I’m just going to take a big, deep breath about getting to talk with my guest for today. Amanda Held Opelt joins me on the podcast today, and I counted it a privilege to talk with her about her new and debut book, A Hole in the World: Finding Hope in Rituals of Grief and Healing. Amanda’s book is part memoir, part history of bereavement rituals, and altogether one of the most stunning books I have ever read, particularly on the subjects of grief, community and faith. Amanda joined me from her home in Appalachia, and I am so grateful for her generosity of time and spirit.

Amanda Held Opelt is an author, speaker, and songwriter. She writes about faith, grief, and creativity, and believes in the power of community, ritual, shared worship, and storytelling to heal even our deepest wounds. Amanda has spent 15 years serving in the non-profit and humanitarian aid sectors. She lives in the mountains of Boone, North Carolina, with her husband and two young daughters.

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