhaustion and addiction in our lives, and how traditional cultures understood that grief needs tending, witness, and community. You'll discover the practice of making offerings to the sun and other nature-based rituals that help us remember our reciprocal relationship with the Earth. We discuss the importance of rites of passage and meaningful initiation in a culture that lacks these essential markers of transition and belonging.

This conversation illuminates how men's work and emotional expression are reshaping masculinity, why storytelling and myth matter for cultural healing, and practical ways to integrate ceremonial practices into everyday life without falling into consumer spirituality. Whether you're navigating a transition, feeling disconnected from nature, or seeking deeper meaning in your daily life, this episode offers both wisdom and actionable practices for reconnecting with what matters most.

JOHNS COACHING WEBSITE

JOHNS GRIEF CEREMONIES WEBSITE

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