D+D Series: Scribe of Their Own Life – Processing Suicide, Grief, Addiction and Divorce through Religion, Self Care and Finding their Gender Identity with Play Steinberg

At Âme Atendre, we are passionate about fostering spaces that allow us to connect deeply with what matters most—both in life and in death. Through our commitment to meaningful conversations and intentional moments, we believe in creating connections that nurture the human spirit. As part of our ongoing Death and Dying series, we welcomed Play Steinberg, a Deaf Studies graduate, scribe, and creator of the web series Father.Mother.God, to the podcast to engage in a thoughtful and profound conversation.

In this episode, Play Steinberg shares a deeply personal and vulnerable story of loss, resilience, and creativity. Having lost both parents to suicide, Play has navigated an incredibly complicated path of grief and healing. Their journey, shared candidly with Ashley, and the way they intentionally engage with community through their work and studies, exemplifies the essence of connection, intentional communication, and growth.

The Power of Storytelling and Connection

At Âme Atendre, we believe that our personal journeys shape how we connect with others and the world around us. For Play, their journey to becoming a scribe was a natural extension of their experience with communication and understanding. Play’s background in Deaf Studies, which took them to Ireland to complete their thesis, reflects a deep commitment to bridging gaps in communication—something that aligns with our mission to create spaces where meaningful connections can flourish.

Throughout the conversation with Ashley, Play shares how their webcomic Father.Mother.God became an essential outlet for processing grief. The webcomic, informed by Play’s own experience of losing both parents, explores the emotional and spiritual complexities of such a loss. Whether around the dinner table or in a quiet moment of solitude, there is power in honoring both the joyful and difficult moments that define us.

Grief and Acceptance

A significant theme in this conversation is Play’s ongoing journey toward acceptance. Play’s work reminds us that grief is a process that cannot be rushed or simplified. In their conversation with Ashley, Play discusses their nuanced grief journey and their ongoing reckoning with the strained relationship they had with their parents. The webcomic serves as a testament to the power of creativity as a form of healing, allowing Play to share their story and dive into the complexities of their parent-child relationship, while simultaneously connecting with others who are navigating similar experiences.

The conversation between Play and Ashley unravels the nuances of loss, guilt, religion, and healing in a way that reflects the core values of Âme Atendre. At its heart, this episode highlights the importance of creating spaces—whether through art, words, or quiet reflection—that allow us to explore our emotions, honor our past, and find moments of peace even in the most difficult times.

Fostering Conversations That Matter

At Âme Atendre, we believe that every moment we share with others holds the potential for connection. Whether it’s through thoughtful tableware that elevates a shared meal or an open conversation about loss and healing, we are dedicated to helping people connect with what truly matters. Play Steinberg’s conversation on On the Table with Ashley is a powerful reminder of the importance of fostering these connections, especially during times of grief and transition.