Fishing Without Bait 516: Joanna Lowe on Grief, Art, and Learning to Live Again

The latest episode of Fishing Without Bait continues Jim Ellermeyer’s powerful conversation with returning guest Joanna Lowe in a deeply honest discussion about grief, trauma, anger, and survival.

Joanna shares the reality of living through devastating loss and what it means to survive when life no longer feels recognizable. Rather than offering easy answers, this episode explores the uncomfortable truths of grief — the loneliness, the rage, the exhaustion, and the need for human connection even when you feel disconnected from everything around you.

One of the most impactful parts of the conversation centers around how people attempt to support someone who is grieving. Joanna explains why common phrases can feel hollow and why simply being present can matter more than trying to “fix” anything. She shares personal stories about friends and family who stayed close, checked in consistently, and respected both her need for solitude and her need for support.

The episode also explores:

Emotional honesty with children during grief
The difference between hiding pain and burdening others
Trauma and survival instincts
The role of anger in mourning
How mindfulness and self-awareness can coexist with overwhelming pain

Joanna also discusses her one-woman show Widow, which combines storytelling with lessons about supporting people through grief.

This episode is a reminder that healing is not linear, grief is deeply personal, and sometimes the most meaningful thing we can do for another person is simply sit beside them.

Joanna’s work: