Healing Starts with the Heart: Recent Episodes
Sharon Brubaker and Erica Honore
Erica and Sharon are sisters who have been working as Grief Specialist for over 12 years. They use a time-tested educational program which has helped scores of people recover from life altering grief. Grief is a word that most people are not comfortable with. It is one of the few things that will affect every single living person throughout their lives. Most of us were never taught how to grieve. Sadly, as a society, we are forced to utilize an abundance of misinformation out there in our attempt to recover. They are dedicated to helping people grieve in a healthier manner while navigating their own life’s journey of discovery.
Episode Description "Sometimes the hardest goodbye isn't to a person. It's to the life you built."
In this episode of Grieve That Sh!t, Sharon Brubaker, grief specialist and founder of The Grief School, sits down with senior transition specialist Felicia Tausig for an eye-opening conversation about one of the most overlooked forms of grief: leaving the home you've built a lifetime of memories in.
When we think about grief, we often think about death.
But grief also shows up when life changes.
When it's time to downsize.
When a diagnosis changes the future.
When a spouse is no longer there.
When the family home no longer fits the next season of life.
Together, Sharon and Felicia explore the emotional side of downsizing, why seniors often struggle to let go of possessions, and how every room, photograph, and keepsake tells a story worth honoring.
They also discuss how adult children can better support their parents through these transitions, why patience matters, and how memories don't live inside our belongings.
They live inside us.
This episode is a powerful reminder that letting go of a house doesn't mean letting go of a life.
Because home isn't just a place.
It's the love, memories, and relationships you carry with you.
What You'll Learn in This Episode * Why downsizing can be a profound grieving experience * The emotional attachment seniors have to their homes and belongings * How adult children can support parents through major life transitions * Why every keepsake tells a story * Practical ways to honor memories without keeping every possession * How grief shows up during retirement, aging, and changing seasons of life * Why patience and compassion matter during transitions * How creating new routines helps ease the emotional adjustment
Questions to Sit With After Listening What memories am I holding onto through my possessions?
How can I honor my past while embracing my next chapter?
Am I giving myself or my loved one permission to grieve this transition?
What does "home" truly mean to me?
Homework for You Choose one meaningful item in your home.
Take a photo of it.
Write down the story behind it and why it matters to you.
Then ask yourself:
"Is it the object I'm holding onto... or the memory?"
Because memories don't disappear when things do.
They continue to live in the stories we tell and the people we share them with.
About Our Guest Felicia Tausig is a Senior Housing & Planning Specialist and Realtor® with eXp Realty who specializes in helping seniors and their families navigate the emotional and practical side of downsizing, relocating, and planning for the next season of life. She understands that moving isn't just about selling a house, it's about honoring a lifetime of memories while creating space for what's next.
If you or someone you love is beginning this journey, Felicia is a wonderful resource and would love to help.
Connect with Felicia:
📞 Cell: (661) 510-5186 📧 Email: feliciasellsrealty@gmail.com 🌐 Website: https://feliciatausig.exprealty.com
Looking for more helpful tips and resources for seniors and their families?
👉 Subscribe to Felicia's newsletter: https://visitor.constantcontact.com/manage/optin/ea?v=001jOmoGVekkpa28RnZh-ACfM-NKphqJXk9MCMNZ42bj7IfqJ15oqtbCOBlAb2ZMh6ep1-dqgKt8hr-d16Qhv0R557j6efrFGSg
Resources + Next Steps 👉 Listen to more episodes of Grieve That Sh!t
👉 Join The Story Room
👉 Learn more at: griefdiscovery.com
Because every life transition deserves to be honored.
And every ending can become the beginning of a new chapter.
Episode Description "Healing doesn't mean you stop loving them. It means love becomes louder than the pain."
In this episode of Grieve That Sh!t, Sharon Brubaker, grief specialist and founder of The Grief School, sits down with Becky for a deeply honest conversation about losing her 23-year-old son, Ashton, and the complicated layers of grief that followed. Together, they explore not only the heartbreak of child loss, but also the hidden losses that often go unseen and unspoken.
Becky shares what life looked like before grief, the overwhelming regret and "what ifs" that consumed her after her son's death, and how she believed she would spend the rest of her life trapped in unbearable pain. Through her journey, she discovered that grief doesn't have to define the rest of your story.
Together, Sharon and Becky discuss the importance of grieving every loss, the healing that comes from processing grief instead of avoiding it, and how combining grief work with therapy gave Becky the tools to begin living again. They also explore parenting through grief, the role of community, survivor's guilt, regrets, and why healing doesn't erase love—it allows love to shine through once more.
This episode is a powerful reminder that grief may change you forever.
But it doesn't have to leave you stuck forever.
Because healing doesn't ask you to let go of the person you love.
It teaches you how to carry them with you as you continue to live.
What You'll Learn in This Episode * Why grief often includes hidden losses we don't recognize at first * How regret and "what if" thinking can keep us feeling stuck * The unique challenges of grieving a child * Why grief work and therapy can complement one another * The difference between surviving grief and truly healing * How unprocessed grief affects every part of your life * Why support groups, therapy, and grief education each serve different purposes * How healing allows joyful memories to return without diminishing love * Why investing in your healing benefits everyone around you
Questions to Sit With After Listening * What regrets have I been carrying that need compassion instead of punishment? * Am I surviving my grief, or am I actively working through it? * What hidden losses have I never given myself permission to grieve? * What would healing make possible in my relationships and daily life?
Homework for You Take a few quiet moments today and write down one regret you've been carrying.
Then ask yourself:
"What would I say to someone I love if they carried this same regret?"
Offer yourself that same compassion.
Healing begins when we stop punishing ourselves for being human.
Because love was never meant to be measured by pain.
It's meant to be carried forward.
Resources + Next Steps 👉 Join Processing the Pain of Grief
👉 Join Forever Changed
👉 Join The Story Room
👉 Learn more at: griefdiscovery.com
Because healing doesn't mean leaving your loved one behind.
It means learning to carry their love with you, every step of the way.
Episode Description "You don't have to have all the answers to begin healing."
In this episode of Grieve That Sh!t, Sharon Brubaker, grief specialist and founder of The Grief School, sits down with therapist and grieving mother Joanna Martinez Dunn for an honest conversation about losing a child, navigating unimaginable grief, and finding hope after life's deepest heartbreak.
After experiencing profound loss within her family in a matter of weeks, Joanna found herself facing overwhelming grief, unanswered questions, survivor's guilt, and the difficult journey of learning how to move forward one day at a time.
Together, Sharon and Joanna explore the unique challenges of grieving a child, the relentless search for answers, the emotional and physical impact of grief, and why healing begins when we stop trying to explain what cannot always be understood.
They also discuss parenting through grief, the role of faith and community, the importance of asking for help, and how honoring the people we love allows us to carry them forward with us.
This episode is a powerful reminder that healing doesn't require having every answer.
It simply asks you to keep showing up.
Because healing doesn't happen by forgetting.
It happens by learning how to carry love forward.
What You'll Learn in This Episode * The unique challenges of grieving the loss of a child * Why survivor's guilt can feel so overwhelming * How grief affects the mind, body, and nervous system * The difference between surviving and truly healing * Why unanswered questions don't have to stop your healing * How faith and community can provide support through grief * Why asking for help is one of the bravest things you can do * The importance of speaking your loved one's name and honoring their memory * How healing can eventually lead to purpose and hope
Questions to Sit With After Listening * What questions have I been carrying that may never have an answer? * Am I allowing myself to experience my grief, or am I trying to outrun it? * Who can I reach out to when my grief feels too heavy to carry alone? * How can I honor the person I love while continuing to move forward?
Homework for You Take a few quiet moments today and write down the name of the person you're grieving.
Then write:
- One memory that makes you smile.
- One lesson they taught you.
- One way you can carry their love forward this week.
Because love doesn't end when someone's life does.
It continues in the way we choose to remember, honor, and live.
Resources + Next Steps 👉 Join Processing the Pain of Grief
👉 Join Forever Changed
👉 Join The Story Room
👉 Learn more at: griefdiscovery.com
If you or someone you know is in immediate emotional distress or thinking about self-harm, please contact your local emergency services or a crisis support service in your area. You don't have to face it alone.
Because even in the deepest grief...
There is still hope.
Episode Description "You don't need more time. You need a plan."
In this episode of Grieve That Sh!t, Sharon Brubaker, grief specialist and founder of The Grief School, challenges one of the biggest lies grieving people have been told:
"Just give it time."
Time doesn't heal grief.
It simply creates space.
What you do with that space is what changes everything.
Sharon explains why so many grievers stay stuck for years—not because they're broken, but because no one ever taught them how to grieve. We learn how to survive loss, but not how to process it.
In this episode, Sharon shares the difference between surviving and healing, why grief needs structure instead of avoidance, and how unprocessed pain continues to affect your relationships, your body, your emotions, and your daily life.
She also walks through the three phases of grief healing, the purpose behind The Grief School, and why grief isn't something you're meant to carry alone.
Because grief changes your life.
But it doesn't have to define the rest of it.
What You'll Learn in This Episode * Why time alone doesn't heal grief * The difference between surviving and processing grief * Why so many grievers feel stuck for years * How grief affects the mind, body, and nervous system * Why avoiding grief keeps the pain alive * The three phases of grief healing * What it means to move through grief with intention * Why healing begins with structure, not just support
Questions to Sit With After Listening Am I surviving my grief or actively healing it?
What have I been waiting for time to fix?
What parts of my grief have I been avoiding?
What would change if I had a clear plan for my healing?
Homework for You Take out a journal and answer this question:
"What is my current plan for healing?"
If your answer is simply "I'm waiting for time," ask yourself:
"What if time isn't the plan?"
Write down one action you can take this week to begin processing your grief instead of simply surviving it.
Because healing begins with one intentional step.
Resources + Next Steps 👉 Join Processing the Pain of Grief
👉 Join Forever Changed
👉 Join The Story Room
👉 Learn more at: griefdiscovery.com
Because grief doesn't ask you to stay stuck.
It asks you to begin.
And you don't have to do it alone.
Episode Description "Grief changes your life. Healing changes the way you live it."
In this episode of Grieve That Sh!t, Sharon Brubaker, grief specialist and founder of The Grief School, sits down with Suzanne to share a deeply personal conversation about devastating loss, healing, and what happens when you finally begin doing the work grief has been asking of you.
Suzanne has experienced the deaths of her parents, siblings, nephew, niece, partner, and many other significant losses throughout her life. Like so many grievers, she believed time would somehow make the pain easier. Instead, she found herself surviving behind walls she didn't even realize she had built.
Everything changed when she began processing her grief one relationship at a time.
Together, Sharon and Suzanne talk about brain fog, the overwhelming weight of loss, the pressure society places on grieving people, and why grief is never something you simply "get over."
They also explore the unique pain of losing a parent, the loneliness that comes when your family is gone, and how grief work transformed not only Suzanne's healing, but also inspired her to become a Certified Grief Specialist so she could help others find hope.
This episode is a powerful reminder that grief changes you.
But healing changes you, too.
Because grief may become part of your story.
It does not have to become your identity.
What You'll Learn in This Episode * Why time alone doesn't heal grief * What brain fog and grief overwhelm really feel like * The hidden weight of carrying multiple losses * Why unprocessed grief builds over time * The unique grief of losing parents, siblings, and a life partner * How grief work changes the way you experience future losses * Why community is essential during healing * The difference between surviving grief and living again * How grief can inspire purpose and service to others * Why healing is possible, no matter how long you've been grieving
Questions to Sit With After Listening What parts of my grief have I been carrying alone?
Have I mistaken surviving for healing?
What walls have I built to protect myself?
What would it look like to take one small step toward healing today?
Homework for You Take a piece of paper and write down every significant loss you've experienced, not just the deaths.
As you look at the list, ask yourself:
"Which of these losses have I truly allowed myself to grieve?"
You don't have to heal everything today.
You only have to be willing to begin.
Resources + Next Steps 👉 Join Courage Club
👉 Listen to more episodes of Grieve That Sh!t
👉 Learn more at: griefdiscovery.com
Because grief changes your life.
Healing changes what comes next.
"It's okay to be a griever."
In this episode of Grieve That Sh!t, Sharon Brubaker, grief specialist and founder of The Grief School, sits down with Monette Hopkins, a graduate of Forever Changed and Processing the Pain of Grief, to share an honest conversation about what healing can look like after unimaginable loss.
Monette has experienced the deaths of her husband, three children, and several other loved ones. When she first met Sharon, the weight of her grief was so overwhelming that she could barely speak in complete sentences.
Today, she shares how grief work helped her find hope, peace, laughter, and the courage to keep living.
Together, Sharon and Monette talk about the power of brain dumps, why healing takes time, the importance of boundaries, and how telling the truth about your grief can change everything.
This episode is a beautiful reminder that healing doesn't mean forgetting the people you love.
It means learning how to carry their love without carrying the unbearable weight of unprocessed grief.
Because no matter how deep your pain feels...
There is still hope.
What You'll Learn in This Episode * Why it's okay to be a griever * How brain dumps help process overwhelming emotions * Why grief healing looks different for everyone * The importance of honesty during the healing process * How boundaries support emotional healing * Why laughter can exist alongside grief * How community helps us heal * What happens when you finally begin processing years of unresolved pain
Questions to Sit With After Listening What have I been carrying that I've never put into words?
Am I giving myself permission to grieve honestly?
Who has been walking alongside me in my grief?
What would it look like to tell the truth about my pain?
Homework for You Take a journal and spend ten minutes doing a brain dump.
Write whatever comes to mind without editing, judging, or organizing your thoughts.
Then ask yourself:
"What is my heart trying to tell me that my mind has been avoiding?"
Because sometimes healing begins the moment we stop holding everything inside.
Resources + Next Steps 👉 Join Courage Club
👉 Listen to more episodes of Grieve That Sh!t
👉 Learn more at: griefdiscovery.com
Because your grief deserves to be heard.
And you never have to walk through it alone.
Episode Description "What if the problem was never that you weren't enough?"
In this episode of Grieve That Sh!t, Sharon Brubaker, grief specialist and founder of The Grief School, sits down with licensed professional counselor, trauma specialist, speaker, and co-author Dawna Daigneault for a powerful conversation about self-worth, grief, and the stories we carry about ourselves.
Because grief doesn't just break your heart.
Sometimes it breaks the way you see yourself.
After a significant loss, many grievers find themselves asking questions they never expected:
Who am I now?
Why do I feel invisible?
Why do I feel abandoned?
Why do I suddenly feel like I'm not enough?
Dawna introduces the concept of birthright self-worth—the idea that your worth was never something you had to earn. It was yours from the moment you arrived in this world.
Together, Sharon and Dawna explore how family systems, childhood experiences, trauma, grief, shame, and relationships shape the way we view ourselves. They discuss why so many people spend their lives chasing worth through achievement, productivity, appearance, or success, while never realizing the worth they were searching for was already there.
This episode is a deep and healing conversation about what happens when grief uncovers old wounds, why loss often triggers questions about identity and value, and how learning to reconnect with your worth can change everything.
Because sometimes grief isn't just about missing the person.
Sometimes it's about rediscovering yourself.
What You'll Learn in This Episode * What "birthright self-worth" actually means * Why worth is different from self-esteem and confidence * How grief can trigger questions about identity and value * The connection between childhood experiences and self-worth * Why achievement, success, and productivity often become substitutes for worth * How shame impacts the way we see ourselves * The relationship between trauma and self-worth * Why comparison keeps people stuck * The difference between authentic worth and ego * How healing begins when you reconnect with your value
Questions to Sit With After Listening When did I first begin questioning my worth?
What experiences taught me that I had to earn love, acceptance, or belonging?
Do I tie my worth to achievement, productivity, appearance, or relationships?
What parts of myself have I been trying to prove?
What would change if I truly believed I was worthy simply because I exist?
Homework for You Take a piece of paper and answer this question:
"What makes me believe I am enough?"
Then answer a second question:
"Who taught me that I wasn't?"
Write without judgment.
Write without editing.
Just tell the truth.
Because sometimes healing begins when we stop trying to earn our worth and start remembering we already have it.
Resources + Next Steps 👉 Listen to more episodes of Grieve That Sh!t
👉 Join The Story Room
👉 Learn more at: griefdiscovery.com
👉 Learn more about Dawna Daigneault and her work on self-worth
Because grief may shake your world.
But it does not get to decide your value.
You were worthy before the loss.
You are worthy during the grief.
And you will still be worthy on the other side of it.
Episode Description "Time doesn't heal grief. It just passes."
In this episode of Grieve That Sh!t, Sharon Brubaker, grief specialist and founder of The Grief School, takes on some of the biggest grief myths we've all heard—and tells the truth about why they're keeping grievers stuck.
"Just give it time."
"Grief comes in waves."
"You're never supposed to let go of the pain."
"Grief is a roller coaster."
We hear these phrases all the time. They're repeated at funerals, shared by friends, posted online, and passed from one griever to another.
But are they actually helping?
Or are they keeping people trapped in survival mode?
In this powerful episode, Sharon breaks down the hidden messages behind common grief advice and explains why healing requires more than simply waiting for time to pass.
She explores why so many grievers believe holding onto pain is the same as holding onto their person, why grief keeps showing up in waves, and what it really means to process loss instead of avoiding it.
This episode is a reminder that grief is not something time fixes.
It's something we learn to move through.
Because healing doesn't happen by accident.
It happens when we stop waiting and start doing the work.
What You'll Learn in This Episode * Why "just give it time" is some of the most misunderstood grief advice * What time actually does—and doesn't do—for grief * Why looking better is not the same as healing * The truth about holding onto pain after loss * Why many grievers fear letting go of their suffering * What it means when grief comes in waves * The difference between surviving grief and processing grief * Why grief feels like a roller coaster—and how to step off * How unprocessed grief continues to resurface * Why healing requires action, not just time
Questions to Sit With After Listening What am I waiting for time to fix?
Am I healing my grief or simply learning how to hide it?
What pain am I afraid to let go of?
What emotions keep showing up over and over again?
What would change if I stopped waiting and started processing?
Homework for You Take out a piece of paper and answer this question:
"What am I hoping time will do for me?"
Write down every answer that comes up.
Then ask yourself:
"What if time isn't the thing that's supposed to heal this?"
Because healing doesn't happen because enough days pass.
Healing happens when you become willing to face the pain that's asking for your attention.
Resources + Next Steps 👉 Join Processing the Pain of Grief
👉 Join The Story Room
👉 Listen to more episodes of Grieve That Sh!t
👉 Learn more at: griefdiscovery.com
Because time is not coming to save you.
But that doesn't mean you're stuck.
It means the power to heal has been inside you all along.
And there is a way forward.
Episode Description "Healing didn't just change her life. It changed her purpose."
In this episode of Grieve That Sh!t, Sharon Brubaker sits down again with Elizabeth Keene for Part 2 of their powerful conversation about grief, healing, and what happens when you finally stop surviving and start living.
After doing her own grief work, Elizabeth experienced something she never expected.
She didn't just heal.
She found her calling.
What started as a random TikTok scroll turned into a journey that transformed how she sees herself, other people, and the entire world. Now, after working through decades of unresolved grief, Elizabeth is becoming a certified grief specialist to help others navigate the pain she knows so well.
Together, Sharon and Elizabeth dive into the reality that every person you meet is carrying a broken heart somewhere. They discuss why grief is not a life sentence, how emotional pain accumulates over time, and why so many people remain stuck in survival mode for years—or even decades.
Elizabeth shares the moment she realized her own pain could become a pathway to helping others heal, the surprising connection between grief and trauma, and why doing grief work gave her something no amount of therapy, self-help, or distraction ever could:
Peace.
This episode is also a powerful conversation about purpose.
Because sometimes the thing that breaks your heart becomes the very thing that teaches you how to help someone else heal theirs.
And sometimes your greatest pain becomes your greatest gift.
What You'll Learn in This Episode * Why everyone is a griever * The difference between carrying pain and processing it * How grief accumulates throughout a lifetime * Why grief is often connected to trauma and survival responses * What happens when you stop avoiding emotional pain * Why healing doesn't erase your story * How grief work creates more peace, joy, and emotional freedom * The role grief plays in purpose and personal growth * Why people stay stuck in grief for decades * How healing changes the way you show up for others
Questions to Sit With After Listening What pain have I been carrying longer than I realize?
Am I surviving my life or fully living it?
What losses have shaped the person I am today?
What would my life look like if I stopped carrying the emotional weight?
Could my healing help someone else someday?
Homework for You Write down this question:
"What pain am I still carrying that no longer belongs in my backpack?"
Then make a list.
Don't judge it.
Don't rank it.
Don't minimize it.
Just tell the truth.
Because every unresolved hurt takes up space.
And healing begins when you're willing to look at what you've been carrying.
Resources + Next Steps 👉 Join The Story Room
👉 Listen to more episodes of Grieve That Sh!t
👉 Learn more at: griefdiscovery.com
Because grief is not the end of your story.
It's often the beginning of the chapter where you finally learn how to live again.
And when you heal your own heart, you become a safer place for someone else's.
Episode Description "What if the thing you've been carrying for years is actually grief?"
In this episode of Grieve That Sh!t, Sharon Brubaker, grief specialist and founder of The Grief School, sits down with grief graduate and friend Elizabeth Keene to talk about a truth that changes everything:
Not all grief comes from death.
Sometimes grief comes from childhood wounds.
Broken relationships.
Disappointments.
Rejection.
Life experiences that never got processed.
And years later, you're still carrying them around without realizing it.
Elizabeth shares how she stumbled into Sharon's TikTok live completely by accident, asking a simple question about whether a romantic breakup could be considered grief.
That question led her into grief work that uncovered more than twenty years of unresolved pain she didn't even know she was carrying.
Together, Sharon and Elizabeth discuss the surprising ways grief shows up in everyday life, why so many people stay stuck in old pain, and what happens when you finally stop trying to "get over it" and learn how to process it instead.
Elizabeth also shares the moment she experienced a physical release after doing grief work for the first time, how understanding the difference between thoughts and emotions changed everything, and why healing is possible even when you've spent decades believing it isn't.
This episode is a powerful reminder that grief is bigger than death.
And sometimes the healing you're searching for begins when you finally call it what it is.
Grief.
What You'll Learn in This Episode * Why grief is about far more than death * How unresolved life experiences continue affecting us for decades * The 47+ different losses that can create grief * Why people stay stuck even when they desperately want to move forward * The difference between thoughts, stories, and emotions * How grief work creates emotional and physical healing * Why "just get over it" never works * What happens when you finally process old pain * How grief affects relationships, identity, and daily life * Why healing doesn't erase your past—it changes your relationship with it
Questions to Sit With After Listening What experiences from my past still carry emotional weight today?
What pain have I been calling something else instead of grief?
Have I been trying to think my way out of emotions?
What losses have I never fully acknowledged?
What would be possible if I finally put down the emotional weight I've been carrying?
Homework for You Take out a notebook and create a timeline of your life.
Start with your earliest memories and write down every event, relationship, disappointment, heartbreak, transition, or loss that affected you emotionally.
Don't judge it.
Don't minimize it.
Just write it down.
Then ask yourself:
"What part of this might actually be grief?"
Because healing often starts when we stop dismissing our experiences and start telling the truth about them.
Resources + Next Steps 👉 Join The Story Room
👉 Listen to more episodes of Grieve That Sh!t
👉 Learn more at: griefdiscovery.com
Because grief is not just about who died.
It's about every experience that left a mark on your heart.
And healing begins when you finally stop carrying it alone.
Episode Description "Your kids are already grieving. The question is whether they know how."
In this episode of Grieve That Sh!t, Sharon Brubaker, grief specialist and founder of The Grief School, tackles one of the hardest parts of loss for parents: helping children grieve while you're grieving too.
Because most parents believe their job is to protect their children from pain.
But grief doesn't work that way.
Children feel everything. They feel the tension. They feel the sadness. They feel the fear. They notice the silence. They notice the tears you hide. And when we avoid talking about grief, soften the truth, or pretend we're okay, they don't feel protected.
They feel confused.
In this powerful episode, Sharon explains why children do not need perfect answers. They need honest ones. They need to see what grief looks like. They need to learn that pain is something you move through, not something you avoid.
Sharon shares why so many parents rush to fix, distract, or protect their children from grief, and how that often comes from their own fear of facing the pain. She also shares a deeply personal story about losing her favorite aunt at sixteen years old and how being left to figure grief out alone shaped her understanding of loss.
This episode is a reminder that your children are watching.
Not your words.
Your grief.
Because whether we realize it or not, we are teaching our children how to grieve every single day.
And if we don't teach them?
They'll end up where most of us did.
Trying to figure it out alone.
What You'll Learn in This Episode * Why children experience grief differently than adults * The truth about trying to protect kids from pain * Why silence creates confusion during grief * How children learn grief by watching the adults around them * The difference between protecting your child and interrupting their grief * Why honesty builds trust during loss * Common mistakes parents make when talking about death * How your own grief work helps your children heal * Why children need presence more than perfect answers
Questions to Sit With After Listening * What emotions does my child's grief bring up in me? * Am I protecting my child from pain... or protecting myself from watching it? * What messages did I learn about grief growing up? * How am I modeling grief for my children right now? * What would change if I stopped pretending I was okay?
Homework for You Take a piece of paper and write this question at the top:
"What did I learn about grief growing up?"
Then answer honestly.
What did the adults around you teach you?
Did they talk about grief?
Did they hide it?
Did they cry?
Did they tell the truth?
Because before we can teach our children how to grieve...
We have to understand what we learned about grief ourselves.
Resources + Next Steps 👉 Join The Story Room
👉 Listen to more episodes of Grieve That Sh!t
👉 Learn more at: griefdiscovery.com
Because your child does not need a perfect parent.
They need a grieving parent willing to tell the truth.
And sometimes the greatest gift we can give our children is showing them that pain is not something to fear.
It's something we learn to move through.
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:fdf6c21b-5eed-4c55-a667-61b4c2eff342-6" data-turn-id-container= "request-WEB:fdf6c21b-5eed-4c55-a667-61b4c2eff342-6" data-testid= "conversation-turn-4" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn= "assistant"> Episode Description "What you thought grief was… it isn't."
In this episode of Grieve That Sh!t, Sharon Brubaker, grief specialist and founder of The Grief School, breaks down the real definition of grief and why so many grievers feel overwhelmed, exhausted, numb, angry, and emotionally out of control after loss.
Because nobody taught us what grief actually is. We were taught how to survive it. Stay strong. Stay busy. Push it down. Keep going. Humans really decided emotional pain should be ignored until it starts leaking out sideways into every relationship. Strange little system.
But grief is not just sadness. It is emotional, mental, physical, and deeply connected to the body. It affects your brain, nervous system, thoughts, emotions, and reactions.
In this episode, Sharon talks about the brain fog, exhaustion, chest tightness, numbness, anger out of nowhere, and the feeling that your whole life split in half after loss.
She also explains why grief itself is not the problem. The problem is resisting it, avoiding it, distracting yourself from it, and pretending it is not there. Because unprocessed grief does not disappear. It waits. It builds. And eventually it starts showing up in every part of your life.
This episode is also a powerful teaching on what it actually means to process grief. Not just talking about it, but learning how to lean into the pain long enough for your body to move through it.
Because your body already knows how to grieve.
It was designed to.
What You'll Learn in This Episode * Why grief is more than sadness * What a full-body grief experience looks like * Why grief causes brain fog, exhaustion, and numbness * The difference between surviving grief and processing grief * Why avoiding grief keeps people stuck * What it actually means to process grief * How unprocessed grief starts showing up in daily life
Questions to Sit With After Listening What was I taught grief should look like?
What emotions have I been trying to avoid?
Am I processing my grief… or surviving it?
Where is grief showing up in my body right now?
Homework for You Write this question at the top of a page:
"What was I taught to do with grief?"
Then answer honestly.
Because most people were never taught how to process grief.
They were taught how to hide it.
Resources + Next Steps 👉 Join The Story Room 👉 Listen to more episodes of Grieve That Sh!t 👉 Learn more at: griefdiscovery.com
Because healing starts when you stop resisting the pain and finally understand what grief is actually doing inside of you.
Episode Description "What you thought grief was… it isn't."
In this episode of Grieve That Sh!t, Sharon Brubaker, grief specialist and founder of The Grief School, breaks down the real definition of grief and why so many grievers feel overwhelmed, exhausted, numb, angry, and emotionally out of control after loss.
Because nobody taught us what grief actually is. We were taught how to survive it. Stay strong. Stay busy. Push it down. Keep going. Humans really decided emotional pain should be ignored until it starts leaking out sideways into every relationship. Strange little system.
But grief is not just sadness. It is emotional, mental, physical, and deeply connected to the body. It affects your brain, nervous system, thoughts, emotions, and reactions.
In this episode, Sharon talks about the brain fog, exhaustion, chest tightness, numbness, anger out of nowhere, and the feeling that your whole life split in half after loss.
She also explains why grief itself is not the problem. The problem is resisting it, avoiding it, distracting yourself from it, and pretending it is not there. Because unprocessed grief does not disappear. It waits. It builds. And eventually it starts showing up in every part of your life.
This episode is also a powerful teaching on what it actually means to process grief. Not just talking about it, but learning how to lean into the pain long enough for your body to move through it.
Because your body already knows how to grieve.
It was designed to.
What You'll Learn in This Episode * Why grief is more than sadness * What a full-body grief experience looks like * Why grief causes brain fog, exhaustion, and numbness * The difference between surviving grief and processing grief * Why avoiding grief keeps people stuck * What it actually means to process grief * How unprocessed grief starts showing up in daily life
Questions to Sit With After Listening What was I taught grief should look like?
What emotions have I been trying to avoid?
Am I processing my grief… or surviving it?
Where is grief showing up in my body right now?
Homework for You Write this question at the top of a page:
"What was I taught to do with grief?"
Then answer honestly.
Because most people were never taught how to process grief.
They were taught how to hide it.
Resources + Next Steps 👉 Join The Story Room 👉 Listen to more episodes of Grieve That Sh!t 👉 Learn more at: griefdiscovery.com
Because healing starts when you stop resisting the pain and finally understand what grief is actually doing inside of you.
Episode Description "Your life isn't broken. Your heart is."
In this episode of Grieve That Sh!t, Sharon Brubaker, grief specialist and founder of The Grief School, breaks down why so many grievers stay stuck in pain for years… even while trying everything they can to survive it.
After losing her nephew Austin, Sharon realized the problem wasn't that grievers were weak.
The problem was that nobody taught us how to grieve.
So we stay busy. We avoid the pain. We push it down. And we keep trying to "get over" something our body is still trying to process.
In this episode, Sharon explains the real work of grief.
Not just talking about it. Not pretending you're okay. But understanding what grief actually is, why your body reacts the way it does, and what it means to truly process pain instead of carrying it forever.
She also talks about "completion", the unfinished conversations, emotions, and words that stay trapped inside the body after loss.
The things you still need to say. The anger. The guilt. The love. The goodbye you never got.
Because undelivered emotions do not disappear.
This conversation is not about "moving on."
It's about finally understanding what grief is trying to do inside you… so you can stop fighting yourself.
What You'll Learn in This Episode * Why grief feels like a full-body experience * The difference between surviving grief and processing it * Why staying busy keeps grief stuck * What "completion" actually means in grief * How unfinished emotions stay trapped in the body * Why avoiding grief makes it louder over time * How to separate love from pain
Questions to Sit With After Listening
Take your time with these.
- What have I still not said?
- What emotions have I been trying to avoid?
- Am I processing my grief… or just surviving it?
- What pain am I still carrying that was never expressed?
Homework for You Write this at the top of a page:
"What is still left unsaid?"
Then let yourself answer honestly.
Not the polite version. Not the strong version.
The real one.
Because grief doesn't stay stuck because you loved too much.
It stays stuck when everything inside you goes unspoken.
Resources + Next Steps If this episode hit you, it's because something inside you is ready to stop surviving and start understanding your grief.
You don't have to carry this alone.
👉 Join The Story Room 👉 Listen to more episodes on Grieve That Sh!t 👉 Learn more at: https://stan.store/TheGriefSchool
Because healing starts when you stop running from the pain and finally learn how to move through it.
*]:pointer-events-auto [content-visibility:auto] supports-[content-visibility:auto]:[contain-intrinsic-size:auto_100lvh] R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-69b4436f-8e58-8321-a0e7-71e602bf0813-2" data-testid= "conversation-turn-290" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn= "assistant"> Episode Description
"You're not broken. You're trying to heal something you don't even understand."
In this episode of Grieve That Sh!t, Sharon Brubaker, grief specialist and founder of The Grief School, breaks down the real reason so many people feel stuck in their grief.
After losing her nephew Austin, Sharon learned that grief isn't just about loss. It's about what happens when you're left trying to survive something no one ever taught you how to process.
No one gave you the language. No one gave you the instructions. And now you're trying to figure it out while you're in it.
In this episode, Sharon walks through why grief feels so overwhelming, how misinformation and avoidance keep it stuck, and why staying busy, pushing it down, or trying to "get over it" only makes it louder over time.
She also explains how grief actually works in your body and mind, why the pain keeps coming back, and what it really takes to move through it.
This conversation is not about doing grief perfectly.
It's about understanding it.
Because when you understand your grief, you stop fighting yourself.
What You'll Learn in This Episode
- Why you feel stuck in your grief
- How lack of understanding keeps grief from moving
- Why staying busy and avoiding emotions makes it worse
- How grief shows up in your body, thoughts, and identity
- The difference between surviving and actually healing
- Why grief keeps coming back stronger when it's not processed
Questions to Sit With After Listening
Take your time with these.
- Do I actually understand what grief is… or am I guessing?
- Am I trying to survive this… or actually heal it?
- What have I been doing to avoid feeling my grief?
- Where am I fighting against something I don't understand?
Homework for You
Write this at the top of a page:
"What do I not understand about my grief?"
Then answer honestly.
Not what you've heard. Not what sounds right.
The truth.
Because you cannot move something you don't understand.
Resources + Next Steps
If this episode hit you, it's because something in you is ready to stop guessing and start understanding your grief.
You don't have to stay stuck here.
👉 Learn more: https://stan.store/TheGriefSchool
Because healing doesn't happen by accident.
It happens when you finally understand what you're going through.
Episode Description
"Your child doesn't need the pain removed. They need you to help them move through it."
In this episode of Grieve That Sh!t, Sharon Brubaker, grief specialist and founder of The Grief School, breaks down one of the biggest mistakes parents make when their child is grieving.
After losing her nephew Austin, Sharon learned that grief isn't something you can protect someone from. Especially not your child.
Because your kids already feel everything.
They feel your silence. They feel your sadness. They feel what's not being said.
They just don't have the words for it.
In this episode, Sharon walks through what actually happens when parents try to shield their children from grief, why that instinct makes sense, and how it unintentionally creates confusion, fear, and isolation.
She also explains what children really need, how to talk to them about loss, and why your own grief work is the most powerful tool you have to help them.
This conversation is not about being a perfect parent.
It's about telling the truth.
Because your child is not learning from what you say. They're learning from what you show.
What You'll Learn in This Episode
Why children feel everything, even when they can't express it What happens when you try to protect them from grief Why avoiding the truth creates confusion instead of comfort How children process grief differently from adults Why your own grief work matters more than what you say How to talk to your child about death in a way they can understand
Questions to Sit With After Listening
Take your time with these.
What am I trying to protect my child from? Am I avoiding their grief… or my own? What emotions from my child are hardest for me to sit with? What did I learn about grief growing up… and how is that showing up now?
Homework for You
Write this at the top of a page:
"What am I trying to protect my child from?"
Then answer honestly.
Not the version that sounds like you're doing it right. The real one.
Because clarity is what builds trust. And trust is what makes grief safer.
Resources + Next Steps
If this episode hit you, it's because something in you is ready to stop avoiding and start understanding grief, for you and your child.
You don't have to figure this out alone.
👉 Join the masterclass: https://griefdiscovery.com
Because your child doesn't need perfection.
They need you.
Episode Description "Grief is already painful. But the way you're trying to survive it might be making it harder."
In this episode of Grieve That Sh!t, Sharon Brubaker, grief specialist and founder of The Grief School, breaks down what most people unknowingly do in the first year of grief that increases their suffering.
After losing her nephew Austin, Sharon learned that grief is not just about loss. It is about what happens when you're left trying to survive something no one ever taught you how to process.
The first year is the most confusing. The most painful. And the year you get the worst advice.
Stay strong. Keep busy. Don't think about it.
But these strategies do not heal grief. They delay it.
In this episode, Sharon walks through four common patterns that make grief heavier: avoiding your emotions, pretending you're okay, comparing your timeline to others, and staying busy to escape the pain.
She explains why these responses make sense, why your brain uses them to protect you, and why they end up keeping grief stuck and louder over time.
This conversation is not about doing grief perfectly. It is about becoming aware of what is actually happening.
Because you are not doing it wrong. You were just never taught how to do it at all.
What You'll Learn in This Episode Why the first year of grief feels the hardest
How avoiding emotions actually increases suffering Why pretending you're okay creates isolation The danger of comparing your grief to others How staying busy keeps grief from being processed Why your reactions make sense (even if they're not helping)
Questions to Sit With After Listening Take your time with these.
What emotions have I been avoiding since the loss? Where am I pretending I'm okay when I'm not? Have I been comparing my grief to someone else's timeline? When do I actually allow myself to sit with my grief?
Homework for You Write this at the top of a page:
"What have I been doing to avoid my grief?"
Then answer honestly.
Not the strong answer. Not the version that sounds like you're handling it well.
The real one.
Because awareness is where healing begins.
Resources + Next Steps
If this episode hit you, it's because something in you is ready to stop avoiding and start understanding your grief.
You don't have to figure this out alone.
👉 Get the book: https://stan.store/TheGriefSchool
👉 Join The Story Room
Because healing doesn't happen when you run from grief
It happens when you finally face it.
Episode Description "Your brain is not trying to hurt you. It's trying to understand what just changed your entire life."
In this episode of Grieve That Sh!t, Sharon Brubaker, grief specialist and founder of The Grief School, breaks down why your mind keeps replaying the moment your person died.
After losing her nephew Austin, Sharon learned that grief is not just emotional. It is a full body and brain experience that records life-altering moments with intense detail.
The phone call. The hospital room. The last words.
These moments stay vivid not because something is wrong with you, but because your brain is trying to make sense of what happened.
In this episode, Sharon explains how trauma and memory work together, why your brain keeps returning to the same moment, and how shock and disbelief keep the story from fully settling.
She also breaks down the connection between thoughts and emotions, why painful memories keep triggering emotional waves, and how speaking your story out loud helps the brain begin organizing the experience.
This conversation is not about stopping the replay instantly. It is about understanding why it is happening.
Because when you understand your grief, you stop being afraid of your own mind.
What You'll Learn in This Episode Why your brain replays the moment your person died
- How trauma impacts memory and emotional intensity
- Why grief feels like a full body experience
- The connection between thoughts and emotional pain
- Why shock and disbelief keep the memory looping
- How talking about your story helps your brain process it
- Why you are not broken for thinking about it
Questions to Sit With After Listening Take your time with these.
- What moment does my mind keep going back to?
- What part of that story still feels unfinished or unclear?
- Have I been afraid of my thoughts instead of understanding them?
- Where can I safely begin to talk about this out loud?
Homework for You Write this at the top of a page:
"This is the moment my life changed."
Then describe it.
What you saw. What you heard. What you felt.
Not to relive it. But to begin organizing it.
Because what your brain keeps replaying is what it is still trying to understand.
Resources + Next Steps If this episode resonated with you, it is because your mind is trying to process something that has never been fully spoken.
You don't have to do that alone.
👉 Join The Story Room: https://stan.store/TheGriefSchool
Because healing begins when your story finally has a place to land.
Episode Description "The part of your grief that hurts the most is often the part you never say out loud."
In this episode of Grieve That Sh!t, Sharon Brubaker, grief specialist and founder of The Grief School, talks about the stories grievers carry but rarely share.
After losing her nephew Austin, Sharon learned that grief is not just about missing someone. It is also about the moments that changed everything—the phone call, the hospital room, the last words, the unanswered questions.
These are the parts most people don't talk about.
Not because they don't want to. But because they don't feel safe to.
In this episode, Sharon explains why grievers stop sharing their stories, how silence builds over time, and what happens when those memories have nowhere to go.
She breaks down how the brain replays painful moments, why these memories stay stuck, and why speaking them out loud is one of the most important parts of processing grief.
She also introduces The Story Room, a space created for grievers to share the full truth of their experience—without judgment, interruption, or being corrected.
This conversation is not about making grief smaller. It is about giving it a place to be heard.
Because healing does not begin when the pain goes away. It begins when the story is finally spoken.
What You'll Learn in This Episode Why grievers are afraid to share certain parts of their story
- What happens when grief stories are kept inside
- Why painful memories replay over and over again
- How silence increases isolation and emotional weight
- Why telling your grief story helps the brain process it
- The importance of being witnessed in your grief
- How The Story Room creates a safe space for real grief
Questions to Sit With After Listening Take your time with these.
- What parts of my grief have I never said out loud?
- Am I holding back my story to protect other people's comfort?
- What memories keep replaying in my mind?
- Where do I feel like I have no place to share this?
Homework for You Write this at the top of a page:
"This is the part of my grief I've never said out loud."
Then write it.
Not the edited version. Not the acceptable version.
The real one.
Because what stays unspoken stays heavy.
Resources + Next Steps If this episode spoke to you, it is because there is a part of your story that needs to be heard.
You do not have to carry it alone.
👉 Join The Story Room: https://stan.store/TheGriefSchool
Because your healing begins when your story is finally witnessed.
Episode Description "Grief doesn't feel confusing because you're broken. It feels confusing because no one ever showed you how to understand it."
In this episode of Grieve That Sh!t, Sharon Brubaker, grief specialist and founder of The Grief School, breaks down one of the biggest gaps in grief support: no one actually helps you understand your grief.
After losing her nephew Austin, Sharon learned that grief is not just sadness. It is a full body experience that affects your sleep, your thoughts, your memory, your identity, and your daily life.
And yet, most people are never given the space to look at it.
Instead, they are given comfort. They are given timelines. They are told to keep going.
But what they are not given is understanding.
In this episode, Sharon introduces the purpose behind the Grief Assessment—a structured conversation designed to help you finally look at your grief honestly and begin to make sense of what you are experiencing.
She explains why grief feels so overwhelming, why your mind keeps replaying moments, and why talking through your story is one of the most important parts of processing it.
This conversation is not about fixing you. It is about helping you understand what is happening inside of you.
Because healing does not begin with answers. It begins with understanding.
What You'll Learn in This Episode Why most grievers never get a real understanding of their grief
- How grief affects your body, mind, and daily functioning
- Why your brain keeps replaying painful moments
- The role of telling your grief story in healing
- What the Grief Assessment actually is and how it works
- How patterns like avoidance, guilt, and isolation show up
- Why confusion decreases when you begin to understand your grief
Questions to Sit With After Listening Take your time with these.
- Have I ever truly been asked about my grief?
- What parts of my story have I not fully spoken out loud?
- Where is my grief showing up in my body and daily life?
- What patterns am I noticing in how I handle my grief?
Homework for You Write this at the top of a page:
"How is my grief actually showing up in my life?"
Then answer honestly.
Not the short version. Not the version you tell others.
The real one.
Because understanding your grief is the first step to moving it.
Resources + Next Steps If this episode resonated with you, it is because something in you is ready to understand your grief on a deeper level.
You don't need to keep guessing. You don't need to figure this out alone.
👉 Take the Grief Assessment: https://stan.store/TheGriefSchool
Because your healing starts when your grief finally makes sense.
*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-69b4436f-8e58-8321-a0e7-71e602bf0813-0" data-testid= "conversation-turn-34" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> Episode Description "You're not stuck because you still love them. You're stuck because of the attachment."
In this episode of Grieve That Sh!t, Sharon Brubaker, grief specialist and founder of The Grief School, sits down with a narc recovery coach and author of Toxic Charm to break down one of the most confusing and painful relationship dynamics people experience.
After losing her nephew Austin, Sharon learned that grief is not just about death. It shows up anywhere attachment is broken. And when narcissistic patterns are involved, that attachment becomes even more intense, unstable, and hard to walk away from.
Together, they unpack what narcissism actually looks like in real life, why it feels like love one moment and disappears the next, and why so many people stay stuck trying to figure the other person out instead of coming back to themselves.
They explore how these relationships create emotional highs and lows, how patterns repeat, and why clarity—not more guessing—is what begins to shift everything.
This conversation is not about labeling people. It is about understanding patterns.
Because sometimes the hardest truth is this: You can love someone… and still be stuck in something that is hurting you.
What You'll Learn in This Episode What narcissism actually is in plain language
- Why these relationships feel intense, addictive, and confusing
- The difference between selfish behavior and narcissistic patterns
- Why you do not need a diagnosis to begin your healing
- How attachment and grief keep you tied to the relationship
- Why "just leave" is not as simple as it sounds
- How to start rebuilding self-trust after losing yourself
- Why patterns matter more than labels
Questions to Sit With After Listening Take your time with these.
- Am I holding on to who they are… or who I hoped they could be?
- What patterns have I been ignoring or explaining away?
- Have I been trying to understand them more than I understand myself?
- What would it look like to choose clarity over confusion?
Homework for You Write this at the top of a page:
"What patterns did I experience that I kept trying to explain away?"
Then answer honestly.
Not the version that protects them. Not the version that minimizes what happened.
The real one.
Because you cannot break a cycle you are still trying to justify.
Resources + Next Steps
If this episode resonated with you, it is because something in you is ready for clarity.
You do not need to keep guessing. You do not need to keep decoding. You do not need to keep losing yourself trying to make it make sense.
👉 Find more resources and support at: https://stan.store/TheGriefSchool
Episode Description "Grief does not get louder because you are weak. It gets louder because it has nowhere to land."
In this episode of Grieve That Shit, Sharon Brubaker, grief specialist and founder of The Grief School, talks about something most grievers never receive after loss: a true witness to their grief story.
After losing her nephew Austin, Sharon learned that grief is not just sadness. It is the mind and body trying to process something life changing that the world around you quickly moves on from. While everyone else returns to their normal life, the griever often finds themselves living in what Sharon calls the alternate universe of grief.
And when there is no safe place to speak the story out loud, the grief does not disappear. It loops. It replays. It grows louder inside the nervous system.
In this episode, Sharon explains why the brain keeps replaying painful memories after loss, how unspoken grief stays trapped in the body, and why having a witness is one of the most powerful parts of healing.
She also introduces The Story Room, a space created for women to share their grief story out loud in a room of people who understand, listen without judgment, and hold space for the truth of what loss actually feels like.
This conversation is not about fixing grief. It is about finally giving it a place to land.
Because grief does not need to be corrected. It needs to be witnessed.
What You'll Learn in This Episode
- Why every griever has a grief story that needs to be told
- What happens when grief has no witness
- Why the brain keeps replaying painful memories after loss
- How silence can keep grief stuck in the nervous system
- Why speaking your grief story out loud can begin to shift the pain
- What makes the Story Room different from typical grief support spaces
- How witnessing someone else's grief can help you process your own
Questions to Sit With After Listening You do not need to rush these. Let them sit with you.
- When did my grief story actually begin?
- Have I had a place where my grief could be spoken without correction or comparison?
- What parts of my story have I been editing or keeping quiet?
- What is my grief still trying to say?
Homework for You Write this at the top of a page:
"This is the part of my grief story I have never said out loud."
Then start writing.
Not the version you tell people. Not the shortened version. Not the strong version.
The real one.
Because sometimes the first step in healing grief is simply letting the story be heard.
Resources + Next Steps
If this episode spoke to you, the place Sharon created for this work is called The Story Room.
It is a guided grief space where women can share their story, be witnessed, and begin processing grief in a room that understands.
The Story Room meets the every Thursday.
👉 Learn more and join here: https://stan.store/TheGriefSchool
Episode Description "Unprocessed grief does not disappear. It shows up in the way you attach, the way you fear, and the way you love."
In this episode of Grieve That Shit, Sharon Brubaker, grief specialist and founder of The Grief School, sits down with Sean Walker, a faith-based relationship coach who helps men and women understand attachment patterns, regulate their nervous systems, and stop repeating the same painful relationship cycles.
After losing her nephew Austin, Sharon learned that grief is not just sadness. It is what happens when love has nowhere to land. And that same injury can show up after death, divorce, breakup, abandonment, or the loss of a connection that was never safely formed.
Together, Sharon and Sean unpack the powerful overlap between grief and attachment.
They explore how early relationships shape the way we love, why people cling or shut down, how labels can help but also keep people stuck, and what it really means to heal at the soul level instead of just trying to fix the relationship.
This conversation is not about dating tricks. It is about internal rewiring.
Because sometimes the real heartbreak is not just who left. It is the pattern that keeps getting repeated.
What You'll Learn in This Episode How grief and attachment are deeply connected
- Why breakup pain is often more than "just a breakup"
- What anxious and avoidant attachment can look like in real life
- Why people over-identify with labels instead of doing the healing work
- How unprocessed grief can keep showing up in dating and relationships
- Why you can still love someone and know the relationship is not right for you
- What it means to build security that lasts beyond marriage or romantic love
Questions to Sit With After Listening You do not need to answer these quickly.
- Am I grieving a person, a relationship, or a version of safety I never had?
- What patterns do I keep repeating in love?
- Have I been using labels to understand myself — or to avoid feeling?
- Do I want love from a place of wholeness, or do I need it to prove I'm okay?
Homework for You Write this at the top of a page:
"What am I really grieving in love?"
Then answer honestly.
Not the polished answer. Not the spiritual answer. Not the one that makes you sound healed.
The real one.
Because you cannot heal what you keep misnaming.
Resources + Next Steps Find Sean Walker on social media at Coach Sean Walker
Explore his resources, including Feel to Heal and Beat the Breakup
👉 Find everything at https://stan.store/TheGriefSchool
Episode Description "Grief deserves care. It does not deserve to be shoved in a corner."
In this episode of Grieve That Shit, Sharon Brubaker, grief specialist and founder of The Grief School, pulls back the curtain and finally answers the question:
What actually is The Grief School?
After losing her nephew Austin, Sharon learned the hard way that grief is not something you "get over." It cracks your heart open. It shifts your identity. It leaves you standing in the aftermath asking, What the hell am I supposed to do now?
The Grief School was built for that moment.
This episode walks you through every layer of the community — from the free Facebook spaces to the Story Room, Courage Club, Processing the Pain of Grief, Forever Changed, Honor Society, and beyond. Sharon explains how each space is designed to help women stop performing, start telling the truth, and finally process what actually happened to their hearts.
This is not about moving on. It is about healing a broken heart in community.
Because grief is heavy enough. Carrying it alone makes it heavier.
What You'll Learn in This Episode * What The Grief School actually is — and who it's for * The difference between the free community spaces and the private university * How the Story Room creates a safe place to speak the truth * What happens inside Processing the Pain of Grief * What Forever Changed really means — and why integration matters * Why grief healing requires structure, community, and courage
Questions to Sit With After Listening You do not need to rush these.
- What has happened in my life that cracked my heart open?
- Have I been trying to carry this alone?
- Where do I need to be witnessed instead of fixed?
- Am I ready to learn the truth about my grief?
Homework for You Ask yourself:
"Where is the safest place for me to begin?"
Maybe it's listening. Maybe it's joining the free Facebook group. Maybe it's coming to the Story Room.
Just take one step.
Healing doesn't start with perfection. It starts with showing up.
Resources + Next Steps Join the private Facebook group: The Grief School
Sign up for the Story Room or Grief 101 using the links below
👉 Find everything at clickhereforhope.com
Episode Description
"Healing happens in moments. And sometimes one moment changes everything."
In this episode of Grieve That Shit, Sharon Brubaker, grief specialist and founder of The Grief School, sits down with Emily, founder of Moment Cares — a full-service recovery and mental health support organization helping individuals and families navigate substance use, trauma, and emotional crisis.
After losing her nephew Austin, Sharon learned that grief is not just sadness. It lives in the body. It hides in addiction. It shows up as anxiety, avoidance, overworking, numbing, and survival mode.
And in this powerful conversation, Sharon and Emily connect the dots between grief, trauma, addiction, and the nervous system.
With 18 years of personal sobriety and 15 years of professional experience, Emily shares how her own recovery journey revealed something deeper: alcohol and drugs are often not the root problem — they are the symptom. Underneath is unprocessed pain. Unfelt grief. A nervous system stuck in fear.
Together, they explore the head–heart connection, why so many people live disconnected from their bodies, and how learning to sit with emotion — even for one minute — can begin to change everything.
This episode is not just about addiction. It is about grief, trauma, community, and connection.
Because healing does not happen in isolation. It happens when someone says, "Me too."
What You'll Learn in This Episode How addiction and numbing behaviors are often responses to unprocessed grief
Why sitting with emotion feels terrifying — and why it actually sets you free
The difference between intellectualizing pain and feeling it in the body
How trauma disconnects us from our own nervous system
Why community is one of the most powerful tools in recovery
How mental health, grief, and substance use are deeply connected
Questions to Sit With After Listening You do not need to answer these all at once.
What have I been using to avoid feeling?
Is my struggle really about the surface behavior — or something deeper?
Where did I learn that my emotions were not safe?
Who is safe enough for me to begin telling the truth?
Homework for You The next time you feel overwhelmed, pause.
Ask yourself:
"What am I feeling in my body right now?"
Not what you're thinking. Not the story.
Just the feeling.
Sit with it for one minute.
Watch what happens.
That minute might be your moment.
Resources + Next Steps Learn more about Emily and Moment Cares at momentcares.com
👉 Find grief support and resources at https://stan.store/TheGriefSchool
Episode Description
"You may not get to choose what you feel. But you do get to choose what you practice."
In this episode of Grieve That Shit, Sharon Brubaker, grief specialist and founder of The Grief School, breaks down something most grievers have never been told:
You have choices in your grief.
After losing her nephew Austin, Sharon learned that grief feels automatic. The memories. The body reactions. The waves that hit before you're even fully awake. It can feel like something is happening to you — and you are stuck.
But what if you are not stuck?
This episode walks through 10 real choices every griever faces — not fluffy mindset shifts, but nervous-system level decisions that shape whether you stay in survival mode or begin moving toward healing.
From avoidance vs. engagement, to isolation vs. regulated support, to surviving vs. living again — Sharon challenges the belief that time alone heals and invites you into active participation in your own healing.
This episode is not about forcing feelings. It is about practicing safety.
Because grief healing is not passive. It is something you participate in.
What You'll Learn in This Episode * Why you cannot always choose your emotions — but you can choose your response * The difference between avoidance and true engagement * How isolation keeps the nervous system in threat mode * Why intellectualizing grief is not the same as processing it * What it actually means to retrain your nervous system * How survival mode becomes a habit — and how to slowly shift out of it
Questions to Sit With After Listening
You do not need to rush these.
- Where am I avoiding instead of engaging?
- Am I waiting for time to fix this — or am I participating in healing?
- Who feels safe enough to witness my grief without trying to fix it?
- What am I practicing daily — survival or safety?
Homework for You Write this at the top of a page:
"What am I practicing in my grief?"
Then list your honest answers.
No shame. No judgment.
Just awareness.
Then circle one choice you are ready to practice differently this week.
Healing does not happen by accident. It happens by repetition.
Resources + Next Steps 👉 Find everything at https://stan.store/TheGriefSchool
Episode Description "Your grief is not a burden. Your silence is."
In this episode of Grieve That Shit, Sharon Brubaker, grief specialist and founder of The Grief School, asks a hard but necessary question:
What is your grief costing you?
After losing her nephew Austin, Sharon learned that grief does not just take the person you love. It takes your energy. Your focus. Your sense of self. And when you start hiding it, it takes even more.
Many grievers believe staying quiet makes them strong. They believe pretending to be "okay" protects the people around them. But silence does not protect you. It isolates you. It disconnects you. It keeps you stuck in survival mode.
This episode explores the hidden cost of emotional suppression and why grief needs a place to land.
This episode is not about falling apart. It is about telling the truth.
Because healing does not happen in hiding. It happens when your pain is seen.
What You'll Learn in This Episode * Why hiding your grief drains your energy and disconnects you from support * How silence keeps you stuck in survival mode * The difference between protecting others and abandoning yourself * Why grief needs space, air, and honesty to begin healing * Simple, practical ways to start telling the truth about your pain
Questions to Sit With After Listening You do not need to rush these.
- What has my grief been costing me emotionally?
- Where have I been pretending instead of telling the truth?
- Who feels safe enough to hear even a small piece of my pain?
- What is one thing I need to say out loud this week?
Homework for You At the top of a page, write:
"What my silence is costing me."
Be honest. No performing. No minimizing.
Just tell the truth.
Then circle one small step you can take this week to let your grief have a place to land.
That is where the shift begins.
Resources + Next Steps 👉 Find everything at https://stan.store/TheGriefSchool
Episode Description "Grief does not disappear when you ignore it. It just gets heavier when you carry it alone."
In this episode of Grieve That Shit, Sharon Brubaker, grief specialist and founder of The Grief School, opens an honest conversation about men, grief, and emotional pain.
After losing her nephew Austin, Sharon learned that grief is not just sadness. It is a full-body experience that affects thoughts, emotions, and the nervous system. And while grief impacts everyone, many men are taught early that strength means silence.
This episode challenges the belief that "big boys don't cry" and explores what really happens when men are never given space to feel, talk, or be witnessed in their grief.
Sharon is joined by Coach Martize of The Frazier Group, who brings his personal story and professional experience into the conversation. Together, they unpack how emotional suppression is learned, why avoidance is not weakness but survival, and how outdated beliefs keep people stuck long after the loss.
This episode is not about fixing grief. It is about creating space for it.
Because pain does not need to be handled. It needs to be held.
What You'll Learn in This Episode * Why emotional pain is often avoided, not because of weakness, but because of conditioning * How men are taught to survive instead of feel * The difference between strength and emotional suppression * Where beliefs about toughness and vulnerability come from * Why grief needs space, not silence
Questions to Sit With After Listening You do not need to answer these quickly.
- Where did I learn that showing emotion was unsafe?
- What feelings have I been pushing down instead of listening to?
- How has "being strong" shaped the way I grieve?
- Where do I need space instead of advice?
Homework for You Write this at the top of a page:
"What I was taught about emotions."
Now finish the sentence honestly. No fixing. No explaining.
Just notice what comes up.
That awareness matters.
Resources + Next Steps 👉 Find everything at clickhereforhope.com
"She was more than her ending. And healing didn't mean letting her go. It meant letting the pain stop running the show."
In Part 2 of this deeply personal episode of Grieve That Shit, Sharon Brubaker, grief specialist and founder of The Grief School, continues the raw conversation with Nikki about grieving a mother who was also her best friend.
This episode moves beyond the loss and into what happens after the world keeps spinning and you're still stuck.
Nikki shares what it was really like to resist grief work, to believe that suffering was the only way to honor her mom, and to carry guilt she didn't even realize she was holding. Together, Sharon and Nikki unpack one of the most painful grief lies of all: "If I heal, it means I didn't love them enough."
You'll hear how healing finally began when Nikki stopped protecting the pain and allowed herself to tell the truth about what she lost, what she carried, and what she deserved next.
This episode is about releasing unhealthy grief, honoring the full life of your person, and learning how to live again without betraying the love that came before.
What You'll Hear in This Episode * Why many grievers believe suffering equals loyalty * How guilt hides inside grief and keeps you stuck * What it means to be "more than their ending" * Why healing doesn't erase love, memories, or connection * How letting the pain soften creates space to celebrate your person again
Questions to Sit With After Listening You don't have to answer these perfectly. Just honestly.
- Where have I believed that my pain is protecting my person?
- What part of my grief feels unhealthy, even if I don't want to admit it yet?
- Am I afraid that healing means leaving them behind?
- If my person could speak to me right now, what would they want for my life?
- What would it look like to grieve and live at the same time?
Gentle Homework Write this sentence at the top of a page:
"They were more than their ending."
Now finish it without rushing. Let memories come. Let truth come. Let the love show up.
You're not erasing them. You're letting their whole life matter again.
*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "request-6920a090-ad04-8322-ba7a-5ec27567cc94-1" data-testid= "conversation-turn-64" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> "You were never meant to grieve quietly. Your emotions didn't show up to hurt you. They showed up to help you process what just happened."
In this episode of Grieve That Shit, Sharon Brubaker, Certified Grief Specialist and founder of The Grief School, sits down with Nikki to talk about a kind of loss that cuts straight to the core. The loss of a mother who was also a best friend.
After losing her nephew Austin, Sharon learned that grief isn't one-dimensional. There are layers. And one of the most overlooked layers is the grief that comes from losing the person who knew you, guided you, and helped you make sense of life.
In this conversation, Nikki shares the story of her mom Cheryl. Not just who she was, but how deeply intertwined she was in every part of her life. From daily texts and phone calls to faith, caregiving, unanswered prayers, and the shock of having no time to prepare.
This episode explores what happens when grief collides with faith, when anger at God feels unavoidable, and when the foundation you were raised on both supports you and breaks your heart at the same time.
We talk about the reality of caregiving, the trauma of watching someone you love decline, and the quiet ways people stay connected after loss. Keeping a phone on. Sending messages that will never be answered. Letting grandchildren leave voicemails. Choosing connection instead of rules.
This is an honest, raw conversation about layered grief, unfinished moments, and learning how to live in a world where your anchor is gone.
You're not doing grief wrong. You're responding to something that mattered deeply.
Let's grieve that shit together.
What You'll Hear in This Episode • Why losing a mother who was also a best friend creates a second layer of grief • How caregiving changes the grief experience before death even happens • What it's like to have no time to process before everything changes • How faith can both comfort and anger you after loss • Why staying connected in your own way is not wrong • The difference between healing and erasing the relationship
Reflection Questions Take your time with these. There's no rush.
- Who was your person to you beyond the title they held in your life?
- What part of your grief do you feel most people don't understand?
- Where has faith supported you, and where has it felt complicated or painful?
- What unfinished moments or conversations still live in your body?
- What connection are you holding onto that brings you comfort, even if others wouldn't understand it?
- If you stopped judging your grief, what would you allow yourself to feel?
Gentle Homework Write this sentence at the top of a page:
"What hurts the most about losing them is…"
Let yourself finish it without fixing, explaining, or softening the answer. That honesty is part of your healing.
Resources + Next Steps 🎥 Watch Sharon's grief teachings and video overviews 🎧 Explore deep-dive podcast episodes like this one 📘 Access study guides, journal prompts, and grief education 🧠 Continue your work inside The Grief School
👉 Everything lives at clickhereforhope.com
You don't have to rush this. You don't have to be okay. You just have to be honest.
"Your brain didn't break when your person died. It's just doing what it knows—trying to protect you from pain. But grief doesn't live in your brain. It lives in your heart."
In this episode of Grieve That Shit, Sharon Brubaker, Certified Grief Specialist and founder of The Grief School, dives deep into one of the biggest truths about grief: you can't think your way out of it.
After losing her nephew Austin, Sharon discovered firsthand that grief isn't logical—it's emotional. Your brain tries to reason, fix, and explain the unexplainable, while your heart just breaks wide open. That war between the head and the heart? It's exactly why you feel like you're spinning.
This episode unpacks the difference between intellect, emotion, and sensation—and shows why healing can only happen when you stop trying to "figure it out" and start feeling it. Sharon shares the same lessons that inspired her book This Is Grief and walks you through how to finally calm your mind so you can listen to your heart.
Because the truth is: your heart already knows what your brain keeps trying to solve.
What You'll Learn in This Episode * Why grief is emotional—not intellectual—and how that changes everything * The silent war between your brain and your heart after loss * Why logic and reason can't fix what's broken in your soul * How thoughts like "Why didn't I go?" or "I should have done more" keep you stuck in pain * What it really means to "drop into your heart" and let it speak
Homework for You If you've been spinning in your thoughts, here's your assignment: Grab a sheet of paper and write down one question that won't stop looping in your mind—like "Why me?" or "Why didn't I answer the phone?"
Now write your honest answer. Don't edit. Don't analyze. Just let your heart respond.
Then underneath that answer, finish this sentence: "What I really feel is…"
That's where your healing begins—not in your thoughts, but in your truth.
Resources + Next Steps 🎥 Get the 4-Part Video Series "This Is Grief" — Walk through Sharon's full teaching on what grief is, where it lives, and how to heal. 📖 Read the Book "This Is Grief" — The definition Sharon needed when Austin died. 🧠 Join The Grief School's Study Hall — Weekly live support where you can share, learn, and heal together.
👉 Download or watch it all at clickhereforhope.com
In Part Two of this Grieve That Shit conversation, Sharon Brubaker and Dr. Elijah Frazier move past introductions and into the heart of what grievers struggle with most: choice, accountability, faith, emotions, and permission to heal.
This episode challenges one of the most damaging beliefs grievers carry—that grief is something they must endure forever. Sharon and Dr. Frazier speak directly to the idea that pain is inevitable after loss, but staying trapped in suffering is not the only option.
They talk honestly about how grief can steal joy, peace, and energy when we are not aware of the choices we are making. Dr. Frazier introduces a powerful metaphor: your joy is on the auction block every day, and too often, people unknowingly give it away to pain, guilt, fear, or other people's expectations.
The conversation also dives into faith, anger at God, and the pressure grievers feel to perform spirituality instead of telling the truth. Sharon and Dr. Frazier make it clear that real healing does not require pretending, suppressing emotions, or being "good" in your grief. It requires honesty, boundaries, and the willingness to do the work.
This episode speaks directly to the griever who feels stuck, judged, or afraid to move forward. It offers permission to feel fully, question deeply, and still choose healing.
🧠 Key Points Discussed: 1. Why grievers often believe they have no choices and how that belief keeps them stuck 2. The difference between pain and suffering in grief 3. How joy and peace are quietly given away without awareness 4. Why accountability is not punishment but empowerment 5. The role of faith as a bridge, not a crutch 6. Why being angry at God does not block healing 7. The difference between feelings and emotions and why both matter 8. Why natural emotions like anger, anxiety, sadness, and depression are not wrong 9. How spiritual platitudes can invalidate grief and cause harm 10. Why healing requires action, not waiting 11. The importance of boundaries when you are grieving 12. Why emotions need time and space to do their job
📓 Journal Questions for Reflection: 1. Where do I feel like grief has taken away my choices? 2. What pain am I experiencing, and where might I be adding suffering on top of it? 3. In what moments do I notice my joy being "sold off" to other people or situations? 4. What emotions am I afraid to feel fully? 5. How have faith, beliefs, or expectations shaped the way I grieve? 6. Where do I feel pressure to perform healing instead of living it honestly? 7. What would it look like to give my emotions permission to do their work?
🩶 Conclusion: Grief is not a script. It is not a performance. And it is not something you have to endure forever to prove your love.
You are allowed to feel anger. You are allowed to question faith. You are allowed to heal.
This episode reminds grievers that emotions are not the enemy. Suppressing them is. Healing does not come from pretending everything is okay. It comes from honesty, accountability, and choosing yourself again and again.
This is Grieve That Shit. And this is where healing continues.
In this episode of Grieve That Shit, Sharon Brubaker introduces a defining moment for The Grief School and the podcast. For the first time, she welcomes Dr. Elijah Frazier and shares the news that The Grief School is now powered by The Frazier Group.
This is not an announcement episode filled with buzzwords or credentials. It's a conversation about people, pain, and what real care actually looks like when someone is at their breaking point.
Sharon and Dr. Frazier talk openly about why grief cannot be handled by systems, scripts, or one-size-fits-all solutions. They explore the difference between easy work and necessary work, and why healing requires intentional relationships, honesty, and empowerment rather than dependency.
Dr. Frazier shares his philosophy of care, his commitment to meeting people where they are, and why building a multidisciplinary team matters when someone's life has been shaken by loss. Together, they explain how grief, mental health, physical health, faith, and life circumstances are deeply connected and why separating them often leaves people stuck.
This episode sets the foundation for what's coming next. It introduces a partnership built on trust, integrity, and the belief that grief deserves to be held by people, not processed through a system.
This is part one of a two-part conversation. Part two goes deeper into grief, choice, and what it means to move forward without abandoning your pain.
🧠 Key Points Discussed: 1. Why The Grief School is now powered by The Frazier Group and what that truly means 2. The difference between easy conversations and necessary conversations in healing 3. Why grief cannot be treated with cookie-cutter scripts or checklists 4. The importance of honoring each person's story instead of forcing outcomes 5. Why empowerment matters more than dependency in long-term healing 6. How unresolved grief often overlaps with weight, health, relationships, and identity 7. Why a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach serves grievers better 8. The role of intentionality in healing and decision-making 9. What it means to do heart-centered work instead of system-centered care
📓 Journal Questions for Reflection: 1. Where have I felt rushed, minimized, or misunderstood in my grief? 2. What kind of support have I been needing but not receiving? 3. How does it feel to consider care that honors my full story, not just my symptoms? 4. Where in my life do I need empowerment instead of being rescued? 5. What would it mean to feel truly seen in my grief?
🩶 Conclusion: Grief does not need to be fixed. It does not need to be rushed. And it should never be handled by a system that forgets the human in front of it.
This episode marks the beginning of a deeper, more intentional way of supporting grievers. A way that honors pain, respects complexity, and believes healing happens through real connection.
Your story is not finished. And you deserve care that treats it that way.
This is Grieve That Shit. And this is where healing begins.
"Grief is not a mental illness. It's not weakness. It's not a checklist to finish or a line you're supposed to move through. It's love—with nowhere left to go."
In this episode of Grieve That Shit, Sharon Brubaker, Certified Grief Specialist and founder of The Grief School, gets brutally honest about everything grief isn't.
For too long, society has treated grief like a disorder to diagnose, a problem to medicate, or a series of stages to climb. But grief isn't logical, linear, or tidy—it's wild, unpredictable, and deeply human. Sharon unpacks why labeling grief as depression or PTSD misses the truth entirely, and how our culture's obsession with "fixing" pain keeps us from actually healing it.
You'll hear the truth about what happens when you zig and zag through your pain, why falling apart is part of the process, and why crying, rage, and exhaustion aren't weakness—they're proof that you loved deeply.
Because grief isn't something you escape. It's something you integrate. It's the story of love that still lives in you, even when the person you loved is gone.
What You'll Learn in This Episode * Why grief is not a mental illness—and what it actually is * The truth about the "five stages" and why they never applied to grievers * Why grief isn't linear, logical, or something to "get over" * How emotional chaos (crying, anger, numbness) is a normal part of healing * The many ways we try to numb grief—through work, food, alcohol, or pretending * Why facing your grief head-on is the only way through
Homework for You This week, write this sentence at the top of a page: "Grief is not…"
Then finish it five times, in your own words.
"Grief is not something I can control." "Grief is not weakness." "Grief is not my enemy."
Keep writing until the truth feels real in your body. You're not broken—you're human.
Resources + Next Steps 🎥 Get the Video Series "This Is Grief" — A powerful companion to Sharon's book that walks you through every truth she teaches in this episode, with reflective journaling prompts after each lesson.
📘 Read the Book "This Is Grief" — The definition Sharon wished existed when her nephew Austin died.
🧠 Join Study Hall at The Grief School — Weekly live sessions where you can ask questions, share stories, and find tools for healing.
👉 Access everything at clickhereforhope.com
"When your person died, a part of you died too. Not your whole self—but the version of you that only existed in connection with them. That's the part grief takes. That's what forever changed really means."
In this episode of Grieve That Shit, Sharon Brubaker, Certified Grief Specialist and founder of The Grief School, opens her heart about what it truly means to be forever changed—but not broken.
After losing her nephew Austin and later her best friend Sharon, her life split into two: before and after. But in this episode, she invites you into the middle—the space between who you were and who you're becoming. It's the unseen, disorienting place where identity, routine, and meaning fall apart.
This is the part of grief no one talks about. The part where you're not who you were, but not yet who you'll be. Sharon calls it "the tween." And it's here, in the unknown, that real healing begins.
You'll hear what it means to let go of the pieces that no longer match your truth, how to live with the absence that screams louder than words, and why being "forever changed" is not the same as being broken.
Because the truth is—grief rewires your story. But you still get to decide how that story ends.
What You'll Learn in This Episode * The three phases of grief: before, between, and after * Why your identity shifts after loss—and how to honor the version of you that's gone * How to navigate the "tween," the unknown space between devastation and rebuilding * The truth about being "forever changed, not broken" * Why time doesn't fix grief—but processing the pain does
Homework for You Find a quiet place this week and journal through these prompts:
1️⃣ What part of me died when they died? 2️⃣ What part of me is still here, waiting to be known again? 3️⃣ What truth am I ready to stop fighting?
You don't have to have perfect answers. You just have to begin writing them. Because healing starts the moment you stop trying to go back—and start facing the after.
Resources + Next Steps 🎥 Get the Forever Changed Video Series — A 3-part self-guided video course with slides, reflection prompts, and deep-dive lessons to help you process your pain. 📘 Download the eBook "This Is Grief" — Learn the foundations of grief and what it really means to be forever changed. 🧠 Join The Grief School Study Hall — Live weekly support sessions where you can bring your questions, your tears, and your truth.
👉 Access everything at clickhereforhope.com
Episode Summary: This episode cracks open one of the most frightening and misunderstood parts of grief: when a memory hits your body like a shock. You're sitting still, lost in a moment with your person, and suddenly your stomach drops, your breath tightens, your heart races, and you remember all over again that they died. It feels like you're grieving in two places at once.
Sharon Brubaker takes you inside the neurobiology behind that jolt. She breaks down how the hippocampus pulls old memories like scenes from a movie, why the amygdala tags those memories as danger, and how your brain fires survival signals long before you can think. This isn't denial and it isn't weakness. It is your nervous system trying to protect you from emotional injury, and it moves faster than the rest of you can keep up.
Through real-life examples and clear teaching, Sharon explains why certain memories hit harder, why they cycle over and over, and why it feels like the loss is happening in real time even years later. Most importantly, she shows you what it takes to calm the system that's been stuck on high alert and how real healing begins when you learn to process the pain—rather than waiting for it to fade on its own.
Key Points Discussed: • Why your brain drops you into old memories without warning • How the hippocampus and amygdala replay emotional pain as if it's happening now • Why the body reacts before the mind understands • What reconciliation shock is and why it feels like losing your person twice • How unresolved emotion keeps your nervous system stuck in survival mode • Why memory jolts soften once grief pain is processed • What Processing the Pain of Grief teaches your brain to finally settle
Journal Questions: • What memory pulls your body into a sudden drop • What part of that memory still feels emotionally unresolved • How does your body respond before your mind catches up • What does the second wave feel like when the truth hits • What would change in your life if your brain learned to soften these jolts
Conclusion: These memory shocks don't mean you're going backwards. They don't mean you're in denial. They are the biology of grief doing what it was never taught to do differently. When you learn how to process the pain, the brain finally stops hitting the danger button every time you touch the past. Your system settles. The memories soften. The grief stops feeling like an ambush.
This is the work. This is the shift. This is where healing begins.
Contact Us:
Ready to calm your grief brain and learn how to process the pain, not just survive it
Join Sharon Brubaker inside Processing the Pain of Grief, her live classroom where you learn what your brain is doing, how grief works in the body, and how to move the pain out instead of holding it in.
Learn more and get support inside The Grief School community.
Website: thegriefschool.com
Contact: info@thegriefschool.com
TikTok, YouTube, Instagram: @thegriefschool
Episode Summary: In this episode of Grieve That Shit, Sharon Brubaker talks about something most grievers never see coming: why normal sounds suddenly feel like an attack. The kids laughing, the microwave door slamming, a choir starting at church, a car alarm in the parking lot. Things you used to handle just fine now hit your body like lightning.
Sharon walks you through what is really happening inside your grieving brain. She breaks down the amygdala, the nervous system, the HPA axis, and why grief flips all of them into survival mode. This is not you "being dramatic." This is biology. Your brain is trying to protect your broken heart and it does not know the difference between emotional danger and physical danger.
Through real stories from her clients, Sharon shows how jumpiness, noise sensitivity, snapping at people, and shutting down in crowds are not personality flaws. They are signs that your grief system is stuck on high alert and has not been taught how to turn off. Then she shows you the path out: learning how to calm your brain by processing the pain of grief instead of running from it.
Key Points Discussed:
- Why everyday noise can feel like an attack when you are grieving
- How the amygdala scans for emotional pain and treats it like danger
- What happens to your thinking center when grief hits and why you feel numb
- How the sympathetic nervous system keeps your body in survival mode
- Why your senses feel sharper, your reactions bigger, and your patience thinner
- The four grief responses Sharon sees most often: resisting, reacting, avoiding, and pretending
- How stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline keep your system on high alert
- Why this noise sensitivity is not permanent when you learn to process the pain
- How Processing the Pain of Grief helps calm your brain and soften your grief
Journal Questions for Reflection:
- What sounds or situations make your body jump or tense up now that you are grieving
- Where do you notice your thinking has slowed down or feels foggy
- When was the last time you snapped or shut down and later realized you were not really mad at that person or thing
- What background noise or repeated behavior from others feels harder to tolerate since your loss
- What would it look like to give your brain and body a place to calm down instead of just pushing through
Conclusion: Noise sensitivity in grief is not you "losing it." It is your grief biology doing its best to protect you with the only tools it knows. Your brain is on high alert. Your body is tired. Your system is trying to outrun the pain. But this does not have to be your forever.
When you learn how to process the pain of grief, your nervous system can settle. Your thoughts get clearer. Your reactions soften. The world gets a little quieter again. You will still miss your person, but the grief does not have to feel like an attack every time a memory or a sound shows up.
Contact Us: Ready to calm your grief brain and learn how to process the pain, not just survive it Join Sharon Brubaker inside Processing the Pain of Grief, her live classroom where you learn what your brain is doing, how grief works in the body, and how to move the pain out instead of holding it in.
Learn more and get support inside The Grief School community. Website: thegriefschool.com Contact: info@thegriefschool.com TikTok, YouTube, Instagram: @thegriefschool
🎙️ Episode Summary: In this powerful episode of Grieve That Sh!t, Sharon Brubaker opens the door on one of the most misunderstood experiences in grief: the silent battle happening inside your body. After the loss of her nephew Austin, Sharon discovered that grief isn't just sadness. It's a full body takeover. It's your mind racing, your stomach twisting, your heart pounding, and your nervous system trying to protect you in ways that end up keeping you stuck.
Through honest storytelling and deep reflection, Sharon explains why so many grievers stay busy, stay strong, and stay silent while their bodies carry the weight of what their hearts are terrified to feel. She shares the truth about resisting pain, pretending to be okay, and the invisible cost of swallowing your emotions day after day.
If you've ever felt like your body reacts before your mind can catch up, or if you've wondered why your grief hits you out of nowhere, this episode will help you finally understand what's happening inside you.
🧠 Key Points Discussed: 1) Why resistance in grief feels safer but creates emotional paralysis 2) How the nervous system goes on high alert after loss and why that leads to exhaustion 3) What happens to your body when you stay busy instead of feeling your pain 4) Why pretending to be strong teaches everyone around you to avoid the truth 5) How swallowed emotions return louder, heavier, and more confusing 6) What it means when old memories surface years after the loss 7) How hiding your grief disconnects you from the people you love 8) Why you can't heal what you refuse to feel 9) How to begin turning toward your grief instead of away from it
📓 Journal Questions for Reflection: 1) Where am I resisting my pain instead of feeling it 2) What emotions have I been swallowing 3) Where have I been pretending to be okay 4) What memories or moments keep resurfacing and what might they be asking me to notice 5) What support would help me feel safe enough to stop being strong and start being honest
🩶 Conclusion: Your silence doesn't heal you. Your resistance doesn't protect you. Your pretending doesn't bring peace. Grief lives in your body until you turn toward it with honesty. Healing begins the moment you stop swallowing your truth and start letting yourself feel what's real.
When you soften, even a little, your grief begins to move. When you let yourself name the pain, it finally has somewhere to go. You deserve relief. You deserve support. You deserve to let your body exhale.
📬 Contact Us: Ready to go deeper and get the support you've been needing Join Sharon Brubaker inside The Grief School community
📝 The Courage Club every Thursday at 10 AM CST Live inside The Grief School Facebook Group
🎤 Surviving the Holidays Masterclass now open thegriefschool.life/holidays2025
📧 Contact: info@thegriefschool.com 📲 TikTok, YouTube, Instagram: @thegriefschool
🎙️ Episode Summary: In this deeply personal episode of Grieve That Sh!t, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker opens her heart about the painful truths she learned after the death of her son, Austin.
She shares the moments she wishes she had faced differently—the pretending, the resisting, and the avoiding—and how each of those choices kept her trapped in silence. Through raw honesty and reflection, Sharon reveals what she's learned about strength, vulnerability, and what real healing actually requires.
If you've ever felt like you had to be strong for everyone else… or that your tears made you weak… this episode will meet you right where you are.
You'll hear the truth about why hiding your pain doesn't protect you—it just delays the healing.
🧠 Key Points Discussed:
- What "being strong" really cost Sharon after her son's death
- The difference between surviving grief and processing it
- How pretending you're okay teaches everyone around you to do the same
- The danger of waiting for time to heal what needs to be faced
- What happens when grief becomes silence inside a family
- How to begin sharing your pain safely—with honesty, not performance
- Why feeling your grief doesn't make you weak, it makes you real
📓 Journal Questions for Reflection:
- Where in my life am I pretending to be strong?
- What would it look like to show up honestly in my grief?
- Who might be learning from the way I'm handling my pain?
- What's one thing I wish I had said—or still want to say—to my person?
- What kind of support would feel safe for me right now?
🩶 Conclusion: Grief doesn't need you to be strong. It needs you to be honest.
You don't have to hide your pain, smile through it, or wait for time to fix it. Healing begins the moment you stop resisting what hurts and start letting yourself feel it.
Because pretending keeps you stuck— but honesty opens the door to peace.
📬 Contact Us: Want to go deeper or get live support as you heal? Join Sharon Brubaker inside The Grief School community:
📝 Grief Study Hall – every Wednesday @ 7PM CST 📍 Live in The Grief School Facebook Group (link in comments)
🎤 Surviving the Holidays Masterclass – Now Open for Registration Learn how to move through this season with care, peace, and a plan for your heart. 👉 thegriefschool.life/holidays2025
📧 Contact: info@thegriefschool.com 📲 TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram: @thegriefschool
In this deeply moving and unforgettable episode of Grieve That Sh!t, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker shares a story that stopped her in her tracks, a moment that changed two families' lives forever.
What began as an ordinary drive with her husband turned into a tragedy they witnessed unfold before their eyes. Through this raw, emotional experience, Sharon explores how quickly life can change, how grief shatters the illusion of time, and what it truly means to live with awareness, compassion, and love before it's too late.
This episode isn't just about loss it's about the fragility of life, the depth of empathy, and the sacred invitation to love harder, forgive faster, and be present now.
🧠 Key Points Discussed:
- How grief can enter your life in one split second
- Why no one is immune to loss—grief is the great equalizer
- The illusion of "time" and how we waste it on silence, anger, or pride
- The difference between empathy and agreement—and why both matter
- How witnessing tragedy reminds us that everyone is carrying invisible pain
- Why judgment has no place in grief
- What it means to truly "love in the now" and not wait for later
- How unspoken words become the loudest echoes after loss
📓 Journal Questions for Reflection:
- What moment in your life divided your world into "before" and "after"?
- What are the words you wish you had said—and who still needs to hear them?
- Who do you need to forgive or apologize to today?
- What would loving harder and living slower look like for you right now?
- How can you honor both sides of a painful story—with empathy instead of blame?
🩶 Conclusion: Life changes in an instant. One minute you're laughing at a gas station—and the next, everything is different.
Grief doesn't wait for your permission. It breaks in, rewrites your story, and asks you to start living with your eyes open. You cannot control what happens, but you can choose how you show up when it does.
So before you go to bed tonight—say what needs to be said. Tell your people you love them. Forgive where you can. Because the ache in your heart is proof that it still works.
📬 Contact Us: If your heart feels heavy after this episode, that's okay. That means it's working. Come sit with us and learn to process your grief with guidance and community.
📝 Processing the Pain of Grief – Join the self-guided program and begin healing today 💻 clickhereforhope.com
🎄 Holiday Grief Care Plan Masterclass – November 8 at 7PM CST If the holidays feel impossible, this class will help you breathe again. You can join one session for $19, or get the full bundle for $47 to receive all October freebies, recordings, and access to November and December's live sessions.
📧 Contact: hello@thegriefschool.com 📲 TikTok, YouTube, Instagram: @thegriefschool
"Avoiding the pain won't make it go away—it only teaches it to hide."
In this episode of Grieve That Shit, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker breaks down one of the sneakiest traps that keeps grievers stuck: avoidance. When life shatters, the natural instinct is to run from the pain, to stay busy, and to pretend you're doing fine. But as Sharon reminds us, ignoring grief doesn't erase it—it buries it.
This episode dives deep into what happens when we try to outsmart our pain. Sharon explains why our brains convince us to avoid reminders of our person, how distraction becomes a survival skill that turns into a lifestyle, and how avoidance slowly shrinks our world until even joy feels out of reach. She shares real, compassionate tools to help you stop running from grief and begin facing it—one small, brave step at a time.
What You'll Learn in This Episode Why grief convinces you that avoiding pain will make it fade The difference between healthy, temporary breaks and lifelong avoidance How avoidance shows up in daily life—from over-cleaning to staying "too busy" Why the longer you avoid your grief, the smaller your world becomes Simple, gentle steps to start meeting your grief instead of running from it
Homework for You Take five quiet minutes this week to notice when you avoid your feelings. Ask yourself: 1. What emotion am I trying not to feel right now? 2. Where do I feel it in my body? 3. Then set a time limit for your avoidance. 4. Give yourself permission to take a break, but also promise yourself to come back—to cry, to write, to feel. That's how you begin to heal.
Resources + Next Steps Check what's happening in the Grief School: clickhereforhope.com Join Grief Study Hall – live support with Sharon every Tuesday at 1 PM CST Sign up for the Surviving Christmas Masterclass on November 8th to create your holiday grief plan Follow Sharon on TikTok and YouTube at @thegriefschool
“Grief isn’t just sadness—it’s a full-body takeover. It’s the storm that hits when love has nowhere left to land.”
In this episode of Grieve That Shit, Sharon Brubaker takes you back to the foundation of it all: understanding what grief actually is. For too long, we’ve been fed clichés about “moving on” or “staying strong,” while no one ever taught us how to live through the ache.
Sharon unpacks the real definition of grief—the kind you feel in your bones. She shares what she wishes she’d known when her nephew Austin died, and why understanding the truth about grief changes everything. This isn’t theory—it’s lived experience, raw and unfiltered.
You’ll learn why grief isn’t just emotional, but physical. Why it feels unnatural even though it’s the most natural thing in the world. And why no two people grieve the same, even when they’re mourning the same person.
By the end of this episode, you’ll stop asking “what’s wrong with me?” and start realizing: nothing is wrong with you. Your grief is proof that you loved deeply.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode * Why grief is normal and natural—and what that really means * The truth about conflicted feelings and why you can miss someone and still feel relief they’re gone * How grief becomes physical, showing up in your body as much as in your heart * Why your grief will never look like anyone else’s * How naming your grief gives you power to begin healing
Homework for You Print this out and do it this week:
Write down three moments when grief hits you the hardest.
Is it when you wake up? When you reach for the phone to call them? When silence gets too loud?
Then, for each moment, write one sentence starting with: “This is grief.”
“This is grief when I reach for the phone.” “This is grief when I cook their favorite meal.” “This is grief when I laugh and feel guilty right after.”
Naming it helps you see it for what it is—love looking for a place to land.
Resources + Next Steps 📘 Download your free eBook: clickhereforhope.com 🎥 Get the video series “This Is Grief” – self-guided lessons that walk you through Sharon’s full teaching on the definition of grief. 🧠 Join Grief Study Hall – live support with Sharon every Tuesday at 1 PM CST.
“Loneliness in grief isn’t just about missing your person—it’s about missing the version of yourself you were when they were alive. Naming that loneliness is how you stop drowning in it.”
In this episode of Grieve That Shit, Sharon Brubaker takes on one of the hardest truths of grief: loneliness. Even in a crowded room, grief makes you feel like you’re on another planet. People may surround you, but no one else can feel the exact pain you’re carrying.
Sharon unpacks why grief is so isolating—why people avoid your pain, why you feel like you don’t belong anywhere, and why loneliness feeds the heaviness of loss. Most importantly, she shows you how to name it, face it, and take small steps to soften it so it doesn’t drown you.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
-
Why grief makes you feel lonely, even when you’re not alone
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How silence and avoidance from others deepen the isolation
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The difference between missing your person and missing the version of yourself when they were alive
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Why naming loneliness out loud is a powerful first step
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Small ways to create connection when everything feels hollow
Homework for You
Print this out and do it this week:
-
Write down the moments when loneliness hits you the hardest.
-
Is it in the morning?
-
At night?
-
During family gatherings?
-
For each moment, write one small action you could try—not to erase the loneliness, but to soften it.
-
Call one safe person.
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Light a candle and say their name.
-
Sit with someone who will let you cry without fixing it.
Resources + Next Steps
-
Download your free eBook: https://clickhereforhope.com/
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Join Grief Study Hall – live support with Sharon every Tuesday at 1 PM CST. Sign up at Grief Study Hall
“We should’ve been given hip-high boots and a damn instruction manual. Instead, we’re dropped into grief with nothing but clichés. But here’s the truth—you can face the pile, grieve it, and climb out.”
In this episode of Grieve That Shit, Sharon Brubaker gets brutally honest about what grief really feels like: like stepping straight into a hip-high pile of shit with no warning, no boots, and no map out.
Nobody prepared us for the sleepless nights, the chest-crushing pain, or the brain fog that makes you feel like you’re losing your mind. Nobody told us grief would come with silence from friends, family drama, and the pressure to “be strong.” Instead, we’re left to stumble through the mess with nothing but bad advice and our broken hearts.
This episode is your manual for facing that pile, wading through it, and finding a way out—without pretending it’s not there.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
-
Why grief feels like drowning in a pile of shit no one warned us about
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The ways society avoids preparing us for loss
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How grief takes over your body and makes simple things feel impossible
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The extra weight of silence, guilt, and bad advice
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The first steps to facing grief instead of resisting it
Homework for You
Print this out and do it this week:
-
Write down your personal version of “the pile.”
-
Is it the silence from friends?
-
The guilt that won’t let go?
-
The exhaustion that never ends?
-
The family drama that made it worse?
-
Circle the one part of the pile that feels heaviest right now. That’s where you start. Naming it is the first step to grieving it.
Resources + Next Steps
-
Download your free eBook: https://clickhereforhope.com/
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Join Grief Study Hall – live support with Sharon every Tuesday at 1 PM CST. Sign up at Grief Study Hall.
“The shit is not just the loss itself—it’s the lies, the silence, the guilt, and the pressure that come with it. You didn’t create it, but you can name it. And once you name it, you can grieve it.”
In this episode of Grieve That Shit, Sharon Brubaker breaks down what “the shit” actually means. Grief isn’t just the pain of missing your person—it’s all the lies, the silence, the pressure, and the guilt that come piled on top of the loss.
From the bad advice (“time heals”) to the avoidance (people ducking you at the grocery store), Sharon calls it out. This is the part nobody warns you about, the weight that makes grief feel heavier than it already is. And until you name it, you can’t begin to move through it.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
-
The real meaning behind “grieve that shit”
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Why clichés and cultural rules about grief keep you stuck
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How silence and avoidance from others add to the pain
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The difference between grieving your person and grieving the shit around the loss
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Why naming the shit is the first step toward healing
Homework for You
Print this out and work through it:
- Write your personal list of “the shit” you’ve been carrying.
o What lies have you been told?
o What guilt do you wrestle with?
o What moments still knock the wind out of you?
- Say it out loud: “This is my pile of shit.” Don’t soften it. Don’t excuse it. Just name it.
Resources + Next Steps
-
Download your free eBook: https://clickhereforhope.com/
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Join Grief Study Hall – live support with Sharon every Tuesday at 1 PM CST. Sign up at Grief Study Hall
“Grief is not polite. It’s not delicate. It doesn’t wait until you’re ready. It crashes in and takes over your whole life. So let’s stop pretending—and let’s grieve that shit.”
On the very first episode of Grieve That Shit, Sharon Brubaker rips the mask off grief and tells the truth: grief is messy, painful, and nothing like the world says it should be.
Sharon shares the moment her life split in two with the death of her nephew Austin and why she chose to call this podcast Grieve That Shit. You’ll learn why clichés like “time heals” do more harm than good, why grief is a full-body experience, and why facing the pain head-on is the only way through.
This episode sets the tone for everything that’s coming: raw honesty, calling out the lies, and creating a space where you can finally stop pretending and start healing.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
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Why Sharon chose the name Grieve That Shit
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How grief takes over your entire body—not just your emotions
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The truth about “being strong” and why it blocks healing
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Why laughter and tears often show upside by side in grief
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The first step toward actually healing
Homework for You
Print this out and do it this week:
-
Grab a notebook and write your version of the shit.
-
What lies have you been told about grief?
-
What feelings are you pushing down?
-
What moments knock the wind out of you?
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Don’t edit it. Don’t make it pretty. Just get it on the page. Naming your pile of shit is the first step to grieving it.
Resources + Next Steps
Download your free eBook:
-
Download your free eBook: clickhereforhope.com
-
Join Grief Study Hall – live support with Sharon every Tuesday at 1 PM CST.
-
Sign up Grief Study Hall
Episode Summary: Welcome to Healing Starts With the Heart, the podcast where grief meets resilience.
In this episode, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker gets raw and real about the unspoken chaos of grief—what it feels like in your body, why your mind can’t stop replaying the moment it all changed, and how society leaves us completely unprepared to deal with it.
From the hospital diagnosis to the late-night phone call that split life into “before and after,” Sharon lays out what really happens when grief hits—and why it’s not weakness, madness, or something you just “get over.” It’s a full-body, full-heart experience that demands to be felt.
If you’ve ever wondered “What the hell is happening to me?” this episode is your answer: you’re not broken—you’re grieving.
🧠 Key Points Discussed: * The moment everything changes: the call, the diagnosis, the hospital, the knock at the door. * Why grief is a full-body experience—chest tightness, heavy head, shallow breath, restless nervous system, twisted stomach, sleepless nights. * The battle between your logical mind (searching for answers) and your heart (knowing the truth). * How grief shows up in everyday life—seeing their favorite cereal in the store, picking up the phone to call them, lying awake at night unable to breathe. * The danger of performing instead of grieving—wearing a smile, staying busy, saying “I’m fine,” while silently falling apart. * Why society has left us unprepared: no one showed us how to grieve, only how to hide. * Grief isn’t just sadness—it’s anger, numbness, confusion, shutdown, and longing all at once. * Pain is not the problem; pretending is. * Surviving grief is not about fixing or outrunning it—it’s about one breath, one moment, one day at a time. * Tools Sharon shares in That Grief Sht* ebook + video series:
+ Why grief feels like it does in the body
+ What it means to “be strong” vs. fall apart
+ Allowing emotions (anger, numbness, tears) instead of suppressing them
+ Answering the question: *Am I crazy or am I normal?*
📓 Journal Questions for Reflection: * What was the moment my life split into “before” and “after”? * How does grief show up in my body right now? * Where am I performing instead of allowing myself to feel? * What everyday moments trigger my grief—and what do they teach me about my love? * How have I silenced my emotions to comfort others? * What might it look like to take grief one moment, one breath, at a time?
🩶 Conclusion: Grief is not weakness. It’s not madness. It’s love with nowhere to go.
You were never taught how to grieve—only how to perform, suppress, and “be strong.” But pretending suffocates the heart. Healing starts when you stop performing and let yourself feel.
So if you’re exhausted from holding it all together, if your nervous system is on fire and your heart is begging to be heard—this episode is your reminder: you are not broken. You are grieving. And grieving is natural.
One moment, one breath, one day at a time—you will survive this.
📬 Contact Us: ✨ Upcoming Events: 📝 Grief Study Hall – Wednesdays @ 7PM CST 📍 Live in The Grief School Facebook Group
🎤 Grieve That Sht* – Next Live Lecture: Monday, August 4th @ 7PM CST 💻 clickhereforhope.com (Sign up to attend or receive the replay)
📩 Email: info@thegriefschool.com 📱 TikTok, Instagram, YouTube: @thegriefschool
Episode Summary:
Welcome to Healing Starts With the Heart, where grief gets real and healing gets honest.
In this episode, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker pulls back the curtain on the 9 biggest lies we’ve been told about grief—and how they’ve shaped generations of silent suffering. From pretending you're okay to being told “just stay busy,” this episode is a deep and raw dive into the ways our society teaches us to perform instead of process our pain.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re grieving “wrong,” this is your invitation to unlearn the myths and finally make space for the truth: you are not broken—just unheard.
🧠 Key Points Discussed: * Why most of us were never taught to grieve—and inherited myths from people who were also grieving * The 9 biggest lies we’ve been told about grief, including:
1. If it’s not death or divorce, it’s not grief
2. Stay busy and it will help
3. Don’t feel bad
4. Grieve alone
5. If you’re not crying, it’s not grief
6. Just replace the loss
7. Be strong for others
8. Time will heal
9. Moving forward means forgetting
- How these lies lead to emotional isolation, pretending, resentment, and long-term unresolved grief
- Why crying isn’t weakness—and “being strong” often just means shutting down
- What it means to truly acknowledge grief, and how that creates space for healing
📓 Journal Questions for Reflection: * Which of these grief lies have I believed or been told? * Where in my life am I pretending to be “okay”? * What emotions have I been taught to suppress in grief? * What version of myself have I lost that I haven’t grieved? * How has staying busy or being strong delayed my healing?
🩶 Conclusion: You weren’t given the tools to grieve—because no one ever gave them to the people who raised you either. You were handed myths instead of truth, silence instead of support. But it’s not too late to start over. It’s not too late to unlearn.
Grief isn’t a mindset problem. It’s not something you fix with strength or smiles. Grief is a wound that deserves your attention, your honesty, and your community.
So if you’re tired of pretending, if the lies about how to grieve are weighing you down—this episode is your permission slip to finally grieve out loud.
📬 Contact Us: ✨ Upcoming Events: 📝 Grief Study Hall – Wednesdays @ 7PM CST 📍Live in The Grief School Facebook Group
🎤 Grieve That Sht – Next Live Lecture: Monday, August 4th @ 7PM CST 💻 clickhereforhope.com (Sign up to attend or receive the replay)
📩 Email: info@thegriefschool.com 📱 TikTok, Instagram, YouTube: @thegriefschool
Episode Summary: In this powerful and raw episode of Healing Starts With the Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker asks a deeply uncomfortable—but necessary—question: What if the pain isn’t the problem… but the key to your healing?
Sharon breaks down why so many of us are still stuck in our grief—not because we’re doing it wrong, but because no one ever taught us how to feel the pain instead of managing it. From performative grief to inherited patterns, she shares how unprocessed pain keeps us in a holding pattern of burnout, resentment, and silence.
You’ll learn how to stop performing, start feeling, and allow grief to finally move through you—instead of staying trapped inside your body.
🧠 Key Points Discussed:
- Why pain is not something to avoid, but the portal to healing
- What "performative grief" looks like (and how it keeps you stuck)
- The difference between acknowledgment and acceptance
- Why crying, screaming, and "ugly crying" are necessary parts of the healing process
- How grief passed down through generations teaches us silence instead of support
- The truth about what happens when we don't let grief move through the body
- Why managing pain is not the same as processing pain
- The one-minute challenge to sit with grief (and why that’s so hard)
- What it means to stop apologizing for grief and let the nervous system exhale
📓 Journal Questions for Reflection:
- What pain have I been managing instead of feeling?
- Where am I pretending to be “okay”?
- When was the last time I gave myself permission to fall apart?
- What would it look like to acknowledge, out loud, that I am grieving?
- Who taught me how to grieve—and were they in pain too?
🩶 Conclusion: If you’re still in pain, it doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re human. It means something—or someone—mattered. And you don’t have to perform your way through this anymore.
You are allowed to hurt. You are allowed to cry. You are allowed to feel this all the way through.
Because the pain is not the end of your grief story— It’s the beginning of your healing.
📬 Contact Us: Want to go deeper or get live coaching? Join Sharon Brubaker for weekly grief support:
📝 Grief Study Hall – every Wednesday @ 7PM CST 📍Live in The Grief School Facebook Group (link in comments)
🎤 Next ‘Grieve That Sh*t’ Live Lecture – Monday, August 4 @ 7PM CST Sign up once and get the replay, even if you can’t attend live! 👉 clickhereforhope.com
📧 Contact: hello@thegriefschool.com 📲 TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram: @thegriefschool
Episode Description: In this powerful episode of Healing Starts with the Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker takes us into the often-unspoken world of collective grief—the grief that doesn’t belong to just one person, one family, or one household. It belongs to all of us. When tragedy strikes a community—whether it’s a school shooting, a local accident, a sudden death, or a public loss—every face reflects the sorrow. And every heart carries a piece of it.
Sharon unpacks what it means to grieve together, how public mourning impacts private pain, and why it’s so hard to know what to say or do. Through her personal story and the communities she’s walked with through deep loss, this episode is a reminder: you are allowed to grieve, even if you weren’t the one closest to the loss.
If you’ve ever struggled to understand why you’re hurting after a tragedy in your town—or if you’ve watched your community rally and then fall silent—this episode will help you name it, feel it, and find a way forward together.
Key Points Covered:
- What community grief really is: How grief spreads beyond the immediate family and becomes a shared weight.
- The ripple effect of loss: Why neighbors, classmates, church members, teachers—even strangers—feel it too.
- When your grief becomes public: What it means when your pain is visible in grocery store aisles, in church pews, and across front porches.
- The awkwardness of support: Why communities show up with casseroles, candles, and balloon releases—because they don’t know what else to do.
- No grief is “too small”: Even if your connection was distant, your pain is real and valid.
- What happens after the funeral: Why grief gets louder in the silence after the ceremonies, when the door closes and the cameras are gone.
- The trap of being “community strong”: Why telling people to “stay strong” shuts down healing—and what to say instead.
- The importance of afterward support: How real community healing starts not just with rituals, but with consistent presence, honest words, and quiet connection.
Reflection Questions for Your Heart:
- Have you ever felt grief that didn’t “belong” to you, but changed you anyway?
- What role did you play in a collective loss—neighbor, teacher, nurse, friend?
- Who have you been meaning to check in on, long after the candles were blown out?
- What does your community need most right now: another event—or someone who will simply say, “I see you”?
A Note from Sharon: If you're hurting for your town, your school, your street, your neighbor—you're grieving. And you deserve space to feel it, too. Let’s stop pretending we’re okay. Let’s stop hiding behind strong. Real grief calls for real community. Let’s keep showing up for one another—not just for the funeral, but for the months and years afterward, when it matters most.
Listen weekly to Healing Starts with the Heart for truth-filled, compassionate guidance through the hardest parts of grief.
Follow Us: Website: healingstartswiththeheart.com Facebook: Healing Starts with the Heart Instagram: @healatthegriefschool TikTok: @thegriefschool
Join Us for Ongoing Healing: If you’re grieving quietly after a public loss, we see you. You’re not invisible. Join Sharon and our team at the next Grief Healing Weekend Intensive—a space for real healing, not just survival. You don’t have to carry this alone. Visit clickhereforhope.com for details.
Episode Description: In this raw, heart-opening episode of Healing Starts with the Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker walks you through one of the deepest truths about loss—grief doesn't just take your person. It takes everything. And no one prepares you for that part.
With her own story and the stories of thousands of grievers she’s supported, Sharon names the unspoken: how grief sneaks in like a thief in the night and strips away your energy, your motivation, your peace, and even your sense of time. This isn’t just emotional pain. It’s physical, spiritual, mental—and it touches every part of your life.
If you’ve felt like grief broke something in you that you can't get back... this episode will make you feel seen. It’s not just you. This is what grief does. But this is also your invitation to take it back—your joy, your identity, your voice, your future.
Key Points Discussed:
- Grief doesn’t just take your person— It takes you, the version of you who felt whole before the loss.
- Energy depletion and physical exhaustion— Why simple tasks like getting out of bed, showering, or doing laundry can feel impossible.
- Loss of motivation and pleasure— The things you used to love may now feel meaningless or numb.
- Sleep disruption— Why nights are the hardest and how grief hijacks your ability to rest.
- Loss of confidence and focus— How grief impacts your ability to think clearly, trust yourself, and feel secure in your identity.
- The collapse of inner peace— Why your nervous system stays on high alert after your loss.
- Grief and identity loss— Feeling like a stranger in your own life and questioning your role in the world.
- Grief takes your voice— The silence we fall into when no one understands our pain or says the right thing.
- Time distortion— Feeling stuck in the moment of loss while time speeds up or slows down around you.
- Future grief— Mourning the dreams, milestones, and shared plans that will never happen.
- Control and patience vanish— How grief can make you feel emotionally raw, snappy, and out of control.
- The truth no one tells you— Grief may have taken everything... but you can take it back.
Journal Questions for Reflection:
- What’s something you’ve lost that no one talks about?
- What do you miss most about yourself—the version of you before the loss?
- Where do you feel most “not like yourself” these days?
- What’s one thing grief made you believe you couldn’t reclaim—but maybe you can?
Join the Journey: You were not given a life sentence when your person died. You’re allowed to reclaim the pieces of your life that grief tried to steal. The healing starts when you stop pretending you’re okay, and begin honoring what you’ve lost—and what you still deserve to feel.
Subscribe now to Healing Starts with the Heart for new episodes every Wednesday. You’re not alone. You never were.
Follow Us: Website: healingstartswiththeheart.com Facebook: Healing Starts with the Heart Instagram: @healatthegriefschool TikTok: @thegriefschool
Come to the Healing Weekend Intensive: If this episode spoke to the places in you that feel broken, we invite you to spend the weekend with us. You’ll learn how to reclaim your voice, your energy, your identity, and your hope. Click the link below to waitlist in the upcoming Grief Healing Weekend Intensive. We’re saving you a seat.
https://beacons.ai/thegriefschool
Certainly. Here’s the updated podcast description with bulleted key points while keeping the structure, tone, and clarity intact—no emojis, no fluff:
Episode Description:
In this deep and unfiltered episode of Healing Starts with the Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker unpacks one of the most misunderstood truths about grief—that it’s not just sadness.
So many grievers are led to believe that they’re supposed to carry this endless, heavy sadness for the rest of their lives—that sadness is the whole story of grief. But in this powerful conversation, Sharon reveals what most people don’t talk about: that grief affects your entire body, your mind, your spirit, and your entire world.
With honesty, compassion, and her signature clarity, Sharon explores how grief is an all-consuming storm—how it shows up in brain fog, physical exhaustion, anxiety, disconnection from reality, and deep detachment from your own life. She reminds listeners that they are not broken, they are grieving—and that grief deserves real support, not silence.
If you’ve been stuck in the belief that “I’m just going to be sad forever,” this episode is a wake-up call and a warm hand reaching for yours. This is your reminder: your grief is valid, it’s big, it’s real—and you don’t have to carry it alone anymore.
Key Points Discussed:
- Grief Isn’t Just Sadness Why reducing grief to sadness keeps grievers stuck and unseen.
- The Full-Body Grief Storm How grief affects your nervous system, thoughts, beliefs, sleep, digestion, and sense of reality.
- Why You Can’t Think Your Way Out Grief is an emotional experience in the heart—not a logic problem for the mind to fix.
- Processing vs. Performing Why it’s time to stop pretending you’re okay and start moving the pain through your body.
- What Healing Actually Looks Like Sharon shares the need for action, truth-telling, and intentional space to feel without apology.
Journal Questions for Reflection:
- Where in your body are you holding your grief right now?
- What part of your life has grief touched that no one acknowledges?
- What have you stopped doing because of your grief—and what do you miss most about that part of yourself?
- What would it feel like to be witnessed in your grief without having to explain it?
Join the Journey: Grief isn’t something to be ignored or waited out. You deserve a safe space to land—a place where your pain is seen, held, and honored. That’s what Healing Starts with the Heart is here to offer.
Subscribe now for new episodes every Wednesday and start walking this path with someone who truly understands.
Follow Us: Website: healingstartswiththeheart.com Facebook: Healing Starts with the Heart Instagram: @healatthegriefschool TikTok: @thegriefschool
Check Our Programs: You’re not broken. You’re grieving. And Sharon is here to walk beside you—because she is you.
Episode Summary: In this heartfelt episode of Healing Starts with the Heart, Sharon Brubaker opens the door to a topic many avoid—your grief story. Not the polite, watered-down version, but the real, raw, unfiltered story of what happened, what you felt, and what you still carry. Sharon explains why telling this story—first to yourself and then to others—is a necessary part of healing. She shares how the truth of our pain holds the key to transformation, connection, and true emotional release.
Whether you’ve lost a person, a dream, a relationship, or a piece of yourself—this episode invites you to step into your truth, name your grief, and be seen in your pain without shame or apology.
Key Points Discussed: * Why your real grief story matters more than the “acceptable” version * The physical, emotional, and spiritual toll of holding your story in * How your brain and body record every detail of trauma and grief * The difference between what we tell others and what we need to tell ourselves * How society pressures us to hide our pain—and why that compounds it * The power of grief storytelling in community and connection * Sharon’s personal grief stories—and how they continue to evolve * The freedom and healing that come from speaking your story out loud
Journal Questions for Reflection: * Who were you before your loss, and who are you now? * What part of your story have you never said out loud? * What do you still carry in silence? * What changed in your life that no one else sees? * What would it feel like to tell the truth about your grief story? * What is something you lost beyond the person—was it safety, identity, future plans? * What do you want the world to know about the depth of your pain?
Conclusion: Your grief story matters. All of it. Not just the death or the loss, but what it did to your soul, your routine, your identity. And while you may have been taught to hide your pain, Sharon reminds us that real healing starts when we stop editing our story to protect others. Speak the truth. Say what happened. Say what still hurts. Because when you tell your story, you make room for healing—not only for yourself but for others walking this same painful road.
Contact Us: Have a question, story, or want to connect with Sharon? 📧 Email: hello@thegriefschool.com 📱 Follow Sharon on TikTok: @thegriefschool 🌐 Learn more or join a healing program: www.thegriefschool.com ✨ Join the community: clickhereforhope.com
In this empowering episode of Healing Starts with the Heart, Sharon Brubaker pulls back the curtain on one of the greatest grief misconceptions: that we need to learn how to grieve. Sharon reveals a deeper truth—we were all born knowing how to grieve. From your first cry to your instinct to reach out when in pain, grief is not something to be taught but something we’ve been taught to forget. Through raw, compassionate storytelling and the powerful example of a client who found her way back to healing, Sharon reminds us that grief is not a flaw—it’s our body and spirit doing exactly what they were designed to do. If you’ve ever questioned your tears, your numbness, or the way your grief looks—this episode is for you.
Key Points Discussed:
- You didn’t lose your ability to grieve—you were born with it
- The world unteaches us how to grieve by rewarding silence and pretending
- Grief is a full-body, nervous system experience—not just emotional pain
- Your grief is not wrong, too big, too heavy, or something to be fixed
- Real healing begins when we stop performing and start expressing honestly
- A powerful story of a widow rediscovering her voice in Grief Study Hall
- Why your body still remembers how to release what hurts—without needing a manual
Journal Questions for Reflection:
- When did you first start to believe your grief was “too much”?
- How have you been performing instead of feeling your grief?
- What rules or messages about grief have shaped your current experience?
- How has your body been trying to express grief—and have you been listening?
- What would it look like to stop apologizing for your grief?
- Are you willing to trust that you still know how to grieve?
Conclusion: You don’t need to learn how to grieve—you need to remember that you already know. Your tears are not signs of weakness, your pain is not brokenness, and your emotions are not something to hide. They’re sacred. They’re real. They’re part of the healing. Sharon invites you to stop apologizing, stop performing, and return to what your body, your heart, and your spirit already know how to do: grieve.
Contact Us: Have a question, story, or want to connect with Sharon? Email: hello@thegriefschool.com Join the Grief Study Hall every Tuesday from 1–3 PM CST Facebook: The Grief School Facebook Group TikTok: @thegriefschool Website: clickhereforhope.com
In this raw and deeply honest episode of Healing Starts with the Heart, Sharon Brubaker invites listeners into the messy, painful, and necessary truth of what it means to lean in to grief. Instead of hiding, numbing, or pretending you’re okay, Sharon challenges you to stop running from the pain and start facing it head-on. This is not about suffering for suffering’s sake—it’s about healing the only way that works: by feeling it all. If you’ve ever told yourself, “If I let this out, I’ll never stop crying,” this episode is for you. Sharon unpacks the myths we’re told about grief, the lies we believe to stay strong, and what it truly means to begin moving pain through you—not around you.
Key Points Discussed:
- Why avoidance only deepens and prolongs grief
- The dangerous myth that time alone heals grief
- What “leaning into the pain” actually looks like in real life
- How grief lives in the body—and what happens when we suppress it
- The truth about emotional numbness and false strength
- Why staying “composed” is not the same as healing
- The power of sitting with your grief, naming your pain, and giving it space
- The importance of breaking free from performative grieving and moving into true processing
- How leaning in, little by little, helps you reclaim pieces of yourself
- Real-life stories of clients who finally allowed themselves to cry—and what happened next
- Why grief is not a lifetime sentence, unless you choose it to be
Journal Questions for Reflection:
- What pain have you been avoiding in your grief?
- Where in your body do you feel the heaviness of your loss?
- What lies have you been told (or believed) about being strong?
- What might shift if you gave yourself permission to fall apart today?
- Can you name a moment when you chose numbness over feeling? What did that cost you?
- What part of your grief needs to be witnessed right now—by you?
Conclusion: Grief demands to be felt. Not hidden, not ignored, not scheduled. And the truth is, real healing only begins when you choose to lean in. You don’t have to be strong. You don’t have to pretend. You just have to show up—to your own pain—with honesty and compassion. You’ll find that in the leaning, there’s light. There’s breath. There’s a path forward.
Contact Us: Have a question, story, or want to connect with Sharon? 📧 Email: hello@thegriefschool.com 📱 Follow Sharon on TikTok: @thegriefschool 🌐 Join our healing spaces: www.thegriefschool.com ✨ Be part of our community: clickhereforhope.com 💬 Join us for Grief Study Hall (Tuesdays 1–3 PM CST) or Processing the Pain of Grief (Thursdays 7 PM CST)
🎙️ Episode Summary: In this unforgettable episode of Healing Starts with the Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker shares the story of the exact moment her life split into “before” and “after.” Through a searingly honest account of the phone call that changed everything—the loss of her nephew Austin—Sharon takes listeners inside the collapse that grief can cause. This isn’t a conversation about “moving on” or checking boxes—it’s a journey through the mess, the silence, and the search for truth. If you’ve had that day—the one where it all fell apart—this episode is for you.
💔 Key Points Discussed: * The moment grief hit: June 17, 2006—the call that shattered Sharon’s life * The illusion of “ordinary” before a loss, and the unbearable clarity after * How the world keeps spinning while your life stops * The raw, physical, full-body nature of grief * Society’s failure to understand or support grieving people * The myth of strength: why being “strong” isn’t always helpful * Why no one is coming to save you—and how Sharon created the help she needed * The role of silence, breaking down, and choosing to face the pain head-on * Why The Grief School and Grief Study Hall were born—from brokenness to building * The truth: You are not broken. You are grieving. And you don’t have to do it alone.
📝 Journal Questions for Reflection: * What was the moment that split your life into “before” and “after”? * How did your body respond to the shock of your loss? * What lies about grief or “being strong” have you believed or been told? * Where in your life have you been waiting for someone to save you? * What truth are you ready to say out loud about your grief?
🔚 Conclusion: Grief isn’t polite. It doesn’t knock first. It wrecks, rewires, and reshapes everything. But even in the rubble, there is still breath, still hope, and still a path through. If you’ve had that day—the one that broke you—you are not alone. And if no one ever told you: you don’t have to carry this forever. You just have to walk through it. One breath at a time. One truth at a time.
📬 Contact & Community: Need more support or want to connect with Sharon? 📝 Join Grief Study Hall: Every Tuesday, 1–3 PM CST 📚 Read the Book: Grieve That Sht* — grab it at clickhereforhope.com 📸 Follow Sharon on TikTok: @thegriefschool 💌 Email: hello@sharonbrubaker.com
Episode Summary: In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Healing Starts with a Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker explores the raw truth behind her book Grieve That Sht. Through honest storytelling and lived experience, Sharon unpacks “the grief sht”—the real, often unspoken pain that comes with loss—and what it actually feels like in the body, mind, and soul. This episode is a lifeline for anyone navigating the devastating aftermath of grief and looking for real talk, not clichés.
Key Points Discussed:
- The origin and meaning behind the book title Grieve That Sht*
- What "the sh*t" really is: the messy, painful, and often invalidated experience of grieving
- Grief as a full-body, biological, emotional, and intellectual experience
- The myth of “moving on,” “closure,” and other harmful expectations
- Why people say the wrong things, and how to hold your truth anyway
- You can’t outthink grief—you have to feel your way through it
- Grief is more than death: it includes lost dreams, identities, relationships, and futures
Journal Questions for Reflection:
- What does "the grief sht" look like in your* life right now?
- When have you tried to “outthink” your grief, and how did that feel in your body?
- How do you resist grief—and what might it feel like to let go just a little?
- What parts of your life or identity have you grieved that weren’t related to death?
- What’s one honest answer you could give someone if they asked how you’re really doing?
Conclusion: Grief isn’t just emotional—it’s physical, spiritual, and all-consuming. It changes everything, and there’s no handbook, no timeline, no “right” way to do it. But one truth remains: you are not broken. You are grieving, and your body knows what to do. You don’t have to hold your breath through it—you can let yourself breathe again. Let this episode be your reminder: you’re doing a damn good job just making it through today.
📬 Contact Us: Need more support or want to connect with Sharon? 📚 Get on the waitlist for Grieve That Sht*: clickhereforhope.com 📸 Follow Sharon on TikTok: @thegriefschool 💌 Email: hello@sharonbrubaker.com
A Wake-Up Call for Every Griever
Episode Summary: In this powerful kickoff to Healing Starts with a Heart, Sharon Brubaker gets real about what it means to truly grieve. This episode introduces the unapologetic truth behind her upcoming book, Grieve That Sht*. Sharon shares the raw inspiration for the title, why she refuses to sugarcoat grief, and why it’s time for all grievers to stop hiding.
If you’ve ever felt suffocated by forced positivity, misunderstood by the people around you, or overwhelmed by the hidden layers of loss—this episode is for you. This is more than a conversation. It’s a declaration. It’s your permission to grieve loudly, deeply, and truthfully.
Key Points Discussed:
- The story behind the bold title Grieve That Sht*
- Why we need to stop hiding in our grief
- The difference between grieving the person vs. grieving the secondary losses
- The lies grievers are told by society—and why they don’t help
- The world’s broken response to grief and how it adds to our pain
- Sharon’s personal journey and the defining moment that sparked this movement
- The true meaning of giving yourself permission to heal
- What it means to grieve on your own terms
- How the book and Sharon’s grief programs are transforming the healing process
Journal Questions for Reflection:
- What “grief sh*t” have you been carrying that no one sees?
- How has the world responded to your grief, and how did that make you feel?
- In what ways have you felt pressure to “move on” before you were ready?
- What would it look like for you to grieve truthfully and unapologetically?
- Where do you still need to give yourself permission to heal?
Conclusion: This episode sets the tone for a new kind of grief healing journey—one rooted in truth, resilience, and radical permission. Sharon isn’t just writing a book. She’s starting a movement. One that says you no longer have to grieve in silence, put on a brave face, or make other people comfortable. You get to grieve this sh*t. All of it. Every last bit. Because that’s how healing starts—with a heart wide open.
Contact Us: Have a question, story, or want to connect with Sharon? Email us at: hello@thegriefschool.com Follow Sharon on TikTok: @thegriefschool Learn more or join our next healing weekend at: www.thegriefschool.com You can also follow and connect with us at: clickhereforhope.com
Grieve That Sht – A Wake-Up Call for Every Griever
Episode Summary: In this powerful kickoff to Healing Starts with a Heart, Sharon Brubaker gets real about what it means to truly grieve. This episode introduces the unapologetic truth behind her upcoming book, Grieve That Sht*. Sharon shares the raw inspiration for the title, why she refuses to sugarcoat grief, and why it’s time for all grievers to stop hiding.
If you’ve ever felt suffocated by forced positivity, misunderstood by the people around you, or overwhelmed by the hidden layers of loss—this episode is for you. This is more than a conversation. It’s a declaration. It’s your permission to grieve loudly, deeply, and truthfully.
Key Points Discussed: * The story behind the bold title Grieve That Sht* * Why we need to stop hiding in our grief * The difference between grieving the person vs. grieving the secondary losses * The lies grievers are told by society—and why they don’t help * The world’s broken response to grief and how it adds to our pain * Sharon’s personal journey and the defining moment that sparked this movement * The true meaning of giving yourself permission to heal * What it means to grieve on your own terms * How the book and Sharon’s grief programs are transforming the healing process
Journal Questions for Reflection: 1. What "grief sh*t" have you been carrying that no one sees? 2. How has the world responded to your grief, and how did that make you feel? 3. In what ways have you felt pressure to “move on” before you were ready? 4. What would it look like for you to grieve truthfully and unapologetically? 5. Where do you still need to give yourself permission to heal?
Conclusion: This episode sets the tone for a new kind of grief healing journey—one rooted in truth, resilience, and radical permission. Sharon isn’t just writing a book. She’s starting a movement. One that says you no longer have to grieve in silence, put on a brave face, or make other people comfortable. You get to grieve this sh*t. All of it. Every last bit. Because that’s how healing starts—with a heart wide open.
Contact Us: Have a question, story, or want to connect with Sharon? Email us at: hello@thegriefschool.com Follow Sharon on TikTok: @thegriefschool Learn more or join our next healing weekend at: www.thegriefschool.com You can also follow and connect with us at: clickhereforhope.com
The Lies We've Been Told About Grief Episode Description: In this eye-opening episode of Healing Starts with the Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker confronts the damaging lies we've all been told about grief. From childhood, we are handed false beliefs like: • “Don’t feel bad” • “Be strong” • “Time will heal” • “You should get over it”
Sharon dives deep into how these messages have distorted our understanding of grief and often cause us to suppress or deny the pain we’re carrying. She shares her own personal experience with the grief that no one warned her about, and how unlearning these toxic myths led her on a path of true healing.
If you’ve ever felt like your grief didn’t fit into the tidy boxes society sets for it, this episode is a must-listen. Sharon invites you to release the shame and guilt tied to these lies, offering a new, empowering perspective on what it truly means to grieve and heal.
Key Points Discussed:
- The Lies We’ve Been Taught About Grief Why pretending to be “strong” and “moving on” can actually hold us back from healing.
- How Grief Should Really Be Handled Understanding grief as a personal journey that requires space, time, and the willingness to feel deeply.
- The Cost of Suppressing Grief How ignoring your grief can lead to long-term emotional pain, and why it’s crucial to face it head-on.
- Grief as a Journey, Not a Destination Grief doesn’t follow a timeline, and healing doesn’t mean you “get over it.” It means you learn to live with it.
Journal Questions for Reflection:
- What lies about grief have you been told or have believed?
- How do you feel when others tell you to “move on” or “be strong”?
- What would it look like if you gave yourself permission to grieve openly and without judgment?
Join the Journey: Grief doesn’t follow a simple, linear path, but Sharon is here to help you navigate it with compassion. Visit The Grief School for more resources, and join our Study Hall sessions every Tuesday and Thursday. You can also connect with Sharon during her live sessions on TikTok and Facebook.
👉 Follow Us: Website: healingstartswiththeheart.com Facebook: Healing Starts with the Heart Instagram: @healatthegriefschool TikTok: @thegriefschool
Check our Programs: https://clickhereforhope.com
💙 You’re not alone in this. Sharon is here to walk with you—because she is you.
The Truth About Time and Why It Won’t Heal Your Grief Episode Description: In this powerful episode of Healing Starts with the Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker challenges one of the most common myths about grief: that time alone will heal all wounds. With raw honesty and deep personal reflection, Sharon explores the ways time affects grief—not by erasing pain, but by revealing the spaces where healing is still needed.
She shares her own journey of realizing just how long it has been since she last saw and spoke to her loved ones, and the surprising emotions that surfaced when she did the math. If you've ever wondered why your grief still feels fresh after months or even years, this episode will provide clarity, validation, and a new perspective on how to navigate healing with intention.
Key Points Discussed: * The Myth of Time as a Healer Why waiting for time to "fix" grief often leads to more frustration and heartache. * What Time Actually Does Time reveals unresolved pain, surfaces hidden emotions, and shows us where healing still needs attention. * The Power of Intentional Healing Healing doesn’t happen passively—it requires action, awareness, and willingness to face the grief head-on. * Softening vs. Healing Time may soften the edges of grief, but true healing comes when we actively engage in our healing journey.
Journal Questions for Reflection: * What has time revealed to you about your grief? * What emotions resurface for you again and again? * How can you lean into your grief with intention instead of waiting for time to pass?
Join the Journey: Healing takes time, but it also takes intention. If you're ready to move forward with purpose, explore resources at The Grief School, join our Study Hall sessions every Tuesday and Thursday, or follow Sharon’s live sessions on TikTok and Facebook.
👉 Follow Us:
- Website: healingstartswiththeheart.com
- Facebook: Healing Starts with the Heart
- Instagram: @healatthegriefschool
- TikTok: @thegriefschool
- Check our Programs:
💙 You’re not alone in this. Sharon is here to walk with you—because she is you.
Grief and the Journey of Healing
Grief is a deeply personal and often misunderstood experience. Society tends to encourage moving on quickly, but true healing comes from acknowledging and processing grief rather than suppressing it. Sharon Brubaker, a grief specialist with over 18 years of experience, guides individuals through their healing journeys with compassion and practical tools.
Rather than avoiding grief, embracing it with awareness can lead to emotional recovery. Suppressing grief may seem like the easiest option, but unprocessed emotions often resurface in unexpected ways. By allowing yourself to sit with your emotions, you create space for healing.
Journal Questions for Reflection Take a moment to reflect on your grief journey with these questions. Writing down your thoughts can help you gain clarity and insight:
- Have you been keeping yourself busy as a way to cope with grief? How has that been working for you?
- What are some unexpected ways your grief has shown up in your daily life?
- When was the last time you truly allowed yourself to sit with your emotions? How did it feel?
- What would it look like for you to practice awareness and acknowledgment of your grief today?
Conclusion Remember, grief is not something to “get over”—it’s something to tend to with care and compassion. Sharon encourages you to challenge societal norms, embrace your grief, and practice self-awareness. When we allow ourselves to process grief instead of suppressing it, true healing becomes possible.
Resources and Support * Processing the Pain of Grief Program – A guided, step-by-step approach to navigating loss and healing. * Website: healingstartswiththeheart.com * Facebook Group: The Grief School – Connect with others who understand and support your journey. * Contact: Email Sharon at sharon@sharonbrubaker.com
Thank you for being part of this journey.
You are not alone.
Episode Description: In this episode of Healing Starts with the Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker sheds light on the exhausting and relentless nature of grief. She challenges the common advice to “give it time” and explains why grief pain demands to be felt. Through personal stories and deep insights, Sharon provides listeners with practical steps to lean into their grief and begin processing it in a healthy way.
Key Points Discussed: Why Grief Feels Exhausting * Grief takes every bit of your energy, leaving you physically and emotionally drained. * Staying busy and distracted may seem like a solution, but it doesn’t make the pain go away. * The exhaustion of grief is real—it’s as if all your nerve endings are exposed, making even small tasks feel overwhelming.
The Myth of “Time Heals All” * Many are told to just “give it time,” but time alone does not heal grief. * Pain has a purpose—it demands to be felt and processed before true healing can begin. * Avoiding grief only causes it to show up unexpectedly, in ways we don’t anticipate.
The Chatter of Grief * Grief creates an ongoing mental dialogue, much like background noise that never stops. * Unprocessed grief thoughts turn into overwhelming emotions that take over daily life. * The only way to quiet the chatter is to acknowledge and process the emotions tied to it.
Our Culture Teaches Us to Push Through * Society conditions us to suppress grief, offering minimal time to grieve before returning to “normal.” * We have been led to believe that grief has an expiration date, but real healing comes from actively tending to our pain.
A Simple Practice for Processing Grief * Instead of pushing grief away, pause and acknowledge its presence. * Identify the emotion you’re feeling—sadness, loneliness, anger—and name it. * Lean into the emotion rather than resisting it, allowing it to pass through you. * This intentional awareness helps relieve the weight of grief over time.
Journal Questions for Reflection: * Have you been trying to stay busy to avoid your grief? How has that affected you? * What are some ways your grief is showing up unexpectedly in your life? * When was the last time you truly allowed yourself to sit with your emotions? How did it feel? * What would it look like for you to practice awareness and acknowledgment of your grief today?
Conclusion: Grief is not something to “get over”—it is something to tend to with care. Sharon encourages listeners to challenge societal norms, embrace their grief, and practice awareness. By learning to process grief instead of suppressing it, healing becomes possible.
Resources and Support: * Processing the Pain of Grief Program – Learn the step-by-step approach to healing. * Website: healingstartswiththeheart.com * Facebook Group: The Grief School * Contact: Email Sharon at sharon@sharonbrubaker.com
Thank you for listening!
The Truth About Grief: Why Pain Demands to Be Felt
Episode Description: In this episode of Healing Starts with the Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker sheds light on the exhausting and relentless nature of grief. She challenges the common advice to “give it time” and explains why grief pain demands to be felt. Through personal stories and deep insights, Sharon provides listeners with practical steps to lean into their grief and begin processing it in a healthy way.
Key Points Discussed:
Why Grief Feels Exhausting
- Grief takes every bit of your energy, leaving you physically and emotionally drained.
- Staying busy and distracted may seem like a solution, but it doesn’t make the pain go away.
- The exhaustion of grief is real—it’s as if all your nerve endings are exposed, making even small tasks feel overwhelming.
The Myth of “Time Heals All”
- Many are told to just “give it time,” but time alone does not heal grief.
- Pain has a purpose—it demands to be felt and processed before true healing can begin.
- Avoiding grief only causes it to show up unexpectedly, in ways we don’t anticipate.
The Chatter of Grief
- Grief creates an ongoing mental dialogue, much like background noise that never stops.
- Unprocessed grief thoughts turn into overwhelming emotions that take over daily life.
- The only way to quiet the chatter is to acknowledge and process the emotions tied to it.
Our Culture Teaches Us to Push Through
- Society conditions us to suppress grief, offering minimal time to grieve before returning to “normal.”
- We have been led to believe that grief has an expiration date, but real healing comes from actively tending to our pain.
A Simple Practice for Processing Grief
- Instead of pushing grief away, pause and acknowledge its presence.
- Identify the emotion you’re feeling—sadness, loneliness, anger—and name it.
- Lean into the emotion rather than resisting it, allowing it to pass through you.
- This intentional awareness helps relieve the weight of grief over time.
Journal Questions for Reflection:
- Have you been trying to stay busy to avoid your grief? How has that affected you?
- What are some ways your grief is showing up unexpectedly in your life?
- When was the last time you truly allowed yourself to sit with your emotions? How did it feel?
- What would it look like for you to practice awareness and acknowledgment of your grief today?
Conclusion: Grief is not something to “get over”—it is something to tend to with care. Sharon encourages listeners to challenge societal norms, embrace their grief, and practice awareness. By learning to process grief instead of suppressing it, healing becomes possible.
Resources and Support:
- Join Grief Study Hall – Connect with others in a supportive environment: Tuesdays at 1 PM CST & Thursdays at 10 AM CST.
- Processing the Pain of Grief Program – Learn the step-by-step approach to healing.
- Website: healingstartswiththeheart.com
- Facebook Group: The Grief School
- Contact: Email Sharon at sharon@sharonbrubaker.com
Thank you for listening! Stay tuned for more conversations on grief, healing, and resilience.
The Hidden Cost of Unprocessed Grief
Episode Description: In this episode of Healing Starts with the Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker delves into the often-overlooked process of truly understanding and working through grief. She challenges the misconceptions around "moving on" and highlights the importance of acknowledging and processing pain as essential steps toward healing. Through personal experiences and expert insights, Sharon shares a powerful approach to grief that transforms pain into progress.
Key Points Discussed:
Why Grief Feels Endless
- Many people struggle with lingering grief for years because they were never taught how to process it properly.
- Healing doesn't mean forgetting—it means learning to carry grief in a healthy way.
- Ignoring pain only intensifies it, making healing feel impossible.
Acknowledging the Pain as a First Step
- The first step to healing is recognizing and allowing yourself to feel the pain of grief.
- Suppressing grief leads to emotional wounds that can fester, much like an untreated physical injury.
- Saying "This hurts" and acknowledging grief’s presence is a powerful act of self-compassion.
The Role of Processing Grief
- Healing requires intentional work—grief is not something you simply "get over."
- Before true emotional healing can begin, one must first learn how to grieve.
- Processing grief involves daily, small steps rather than a single breakthrough moment.
Understanding the Two-Part Healing Approach
- Processing the Pain of Grief: Identifying and working through the pain step by step.
- The Courage to Grieve: Once pain has been processed, this stage allows for deeper grief work and transformation.
- Healing is not about erasing pain but about learning to tend to it properly.
Journal Questions for Reflection:
- Have you been avoiding your grief, and if so, in what ways?
- How does unprocessed pain show up in your life?
- What small steps can you take today to begin acknowledging and tending to your grief?
- How can you reframe your grief as a process rather than something to "get over"?
Conclusion: Grief is not an enemy—it is a signal that healing needs to take place. Sharon encourages listeners to take the first step by acknowledging their pain and starting the process of working through it. With the right tools and mindset, grief can become a pathway to resilience and growth rather than an overwhelming burden.
Resources and Support:
- Join Grief Study Hall – Connect with others in a supportive environment: Tuesdays at 1 PM CST & Thursdays at 10 AM CST.
- Processing the Pain of Grief Program – A step-by-step guide to tending to your grief.
- Website: healingstartswiththeheart.com
- Facebook Group: The Grief School
- Contact: Email Sharon at sharon@sharonbrubaker.com
Thank you for listening! Stay tuned for more conversations on healing, grief, and resilience.
Honoring Your Loved One While Thriving in Grief
Episode Description: In this episode of Healing Starts with the Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker explores the powerful connection between honoring a loved one’s memory and finding personal growth through grief. She challenges the common belief that grieving and thriving are opposites, showing how they can coexist. Through personal stories and practical guidance, Sharon helps listeners embrace healing while keeping their loved one’s legacy alive.
Key Points Discussed:
The Coexistence of Grief and Growth
- Grief doesn’t mean a life of endless suffering, and thriving doesn’t mean forgetting your person.
- Healing involves learning to carry grief while finding purpose and moments of joy.
Honoring Their Memory Through Storytelling
- Sharing stories keeps your loved one’s presence alive in your heart and helps others who are grieving.
- Personal anecdotes, cherished memories, and creative expressions can become healing tools.
How Loss Deepens Relationships
- Grief can shift the way we interact with others, often leading to deeper connections with family and friends.
- Simple gestures like saying “I love you” more often or creating new traditions in their honor can be powerful acts of remembrance.
Finding Meaning in Grief
- Reflecting on how grief has changed your perspective, passions, or career can help channel pain into personal growth.
- Identifying lessons from your loss can shape the way you move forward while still honoring your person.
Journal Questions for Reflection:
- What are the ways you currently honor your loved one’s memory?
- How has grief reshaped your relationships with others?
- What lessons have you learned from your journey through loss?
- How can sharing your person’s story bring healing to you and others?
Conclusion: Grief is life-changing, but it doesn’t mean you have to be forever broken. Sharon encourages listeners to find ways to keep their loved one’s spirit alive while embracing growth and healing. By sharing their stories and allowing grief to be part of their journey, they can create a meaningful legacy of love and resilience.
Resources and Support:
- Join Grief Study Hall – Connect with others in a supportive environment: Tuesdays at 1 PM CST & Thursdays at 10 AM CST.
- Grief Assessment – Schedule a personalized session with Sharon.
- Website: healingstartswiththeheart.com
- Facebook Group: The Grief School
- Contact: Email Sharon at sharon@sharonbrubaker.com
Thank you for listening! Stay tuned for more conversations on healing, grief, and resilience.
Grief as a Full-Body Experience Episode Description: In this episode of Healing Starts with the Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker uncovers the physical, emotional, and mental toll of grief. She explains how grief affects every part of the body, from emotions to physical health, and discusses ways to recognize and address these effects. Sharon shares her own experiences and offers tools to help listeners navigate the overwhelming, full-body impact of grief.
Key Points Discussed: Grief Affects Every Part of You
- Grief is more than an emotional experience; it impacts the mind, body, heart, and soul.
- Physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach issues, muscle pain, and changes in appetite are common.
- Sharon urges listeners to seek medical attention for persistent symptoms while understanding their connection to grief.
Six Areas Affected by Grief
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Feelings:
- Grief brings intense, unpredictable emotions such as sadness, anger, and confusion.
- These emotions can feel like waves or roller coasters, and avoiding them only prolongs the pain.
- Sharon shares how she suppressed her grief after her nephew’s death, showing how unprocessed emotions can surface later.
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Thoughts:
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Grief triggers overwhelming thoughts, often leading to beliefs like “No one understands me” or “I’ll never be happy again.”
- These repetitive thoughts influence emotions and behaviors, keeping grievers stuck.
- Recognizing and addressing grief-related thoughts is a vital step toward healing.
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Behaviors:
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Grief can cause out-of-character behaviors, such as overeating, drinking excessively, or neglecting self-care.
- Sharon emphasizes the importance of being gentle with yourself and allowing space for these behaviors while gradually working toward healthier habits.
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Beliefs:
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Grief can challenge religious, spiritual, and personal beliefs, leading to questions about justice, fairness, and the meaning of life.
- Some grievers find their faith strengthened, while others may feel disconnected or uncertain.
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Physical Health:
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The physical toll of grief includes headaches, joint pain, sleep disturbances, and more.
- Sharon advises seeking professional help for health concerns while also understanding that grief is a contributing factor.
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Purpose:
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Grief can shake your sense of purpose, leading to feelings of hopelessness or questioning life’s meaning.
- While these thoughts are unsettling, they are a natural part of the grieving process and a step toward redefining your purpose.
Journal Questions for Reflection: 1. What emotions have been the strongest for you during this grieving experience? 2. What thoughts do you find yourself repeating since your loss? 3. How has your grief affected your behaviors or habits? 4. Have your beliefs about life, faith, or fairness changed? How? 5. What physical symptoms have you noticed during your grief? 6. How has grief made you question or redefine your purpose?
Conclusion: Grief is a full-body experience that touches every part of who you are. By understanding how it affects your feelings, thoughts, behaviors, beliefs, health, and purpose, you can begin to create a plan for healing. Sharon reminds listeners that grief is a journey, and taking intentional steps can help them move forward with hope and resilience.
Resources and Support: * Grief Study Hall: A free program every Tuesday at 1 PM CST where you can share and learn with others navigating grief. * Processing the Pain of Grief: A four-week intensive program to help you understand and begin moving through grief. * Grief Healing Program: A 12-week course focused on working through your grief and building a path toward healing. * Website: healingstartswiththeheart.com * Facebook Group: Join our supportive community at Hope, Heal, Recover. * Contact Us: Email Sharon at sharon@sharonbrubaker.com
Thank you for listening! Tune in next time for more insights on navigating grief and embracing healing.
Why Grief Makes You Feel Alone—Even in a Crowd Episode Description: In this episode of Healing Starts with the Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker explores the profound emotional experiences of loneliness, solitude, and isolation in grief. Sharon dives into the distinctions between these feelings and provides guidance on how to manage them effectively. Through personal insights and practical tools, she helps listeners embrace the balance between connection and introspection as they navigate their grief journey.
Key Points Discussed: The Difference Between Loneliness, Solitude, and Isolation
- Loneliness: An emotional state where you feel disconnected, even when surrounded by others.
- Being Alone: A physical state where you are by yourself, often by choice.
- Isolation: A deeper form of solitude that can arise when solitude persists and leads to disconnection from others.
Why Grievers Retreat Into Solitude
- Many grievers isolate themselves because they need time to process their loss or because they feel unsupported by others.
- Hurtful comments, such as “Shouldn’t you be over this by now?” or “They wouldn’t want you to feel this way,” push grievers further into solitude.
When Solitude Becomes Harmful Isolation
- Prolonged isolation can lead to feelings of being forgotten, worthlessness, and intensified grief.
- Sharon explains how well-meaning but misguided advice can exacerbate a griever’s sense of disconnection, making them reluctant to share their feelings.
The Challenge of Reaching Out
- Grievers may struggle to ask for help or connection because they feel they’re burdening others.
- Sharon encourages listeners to try reconnecting with trusted friends or family members and not to shy away from expressing the need for companionship or support.
Technology and Social Media’s Role in Loneliness
- Social media can amplify feelings of loneliness when posts about grief go unnoticed or when grievers feel like their pain is dismissed.
- Sharon notes how online spaces can sometimes foster negative comparisons or further isolation.
The Healing Power of Connection
- Small steps, like asking for a hug or inviting someone over, can ease feelings of loneliness.
- Pets, such as dogs or cats, can provide comfort and companionship, though they are not replacements for human connection or the grief process.
Journal Questions for Reflection: 1. Do you feel more alone or lonely in your grief? What’s the difference for you? 2. Have you found yourself isolating? If so, why do you think that is? 3. What comments or actions from others have made you feel more disconnected? 4. Who in your life could you reach out to for support or companionship? 5. What activities or moments of solitude help you process your grief in a healthy way?
Conclusion: Loneliness, solitude, and isolation are natural parts of grief, but they can become obstacles if left unaddressed. Sharon encourages listeners to identify their needs, seek connection, and balance introspection with support from others. Grief is a personal journey, but it doesn’t have to be walked alone.
Resources and Support: * Join Grief Study Hall: Share your grief with others in a supportive environment every Tuesday at 1 PM CST. * Four-Week Intensive on Grief: Process your grief deeply in this focused program. * Grief Assessment: Schedule a personalized session with Sharon to better understand and navigate your unique grief. * Website: healingstartswiththeheart.com * Facebook Group: Join our community at Hope, Heal, Recover. * Contact Us: Email Sharon at sharon@sharonbrubaker.com
Thank you for listening! Join us next time as we continue to explore the emotional complexities of grief and healing.
Why Does Grief Bring Back Old Pain? Episode Description: In this episode of Healing Starts with the Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker delves into the concept of cumulative grief, explaining how past unresolved losses often resurface during new grieving experiences. Sharon shares personal stories, psychological insights, and actionable tools to help listeners understand and navigate the layered emotions of cumulative grief, making space for healing and growth.
Key Points Discussed: What Is Cumulative Grief?
- Cumulative grief refers to the accumulation of past unresolved losses that resurface during new grief experiences.
- These memories might stem from losses like childhood experiences, pet deaths, or moments of neglect that were never acknowledged as grief at the time.
Examples of Cumulative Grief:
- Childhood losses such as being bullied, losing a pet, or experiencing a death that wasn’t openly discussed.
- Life events like divorce or career setbacks that resurface when facing a new loss.
- Sharon shares how unresolved grief can intensify the pain of current losses, making it harder to process and heal.
Why Cumulative Grief Happens:
- The brain and heart remember past grief experiences through sensory triggers like smells, songs, or locations.
- Unprocessed emotions are stored in the body, resurfacing during stressful events like a current loss.
Comparing Old and New Losses:
- Sharon explains how it’s natural to compare current grief to past experiences.
- While some comparisons can be helpful (e.g., identifying coping skills that worked), others, like judging one loss as "worse," can hinder healing.
Personal Stories of Cumulative Grief:
- Sharon shares examples from her work with clients, such as a woman grieving her father’s death who uncovered unresolved emotions from her divorce.
- She reflects on how her own childhood coping mechanisms influenced how she handled grief later in life.
The Role of "What-If" Thinking:
- Sharon discusses counterfactual thinking—reflecting on how things could have been different.
- While it’s a natural response, focusing on "what-ifs" can distract from addressing current grief.
The Silver Lining in Cumulative Grief:
- Past grief experiences can remind us of our resilience and coping skills.
- By reflecting on how we’ve overcome challenges before, we can find hope and strength in the present.
Journal Questions for Reflection: 1. What is one memory from a past loss that has resurfaced during your current grief? 2. Have you compared your current grief to a previous experience? What have you learned? 3. Are there any "what-if" thoughts you’ve been holding onto? How do they affect your grieving process? 4. What coping strategies or support systems from past losses might help you now?
Conclusion: Cumulative grief is a natural part of the grieving process, allowing past emotions to come to the surface for healing. Sharon encourages listeners to embrace these memories, use them as a source of strength, and reflect on their grief through journaling and support systems. Remember, every loss brings an opportunity for growth and deeper emotional understanding.
Follow Us: * Website: healingstartswiththeheart.com * Facebook Group: Join our supportive community at Hope, Heal, Recover. * Instagram: @healatthegriefschool * Contact Us: Email Sharon at sharon@sharonbrubaker.com
Thank you for listening! Tune in next time as we explore the transformative power of grief and healing.
Hidden Grief: The Losses We Don’t Talk About
In this episode of Healing Starts with the Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker dives into the topic of hidden grief—those personal, often unacknowledged grief experiences that go unnoticed by society. Sharon explains how hidden grief manifests in many forms beyond death and how societal norms often discourage people from recognizing and processing these losses. Through personal stories and practical advice, she helps listeners uncover and validate their hidden grief, paving the way for healing.
Key Points Discussed: What Is Hidden Grief?
- Hidden grief refers to losses that don’t fit traditional definitions of grief, such as losing a job, relationship, or sense of identity.
- Sharon describes hidden grief as deeply personal and often invisible, making it harder for others to recognize or offer support.
Examples of Hidden Grief:
- The loss of a dream job that you’ve worked toward for years.
- Breaking up with a significant other or going through a divorce.
- Losing self-worth after the death of a partner who was your emotional anchor.
- Enduring the foreclosure of a home or the loss of a pet, which society often trivializes.
Why Hidden Grief Goes Unnoticed:
- Society typically ties grief to death, leaving other forms of loss invalidated.
- People experiencing hidden grief often feel ashamed or embarrassed to share their feelings.
The Emotional Weight of Hidden Grief:
- Sharon discusses how unprocessed hidden grief can build up, leading to feelings of isolation and emotional exhaustion.
- Hidden grief often overlaps with other life challenges, complicating the healing process.
Personal Story: Learning to Acknowledge Hidden Grief
- Sharon shares her experience of grieving for her nephew, Austin.
- She reflects on how she delayed acknowledging her grief out of respect for others, later realizing the importance of processing her emotions.
The Importance of Recognizing Hidden Grief:
- Naming and validating these losses is a vital step toward healing.
- Sharon urges listeners to create a safe space to share their hidden grief and reject societal pressure to keep these experiences private.
Journal Questions for Reflection: 1. What is a hidden grief you’ve experienced recently? 2. How did this hidden grief make you feel, and did anyone acknowledge your emotions? 3. Have you avoided addressing this grief, and if so, why? 4. What steps can you take to honor and process this hidden grief?
Conclusion: Hidden grief can carry just as much emotional weight as grief tied to death. By naming these experiences and allowing yourself to feel the pain, you create space for healing and growth. Sharon reminds listeners that grief is a natural and valid response to all types of loss, not just those that society deems significant.
Follow Us: * Website: healingstartswiththeheart.com * Facebook Group: Join our supportive community at Hope, Heal, Recover. * Instagram: @healatthegriefschool * Contact Us: Email Sharon at sharon@sharonbrubaker.com
Thank you for listening! Join us next time as we uncover more ways to navigate the complexities of grief and healing.
Lessons Learned Through Grieving As A Mother Episode Description: In this heartfelt episode of Healing Starts with the Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker sits down with Yannette, a mother who shares her journey of navigating grief after the tragic loss of her husband. Together, they explore the unique challenges of grieving while raising children and the profound transformation that occurs when a mother learns to process and share her emotions openly.
Sharon and Yannette delve into how grief manifests differently for mothers and children and why it’s crucial to model healthy emotional expression. Yannette’s story of courage, resilience, and creating space for her children to grieve will inspire and empower listeners to embrace their own healing journeys.
Key Points Discussed:
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Breaking Generational Norms Around Grief
- Yannette reflects on her childhood experience of loss, where emotions were often hidden, and how it shaped her initial approach to grief.
- Sharon emphasizes the importance of breaking the cycle by showing children that expressing emotions is healthy and necessary.
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Learning to Share Grief with Children
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Yannette describes how she initially hid her grief from her children, believing it was her role to be “strong.”
- Through grief work, she discovered the healing power of vulnerability, allowing her children to see her emotions and learn to share their own.
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The Symbolism of the "Dragon"
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How Yannette used a story about dragons to help her children understand and process their grief, creating a shared language for discussing difficult emotions.
- The impact of creative storytelling on fostering connection and emotional awareness.
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Creating Safe Spaces for Healing
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The critical role of creating environments where children feel comfortable expressing their feelings.
- Practical tips for establishing a culture of open communication and emotional safety within a family.
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The Role of Self-Care for Mothers
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Sharon and Yannette highlight the importance of self-care for grieving mothers, not just for their own well-being but as a way to model self-compassion for their children.
Journal Questions for Reflection:
- How do you model emotional expression for the people in your life, especially children?
- What traditions or habits could you create to honor and remember your loved one together as a family?
- How do you take care of your own emotional health while supporting others through their grief?
Conclusion: Yannette’s journey reminds us that grieving as a mother is a dual process of healing oneself while nurturing the emotional well-being of children. By breaking generational patterns and showing vulnerability, mothers can create a legacy of emotional resilience for their families.
Follow Us:
- Website: healingstartswiththeheart.com
- Facebook: Healing Starts with the Heart
- Instagram: @healatthegriefschool
Contact Us:
- Email: sharon@sharonbrubaker.com
Thank you for tuning in! Join us next time as we explore the ways grief can transform our lives and deepen our connections.
Episode Title: The First Step in Healing
Episode Description: In this heartfelt episode of Healing Starts with a Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker invites listeners to explore the transformative power of sharing their grief. Drawing on her own experiences, Sharon reflects on the deeply personal journey of losing her nephew, Austin, and how finding a safe space to express her emotions became the first step in her healing process.
Grief often isolates us, convincing us that our pain doesn’t matter or that it’s a burden to others. Sharon challenges these misconceptions, advocating for the importance of acknowledging and talking about grief—not as a mother, sister, or aunt, but as an individual. She introduces Grief Study Hall, a safe community for sharing stories and finding connection, as a first step toward emotional recovery.
Key Points Discussed:
- Breaking the Silence Around Grief Why it’s crucial to speak openly about your personal grief story.
- The First Step in Healing Sharon’s personal journey of learning to honor her own grief after months of feeling unseen.
- The Power of Safe Spaces How a community like Grief Study Hall can create opportunities for emotional release and connection.
- The Emotional Nuances of Grief From recounting the details of loss to embracing the full range of feelings, why processing these moments is essential.
- Reframing the Stages of Grief Dispelling the myth of a linear grieving process and embracing the individuality of the healing journey.
Journal Questions for Reflection:
- Who has been a support in your grief journey? What made their support meaningful?
- Have you had a chance to tell your grief story? How did it feel to share?
- What does a “safe space” look like for you to talk about your grief?
- How can you create or seek out an environment that supports your healing?
Conclusion: Healing begins with acknowledging your pain and finding a community that listens and understands. Sharon’s Grief Study Hall offers this space, where sharing your story becomes the first step toward reclaiming your life.
Follow Us: Website: healingstartswiththeheart.com Facebook: Healing Starts with the Heart Instagram: @healatthegriefschool
Contact Us: Email: sharon@sharonbrubaker.com
Thank you for tuning in! Join us next time as we delve into more ways to navigate and heal from grief, together.
Episode Title: Shattered Trust: Finding Hope in Grief
Episode Description: In this heartfelt episode of Healing Starts with a Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker delves into the complex and little-discussed topic of grooming in the context of grief. Grievers are often in a state of heightened emotional vulnerability, which can make them susceptible to predatory behavior. Sharon sits down with guest Sherry Young, who bravely shares her personal experience of being groomed and scammed during her grieving process. Together, they explore the tactics used by groomers, the emotional toll it takes, and how to recognize and protect oneself from such situations.
Key Points Discussed:
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What is Grooming?
- An explanation of grooming and its psychological impact on individuals, especially those who are grieving.
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Grooming vs. Scamming: The Link
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How grooming often serves as a precursor to financial or emotional exploitation.
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Personal Story: Sherry's Journey
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Sherry candidly shares her experience of being groomed and scammed after personal loss, shedding light on the subtle ways groomers build trust.
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Recognizing the Red Flags
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Key behaviors to watch for when forming new relationships during times of grief.
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The Role of Community and Support
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Why having a strong support system can help shield against vulnerability.
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Healing After Betrayal
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How to process the emotional scars of being groomed and reclaim your sense of trust and security.
Journal Questions:
- Have you ever felt unusually drawn to someone who later let you down? What made them seem trustworthy at first?
- Reflect on a time you ignored a gut feeling about someone. What happened, and how did it shape your view of intuition?
- In what ways do you ensure your emotional safety when meeting new people, especially during vulnerable periods?
- What can you do to build a strong support system to rely on during times of emotional distress?
- How can you reclaim your narrative and strength after experiencing emotional manipulation?
Conclusion: This episode emphasizes the importance of trusting your instincts, leaning on your support network, and recognizing your worth, even during grief. Healing from loss is challenging enough—understanding and avoiding manipulation is a critical step in safeguarding your emotional journey.
Follow Us:
- Website: healingstartswiththeheart.com
- Facebook: Healing Starts with the Heart
- Instagram: @healatthegriefschool
Contact Us:
- Email: sharon@sharonbrubaker.com
Thank you for tuning in! Join us next time as we continue uncovering insights and strategies to help you heal, one step at a time.
Episode Title: How to Recognize and Heal Silent Grief
Episode Description: In this episode of Healing Starts with a Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker dives into the often-overlooked world of silent losses. Grief isn’t always about losing a loved one; it can stem from many other life experiences that bring deep feelings of sadness and emptiness. Sharon sheds light on the impact of silent losses, like moving away from a childhood friend, losing a job, or experiencing a broken relationship. These losses, though less recognized, can attach themselves to major grief events, amplifying pain over time. Sharon shares why it’s essential to acknowledge and grieve these silent losses to find a path toward healing and resilience.
Key Points Discussed:
- Silent Losses Explained Grief isn’t always tied to death. Sharon explains how silent losses, such as moving away, career setbacks, or relationship changes, can have a lasting emotional impact.
- Why Silent Grief is Overlooked Society often doesn’t recognize or support grief outside of death. Sharon discusses why these silent losses are rarely acknowledged and why we tend to brush them aside.
- The Impact of Unacknowledged Losses Silent losses can connect with new grief experiences, creating a heavier emotional burden. Sharon explains how unprocessed grief can resurface unexpectedly and affect current losses.
- Learning to Grieve Silent Losses Sharon shares ways to recognize and validate silent losses, emphasizing the importance of fully experiencing these emotions to heal.
- Finding Support and Moving Forward While grieving silent losses can feel isolating, finding support—even within oneself—can help. Sharon encourages listeners to talk openly about these losses and seek support when needed.
Journal Questions:
- What recent loss have you experienced that isn’t related to death?
- Which silent losses from your past still affect you today?
- How might acknowledging silent losses change your approach to grieving?
- Are there emotions tied to silent losses that you’ve kept private?
- What small step could you take to honor a silent loss?
Conclusion: Reflect on these questions as you explore silent grief’s impact on your life. Grieving these losses may be key to finding balance, peace, and true healing.
Follow Us:
- Website: healingstartswiththeheart.com
- Facebook: Healing Starts with the Heart
- Instagram: @healatthegriefschool
Contact Us:
- Email: sharon@sharonbrubaker.com
Thank you for tuning in. Join us next time for more insights on healing from grief, one step at a time.
Episode Title: How Grief Affects Your Whole Body
Episode Description: In this episode of Healing Starts with a Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker discusses how grief impacts more than just our emotions—it’s a full-body experience. Sharon shares insights from her personal journey and professional expertise, illustrating how grief can affect various parts of the body, from physical pain to changes in behavior and even beliefs. She explores six main areas that grief can impact, helping listeners understand why grief feels so overwhelming and unpredictable. Through practical advice and compassionate guidance, Sharon sheds light on how grief touches every part of who we are and why it’s essential to recognize these effects on our path to healing.
Key Points Discussed:
- Grief’s Full-Body Impact Grief is more than an emotional experience; it affects the entire body, including physical health, behavior, and even our beliefs.
- Emotional Roller Coaster Grief can send emotions spinning, often changing from sadness to anger to confusion all within moments. Sharon explains why these feelings fluctuate and how to approach them.
- Thoughts and Overthinking Grief brings intense thoughts and fears, often playing on repeat. Sharon shares how these thoughts shape emotions and why managing them is key to healing.
- Behavior Changes and Self-Care Grieving can alter daily habits and routines, sometimes leading to neglect of self-care. Sharon offers advice on gentle ways to care for yourself.
- Questioning Beliefs After a loss, beliefs about life, purpose, and faith often shift. Sharon explains how to navigate this change with self-compassion.
- Physical Health Grief can take a toll on physical health, causing symptoms like muscle pain, digestive issues, and headaches. Sharon encourages listeners to seek medical support as needed.
Journal Questions:
- What emotions have been the strongest for you during grief?
- What thoughts often repeat in your mind since your loss?
- How has grief changed your daily habits and self-care?
- Have your beliefs or outlook on life shifted? In what ways?
- What physical symptoms have you noticed, and how do they connect to your grief?
Conclusion: Reflect on these questions as you navigate your grief journey. Remember, grief affects the whole body and healing takes time and action steps.
Follow Us:
- Website: healingstartswiththeheart.com
- Facebook: Healing Starts with the Heart
- Instagram: @healatthegriefschool
Contact Us:
- Email: sharon@sharonbrubaker.com
Thank you for listening. Stay tuned for more insights and support on your journey through grief.
pisode Title: Honoring Motherhood After Loss: A Conversation with Cory
Episode Description: In this moving episode of Healing Starts with a Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker welcomes Corey, a mother who shares her deeply personal story of infertility, the joy of her pregnancy, and the heartbreaking loss of her twins, Leo and Lucy. Corey’s journey highlights the profound bond of motherhood even through unimaginable sorrow, as well as the resilience required to navigate grief. She openly discusses her experience with polycystic ovarian syndrome, pregnancy complications, and the strength it took to honor her children’s memory. Corey’s story sheds light on the importance of validating the experiences of mothers facing child loss and the healing power of small acts of remembrance.
Key Points Discussed:
- The Joy and Struggle of Becoming a Mother Corey shares her journey through infertility and the special bond she formed with her twins, Leo and Lucy, during her pregnancy.
- Navigating Medical Challenges and Loss Corey describes her difficult experiences with medical complications and the heartbreak of realizing she couldn’t save her twins, despite her unwavering hope and determination.
- The First Steps of Grieving From saying goodbye to her babies in the hospital to celebrating their memory with small acts of love, Corey reflects on her early days of grief and the unique challenges of losing a child.
- Finding Purpose Through Remembrance Corey speaks about honoring Leo and Lucy by donating her breast milk, a healing act that helped her feel connected to her role as their mother.
- Support and Understanding for Grieving Mothers Sharon and Corey discuss the need for societal recognition of grief in mothers who have lost children and the importance of validating each mother’s unique journey.
Journal Questions:
- What small ways can you honor the memory of a loved one?
- How can you validate your experiences, even if others don’t fully understand?
- How have challenging experiences shaped your sense of purpose?
- What role has community support played in your grief journey?
- What meaningful acts could help you feel closer to a lost loved one?
Conclusion: Reflect on these questions as you navigate your journey through grief. Remember, honoring your story and those of your loved ones can be a profound step toward healing.
Follow Us:
- Website: healingstartswiththeheart.com
- Facebook: Healing Starts with the Heart
- Instagram: @healatthegriefschool
Contact Us:
- Email: sharon@sharonbrubaker.com
Join our Event on November 20th:
- Link to Register: https://www.thegriefschool.life/tgsworkshop112024
Thank you for listening to Corey’s story. Join us next time as we continue to explore journeys of resilience, love, and healing through grief.
Episode Title: Ways to Handle Cumulative Grief Gently
Episode Description: In today’s episode of Healing Starts with a Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker unpacks the concept of cumulative grief and why unresolved losses from the past can intensify the pain of new ones. Sharon shares insights drawn from her own journey and years of experience with grieving clients to shed light on the overwhelming effects of grief overload. From childhood losses to recent heartbreaks, she explains how cumulative grief layers upon itself, often leaving us feeling trapped in a cycle of sorrow. This episode guides listeners on embracing their grief fully, with actionable steps for managing the waves of unresolved pain and building resilience along the way.
Key Points Discussed:
- The Nature of Cumulative Grief Grief doesn’t operate on a timeline; it builds up over time. Sharon explains how early grief experiences, even from childhood, can resurface with each new loss, creating an overwhelming accumulation of unresolved pain.
- Recognizing Grief Overload Grief can feel like waves crashing repeatedly with no breathing room. Sharon discusses how grief overload occurs when we face multiple losses in a short period or hold onto grief from years past, making it feel impossible to manage.
- Avoiding the “Grief Detective” Mindset Instead of processing grief, some people become “grief detectives,” focusing on finding answers or blaming others as a way of avoiding painful emotions. Sharon explains how this can prolong grief and offers tips for breaking this habit.
- Finding a “Grief Friend” or Support Group Even when it feels easier to carry grief alone, having a “grief friend” or joining a support group can provide comfort and understanding. Sharon encourages listeners to reach out to those who truly support their grief journey.
- Taking Action for Healing Healing doesn’t just happen with time; it requires active steps. Sharon highlights practical actions, from journaling to creative expression, that help make space for grief, allowing it to flow rather than accumulate.
Journal Questions:
- What early losses have you experienced that still weigh heavy on your heart?
- How might avoidance or “grief detective” behaviors affect your grieving process?
- Who in your life can be a supportive “grief friend” as you navigate cumulative grief?
- Reflect on a time you felt joy despite experiencing loss. What did that teach you?
- What is one small step you can take to begin addressing any unresolved grief?
Conclusion: Reflect on these questions as you approach grief with patience and self-compassion. Remember, grief is not meant to be carried alone. Each action step you take helps build a foundation of resilience, moving you closer to peace.
Follow Us:
- Website: healingstartswiththeheart.com
- Facebook: Healing Starts with the Heart
- Instagram: @healatthegriefschool
Contact Us:
- Email: sharon@sharonbrubaker.com
Thank you for joining us. Stay tuned for more episodes offering support, insight, and hope on your grief journey.
Episode Title: 5 Things to Avoid While Grieving Episode Description: In today’s episode of Healing Starts with a Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker dives into five common pitfalls to steer clear of on your personal path through grief. Drawing from her own experiences and over a decade of work with grieving individuals, Sharon shares practical insights on what to avoid when navigating loss. From self-judgment to resisting emotions, she explains how letting yourself fully experience grief can lead to deeper healing and resilience. Each tip is designed to help you honor your grief journey with courage and compassion, while building a supportive foundation along the way.
Key Points Discussed: 1. Don’t Talk Yourself Out of Grieving Embrace your emotions, no matter how difficult they may feel. Sharon explains the importance of acknowledging every type of grief, whether it’s a silent loss or a life-altering heartbreak. 2. Avoid Self-Bullying Grief isn’t a measure of strength or control. Sharon shares why it’s essential to treat yourself kindly and why self-compassion is key to healing. 3. Don’t Lock Away the ‘Grief Monster’ Using the metaphor of a “grief monster,” Sharon explains how bottling up grief can intensify its hold. Facing the “monster” in manageable ways helps lessen its overwhelming presence. 4. Don’t Disconnect from Your Support System Even when it feels tough to let others in, finding a supportive “grief friend” or community can provide the compassion and understanding needed for healing. 5. Don’t Believe the Darkness Will Last Forever The journey through grief can feel unending, but Sharon offers reassurance that joy and light will return. Embracing small steps can help shift your perspective and illuminate the way forward.
Journal Questions: 1. How do you typically respond to grief? Do you find yourself talking yourself out of it or locking it away? 2. What are some ways you can practice self-compassion during tough moments? 3. Who in your life can be a “grief friend” and offer you support through this journey? 4. Reflect on a time you’ve experienced unexpected joy. How did that impact your outlook? 5. What is one small way you can start to embrace your grief and let it flow naturally?
Conclusion: Reflect on these questions as you approach grief as a personal journey, free from societal expectations. Healing takes time, and with each step, you are moving closer to a life of resilience and peace.
Follow Us:
- Website: healingstartswiththeheart.com
- Facebook: Healing Starts with the Heart
- Instagram: @healatthegriefschool
Contact Us:
- Email: sharon@sharonbrubaker.com
Thank you for joining us. Stay tuned for more discussions offering support, insight, and hope on your grief journey.
Episode Title: Are You Truly Respecting Grief?
Episode Description: In today's episode, we dive into the significance of respecting the grief of others. Grief is as unique as the individual experiencing it. Sharon Brubaker discusses how grief can vary based on personality, relationships, and individual circumstances. Understanding this can help us honor others’ grief without trying to fix or rush the process. Join us as we explore how respect, acknowledgment, and allowing space for grief can transform the healing journey for both the griever and their supporters.
Key Points Discussed:
Grief and Personality:
- Grief reflects your personality—whether open, reserved, or emotional, you will grieve in the way you show up in life.
- Just because someone is grieving doesn't mean their personality changes. Recognizing this can help others understand how to support them.
Grief and Relationships:
- Your relationship with the deceased affects how you grieve. Whether they were a best friend, parent, or admired public figure, grief varies based on the depth of that bond.
- Family members often grieve differently, both in timing and expression. Respecting each individual’s grief journey is crucial to maintaining harmony.
Respecting Grief:
- Respect is essential in supporting others. This means allowing space for grief, listening without offering solutions, and acknowledging the emotions involved.
- Society often fails to understand or support grief properly, but asking simple questions like "How's your grief today?" can make a significant difference.
Journal Questions:
- How does your personality influence the way you grieve?
- How do the different relationships you’ve lost affect how you feel grief?
- How can you show respect for your own grief and the grief of those around you?
- What strategies can you use to support someone else’s unique grief process without trying to fix it?
- How can you create space for open conversations about grief with your family and friends?
Conclusion: Use these questions to reflect on your grief and the grief of others. Respecting each person’s journey allows for healing in its own time and form. Whether you’re grieving or supporting a griever, creating a space of respect is crucial.
Follow Us:
- Website: https://www.healingstartswiththeheart.com/
- Facebook: Healing Starts with the Heart
- Instagram: healatthegriefschool
Contact Us:
- Email: sharon@sharonbrubaker.com Thank you for joining us in this episode. Stay tuned for more discussions on how we can better navigate grief and healing together.
Grief is like Glitter
Episode Title: Grief is like Glitter: Embracing the Persistent Nature of Grief
Episode Description: In today's episode, we explore the concept that grief is like glitter. No matter how much you try to clean it up, it always shows up when you least expect it. This analogy highlights the persistent and sometimes unexpected nature of grief. Join us as we discuss how to understand and embrace these moments as part of your healing journey.
Key Points Discussed:
- Grief as Glitter:
- Grief can be both beautiful and inconvenient, resurfacing at unexpected times.
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It serves as a reminder of the love and deep connections we have with those we’ve lost.
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Embracing Grief:
- Allow yourself to feel the emotions and acknowledge the significance of your loss.
- These moments are part of your healing journey and reflect the deep connections you’ve had.
Journal Questions:
- In what ways does grief continue to show up in your life, even when you think you’ve moved past it?
- How do these unexpected moments of grief make you feel?
- What positive memories or aspects of your loved one’s life come to mind when grief "glitters" appear?
- How can you honor these moments and the memories they bring up?
- What strategies can you use to embrace and manage these unexpected reminders of your grief?
Conclusion: Use these questions to explore your experiences and find ways to embrace the glitter of grief in your life. Remember, these moments of grief are a sign of the love you still carry.
Follow Us:
- Website: https://www.healingstartswiththeheart.com/
- Facebook: Healing Starts with the Heart
- Instagram: healatthegriefschool
Contact Us:
- Email: sharon@sharonbrubaker.com
Thank you for joining us in this episode. Stay tuned for more discussions and support on your grief journey.
Podcast Description: Hello everyone, today we’re talking about those moments when grief feels unbearable. It’s important to remember that you’re not alone during these times. Grief can feel overwhelming, but there are ways to manage and cope with these intense emotions.
When grief feels unbearable, reaching out for support is crucial. Whether it’s talking to a friend, family member, or grief counselor, sharing your feelings can provide relief. Additionally, practicing self-care can help you navigate through these difficult times. Taking care of your physical, emotional, and mental health is essential.
Sometimes, doing simple things like taking a walk, journaling, or practicing mindfulness can make a big difference. Remember, it's okay to ask for help and to take the time you need to heal.
Here are five journal questions to help you navigate those moments when grief feels unbearable:
- What specific situations or triggers make your grief feel unbearable?
- How do you typically react or cope when the intensity of grief feels overwhelming?
- Who can you reach out to for support during these times?
- What self-care practices can you implement to help manage these intense emotions?
- How can you remind yourself of your strength and resilience when grief feels too heavy?
- What activities or routines have helped you feel grounded and supported in the past?
Reflect on these questions and remember, it’s okay to seek help and lean on others when grief feels too much to bear. Taking small steps towards self-care and reaching out for support can make a significant difference in your healing journey.
Follow Us:
- Website: https://www.healingstartswiththeheart.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/healingstartswiththeheart
- Instagram: healatthegriefschool
Contact Us:
- Email: sharon@sharonbrubaker.com
Thank you for joining us in this episode. Stay tuned for more discussions and support on your grief journey.
Podcast Description: Welcome back! Today we’re discussing whether grief and loss are the same. While loss is the event – the end of something or someone dear – grief is our reaction to that loss. Understanding this distinction can help us navigate our emotions better.
Loss can take many forms, including the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or a significant life change. Grief is the emotional response to these losses, encompassing a range of feelings such as sadness, anger, and confusion.
Here are five journal questions to help you explore the distinction between grief and loss:
- How do you differentiate between the concepts of grief and loss in your experience?
- What specific losses have you experienced, and how have you grieved each one?
- How does understanding this distinction help you navigate your emotions?
- What coping mechanisms have you found helpful in dealing with loss and grief?
- How can you support others in recognizing and processing their own grief and loss?
Use these questions to gain clarity on your experiences and find effective ways to cope with both grief and loss. Remember, acknowledging the difference can help you better understand and manage your emotions.
Follow Us:
- Website: https://www.healingstartswiththeheart.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/healingstartswiththeheart
- Instagram: healatthegriefschool
Contact Us:
- Email: sharon@sharonbrubaker.com
Thank you for joining us in this episode. Stay tuned for more discussions and support on your grief journey.
Podcast Description: Hello listeners, in today’s episode, we’re exploring what grief means. Grief is a deeply personal experience, and its meaning can vary widely from person to person. For some, grief is a process of healing and remembrance. For others, it’s a way to honor the life of a loved one and the impact they had.
Grief can encompass a wide range of emotions, including sadness, anger, guilt, and even relief. Understanding what grief means to you can help you navigate your emotions and find a path towards healing.
Here are five journal questions to help you delve into the meaning of grief in your life:
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What does grief mean to you personally?
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How has your understanding of grief evolved over time?
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In what ways has grief shaped your identity and your view of the world?
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How do you honor your grief and the memories of your loved one?
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What role does grief play in your ongoing journey of healing and self-discovery?
Reflecting on these questions can help you uncover the deeper significance of grief in your life. Embrace your unique grief journey and find meaning in the process.
Follow Us:
- Website: https://www.healingstartswiththeheart.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/healingstartswiththeheart
- Instagram: healatthegriefschool
Contact Us:
- Email: sharon@sharonbrubaker.com
Thank you for joining us in this episode. Stay tuned for more discussions and support on your grief journey.
Episode Description: Welcome back to another episode. Today, we’re discussing the lessons grief has taught us. Grief can be a profound teacher, revealing truths about ourselves, our relationships, and our view of the world.
Through the process of grieving, many people discover strengths they never knew they had. They learn the importance of vulnerability, the value of cherishing every moment, and the necessity of self-compassion. Grief can also teach us about the resilience of the human spirit and the capacity for growth even in the face of profound loss.
Here are five journal questions to help you reflect on the lessons you’ve learned from grief:
- What are the most significant lessons grief has taught you about life and love?
- How have your priorities or perspectives changed since experiencing grief?
- What strengths or qualities have you discovered in yourself through your grieving process?
- How has grief influenced your relationships with others?
- What advice would you give to someone who is just beginning their grief journey based on what you’ve learned?
Take some time to reflect on these questions and recognize the growth and insights that have come from your grief. Share your lessons learned with others, and let’s support each other through our shared experiences."
Follow Us:
- Website: https://www.healingstartswiththeheart.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/healingstartswiththeheart
- Instagram: healatthegriefschool
Contact Us:
- Email: sharon@sharonbrubaker.com
Thank you for joining us in this episode. Stay tuned for more discussions and support on your grief journey.
Episode Title: Grief Songs: The Healing Power of Music
Episode Description: In today’s episode, we’re talking about the power of grief songs. Music has a unique way of touching our hearts and expressing emotions we might struggle to put into words. Certain songs can bring us comfort and help us process our grief. Join us as we explore how music can be a therapeutic outlet during difficult times.
Key Points Discussed:
- Music as Healing:
- Music can provide solace and serve as a way to remember and honor our loved ones.
- Whether it’s a song that reminds you of your loved one or a new melody that resonates with your current feelings, music can help in your healing journey.
Journal Questions:
- What songs or types of music do you find most comforting during times of grief?
- How does listening to these songs make you feel?
- Are there any specific lyrics that resonate deeply with your grief experience?
- How can you use music to honor your loved one’s memory?
- What new songs or genres would you like to explore that might help you in your healing process?
Conclusion: Reflect on these questions as you listen to your favorite grief songs, and let the music guide you through your emotions. Share your favorite grief songs with us and let’s build a playlist of comfort together.
Follow Us:
- Website: https://www.healingstartswiththeheart.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/healingstartswiththeheart
- Instagram: healatthegriefschool
Contact Us:
- Email: sharon@sharonbrubaker.com
Thank you for joining us in this episode. Stay tuned for more discussions and support on your grief journey.
Episode Title: Rebuilding Life Beyond Loss with Joi Renique
Episode Description: In today’s episode, we dive deep into the concept of "grief courage" — the remarkable inner strength it takes to face the pain of loss. Grieving is not about being fearless but about embracing the full weight of your emotions and allowing yourself to heal through them. Join us as we explore what it means to be courageous in grief and how this strength can lead to profound healing.
Key Points Discussed:
- Understanding Grief Courage:
- True courage lies not in hiding pain, but in facing it head-on.
- Grief courage allows us to feel deeply while embracing the journey toward healing.
- The Misconception of Strength:
- Society often tells us to put on a brave face, but real strength comes from allowing ourselves to fully experience grief.
- Healing starts when we stop avoiding our emotions and start tending to them.
- Healing Through Connection:
- Grief courage also involves reaching out, leaning on others, and knowing it’s okay to ask for help.
- When we share our grief, we lighten the emotional load, fostering a sense of community and support.
Journal Questions:
- What does being courageous in grief mean to you?
- How do you currently cope with grief? Do you allow yourself to feel it fully?
- Who can you lean on during your grief journey?
- In what ways can you practice grief courage by embracing your emotions today?
Conclusion: Grieving takes immense courage, and acknowledging your emotions is the first step toward healing. Reflect on these questions as you embrace your own grief courage. Remember, you don’t have to walk this path alone. Share your thoughts and journey with us — together, we can find strength in our shared experiences.
Follow Us:
- Website: https://www.healingstartswiththeheart.com/
- Facebook: Healing Starts With the Heart
- Instagram: @healatthegriefschool
Contact Us:
- Email: sharon@sharonbrubaker.com
Thank you for joining us for this episode. Stay tuned for more discussions and support on your grief journey.
This structure captures the tone of your brand: empathetic, supportive, and empowering, focusing on actionable steps and deep emotional recovery.
Episode Title: Grief Triggers: Understanding and Coping with Unexpected Moments
Episode Description: In today's episode, we dive into the topic of grief triggers—those unexpected moments when a memory, a smell, a song, or even a place brings back the pain of loss. Grief triggers are a natural part of the grieving process and can be challenging to navigate. Join us as we explore how to understand and cope with these triggers, allowing ourselves to feel the emotions they bring up.
Key Points Discussed:
- What Are Grief Triggers?
- Grief triggers are personal and can vary widely. They may include the scent of a loved one’s perfume or a significant song.
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These triggers remind us of the deep connections and love we continue to feel for those we’ve lost.
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Acknowledging Your Emotions:
- It’s important to acknowledge grief triggers and allow yourself to feel the emotions they bring up.
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Avoiding or suppressing these feelings can often intensify them.
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Coping Strategies:
- Create a plan for how to handle grief triggers when they arise.
- Strategies might include deep breathing exercises, reaching out to a supportive friend, or engaging in a comforting activity.
Journal Questions:
- What are some of the most common triggers that bring back memories of your loved one?
- How do you typically feel when you encounter these triggers?
- What coping strategies have you found helpful in dealing with grief triggers?
- Can you identify any patterns or specific times when these triggers are more likely to occur?
- How can you create a plan to manage your emotions when a trigger catches you off guard?
Conclusion: Take your time reflecting on these questions. Remember, your grief is valid, and so are your emotions. By understanding and acknowledging your grief triggers, you can better navigate the waves of emotion that come with them.
Follow Us:
- Website: https://www.healingstartswiththeheart.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/healingstartswiththeheart
- Instagram: healatthegriefschool
Contact Us:
- Email: sharon@sharonbrubaker.com
Thank you for joining us in this episode. Stay tuned for more discussions and support on your grief journey.
Grief is Love with Nowhere to Go
Episode Title: Grief is Love with Nowhere to Go: Embracing the Transformation
Episode Description: In today’s episode, we explore the concept that grief is love with nowhere to go. When we lose someone, the love we have for them doesn’t disappear; it transforms into grief. This transformation is a testament to the deep connections and bonds we’ve had with our loved ones. Understanding that grief is a form of love can help us reframe our experience, bringing a sense of peace and acceptance.
Key Points Discussed:
- Grief as Love:
- Grief is a powerful expression of the love we continue to have for our lost loved ones.
- Embracing this perspective can bring peace and help us honor our loved ones in meaningful ways.
Journal Questions:
- How has your love for your lost loved one transformed into grief?
- What are some ways you can express this love, even though your loved one is no longer physically present?
- How does recognizing grief as a form of love change your perspective on your grieving process?
- What new rituals or practices can you create to honor this ongoing love?
- How can you share this love with others in a way that supports your healing?
Conclusion: Use these questions to reflect on your grief and find meaningful ways to channel your love. Remember, your grief is a powerful expression of your love.
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Follow Us:
- Website: https://www.healingstartswiththeheart.com/
- Facebook: Healing Starts with the Heart
-
Instagram: healatthegriefschoolContact Us:
-
Email: sharon@sharonbrubaker.comThank you for joining us in this episode. Stay tuned for more discussions and support on your grief journey.
Your Grief Matters
Episode Title: Your Grief Matters
Episode Description: In today’s episode, we delve into the importance of finding a safe space to share your grief. Grief Study Hall, a free, supportive community for women, provides just that. We’ll explore why it’s crucial to express your grief openly and how doing so can be the first step on your healing journey. Through Sharon Brubaker’s personal story of loss, discover why having your grief acknowledged is essential, and how Study Hall can be the place where your healing truly begins.
Key Points Discussed:
The Need for a Safe Space:
- Grievers often feel their grief isn’t acknowledged or valued, making it hard to express their true feelings.
- Finding a community where you can openly share your grief, like Grief Study Hall, is vital for starting the healing process.
The Power of Sharing Your Story:
- Sharing your story helps you process the pain and begin to heal. When someone listens to your grief, it validates your experience and emotions.
- Grief Study Hall provides a space where you can speak freely, surrounded by others who understand and share similar experiences.
Grief as a Personal Journey:
- There are no stages or checklists in grief; everyone’s journey is unique. Grief Study Hall honors this individuality by allowing you to express your grief in your own way.
- Talking about your grief is the first step in moving from shock to healing. It’s a crucial part of your journey that can’t be skipped.
Journal Questions:
- Have you been able to talk about your grief so far?
- Who have you shared your grief with, and what has been their response?
- What does a safe space look like for you when it comes to talking about your grief?
- Have you ever felt that you haven’t had a space to share your grief? If so, how has this affected you?
- How do you feel after you’ve talked about your grief and had someone truly listen to you?
- What are some of your fears about opening up in a grief group?
- How can being part of a community like Grief Study Hall help you on your healing journey?
- What steps can you take to create or find a safe space for you to talk about your grief?
- How can you support others in their grief within a community setting?
- How important do you think it is to support others in their grief journey?
Conclusion: Use these questions to reflect on your grief journey and consider how joining Grief Study Hall might help you begin to heal. Remember, you’re not alone. In Grief Study Hall, you’ll find a community ready to listen, support, and walk alongside you as you navigate your grief. This space is free and open to all women looking for a place to share their grief and begin their healing journey.
Follow Us:
- Website: https://www.healingstartswiththeheart.com/
- Facebook: Healing Starts with the Heart
- Instagram: healatthegriefschool
Contact Us:
- Email: sharon@sharonbrubaker.com
Thank you for joining us in this episode. Stay tuned for more discussions and support on your grief journey.
Episode Description: In this episode, we explore the profound impact grief can have on the body. Grief is not just an emotional experience but also a physical one. We discuss the different types of grief—intellectual and emotional—and how they affect us. Learn about the common physical symptoms of grief, the importance of self-care, and the role of grief support groups in the healing process.
Episode Highlights:
- The two types of grief: intellectual and emotional.
- How grief can affect the body and cause physical symptoms.
- The importance of self-care during grief.
- How grief impacts sleep and appetite.
- The role of grief support groups in the healing process.
Key Takeaways:
- Two Types of Grief: Intellectual grief is processed in the brain, while emotional grief is felt in the heart. Both types can affect the body.
- Physical Symptoms: Grief can cause fatigue, sleep disturbances, appetite changes, weakened immune system, and muscle tension.
- Importance of Self-Care: Taking care of yourself is crucial during grief. Ensure you're getting enough sleep, eating well, and seeking medical and emotional support.
- Grief Support Groups: These groups provide a space for sharing experiences and emotions, offering a sense of community and understanding.
Journal Questions:
- How has grief affected your physical health?
- What are the common physical symptoms you have experienced during grief?
- How do you balance taking care of yourself while dealing with grief?
- What steps can you take to improve your self-care routine?
- Who can you reach out to for support during this time?
- How does intellectual grief differ from emotional grief in your experience?
- What has been your experience with grief support groups?
Listener Challenge: Reflect on how grief has impacted your body and overall health. Write down any physical symptoms you've noticed and think about ways to improve your self-care routine. If you're experiencing severe symptoms, make an appointment with your doctor. Consider joining a grief support group to share your experiences and find support.
Episode Description: In this episode, we delve into the delicate balance of protecting a loved one's reputation while telling the truth about their life. Why do we feel the need to shield their flaws? How does this affect our own healing? Join me as we discuss the importance of honesty in grief, the power of telling the truth, and how to maintain respect for the deceased while acknowledging their imperfections.
Episode Highlights:
- Why do you feel the need to protect their reputation?
- The importance of telling the truth about your loved one.
- How honesty leads to true healing.
- Balancing respect for the deceased with acknowledging their flaws.
- Sharing personal stories and experiences with honesty and compassion.
Key Takeaways:
- Honesty is Healing: True healing comes from being honest about your loved one's life, including their flaws.
- Balanced Legacy: You can honor your loved one's memory while also acknowledging their imperfections.
- Respectful Sharing: It's important to share the truth in a respectful way, without broadcasting every detail to the world.
- Personal Reflection: Reflect on how you talk about your loved one and consider what aspects you might be avoiding.
- Unique Grieving Experiences: Each person's grief is unique and shaped by their relationship with the deceased and their personal circumstances.
Journal Questions:
- Why do I feel the need to protect my loved one's reputation?
- What truths about my loved one am I hesitant to share with others?
- How do I balance honesty and respect when talking about my loved one?
- What are the positive memories I have of my loved one? What are the difficult ones?
- How does being honest about my loved one's flaws affect my healing process?
- What aspects of my loved one's life do I feel comfortable sharing in a small, trusted group?
- How can I honor my loved one's memory while also acknowledging their imperfections?
- What steps can I take to ensure I am truthful about my loved one in a way that supports my healing?
Listener Challenge: Take some time to reflect on your loved one's life. Write down the truth about their strengths and weaknesses. Share this with a trusted friend, support group, or therapist, and notice how it feels to be honest about their legacy.
Episode Description: In this episode, we explore the often-overlooked importance ofmaking ourselves and our healing a priority. We delve into the reasons why many of uscarry unhealed wounds from our past and how this unresolved pain can impact ourpresent lives and relationships. Sharon Brubaker, owner of The Grief School, discussesthe stigmas surrounding grief work, the necessity of emotional well-being, and sharesinspiring stories of transformation through healing. Tune in to discover how embracinggrief work can lead toa happier, more fulfilled life. Key Points:
- Unhealed Wounds:Understanding the impact of carrying unhealed wounds fromchildhood and past experiences.
- Investment in Healing:The discrepancy between what people are willing toinvest in finding love versushealing from grief.
- Repressed Pain:The consequences of ignoring or suppressing emotional pain. Societal Stigmas:Addressing the societal discomfort and stigmas associated withgrief and healing work.
- Self-Care:The importance of emotional well-being as aform of self-love and self-care. Transformation:Real-life stories of individuals who have transformed their livesthrough grief work.
- Honoring Loved Ones:How proper grieving honors our loved ones and leads topersonal joy and happiness.
Journal Questions:
- What are some unhealed wounds from your past that you might be carrying withyou today?
- How have you invested in your emotional well-being in the past year? Whatchanges could you make to prioritize your healing?
- Can you identify any ways in which repressed pain has resurfaced in your currentrelationships or behaviors?
- How do societal stigmas around grief and healing affect your willingness to seekhelp or talk about your pain?
- What does self-care mean to you, and how can you incorporate emotionalhealing into your self-care routine?
- Think of a time when you felt a“wink”from a loved one who has passed away.How did that experience make you feel?
- What steps can you take today to begin or continue your journey of grief workand healing?Reflect on a storyof transformation you've heard or experienced. How does itinspire you to make your healing a priority? Resources Mentioned:The Grief School: https://www.healingstartswiththeheart.com/ Griever’s Guide: https://beacons.ai/thegriefschool Connect with Sharon: Facebook | Instagram Email:[sharon@thegriefschool.com] Closing Thought: "Grief work may be one of the hardest things you will go through, yet it will be one of the most rewarding. Make your healing a priority, and you’ll find yourway back to happiness, joy,and laughter."
Episode Summary:
In this episode of The Grief School Podcast, Sharon Brubaker explores the transformative concept of balancing positive and negative emotions. She challenges listeners to embrace the idea that our human experience is meant to be a balance of both and explains how understanding this balance can increase our power and ability to effect change in the world. Sharon provides insightful reflections and practical steps to help listeners create emotional balance on purpose.
Key Takeaways:
- Understanding the balance of emotion can increase your power in the world and your ability to change it tenfold.
- Embracing both positive and negative emotions as part of the human experience can lead to a more balanced and less negatively charged life.
- By not resisting negative emotions and instead creating, allowing, and understanding them, we can reduce their impact and foster a healthier emotional state.
Concepts Discussed:
- Thoughts Create Feelings: We generate our emotions through the thoughts we entertain.
- Balance of Emotions: The human experience is a blend of positive and negative emotions.
- Emotional Control: We have the power to create, allow, and resist emotions.
Journal Questions: Identify Negative Emotions: What are some negative emotions you have experienced recently? How did you react to them?
Positive Outcomes from Negative Situations: Think about a positive outcome that emerged from a negative situation in your life. How did the balance between the positive and negative play out? Handling Negative Emotions: How do you typically handle negative emotions? Do you resist them, allow them, or try to change them?
Regular Positive Emotions: What positive emotions do you experience regularly? How do they influence your daily life?
Overwhelming Negative Emotions: Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by negative emotions. What thoughts were you having, and how did they contribute to those feelings?
Creating Emotional Balance: How can you create more balance between positive and negative emotions in your daily life?
Personal Meaning of Balance: What does the concept of balancing positive and negative emotions mean to you personally?
Increasing Power through Balance: How can understanding this balance increase your power and ability to create change in the world?
Additional Resources:
Connect with Sharon Brubaker: Website | Instagram | Facebook
Call to Action:
If you found this episode helpful, please share it with someone who might benefit from understanding the balance of emotions.
Don't forget to download the eBook: The Griever’s Guide. Link: https://beacons.ai/thegriefschool
Contact Information:
Email: info@thegriefschool.com
Phone: (661) 212-0720
Thank you for listening to Healing Starts with The Heart. Remember to embrace the balance and take care!
Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or therapy.
Host: Sharon Brubaker, Grief Specialist
Description: Welcome to Healing Starts with the Heart, where grief meets resilience. In this deeply personal episode, host Sharon Brubaker shares her journey through a serious health diagnosis and its emotional impact. Sharon dives into the unexpected grief that accompanies serious illnesses or injuries, offering insights, support, and a heartfelt personal story to guide listeners through their own experiences.
Episode Highlights:
- Introduction
- Sharon introduces the topic and its personal significance.
- The transformative journey of coping with a serious illness or injury.
- Personal Story
- Sharon recounts her experience from April 7th, 2024.
- The initial symptoms, misdiagnoses, and eventual discovery of a 95% blockage in the widowmaker of her heart.
- The emotional rollercoaster: fear, numbness, frustration, and realization.
- The Unique Experience of Women
- The differences in heart attack symptoms between men and women.
- Sharon's persistence in seeking the correct diagnosis despite normal test results.
- The importance of advocating for oneself in the medical field.
- Emotional Impact
- The range of emotions faced: fear, worry, sadness, and numbness.
- Sharon's fear of leaving her husband behind.
- The shift from fear of death to acceptance and planning.
- Coping Mechanisms
- The role of journaling in processing emotions and thoughts.
- Sharon’s strategy of writing down important information for her family to reduce anxiety.
- The calming effect of preparedness.
- Grief and Loss
- The grief associated with losing health and the old way of life.
- Feeling powerless, isolated, and facing one’s own mortality.
- The importance of pausing and reflecting on emotions and thoughts.
- Journal Questions for Reflection
- Primary emotions experienced due to illness or grief.
- Intensity and physical location of these emotions in the body.
- Sharon encourages listeners to use these questions to gain deeper insights into their emotional state.
- A Message to Women
- Encouragement to seek medical help if something feels off.
- Advocating for better understanding and treatment of women's heart health.
- Griever’s Guide and Free Videos
- Sharon shares the story of Austin's loss and her mission to understand grief.
- Free resources: The Griever’s Guide ebook and videos on various grief-related topics.
- Closing Thoughts
- Sharon’s gratitude for having more time and her dedication to supporting others through grief.
- A reminder that Sharon sees, understands, and supports her listeners in their healing journey.
Resources:
- Download The Griever’s Guide
Call to Action: If you’ve been touched by today’s episode, please share it with someone who might benefit from hearing Sharon’s story. Subscribe to Healing Starts with the Heart for more episodes on grief, healing, and resilience.
Contact Information:
- Website: The Grief School
- Email: info@thegriefschool.com
- Follow Sharon on Facebook and Instagram
Thank you for joining us on this journey. Remember, you are not alone in your grief, and together we can find healing.
Welcome to "Healing Starts with the Heart," a podcast where we explore the journey of healing from grief. I'm your host, Sharon, and today we're going to talk about a feeling that many of us who have experienced loss can relate to: not wanting to return to 'normal.'
Let's start with a simple truth. When you lose someone or something important, your life changes. It's like you're on a journey where, at first, your loss becomes a part of you. It's not about overcoming it quickly; it's about integrating it into your life.
Now, I know the idea of getting 'better' or the thought of your grief easing can feel almost... offensive, especially in the early stages. Why is that? Well, for many of us, our grief is the strongest connection we have to what we've lost. It can feel like if we start to feel better, maybe we're saying that the person we lost, or the life we had before, wasn't that important.
But here's a question: If you start to move forward, does it really mean your past life wasn't special? Absolutely not. Remember, healing doesn't mean forgetting. It doesn't mean the love or the memories are any less significant.
Healing starts with the heart. It's a process where we learn to live with our loss, not erase it. It's about carrying the love and the memories forward with us, even as we take steps into our new reality.
So, if you're feeling like you don't want to return to 'normal,' know that it's okay. You're not alone in this feeling. Your journey is unique, and how you integrate your loss into your life is entirely up to you.
Thank you for joining me today on "Healing Starts with the Heart." Remember, it's okay to grieve at your own pace, and it's okay to find your own path to healing. Until next time, take care of your heart.
https://beacons.ai/thegriefschool
Hello, dear listeners, and welcome to another episode of "Healing Starts with the Heart." I'm Sharon, your guide on this journey of understanding and healing from grief. Today's topic is a unique one: feeling like you're living in an 'Alternative Universe' after a loss.
You're still here on Earth, going about your daily life. You say hi to your neighbors, visit the grocery store, talk to people. But something feels different, doesn't it? It's like you're there, but not really seen. There's this vast divide between you and the rest of the world.
This feeling is more common in grief than you might think. It's like you're in a world parallel to the one everyone else is living in. You're physically present, but emotionally and mentally, there's a distance. The world keeps moving, but you might feel stuck or invisible.
The divide you're feeling – it's clear and profound, especially now. And it's during times like these that connecting with others who are grieving becomes so important. Why, you ask? Because they can truly see you. They recognize the devastation at the core of your life. This recognition, this feeling of being seen, it changes something in grief.
Being seen by someone who understands doesn't fix everything. But it helps. In the early stages of grief, it might be the only thing that feels like it's helping. Sharing your experience with someone who gets it can bridge that gap you're feeling, even if it's just for a moment.
So, if you're feeling like you're living in this 'Alternative Universe,' remember, you're not alone. Seek out those who are also on this journey of grief. Their understanding and recognition can be a lifeline. Thank you for tuning in to "Healing Starts with the Heart." Keep taking small steps towards healing, and remember, it's okay to lean on others who understand. Until next time, take care of yourselves and each other.
https://beacons.ai/thegriefschool
Hello, everyone! Welcome back to "Healing Starts with the Heart." I'm your host, Sharon. Today, we're going to explore a tough aspect of grief that many of us face: losing trust in the world and the people around us.
When something really big and painful happens, it can feel like your whole world has changed. You might start thinking that there aren't any good things or good people left. It's like you're asking yourself, "Do things really work out fine in the end?"
This feeling is what we call a secondary loss. It's not just about the person or thing you lost. It's also about losing your belief in positive outcomes. The hard part is, once you know something or have seen something, you can't just pretend it didn't happen, can you?
It's tough, I know. But here's something important to remember: losing trust doesn't mean it's gone forever. Just like a broken bone, trust can heal over time.
Healing starts with small steps. It's about finding little things and people in your life that show you kindness and goodness. It might be a friend who listens, a family member who's always there, or even a stranger's smile.
Remember, it's completely okay to feel like you've lost trust in the world. It's a normal part of grieving for many. But also, keep in mind that it's possible to rebuild that trust, bit by bit.
Thank you for joining me on "Healing Starts with the Heart." Remember, healing from grief is a journey. It's okay to take it one step at a time. Until next time, look for those small moments of kindness in your life. They are there, waiting to help you rebuild your trust. Take care, everyone.
https://beacons.ai/thegriefschool
Hello, everyone! Welcome to another episode of "Healing Starts with the Heart." I'm Sharon, your host, and today we're going to talk about something really important: the choices we have as grievers.
Often, when we're grieving, it feels like we have no control over anything. But guess what? That's not entirely true. Even in grief, we have choices.
You have the choice to stay where you are or to go somewhere new. It's okay to say no to things you don't feel ready for. And you know what? It's perfectly fine to ask for help when you need it. Or you can choose to handle things on your own.
Some days, you might want to sleep all day, and that's okay. If you feel like crying in public, that's okay too. You can go to a party and have fun, even if you're grieving.
Eat what you want, when you want. If you need companionship, reach out to someone. Or, if you prefer to be alone, that's a valid choice as well. It's okay to feel sad, and it's okay to change your routine or the things you used to do.
You don't always have to have all the answers. And most importantly, you can choose to heal, in your own time and in your own way.
Remember, grief doesn't take away your power to make choices. Every day, you can make small decisions that are right for you. Thank you for tuning in to "Healing Starts with the Heart." Your journey is unique, and your choices are valid. Take care of yourselves, and I'll talk to you in the next episode.
https://beacons.ai/thegriefschool
Hi everyone, welcome back to "Healing Starts with the Heart." I'm Sharon, your host, and today I want to talk about something very close to my heart: helping you heal from heartbreak and find peace and joy again.
If you're feeling alone, overwhelmed, or just lost in your grief, I'm here to support you. I understand the pain of a broken heart deeply because I've been there too.
After the death of my nephew Austin, I thought I would never really live again. I was consumed by grief. But then, something changed. I was introduced to a Grief Recovery Specialist, and through their guidance, I learned the tools to move beyond this pain.
This experience was so transformative for me that I knew I had to dedicate my life to helping others find their way through grief. And you know what? You can find your own recovery too.
Say "Yes" to healing your life. Say "Yes" to enjoying an authentic life that honors the memory of those you love. It's not about forgetting them; it's about finding a way to remember them with love, not just pain.
I've been teaching my grief program for over 17 years now, and I can tell you, there is hope. You can heal. Recovery from this pain is not just a dream; it's a real possibility.
And remember, healing doesn't mean forgetting. You will always remember your loved one. But one day, you'll find that you can talk about them with a smile, remembering the good times, not just the loss.
So, if you're ready to start your journey to recovery, I'm here to help. Thank you for joining me on "Healing Starts with the Heart." You're not alone in this. You can heal, and you can find joy again. Until next time, take care.
https://beacons.ai/thegriefschool
Hello, everyone! Welcome to "Healing Starts with the Heart." I'm Sharon, and today we're going to talk about something that touches all our lives: loss and grief.
Loss is an unavoidable part of life. Whether it's the loss of a loved one, a pet, or even a long-held dream, we will all experience a broken heart at some point. Grief is normal and natural, but going through the healing process can be one of the toughest times in our lives.
Now, have you ever wondered why people don't like to talk about grief? It seems like whenever we bring up grief or loss, people get uncomfortable. It's almost as if grief has become a 'dirty word' or the 'enemy.'
On social media, for example, funny and uplifting posts get lots of likes and comments. But mention grief or loss, and it's like a ghost town. So, why is it that the word 'grief' makes us so uncomfortable?
My guess? We don't talk about it enough. We associate grief with pain, tears, and death. These are all true, but grief is also a universal experience that connects us all.
Our discomfort with grief might be an unconscious choice, but it's a choice nonetheless. And seeing grief as the enemy can only hurt us. Holding onto the pain can lead to depression, anxiety, health issues, and even anger and sadness that can affect a big part of our lives.
But here's the thing: it doesn't have to be this way. We can choose to view and talk about grief differently. We can start having conversations about grief and loss now, even if we're not currently experiencing it.
It's time to change the narrative around grief. Let's open up, share our experiences, and support each other. Thank you for joining me today on "Healing Starts with the Heart." Remember, grief is a journey, and you're not alone. Until next time, let's keep the conversation going.
https://beacons.ai/thegriefschool
Podcast Show Notes: Exploring the Father-Child Relationship with Gigi Denar - Part 2 Episode Title: "Deepening the Father-Child Bond: Healing and Hope" Introduction
- Host: Sharon
- Guest: Gigi Denar, Author
- Topic: The critical importance of the father-child relationship in shaping life trajectories.
Discussion Highlights
- The Significance of the Father-Child Relationship:
- Gigi emphasizes the unique role fathers play in identity formation.
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The discussion revolves around how the absence of a father leads to a sense of brokenness.
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Gigi's Personal Experience:
- Gigi shares her personal journey, including dating older men as a result of lacking her father's presence.
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She reflects on the different kinds of voids created by the absence of a nurturing mother and an affirming father.
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Dynamics of the Father-Daughter Relationship:
- The conversation shifts to the unique dynamics of father-daughter relationships.
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Gigi points out how fathers are often the first male love of a daughter, shaping her future relationships.
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The Impact of Different Types of Fathers:
- Gigi discusses five types of fathers: absent, authoritarian, apathetic, abusive, and accusing.
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She explains how each type can distort a child’s identity and self-worth.
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Generational Impact and Healing:
- The discussion touches on breaking generational curses and the challenges of fatherhood without a paternal role model.
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Gigi's three-step process for healing: recognizing, repenting and releasing, and receiving.
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Cultural Contexts of Fatherhood:
- The conversation explores how father-child relationships are influenced by cultural backgrounds.
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Gigi highlights the differences yet underscores the universal human aspects of these relationships.
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Workshops and Resources for Healing:
- Gigi introduces her workshop as a jumpstart to healing, focusing on awareness and the path to recovery.
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She mentions her book "Hungry for Wholeness" and a 12-week companion diary to aid in the healing journey.
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Gigi’s Aspiration to Reach More People:
- Gigi expresses a desire to distribute her book to prisons and halfway houses, recognizing the widespread need for healing father-child relationships.
- She speaks about her encounters with young fathers and their eagerness to learn and grow.
Conclusion
- Contact Information: Gigi can be reached through her website www.wellfedresources.com.
- Host’s Gratitude: The host thanks Gigi for sharing her insights and inspiring hope in listeners.
- Invitation: The audience is encouraged to visit the website for more information and resources.
Podcast Show Notes: Exploring the Father-Child Relationship with Gigi Denar Episode Title: "Unveiling the Depths of the Father-Child Bond" Introduction
- Host: Sharon
- Guest: Gigi Denar, Author, Motivational Speaker, Counselor
- Topic: Father-Child Relationships and Their Impact on Grief and Personal Development
Key Points Discussed
- Gigi Denar's Background and Journey:
- Gigi shares her personal experience of growing up without knowing her father.
- She details the moment she learned about her siblings and the start of her clandestine relationship with her paternal grandfather.
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Gigi describes her first contact with her father and the emotional turmoil it brought.
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The Role of Grief in the Father-Child Relationship:
- The conversation delves into how the absence of a father is a significant form of grief.
- Gigi recounts her own grief and longing for a father she never knew.
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The discussion touches on how children fill in gaps in their understanding when information is missing.
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Healing and Reconciliation:
- Gigi talks about finally meeting her father and developing a close bond with him.
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The healing journey between Gigi and her father is highlighted, emphasizing the importance of communication and understanding in mending their relationship.
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Gigi's Professional Journey and Contributions:
- The inspiration behind Gigi's work as an author and speaker, particularly focusing on father-child relationships.
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Gigi mentions her book project where she combined stories with her father, offering a unique perspective on their relationship.
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Impact of Father-Child Relationship on Personal Growth:
- Discussion on how the absence or presence of a father shapes an individual's life trajectory.
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Gigi reflects on how meeting her father helped her discover her own identity and similarities they shared.
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Challenges and Realizations:
- Gigi speaks about the complexities of blended families and reconciling with other siblings.
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The conversation covers the emotional challenges faced by both Gigi and her father in their journey.
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Future Projects and Aspirations:
- Plans for further exploration and discussion of the father-child dynamic in Gigi's future work.
- The episode concludes with a teaser for the next part, promising to delve deeper into how the father-child relationship forms the foundation of one's identity.
Conclusion
- Reminder for Part 2: The next episode will explore deeper aspects of the father-child relationship.
- Gratitude: Sharon expresses gratitude to Gigi for sharing her story and insights.
Podcast Show Notes: Healing Journey with Janine Rashidi - Part 1 Episode Title: "Embracing Healing: Janine Rashidi's Journey Through Trauma" Introduction
- Host: Sharon
- Guest: Janine Rashidi, Author and Healer
- Topic: Overcoming trauma and the journey towards healing
Key Points Discussed
- Janine Rashdi's Background:
- Janine shares her upbringing in a household with addiction and abuse.
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She details the various forms of abuse she experienced and her role as a caretaker for her siblings.
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Early Realization of Abuse:
- Janine recounts realizing her family dynamics were not normal at a young age.
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She contrasts her experiences with those of her peers, highlighting the abnormalities in her upbringing.
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Escape and Independence:
- Janine describes her decision to run away from home at 15 and her experiences living homeless.
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She talks about meeting a significantly older man and entering into a relationship marked by similar abusive patterns as her childhood.
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Janine's Turning Point:
- The pivotal moment when Janine decided to leave her abusive partner, planning her escape with her children.
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She recalls the challenges and fears she faced during this escape.
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Return to Her Parents’ Home:
- Janine discusses returning to her parents' home, who were then on a clean streak, to start anew.
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She reflects on the complexity of feelings around returning to the environment she initially fled.
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Beginning of the Healing Journey:
- Janine's entry into massage therapy school as a path to independence and her first encounter with the concept of trauma stored in the body.
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She highlights how massage therapy helped her start recognizing and processing her trauma.
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Therapy and Overcoming Challenges:
- Janine and her daughters begin therapy to deal with their past traumas.
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She juggles multiple roles - student, worker, and mother - while starting her healing journey.
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Common Misconceptions about Trauma:
- Janine discusses misconceptions, such as trauma disappearing over time.
- She emphasizes the importance of learning to relate differently to one's trauma.
Conclusion
- Contact Information: Janine can be found at goodbyetension.com.
- Book Mention: "Abundance Beyond Trauma" and its accompanying workbook.
- Teaser for Part 2: The next episode will delve into Janine’s full embrace of her healing journey, her book, and the treatment methods she offers to clients.
Podcast Show Notes: Healing Journey with Janine Rashidi - Part 2 Episode Title: "Abundance Beyond Trauma: Janine Rashidi's Path to Healing" Introduction
- Host: Sharon Brubaker
- Guest: Janine Rashidi
- Podcast: Healing Starts With the Heart
- Topic: Continued exploration of Janine Rashidi's healing journey and insights into her work
Key Points Discussed
- Janine's Career Shift to Independent Practice:
- Janine talks about transitioning from working for a chiropractor to establishing her own practice.
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She emphasizes the importance of autonomy in her healing and counseling journey.
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Clients’ Trauma and Healing:
- Janine shares her experiences with clients processing their traumas during sessions.
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These interactions lead her to seek out more healing modalities for herself and her clients.
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Writing “Abundance Beyond Trauma”:
- Janine discusses the inspiration behind writing her book.
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She emphasizes the importance of overcoming self-doubt and the encouragement she received during the writing process.
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Learning Ayurveda and Its Impact:
- Janine's venture into Ayurveda, a traditional Indian healing practice.
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She recounts how studying Ayurveda contributed significantly to her personal and professional growth.
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Publication and Success of Her Book:
- Janine's book achieves bestseller status, validating her efforts and the book's impact.
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She shares her gratification in receiving messages from readers who were helped by her book.
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Personal Growth and Realizations:
- Janine reflects on her marriages and the learning experiences they provided.
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She talks about breaking the cycle of trauma and setting healthier relationship patterns.
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Importance of Abundance Mindset in Healing:
- Janine explains why she chose the theme of 'abundance' for her book.
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She highlights the significance of having an abundance mindset in overcoming trauma.
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Janine's Message to Listeners:
- She offers empowering words to listeners, emphasizing that anything is possible with belief and perseverance.
Conclusion
- Where to Find Janine Rashidi: Visit goodbyetension.com.
- Book Information: “Abundance Beyond Trauma” and its accompanying workbook are available on Amazon.
- Closing Thoughts: Janine's story and insights provide hope and practical guidance for those navigating their own paths through trauma and healing.
"Healing and Growth During the Holidays: Nanette's Personal Journey - Part 2"
Episode Summary:
In the second part of Nanette's story, we delve into her experience of spending the holidays in a different state, the process of healing, and her journey of rediscovering joy in the holiday season after profound loss. This episode provides an intimate look at grief, coping mechanisms, and the slow but hopeful path to healing.
Key Points Discussed:
- Holiday Experience in Kansas: Nanette recounts her first holiday away from home after her daughter's passing. She describes being welcomed by a new family, which unexpectedly brought her comfort and peace.
- Dealing with Grief and Longing: Nanette discusses how she managed her grief during this time, focusing on the unexpected moments of peace and the importance of having a plan.
- Return to Grief and Renewed Healing: Upon returning home, Nanette faced her grief anew. She shares how this led her to seek help and start processing her loss more effectively.
- Significant Steps in Healing: Nanette describes getting a memorial tattoo for her daughter and ordering a special Christmas ornament, marking significant steps in her journey towards acceptance and remembrance.
- Embracing Holiday Traditions Again: For the first time since 2014, Nanette decorates her home for Christmas. She discusses the emotional process and the changes in how she experiences the holiday season now.
- Maintaining a Spiritual Connection: Nanette shares how she maintains a spiritual relationship with her daughter through journaling and including her in daily life.
- Advice to Other Grieving Parents: She emphasizes the importance of self-care and doing what feels right personally during the grieving process, especially during the holidays.
Closing Remarks:
The host thanks Nanette for sharing her heartfelt story and offers words of comfort and encouragement to listeners who may be going through similar experiences. The episode is dedicated to Nanette's daughter, Sheena, and her best friend, Charlene.
"Journey Through Grief and Recovery with Nanette - Part 1"
Episode Summary:
In this heartfelt episode, we're joined by Nanette, a close friend of the host's sister, Charlene. Nanette shares her profound journey through grief following the loss of her daughter, father, and mother. She discusses her close-knit family relationships and the impact of these losses on her life. This episode is the first of a two-part series focusing on coping with grief during the holidays and Nanette's path to recovery.
Key Points Discussed:
- Nanette's Personal Story: Tracing back her 14-year friendship with the host and her sister, Nanette opens up about her life, her deep family bonds, and the tragic losses she has endured.
- Loss of Loved Ones: Nanette shares the pain of losing her father in 1993, her mother in 2014, and her daughter in 2021. She delves into the unique relationships she had with each of them.
- Grief and Recovery: Nanette talks about her struggle with grief, especially after losing her daughter, and her initial reluctance to seek help. She highlights her journey through different forms of therapy and support.
- Coping Strategies: The episode focuses on how Nanette managed her first holiday season without her daughter, including her decision to leave town to cope with her grief.
- Reflection and Healing: Nanette reflects on the nature of her grief and how it has shaped her current perspective on life and loss.
What to Expect in Part 2:
- The next episode will continue Nanette's story, focusing on her healing process, how she's celebrating the holidays now, and the steps she's taken to move forward in her life.
Closing Remarks:
The host thanks Nanette for her openness and bravery in sharing her story, reminding listeners of the power of sharing and the importance of seeking support in times of grief.
Note to Listeners: The contents of this podcast are deeply personal and may resonate with anyone who has experienced loss. Listener discretion is advised.
Show Notes for Sharon's Podcast Interview with Client Chris: Journey Through Grief
Episode Title: A Personal Tale of Triumph Over Grief with Chris
In this episode, Sharon sits down with her former client, Chris, who recently completed her grief program. Chris openly shares her journey through grief and how the program helped her navigate this challenging time in her life.
Key Topics Discussed:
- Chris’s Initial Search for Support: Chris talks about feeling alone after losing her family members and husband. She shares her struggle to find a program that resonated with her, including her experiences with psychologists and other grief programs.
- Finding Comfort in Sharon's Approach: Chris describes her relief upon connecting with Sharon, emphasizing the personal touch and understanding she felt from their very first conversation.
- The Program’s Impact and Methodology: Chris reflects on the pivotal moments in the program that helped her see progress. She highlights the importance of the program's structure, which allowed her to progress at her own pace, and the value of having tangible tasks and homework.
- Emotional Challenges and Breakthroughs: A significant part of the discussion revolves around Chris’s emotional challenges during the program. She shares a particularly tough exercise involving writing a letter to her father and how it led to a freeing experience.
- The Role of Spirituality in Grief: Chris speaks about her spiritual journey and how her faith in God provided comfort and guidance during her grieving process.
- The Importance of Leaning into Emotions: Sharon and Chris discuss the importance of allowing oneself to feel and process emotions, with Chris sharing a personal experience where she let herself lean into her grief in a public setting.
- Gratitude and Moving Forward: Chris expresses her gratitude for Sharon's guidance and the program's role in her healing process. She emphasizes how the program helped her reclaim parts of herself and move towards a positive future.
Conclusion:
Sharon wraps up the episode by thanking Chris for her openness and sharing her journey. She encourages listeners who might be struggling with grief to consider joining the "Forever Changed" grief program, offering them a chance to have a transformative experience like Chris.
https://beacons.ai/thegriefschool
Show Notes for "What If This Grief Was Meant For You?"
Episode Title: Embracing Grief as a Transformative Journey
In this powerful episode, we explore the provocative question: What if grief was meant for you? Sharon delves into the notion of grief not as a burden to be escaped, but as a path towards growth and understanding.
Key Discussions:
- Redefining Grief: The episode begins with a thought-provoking introduction challenging the traditional perception of grief. It suggests embracing grief instead of avoiding it, proposing that the true path to healing is through confronting our pain.
- Societal Misconceptions of Grief: A critical look at how society often wrongly interprets grief, urging people to move on quickly and labeling expressions of sorrow as inappropriate or excessive.
- Grief's Purpose: Sharon shares insights into the natural process of grieving and its purpose in our lives, including how even children instinctively understand and navigate grief.
- Real Stories and Expert Insights: Throughout the episode, real-life anecdotes are interwoven with expert opinions, illustrating the varied and deeply personal nature of grief.
- Dealing with Complex Emotions: Discussion on the complexity of emotions in grief, acknowledging that it’s possible to grieve someone despite mixed feelings about them, including anger or resentment.
- Accepting and Nurturing Grief: Sharon encourages listeners to accept and nurture their grief, seeing it as a natural and necessary process, and to find ways to honor their lost loved ones.
- Grief as a Catalyst for Change: The episode emphasizes how each loss reshapes us, not necessarily for better or worse, but certainly differently. It advocates for recognizing grief as a significant, life-altering experience.
- Action Steps in Grief: Practical advice is offered on taking action during grief, such as acknowledging and allowing emotions and finding ways to move through the pain.
Additional Resources:
- "Forever Changed" Program: Information on a program designed to assist individuals in moving beyond grief.
- One-on-One Consultation: Opportunities for personal consultations to discuss grief and coping mechanisms.
- Support Links: Directions to join support groups and engage with a community of individuals experiencing similar journeys.
Conclusion:
Sharon wraps up the episode with a message of solidarity and understanding, emphasizing the shared experience of grief and the potential for growth and transformation it holds. Listeners are invited to explore further resources and join the support community.
https://beacons.ai/thegriefschool
Podcast Show Notes: "Forever Changed: Navigating Family Dynamics After Loss" with Sharon
Episode Overview
In this heartfelt episode, Sharon delves into the profound impact of loss on family dynamics. She shares personal stories about how the passing of key family members, especially her father, reshaped her family's traditions and bonds. This episode offers a deep exploration into the complexities of grief and the process of creating new traditions.
Key Points Discussed
- Personal Reflections on Loss: Sharon shares her experiences of losing her father, Austin, and Donovan, highlighting how each loss uniquely affected her and her siblings.
- The Role of Family Traditions: The importance of family gatherings, especially during holidays, and how these traditions were central to their family life. Sharon reminisces about her father's role in these gatherings and his love for cooking.
- Impact of Loss on Family Unity: The episode discusses the gradual changes in family gatherings post the loss of Sharon's father and other family members. Sharon reflects on how the absence of the 'glue' of the family led to evolving traditions.
- Personal Stories of Adaptation: Sharon shares how different family members, including herself, coped and adapted to the new reality. This includes how her sister Erica started new traditions with her husband.
- Grappling with Double Grief: Sharon talks about the dual aspect of grieving – losing a loved one and the simultaneous loss of cherished family traditions.
- Theories on Family Dynamics Post-Loss: Sharon proposes theories on why families change their traditions following the loss of a central figure and how individual changes contribute to this evolution.
- Creating New Traditions: Emphasizing the importance of acknowledging grief and starting new traditions that honor lost loved ones while catering to the evolving needs of the family.
- Personal Reflection and Advice: Sharon shares her own struggles with these changes and offers advice on navigating these complex emotions and situations.
Additional Resources
- "Forever Changed" Program: Sharon talks about her program designed to help others navigate their grief.
- One-on-One Consultations: An invitation for listeners to have personal conversations with Sharon about coping with loss and creating new traditions.
- Online Community Support: Information on joining Sharon's Facebook group and following her on Instagram for continued support and community engagement.
Closing Thoughts
Sharon concludes with a message of empathy and understanding for those experiencing similar challenges. She encourages listeners to embrace their emotions, find new ways to honor their memories, and connect with others for support.
https://beacons.ai/thegriefschool
Show Notes for "Surviving the Holidays While Grieving"
Episode Title: Embracing the Holidays After Loss
Host: Sharon
Summary:
In this episode, Sharon talks about the challenges of facing holidays while grieving. She emphasizes the importance of acknowledging the holidays are coming and that they will be different without our loved ones. Sharon shares personal stories and offers guidance on how to navigate this difficult time, suggesting ways to adapt or create new traditions.
Key Points:
- Acknowledging the Holidays: Understanding that holidays will be different and potentially challenging without our loved ones.
- Inventory of Traditions: Sharon encourages listeners to take a mental inventory of holiday traditions and decide which ones they can bear.
- Creating New Traditions: Suggestions for starting new traditions that honor the memory of the loved ones we've lost.
- Emotional Check-In: Importance of staying in tune with one's emotions during the holidays and allowing oneself to feel them fully.
- Surviving the Holidays eBook: Sharon has written an eBook on this topic, which she mentions is available for download.
Episode Highlights:
- Sharon shares how the absence of a child or any loved one can deeply affect holiday experiences.
- She advises against trying to 'muscle through' the holidays and instead suggests embracing the changes.
- The importance of deciding which traditions to keep and which to change or let go of is discussed.
- Sharon shares her own experience of changing traditions after the loss of a loved one.
For Listeners:
- Links to Sharon's eBook "Surviving the Holidays" and her website for further resources.
- Information on how to book an appointment with Sharon for personalized guidance on handling the holidays while grieving.
- Encouragement and support for those struggling with loss during the holiday season.
Closing Thoughts:
Sharon acknowledges the profound impact of grief during the holidays and offers a compassionate approach to dealing with it. She encourages listeners to be true to their feelings, to consider changing traditions, and to find ways to honor their loved ones during these times.
https://beacons.ai/thegriefschool
Podcast Title: Have You Guys Ever Heard of Dia de los de los MUTOs The Day of the Dead?
Overview:
- Sharon explores Dia de los Muertos, a cultural event distinct from Halloween, focusing on its traditions, meanings, and personal connections.
Introduction:
- Sharon clarifies that Dia de los Muertos is not the Mexican version of Halloween and sets the context for the discussion, emphasizing the differences between the two events.
Main Discussion:
- Dia de los Muertos, occurring in early November, is characterized by vibrant celebrations, honoring the dead with respect, love, and longing.
- The tradition involves elaborate makeup, costumes, parades, parties, and offerings to deceased loved ones.
- Sharon reflects on the significance of the celebration in Mexican culture and how it's observed with joy and respect for the dead.
Cultural Significance:
- The podcast delves into the Day of the Dead as a celebration of both life and death, remembering and celebrating loved ones who have passed away.
- Discussions about the holiday's origins, its widespread observance in Latin America, and its colorful symbols, including skulls and skeletons.
- Sharon invites listeners to contribute insights about specific traditions, like the importance of orange marigolds and skull masks.
Personal Connection and Reflection:
- Sharon shares her limited personal connection to the holiday and contrasts it with her experiences of All Saints Day in the Catholic religion.
- Reflections on the burial culture in New Orleans and traditions of caring for gravesites during All Saints Day.
- Sharon describes the tradition of cleaning and decorating grave sites, moving away weeds, and placing flowers and wreaths.
Family Traditions and Celebrations:
- Sharon recounts her family's tradition of honoring deceased loved ones by placing flowers on graves, a practice cherished and continued by younger family members.
- Discussion on the recognition of All Saints Day as a state holiday in Louisiana, and how it includes visiting grave sites and remembering loved ones.
Honoring Loved Ones:
- Sharon emphasizes the importance of honoring and celebrating deceased loved ones, suggesting various ways people can keep their memories alive.
- She encourages listeners to find their own ways to honor their loved ones, whether through traditional practices or personal rituals.
Closing Remarks:
- Sharon concludes the podcast by inviting listeners to share their experiences and traditions, and offers resources for further support in celebrating and remembering loved ones.
https://beacons.ai/thegriefschool
"Healing Erika: The Silent Depths of Grief"
Hello, everyone, and welcome back to another episode of our podcast. Today, we’re diving deep into a story of resilience, self-awareness, and the journey towards healing. It’s a tale about my past client, Erika, and the silent depths of grief.
Let me start by setting the stage. Imagine a vivacious, spirited individual, who despite carrying the weight of two immense losses in her life, couldn’t quite put a finger on the nature of her pain. That's Erika. Referred to me by another client, Erika initially didn’t believe she was grappling with grief. She was under the impression that what she felt was mere depression.
Isn't it interesting? Sometimes, our feelings can be so overwhelming and tangled that we can't see them for what they truly are. That was Erika’s state of mind. She assumed therapy could be a way out, but traditional methods didn’t give her the solace she sought.
Fast forward six months, a world grappling with a pandemic, Erika reached out again. There’s something about global crises – they hold up a mirror to our personal ones. And this time, together, we embarked on a journey of what I call "heart work".
Erika's journey was one of self-realization. As we peeled back the layers, it became clear that she was battling profound grief. The loss she had experienced wasn’t just an emotional void; it was affecting her everyday life, her decisions, her perspective on the future
What’s crucial here is the acknowledgment that grief doesn't have a one-size-fits-all solution. What works for one might not work for another. And while therapy can provide tools, true healing comes from within, from the "heart work".
As we navigated the sessions virtually amidst the pandemic, it became more than just therapy. It was a lifeline. Erika wasn’t just dealing with her personal losses but also the shared sense of loss and uncertainty that the world was feeling.
It was during these months that Erika learned the power of acceptance, the significance of acknowledging pain, and the strength in vulnerability. She not only worked through her grief but also reshaped her perspective on life and its many trials.
Erika's journey is a testament to the fact that sometimes, we might not recognize the source of our pain. But with persistence, self-reflection, and the right guidance, healing is within reach.
Today, Erika stands tall, not as someone who has forgotten her losses, but as someone who has made peace with them. She’s a beacon of hope for all who feel consumed by emotions they can't name.
To everyone listening, remember, it's okay to seek help. It's okay to admit you don’t have all the answers. And it’s okay to do the heart work. Because, at the end of the day, that's where true healing begins.
Thank you for joining me today. I hope Erika's story resonates with some of you and brings you hope. Stay strong, stay connected, and until next time, keep healing.
Ken Guidroz will be a special speaker at the Life After Loss Virtual Retreat. He's going to share his wisdom and experiences with us. You won't want to miss it!
https://celebratelegacy.net/retreat
In my recent podcast episode of "Letters to My Son in Prison," I had the honor of talking with Ken Guidroz about a remarkable story of forgiveness. This conversation was truly special, as Ken told me about how he and his son found forgiveness after a very serious mistake.
During our talk, there was a moment that stood out. Ken mentioned someone saying, "I just couldn't live with myself if something happened to him." These words were like a secret signal, and they stopped the conversation in its tracks.
In this podcast episode, we dive into Ken's story and how he and his son went through a tough journey to find forgiveness. It's a story about healing and the powerful love between a father and son. Join me as we explore this emotional and inspiring journey.
Ken Guidroz will be a special speaker at the Life After Loss Virtual Retreat. He's going to share his wisdom and experiences with us. You won't want to miss it!
https://celebratelegacy.net/retreat
PROLOGUE
I did not want my son to move back home.
Lucas had hit another rough patch. He’d lost another job, gotten kicked out of his girlfriend’s apartment, and was ghosting his AA sponsor. Now he needed a place to stay, so the texts to his mother started dinging like the service bell at lunchtime at Jerry’s Deli. He was twenty-seven.
“Nope, I don’t think we should let him move back in,” I told my wife, Joyce. Then her phone dinged again.
Ha! He sure ain’t gonna text me, I thought. He remembers my little ditty:
“No mon, no fun, your son. How sad, too bad, your dad.”
I knew how this move back home would unfold. He’d play the game for a few days—get up on time, help around the house, and look for a job—but soon enough his bedroom door would be closed until ten in the morning, and the knobs on his video controller would be rubbed to a shine. Then the crumbs would appear—oh, those crumbs. I’d see them on the white-tiled kitchen counter—crumbs that a normal, sober, trying-to-go-unnoticed, trying-not-to-get-kicked-out-ofyour-parents’-home young man would never leave so mockingly visible.
Joyce, with her mama bear in full swing, said, “I know…it’s not perfect. But what’s he gonna do? Where’s he gonna stay?”
I thought, It’s not our job to figure out where our twenty-seven-year-old son stays.
Then, as if she’d read my mind, she said, “What if we lay things out super clear? Like when he has to be home and has to have a job by, and that we’ll do random drug tests.”
“And I become the bad cop?” I whined. “No way. I can’t do that again, honey. I’m the one stuck here all day and you get to go to your job at school. I’m the one who’s gonna see his slide. I’m the one who’s gonna hear those ridiculous excuses. And I’m the one who’s gonna have to endure those wretched crumbs on the counter.”
Joyce ran her fingers over the worn grooves of our distressed-oak kitchen table.
“If we’re not careful,” I said softly, “he’s gonna drag us down with him.”
Even as I said it, though, I knew that “us” was not the real concern here. Joyce wasn’t concerned about “us” and, honestly, neither was I. In thirty-plus years of marriage, we had never uttered the D-word, or even contemplated it. But this was a new level. Losing a son to opioids tested us like nothing ever had. We’d started doubting each other, snapping at each other, and misreading intentions. She’d lend him some money and I’d say, “You’re enabling.” I’d turn away from a need and she’d say, “You’re too removed.”
https://kenguidroz.com/letters-to-my-son/
Ken Guidroz will be a special speaker at the Life After Loss Virtual Retreat. He's going to share his wisdom and experiences with us. You won't want to miss it!
Ken Guidroz will be a special speaker at the Life After Loss Virtual Retreat. He's going to share his wisdom and experiences with us. You won't want to miss it!
https://celebratelegacy.net/retreat
In my recent podcast episode of "Letters to My Son in Prison," I had the honor of talking with Ken Guidroz about a remarkable story of forgiveness. This conversation was truly special, as Ken told me about how he and his son found forgiveness after a very serious mistake.
During our talk, there was a moment that stood out. Ken mentioned someone saying, "I just couldn't live with myself if something happened to him." These words were like a secret signal, and they stopped the conversation in its tracks.
In this podcast episode, we dive into Ken's story and how he and his son went through a tough journey to find forgiveness. It's a story about healing and the powerful love between a father and son. Join me as we explore this emotional and inspiring journey.
Ken Guidroz will be a special speaker at the Life After Loss Virtual Retreat. He's going to share his wisdom and experiences with us. You won't want to miss it!
https://celebratelegacy.net/retreat
PROLOGUE
I did not want my son to move back home.
Lucas had hit another rough patch. He’d lost another job, gotten kicked out of his girlfriend’s apartment, and was ghosting his AA sponsor. Now he needed a place to stay, so the texts to his mother started dinging like the service bell at lunchtime at Jerry’s Deli. He was twenty-seven.
“Nope, I don’t think we should let him move back in,” I told my wife, Joyce. Then her phone dinged again.
Ha! He sure ain’t gonna text me, I thought. He remembers my little ditty:
“No mon, no fun, your son. How sad, too bad, your dad.”
I knew how this move back home would unfold. He’d play the game for a few days—get up on time, help around the house, and look for a job—but soon enough his bedroom door would be closed until ten in the morning, and the knobs on his video controller would be rubbed to a shine. Then the crumbs would appear—oh, those crumbs. I’d see them on the white-tiled kitchen counter—crumbs that a normal, sober, trying-to-go-unnoticed, trying-not-to-get-kicked-out-ofyour-parents’-home young man would never leave so mockingly visible.
Joyce, with her mama bear in full swing, said, “I know…it’s not perfect. But what’s he gonna do? Where’s he gonna stay?”
I thought, It’s not our job to figure out where our twenty-seven-year-old son stays.
Then, as if she’d read my mind, she said, “What if we lay things out super clear? Like when he has to be home and has to have a job by, and that we’ll do random drug tests.”
“And I become the bad cop?” I whined. “No way. I can’t do that again, honey. I’m the one stuck here all day and you get to go to your job at school. I’m the one who’s gonna see his slide. I’m the one who’s gonna hear those ridiculous excuses. And I’m the one who’s gonna have to endure those wretched crumbs on the counter.”
Joyce ran her fingers over the worn grooves of our distressed-oak kitchen table.
“If we’re not careful,” I said softly, “he’s gonna drag us down with him.”
Even as I said it, though, I knew that “us” was not the real concern here. Joyce wasn’t concerned about “us” and, honestly, neither was I. In thirty-plus years of marriage, we had never uttered the D-word, or even contemplated it. But this was a new level. Losing a son to opioids tested us like nothing ever had. We’d started doubting each other, snapping at each other, and misreading intentions. She’d lend him some money and I’d say, “You’re enabling.” I’d turn away from a need and she’d say, “You’re too removed.”
https://kenguidroz.com/letters-to-my-son/
Ken Guidroz will be a special speaker at the Life After Loss Virtual Retreat. He's going to share his wisdom and experiences with us. You won't want to miss it!
Ken Guidroz will be a special speaker at the Life After Loss Virtual Retreat. He's going to share his wisdom and experiences with us. You won't want to miss it!
https://celebratelegacy.net/retreat
In my recent podcast episode of "Letters to My Son in Prison," I had the honor of talking with Ken Guidroz about a remarkable story of forgiveness. This conversation was truly special, as Ken told me about how he and his son found forgiveness after a very serious mistake.
During our talk, there was a moment that stood out. Ken mentioned someone saying, "I just couldn't live with myself if something happened to him." These words were like a secret signal, and they stopped the conversation in its tracks.
In this podcast episode, we dive into Ken's story and how he and his son went through a tough journey to find forgiveness. It's a story about healing and the powerful love between a father and son. Join me as we explore this emotional and inspiring journey.
Ken Guidroz will be a special speaker at the Life After Loss Virtual Retreat. He's going to share his wisdom and experiences with us. You won't want to miss it!
https://celebratelegacy.net/retreat
PROLOGUE
I did not want my son to move back home.
Lucas had hit another rough patch. He’d lost another job, gotten kicked out of his girlfriend’s apartment, and was ghosting his AA sponsor. Now he needed a place to stay, so the texts to his mother started dinging like the service bell at lunchtime at Jerry’s Deli. He was twenty-seven.
“Nope, I don’t think we should let him move back in,” I told my wife, Joyce. Then her phone dinged again.
Ha! He sure ain’t gonna text me, I thought. He remembers my little ditty:
“No mon, no fun, your son. How sad, too bad, your dad.”
I knew how this move back home would unfold. He’d play the game for a few days—get up on time, help around the house, and look for a job—but soon enough his bedroom door would be closed until ten in the morning, and the knobs on his video controller would be rubbed to a shine. Then the crumbs would appear—oh, those crumbs. I’d see them on the white-tiled kitchen counter—crumbs that a normal, sober, trying-to-go-unnoticed, trying-not-to-get-kicked-out-ofyour-parents’-home young man would never leave so mockingly visible.
Joyce, with her mama bear in full swing, said, “I know…it’s not perfect. But what’s he gonna do? Where’s he gonna stay?”
I thought, It’s not our job to figure out where our twenty-seven-year-old son stays.
Then, as if she’d read my mind, she said, “What if we lay things out super clear? Like when he has to be home and has to have a job by, and that we’ll do random drug tests.”
“And I become the bad cop?” I whined. “No way. I can’t do that again, honey. I’m the one stuck here all day and you get to go to your job at school. I’m the one who’s gonna see his slide. I’m the one who’s gonna hear those ridiculous excuses. And I’m the one who’s gonna have to endure those wretched crumbs on the counter.”
Joyce ran her fingers over the worn grooves of our distressed-oak kitchen table.
“If we’re not careful,” I said softly, “he’s gonna drag us down with him.”
Even as I said it, though, I knew that “us” was not the real concern here. Joyce wasn’t concerned about “us” and, honestly, neither was I. In thirty-plus years of marriage, we had never uttered the D-word, or even contemplated it. But this was a new level. Losing a son to opioids tested us like nothing ever had. We’d started doubting each other, snapping at each other, and misreading intentions. She’d lend him some money and I’d say, “You’re enabling.” I’d turn away from a need and she’d say, “You’re too removed.”
https://kenguidroz.com/letters-to-my-son/
Ken Guidroz will be a special speaker at the Life After Loss Virtual Retreat. He's going to share his wisdom and experiences with us. You won't want to miss it!
Jeremy Clarkin is a featured speaker at the Life After Loss Virtual Retreat, where he'll share his inspiring story of resilience and hope. Don't miss his powerful message of healing and transformation.
https://celebratelegacy.net/retreat
Hey there, and welcome to our podcast! Today, we have an incredible guest with an inspiring story to share. Meet Jeremy Clarkin, a father of three girls, a retired Marine, and a talented self-taught artist. Jeremy has been through some really tough times, and he's here to tell us about his journey.
At one point, Jeremy faced a moment that many of us can't imagine. He'll share his story of trying to end his own life, but thanks to the support of people like you and me, he's still here today. It's a powerful reminder of the strength that can be found in community and connection.
Jeremy's on a mission, and it's an important one. He's seen too many of his fellow veterans struggle with what he calls "so-called coping mechanisms." But he believes there's a better way, a way of hope and healing. Through his art and coaching, he's helping veterans paint away their pain and find a positive path forward.
His mission is clear: he wants to show as many veterans as possible that they have the power to turn their trauma into something constructive, something that can make the world a better place. So, join us as we sit down with Jeremy Clarkin and dive into his remarkable journey of resilience, recovery, and the mission that's changing lives.
I've lost way too many brothers to all of these so-called coping mechanisms, and I’m on a mission to show them that there is another way. There is hope.
Hello, I’m Jeremy Clarkin. Girl dad (x3), a Marine (Retired), and a self-taught artist with an unwavering passion for coaching veterans on how to paint their pain away. I discovered my talent after a suicide attempt and being in an inpatient facility.
His Mission
Jeremy mission is to help as many veterans as possible, realize that they have the ability to use their trauma to impact the world around them in a constructive way.
https://tatteredsoulcreative.com/
Jeremy Clarkin is a featured speaker at the Life After Loss Virtual Retreat, where he'll share his inspiring story of resilience and hope. Don't miss his powerful message of healing and transformation.
https://celebratelegacy.net/retreat
Jeremy Clarkin is a featured speaker at the Life After Loss Virtual Retreat, where he'll share his inspiring story of resilience and hope. Don't miss his powerful message of healing and transformation.
https://celebratelegacy.net/retreat
Hey there, and welcome to our podcast! Today, we have an incredible guest with an inspiring story to share. Meet Jeremy Clarkin, a father of three girls, a retired Marine, and a talented self-taught artist. Jeremy has been through some really tough times, and he's here to tell us about his journey.
At one point, Jeremy faced a moment that many of us can't imagine. He'll share his story of trying to end his own life, but thanks to the support of people like you and me, he's still here today. It's a powerful reminder of the strength that can be found in community and connection.
Jeremy's on a mission, and it's an important one. He's seen too many of his fellow veterans struggle with what he calls "so-called coping mechanisms." But he believes there's a better way, a way of hope and healing. Through his art and coaching, he's helping veterans paint away their pain and find a positive path forward.
His mission is clear: he wants to show as many veterans as possible that they have the power to turn their trauma into something constructive, something that can make the world a better place. So, join us as we sit down with Jeremy Clarkin and dive into his remarkable journey of resilience, recovery, and the mission that's changing lives.
I've lost way too many brothers to all of these so-called coping mechanisms, and I’m on a mission to show them that there is another way. There is hope.
Hello, I’m Jeremy Clarkin. Girl dad (x3), a Marine (Retired), and a self-taught artist with an unwavering passion for coaching veterans on how to paint their pain away. I discovered my talent after a suicide attempt and being in an inpatient facility.
His Mission
Jeremy mission is to help as many veterans as possible, realize that they have the ability to use their trauma to impact the world around them in a constructive way.
https://tatteredsoulcreative.com/
Jeremy Clarkin is a featured speaker at the Life After Loss Virtual Retreat, where he'll share his inspiring story of resilience and hope. Don't miss his powerful message of healing and transformation.
https://celebratelegacy.net/retreat
More of Patricia's content. Follow the links to learn more about her and her amazing projects! Her website: https://faithhopeandfiction.com , https://faithhopeandfiction.com/ohnita-harbor
Amazon – The Secrets of Still Waters Chasm https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Still-Waters-Chasm-Mystery/dp/1954907648?ref_=ast_author_dp
Amazon – The Secrets of Ohnita Harbor https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Ohnita-Harbor-Patricia-Crisafulli/dp/1954907486?ref_=ast_author_dp
Giving Your Grief Space: The Power of Allowing Pain to Exist
Introduction
Grieving is a complex journey that everyone experiences differently. 💔 In our culture, we often feel pressure to suppress our pain and put on a brave face. However, it's essential to find those places where your grief can be as bad as it is, where it can suck as much as it does. Your pain needs space to be acknowledged and felt. In this blog post, we'll explore the significance of giving your grief the space it deserves and how allowing your pain to exist can be transformative.
Acknowledging the Depth of Your Pain
The pain of loss can be overwhelming, and it's natural to want to avoid or bury those emotions. However, denying your pain can hinder the healing process. By finding places where you can let your grief be as intense as it is, you give yourself permission to confront the depths of your emotions. 🌊
Allowing yourself to fully feel the pain can be frightening, but it's a brave and necessary step towards healing. Embrace your emotions with compassion, knowing that it's okay to feel deeply. 💕
Creating Safe Spaces for Grief
Finding safe spaces where you can express your grief without judgment is crucial. It could be a quiet corner in your home, a support group, or a close friend who is willing to listen without trying to fix things. In these spaces, you can be vulnerable and authentic, allowing your pain to be witnessed and acknowledged. 🤗
Giving your grief space in these environments creates room for validation and healing. It helps you process your emotions and prevents them from being suppressed and festering inside you. 🌈
The Transformative Power of Allowing Pain
At first, it may seem like allowing your pain to exist without restraint is too intangible to be of use. However, by giving your grief space, you change it somehow. You transform the pain from an overwhelming force into something you can navigate and learn from. 🌟
When you embrace your pain with openness, you take control of it instead of letting it control you. Allowing your pain to exist helps you understand its impact on your life and enables you to find healthier ways of coping with it. 💪
Embracing Healing Through Acceptance
Accepting and allowing your pain doesn't mean you're surrendering to it forever. It means you're giving yourself permission to heal. It's a step towards self-compassion and self-awareness. By acknowledging your pain, you create space for self-growth and resilience. 🌱
Remember, healing is not linear, and grief may resurface from time to time. But by giving your grief space, you cultivate a foundation of acceptance and understanding that can carry you through the ups and downs of the healing journey. 🌞
Conclusion
Giving your grief space is a powerful act of self-compassion. Allow yourself to find those places where your pain can exist without judgment or suppression. Embrace your emotions, feel deeply, and create safe spaces for healing. By acknowledging your pain, you empower yourself to transform it and navigate the path towards healing and growth. 🌷💖
https://linktr.ee/TheGriefSchool
Your Grief Pain Will Change You
Introduction
Grief is a deeply personal and emotional experience that touches all of us at some point in our lives. 💔 Losing a loved one or experiencing significant loss can be overwhelming and can evoke intense emotions. In this blog post, we'll explore how your grief pain has the potential to change you, shaping your perspectives, emotions, and personal growth.
Embracing the Complexity of Grief
Grief pain is not a simple emotion; it's a multifaceted experience that can leave a lasting impact. It's essential to recognize that grieving is a natural and valid response to loss. Allowing yourself to feel and process the emotions that come with grief is an important step in the healing journey. 🌊
Grief can bring forth an array of emotions such as sadness, anger, guilt, and even relief. Embracing the complexity of these feelings can lead to a deeper understanding of yourself and your relationship with the person you've lost. 🌈
The Transformative Nature of Grief
Grief pain has the power to change you in profound ways. As you navigate through your grief, you may find yourself reevaluating your priorities, relationships, and life's purpose. 🌟 The loss may prompt you to reassess your values and make meaningful changes in your life.
While grief is undoubtedly challenging, it can also be a catalyst for personal growth and self-discovery. By facing your grief pain, you open yourself up to the possibility of transformation and new beginnings. 🌱
Navigating the Ups and Downs
Grief is not a linear process. It's a journey with ups and downs, moments of strength and vulnerability. Your grief pain may come in waves, and some days may feel more challenging than others. It's essential to be patient with yourself and allow yourself to grieve at your own pace. 🌞
Remember that healing takes time and that it's okay to seek support from friends, family, or professionals during your grief journey. By embracing the fluctuations of grief, you give yourself the space to heal and grow. 🤗
Finding Meaning and Resilience
Amidst grief pain, you may find opportunities for resilience and finding meaning in your experiences. 💪 Some individuals channel their grief into positive actions, such as supporting others in similar situations or starting meaningful projects in memory of their loved ones.
Finding a sense of purpose and meaning in the face of loss can help you navigate through grief pain with a renewed sense of hope and purpose. 💕
Conclusion
Your grief pain is a unique and transformative experience that can change you in ways you may not expect. Embracing the complexity of grief, navigating its ups and downs, and finding resilience and meaning can lead to personal growth and healing. 🌷💖
As you allow yourself to grieve and process your emotions, remember that there is no right or wrong way to grieve. Each individual's grief journey is unique, and it's essential to be compassionate and patient with yourself during this time. 🌈💕
https://linktr.ee/TheGriefSchool
Dealing Effectively With Your Grief Is The First Step
Grief is an inevitable part of life, and at some point, we all experience the pain of losing someone or something we hold dear. Whether it's the passing of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or a major life change, grief can be overwhelming and difficult to navigate. However, it is crucial to understand that dealing with grief effectively is the first step towards healing and finding a sense of peace.
Acknowledge Your Feelings
The first and most crucial step in dealing with grief is to acknowledge your feelings. It's common to feel a wide range of emotions such as sadness, anger, guilt, or even numbness. Don't try to suppress these emotions; instead, allow yourself to experience them fully. Give yourself permission to cry, vent, or seek solace in the presence of friends and family. Remember, it's okay to grieve, and there is no right or wrong way to feel.
Seek Support
Grief can be an isolating experience, but you don't have to go through it alone. Reach out to your support network, whether it's friends, family, or a grief support group. Talking about your feelings can provide immense relief and comfort during this challenging time. Surrounding yourself with people who care about you can help you feel less alone and more understood.
Take Care of Yourself
Amidst grief, self-care often takes a backseat, but it's essential to take care of yourself physically and emotionally. Make sure you're getting enough rest, eating well-balanced meals, and engaging in gentle exercise. Avoid turning to unhealthy coping mechanisms like excessive drinking or isolating yourself from the world. Remember, caring for yourself is not selfish but necessary for your healing process.
Create Rituals
Rituals can provide structure and comfort during times of grief. Whether it's lighting a candle in memory of your loved one, writing in a journal, or visiting a special place, these rituals can be a way to connect with your feelings and memories. Additionally, creating new rituals can also help you move forward and honor the person or thing you've lost.
Seek Professional Help
If you find yourself struggling to cope with your grief, don't hesitate to seek professional help. A therapist or counselor experienced in grief and loss can provide valuable guidance and support tailored to your specific needs. They can help you navigate the complex emotions and challenges that come with grief and assist you in finding effective coping strategies.
Give Yourself Time
Healing from grief is not a linear process and can't be rushed. Be patient with yourself and allow the healing to take its course. There is no timeline for grief, and everyone's journey is unique. It's okay to have good days and bad days; it's all part of the healing process.
Remember the Good Times
While grief can be painful, it's essential to remember the good times and the joyous memories you shared with the person or thing you've lost. Celebrate their life and the impact they had on yours. Embracing the positive aspects can bring a sense of comfort and peace amidst the pain.
Dealing effectively with grief is a challenging journey, but it's also a transformative one. By acknowledging your feelings, seeking support, taking care of yourself, creating rituals, seeking professional help when needed, giving yourself time, and cherishing the memories, you can begin the healing process and gradually find a path towards acceptance and renewal. Remember, it's okay to grieve, and in time, you can emerge stronger and more resilient from this experience.
https://linktr.ee/TheGriefSchool
You Must Take Breaks From Your Grief
Introduction
Grieving is a natural and necessary process when we experience loss, but it's essential to remember that taking breaks from grief is equally crucial. 💔 In this blog post, we'll explore why giving yourself permission to take breaks from grief is a healthy and necessary part of the healing journey.
Why Breaks Are Important
Grief can be all-consuming, affecting every aspect of our lives. Taking breaks doesn't mean forgetting about our loss or dismissing our feelings; it means allowing ourselves moments of respite from the intensity of grief. 🌟
Breaks offer an opportunity to recharge emotionally, physically, and mentally. They give us the space to gain perspective, process our emotions, and return to grief with renewed strength. 💪
Permission to Feel Joy
During grief, it's common to feel guilty for experiencing moments of happiness or joy. However, allowing ourselves to take breaks and enjoy life doesn't diminish our love for the person we lost or the significance of our loss. It's a natural part of the healing process. 😊💕
Taking breaks and allowing ourselves to laugh or find pleasure in small moments doesn't mean we're betraying our grief. It means honoring our loved ones by continuing to live our lives with moments of happiness amidst the sorrow. 🌈
The Importance of Self-Care
Grief can take a toll on our physical and emotional well-being. Taking breaks from grief allows us to focus on self-care, which is crucial for healing. Whether it's going for a walk, engaging in a hobby, or spending time with loved ones, self-care helps us build resilience and cope with grief in healthier ways. 🌺💖
Breaking the Isolation
Grief can make us feel isolated and alone in our pain. Taking breaks allows us to connect with others and seek support. Sharing our feelings with someone who understands can be therapeutic and reassuring. 🤝🤗
During breaks, reaching out to friends, family, or support groups can remind us that we don't have to navigate grief alone. Finding comfort in the company of others can help us feel understood and less isolated. 💛
Balancing Grief and Breaks
Balancing grief and taking breaks is an individual journey, and there's no right or wrong way to do it. Listen to your emotional needs and give yourself the permission to take breaks when you need them. 🌼
Remember, grief doesn't have a timeline, and healing takes time. Taking breaks from grief is an act of self-compassion and acknowledgment that healing is a process. It's okay to have moments of respite from the pain. 🌞
Conclusion
Taking breaks from grief is an essential part of the healing process. It allows us to recharge, find moments of joy, practice self-care, and connect with others. Give yourself permission to take breaks and find a balance that works for you. Remember, healing is a journey, and it's okay to take one step at a time. 💗🌟
https://linktr.ee/TheGriefSchool
Embracing Personal Authority: When Others Claim to Know Your Person Better
Losing a loved one is a deeply personal and transformative experience. In the aftermath of their passing, you may encounter well-meaning individuals who want to share their own perspectives and knowledge about your person. However, it's important to remember that no one is the ultimate authority over your loved one, especially after they have died. This blog explores the tendency of others to assert their knowledge and offers insights on embracing your personal authority.
Challenging Assumptions
People have a natural inclination to project their own perceptions onto others, even more so when it comes to discussing someone who has passed away. They may want to feel connected to your loved one by sharing anecdotes, memories, or opinions. However, it's essential to recognize that their understanding is limited to their own experiences and perspectives.
When others claim to know your person better or attempt to correct you on aspects of your loved one, it's important to challenge these assumptions. Remember that you are the ultimate authority on your loved one's life and the impact they had on you. Your unique relationship and personal experiences are what truly define your understanding of them.
Honoring Your Perspective
Grieving is a deeply personal and individual journey. No one can fully comprehend the depth and complexity of your relationship with your loved one. It is crucial to honor and trust your own perspective, memories, and feelings.
When others try to assert their knowledge or correct you, take a moment to reflect on your own experiences. Allow yourself to embrace the memories and emotions that are true to you. Trust that your understanding of your loved one is valid and valuable, regardless of what others may say.
Boundaries and Self-Advocacy
Establishing boundaries and practicing self-advocacy are vital when others attempt to assert their authority over your person. Politely but firmly remind them that your perspective is based on your unique relationship and experiences. Share your boundaries and communicate your need for support and understanding rather than correction or assumption.
By asserting your personal authority, you create a space where your loved one's memory can be honored in a way that feels authentic to you. It's important to surround yourself with individuals who respect and support your perspective, allowing you to navigate your grief journey in a way that feels true and meaningful.
The Gift of Listening
While it is essential to honor your own perspective, it's also valuable to listen to others' stories and memories. Engaging in conversations about your loved one can provide different insights and perspectives that may deepen your understanding and broaden your own memories.
However, remember that listening does not mean accepting others' claims as the absolute truth. Embrace a receptive mindset, filtering the information through your own experiences and emotions. Recognize that everyone's relationship with your loved one is unique, and their memories may offer a different perspective without invalidating your own.
Embracing Personal Authority
No one can claim to be the ultimate authority over your person, especially after they have died. Embracing your personal authority means recognizing and trusting your own experiences, emotions, and memories of your loved one.
Grief is a deeply personal journey, and your relationship with your loved one is unique. It's important to assert your personal authority, set boundaries, and advocate for your perspective. Surround yourself with individuals who respect and support your understanding, allowing you to navigate your grief authentically and find healing in your own way.
Remember, no one can diminish the significance of your relationship or the
The Importance of Allowing Grief: Understanding the Difference Between Grieving and Healing
Grief and healing are intertwined, yet distinct processes that we experience when faced with loss and significant life changes. While both are essential, it is crucial to recognize the importance of allowing grief before we can embark on the journey of healing. Let's explore the difference between grieving and healing and understand why each has a unique role in our path to recovery.
Grief: Honoring the Pain
Grief is the natural and instinctive response to loss. It encompasses a range of emotions, such as sadness, anger, confusion, guilt, and despair. Grieving is the process of acknowledging and honoring these emotions. It is allowing ourselves to feel the pain and the weight of the loss.
Allowing grief means creating space for our emotions without judgment or expectation. It's understanding that these emotions are a natural part of our healing journey. It's giving ourselves permission to express our feelings, whether through tears, talking, journaling, or any other form of release. By allowing grief, we validate our emotions and begin the necessary process of acceptance.
Healing: Embracing Growth and Transformation
Healing, on the other hand, is the transformative process that follows grief. It is the journey towards finding a sense of peace, restoration, and resilience. Healing doesn't mean forgetting or erasing the pain; it means learning to live with it in a way that allows us to move forward.
Healing involves personal growth, self-discovery, and the development of new perspectives. It's about finding meaning and purpose in life again, even in the face of loss. Healing doesn't happen overnight; it is a gradual and ongoing process that requires patience, self-compassion, and support.
Allowing Grief: The Foundation of Healing
While grieving and healing are distinct, they are intrinsically linked. Grief lays the foundation for healing to take place. It is through the process of grieving that we release the pent-up emotions, confront the reality of the loss, and begin to make sense of our new reality.
Suppressing or avoiding grief can hinder the healing process. Unresolved grief can manifest in various ways, such as prolonged sadness, anger, or even physical symptoms. By allowing ourselves to grieve, we create the necessary space for healing to occur.
Society's Expectations and the Importance of Allowing Grief
In our society, there is often pressure to "move on" quickly and "get over" our losses. However, this expectation can undermine the healing process. It is essential to recognize that healing cannot occur without first allowing ourselves to grieve fully.
By allowing grief, we give ourselves permission to experience the pain and validate our emotions. We reject the notion that grief should be hurried or minimized. Instead, we embrace the truth that grief is a necessary and individual process that cannot be rushed or avoided.
The Role of Support and Compassion
Allowing grief requires a supportive and compassionate environment. It is important to surround ourselves with understanding friends, family, or support groups who can hold space for our grief without judgment. Professional counselors or therapists can also provide invaluable guidance and support during this time.
When we allow grief and receive support, we create the conditions necessary for healing to occur. We give ourselves permission to be vulnerable, to explore our emotions, and to gradually find our way towards healing and transformation.
Embracing Grief, Embracing Healing
Grieving and healing are two sides of the same coin, both equally important in our journey of recovery. By allowing grief
Grief Needs a Seat at the Table: Addressing the Ever-Present Reality
Grief is a constant companion in our lives, yet it often remains unacknowledged and sidelined in our conversations and societal narratives. It's time to recognize the significant impact of grief and why we need to address it. Grief needs a seat at the table because it is always there, silently shaping our lives in profound ways.
The Unseen Companion
Grief is not a fleeting emotion; it is an enduring presence in our lives. Whether it's the loss of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or any significant life change, grief accompanies us on our journey. It shapes our thoughts, emotions, and actions, often influencing our major life decisions.
Despite its constant presence, grief is often shrouded in silence. It's an uncomfortable topic that we try to avoid or downplay. However, by giving grief a seat at the table, we acknowledge its power and the impact it has on our well-being.
Embracing the Complexity
Grief is a complex and multifaceted experience. It encompasses a wide range of emotions, from deep sadness and anger to confusion and relief. By avoiding or suppressing these emotions, we deny ourselves the opportunity for healing and growth.
Addressing grief means embracing the complexity of our emotions. It means creating a safe space for open and honest conversations about loss, allowing ourselves and others to express our feelings without judgment or expectation. Only then can we truly understand and support one another through the grieving process.
Navigating Major Life Transitions
Grief intertwines with major life transitions, guiding our choices and influencing our paths. When we lose someone or experience a significant change, our lives are irrevocably altered. Grief becomes a compass, helping us navigate uncharted territories.
By acknowledging the presence of grief in our major life transitions, we gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and our journeys. We recognize the hidden costs, the sacrifices, and the resilience required to rebuild our lives. By addressing grief head-on, we empower ourselves to make informed decisions and embrace the transformative power of healing.
The Ripple Effect
Grief extends far beyond the individual experience; it creates a ripple effect that touches the lives of those around us. When we deny grief a seat at the table, we inadvertently silence the voices of others who are also grieving. We perpetuate a culture that does not allow for genuine support and understanding.
By giving grief a seat at the table, we foster a compassionate and empathetic society. We create a space where people feel seen and heard, where their pain is acknowledged and their healing is supported. Through this collective recognition, we break the cycle of silence and isolation, and we pave the way for collective healing and growth.
Cultivating Resilience and Well-being
Addressing grief is not just about acknowledging pain; it is also about cultivating resilience and well-being. When we bring grief to the table, we create an environment where vulnerability is celebrated and support is offered unconditionally. This environment fosters personal growth, emotional healing, and ultimately, a stronger sense of community.
By embracing grief, we create a space where individuals can find solace and strength in their shared experiences. We encourage self-care, self-compassion, and the pursuit of resources that promote healing. When we give grief a seat at the table, we empower ourselves and others to live authentically and wholeheartedly.
Let Grief Take its Place
Grief is an ever-present reality in our lives, and it deserves to be acknowledged and addressed. By giving grief a seat ~ Sharon
The Emotional Reset Challenge: Healing and Growth for Women
The Emotional Reset Challenge is an empowering event designed to create a safe and supportive environment for women to explore their broken hearts, enhance emotional well-being, and gain a deeper understanding of their feelings. This three-day experience will equip participants with valuable tools, techniques, and resources to reconnect with their emotions and foster personal growth.
A Safe Haven for Healing
During the Emotional Rest Challenge, women will find solace in a nurturing environment where they can freely express their emotions without judgment. It is a space where vulnerability is celebrated, and participants can feel understood and supported on their healing journey. This event offers a refuge for those seeking solace and connection.
Exploring and Healing Broken Hearts
Heartbreak can leave deep emotional wounds that require time and attention to heal. The Emotional Reset Challenge provides a dedicated space for women to delve into their pain, explore its roots, and begin the healing process. Through guided activities, workshops, and shared experiences, participants will gain valuable insights into their emotional landscape and discover ways to mend their broken hearts.
Enhancing Emotional Well-being
Emotional well-being is essential for leading a fulfilling and balanced life. Throughout the challenge, women will learn effective techniques to enhance their emotional well-being. From mindfulness exercises to self-care practices, participants will acquire valuable tools to nurture their emotional health and find a sense of inner peace amidst life's challenges.
Gaining a Deeper Understanding of Feelings
Understanding our feelings is a crucial step towards personal growth and self-awareness. The Emotional Reset Challenge provides a platform for women to explore and gain a deeper understanding of their emotions. Through guided discussions, introspective exercises, and facilitated group activities, participants will embark on a journey of self-discovery, uncovering the layers of their emotions and developing a greater sense of emotional intelligence.
Tools, Techniques, and Resources for Personal Growth
The Emotional Reset Challenge equips participants with a range of practical tools, techniques, and resources to support their personal growth. From journaling exercises to relaxation techniques, attendees will learn tangible strategies to navigate their emotions and continue their healing journey beyond the event. Additionally, they will have access to a network of like-minded individuals and ongoing support to sustain their progress.
Conclusion
The Emotional Reset Challenge is a transformative event for women seeking healing, growth, and emotional well-being. Through a combination of exploration, healing activities, and practical tools, participants will be empowered to embrace their emotions, heal their broken hearts, and foster personal growth. This three-day journey offers a supportive community and valuable resources to help women navigate their emotional landscapes and emerge stronger, wiser, and more resilient. ~ www.joinemotionalreset.com.
Becoming the Griever: Embracing Healing and Moving Forward
In life, we all experience loss and heartbreak. Whether it's the end of a relationship, the passing of a loved one, or the shattering of a dream, grief finds its way into our lives in various forms. The pain can be overwhelming, leaving us paralyzed and unable to move forward. But in order to heal, we must become the griever.
The Sidelines of Sorrow
Grief has a way of making us feel like helpless spectators, watching our lives crumble from the sidelines. We may find ourselves caught in a cycle of sadness, unable to let go of the pain and clinging onto what once was. But sitting on the sidelines and crying alone will not bring us solace. It's time to recognize that in order to heal, we must actively engage with our grief.
Embracing the Role of the Griever
Becoming the griever means accepting our pain and acknowledging its presence in our lives. It means giving ourselves permission to feel the depths of our emotions without judgment or resistance. We must allow ourselves to mourn, to rage, and to cry, recognizing that these are essential components of the healing process.
Making the Decision to Move Forward
While grief can be an all-consuming force, it doesn't have to define our entire existence. At some point, we must make the conscious decision to start moving toward healing. This decision is not a betrayal of our pain or the memories of what we've lost; rather, it is an act of self-compassion and resilience.
Taking Steps Towards Healing
Moving forward doesn't mean forgetting or dismissing our grief. It means channeling our pain into productive and healing outlets. This could involve seeking support from loved ones or professional therapists, engaging in self-care practices, or finding solace in creative expression. Every step we take towards healing is an act of empowerment and self-love.
The Transformation of the Griever
As we actively engage with our grief and take steps towards healing, we begin to transform. The griever becomes a beacon of strength, resilience, and empathy. Our pain becomes a catalyst for personal growth and understanding. Through the healing journey, we become more attuned to our own emotions and the experiences of others, ultimately emerging as individuals capable of offering compassion and support to fellow grievers.
Conclusion
Grief is a powerful force that can leave us feeling stagnant and trapped. However, we have the ability to reclaim our lives and become the griever who takes charge of their healing. By making the decision to actively engage with our grief, we open ourselves up to the possibility of healing, growth, and a newfound sense of purpose. Remember, it's never too late to become the griever and embark on the transformative journey towards healing and renewal. ~ Sharon
Sad Is Not Bad: Embracing the Rollercoaster of Grief
Grief is an emotional journey that nobody wishes to embark upon, yet it is an inevitable part of the human experience. The loss of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or a significant life change can leave us shattered, heartbroken, and overwhelmed with sadness. In a society that often promotes happiness and positivity, it is important to acknowledge that sadness is not inherently bad. Instead, it is a natural and necessary part of the grieving process. In this article, we will explore the importance of embracing sadness and the vast range of emotions that accompany grief.
- The Reality of Grief:
- Grief is a complex and multifaceted process that affects individuals differently. It is not a linear path, but rather a rollercoaster ride with ups and downs, twists and turns. One moment, you may feel numb or in shock, and the next, a wave of intense sadness may wash over you. It is crucial to understand that these emotions are valid and an integral part of healing.
- The Power of Sadness:
- Sadness often carries a negative connotation, as if it is something to be avoided or suppressed. However, when we allow ourselves to fully experience sadness, we open the door to healing. Sadness is not a sign of weakness, but rather an indication of the love and connection we felt for what or who we have lost. It allows us to honor the significance of that person or thing in our lives and acknowledge the impact they had on us.
- The Emotional Wheel:
- Grief is not solely about sadness. It encompasses a wide range of emotions that may include anger, guilt, fear, confusion, and even moments of joy. Understanding the emotional wheel of grief helps us navigate the complexities of our feelings. By embracing each emotion as it arises, we can move towards acceptance and find a new sense of meaning and purpose.
- The Importance of Self-Care:
- In the midst of grief, it is crucial to prioritize self-care. This includes taking the time to engage in activities that bring you comfort, seeking support from loved ones or professionals, and being gentle with yourself. By allowing yourself to grieve, you are giving yourself the space to heal and eventually find hope and happiness again.
- Finding Support:
- Grief can feel isolating, but remember that you are not alone. Seeking support from others who have experienced loss or joining support groups can provide a sense of community and understanding. Sharing your feelings and listening to the experiences of others can offer validation and solace during this challenging time.
Conclusion:
Sadness is not a bad emotion; it is an integral part of the grieving process. By accepting and embracing our sadness, we allow ourselves to move through the emotional wheel of grief and find healing. Remember to be patient and compassionate with yourself as you navigate this journey. With time, support, and self-care, you will gradually rebuild your life and discover a new sense of peace and resilience.
Hello, and welcome to today's podcast, where we'll be discussing why your support matters for those who are grieving. Grief is a universal experience that affects us all at some point in our lives. Whether it's the loss of a loved one, a pet, a job, or a relationship, the pain of grief can be overwhelming. But one thing that can make a big difference for those who are grieving is the support of others. So, let's dive into why your support matters and how you can offer it to those who are grieving. Firstly, it's important to understand that grief is not a linear process. It's not something that can be easily predicted or controlled, and everyone experiences it differently. So, it's essential to offer support in a way that's meaningful and appropriate for the person who is grieving. One of the most important things you can do to support someone who is grieving is to simply be there for them. Listening without judgment or offering advice can be incredibly helpful. Grief can feel very isolating, and having someone who is willing to listen can make all the difference. Another way to offer support is to be present physically. Grieving can make it challenging for people to perform even the simplest of tasks, such as grocery shopping or cleaning. So, offering to run errands or help with household chores can be a significant help. You can also offer support by checking in on them regularly. Grief can be a long and lonely journey, and knowing that someone cares enough to check in can provide much-needed comfort. It's also important to keep in mind that grief doesn't have a timeline. So, even if it's been months or years since the loss, it's still important to offer support. People who are grieving may feel like others have moved on and forgotten about their loss, but continued support can show them that they are not alone. Lastly, it's important to acknowledge the pain of loss and not try to minimize it. Offering platitudes like "they're in a better place" or "everything happens for a reason" can be more harmful than helpful. Instead, offer validation and empathy for what they're going through. Conclusion: In conclusion, grief is a difficult and complex process, and everyone experiences it differently. But one thing that can make a big difference is the support of others. Whether it's listening, being present, or checking in, your support matters to those who are grieving. So, take the time to offer your support, and know that it can make a significant difference in someone's healing journey. Thank you for tuning in to this podcast today.
Welcome to our podcast for those who are struggling with grief and have chosen to not move on from their pain. It takes a lot of courage to admit that you're struggling, and we're here to support you through this journey. It's important to remember that everyone grieves differently, and there's no timeline for healing. However, it's also crucial to acknowledge that holding onto your pain can have long-term negative effects on your mental and physical health. In today's episode, we'll explore why some people choose to live broken-hearted and not do the work to recover, and how you can start taking small steps towards healing. Why do some people choose to live broken-hearted? Grief can be overwhelming, and it's not uncommon for people to feel like they can't move on from their pain. It can be easier to stay in that place of sadness because it feels familiar and safe. Some people may also fear that letting go of their grief means letting go of their loved one, which can be a daunting thought. Additionally, society has conditioned us to believe that grief should be a linear process, and that we should "get over it" within a certain timeframe. This pressure can make people feel guilty or ashamed for not moving on, causing them to hold onto their pain even tighter. The dangers of living broken-hearted While it's okay to take your time to grieve, holding onto your pain can have serious consequences. Living in a constant state of sadness can lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. It can also affect your physical health, such as weakened immune system, increased blood pressure, and insomnia. Holding onto your grief can also affect your relationships with loved ones, making it harder to connect with them on a deeper level. It's important to remember that healing doesn't mean forgetting your loved one, but rather finding a way to live with their memory in a healthy way. Taking small steps towards healing~ Recovering from grief is a process, and it's okay to take small steps towards healing. One way to start is by seeking support from loved ones or a therapist. It can be helpful to join a support group where you can connect with others who are going through similar experiences. Additionally, practicing self-care, such as exercise, meditation, and journaling, can help you manage your emotions and work through your pain. Lastly, try to find ways to honor your loved one's memory, such as creating a memory box or participating in an activity they enjoyed. Conclusion: Remember, it's okay to grieve, and there's no timeline for healing. However, it's important to acknowledge when holding onto your pain is no longer serving you. It takes a lot of courage to take the first step towards healing, but know that you're not alone in this journey. Seek support from loved ones, a grief specialist, or a support group, and practice self-care to manage your emotions. Above all, remember to honor your loved one's memory in a way that feels right for you. We hope this podcast has been helpful for those who are struggling with grief and choosing to not move on from their pain. Thank you for tuning in.
Welcome to today's podcast, where we'll be discussing the topic of forgiving yourself as a griever. Grieving is a natural and necessary process that we go through when we experience loss. Whether it's the loss of a loved one, a job, or a relationship, grief can be an overwhelming and exhausting experience. One of the most challenging aspects of grief is learning how to forgive yourself. When we experience loss, we often feel a sense of guilt or regret about things we did or didn't do, and these feelings can be incredibly difficult to navigate. The truth is, forgiveness is an essential part of the grieving process. It's important to remember that grief is not a linear process, and it's okay to have setbacks or moments of feeling stuck. Forgiving yourself means accepting that you did the best you could with the knowledge and resources you had at the time. It means recognizing that you are human and that making mistakes is a natural part of life. Here are some tips for forgiving yourself as a griever: 1. Practice self-compassion: Be kind to yourself and treat yourself with the same compassion you would offer a friend who is going through a difficult time. 2. Allow yourself to feel your emotions: Grief can be an emotional rollercoaster, and it's essential to allow yourself to feel your emotions fully. Don't try to suppress or ignore your feelings, as this will only prolong the grieving process. 3. Acknowledge your mistakes: It's okay to acknowledge mistakes you may have made during your grieving process. However, remember that you did the best you could at the time with the knowledge and resources you had. 4. Seek support: It's important to seek support from friends, family, or a therapist during the grieving process. Talking about your feelings with someone who understands can be incredibly healing and help you work through feelings of guilt or regret. 5. Practice forgiveness: Forgiving yourself is not always easy, but it's essential to let go of feelings of guilt or regret. Try practicing forgiveness exercises such as writing a letter to yourself or practicing meditation. Remember, forgiveness is a process, and it takes time. Be patient with yourself and trust the healing process. With time, self-compassion, and support, you will learn to forgive yourself and find peace. Thank you for listening to today's podcast, and we hope you found these tips helpful in forgiving yourself as a griever.
As we journey through life, we encounter different experiences, and the loss of a loved one can be one of the most significant. It's an experience that can shake our world, alter our perceptions, and change us in ways we never thought possible. The reality is, after a loss, life will never be the same. We will never be the person we were before the loss, and that's okay. We have to give ourselves permission to grow, to change, and to evolve into someone new. Grief changes everything in our lives, from the way we think, feel, and behave. It can leave us feeling lost, confused, and overwhelmed. However, it's essential to understand that the changes we experience can be positive. We may find new ways to connect with others, new passions, and new perspectives on life. We can learn to appreciate the moments we have and cherish the memories of those we've lost. Even after we've done the necessary work to heal our hearts and find moments of happiness, we must acknowledge that our lives are still different. We may still long for what we had, but we can also find joy in what we have now. It's about finding a balance between honoring our past and embracing our present. It's about acknowledging that our lives are different but finding the beauty in that difference. Conclusion: In conclusion, grief changes everything. It changes the way we view the world, the way we interact with others, and the way we see ourselves. But it's essential to understand that these changes can be positive. It's about learning to embrace the new version of ourselves while honoring the memories of those we've lost. It's about finding the beauty in the difference and living a life that honors our loved ones while finding meaning and purpose in our journey. Remember, you are not alone in your grief, and there is hope for healing and growth.
Losing a loved one is never easy, no matter the circumstances. When a person dies, we are often filled with a complex mix of emotions. While we may feel sadness and grief at their passing, we may also experience a sense of relief, particularly if our loved one had been suffering from a prolonged illness. It is natural to feel relief when our loved one dies, especially if they had been struggling with a serious illness or chronic pain. We may feel a sense of closure and finality, knowing that their suffering has come to an end. It can be a huge relief to know that our loved one is no longer in pain and that they have finally found peace. However, it is important to remember that everyone processes grief differently. You may feel guilty for feeling relieved, but it is important to acknowledge and accept your emotions as they are. There is no right or wrong way to grieve, and it is okay to feel a mix of emotions, including relief. It is important to take care of yourself during this time. Grief can be overwhelming, and it can be difficult to navigate your emotions. It is essential to reach out for support from friends, family, or a mental health professional to help you cope with your feelings. It is also important to honor your loved one's memory in your own way. This may involve holding a memorial service, creating a memory book, or finding a way to honor their life and legacy. In conclusion, feeling relief when a loved one dies is a natural response, particularly when they had been suffering from a chronic illness or pain. While it is important to honor and process your grief, it is also essential to take care of yourself and seek support during this challenging time. Remember that everyone processes grief differently, and there is no right or wrong way to feel.
The experience of grief is one of the most challenging and emotionally charged aspects of the human experience. Whether we lose a loved one suddenly or after a prolonged illness, the process of grieving can be a long and difficult one that affects us deeply on many levels. In the digital age, we now face a new dimension of grief - the digital goodbye. With the prevalence of social media and other forms of digital communication, we now have more areas of closure to consider than ever before. For many of us, the Facebook page of the deceased is one of the primary sources of grief. We may find ourselves checking their page, looking for any signs that they are still with us in some way. We may see their posts from the past and be reminded of their humor, their kindness, or their love. But at the same time, seeing these reminders can break our hearts all over again, as we are faced with the reality that they are no longer here. Another aspect of the digital goodbye is the social media presence of the deceased. Do we leave their accounts active, or do we delete them? There is no right or wrong answer to this question, as it is a deeply personal decision. Some may choose to leave the accounts active as a way of keeping the person's memory alive, while others may prefer to delete the accounts as a way of moving on. One of the most challenging aspects of the digital goodbye is the yearly reminders that come up on our social media sites. Facebook, for example, will often send us reminders of past posts that we shared with the person who has passed away. These reminders can be incredibly painful, as they bring back memories of times that we shared with the person and remind us of the loss that we have experienced. The cell phone number of the deceased is another area of closure that we need to consider. Do we keep the number or cancel it? This is another deeply personal decision that depends on the individual circumstances. Some may choose to keep the number as a way of feeling connected to the person, while others may find it too painful to be reminded of the loss every time they see the number. In conclusion, the digital goodbye is a new aspect of grief that we must learn to navigate in the digital age. It is a deeply personal process that requires us to consider our own feelings and emotions in the context of the technology that surrounds us. While it can be challenging and painful, it is also an opportunity to honor the memory of those who have passed and find ways to keep them alive in our hearts and minds.
Grief, pain, and suffering are three concepts that are often used interchangeably when discussing the experience of loss. However, they are distinct and can have different impacts on an individual's emotional and mental well-being. Grief is a normal and natural response to loss. It is an emotional and physical experience that individuals go through when they lose someone or something that they care about deeply.
Grief is often accompanied by feelings of sadness, loneliness, and emptiness. It can also cause physical symptoms such as fatigue, insomnia, and loss of appetite. While grief can be painful, it is a natural part of the healing process and can help individuals come to terms with their loss.
Pain is the physical and emotional discomfort that is often associated with grief. Pain can be caused by physical or emotional stressors, and it can manifest as physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, and muscle tension. Emotional pain can also cause feelings of sadness, anger, or anxiety. Pain is a normal response to grief and can be managed with proper self-care, including exercise, nutrition, and stress management techniques.
Suffering, on the other hand, is a state of mind that occurs when individuals get stuck in their grief and are unable to move forward. Suffering is often characterized by feelings of hopelessness, despair, and helplessness. It can cause individuals to withdraw from others, feel isolated and alone, and lose their sense of purpose and meaning. Suffering is not a normal or necessary part of the grieving process and can be detrimental to an individual's emotional and mental health.
It is important to understand the differences between grief, pain, and suffering to ensure that individuals receive the appropriate support and care they need to heal from their loss. While grief and pain are normal responses to loss, suffering can be avoided by seeking help from mental health professionals, support groups, or trusted friends and family members. By recognizing the differences between these concepts, individuals can take steps to manage their grief and avoid unnecessary suffering.
In conclusion, grief, pain, and suffering are distinct concepts that are often used interchangeably when discussing the experience of loss. While grief and pain are normal responses to loss, suffering can be avoided by seeking help and support from mental health professionals, support groups, or trusted friends and family members. Understanding the differences between these concepts can help individuals manage their grief and avoid unnecessary suffering.
Sit with Sharon and Erica as they share their experience of caring for someone with illness and the grief that happens after the death.
Experiencing a long-term illness and caring for a loved one can be one of the most difficult and emotional experiences one can go through. As a caregiver, you may have spent weeks, months, or even years, tending to your loved one's needs, providing them with physical, emotional, and spiritual support. Your life may have revolved around their care, leaving little time or energy for anything else. After your loved one passes away, the sudden absence of their presence can feel overwhelming. Along with the grief and pain of losing someone close to you, you may also experience a sense of emptiness and loss of purpose that comes from the end of your caregiving journey.
As a caregiver, your routine may have revolved around your loved one's needs. You may have spent countless hours providing care, running errands, and attending appointments. Now that your caregiving role has ended, it can be challenging to adjust to a new routine and figure out how to fill the hours that were once dedicated to your loved one's care.
In addition, the stress and exhaustion of caring for a loved one can leave you feeling physically and emotionally drained. It's not uncommon for caregivers to experience burnout and other health issues as a result of the physical and emotional demands of their role. After your loved one passes away, you may find yourself struggling to regain your energy and take care of your own needs. All of these factors can contribute to a sense of loss and grief after the passing of a loved one. You may find yourself struggling to come to terms with the fact that your caregiving journey has come to an end, and that you must now adjust to a new normal without your loved one.
It's important to remember that grief is a natural and necessary part of the healing process. You may experience a range of emotions, from sadness and anger to guilt and regret. Allow yourself to feel these emotions and seek support from loved ones or a professional counselor if needed.
While the loss of your caregiving role may feel overwhelming, it's important to recognize that you still have value and purpose in the world. Take time to reflect on your own needs and interests, and consider how you can use your experiences to help others who may be going through a similar journey. Remember that it's okay to take things one day at a time and to focus on self-care during this difficult time. Be patient with yourself, and know that with time and support, you will find a way to heal and move forward.
Losing a spouse is one of the most difficult things that anyone can experience. The grief, pain, and emotional turmoil that come with such a loss can be overwhelming, and it can take a long time to heal. But what happens when a widow finds love again? Is it possible to move on from the pain of losing a spouse and find happiness with someone new? For many widows, the answer is a resounding yes. But for others, the process of moving on can be fraught with guilt and conflicting emotions. Meet Sarah. Sarah was married to her husband for 15 years before he passed away from cancer. They had a beautiful life together, and Sarah loved her husband deeply. But after he passed, Sarah found herself struggling to move on. She tried to keep busy with work and friends, but the pain of losing her husband was always there. Sarah felt lost and alone. It wasn't until a few years after her husband's death that Sarah met Mark. Mark was kind, compassionate, and understanding. He listened to Sarah's stories about her husband and was patient with her as she worked through her grief. Sarah was initially hesitant to start a new relationship, but she eventually opened up to Mark and they started dating. At first, Sarah felt hopeful that she had found someone who could help her move on from the pain of losing her husband. But as their relationship progressed, Sarah started to feel guilty. She would think about her husband and feel like she was betraying his memory by being with someone else. She would cry and feel overwhelmed with sadness, and she didn't know how to reconcile her love for her husband with her growing feelings for Mark. Sarah's guilt was compounded by the fact that Mark was divorced. She felt like she was taking away someone else's chance at love, and that she didn't deserve to be happy. The pain of losing her husband was sometimes unbearable, and she would lash out at Mark when she couldn't control her emotions. Despite her guilt and conflicting emotions, Sarah loved Mark. She saw in him a future that she never thought she could have after losing her husband. But her grief was always present, and it made it difficult for her to fully embrace her new relationship. Sarah eventually sought help from me as a grief specialist, I helped her understand that her feelings were normal and valid. \ Sarah work through her guilt and helped her see that it was possible to love someone new while still honoring the memory of her husband. It wasn't easy, but Sarah slowly began to let go of her guilt and embrace her new relationship. She still missed her husband, but she was able to find happiness with Mark. It was a process of healing, but Sarah found that she was able to love again without betraying the memory of her husband. Sarah's story is a reminder that grief is a process, and it looks different for everyone. Moving on from the loss of a spouse is never easy, and it's okay to feel conflicting emotions when starting a new relationship. But with time, patience, and understanding, it's possible to find love again and honor the memory of the one you've lost.
Grief should never be taken lightly. It can shape us and help us understand our place in the world, but it’s also an important part of healing that shouldn't be ignored or looked over.
This grief is mine to treat how I see fit. Please do not try to correct me or change the way I am grieving. My grief belongs entirely to me, and what I make of it, is my business and mine alone
Grieving is a deeply personal journey - my pain, and what I make of it, ultimately holds its own special purpose. Although well-meant advice may be offered with care by loved ones during this time, at the end of the day only I can take control over how to best cope through sorrows unknown.
"Welcome to our podcast for grievers. In today's episode, we will be discussing the idea that self care is important, but it is not the only thing that will help us move past the pain of grief.
Many of us have been told that practicing self care can help us to cope with the pain of grief. This can include things like exercise, journaling, talking to a therapist, or spending time with loved ones. These are all great ways to take care of ourselves, but they are not the only solutions.
Grief is a complex and multi-faceted experience. It is not something that can be fixed with one solution or a quick fix. It takes time and patience to work through the pain. Sometimes, even after doing all the self care that we have been suggested, we may still find ourselves struggling with the pain of grief.
It is important to remember that grief is a natural and normal response to loss. It is not something that we can simply will away or ignore. It is a process that we need to go through in order to heal.
So, even if self care is not making you feel better as much as you would like, it is still important to keep practicing it. In addition to self care, it is also important to reach out for support. Talk to friends and family, or consider joining a support group for people who are also grieving.
Remember that healing takes time and that it is okay to still be grieving even after you've tried different self care practices. Be patient with yourself, and know that the pain will eventually fade. You are not alone in your grief, and there are people who care and want to help." ~ Sharon
Grief is a deeply personal and individual experience, and there is no "correct" way to grieve. Some people find it helpful to express their emotions through writing, art, or music; others find solace in spending time with loved ones or engaging in activities that bring them joy. Some people may find it helpful to seek support from a mental health professional, such as a therapist or counselor. It's important to remember that it's okay to feel a wide range of emotions, including sadness, anger, and guilt, and that it's okay to take the time you need to heal. Here are a few additional tips that may be helpful:
Allow yourself to feel and express your emotions. It's normal to feel a wide range of emotions when you're grieving, and it's important to allow yourself to experience and express these emotions. This may involve talking to friends and family, writing in a journal, or participating in activities that allow you to express yourself creatively.
Take care of yourself. It's important to take care of your physical and emotional well-being during this time. This may involve getting enough sleep, eating well, and engaging in activities that bring you joy and provide a sense of accomplishment.
Seek support from others. It can be helpful to talk to friends and family about your feelings and to seek support from others who are grieving. You may also find it helpful to join a support group or seek the guidance of a mental health professional.
Find healthy ways to cope. There are many healthy ways to cope with grief, such as spending time in nature, engaging in physical activity, or finding ways to feel connected to the person you've lost. It's important to find what works for you and to be patient with yourself as you navigate this difficult time. ~ Sharon
Death by Suicide
I have never known what it feels like to want to end my life. But I do know what a broken heart feels like, and I know it is not good. I do know that losing someone to suicide is possibly the worse loss anyone can suffer. No one can ever be prepared to deal with it. When someone we love is lost to suicide, the aftermath is clouded with the misunderstandings and shame that surrounds both mental illness and suicide. One of the most common misunderstandings regarding suicide is the thought that the primary cause of suicide is mental illness. Also, there is a belief that only people who are mentally ill attempt suicide. None of these myths are true.
Keep in mind that there are hundreds of other factors, including but not limited to abuse, trauma, alcohol use, poor problem-solving capacity, and chronic illness. Sadly, even the simple feeling of social isolation can be a cause for attempted suicide. It comes from the feeling that you have no one to talk to or that no one will understand what you are going through. Ignorance concerning mental illness contributes to suicide. The element of shame keeps many from seeking help. The risk increases when thoughts of what others may think of them stands in the way of doing something about their problems or seeking help.
He is me. The announcement of tWitch’s death by suicide hits insanely close to home. He has been described as love and light. I feel, in a way, that is how people tend to see me: Love LIGHT High energy Humor/Laughter What people don’t see: Major Depressive Disorder Addict Heartbroken Hopeless Empty When people say they don’t understand how this happens… I do. I get putting on the show. Performing to keep the people around you happy and feeling completely empty when the lights go down and the show is over. I have never been in a place where a world without me sounds better than a world with me, but I see how people arrive there. It is not far off. I share this to say, it is not only the quiet ones or the overtly sad ones that need a hand. We can do better. Consistently check-in. Ignore the highlight reel that is social media. Make sure everyone in your life knows that you love them and knows that this world is better with them in it. Listen for understanding and without judgment. Ask “Are you ok” and let them know they are not a burden but a blessing in your life. "The very nature of someone struggling with suicide and depression is that they're not likely to reach out. They feel like a burden to others. People who are having thoughts of suicide often feel trapped and alone. Even if you can't find the exact words to say, the aspect that somebody cares makes a big difference” I hope this helps. I hope we can each be the difference in the life of someone who is hurting. ❤️ Stephen tWitch Boss Brody Stevens (The Hangover) Kate Spade Kurt Cobain Chester Bennington (Lincoln Park) Anthony Bourdain Robin Williams Daisy Coleman (Audrie and Daisy) Dave Mirra (X Games) Mark Salling (Glee) Naomi Judd Houston Tumlin (Talladega Nights) Chelsie Kryst (Miss USA) ... just to name a few of the loved and recently lost...
How long will it take for you to heal?
Do you have days when you feel so overwhelmed while grieving?
Some days is it impossible to get through the simple stuff?.
By all means do not attach a timeline to your healing.
Do not allow anyone to attach a timeline to your healing.
There is no timeline for how long grief lasts, or how you should feel after a particular time. After 1 year it may still feel as if everything happened yesterday, or it may feel like it all happened a lifetime ago.
Grievers will say...
All I want to do is go to sleep. But life is still going on around me. I yell at everyone in my household. I have no patience. "You need what?" "By when?" I remember thinking this about my family...Don't they know that I am grieving. I don't care about that paperwork. I don't care if you need help with your project. I AM GRIEVING!
The process is going to take what it takes. This grief will be with you for a while. Trust us just because someone says it should be gone does not make that true for you. • You are human. Let yourself feel the pain. All of it. Even the ugly parts. That means yes you may need to excuse yourself and go to a quiet place for a good cry.
• The truth is most likely if you are anything like us this does not feel natural. We would go days without processing the pain and we know that things would start to build up. • You are not the only one that has ever felt this way. I promise you that you will not be the last. But more importantly showing everyone around you that grieving will help them with their grief also. Imagine that! • Remember we never told you that this would be easy. If not one of the most painful things you will do. It will surely make the top five. • The one thing that you can tell yourself is that you can do this. I am going to feel these feelings. Things we know about grief: • Grief is normal. Grieving is natural. (even though it does not feel that way all of the time). We have never been taught how to do it. • Grief is emotional.
• You are allowed to process this pain.
• You have to tell everyone around you what you want • You also have to tell them what you don't want.
When someone in your family dies your life is changed forever. It is hard for us to understand how to move forward. But when a loved one dies from “Covid” you now become a member of two exclusive clubs, The Grievers Club and The Covid Club. We will all experience the death of our parents at some point in our life’s journey. For the griever watching our families slowly leave us is torturous. This podcast is about the recovery of a broken heart after the loss of both parents. Whatever your thought is on COVID our goal for this episode is to introduce you to a beautiful young lady and have you experience The Goodbye and Healing from her broken heart. What you will learn from this Episode:
- Leaning into your faith will not hurt you during your healing. • Sometimes, the healing changes are so gradual, and you hardly notice them. • Grief is the natural process that the heart goes though when we experience a loss.
There is no better time than now to take that crucial next step toward loving your life again. You deserve all the happiness and fulfillment in this world, so why not find it with a support system by your side?
Click on the link below to join our Facebook group “Grief Healing – The Group For Women Who Grieve”:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover
When our losses first occurred, we had family and friends descend upon us like a sea of people.
Although I appreciated their concern their presence was very overwhelming, and I found myself sitting alone on my front porch in search of a quiet place where I could be left with my pain.
After a loss occurs the pain is so unbearable it seems only natural that you would want to isolate yourself and be alone.
At times, that can be comforting because it’s hard to be around people when you’re hurting, especially if you think they do not understand how bad you feel.
But the comfort of isolating can easily become a routine and before you know it, you’re cut off from everyone around you.
Don’t let that happen to you. Find ways to communicate what it is you’re needing form your inner circle.
Grief is ugly.
Grief hurts.
Grief will bring out the worst in you.
Grief will bring out the worst in people around you.
We were not taught how to grieve properly.
Most of the people that have gone before you on this journey will still tell you that they never figured it out.
But they will give us the worst advice ever..."I Know How You Feel My...Just Died"
Please know that telling a griever that you know how they feel because you have just had your cat die is one of the most disrespectful things that we can say to a griever.
Just sit with them and listen. The trust is you do not know how their heart feel. You only know your own pain. Now is not the time to share your pain.
Processing the pain from grief means allowing yourself to feel the pain, honestly communicating about how bad it feels and acting. You must be an active participant in your grief and come to your own aide because there is no one out there who can save you. You must be your own hero.
You cannot get over the pain that is a true misconception, you have to go through the pain to get to the other side, which is recovery. As soon as I started to allow myself to feel the pain and the tears to come, I started healing. I also had to tell my truth about how bad I was feeling and not hide from my real feelings.
More importantly you must use your healing tools for the rest of your life. Grief will never be one and done.
The Joy of the Season and Grief
When we lose someone we love, our hearts struggle on a daily basis to figure out how to navigate our world without them.
When the holidays roll around, our hearts are on overload because everywhere we turn, we are reminded that this is a time for family, for love, and for being together.
This holiday season will be particularly hard on all grievers because we now have to contend with our broken hearts as well. Your traditions and norms are already being challenged because of our loss, and now we are forced figure out how to spend the holiday.
In the first months after the death of someone important to you, you may struggle with enjoying yourself. Many grieving people are unable to laugh, sing, or celebrate in any way.
The truth is that it is hard enough to be missing them, and now we have to go to a party and pretend we are having fun or enjoying ourselves.
The amount of pain you are currently feeling and the fact that you are missing all the family events does not mean that you do not love them.
We know that your emotions are like a rollercoaster going up and down.
But here’s the deal—it is okay to have a laugh. It is okay to share a story about the one you lost. It is okay to cry when talking about them. All of these are good things and they do not make you a bad person.
It is even okay to go to a family party and enjoy everyone’s company. It your decision which events to attend and which ones not to because the truth is that wherever you go, you will be carrying your broken heart with you.
Do keep this in mind—if you are around people you love you will be able to, we trust, laugh, cry, and even share a jolly story with them.
We get this question all of the time. How do I support my sister while she is grieving? I do not know what to do...
Just show up for the grievier. Show up as the person that you would want to be your support if you were the griever. Show up as the amazing person that did show up for you when your loss occured.
Supporting the griever is most likely one of the most important things you will do in your life. I considered the support that I was giving Erica so powerful. I called her every day. I wanted to be the resource for her if she needed to talk. Yet, I was making a big mistake. I was not allowing my grief to release. I was not allowing my pain to surface. One of the things that Erica and I teach is processing the pain in your heart. Unfortunately, I was so busy taking care of her I did not acknowledge it.
So many times, that I called her, she would cry or just tell the story of her brokenness. She thought I was helping her, but the truth was I was judging my level of pain by how she was doing that day. I needed to hear her voice just as she needed to hear mine.
In 2006, I lost Austin. The grief from his loss was beyond belief. I could not breathe and there were days when I didn’t get out of bed. I did not think that I would ever live again.
The Erica from that day is forever gone. I am not sure who she was and now as I think about that day, I know that I am a stronger, funnier, and yes sometimes sadder version of her.
So many people kept telling me to just give it time. But this was not helpful for me. How much time? WOULD giving it time help? I remember hearing that one never gets over the death of one’s child. I was starting to believe that was true. I thought my life would be like this forever....
The truth is that the Erica from June 17, 2006, we will never see her again. I not only had to do my grief work I also have done the much-needed work on the old Erica. You hear Sharon and I say all the time that there are layers to grief. Losing who you once were is a layer of loss my friend. All layers of the grief pain and loss must be grieved for true healing.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover
The key to healing from emotional wounds is to be
able to release the pain from those wounds.
The number one way to do this is to call it by
its correct name. Grief
- When you’re hurt, your body responds by
producing hormones and neurotransmitters
which affect your emotions. ~ Your heart hurts.
- The tendency is to keep thinking about what
happened to you. This causes your brain to
produce more hormones and neurotransmitters,
resulting in greater anxiety and depression.
- The emotions which resulted from what
happened also continue the cycle.
To stop this cycle, you’ll need to access your inner
power, release the past, and form your new future.
moving forward.
There isn't a person in the world who hasn't been
hurt by someone. Releasing the pain from these
wounds are difficult for many, if not most.
Grief Healing Facebook Group
Funerals are not the only way to remember someone after they pass away. There’s a lot of alternatives these days- from memorial services and other creative expressions, all the way down to no funeral at all! The truth is there really any set rule for what you should do when it comes time plan your send off in life; so many different options exist just waiting on one person's preferences or ideas about how best commemorate their legacy.
The death of a loved one is always an emotional time for the whole family. There are no rules when it comes to planning their funeral, so you can choose whatever option suits your needs best - whether they were traditional in nature before their passing
What kind of ceremony would be fitting? Some families prefer elaborate services with lots of honor guards and flowers while others may only want quiet prayers offered up by friends at graveside; still other folks might have something radical like sky burial where someone throws dirt onto them self-shot video rather than having any sort formalities whatsoever!
Hey, if you’ve been feeling down lately and need someone to talk too - our Facebook Support Group for women is open! We can help.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover
Funerals are not the only way to remember someone after they pass away. There’s a lot of alternatives these days- from memorial services and other creative expressions, all the way down to no funeral at all! The truth is there really any set rule for what you should do when it comes time plan your send off in life; so many different options exist just waiting on one person's preferences or ideas about how best commemorate their legacy.
The death of a loved one is always an emotional time for the whole family. There are no rules when it comes to planning their funeral, so you can choose whatever option suits your needs best - whether they were traditional in nature before their passing
What kind of ceremony would be fitting? Some families prefer elaborate services with lots of honor guards and flowers while others may only want quiet prayers offered up by friends at graveside; still other folks might have something radical like sky burial where someone throws dirt onto them self-shot video rather than having any sort formalities whatsoever!
Hey, if you’ve been feeling down lately and need someone to talk too - our Facebook Support Group for women is open! We can help.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover
When people experience the death of a loved one, they may feel that their world has come to an end. This can lead them into feelings such as anger and depression which are all very common in those going through grief though it's important not just for yourself but also other friends or family members who love you dearly when dealing with these tough moments
-It’s normal at times feeling angry because your whole life changed right before your eyes - Some might say "I'm coping well" however what this really means maybe more along lines.
The loss of a person does not give you the right to be mean. Human decency and respect for others still apply, even if it's difficult sometimes.
Hey, if you’ve been feeling down lately and need someone to talk too - our Facebook Support Group for women is open! We can help.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover
When people experience the death of a loved one, they may feel that their world has come to an end. This can lead them into feelings such as anger and depression which are all very common in those going through grief though it's important not just for yourself but also other friends or family members who love you dearly when dealing with these tough moments
-It’s normal at times feeling angry because your whole life changed right before your eyes - Some might say "I'm coping well" however what this really means maybe more along lines.
The loss of a person does not give you the right to be mean. Human decency and respect for others still apply, even if it's difficult sometimes.
Hey, if you’ve been feeling down lately and need someone to talk too - our Facebook Support Group for women is open! We can help.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover
No Pill Can Fix This
Grief can be uncomfortable, but it's important to remember that your grief is specific and personal. You might feel self-conscious or think you're not "doing it right" when there are no rules for how somebody should grieve - just as with any other life event! The best thing we could do during these moments of discomfort would probably lie on letting go so we don't get caught up worrying about what other people say instead thinking only about ourselves
Grief, like any other emotion is personal. We all have our own way of dealing with it and feeling uncomfortable in the process but there’s nothing wrong if you're not "doing" anything right because this feels incredibly authentic to who we are as individuals - even though sometimes hard for others around us (or ourselves)
Hey, if you’ve been feeling down lately and need someone to talk too - our Facebook Support Group for women is open! We can help.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover
No Pill Can Fix This
Grief can be uncomfortable, but it's important to remember that your grief is specific and personal. You might feel self-conscious or think you're not "doing it right" when there are no rules for how somebody should grieve - just as with any other life event! The best thing we could do during these moments of discomfort would probably lie on letting go so we don't get caught up worrying about what other people say instead thinking only about ourselves
Grief, like any other emotion is personal. We all have our own way of dealing with it and feeling uncomfortable in the process but there’s nothing wrong if you're not "doing" anything right because this feels incredibly authentic to who we are as individuals - even though sometimes hard for others around us (or ourselves)
Hey, if you’ve been feeling down lately and need someone to talk too - our Facebook Support Group for women is open! We can help.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover
Dolores is a beautiful soul with an amazing story of grief and healing. Thank you friend for sharing your life with us. More importantly thank you for sharing your healing journey with us. Join the sisters as they sit in awe with Dolores as she shares her beautiful healing grief journey.
www.BellaHW.org
Dolores is a beautiful soul with an amazing story of grief and healing. Thank you friend for sharing your life with us. More importantly thank you for sharing your healing journey with us. Join the sisters as they sit in awe with Dolores as she shares her beautiful healing grief journey.
www.BellaHW.org
Don’t you hate it when someone says, “I know how you feel” or you come across experts who haven’t met with you privately but are ready to diagnose or “fix” you and your grief. This ain’t that and that ain't this.
The Gone Too Soon Virtual Retreat was designed to affirm you wherever you are in your grief journey - so you come to understand that YOU are the true expert when it comes to YOUR grief. After surveying those that have had such a significant loss, most tend to struggle with things like: Finding the energy and the time to search what’s available and a good fit to support the unique needs they have Feeling the feelings, which are often so painful, you’d rather just box them up and pray they never find their way to the surface at the most inconvenient time Feeling seen (not in the sense of a spotlight, but a sense of validation) - that people hear you and understand the love you still have for them is real and your feelings are complicated. Being able to learn from grief specialists, mental health providers and industry leaders who offer resources and support is an opportunity that is hard to come by. And that's why this free event is just for YOU! Over 5 days you'll hear from 20+ speakers about everything from the new diagnosis of prolonged grief disorder to actions you can take to sort through your thoughts, and hold on to those special memories. And it’s free! Get your free ticket at the link in my bio!
Don’t you hate it when someone says, “I know how you feel” or you come across experts who haven’t met with you privately but are ready to diagnose or “fix” you and your grief. This ain’t that and that ain't this.
The Gone Too Soon Virtual Retreat was designed to affirm you wherever you are in your grief journey - so you come to understand that YOU are the true expert when it comes to YOUR grief. After surveying those that have had such a significant loss, most tend to struggle with things like: Finding the energy and the time to search what’s available and a good fit to support the unique needs they have Feeling the feelings, which are often so painful, you’d rather just box them up and pray they never find their way to the surface at the most inconvenient time Feeling seen (not in the sense of a spotlight, but a sense of validation) - that people hear you and understand the love you still have for them is real and your feelings are complicated. Being able to learn from grief specialists, mental health providers and industry leaders who offer resources and support is an opportunity that is hard to come by. And that's why this free event is just for YOU! Over 5 days you'll hear from 20+ speakers about everything from the new diagnosis of prolonged grief disorder to actions you can take to sort through your thoughts, and hold on to those special memories. And it’s free! Get your free ticket at the link in my bio!
The Need:
Need — require (something) because it is essential or very important rather than just desirable. The need feels like you will not make it through this pain if you do not have the desired object near you.
In grief there are things that we do because we need them as part of our healing process. It is not uncommon for us to wear his favorite shirt for 30 days straight. Because I need to feel his presence in my heart.
VS
The Want
Want — have a desire to possess or do (something); wish for. I want this shirt. I have found memories of him in this shirt.
Over time these needs even if they are strange to you. (i.e., not wanting to clean out their hairbrush) will slowly turn into wants. I want to place his shirt under my pillow as it comforts me.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover
The Need:
Need — require (something) because it is essential or very important rather than just desirable. The need feels like you will not make it through this pain if you do not have the desired object near you.
In grief there are things that we do because we need them as part of our healing process. It is not uncommon for us to wear his favorite shirt for 30 days straight. Because I need to feel his presence in my heart.
VS
The Want
Want — have a desire to possess or do (something); wish for. I want this shirt. I have found memories of him in this shirt.
Over time these needs even if they are strange to you. (i.e., not wanting to clean out their hairbrush) will slowly turn into wants. I want to place his shirt under my pillow as it comforts me.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover
We just shared this with a client this week because she is staying in bed longer than she ever has before. And it's worrying her husband. And she's been worried about it too because she's said she didn't want to get stuck in the debilitating depression. This exhaustion is so normal because grief consumes every fiber of your beam having to get out of bed, brush your teeth, make breakfast for your littles. This grief can make you feel the same amount of tiredness as if you would've run a full marathon because you are trying to live while grieving. And it's consuming every cell every chromosome trying to go to biology and remember the parts of the body. Every hair follicle grief is consuming every pour in your skin. It's just like you've been taken over by alien.
There's a lot of things that frustrate me, with being a Grief Specialist and working with grievers trying to help them through their grief. We try to help them find their own personal path out and through it. But nothing frustrates me more sister dear then when I hear someone say, you will never get over this grief. You will never find an end to this pain. Grief never ends. You will feel this way for the rest of your life. That is so frustrating to me and to society that we buy into that BS because it is so not true. If anything was the number one lie that grievers are told it's that grief never ends. And I think that's why we struggle sometimes with clients that we meet prospective clients, when you, are doing a sales call and we are explaining the program and say that true healing is possible. It's not they don't buy into the program because they think it's nice what we are doing. It’s that they do not believe that they will ever heal from this pain.
I distinctly remember having a, a huge bowl of vanilla ice cream. Now that I think back on it, I probably was trying to eat away my pain. This was right after Austin had died and the very first spoonful of vanilla ice cream that I put in my mouth was, so sweet and so cool. And I could literally, it was like the vanilla bean were, jumping off my tongue and my taste buds. And I remember thinking, oh man, this is so good. And instantly right afterwards, feeling guilty that I was enjoying life for one minute. These were in the beginning stages of my grief for Austin. And when you, and I didn't know anything about grief, I had convinced myself that I was supposed to feel bad all the time. I was supposed to be in the grieving state all the time. And I didn't find out till much later that grief goes up and down that your emotions change, that you could literally enjoy something and still be grieving.
We have to start prioritizing our grief. We do need. No one wants to be without love. But when you have love and you have these relationships through death, divorce, and again, break up of a romantic relationship, you lose it. But no one wants to deal with it. They essentially want to throw their hands up or stick your head in the sand, be sad, be miserable or run out and get another love. We don't prioritize our grief and it will essentially bleed out into other areas of your life.
This episode was recorded just two weeks after the Uvalde, Texas shooting. Sharon asks Erica to go back to the moment when she learned that Austin had died to help people understand what those parents might have been feeling in the moments leading up to finding out that their lives were about to be forever changed as a result of this tragedy.
The Sisters discuss the choices that a woman and a man have to go through when making the decision of whether or not to have an abortion and the grief that is connected to that.
The Sisters talk about the griever resisting healing, resisting the pain. In the first few weeks and months after the loss, the most important thing that the griever can be doing is allowing in the pain, but no one ever tells them that. One of the ways is to bring the grief up, like bringing it up when the time is appropriate. And one of the ways we do that is with a voice recording of Austin. You can use pictures or videos of your loved one as well, it's just important to make sure it's being done.
Prolonged grief is a condition that occurs, according to the medical industry, grief that lasts over a year. Prolonged grief is a disorder that was just added to the DSM five, the diagnostic statistical manual of mental disorders. The DSM five is, whatever disease you can come up with and until recently, grief was never in it because grief is not a mental disorder.
www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
This year for mother's day, we're not gonna talk about the joy of being a mother. We're gonna talk about the pain of being a mother. The pain of being a mother to a daughter, the pain of being a mother to multiple daughters, the pain of conflict that comes along with being in a relationship with your daughter this year were gonna take on a tough subject for mother's day.
www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
Neutral not helping or supporting either side in the conflict. That's the adjective neutral, the noun, an impartial or unbiased person. Neutral can also be a color. What is getting to neutral in your grief? Erica and I often help grievers get to neutral. In the middle, not having an emotional reaction or emotional feeling one way or the other you're just there. You're just in a neutral state where prior to that state, you had a ton of emotions going on.
www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
Betrayal in your marriage could be a betrayal in a relationship. All of a sudden you discover sexual betrayal and suddenly you're plunged into loss and grief at such a deep level that you never knew could even happen. There are so many layers to betrayal and they can go so deep.
www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
The Sister's breakdown the Will and Jada Smith dynamic. Specifically how the challenges in their marriage is a grieving experience. When there's pain in your heart that is a grieving experience. A struggling marriage can cause extreme pain in the heart. It's important to acknowledge this pain and to find a path towards healing. www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
The Sister's discuss the infamous Will Smith/Chis Rock slap. They break it down into grief components such as childhood trauma, infidelity, change in health and bullying. Although there were a lot of different options on who was right and who was wrong, the one thing that was not up for debate is the pain all who were involved experienced. www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
This is not a compliment for a griever. When a griever loses a loved one they are in survival mode. They were not given the choice to prevent their loss from occurring, yet they still have to perform the activities of daily living. In general, grievers are on auto-pilot when they experience a loss, when they are told how strong they are it is not because they want to be it's because they have to function.
www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
It is not uncommon for families to fight during a grieving experience. Grief is unique and individual to the griever and every griever is struggling with the individual relationship they had with the loved one that has passed away. Everyone should be given the space to grieve the way that they need to and should not be told how to grieve. Emotions show up for everyone in a different way.
www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
Every griever has the experience when they lose a loved one or even a less than loved one that their brain automatically starts reviewing the relationship. We spend time looking at everything we wish we would've done different, better or more. The griever automatically identifies the feeling the are having as guilt for all the things left unsaid and the the things left undone. It's not guilt, but regret the griever is left with and this can add another layer to the grief and the pain in our hearts.
www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
The Sisters discuss how inappropriate it is for people to compare their losses to another person's loss. When grievers have unresolved grief they will put their pain on a new griever by saying "I know exactly how you feel." This is one of the most disrespectful things you can say to a new griever. It's time to normalize the concept that grief is unique and individual an no one will ever know exactly how you feel.
www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover
This is an extremely sensitive topic for some grievers when they find themselves in the situation of not having someone to list as their emergency contact. The void of not having someone who will show up for you increases the grieving experience tenfold. It is up to the griever to do the necessary work to find healing so that they can find someone to show up for them.
www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
The sisters define and discuss what a grief funk really is and how it affects grievers. There are times when we make a certain amount of progress and then something like an anniversary or holiday drags us back down into a grief funk. When this happens it can make the griever feel like they are not getting better and it often discourages them from continuing on their healing journey.
www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover
The Sisters discuss how important it is to give voice to the negative emotions you are carrying in your heart. Grief carries such negative emotions but because we as a society are not trained how to properly talk about grief we try to push it all down and avoid the feelings. Not being able to communicate how you are feeling will delay your ability to heal.
www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover
Erica gets an opportunity to interview her youngest son Jordan. Jordan explained in his own words what it has been like to lose two brothers at such a young age. He also shares what he has learned form his grieving experience and how he tries to help others when they are grieving.
https://linktr.eeSharonandErica
With a new year upon us the Sisters deliver a very important message about the griever taking accountability for their own grief. Like a lot of things in life there is no manual that tells us how to grieve and everyone's grief is different. Sharon and Erica share that they made a lot of mistakes on their grief journey. It is from their personal experiences with their own grief that they deliver this message to you.
www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover
The Sisters discuss the challenges that continue to plague mothers after their child passes away. This can also happen when their child moves away. There is definitely no comparison, but the emptiness and the isolation still occurs. We are gifted with these beautiful beings and we pour all of ourselves into raising them to become successful members of society. Mother's are never prepared for the day when they can no longer give their children all of their love.
www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover/
Sharon and Erica share their experience handling the news that their mother is getting remarried. Their father has been deceased since 2013 so this was quite the unexpected turn of events for their family. However, they truly want to see their mother happy and embrace her decision. This is not often the case in families when one parent decides to pursue a new relationship after losing a spouse.
www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
Grief is a part our human experience here on earth. No one will leave this world without a grieving experience. And sadly some of us will have back to back grieving experiences which we compare to being struck by lightning twice. It's devastatingly painful to experience one grieving event let alone two or more.
www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover
The Sisters discuss how much more challenging grief can be when you are surrounded by people who make insensitive comments. As a society, we are not taught how to talk about grief which is so sad because grief happens every single day and yet it's uncomfortable to talk about. This often leads to the griever feeling unseen and alone.
www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
www.https://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover
The Sisters discuss how it's so common for people to avoid calling grievers for the special days and anniversaries that honor their loved ones and the most common response they get is "I didn't want to make you feel bad." But what's so widely misunderstood is that grievers feel bad every minute of every day without their loved one. What grievers want most is to be able to talk about their loved ones without all of the unsolicited advice given to them by others.
www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover
The Sisters have committed their lives to normalize people talking about grief. In addition to that we need to normalize talking about our own funerals. Funeral planning is such a devastating experience and if we had not talked to our loved one ahead time to know what they wanted it can be a nightmare. Emotions are running high and because grief is unique and individual everyone wants something different based on their relationship with the deceased family member.
www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
https://www.facebookgroups.com/groups/hope.heal.recover
The Sisters discuss how most people are not aware that there are layers to our grief. It is not uncommon for people to have to grieve every single layer of our relationships. Erica shares how although she grieved Donovan as her son, but then she had to grieve the loss of the friendship that she shared with him. Also true when you lose someone who was never there for you. You will still grieve the layers of that relationship once they are gone.
www.healingstartswithhtheheart.com
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The Sisters discuss how important it is to tell your kids the truth. We need to use emotional words when we speak to our kids so that they are prepared when the family experiences a grieving event. It's okay to give your kids an age appropriate version of what happened. We cannot protect our children from grief, but we can equip them with the correct way to mend their broken hearts.
https://www.healingstartswiththeheart.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/The-Grievers-Guide-2020-1-1.pdf
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover
The Sisters welcome Pauline Rosas and Amanda Mead to share about their experience working in a grief group with Sharon and Erica. A lot of times people misunderstand what this process is really about and think that it's run like a traditional support group, but it really is nothing like that. It is so much more than that and adds so much to the healing journey to experience it with a trusted partner.
https://www.healingstartswiththeheart.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/The-Grievers-Guide-2020-1-1.pdf
https://www.facebookgroups.comhope.heal.recover
McKenna Hendrickson continues to share her story of the tragedy her family faced after the loss of her father Matt to suicide. Although her father was very open about his struggle with his mental health he decided to take his life which left her family devastated.
www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover.com
The Sisters interview their niece McKenna Hendrickson about how she has been coping since her father's suicide. This shattered her family and it has been a difficult journey for all of them. McKenna shares how her father's mental health challenges was not something that they avoided talking about as a family. They were very open about his struggle with depression and he welcomed their questions. However, when he chose to end his life they were devastated.
www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
The Sister's interview Ellen Romano a grief specialist that specializes in suicide. Ellen is also a suicide survivor. She survives her brother and her husband. Ellen shares that both experiences were vastly different for herself and her family. Ellen urges all survivors of suicide to rely on their tribe for support. To those who are struggling with the idea of suicide she urges you to find a way to connect with anyone and to find something that gives you hope.
Ellen Romano(650)759-2323
ellen@ellenromano.com
The sisters discuss suicide and how important it is to start having the very difficult conversation with loved ones. They share how they have been receiving more and more phone calls from surviving family members of loved ones who died by suicide. It's important that we start talking about it openly and honestly.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255
www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
The brain is a very powerful tool and it works very hard to protect us from the pain associated with grief. The brain has many functions and it is very skillful at finding ways to distract us from our grief. However, the main issue with that is that our grief dies not happen in our brains. Grief happens in our hearts and if you get stuck in your intellectual grief it will stop you from healing.
www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover.com
The Sisters discuss how important it is for grievers to recognize that they need to get the old hurt and pain out of their hearts so that they can have a better quality of life. Sadly, people are not identifying that the brokenness they are carrying in their heart is the result of grief.
www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover.com
We all know that grief hurts, grief sucks and it's extremely painful. It's extremely imperative that we embrace the suck and lean into the emotions. Although it feels as though the debilitating pain will kill you it is exactly the opposite. Allowing the emotions in is the only way to get through your grief.
www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
http://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover
The sisters discuss the importance of bringing attention to mental health and those afflicted with mental health disorders. Recently, what Simone Biles did on the world stage brought a lot of attention to mental health issues. Sadly, instead of being embraced and supported she was attacked and criticized. That is not okay and should not be happening. We need to support those who speak the truth about their mental health struggles.
www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover
The Sisters discuss and define what it means to have griever's brain. Griever's brain is real and it it's so hard to function when your heart is broken. Sometimes it seems impossible to complete the simplest tasks when you have experienced a grieving event. This is normal and it's part of the process. You have to try really hard to find tricks that help you such as making lists and asking people for help.
www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover
The Sisters tackle the very sensitive topic of sexual abuse. Sadly, there are way too many victims who have to carry the heavy burden of sexual abuse in their hearts. Surviving sexual abuse causes an extreme loss of trust and safety that will show up in other areas of your life. The brokenness in a survivors heart will seep into their other relationships causing pain, thats why it's so important to find healing.
www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover
The Sisters discuss how there are some people who get so dug into their grief they wear it like crown. Sharon and Erica have coined the term "Grief Queens" for individuals who fit into this category. A grief queen will always bring the conversation back to them and their pain no matter who else is grieving. The "Grief Queen" feels as though no one else's pain can compare to theirs. It's so important to work very hard to not let yourself fall into this category because it can be extremely self-destructive.
The Sisters review the past year living in the pandemic. As the world starts to open up again and people go back to their normal lives there are a lot of people who are forever changed. Whether they are survivors of Covid, lost someone to Covid or they have been financially challenged during this pandemic this conversation needs to be had. Life does go on, but some of us are reemerging as wounded individuals.
www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover.com
With bathing suit season upon us it's important to recognize that what is keeping you covered up and indoors might be the grief we feel about how our body. Erica shares how she has been struggling with an issue with her hip. This has significantly impacted her lifestyle and she has tried everything in order to feel better. Society puts a lot of demands on women especially where body image is concerned.
www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover
Sharon and Erica discuss whether or not it's appropriate to joke about your grief. It's totally okay to find humor where you can when you are grieving. It's possible to laugh through pain. We are not suggesting that grievers should walk around making jokes everyday, but in the event there is a humorous situation or some of the stories they tell about their loved ones are funny they shouldn't feel bad about laughing.
www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover.com
Sharon discusses the struggles of the first holiday/special days with Giovanna a.k.a GiGi who lost her father to Alzheimer's. GiGi is a returning guest who shares openly about what this Father's Day will be like without her dad. Sharon and GiGi discuss how important it is to not resist your grief and to allow the feelings into your heart. GiGi talks about how she did resist her feelings because she was scared that the debilitating sadness would return and she would be overwhelmed by her grief, but that is not the case and she is able to allow the feelings and feel all of the love she has for her dad.
The Sisters dispel the myth that there is a hierarchy of grief. Grief is grief and a broken heart is a broken heart. We should not compare our losses to others because we don't know each others hearts. Grief is unique and individual and cannot be compared. Society is so ill equipped with how to handle and talk about grief and loss. For more information see our website www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover
The Sisters share the do's and don'ts of what to say and what not to say to a griever. Grievers want to talk and share their story but they need to be heard with respect. Grievers need to be made to feel safe so that they can discuss their situation openly and honestly without judgment.
For more information see our website www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover
Erica shares about how her youngest son Jordan is preparing to go off to college she's been having bad feelings about something terrible happening to him. Sharon helps her access her feelings in real time and they discuss how it's stemming from her sadness. The sisters discuss how it's very important to allow your feelings in so you can identify what the core feeling is that is really driving your emotions.
For more information see our website www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
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Sharon interviews Pam Tronson once again to help women who are struggling with the aging process. Sharon shares about the example she saw with her parents and how they seemed to give up on living when they got older. Pam discusses how historically that is what we as women have been trained to do. Women are living longer and need to dispel the myths that they need to give up on having new experiences as they age. For additional information please see www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
pamtronsoncoaching.com/healing use the code PODCASTSPECIAL
The Sisters interview Kate Houston the creator of The Broken Heart Series. Kate developed this series based on her personal experience with failed relationships. Sharon and Erica share with Kate how it's not uncommon for women to struggle with broken relationships until they commit to mending what is broken in their hearts. For more information please see our website at
www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover
The Sisters meet with Sabrina Colechio to discuss her experience after losing her mom Joy. Sabrina shares how she and Joy were best friends who did everything together. They spoke on the phone everyday, spent quality time together and were more than just mother and daughter. Sabrina talks in depth about what a Mother's Day without her mom means to her.
www.healingstartswiththeheart.com https://www.facebook.com/groups
The Sisters define anticipatory grief as the grief that occurs when a loved one is given a terminal diagnosis and the family members try to imagine the pain they will feel when their loved one is actually gone. Anticipating a loss is another layer in the grieving process. However, no matter how much you try to imagine the pain you feel from your broken heart it doesn't even compare to what you really feel.
www.healingstartswiththeheart.com https://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover/
The sisters discuss what happens when a griever experiences compound grief when having loss after loss that leads them to spiral out of control after the most recent tragedy. Grievers need to be aware that grief is cumulative and it's cumulatively negative. Although it feels like the most recent loss is where you should focus your time and energy that is not always the case. Grievers need to go after the loss that is causing them the most pain in their heart. For more information see our website
www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
Sharon and Erica sit with her daughter and son in law Matt and Brittani Miller to discuss there infertility journey. Brittani shares how this has been a silent grieving experience because it's nit something that people openly talk about. The pain from their three year journey with unexplained infertility is now becoming more and more difficult to accept. For more information please see our website www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
Erica and Sharon continue their conversation with Pam Tronson about women's struggles with middle age.
For a special promotion please see pamtronson.com/healing or our website www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
The Sisters have Pam Tronson on the podcast to share about her experience as a life coach who specializes in working with women who are struggling with the the stage in life Pam calls Midlife Prime. Pam is offering a special on anyone who is interested in working wit her. To claim this offer please see
pamtronsoncoaching.com/healing use the code PODCASTSPECIAL
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Sharon and Giovanna continue their discussion about her experience with her father and Alzheimer's. Part 2 focuses on the actual passing of her father and how she coped with the losing him. Giovanna shares that she tried to approach her grief from a logical stand point. It was very challenging for her to actually grieve her father with the pandemic happening and other contributing factors. Ultimately eight months after his death she made the decision to go after the pain in her heart.
www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
Sharon invited guest Giana (Gigi) to share her journey with her father through his struggle and ultimately his death from Alzheimers. Gigi shares that she was lost, confused and devastated after her father passed away and she didn't know where to turn. Gigi is very happy to have found Healing Starts with the Heart to help mend her broken heart and give her some relief from the pain the debilitating pain that was affecting every area of her life.
www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
The Sisters discuss what happens when grief turns into anger and how to best manage that emotion as it shows up. Being angry is absolutely acceptable in grief and it's not something that has to be hidden or denied. Erica shares that she was very angry with Donovan at the choices he made that led to him dying in a motorcycle accident. Anger is often the emotion that hides the sadness a griever is feeling.
www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover
The sisters discuss the continued challenges the pandemic is bringing into our lives. We as individuals are on information and sensory overload and we're struggling to mange our emotions as a result. Grievers need to be heard and they need to be heard with respect, but as a society we're just expected to suck it up and move on to the next terrible situation. The sisters share ways to cope with all of the terrible things that interfere with our day to day lives. www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
The Sisters discuss how difficult it can be for surviving family members to have to live in the shadow of their deceased loved one. It is not uncommon for families to enshrine their loved ones as a perfect being after their death. The problem with this is that there are no perfect people in this world and when we treat our deceased loved ones as saints it makes it hard for us to find true healing. www.healingstartswiththeheart.com and join our private Facebook http://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover
The Sisters discuss how important it is to acknowledge the feelings you are trying to avoid in order to heal. Erica shares how extremely angry she was after Donovan's passing and that was the only emotion she was allowing herself to feel. She was resisting the overwhelming sadness because it was too much for her to handle emotionally. When you don't allow the feelings and emotions they will build up and you will either explode or implode. website www.healingstartswiththeheart.com and our private Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover
Although it seems odd it is very common for grievers to pursue sexual encounters immediately after losing their loved one. Humans crave physical interaction with one another and this is often intensified when an individual is grieving. There is nothing wrong with this behavior, but this like other avoiding techniques will not replace the pain in your heart.
please see our website www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
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As mentioned on multiple shows in the past everyone is susceptible to having a grieving experience at some point in their life. Sometimes this occurs in the adult years when you are married. Erica shares her personal experience of what worked for her and Louis her husband when their grieving experiences occurred. It is very important for the spouses to respect the manner in which each of them chooses to grieve and they need to know that they will not grieve the same. www.healingstartswiththeheart.com http://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover/
The sisters discuss the tragic stories everyone has heard of family members who have passed Covid to each other resulting in the death of a loved one. Guilt is such a common word for the surviving faint members to use when speaking of the relationship with a deceased loved one. Guilt by definition is the intent to do harm. Sharon and Erica break down the definition of guilt to help the surviving family members truly identify what it is they are really feeling.
www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover
There is a misconception that grief will last forever and that it's impossible to recover from loss. The sisters dispel this myth and show how it is possible to recover from great loss. Grief has a beginning, a middle and end. However you have to go after the pain in your heart and do the work necessary to mend your brokenness. For more information please see our website at
www.healingstartswiththeheart.com and join our private Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover
The sisters discuss everything that they have learned from their grief. There is a lot that you learn from grief and the people around you. The most important lesson learned is that everyone grieves differently. No two people will grieve the same even if they are grieving the same person. Most people will not understand what it means to grieve until it happens to them. Grief is so complex and it is is so heavy, but one of the things the sisters learned is that they are a lot stronger the they thought was possible. Please see our website www.healingstartswiththeheart.com and join our private Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover
There is no right or wrong answer to this question. This is so personal and different for each and every griever. There is no time limit on when to clear out the personal belongings of your loved one. When you are in a true place of healing you will know when the time is right for you. No one gets to tell you when you need to do this and no one else should take this process away from you. For more information please see our website www.healingstartswiththeheart.com and see our private Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover
The sisters discuss how grief changes us. Grief changes us in the here and now and changes us forever. You are immediately changed by the event and then you continue to change as time passes. If you do not actively go after what is broken in your heart you might not ever recover and be who you were before your loss occurred. But if you really work on your healing you will get as close as possible at being more of yourself. For more information please see our website www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
The sisters discuss how each individual griever gets to call the shots for their own grief. They get to be in charge and make the decisions for how they choose to grieve. The griever has to communicate what they do and do not want, without fear of judgment and persecution. The griever gets to make the decisions about what is best for them. For more information please see our website www.healingstartswiththeheart.com and join our private FaceBook group http://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover
The sisters discuss how challenging it is to be in the passenger seat when your partner is grieving. It is very hard because grief is unique and individual and everyone's grieving experience will look different. The best thing you can do for your loved one is to give them space and not force them to talk about it before they are ready. Allow them to grieve in whatever way works for them. For more information please see our website www.healingstartswiththeheart.com and join our Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover
The sisters discuss how important it is to grieve your loved one with respect. It's our responsibility as grievers to do the work needed to heal our hearts in honor of our loved ones. When we hold on to our grief and refuse to do our heart work we are not respecting the love and the bond we shared without loved one who is no longer with us. For more information please see our website www.healingstartswiththeheart.com and join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/hope.heal.recover
The sisters discuss how grief can bring on feelings of fear and anxiety. Erica shares how she was plagued with panic attacks and hives after the passing of her son, Donovan. When a griever tries to push back and resist their feelings they open themselves up to the possibility of having intense feelings of anxiety. The sisters advise grievers to try their best to sit in their emotions and allow them in and to pass through them. For more information please see our website www.healingstartswiththeheart.com also join our FaceBook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover
The sisters discuss the common misconception that you can only grieve someone who is deceased. They dispel this myth and explain how it is possible to grieve someone who is still alive. There are times when we have relationships in our lives that are toxic to us and sometimes we have to grieve these relationships to free our hearts from the resentment and the pain that we feel. For more information please go to our website www.healingstartswiththeheart.com and see out Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/grous/hope.heal.recover/
Erica and Sharon discuss how challenging it is to live in a world where there is no trust. This is typically something that begins in childhood. If left unaddressed this loss of trust can affect your identity and cause you to constantly doubt yourself and your decision making ability. A person who doesn't trust will constantly second guess the motives of others causing them to live in a state of unrest and fear. For more information about this topic please see our website at www.healingstartswiththeheart.com also join our private FaceBook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover/
The sisters discuss the importance of being prepared for the holidays. Grievers are often sent into a tailspin of despair and sadness when the holidays roll around because they are constantly reminded how much they miss their loved ones. For more information please see our website at www.healingstartswiththeheart.com. You can also join our private Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover
The sisters discuss how easy it is to get in trouble with your grief. Grievers will try to do things to avoid feeling the pain such as drinking, isolating and over-sleeping. Erica shares her personal experience with not reaching out for help and how she began to drown in her grief. She had gotten so bad that she didn't think it would be possible for her to get back. For more information please see our website www.healingstartswiththeheart.com and join our FaceBook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover/
We know that many families struggle with the decision as to whether to use a hospice or not. We also know that many a time, the struggle comes from the thought of the impending death of a loved one. We did not struggle with the question of whether it was the end. We were witnesses to the unforgiving disease of cancer, which was taking a toll on our father’s body. Just to be clear, this blog is not an ad in support of or against hospices. We want to reach out to people struggling with their grief because they are in a relationship with hospice.
The sisters discuss what to do with the digital accounts i.e cell phones and social media accounts. When loss occurs the people left behind don't always know how to manage their loved ones digital accounts. It can be such a struggle to do this when you're grieving and your heart is broken. Also, if taken down too quickly you might regret it later when you have a clear head. For more information please see our website wwww.healingstartswiththeheart.com and join our private Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover/
Sharon and Erica talk about how challenging it is to handle the business of closing accounts and dealing with other matters when grieving. The griever might be feeling very numb and in shock as a result of the loss they have experienced, but they are expected to handle very serious matters in the midst of their devastation. For more information please see our website www.healingstartswiththeheart.com and join our Facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hope.heal.recover/
The sister discuss the need grievers have to fill the void in their broken hearts after their losses occur. Many grievers will attempt to replace the loss of their damaged relationship by rushing into another relationship. When a pet loss occurs some grievers will rush out and get a new pet because they think the pain will decrease or go away if they replace their puppy. Unfortunately, the only way out of grief is through the pain and replacing the loss will only prolong the inevitable. For more information please see our website www.healingstartswiththeheart.com.
The sisters discuss the challenges involved with having to go out into the community when you're grieving. Unfortunately the world does not stop for your grief and although your heart may be broken you still have to plaster a smile on your face to interact with others. This is extremely taxing on the broken hearted and can cause long term problems if the behavior is not changed. For more information please see our website at www.healingstartswiththeheart.com.
Sharon and Erica discuss the importance of really labeling the brokenness in your heart as grief. The sooner you correctly identify it you can go after the pain to free yourself. Unresolved grief will weigh you down and affect every area of your life. For more information see our website www.healingstartswiththeheart.com. Also join our private Facebook group www.facebook.com/hope...heal...recover
Erica shares a very personal story about how she and her son dealt with him being called a ver nasty racial slur while playing in a football game. The sisters talk about the importance of paying attention to the words we use. Whether addressing such uncomfortable topics as race, or when talking to a griever. Unfortunately grievers are given unhelpful platitudes as a means of comfort, but they are not comforting at all. For additional information and to read our blogs please go to www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
Whether your grief was caused by a divorce, a death or a break up of a romantic relationship and you find yourself back on the dating scene it can be very challenging to navigate when your heart is broken. The sisters talk in depth about these challenges and how if you haven't healed your old hurts you can bring them into your new relationship. For more information please see our website:www.healingstartswiththeheart.com Also please join our private Facebook group www.facebook/hope...heal...recover.com
Sharon and Erica compare the grief associated with a long term illness versus the grief that accompanies a sudden death. The sisters share their experiences with both types of loss. Both events cause extreme heartbreak and grief. For more information please see our website at www.healingstartswiththeheart.com as well as our private facebook group www.facebook.com/hope...heal...recover...
Sharon and Erica discuss the challenging times we as a society have been facing in 2020. They address Covid-19, the social unrest, not being able to attend a loved ones funeral and the economic crisis that many people are finding themselves in today. All of these things can result in people feeling unsettled and broken, which is normal. The sisters give tips on how to manage these feelings. For more information go to www.healingstartswiththehheart.com please join their private Facebook Group at www.facebook.hope...heal..recover.com
Sharon and Erica discuss the impact being a survivor has on an individual. The sisters also define what guilt truly means for a griever. This is something our first responders struggle with daily. For more information please go to our website at www.healingstartswiththeheart.com and please join our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/hope...heal...recover
Sharon and Erica discuss the very important connection between childhood trauma and grief. Too many children who suffered severe trauma were not taught the proper way to handle their emotions. The sisters discuss the grave consequences that will follow one into adulthood when their childhood wounds are not healed. For more information on this and many other topics see their website at www.healingstartswiththeheart.com. They would also like to invite you to their private facebook group at www.facebook.com/hope...heal...recover
Erica and Sharon give voice to the pain and the heartbreak felt by grievers. They have worked with many grievers who have expressed that they want to die. Erica shares her own personal experience with those feelings and the stigma she felt would attributed to her if she were to express those feelings out loud. The sisters discuss how these feelings are completely normal and how saying these words does not make one suicidal. They also give advice to the people supporting the griever to make sure that the individual is not suicidal. For more information please go to our website www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
Erica and Sharon discuss how the second year of grief can be more challenging than the first because the permanency of having to live life without your loved one sets in. In the first year, grievers tend to be in shock and numb to their new reality. But there is no denying it in the second year. The holidays and special days become more empty and it becomes increasingly difficult to live in a world without our loved ones. For more information please see our website www.healingstarstwiththeheart.com
Erica and Sharon discuss how challenging it can be when you don't feel like you have anyone to talk to when you are grieving. Grievers need to be heard and they want to tell their story. It's part of the healing process to feel the need to share their pain with anyone who is willing to listen. For more information please see our website www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
Erica and Sharon discuss how sometimes when we are grieving our thoughts will drive our emotions. The sisters share a very important message and that is that grief happens in your heart and not in your head. In an attempt to avoid doing the much needed heart work we need to heal a griever will allow their thoughts to distract them from how much they are hurting. For more information please go to our website www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
Sharon interviews a special guest, David Keese to discuss the challenges associated with grief in the workplace. Grief will take over every aspect of your life if you allow it and you will find this specifically in the workplace. When someone is grieving it is beyond challenging for them to focus on anything let alone their job. For more information please go to our website www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
Sharon and Erica invite their sisters Yolanda and Sharlene along with their sister in law Peggy to discuss racism in America. This conversation is coming on the heels of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George's Floyd's deaths at the hands of the police. The sisters explain how racism can cause a grieving event in your heart. For more information please see their website at www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
Sharon and Erica discuss the challenges couples are facing amidst the pandemic. With the family all under one roof it can cause conflict and drama in your relationship. The sisters share where hey are having challenges and they come up with suggestions on how you can prevent the stress of the quarantine from affecting you and your significant other. For more information please go to
www.healingstarstwiththeheart.com
Erica and Sharon continue their Covid series and discuss the multitude of changes families have experienced with the quarantine. Those changes being home schooling children, working from home or becoming unemployed causing financial stress. For more information go to our website: www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
Erica and Sharon discuss how easy it is to engage in behaviors in an attempt to numb the pain from our grief. Such behaviors include: over drinking, over eating, binge watching TV and excessive social media usage. It is not uncommon to find things to distract ourselves from our pain, but if we are not careful we can develop addictions that will negatively impact not only us but our families as well. For more information please see our website
www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
Erica and Sharon discuss how social distancing is affecting our children. Erica shares her struggle with her seventeen year old son Jordan. The sisters give some suggestions on how to address the pandemic with your children. For more information please go to their website www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
The sisters answer a question that was emailed to them from a griever. The question asked was if the manner in which a person dies affects how you grieve for them? The sisters share their most personal losses some tragic and some were due to long term illness. The grief they felt did not change based on the cause. The heartbreak and the sadness was the same and they still had to experience it regardless of the loss. Visit our website for more information www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
The sisters discuss the difference between free grief share groups typically held at churches and facilitated by church members and their program. Grief healing is an educational program on grief and loss that has a set format and requires the griever to complete assignments where they examine their beliefs on grief and the pain in their heart. For more information on the program click this link:
www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
The sisters discuss the grief that is associated with losing a business. Sharon shares her very personal struggle with this specific loss when she had to close the doors on a children's closing store she opened. She describes how this business was like her baby because she along with her parents built it from the ground up. It was devastating for her when she had to close it down and walk away. For more information on the sisters please see their website: www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
Sharon and Erica discuss how common it is for a griever to be so overwhelmed by their grief they begin to display features that are outside of their character. Erica shares how her grief manifested itself as anger and that is the opposite of how she normally behaves. The sisters share the importance of processing your feelings on a regular basis otherwise they will fester and come out in a negative way that will interfere with other relationships in your life. For more information see our website: www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
Erica and Sharon discuss how challenging it is to cope with the feelings the that surface after a tragedy. The sisters outline some very specific coping strategies that might help you to manage your feelings. It's not uncommon for grievers to want to avoid using specific words or to even say that their loved one has died. No matter how much you try to avoid feeling sad; the feelings will still come. Grief will find a way whether you want it to or not. for more information go to our website; www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
Sharon and Erica address the many times people experienced a grieving event as a result of a miscarriage, stillbirth or problems with their infertility. Often times their grief is minimized and it should not be. They have every right to grieve the loss of their child no matter what the cause. They dedicate this show to their sister Sharlene Honore' who was unable to bring her son home from the hospital. Please click on the link to their website for more information www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
Erica and Sharon discuss how social media has given many people a platform to make very negative comments to one another. This can be especially challenging for grievers when they are trying to find support. They even discuss the negative comments made about Erica and her husband after Austin's passing. It was heart breaking for her to read the very nasty things said about her by people who do not know her. If you would like to schedule a free phone session click the link below:
www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
Sharon and Erica talk about how important it is to continue your healing journey once you start. There are layers to grief and until you get to the root of what is causing your pain you will not have true healing. This is accomplished by completing the necessary heart work that the sisters refer to all of the time and teach in their educational program. If you do the work you will have peace in your heart and will not continue to be triggered by memories, pictures, and special days. For the definition of grief ebook and to schedule a free phone session go to our website.
www.healingstartswiththeheart.com
Erica and Sharon talk about the things that can trigger you when your heart is broken. Erica openly shares about the things that have triggered her in the past and how challenging they would have been to manage had she not done the necessary heart work. The sisters admit that there will always be triggers, but they do not have to break you down. If you would like to speak with them about what triggers you set up a free phone session using the link below:
https://healingstartswiththeheart.as.me
Sharon and Erica discuss the challenges grievers face with openly talking about grief. Unfortunately society is ill-equipped with how to talk about grief and often mislabel it and call it something other than grief. Grief is anything that causes your heart to break and it is more than just death. Sometimes it's a feeling that your life is just not as fulfilling as it should be. Whatever the cause it's okay to talk about it and should you want to speak with us schedule a free phone session.
https://healingstartswiththeheart.as.me
Erica and Sharon talk about how important it is to feel your feelings no matter how much it hurts. The sisters say "the only way out of the pain is through." Erica shares her personal struggle after Donovan died and how she completely resisted feeling any of the pain. It is from her personal experience they developed their program Processing the Pain of Grief.
Erica and Sharon talk about how over commercialized Valentine's Day has become and for grievers this can be very challenging. It is yet another reminder that their loved one is no longer with them. This can be due to divorce, break-up or a death. The sisters discuss how important it is to come up with a plan for the day. Even if the plan is to stay in bed a cry; that's still a plan.
Erica and Sharon discuss what it's like for a child to be raised as a griever. It's not uncommon when a parent dies for the surviving parent to raise their child grieving the loss even if they were too young to remember the relationship. The sisters share the experience of their client who grew up grieving the loss of his mother and it affected his entire life and all of his future relationships.
Sharon and Erica openly talk about what is involved when planning a loved ones funeral. They discuss how the process is completely draining and how your emotions will be all over the place. The sisters encourage everyone to do their research and to not be afraid to get prices from a variety of places. It's not uncommon that people rush to make decisions that they will later regret so the sisters suggest you take your time to make sure you are planning a day that will truly honor your loved one. If you would like to speak to the sisters you can schedule a free session here:
https://healingstartswiththeheart.as.me
Erica and Sharon pay special tribute to Erica's youngest son Jordan for his birthday. The sisters discuss Jordan's grief journey and what his experience was like after losing Austin at the age three and then losing Donovan at the age of twelve. Erica admits to making plenty of mistakes and because she was struggling with her own grief. If you have any questions about parenting while grieving or how to take to your children about grief schedule a free phone session using this link http://healingstartswiththeheart.as.me
Sharon and Erica discuss how individuals can be triggered by certain events, memories, and life experiences. They share openly about how they are no longer affected by certain triggers because they have done the work to mend their broken hearts. Grievers who are resisting doing their heart work or those who don't know where to start will be easily triggered by events and that will slow down their grieving process. if you would like to schedule a call with Sharon and Erica click here:
https://healingstartswiththeheart.as.me
Sharon and Erica talk openly about a letter they received from someone who claims their experience with the sisters was less than favorable. The sisters apologize as well as outline how sometimes when people are grieving and do not feel worthy of positive interactions they will look to find the negative in everyone.
If you would like to share your grief you can schedule a mini-session at https://healingstartswiththeheart.as.me