Licensed therapist here: I didn’t know about the radio lab podcast (sounds fascinating) but in practice, we do not explain the five stages as linear. You could be feeling any of those things, a combination, or none at all any given day. We use it most to describe grief for those going through it, as a tool to recognize their emotional states, and feel less “out of control”. It’s useful tool to differentiate when someone is going through intense grief or other mental health symptoms are starting to appear as an outcome of grief.

Some practitioners would suggest there is one more stage “to make meaning” of the loss. This is more applicable in life, but not everyone’s worldview needs meaning. So this additional stage is still up for review and debate.