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.” 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Latest episodes

Hollie McNish

February 1, 2023 · 1 hr 1 min

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 - you may want to avoid…
Tom Allen

January 25, 2023 · 1 hr 13 min

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 follow Tom on…
Cariad Lloyd (in conversation with Poorna Bell)

January 18, 2023 · 1 hr 12 min

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 at the things people…
Lisa Taddeo

January 11, 2023 · 50 min

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 follow the Griefcast on…
The Staves

January 4, 2023 · 55 min

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 Griefcast on Twitter +…
Romesh Ranganathan

December 21, 2022 · 1 hr 4 min

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 Griefcast on Twitter +…
Viv Groskop

December 14, 2022 · 53 min

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 Instagram @vivgroskop You…
Charlotte Bennett and Illy

December 7, 2022 · 1 hr 15 min

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 and her mum, who died…