All There Is with Anderson Cooper

Sara Bareilles, singer-songwriter and Broadway performer, shares personal stories of loss and the role of music in processing grief. She discusses how hearing others' experiences inspired a new song and the idea of sharing grief as a kind of medicine. Listens to stories that shaped her songwriting and debuts the song 'Home'.

Robert Irwin, conservationist, photographer, and Australia Zoo manager carrying on his father’s wildlife legacy. He reflects on growing up with grief through family footage and rituals. He describes tangible keepsakes, public vulnerability on Dancing with the Stars, and finding comfort and signs in nature. Conversations touch on gratitude, memory, and how legacy shapes identity.

Gavin Newsom, California governor and author of Young Man in a Hurry, reflects on a childhood marked by silence and learning differences. He recounts discovering family truths, his mother’s trauma and doctor-assisted death, and how those experiences reshaped his approach to grief, fatherhood, and personal identity.

Eric Church, country singer-songwriter who survived a life-threatening blood clot and fronted Route 91, reflects on surviving Vegas, losing his brother, and facing PTSD. He discusses how trauma reshaped his performances and fatherhood. Conversations cover buried grief, faith as an anchor, and using intimate shows to heal.

Megan Fowley, writer and poet who was married to Andrea Gibson, shares intimate reflections on love, illness, and memory. She talks about living with loss, why ordinary questions feel small, and surprising moments of joy amid grief. The conversation explores Andrea’s idea that dying is not leaving and how to keep love present through stories, songs, and everyday rituals.

Yiyun Li, an award-winning author and professor, shares her profoundly personal journey after losing her two sons, Vincent and James, to suicide. She discusses her unconventional view on pain, describing it as an "abyss" rather than grief. Li emphasizes the importance of remembering over processing and reflects on the radical acceptance necessary to navigate such loss. Through vivid stories about her sons, she illustrates the complexities of parental love, the burden of societal misconceptions, and the enduring struggle to live with acute memories of pain.

Patti Smith, the iconic singer, poet, and author, opens up about her profound experiences with grief, reflecting on the losses of her husband Fred and brother Todd. She shares that although grief's 'sacred wounds' never fully heal, we learn to navigate through them. Patti emphasizes the coexistence of joy and sorrow, recounts comforting moments with her deceased loved ones, and highlights the importance of creativity in processing emotions. With poignant stories and insights, she reminds us of the ongoing relationships we can cultivate with those we've lost.

Kelsey Grammer, beloved actor from Cheers and Frasier, opens up about his sister Karen's tragic murder in 1975. He shares his decades-long quest for answers, revealing how grief has shaped his life and choices. Kelsey reflects on learning to find joy again, the impact of his wife during his writing process, and the emotional journey of attending parole hearings. He emphasizes the importance of remembering Karen for her life, exploring themes of rage, forgiveness, and the healing powers of memory and meditation.

In this heartfelt conversation, Ben Stiller, acclaimed actor and director, delves into his parents' legacy as he explores their archives. He candidly shares how sorting through their belongings spurred insights about his own parenting and emotional processing. Ben discusses the power of ordinary objects, revealing the profound memories they evoke. He reflects on moments of connection with his late parents and confronts his own experiences with grief, ultimately using creativity as a vehicle for healing.

Nick Cave, the renowned Australian singer and songwriter, opens up about the profound losses of his sons and how these tragedies reshaped his world. He discusses grief as a universal human experience that deepens our capacity for love and joy. Cave shares intimate moments, like communicating with his children in dreams, and reveals how suffering transformed his marriage. Through his music, especially the album "Ghosteen," he explores love, apology, and the essence of goodness, all while embracing defiance and hope in the face of loss.