Podcasts · Arts · Comedy

Griefcast

Cariad Lloyd

190 episodes · Explicit

My goal right from the beginning was that I wanted it to be a podcast that, when it stopped, you didn’t feel worse,” says Cariad Lloyd, host of Griefcast, a weekly interview podcast where media personalities share stories about loved ones they've lost. “We’re all in this club that no one asked to join, and it’s really helpful when you realize there’s other people in the club. Part of grief is feeling quite isolated, so when you realize, ‘Oh, it's not just me,’ It does help.” In each episode, Lloyd makes space for natural, unhurried conversations for her guests to talk about death where, in her words, “Nobody’s going to change the subject.”

More about the show

In 2016, the British actor, comedian, and writer came up with the idea of starting the show when she realized a lot of her comedian friends were doing podcasts. It coincided with her talking about her dad publicly, who passed away from pancreatic cancer when she was 15. “I’d kept it this hidden thing,” she says. "So once I started the podcast, and once people knew, people wanted to talk to me about it. It became this place where I could finally have those conversations I yearned to have.”

The multiple award-winning podcast—which recently celebrated its fifth anniversary and launched its eighth season—has evolved from Lloyd talking to her comedian friends in the UK to inviting a broader range of guests including actors, writers, and producers, allowing her to focus on more specific types of grief. This approach has been especially helpful for her listeners during the global COVID-19 pandemic, steering the show to become a salve during a time when grief has become a more prevalent topic. “I feel really glad that, when the pandemic hit, there was a bank of episodes for people to scroll through— because I feel that's been quite helpful in some ways,” she says. “When you lose someone, you often want the world to stop, and it's enraging that it doesn’t. And the world did stop. It's part of the important process of grief, that the world carries on. And that's really helpful because it reminds you that, ‘You know what? I need to carry on.’

Funny people talking about death and grief, a podcast. Hosted by Cariad Lloyd.

Podcast of the Year 2018 / Best Podcast ARIA 2018 / Rose D'or Nominee 2019

You Are Not Alone

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/griefcast.

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Episodes page 1 of 4

  1. Hollie McNish

    · 1 h 01 min · S10 E190

    This week Cariad talks to the brilliant Hollie McNish about her Gran, who died during the 1st lockdown. As ever we talk grief, dressing up and the original Santa. Please note: This episode mentions Father Christmas -…

  2. Tom Allen

    · 1 h 13 min · S10 E189

    This week Cariad talks to stand up comedian, writer and TV presenter Tom Allen about his dad who died suddenly from a heart attack in 2021. As ever we talk grief, the unhelpfulness of logic and Fleetwood Mac. You can…

  3. Cariad Lloyd (in conversation with Poorna Bell)

    · 1 h 12 min · S10 E188

    This week Cariad talks to...well, actually the amazing Poorna Bell is talking to Cariad about her new book, You Are Not Alone, which is out on Thursday 19th January. As ever we talk being grief elders, anger + laughing…

  4. Lisa Taddeo

    · 50 min · S10 E187

    This week Cariad talks to brilliant writer, Lisa Taddeo, about her parents. As ever they talk grief, OCD and the fear of a phone call. You can follow Lisa on Instagram @lisadtaddeo and Twitter @lisadtaddeo You can…

  5. The Staves

    · 55 min · S10 E186

    This week Cariad talks to The Staves about their mum, who died in 2018. As ever we talk grief, creativity after death + M&S. You can follow The Staves on Twitter @thestaves and Instagram @thestaves You can follow the…

  6. Romesh Ranganathan

    · 1 h 04 min · S10 E185

    This week Cariad talks to stand-up comedian Romesh Ranganathan about his Dad. As ever we talk grief, legends of the pub + deep fried boiled eggs. You can follow Romesh on Instagram @romeshranga You can follow the…

  7. Viv Groskop

    · 53 min · S10 E184

    This week Cariad talks to writer + comedian Viv Groskop about her grandparents Vera + Ivor. As ever we talk grief, the power of ballroom dancing to heal + Eurovision You can follow Viv on Twitter @VivGroskop and…

  8. Charlotte Bennett and Illy

    · 1 h 15 min · S10 E183

    This week Cariad talks to Paines Plough artistic director Charlotte Bennett and her seven-year-old niece, Illy joins aswell. They talk about Margot, Charlotte's baby daughter who died just 24 hours after she was born…

  9. Layla F Saad

    · 55 min · S10 E182

    This week Cariad talks to to author, speaker & teacher Layla F Saad (Me and White Supremacy) about her two uncles she lost in the last few years. As ever we talk grief, the rituals that can guide us + creating change.…

  10. James Runcie

    · 54 min · S10 E181

    This week Cariad talks to writer James Runcie (Grantchester Mysteries) about his wife Marilyn who died of MND in 2020. As ever we talk grief, language + bath mats. You can follow James on Twitter @james_runcie and…

  11. Jon Ransom

    · 52 min · S10 E180

    This week Cariad talks to writer Jon Ransom about both his mum and his dad. As ever we talk grief, picnics and the power of a coat from a distance. You can follow Jon on Twitter @JonLRansom and Instagram @jonlransom…

  12. Tom Rosenthal

    · 57 min · S10 E179

    This week Cariad talks to the brilliant musician Tom Rosenthal about his dad. As ever we talk grief, blended families & how you never quite know until it's here. You can find out more about Tom here…

  13. Yomi Sode

    · 58 min · S10 E178

    This week I'm talking to the incredible poet and playwright Yomi Sode about his grandma's sister, Big Mummy. As ever we talk grief, the hierarchies and what really being there looks like. You can find out more about…

  14. Isabelle Farah

    · 56 min · S10 E177

    TW: suicide. This week I’m talking to stand up comedian, writer and actor, Isabelle Farah, about her cousin, Jen. As ever we talk grief, the Edinburgh festival and the light on the anniversary. You can find out more…

  15. Cathy Rentzenbrink

    · 55 min · S10 E176

    This week Cariad talks to one of the great grief writers, Cathy Rentzenbrink about her brother, Matty. As ever we talk grief, pub life and the lack of linear business. You can find out more about Cathy here…

  16. Tom Kerridge

    · 41 min · S10 E175

    This week Cariad talks to chef Tom Kerridge about his dad who died of MS when Tom was 18. As ever we talk grief, resilience and the family in a kitchen. You can find out more about Tom here…

  17. Angela Barnes

    · 58 min · S10 E174 · Explicit

    This week Cariad talks to stand-up comedian Angela Barnes (Mock The Week, Live at The Apollo, The News Quiz) about her dad, Derek, who died from a heart attack when Angela was thirty-one, and one of her closest…

  18. Ed Byrne

    · 57 min · S9 E173 · Explicit

    This week Cariad talks to stand-up comedian Ed Byrne, about his younger brother, Paul. Paul died at the age of 44, following complications from Hodgkin's Lymphoma and previous damage to his liver. I spoke to Ed just…

  19. Marise Gaughan

    · 51 min · Episode 172

    Trigger Warning: Suicide This week Cariad talks to stand-up comedian + writer Marise Gaughan about her dad, Tommy. Marise was just fourteen when her father first attempted suicide and twenty-three when he finally took…

  20. Emma Kennedy

    · 48 min · S9 E171 · Explicit

    This week Cariad talks to screenwriter, actor + author, Emma Kennedy (The Tent, The Bucket & Me, BBC sitcom The Kennedy's) about her mum, Brenda, who died in 2014. Brenda suffered from undiagnosed mental illness and…

  21. Lauren John Joseph

    · 42 min · S9 E170

    This week Cariad talks to artist and writer, Lauren John Joseph, about their friend, who in 2012, died from falling from a window. As ever we talk grief, the Royal family + homophobia online. You buy Lauren's new…

  22. Ella Risbridger

    · 47 min · S9 E169

    This week Cariad talks to cookbook author, writer + columnist Ella Risbridger about her partner John, who died from cancer when he was just twenty-eight and she was twenty-five. As ever we talk grief, bringing them…

  23. Yshani Perinpanayagam

    · 57 min · S9 E168 · Explicit

    This week Cariad talks to musician, composer, music director + improviser Yshani Perinpanayagam about her mum and her dad, who died within a year of each other when she was just nineteen. As ever we talk grief, living…

  24. Stephanie Wittels Wachs

    · 50 min · S9 E167 · Explicit

    This week Cariad talks to actor, writer and co-founder of Lemonada Media, and host of the Last Day podcast. Stephanie spoke to me about her brother, writer-producer-comedian, Harris Wittels, who died of an overdose in…

  25. Emily Bevan

    · 51 min · S9 E166 · Explicit

    This week Cariad talks to actor and writer, Emily Bevan, about her dad, Nick, who died of cancer in 2014. As ever we talk grief, writing it all down + boats with names on. You can follow Emily on twitter…

  26. Kenny Ethan Jones

    · 52 min · S9 E165 · Explicit

    This week Cariad talks to writer and advocate Kenny Ethan Jones, about his mum and his dad. As ever we talk grief, unconditional love + the gaps in the past. You can follow Kenny on Instagram @KennyEthanJones and find…

  27. Kat Lister

    · 41 min · S9 E164 · Explicit

    This week Cariad talks to writer and journalist, Kat Lister, about her husband Pat, who died from brain cancer when he was just 41 and she was 35. As ever we talk grief, the return of the libido + Scottish Widows.…

  28. Yewande Omotoso

    · 47 min · S9 E163

    This week Cariad talks to brilliant South African based writer, Yewande Omotoso, (Bom Boy, The Woman Next Door) about her mother, who died of cancer in 2003. As ever we talk grief, architecture + forging new…

  29. Isabel Allende

    · 48 min · S9 E162

    This week Cariad talks to internationally acclaimed writer, Isabel Allende (The House of the Spirits, Paula, The Soul of a Woman). Isabel spoke about her daughter, Paula, who died when she was just twenty-nine and her…

  30. Greg Wise

    · 44 min · S9 E161 · Explicit

    This week Cariad talks to actor, writer + activist, Greg Wise (Sense & Sensibility, The Crown) about his sister, Clare who he cared for before she died of cancer in 2016. As ever we talk about grief, planning your own…

  31. Yrsa Daley-Ward

    · 55 min · S8 E160 · Explicit

    This week Cariad talks to writer Yrsa Daley-Ward (The How, Beyonce's Black is King, Bone) about her mum, who died when she was twenty-two and her grandmother, who helped raise her and passed away this year. As ever we…

  32. Jimmy Carr

    · 1 h 08 min · S8 E159 · Explicit

    This week Cariad talks to stand-up comedian, writer + TV presenter Jimmy Carr about his mum, who died of pancreatitis when Jimmy was in his twenties. Jimmy has recently written a book, Before and Laughter, about his…

  33. Hilma Wolitzer

    · 43 min · S8 E158 · Explicit

    This week Cariad talks to writer Hilma Wolitzer (Today A Woman Went Mad In The Supermarket) about her husband, Morty, who died from Covid at the start of the pandemic in 2020. Hilma also suffered from Covid herself,…

  34. Séamas O'Reilly

    · 1 h 10 min · S8 E157 · Explicit

    This week Cariad talks to writer + journalist Séamas O'Reilly (Have Ye Heard Mammy Died?) about his mum, who died from breast cancer when Séamas was just five years old. Séamas is one of eleven children, and talks this…

  35. Sara Seager

    · 54 min · S8 E156 · Explicit

    This week Cariad talks to astrophysicist and planetary scientist at MIT, Sara Seager. Sara is the author of the beautiful memoir, The Smallest Lights in the Universe. Sara spoke to me about the death of her husband…

  36. Sam Irving

    · 50 min · S8 E155

    This week Cariad talks to improviser and actor Sam Irving (Spontaneous Sherlock & Spontaneous Potter) about his experience of the Dunblane School massacre. Sam was a pupil at the Dunblane Primary school when the…

  37. Griefcast Live: London Podcast Festival 2021 (Dan Schreiber, Brona C Titley, Ola Labib)

    · 1 h 15 min · S8 E154 · Explicit

    This week we have a speail LIVE episode, which we recorded in front of actual people (who were socially distanced + weairng masks), but it was SO much fun to be back out able to talk about grief and death as truthfully…

  38. Kristoffer Hughes

    · 1 h 06 min · S8 E153 · Explicit

    This week Cariad talks to Kristoffer Hughes. Kristoffer is not only a writer, he is also a death services professional, a Druid and a Drag Queen, the perfect Griefcast guest. Kristoffer spoke to Cariad about his little…

  39. Yola

    · 1 h 05 min · S8 E152 · Explicit

    This week Cariad talks to grammy-nominated singer + actor, Yola (Stand For Myself, Sister Rosetta Tharpe in the forthcoming Baz Luhrmann Elvis biopic) about her mum, who died of Motor Neurone disease whilst they were…

  40. Arlene Phillips

    · 55 min · S8 E151 · Explicit

    This week Cariad talks to showbiz legend, dancer and choreographer Arlene Phillips (Hot Gossip, Strictly Come Dancing) about her mum, who passed away when she was fifteen and the very close friends she lost during the…

  41. Fleur East

    · 1 h 00 min · S8 E150

    This week Cariad talks to singer, TV presenter + radio host Fleur East (I'm A Celebrity, Hits Radio, Saturday Night Takeaway) about her dad, who passed away last year from a heart attack, just as the lockdown began in…

  42. Alan Davies

    · 1 h 04 min · S8 E149 · Explicit

    This week Cariad talks to stand-up comedian, actor + writer Alan Davies (Qi, Jonathan Creek, As Yet Untitled) about his mum, who died of leukaemia when he was six and other friends he's lost along the way. As ever they…

  43. Stephen and Anita Mangan

    · 1 h 00 min · S7 E148

    This week I’m talking to actor + writer Stephen Mangan and his sister illustrator + graphic designer Anita Managan about their parents. As ever we talk grief, children’s books + hail Mary’s. You can follow Griefcast…

  44. Marian Keyes

    · 56 min · S7 E147

    This week I’m talking to the incredible writer Marian Keyes about her Dad. As ever we talk grief, Emily Dickinson + spiky boots. You can follow Griefcast on Twitter and Instagram @TheGriefcast and you can follow…

  45. James O'Brien

    · 58 min · S7 E146

    This week I’m talking to broadcaster + writer James O'Brien about his friend Andy, who died last year from a brain tumour. As ever we talk grief, friends who celebrate you + sitting with the sadness You can follow…

  46. Kayo Chingonyi

    · 59 min · Episode 145

    This week I’m talking to poet + writer Kayo Chingonyi about the many griefs he has been through, including his parents who both died from HIV related illnesses. As ever we talk grief, bad jokes + the choices you have…

  47. Angus Imrie

    · 1 h 00 min · Episode 144

    This week I’m talking to actor + writer Angus Imrie (The Crown, Fleabag, The Archers) about his Dad, the actor Benjamin Whitrow, who died 4 years ago. As ever we talk grief, the strange power of light + the indignity…

  48. Helen Duff

    · 1 h 00 min · S7 E143

    This week I’m talking to comedian + podcaster Helen Duff about her Grandma, who died suddenly last year in a traffic accident. As ever we talk grief, shock + pregnancy whilst managing both those emotions You can…

  49. Natalie Morris

    · 1 h 05 min · S7 E142

    This week I’m talking to writer + journalist Natalie Morris about her Dad, who died last summer from cancer. As ever we talk grief, hospices + coping with death during lockdown Natalie is on Instagram @nmozz and you…

  50. Geoff Norcott

    · 1 h 08 min · S7 E141

    This week I’m talking to stand-up Geoff Norcott about a series of griefs he experienced including his parents + the loss of his baby daughter at 34 weeks. As ever we talk grief, finding a place to remember + brain…

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