History of a Suicide with Jill Bialosky

Parent Footprint with Dr. Dan

*TRIGGER WARNING: SUICIDE AND RELATED TOPICS DISCUSSED*

Today Dr. Dan is in conversation with Jill Bialosky to discuss suicide and the 10 year anniversary edition of her extraordinary memoir History of a Suicide: My Sister’s Unfinished Life.

This episode offers an essential, sensitive, and very intimate discussion about suicide with a survivor. In 1990, Jill Bialosky’s 21-year-old sister committed suicide after fighting with her boyfriend. In this interview, Jill discusses her stunning book which recreates her sister’s inner life in order to make sense of it. As a result of writing History of a Suicide, Jill weaves a larger tapestry of what suicide looks like in other families and what it has meant culturally.

Throughout this episode Dr. Dan and Jill discuss her sister Kim’s suicide as well as grief, loss, fear, shame, and guilt. Additionally, Jill explains how bewilderment and her unanswered questions inspired this book. Ten years since the publication of History of a Suicide, Jill also shares insight into her research and findings and why she wrote the book.

Dr. Dan and Jill are hopeful their conversation resonates as a survivor’s guide and grief companion. We hope Jill’s path will light the way for many listeners.

Jill Bialosky is a poet, novelist, essayist, and editor. She is the author of five acclaimed collections of poetry, three critically acclaimed novels, including The Prize and most recently, The Deceptions and a two memoirs, Poetry Will Save Your Life and New York Times bestselling memoir History of a Suicide: My Sister’s Unfinished Life. Her volume of poetry Asylum: A Personal, Historical, Natural Inquiry in 103 Lyric Sections, was a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award. In 2014 she was honored by the Poetry Society of America for her distinguished contribution to poetry. Jill is an Executive Editor and Vice President at W. W. Norton & Company. For more information visit www.jillbialosky.com.

Are you in a crisis? Are you thinking about suicide? Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255. Please call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. Or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.

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