In this episode of The Better Life, Dr. Pinkston sits down with renowned philosopher and author Thomas Attig to tackle one of life’s most difficult and avoided subjects: death and grieving.

Moving beyond the common "five stages" model, Thomas shares his unique existential approach to loss. He explains that grieving isn't just a reaction that washes over us—it is an active response where we must reconstruct our daily lives and redirect our personal histories. Dr. Pinkston and Thomas explore the concept of "dancing with the mysteries," encouraging listeners to embrace their fragile humanity—including vulnerability and impermanence—rather than fighting against it.

Key topics discussed include:


Why contemporary medicine often fails to address the deep emotional work of grieving.


The difference between Everyday Problems (managed by the ego) and Mysteries (responded to by the soul).


How to find "wise people" in your own life who can listen without judgment.


Practical insights from Thomas's books, Seeking Wisdom in Death’s Shadow and Catching Your Breath in Grief.

Understanding the Active Process of Grief

Thomas Attig emphasizes that grieving is a dual experience involving both passive suffering and active engagement.

FeatureGrief as Reaction (Passive)Grief as Response (Active)ExperienceFeelings of sadness and distress "washing over" you.Re-learning how to live in a world that has changed.ActionCrying, screaming, or waiting for time to heal the wound.Reshaping daily routines and finding new meaning.FocusThe emotional "hit" of the loss.The intentional effort to put a life back together.Export to SheetsThe Four Constants of Fragile Humanity

Dr. Pinkston and Thomas discuss four essential truths that humans often try to deny, which can lead to chronic unhappiness. To live with integrity, we must accept that we are:


Small and Insignificant in the grand scale of the universe.


Susceptible to Suffering and physical pain.


Living in Uncertainty without all the answers.


Impermanent and susceptible to dying.

In this episode of The Better Life, Dr. Pinkston sits down with renowned philosopher and author Thomas Attig to tackle one of life&rsquo;s most difficult and avoided subjects: death and grieving.
Moving beyond the common "five stages" model, Thomas shares his unique existential approach to loss. He explains that grieving isn't just a reaction that washes over us&mdash;it is an active response where we must reconstruct our daily lives and redirect our personal histories. Dr. Pinkston and Thomas explore the concept of "dancing with the mysteries," encouraging listeners to embrace their fragile humanity&mdash;including vulnerability and impermanence&mdash;rather than fighting against it.
Key topics discussed include:
<ul data-path-to-node="9">
<li>
Why contemporary medicine often fails to address the deep emotional work of grieving.
</li>
<li>
The difference between Everyday Problems (managed by the ego) and Mysteries (responded to by the soul).
</li>
<li>
How to find "wise people" in your own life who can listen without judgment.
</li>
<li>
Practical insights from Thomas's books, Seeking Wisdom in Death&rsquo;s Shadow and Catching Your Breath in Grief.
</li>
</ul>
<hr data-path-to-node="10">
Understanding the Active Process of Grief
Thomas Attig emphasizes that grieving is a dual experience involving both passive suffering and active engagement.
FeatureGrief as Reaction (Passive)Grief as Response (Active)ExperienceFeelings of sadness and distress "washing over" you.Re-learning how to live in a world that has changed.ActionCrying, screaming, or waiting for time to heal the wound.Reshaping daily routines and finding new meaning.FocusThe emotional "hit" of the loss.The intentional effort to put a life back together.Export to SheetsThe Four Constants of Fragile Humanity
Dr. Pinkston and Thomas discuss four essential truths that humans often try to deny, which can lead to chronic unhappiness. To live with integrity, we must accept that we are:
<ol data-path-to-node="16">
<li>
Small and Insignificant in the grand scale of the universe.
</li>
<li>
Susceptible to Suffering and physical pain.
</li>
<li>
Living in Uncertainty without all the answers.
</li>
<li>
Impermanent and susceptible to dying.
</li>
</ol>
<hr data-path-to-node="17">

Dr. Pinkston is working hard to create a new vision for health and wellness by re-entering the radio waves coming in April! Dr Pinkston is a graduate of the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio and of the Christus Santa Rosa family practice residency program. Graduating in 1997 and starting her clinical solo practice in 2000, Dr. Pinkston provided South Texas with the best general care in family practice until 2007 when she developed Rheumatoid Arthritis. Through diet, exercise, hormones, mind and body techniques she has regained her health and wants to help others discover their own path to wellness. She will have the local radio show with a national platform on Sirius XM and will have a podcast, blog and YouTube channel! Stay tuned as developments are happening EVERYDAY!

  

Bio

Dr. Marianne Pinkston is a graduate of the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio and of the CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Family Practice Residency Program. Graduating in 1997 and starting her clinical solo practice in 2000, Dr. Pinkston provided South Texas with the best general care in family practice until 2007 when she developed Rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a severe disabling inflammatory arthritis condition of all the joints that includes severe debilitating fatigue and other issues. Dr. Pinkston then began her journey into integrative and functional medicine where she has earned tens of thousands of hours in training and degrees in stem cell and peptide certification as well as anti-aging and regenerative medicine studies and in integrative medicine studies. Dr. Pinkston is a specialist of weight loss having her self gained up to 300 pounds and developed diabetes and high blood pressure, dr. Pinkston lost 162 pounds in a year and two months regaining her precious health. Dr. Pinkston also provides the best in hormone replacement therapy for men and women and treats autoimmune conditions as well as thyroid and diabetic and other inflammatory conditions. Dr. Pinkston is not limited to any certain disease or treatment style. Dr. Pinkston entered into the mass media scene in 2016 with KTSA 550 and the Dr Pinkston’s Radio Show and now has joined with KLUP-930 The Answer in San Antonio Texas where she will present many contemporary and integrative health topics as well as inspirational and guided life improvement topics and motivational speaking. Dr. Pinkston is a board of director and speaker for Global Pain Association having suffered chronic pain for 14 years and is the president of Pinkston Medical and Wellness Clinic under Total Care Physical Therapy And Rehab. She continues as a solo practitioner in San Antonio Texas treating all ages and men and women for all conditions. Dr. Pinkston is the premier specialist of Hormone Replacement Therapy and of wellness and anti-aging and is medical director of the Dolce Beauty and Laser medical spa. Dr. Pinkston has over 10,000 hours of teaching for medical students and Nurse Practitioner and physician assistants. She is extremely active in the community and in many philanthropic areas and continues in private practice. Dr. Pinkston is sponsored by PD labs in Austin Texas and join forces with pharmacist Ray Solano on Healthy Choices channel on Sirius XM and has developed a blog a podcast and a YouTube channel where you can find Dr. Pinkston at any time. Dr. Pinkston’s mission is to give patients and everyone everywhere the better life.

Dr. Pinkston is working hard to create a new vision for health and wellness by re-entering the radio waves coming in April! Dr Pinkston is a graduate of the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio and of the Christus Santa Rosa family practice residency program. Graduating in 1997 and starting her clinical solo practice in 2000, Dr. Pinkston provided South Texas with the best general care in family practice until 2007 when she developed Rheumatoid Arthritis. Through diet, exercise, hormones, mind and body techniques she has regained her health and wants to help others discover their own path to wellness. She will have the local radio show with a national platform on Sirius XM and will have a podcast, blog and YouTube channel! Stay tuned as developments are happening EVERYDAY!
&nbsp;&nbsp;
Bio
Dr. Marianne Pinkston is a graduate of the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio and of the CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Family Practice Residency Program. Graduating in 1997 and starting her clinical solo practice in 2000, Dr. Pinkston provided South Texas with the best general care in family practice until 2007 when she developed Rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a severe disabling inflammatory arthritis condition of all the joints that includes severe debilitating fatigue and other issues. Dr. Pinkston then began her journey into integrative and functional medicine where she has earned tens of thousands of hours in training and degrees in stem cell and peptide certification as well as anti-aging and regenerative medicine studies and in integrative medicine studies. Dr. Pinkston is a specialist of weight loss having her self gained up to 300 pounds and developed diabetes and high blood pressure, dr. Pinkston lost 162 pounds in a year and two months regaining her precious health. Dr. Pinkston also provides the best in hormone replacement therapy for men and women and treats autoimmune conditions as well as thyroid and diabetic and other inflammatory conditions. Dr. Pinkston is not limited to any certain disease or treatment style. Dr. Pinkston entered into the mass media scene in 2016 with KTSA 550 and the Dr Pinkston&rsquo;s Radio Show and now has joined with KLUP-930 The Answer in San Antonio Texas where she will present many contemporary and integrative health topics as well as inspirational and guided life improvement topics and motivational speaking. Dr. Pinkston is a board of director and speaker for Global Pain Association having suffered chronic pain for 14 years and is the president of Pinkston Medical and Wellness Clinic under Total Care Physical Therapy And Rehab. She continues as a solo practitioner in San Antonio Texas treating all ages and men and women for all conditions. Dr. Pinkston is the premier specialist of Hormone Replacement Therapy and of wellness and anti-aging and is medical director of the Dolce Beauty and Laser medical spa. Dr. Pinkston has over 10,000 hours of teaching for medical students and Nurse Practitioner and physician assistants. She is extremely active in the community and in many philanthropic areas and continues in private practice. Dr. Pinkston is sponsored by PD labs in Austin Texas and join forces with pharmacist Ray Solano on Healthy Choices channel on Sirius XM and has developed a blog a podcast and a YouTube channel where you can find Dr. Pinkston at any time. Dr. Pinkston&rsquo;s mission is to give patients and everyone everywhere the better life.

The Better Life with Dr. Pinkston Podcast

Dr Pinkston jumps into the holistic and contemporary health, wellness, anti- aging scene with a dose of motivational and inspirational guidance to bring her listeners to experience The Better Life. 

Dr Pinkston jumps into the holistic and contemporary health, wellness, anti- aging scene with a dose of motivational and inspirational guidance to bring her listeners to experience The Better Life.