Finding the Words

Working Through Profound Loss with Hope and Purpose

By: Colin Campbell

Narrated by: Colin Campbell

A powerful account of one father’s journey through unimaginable grief, offering readers a new vision for how to more actively and fully mourn profound loss.

"After loss, one of the most common responses is “There are no words.” But often times, words are what people who are grieving need the most. When silence is replaced with empathy and support, we help others heal. In his new book Finding the Words, Colin Campbellprovides powerful advice for processing pain and being there for those who are. By bravely sharing his journey through the unimaginable, Colin will bring hope to so many."
—Sheryl Sandberg, Founder, LeanIn.org and OptionB.org

When Colin Campbell’s two teenage children were killed by a drunk driver, Campbell was thrown headlong into a grief so deep he felt he might lose his mind. He found much of the common wisdom about coping with loss—including the ideas that grieving is a private and mysterious process and that the pain is so great that “there are no words”—to be unhelpful. Drawing on what he learned from his own journey, Campbell offers an alternative path for processing pain that is active and vocal and truly honors loved ones lost.
Full of practical advice on how to survive in the aftermath of loss, Finding the Words teaches readers how to actively reach out to their community, perform mourning rituals, and find ways to express their grief, so they can live more fully while also holding their loved ones close. Campbell shines a light on a path forward through the darkness of grief.

Raw and honest

This book helped me realize all the shitty, helpless, guilty & sad things I’ve been feeling are not only my own. This book shook my soul and I fell in love with Ruby & Hart. Thank you Colin & Gayle, you are family.

Good insights

I appreciated this framing, his openness and insights. Sharing such care with the world.

I think I would have preferred this read as a paper book (versus audio book) due to the format of the chapter summaries.

A powerful read and instant classic!

I’ll be buying copies of this book for the rest of my life! An incredible resource for anyone experiencing profound loss, as well as a useful guide for someone who wishes to be there for a grieving loved one.

Campbell weaves his personal story of grief through insightful, approachable and active steps to support his readers dealing with loss.

If you wish to face your life after profound loss with enormous courage and heart, this book will be a most welcome tool. It is also a beautifully written memoir and tribute to his two beloved children, Ruby and Hart.

Wrenching, Passionate and Supremely Informative

Grief is a taboo topic. This book looks it square in the eye and walks the reader through the unimaginable devastation of losing one’s children in a horrific, senseless drunk driving crash. Colin provides so much insight and guidance to help navigate the deep trauma and ultimate life affirmation of his and his wife’s experience. A must-read for everyone, since we will all experience profound grief at some point in our lifetime - or know someone who will.

Life changing

As a grief coach, and somebody who has just gone through a great loss, the title, “finding the words” truly appealed to me. The book was so much more. The inspiration, the rituals, the perseverance and a story most people will never experience. I am so grateful for all of the beautiful gems that came from deep sadness and loss. Thank you for sharing your story. 🙏