Poetry as Survival: Laura Van Prooyen on Grief, Healing, and the Power of Words

About this episode

Laura Van Prooyen discusses how poetry serves as a lifeline during grief and trauma, sharing personal stories and insights from her work with various communities.

Host Natalie Buster welcomes poet and restorative writing facilitator Laura Van Prooyen for a conversation about how poetry can become a lifeline in times of grief, trauma, and transition. From her work with soldiers experiencing PTSD to healthcare workers navigating burnout and loss, Laura shares how writing offers a sacred space for emotional honesty, resilience, and healing. Through personal stories—including the loss of her brother and mother—Laura reveals how poetry helped her survive, process, and transform grief into art. Whether you're intimidated by poetry or drawn to its quiet power, this episode invites you to explore how language can hold us when nothing else can. Topics Covered: Laura’s journey from academic poetry to trauma-informed writing workshops Her transformative work with soldiers at Brooke Army Medical Center The evolution of grief through writing: from raw emotion to published chapbook How poetry creates accessible, sacred space for processing loss The role of emotional honesty in facing mortality Mission Belonging’s free weekly writing group for healthcare workers Resources Mentioned: Gregory Orr’s Poetry as Survival Mission Belonging’s Tuesday night…

People in this episode

Host: Natalie Buster

Guest: Laura Van Prooyen

Topics covered

• poetry and grief
• healing through writing
• trauma-informed workshops
• emotional honesty
• support for healthcare workers

Keywords

• poetry
• grief
• healing
• writing workshops
• PTSD
• emotional resilience
• healthcare workers
• art
• loss

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Mission Belonging

Books & works: Gregory Orr’s Poetry as Survival

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