Cheryl Strayed says her husband, filmmaker Brian Lindstrom, was diagnosed with a terminal illness, prompting her to cancel events and adjust plans for her podcast.
Cheryl Strayed’s Instagram post landed with heavy weight, revealing that her husband, filmmaker Brian Lindstrom, has been diagnosed with a serious, fatal illness.
In her message posted on April 29. Strayed—best known for her memoir *Wild* and the 2014 film adaptation starring Reese Witherspoon—said the diagnosis had forced her to cancel two appearances she had already confirmed.. She wrote that she had to call off her writing workshop at Kripalu and also an upcoming appearance at Hunter College.
Strayed apologized to the people who had made plans to attend, explaining that she cannot do anything beyond being with her family at this moment. She added that she and her loved ones are dealing with “broken hearts,” and asked followers to hold them in their thoughts, prayers, light, and love.
She also addressed what may feel like an awkward shift in tone for her audience.. Strayed said the “cheerful clips” from her *Mind Over Mountain* podcast—scheduled to be shared over the next few weeks—could seem “emotionally dissonant” given current events.. She clarified that those clips were recorded previously, during “easier, happier times,” before the situation changed.
The personal news is inseparable from the creative partnership at the center of Strayed’s life.. Strayed and Lindstrom have been together for 31 years. and the couple have two grown-up sons: Bobbi Strayed Lindstrom and Carver Strayed Lindstrom.. Their relationship began in 1995, with their wedding taking place in 1999.
Lindstrom’s career has included documentary work that is often marked by intimate, high-stakes storytelling.. Among his notable credits are *Alien Boy: The Life and Death of James Chasse* (released in 2013) and *Lost Angel: The Genius of Judee Sill* (released in 2022).. He also co-directed *We Are Forbidden* with Strayed in 2019.
Strayed has previously spoken openly about their bond and what it looks like when two artists share their lives.. In a Facebook post from September 2022 marking 27 years of knowing Brian. she reflected on how long the connection has been shaping her. describing it as “literally half my lifetime ago.” In that same post. she recalled writing in her journal after meeting him in 1995 and said that she didn’t know yet who he was. but felt he would matter to her.
That emphasis on mutual respect has been part of her public voice for years.. In an interview with *The Great Discontent* in 2012. Strayed said Lindstrom is “an amazing person and an amazing filmmaker. ” and she described being confused by suggestions that couples who are both artists might feel jealous or competitive.. Instead, she said they support one another in every way.
For Strayed’s followers, the cancellations underscore how quickly public schedules can become secondary when family emergencies take over.. Her decision to pause confirmed events. while still acknowledging forthcoming podcast content that was recorded earlier. highlights a difficult balancing act many performers face: honoring commitments without pretending nothing has changed.
Cheryl Strayed Brian Lindstrom Wild memoir Mind Over Mountain podcast Kripalu workshop Hunter College celebrity news