Death, Healing, and The Practice of Joy: A Conversation with Dr. Red Hoffman on Grief and Resilience
When life is shattered by loss — especially sudden or violent loss — the path forward can feel impossible to see. Yet even in the deepest grief, joy can still find its way back in.
Dr. Melissa “Red” Hoffman, MD, ND, FACS is a trauma surgeon, hospice and palliative care physician, and naturopathic doctor who has lived through unimaginable personal tragedy, including the violent deaths of loved ones. She shares how she’s learned to navigate the thin veil between sorrow and joy, set compassionate boundaries, and honor the seasons of grief while continuing to show up for life.
In this deeply moving conversation, Red opens up about her own healing, the lessons death has taught her, and how we can support ourselves and others through the hardest moments.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why grief after violent loss is different — and often more isolating
- How joy can coexist with sorrow, and why it’s worth cultivating even when it’s hard
- The role of boundaries in protecting your energy and emotional well-being
- What a “good death” can look like, and how to support loved ones at the end of life
- Why collaboration between medical and naturopathic care matters for whole-person healing
If you’ve ever walked through profound loss, cared for someone at the end of life, or wondered how to keep your heart open in the face of pain — this episode offers wisdom, hope, and a reminder that joy is still possible.
More from Dr. Melissa “Red” Hoffman:
- Website: https://redhoffmanmd.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/redhoffmanmdnd/
- The Surgical Palliative Care Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-surgical-palliative-care-podcast/id1492181491
- The Surgical Soul Podcast: https://thesurgicalsoul.buzzsprout.com/
Stay connected with us:
- Dr. Chrissie Ott (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissieottmd
- Joy Point Solutions (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/joypointsolutions
- Solving for Joy Podcast (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/solvingforjoypodcast
- The Physician Coaching Summit: www.thephysiciancoachingsummit.com
- Full transcript and more: https://www.solvingforjoy.com
Music by Denys Kyshchuk (AudioCoffee): https://www.audiocoffee.net
