In this episode, Holly welcomes Dr. Joshua Black, a leading grief and bereavement researcher, for a fascinating conversation about the role of dreams and grief. Joshua explains the different types of grief dreams - those with or without the deceased - and how they reflect a person’s emotional state. He shares how dreams can bring comfort, highlight unresolved pain, or surface as distressing nightmares, along with strategies for working through them. Holly and Joshua also discuss cultural perspectives, dream recall, and his grief dreams worksheet, offering meaningful insights into how dreams can support healing after loss.

Joshua Black, PhD, is a grief and bereavement researcher, speaker, educator, and host of the Grief Dreams Podcast. He holds a master’s degree in psychology from Trent University and a PhD in psychology from Brock University. His research has focused on dreams and waking experiences of the deceased, continuing bonds, bereavement during the COVID-19 pandemic, and bereavement in the context of homelessness. As a leading academic expert in grief dreams, which can involve dreams of the deceased, Joshua has dedicated his efforts to raising awareness about this intriguing phenomenon through his website, podcast (with over 230 episodes), social media (link), and media interviews. He is dedicated to raising awareness of those who are bereaved who are not being provided with the necessary bereavement support. Currently, Joshua works as the Bereavement Initiative Manager at the BC Centre for Palliative Care, where he leads bereavement-related research.

You can learn more about Joshue here:

Website: https://www.griefdreams.ca

Podcast: https://www.griefdreams.ca/podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/griefdreams

Holly Gainsboro, founder of Golden Heart Grief Support& Education, is a certified grief support specialist/coach and certified grief educator. Following the death of her late husband, Steven, Holly felt pulled to be present for others experiencing their own losses—not just pertaining to death, but any event that may result in a grief response. She guides those who have suffered losses by helping them navigate their way through grief, transitioning them to a place of joy and hope. Holly also facilitates grief support groups, and grief education workshops. You can learn more on her website: https://www.goldenheartgrief.com