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UA professor looks into sorrow to learn how the brain processes, and overcomes, grief

Everyone has experienced loss and the grief that comes with it. But not many people understand the brain science behind it — why we respond and feel the way we do to losing a loved one. That’s where Mary-Frances O'Connor comes in. 

O’Connor is an associate professor in the department of psychology at the University of Arizona, and author of the book, "The Grieving Brain: The Surprising Science of How We Learn from Love and Loss."

The Show spoke with her and started the conversation by asking how our brain tries to get us through  grief and help us process someone that we’ve lost.

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Mark Brodie is a co-host of The Show, KJZZ’s locally produced news magazine. Since starting at KJZZ in 2002, Brodie has been a host, reporter and producer, including several years covering the Arizona Legislature, based at the Capitol.