Author Chat with Chris Gabbard

“A Life Beyond Reason: Chris Gabbard on Loss, Caregiving, and Spiritual Growth”

In this deeply moving episode, Chris Gabbard, professor and author of A Life Beyond Reason, shares his profound journey as a caregiver to his son August, who was born with severe disabilities due to a mismanaged birth. Chris reflects on the emotional and philosophical challenges he faced during and after August’s life, discussing the profound spiritual and personal growth that caregiving brought into his life. Alongside co-hosts Brad Buchanan and Dr. G van Londen, Chris explores themes of trust in the healthcare system, the therapeutic power of writing, and the ethics of caregiving. This conversation will resonate with anyone navigating grief, caregiving, or searching for meaning in life’s most challenging moments.

Relevant links for this episode: 

• Chris Gabbard's website and link to his book "A Life Beyond Reason".
• "Unspeakable Conversations" article in the New York Times.
• Peter Singer's website. 
• Eva Feder Kittay's website. 
• Atul Gawande's book "Being Mortal".

General Links:

• Disclaimers: https://cancersurvivormd.org/disclaimers/
• Brad Buchanan: https://linktr.ee/bradthechimera
• G [Josie] van Londen: https://linktr.ee/cancersurvivormd
• CancerBridges: https://cancerbridges.org/

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction
• 3:17 Writing A Life Beyond Reason - Chris describes the evolution of his memoir and the arduous process of reshaping it from an academic essay into a deeply personal narrative.
• 5:03 August’s Story - Chris recounts the tragic circumstances surrounding his son August’s birth and life with profound disabilities.
• 7:47 Parenting and Loss - Reflecting on the intense connection with August and the profound void left after his passing.
• 10:31 The Long Road to Publishing - Chris discusses the decade-long journey to complete and publish A Life Beyond Reason.
• 14:49 Writing as Therapy - The therapeutic role of storytelling in processing grief, anger, and healing.
• 18:58 Embracing Narrative - Chris highlights how reshaping his story into a readable narrative allowed for greater connection and understanding.
• 23:30 Spiritual Growth From rationalism to profound spiritual insights - Chris shares the unexpected revelations that caregiving brought.
• 35:32 Anger at the Healthcare System - A candid discussion of the mistrust in medical institutions stemming from systemic failures.
• 42:29 Ethics of Caregiving - Exploring care ethics and the complexities of caregiving relationships, with insights from philosopher Eva Feder Kittay.
• 44:53 Lessons from Caregiving - Chris reflects on how caregiving taught him patience, compassion, and a new rhythm of life.
• 45:44 Closing Thoughts - Chris discusses his intellectual confrontation with utilitarian philosophy and the lasting impact of caregiving on his teaching and worldview.