We are not taught/supported/encouraged to grieve in this society. Deadening yourself to feelings will never make you fully alive. Feeling the depths of the loss will also open you up to feel more joy. Thank you for your honesty Anderson and for introducing me to your powerful guest.
WOW, I did not expect this interview. I lost my 12 year old stepson 8 years ago to cancer and now I am going through a situation that is very difficult. It has triggered my grief again. I can't see a counselor right now so videos and information like this is what I have. The choice you two made to do this video is huge to my life and I can not be alone in this. Thank you so much for putting yourself out there and putting something healing and good into the world!
Thank you Anderson for doing this! I was 55 when I finally admitted to myself that I had been abused. It’s much the same. I developed coping skills. I was like him, I made sure to do everything perfect, I was always smiling and everyone thought I was the happiest person. I was not, and still am not. But since I recognized the abuse, I have been and continue to work on it.
Thank you for doing this, Anderson Cooper. It takes a great deal of courage to go through this process, and to share it publicly while doing so. I find it very therapeutic for myself, personally. While listening to this podcast, I’m actually working through some of my past experiences, thoughts, and emotions right now.
I could never afford this kind of personal advice. So I thank you Anderson for this valuable insight. I have watched this video twice. My husband of over 30 years passed away January 1st of 2010, but it seems like yesterday. I have kept things bottled up tight so I could manage on my own. But here I found a better understanding of how grief is a companion, I sort of figured that out partially by feeling a softening of memories. But not fully understanding the rest of the grief. This. Interview was so life changing, and gave me joy, even at 1:25am in the morning, because I couldn’t sleep and happened on this CNN UA-cam. Thank you, thank you, from my heart and soul😂Love from 🇨🇦
Thank you, Anderson. Just over three months ago I lost my husband unexpectedly. The questions you asked about feeling hostage to the pain and sorrow were spot on for me. I've just realized that I too am a master strategizer. Hearing that I need to learn how to walk next to the grief, and not try to conquer it is eye opening. This talk has brought me hope and I'm so grateful to have found it so early in my grief journey. It's very important to me to honor my husband while not losing myself in the process. May we all find some peace.
Thank you for sharing so openly. I had not heard of Francis Weller but really liked what he said. I ordered his book & look forward to reading it. Maybe this will help me embrace my grief instead of using food, TV, etc. Thanks Anderson. You are very brave.❤
As a child I dealt with things by escaping into the forest. I would find arrowheads and tadpoles in the creek. I sat in a field making daisy chains. Exploring the wondrous beauty that brought joy and peace unfound anywhere in the world man created. We live our lives boxed in and trapped inside our lives as adults. Escape the cities and electronics and social expectations and go into nature. It solves a lot of inner turmoil because it is primal.
I hope Anderson realizes what a gift he is giving to his 2 sons by doing this sort of work on himself. If only I could have accomplished this sort of counseling when my sons were young. They are 3 amazing men now, but I know I didn’t supply what I could have had I worked on my own struggles as a human. Bravo, Anderson.
I lost my 23 year old son Chansen at age 23 after he struggled with 3 different types of Cancer since age 6. The pain has been beyond anything I can describe, and yet of someone said they could take it from me, I wouldn’t let them. Because I treasure that pain, it belongs to him, it’s his space inside me. It is precious because he was so precious to me. #chansenschampions
... Anderson I am so very proud of you! What you are doing in this conversation about grief's callings ... showing your own tenderness, vulnerability, HUMILITY ... demonstrating for all men what being taught about intimacy is only waiting inside you, we, us men. Aside- I also believe from my own experiences ... knowing love with another man, adding being a father ... allows men to learn how to love their own inner little boys. Ain't it grand how Tim Walz is a huge archetype of this dying and being reborn. Yes, I am proud of you. Blessings.
Gold. Thank you gentlemen. I am also on a grief journey. Thank you for your vulnerability and sharing. I hear many of the same things from Anderson that I am experiencing. Im only a year older than Anderson. Thank you. My husband of 36 years died last year .
Thank you Anderson. I take this sharing as the high point of your career- your work. Such treasure you have found and shared with us. Perhaps my own opportunity now.
Thank you for this discussion on grief. Every time grief strikes I turn to gratitude for that person who was a gift to have touched my life either giving me good memories or powerful lessons.
So brave, appreciated and grateful to have you Anderson sharing your personal experiences, thoughts and feelings while shedding light on grief and the universal challenges we all face as we navigate through the process of the loss of our precious loved ones. I too am a 57 year old who is orphaned and working to find my way through by embracing grief and honoring my loved ones who I know will always be with me as my guiding angels. Grief is a personal journey but in the end we are all finding our way…with the tools, friendships and memories we share. Thank you to both of you for helping all move forward together. Loads of love!
After losing my husband, whom I loved so very much, two and a half years ago, my grief is more acute than ever. When he died I loved him more than ever, and now I experience my love for him as a deep state of grief, which makes sense because it WAS an indescribable loss.
Thank you, Anderson, for taking us along on this profound journey. Recently, while cleaning out my basement, I came across a childhood photo of myself, and my initial thought was, oh wow, I should put this in a better frame and add it my other treasured photos. Then I took a good look at her, and put her back in the box. She looked sad and wary. I’m going back down the basement and welcoming her to the light. We have much work to do.Thank you and your insightful guests for helping me break open.
Thank you so much for sharing this conversation!! The whole time I felt like it was me you were talking to and talking about. Thank you for letting us see your beautiful vulnerability. 🙏 I’m going to share this with my sister who is also grieving for our dad. He’s always been the sun the moon and our guiding light. 🙏
Thank you Anderson!! I lost my mom and your podcast conversations have literally been my biggest source of strength for still hanging in this world.. I too look like I am successful, 40 year old but it comes to my mom, I want her like I am 4..
Anderson, the little girl in me wants to run and hug the little boy in you. To be in companionship with grief is the the way to live the love of the once gone, at least it has been the way for me and I didn't knew it had a name until today, so thank you. Your vulnerability is beautiful, don't be ashamed of it, your children need to see it. Thank you for this amazing podcast and episode, I thought Andrew's episode was it, na! This one exceeded my hearts longing for healing.
*Cooper has led a fascinating life. It goes to show that just because you have money doesn’t mean you have it easy. For your father to die when you’re so young…for your brother to jump off your family’s building…being in the closet for so long. And then to put your life in harms way, in some of the most powerful storms in history and some of the most war-torn regions of the world. He truly is a fascinating person. There are plenty who have it harder, but sure as hell not in celebrity world or Hollywood*
Wow, loved this therapists approach and insight. And such compassion. I’ve had lots of therapy re my childhood emotional trauma, and it’s always an unlayering to the truth. He is offering another avenue I can explore. Grateful 🙏🏼
Thank you Francis for all the incredible work you’ve brought to this world.. your work has changed my life and many others..;great you’re being seen on more mainstream media… your work is sooooo needed now ❤
I much appreciate your sharing and the dialogue acknowledging and supporting latent grief. I’m 70 years old and just started grieving my mother’s passing when I was 14. All these years I knew I loved her, but as you shared I got on with things that needed to get done. Life. Family, education, career, goals. I’m feeling the loss now as my 14 year old self. I write a lot about grief, my intimate relationship with grief. It feels lonely. Less so now. I think, hope your sharing shines a bright light on the reality and the process. I loved the comment of softness. Going to watch again and share. Bless you.
I think that grief is not only honoring the love of someone who you will always be part of. It makes you more open to loving yourself and others. It is the price that we pay for loving someone. It is also part of being completely Alive. If you can't love and accept loss you will not have been completely open to your, to our human experience.
Wow! Anderson, thank you. What a gift you give us today. I was crying and speechless watching the entire clip. I was doing so well after my mom’s passing. So, knowing my authentic version of myself today I strongly believe that I would still have some residual (from grief) if I did not obey to the voice I heard. So, I went to another room in the house and I felt asleep rapidly- just for 10 minutes when I woke up I saw that my grandfather was busy preparing the body as he was waiting for the funeral home to arrive to pick up the body. That happened when I was 11 years old in Haiti. I’m now 45 yo being in the US I continue to go to therapy. It seems it’s a life long commitment and struggle to try to heal and forget our bond. I realize it’s not easy. Thank you again! You’re not alone and I will continue to pray for you and your kids.
WOW, Thank you very much. By the grace of God, I've experienced lately the possibility of being a good friend of mine. How sweet and kind way of talking. I hope from the bottom of my heart this interview will be a seed for future interviews all around the world. A new humanity sharing experiences and looking for PEACE that comes from our hearts. God bless both of you.
Wow. This is such an important conversation. Anderson, thank you. Your words and heart came shining through and I felt heard through you. I’m so sorry for the loss you’ve experienced.
Thanks for bringing back Francis Weller! His previous appearance in season 2 is my favorite episode. He's eloquent, knowledgeable, wise, and for my money, should probably appear once per season, like your resident grief expert. The episodes I enjoy the most are the ones where the guest is reflective and insightful (Stephen Colbert, Ashley Judd, Andrew Garfield come to mind, the caller episodes are also great), while the episodes I like the least are the ones where it's just a sad tale without any takeaways or where not enough time is dedicated to examining grief from new perspectives.
Thank you Anderson and Francis. And thank you for all those who are sharing in comments section. We are not that alone after all. In those moments when my heart is exploding with sorrow, I have slowed down and offered a metaphorical chair to grief. What follows is a beautiful journey each time. It is ironic that grief is taken as such a negative state/emotion when it is by far the best access to healing.
Thank you for these conversations. I'm getting an education that I've needed for decades and am beginning to experience some relief and self-compassion.
I’m so happy you are talking about grief and how to move on. I’ve struggled for so long also. In your case you’re grief is so cumulative because you have lost so many of the people you had your primary attachments with. I hope you find some peace.
ty for sharing ❤ I’m sorry for your heartbreak and loss. May you heal and be stronger and closer to your loved ones bc of it. I am feeling this relationship with grief and strife with my overcoming strategies that have helped me to survive. It started not long ago. I needed to hear this.
I am 55 years old and remember being interested in hearing what you have to say. I really think you have shifted to special interest. Today’s show 10/24/2025 was the first time in years that you showed a non biased opinion. Everyone has a vote and of course yours is to be respected. Thank you for standing up tonight and calling out the left for going to far. I look forward to you being a part of the effort to represent all Americans!
This is incredibly moving. God bless Anderson for talking about his strategies as I went through the same thing recently and know the feeling of counting on our strategies and questioning why my strategies weren’t working anymore. What a great counsel and such a gift to all of us in this world. A world that no longer even allows funerals to be a place of grief as they would’ve been in the days gone by. A world that keeps shoving emotions down. Let’s take time to really grieve. I’m going on a year now again. My partner died 10 years ago. I’m sorry but I didn’t catch the name my screen doesn’t have his name anywhere and I didn’t hear the name at the end of the podcast. I would like to get this man’s name so I can buy his book
The deeper you love your children…the more you can empathize with the little boy who lost his father and brother. The loss of your mom opened the lid to your grief.
Thank you so much for this. Maybe, in a kind of 'reverse engineering,' the joyfulness and playfulness you experience with your children unlocks your grief, in a healing way.
Thank you, Anderson. I was a child of 3 when myself and 4 siblings were traveling with our parents, and a drunk driver drove into the back of our car, I saw the horrors of my parents dying instantly. It has stayed with me as a 3-year-old saw it, and your podcast helped me see so very much to understand that young girls emotions. Thank you so much, Deniece
As a man, THIS is what real men look like; those who can be vulnerable and face their feelings and emotions with the purpose of bettering themselves and those around them.
Anderson, grieving is healthy. Don't fear it. When your sons are 10 years old, you will realize how young they are and how your father fought to stay with you. Maturity brings awareness. Let it happen. You are normal.
Losing a parent that is so cherished was so incredibly painful. It’s hurts deeply again when you become a parent. It’s the days they missed- never having met your child. I totally understand where you are coming from. It’s a grief that walks with you and never leaves you.
This was a wonderful come -cross. Suppressing grief is not a good choice. It is a human neurological condition that is unavoidable and is a right of life. To grieve is to love. I was lucky to find the widow's support organization of Soaring Spirits after my husband died from cancer. What is learned in this journey is invaluable and brings us full circle. It doesn't get better but you get better at it when you ride those waves. Thank you for your courage and humility Anderson Cooper and thank you Dr. Weller for your wisdom and counsel. Be what you are, not what you're not.
I’ve lost my father too when I was 16 yrs and I understand the grief Anderson was talking about it really exists but how to coup with it becomes even harder! Life has to continue!
A colossal eye opener. (Or should I say, "A colossal consciousness discovery" 🙏) Francis Weller's calm demeanor and profound explanations have helped me understand attitudes and emotions about myself that I have been trying very hard to uncover over the years. This video is incredible. (Yet credible! 😅) Wow. A very important realization: It is best for me to not listen/watch these videos while I am working. I don't know how many times I stopped and looked at the screen in amazement at how Mr. Weller gave me clear, uncomplicated, yet extremely compelling logical reasoning to hundreds of questions I have been asking for decades. Anderson, your questions and vulnerability open up our eyes and help us travel deeper to our souls. Your guests are top tier and as for myself, they have me follow the path to a level of consciousness I haven't yet attained. (Which I thought I did! ) This video will be shared to many. Thank you so so much ❤️🙏
As a grieving Mother my life has forever changed, grief is sneaky, powerful consuming, and often all-consuming. It is hard, but fight the impulses and honor their lives. It's been 3 years, and seeing my son's Jeep in his yard set me back. I sit with my grief and work through it, I still wait for his call
Yes, this guy is very good.... he is asking us all to be present now as adult men and women with FEELING grief and sadness honestly and openly... it is ok, very ok to be WITH it..Go for help to FEEL ALL YOUR FEELINGS and love your young self and make friends with all of it.
It's an inner need to process now; what happened to you much earlier in life, even childhood. Remember you have multiple early life traumatic events. You may have repressed one while consumed with the other, at least until now in your life. I've always admired your reporting integrity. I'm equally in admiration of this quest for your need to be more self-aware. I'm older than you, yet I'm having many of the same issues with both an abusive father that I now realize deserves forgiveness by me as the person that has that to give. You'll figure it out, and when you do, you'll share your strength and knowlege that you've learned with others.
My husband passed 10yrs ago and I have no idea where those 10yrs have gone as it always feels like it was just yesterday. You no longer are in the deep funeral grief but the loss becomes a part of your everyday journey. Society feel uncomfortable around grief and expect you to be over it in a year until it visits their own door then they too fully understand the depth of it. We do not talk about this enough so the lie continues that time heals….it does not, it may get a little easier but it is always a part of you. During the pandemic the grief and loss of my husband bubbled back to the surface and has remained partly because of everything else going on around the world right now is so worrisome when your partner isn’t by your side, the person that was your every day routine in life, your comforter…..you don’t get over that loss it becomes part of you and you just learn to journey through it and some days are better than others. Sending loving comfort to all who are here reading this that are grieving no matter how long ago it was! ♥️🕊️
Anderson, your feelings are your feelings. Grief is never the same for each person Grief is a king lonely journey. I list me smhysbabd to suicide, my mother is abuse at 68, ny wonderful dad who was the only one who never let me down last year. I have been numb for 6 years but find myself crying over everything. Thank you for sharing your deepest feelings and pain. Sharing your story helps others know they are not alone.
Thank you, Anderson, for Sharing your grief. Maybe become a father yourself has triggered your grief, that you couldn't finish grieving as a child. Your Dad and brother are watching over you are feeling them with you. If you honor their presence, they will be able to help you & guide you with your own sons. The strategies that helped you survive protected you but didn't help you learn to Thrive. So cry & grieve your lose. It is OK to be sad and feel those feelings. I was told by a councilor once to give grieving a time limit. So when grieving come s to visit you give time 15 mins. To cry , to sit with your feelings and talk to your loved ones and tell them how you feel and miss them and love them. You can even tell them you are angry they left you. What ever you need to say & don't need to feel guilty about it because they do understand. It was a shock & traumatic . You survived but now you need to grieving them & grief doesn't have a time limit. But it doesn't need to run your life. That is why when you feel stuck, you you give it a 15/20 minutes for that day then do something with your hands to concentrate on. Even Simple things Like washing dishes or laundry, a bike ride . Just something to do were you don't have to think. Play with the boys. Being the father you needed. It will help. I know I have been where you are. Grounding in nature with help too. 💙💙💙💙💙💜🕊
Thank you for this enlightening experience, because I too have had this child inside me defending me my whole life. I don’t know where it’s going! I pray for enlightenment and sense a softening in myself that I never felt since a young child, before the trauma growing up or since my mother’s or father’s death! Where my grandmother’s passing, the love between us that should have happened with my parents never did in that tumultuous relationship! But my grandmother who practically raised me and a first cousin, came with such gentleness as she asked me to let her go and died four hours later. When my husband died I cried and cried at his sudden death Offshore, but knew how much he loved me and his daughter and I had was peace with it! I don’t know if I’ll ever come to terms with my parent’s death because I was used as a bargaining chip, instead of as a precious little girl through their divorce and into adolescence. It’s as if I’ve built a wall up to the heavens so I can’t feel the hurt, afraid to tear it down. But I believe my grandmother and husband loved me unconditionally in my life and this is what’s softening me!♥️💜❤️🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼💜
Anderson lost his father at 10 and now he has sons. It starts to come closer and closer and when his son turns 10 there will be a lot of feels. Feelings are not wrong, grief is not wrong.
I lost my father when I was 13. After working on my career, it was only after I had children that my grief resurfaced, perhaps because I never dealt with it before? Or possibly because I feared my children loosing me. It gets easier but the sadness never goes away entirely, but it changes.
Think of the loss you’ve dealt with-both parents and your brother. I’m sure you have sweet memories of them. You are such a kind person & I’m sure you reflect your loved ones.
Thank you for sharing, Anderson. We are all pulling for you.
Always!!
Making this conversation public is powerful and courageous. Thank you so much.
We are not taught/supported/encouraged to grieve in this society. Deadening yourself to feelings will never make you fully alive. Feeling the depths of the loss will also open you up to feel more joy. Thank you for your honesty Anderson and for introducing me to your powerful guest.
WOW, I did not expect this interview. I lost my 12 year old stepson 8 years ago to cancer and now I am going through a situation that is very difficult. It has triggered my grief again. I can't see a counselor right now so videos and information like this is what I have. The choice you two made to do this video is huge to my life and I can not be alone in this. Thank you so much for putting yourself out there and putting something healing and good into the world!
Yes. Thank you.
Tender conversation. Thank you both. You are beautiful people.
Thank you Anderson for doing this! I was 55 when I finally admitted to myself that I had been abused. It’s much the same. I developed coping skills. I was like him, I made sure to do everything perfect, I was always smiling and everyone thought I was the happiest person. I was not, and still am not. But since I recognized the abuse, I have been and continue to work on it.
Thank you for doing this, Anderson Cooper. It takes a great deal of courage to go through this process, and to share it publicly while doing so. I find it very therapeutic for myself, personally. While listening to this podcast, I’m actually working through some of my past experiences, thoughts, and emotions right now.
I could never afford this kind of personal advice. So I thank you Anderson for this valuable insight. I have watched this video twice. My husband of over 30 years passed away January 1st of 2010, but it seems like yesterday. I have kept things bottled up tight so I could manage on my own. But here I found a better understanding of how grief is a companion, I sort of figured that out partially by feeling a softening of memories. But not fully understanding the rest of the grief. This. Interview was so life changing, and gave me joy, even at 1:25am in the morning, because I couldn’t sleep and happened on this CNN UA-cam. Thank you, thank you, from my heart and soul😂Love from 🇨🇦
I am sorry that you lost your husband.
♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
Thank you, Anderson. Just over three months ago I lost my husband unexpectedly. The questions you asked about feeling hostage to the pain and sorrow were spot on for me. I've just realized that I too am a master strategizer. Hearing that I need to learn how to walk next to the grief, and not try to conquer it is eye opening. This talk has brought me hope and I'm so grateful to have found it so early in my grief journey. It's very important to me to honor my husband while not losing myself in the process. May we all find some peace.
Thank you Anderson for having the courage to bring this.
As I grieve…I find peace.
Peace within…eventually leads to universal peace
Thank you for sharing so openly. I had not heard of Francis Weller but really liked what he said. I ordered his book & look forward to reading it. Maybe this will help me embrace my grief instead of using food, TV, etc. Thanks Anderson. You are very brave.❤
A beautiful conversation. So truly meaningful and soulful, and I relish the vulnerability and honesty.
Beautiful, painful, pure. Thank you for this extreme vulnerability. So many of us need a different way to associate and think of our grief.
These conversations about grief are beautiful
This is making me cry. Thank you for helping me deal with my grief.
As a child I dealt with things by escaping into the forest. I would find arrowheads and tadpoles in the creek. I sat in a field making daisy chains. Exploring the wondrous beauty that brought joy and peace unfound anywhere in the world man created. We live our lives boxed in and trapped inside our lives as adults. Escape the cities and electronics and social expectations and go into nature. It solves a lot of inner turmoil because it is primal.
I hope Anderson realizes what a gift he is giving to his 2 sons by doing this sort of work on himself. If only I could have accomplished this sort of counseling when my sons were young. They are 3 amazing men now, but I know I didn’t supply what I could have had I worked on my own struggles as a human. Bravo, Anderson.
I lost my 23 year old son Chansen at age 23 after he struggled with 3 different types of Cancer since age 6. The pain has been beyond anything I can describe, and yet of someone said they could take it from me, I wouldn’t let them. Because I treasure that pain, it belongs to him, it’s his space inside me. It is precious because he was so precious to me. #chansenschampions
I am sorry you lost your son. Thank you for sharing how you view the pain. I never thought of it like that.
So beautifully said ❤
Thank you for sharing this. It made me cry and I am sending love.
Anderson tears are healing.
... Anderson I am so very proud of you! What you are doing in this conversation about grief's callings ... showing your own tenderness, vulnerability, HUMILITY ... demonstrating for all men what being taught about intimacy is only waiting inside you, we, us men. Aside- I also believe from my own experiences ... knowing love with another man, adding being a father ... allows men to learn how to love their own inner little boys. Ain't it grand how Tim Walz is a huge archetype of this dying and being reborn. Yes, I am proud of you. Blessings.
Thank you for sharing your inner self so generously. It is so scary to allow ourselves to be with our grief. We need these kinds of conversations.
Gold. Thank you gentlemen.
I am also on a grief journey.
Thank you for your vulnerability and sharing.
I hear many of the same things from Anderson that I am experiencing. Im only a year older than Anderson.
Thank you. My husband of 36 years died last year .
Thank you Anderson. I take this sharing as the high point of your career- your work. Such treasure you have found and shared with us. Perhaps my own opportunity now.
Thank you for this discussion on grief. Every time grief strikes I turn to gratitude for that person who was a gift to have touched my life either giving me good memories or powerful lessons.
feeling is living. i am blessed 🙏 to laugh or cry when i remember my loved ones. there's no getting over deaths
So brave, appreciated and grateful to have you Anderson sharing your personal experiences, thoughts and feelings while shedding light on grief and the universal challenges we all face as we navigate through the process of the loss of our precious loved ones. I too am a 57 year old who is orphaned and working to find my way through by embracing grief and honoring my loved ones who I know will always be with me as my guiding angels. Grief is a personal journey but in the end we are all finding our way…with the tools, friendships and memories we share. Thank you to both of you for helping all move forward together. Loads of love!
After losing my husband, whom I loved so very much, two and a half years ago, my grief is more acute than ever. When he died I loved him more than ever, and now I experience my love for him as a deep state of grief, which makes sense because it WAS an indescribable loss.
Thank you, Anderson, for taking us along on this profound journey. Recently, while cleaning out my basement, I came across a childhood photo of myself, and my initial thought was, oh wow, I should put this in a better frame and add it my other treasured photos. Then I took a good look at her, and put her back in the box. She looked sad and wary. I’m going back down the basement and welcoming her to the light. We have much work to do.Thank you and your insightful guests for helping me break open.
Thank you so much for sharing this conversation!! The whole time I felt like it was me you were talking to and talking about. Thank you for letting us see your beautiful vulnerability. 🙏
I’m going to share this with my sister who is also grieving for our dad. He’s always been the sun the moon and our guiding light. 🙏
Thank you Anderson!! I lost my mom and your podcast conversations have literally been my biggest source of strength for still hanging in this world.. I too look like I am successful, 40 year old but it comes to my mom, I want her like I am 4..
Anderson, the little girl in me wants to run and hug the little boy in you. To be in companionship with grief is the the way to live the love of the once gone, at least it has been the way for me and I didn't knew it had a name until today, so thank you. Your vulnerability is beautiful, don't be ashamed of it, your children need to see it. Thank you for this amazing podcast and episode, I thought Andrew's episode was it, na! This one exceeded my hearts longing for healing.
*Cooper has led a fascinating life. It goes to show that just because you have money doesn’t mean you have it easy. For your father to die when you’re so young…for your brother to jump off your family’s building…being in the closet for so long. And then to put your life in harms way, in some of the most powerful storms in history and some of the most war-torn regions of the world. He truly is a fascinating person. There are plenty who have it harder, but sure as hell not in celebrity world or Hollywood*
Wow, loved this therapists approach and insight. And such compassion. I’ve had lots of therapy re my childhood emotional trauma, and it’s always an unlayering to the truth. He is offering another avenue I can explore. Grateful 🙏🏼
Thank you Francis for all the incredible work you’ve brought to this world.. your work has changed my life and many others..;great you’re being seen on more mainstream media… your work is sooooo needed now ❤
I much appreciate your sharing and the dialogue acknowledging and supporting latent grief. I’m 70 years old and just started grieving my mother’s passing when I was 14. All these years I knew I loved her, but as you shared I got on with things that needed to get done. Life. Family, education, career, goals. I’m feeling the loss now as my 14 year old self. I write a lot about grief, my intimate relationship with grief. It feels lonely. Less so now. I think, hope your sharing shines a bright light on the reality and the process. I loved the comment of softness. Going to watch again and share. Bless you.
Beautiful interview & beautiful conversation about such an important LIFE topic. We all will experience deep grief in our lifetimes ❤ 😢
I think that grief is not only honoring the love of someone who you will always be part of. It makes you more open to loving yourself and others. It is the price that we pay for loving someone. It is also part of being completely Alive. If you can't love and accept loss you will not have been completely open to your, to our human experience.
Wow! Anderson, thank you. What a gift you give us today. I was crying and speechless watching the entire clip. I was doing so well after my mom’s passing. So, knowing my authentic version of myself today I strongly believe that I would still have some residual (from grief) if I did not obey to the voice I heard. So, I went to another room in the house and I felt asleep rapidly- just for 10 minutes when I woke up I saw that my grandfather was busy preparing the body as he was waiting for the funeral home to arrive to pick up the body. That happened when I was 11 years old in Haiti. I’m now 45 yo being in the US I continue to go to therapy. It seems it’s a life long commitment and struggle to try to heal and forget our bond. I realize it’s not easy. Thank you again! You’re not alone and I will continue to pray for you and your kids.
I am sorry you lost your mom when you were young.
Thank you for having the courage to show your inside to the world It is a very good example for me I am 77
WOW, Thank you very much. By the grace of God, I've experienced lately the possibility of being a good friend of mine. How sweet and kind way of talking. I hope from the bottom of my heart this interview will be a seed for future interviews all around the world. A new humanity sharing experiences and looking for PEACE that comes from our hearts. God bless both of you.
Wow. This is such an important conversation. Anderson, thank you. Your words and heart came shining through and I felt heard through you. I’m so sorry for the loss you’ve experienced.
Thanks for bringing back Francis Weller! His previous appearance in season 2 is my favorite episode. He's eloquent, knowledgeable, wise, and for my money, should probably appear once per season, like your resident grief expert. The episodes I enjoy the most are the ones where the guest is reflective and insightful (Stephen Colbert, Ashley Judd, Andrew Garfield come to mind, the caller episodes are also great), while the episodes I like the least are the ones where it's just a sad tale without any takeaways or where not enough time is dedicated to examining grief from new perspectives.
The grief never gets lighter. You just get used to carrying the weight
Anderson grief of a loss of someone close never ends. It continues in our memories and when we remember know that they live.
Thank you Anderson and Francis. And thank you for all those who are sharing in comments section. We are not that alone after all. In those moments when my heart is exploding with sorrow, I have slowed down and offered a metaphorical chair to grief. What follows is a beautiful journey each time. It is ironic that grief is taken as such a negative state/emotion when it is by far the best access to healing.
Thank you for these conversations. I'm getting an education that I've needed for decades and am beginning to experience some relief and self-compassion.
thank you for helping give words to the emotions.
Amazing Andersen, you are so profound and honest and sensitive, we all need to learn with grief......truly helpful video
Beautiful Anderson ❤. Thank you!
The democrats chances are going down faster than Kamala in front of an excited Willie Brown.
I’m so happy you are talking about grief and how to move on. I’ve struggled for so long also. In your case you’re grief is so cumulative because you have lost so many of the people you had your primary attachments with. I hope you find some peace.
ty for sharing ❤ I’m sorry for your heartbreak and loss. May you heal and be stronger and closer to your loved ones bc of it. I am feeling this relationship with grief and strife with my overcoming strategies that have helped me to survive. It started not long ago. I needed to hear this.
WOW! Thank you Anderson, love you always. This was so powerful and helpful.
I am 55 years old and remember being interested in hearing what you have to say. I really think you have shifted to special interest.
Today’s show 10/24/2025 was the first time in years that you showed a non biased opinion. Everyone has a vote and of course yours is to be respected.
Thank you for standing up tonight and calling out the left for going to far. I look forward to you being a part of the effort to represent all Americans!
So soul soothing.
We are the same. These are my issues as well. Thank you for this gift!!🙏🙏💙
Your story about your grief is so powerful and if you ever write a book about your Dad and brother I’d love to read it.
These conversations are so helpful. I just lost my daughter in August and listening to your podcast has helped me so much.
"To grieve deeply... Is to have loved fully"
This is incredibly moving. God bless Anderson for talking about his strategies as I went through the same thing recently and know the feeling of counting on our strategies and questioning why my strategies weren’t working anymore. What a great counsel and such a gift to all of us in this world. A world that no longer even allows funerals to be a place of grief as they would’ve been in the days gone by. A world that keeps shoving emotions down. Let’s take time to really grieve. I’m going on a year now again. My partner died 10 years ago. I’m sorry but I didn’t catch the name my screen doesn’t have his name anywhere and I didn’t hear the name at the end of the podcast. I would like to get this man’s name so I can buy his book
Thank you….you’ve put a lot of good out there. 👫❤️
The deeper you love your children…the more you can empathize with the little boy who lost his father and brother. The loss of your mom opened the lid to your grief.
Very touching and edifying. Thank you
Thank you so much for this. Maybe, in a kind of 'reverse engineering,' the joyfulness and playfulness you experience with your children unlocks your grief, in a healing way.
Thank you, Anderson. I was a child of 3 when myself and 4 siblings were traveling with our parents, and a drunk driver drove into the back of our car, I saw the horrors of my parents dying instantly. It has stayed with me as a 3-year-old saw it, and your podcast helped me see so very much to understand that young girls emotions. Thank you so much,
Deniece
You remind me of Mariska Hargitay, she lost her mom and stepfather at the same age in the same way. Hope life has been better for you since then.
As a man, THIS is what real men look like; those who can be vulnerable and face their feelings and emotions with the purpose of bettering themselves and those around them.
Beautiful. Just Beautiful
Anderson, grieving is healthy. Don't fear it. When your sons are 10 years old, you will realize how young they are and how your father fought to stay with you.
Maturity brings awareness. Let it happen. You are normal.
Losing a parent that is so cherished was so incredibly painful. It’s hurts deeply again when you become a parent. It’s the days they missed- never having met your child. I totally understand where you are coming from. It’s a grief that walks with you and never leaves you.
Beautiful work Anderson 👊
Thank you Anderson
This was a wonderful come -cross. Suppressing grief is not a good choice. It is a human neurological condition that is unavoidable and is a right of life. To grieve is to love. I was lucky to find the widow's support organization of Soaring Spirits after my husband died from cancer. What is learned in this journey is invaluable and brings us full circle. It doesn't get better but you get better at it when you ride those waves.
Thank you for your courage and humility Anderson Cooper and thank you Dr. Weller for your wisdom and counsel.
Be what you are, not what you're not.
Im 63. Just now getting in touch with my grieving young girl.
I’ve lost my father too when I was 16 yrs and I understand the grief Anderson was talking about it really exists but how to coup with it becomes even harder! Life has to continue!
Thank you so much for this. I recognize myself a little more now.
A colossal eye opener. (Or should I say, "A colossal consciousness discovery" 🙏)
Francis Weller's calm demeanor and profound explanations have helped me understand attitudes and emotions about myself that I have been trying very hard to uncover over the years. This video is incredible. (Yet credible! 😅) Wow.
A very important realization: It is best for me to not listen/watch these videos
while I am working. I don't know how many times I stopped and looked at the screen in amazement at how Mr. Weller gave me clear, uncomplicated, yet extremely compelling logical reasoning to hundreds of questions I have been asking for decades.
Anderson, your questions and vulnerability open up our eyes and help us travel deeper to our souls. Your guests are top tier and as for myself, they have me follow the path to a level of consciousness I haven't yet attained. (Which I thought I did! )
This video will be shared to many.
Thank you so so much ❤️🙏
As a grieving Mother my life has forever changed, grief is sneaky, powerful consuming, and often all-consuming. It is hard, but fight the impulses and honor their lives. It's been 3 years, and seeing my son's Jeep in his yard set me back. I sit with my grief and work through it, I still wait for his call
I am sorry you lost your son.
Yes!. "AT SOME POINT THE STRAYEGIES FAIL" You are expressing my feelings exactly. "Banging on the door"
Yes, this guy is very good.... he is asking us all to be present now as adult men and women with FEELING grief and sadness honestly and openly... it is ok, very ok to be WITH it..Go for help to FEEL ALL YOUR FEELINGS and love your young self and make friends with all of it.
“Ripened” is a good word for what grief does to the soul.
It's an inner need to process now; what happened to you much earlier in life, even childhood. Remember you have multiple early life traumatic events. You may have repressed one while consumed with the other, at least until now in your life. I've always admired your reporting integrity. I'm equally in admiration of this quest for your need to be more self-aware. I'm older than you, yet I'm having many of the same issues with both an abusive father that I now realize deserves forgiveness by me as the person that has that to give. You'll figure it out, and when you do, you'll share your strength and knowlege that you've learned with others.
My husband passed 10yrs ago and I have no idea where those 10yrs have gone as it always feels like it was just yesterday. You no longer are in the deep funeral grief but the loss becomes a part of your everyday journey. Society feel uncomfortable around grief and expect you to be over it in a year until it visits their own door then they too fully understand the depth of it. We do not talk about this enough so the lie continues that time heals….it does not, it may get a little easier but it is always a part of you. During the pandemic the grief and loss of my husband bubbled back to the surface and has remained partly because of everything else going on around the world right now is so worrisome when your partner isn’t by your side, the person that was your every day routine in life, your comforter…..you don’t get over that loss it becomes part of you and you just learn to journey through it and some days are better than others. Sending loving comfort to all who are here reading this that are grieving no matter how long ago it was! ♥️🕊️
Anderson, your feelings are your feelings. Grief is never the same for each person Grief is a king lonely journey. I list me smhysbabd to suicide, my mother is abuse at 68, ny wonderful dad who was the only one who never let me down last year. I have been numb for 6 years but find myself crying over everything. Thank you for sharing your deepest feelings and pain. Sharing your story helps others know they are not alone.
very powerful! thank you so much for sharing
Yes, feel your grief, and acknowledge it, because that is the way through. And/but also EMDR would be very helpful.
Thank you, Anderson, for
Sharing your grief.
Maybe become a father yourself has triggered your grief, that you couldn't finish grieving as a child.
Your Dad and brother are watching over
you are feeling them with you.
If you honor their presence, they will be able to help you & guide you with your own sons.
The strategies that helped you survive protected you but didn't help you learn to
Thrive. So cry & grieve your lose. It is OK to be sad and feel those feelings.
I was told by a councilor once to give grieving a time limit.
So when grieving come s to visit you give time 15 mins. To cry , to sit with your feelings and talk to your loved ones and tell them how you feel and miss them and love them. You can even tell them you are angry they left you.
What ever you need to say & don't need to feel guilty about it because they do understand.
It was a shock & traumatic .
You survived but now you need to grieving them & grief doesn't have a time limit. But it doesn't need to run your life. That is why when you feel stuck, you
you give it a 15/20 minutes for that day then do something with your hands to concentrate on. Even
Simple things
Like washing dishes or laundry, a bike ride . Just something to
do were you don't have to think. Play with the boys.
Being the father you needed. It will help. I know I have been where you are.
Grounding in nature with help too.
💙💙💙💙💙💜🕊
The drama I Never Sang for My Father has a strong theme about time and how time changes within our human emoative frameworks.
Yes.,honour, love and accept your grief.....❤
Thank you for this enlightening experience, because I too have had this child inside me defending me my whole life. I don’t know where it’s going! I pray for enlightenment and sense a softening in myself that I never felt since a young child, before the trauma growing up or since my mother’s or father’s death! Where my grandmother’s passing, the love between us that should have happened with my parents never did in that tumultuous relationship! But my grandmother who practically raised me and a first cousin, came with such gentleness as she asked me to let her go and died four hours later. When my husband died I cried and cried at his sudden death Offshore, but knew how much he loved me and his daughter and I had was peace with it! I don’t know if I’ll ever come to terms with my parent’s death because I was used as a bargaining chip, instead of as a precious little girl through their divorce and into adolescence. It’s as if I’ve built a wall up to the heavens so I can’t feel the hurt, afraid to tear it down. But I believe my grandmother and husband loved me unconditionally in my life and this is what’s softening me!♥️💜❤️🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼💜
Paul McCartney explained this was such a great thing and showed how much John Lennon was a major part of his life and still is and always will be!
Thank you ❤
Anderson lost his father at 10 and now he has sons. It starts to come closer and closer and when his son turns 10 there will be a lot of feels. Feelings are not wrong, grief is not wrong.
We donnot know how to grieve. I miss my Dad daily. My hero a WW2 veteran. We must honor our family and loved ones.
Losing his mother has made things much harder.
I lost my father when I was 13. After working on my career, it was only after I had children that my grief resurfaced, perhaps because I never dealt with it before? Or possibly because I feared my children loosing me. It gets easier but the sadness never goes away entirely, but it changes.
I appreciate this so much! Thank you both.❤❤
Think of the loss you’ve dealt with-both parents and your brother. I’m sure you have sweet memories of them. You are such a kind person & I’m sure you reflect your loved ones.
A beautiful & courageous conversation! 🌈🌎✨ "The only difference between a rut & a grave is the depth." 💪😂👌
Adding Jesus to this would make it a perfect conversation.
Very nice of CNN to show this video so its viewers can prepare for November 6th. Touching.
I think those tears are finally you letting go. It’s happening for you now. It took a long time … 47 years. How lucky you are to be here now.