Son who lost father in 9/11 attacks shares powerful lessons 25 years later: Im still here

As the nation marks 25 years since Sept. 11, 2001, the weight of the loss of loved ones still looms.

Podcaster David Ferrugio, author of the new book "You're Not Dead Yet," joined Fox News Digital to discuss how persists 25 years after 9/11.

The host of the "DEAD Talks" podcast lost his father, David Frances Ferrugio, who worked at the World Trade Center, in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Ferrugio, who was 12 years old and living in New Jersey at the time, recalls watching television footage of the towers collapsing and "breaking down."

"It was like a dividing moment in my memory and my life, because I was one person on September 11th and then on September 12th. It was a whole new reality I walked into, which inspired what I'm doing."

After years of internalizing his emotions, Ferrugio discovered the power of sharing stories of grief. On his podcast, he invites guests to discuss their own experiences with death and loss.

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"Eventually, I got comfortable expressing myself and learning the importance of just sharing [my] story and telling people how I feel and opening up," he said.

Drawing from his own experiences, Ferrugio shares several lessons that have helped him navigate grief.

Although discussions of grief can be difficult, even decades after a traumatic event like 9/11, Ferrugio said "embracing the uncomfortable" and talking it out is "an important piece of this complex puzzle."

Sharing stories of loss can provide emotional release while also helping others feel less alone, he noted, adding that he's seen firsthand how those conversations can make a difference.

"Even when I have my days of just not feeling it, I'm reminded by the people who reach out and the way they share their story ... how much it is impacting so many people."

Finding a sense of community can be especially meaningful at a time when so many people are experiencing loneliness, whether they're grieving or not, Ferrugio added.

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"I've learned so much through the eyes of others, and I think the storytelling is just so vital."

Fear of judgment often keeps people from sharing their stories, even though doing so can bring a sense of "liberation," according to Ferrugio.

More than two decades after the attacks, Ferrugio shared that his mental health has improved after putting in "a lot of effort," including shifting his perspective on life and death.

"Life and death are the same coin, just two different sides – and there's a thin veil between them," he said.

"Its completely shifted the way I live my life through seeing what other people are going through ... understanding the , how they manage it ... how they reframe it, and understanding that as alone as this life can feel, we're not as alone as we think."

Grief can reshape how people approach life, Ferrugio said, encouraging them to be more present, embrace the full range of emotions and give themselves grace, even during life's most difficult times.

"Ultimately, all these conversations I've had are conversations about grief, but they're really conversations about how we can live this life."

When painful