Grief 2 Growth
"Transform your grief into growth with Brian Smith, an empathetic life coach, certified grief educator, public speaker, and author who has walked the treacherous path of profound loss. Grief 2 Growth unravels the intricacies of life, death, and the spaces in between, offering listeners a new perspective on what it means to be 'Planted. Not Buried.'Join Brian and his compelling guests—bereaved parents, life coaches, mediums, healers, near death experiencers, and experts in various fields—as they discuss topics like survival guilt, synchronicities, and the scientific evidence supporting the existence of the afterlife. You'll come away with actionable advice, renewed hope...
Turning Sudden Loss Into Sacred Storytelling | Diandra Ford-Wing | EP 435
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💔 About This Episode
What do you do when grief crashes into your life without warning?
In this intimate and emotionally raw conversation, host Brian Smith sits down with Diandra Ford-Wing, an African-American author and sales director who made the courageous decision to pause her life and fully sit with her grief after her mother’s sudden passing.
Together, Brian and Diandra—both of whom have experienced the devastating shock of sudden loss—open up about the moments that shattered them, the signs that gave...
Conquering Shame: From Surviving to Thriving with Monica Gullotta | EP 434
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🧠 What if the voice in your head saying you're not enough… isn’t really yours?
In this powerful and vulnerable episode of Grief 2 Growth, Brian D. Smith sits down with Monica Gullotta—educator, author, and shame recovery mentor—to unmask the silent, insidious force that shapes how we see ourselves: shame.
Whether it stems from childhood trauma, religion, culture, or societal conditioning, shame often drives our behaviors without our awareness. Monica bravely shares her personal story, clinical insights, and the 7 Developmental and Recovery Stages of Shame—a...
Conquering Shame: From Surviving to Thriving with Monica Gullotta | EP 434
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🧠 What if the voice in your head saying you're not enough… isn’t really yours?
In this powerful and vulnerable episode of Grief 2 Growth, Brian D. Smith sits down with Monica Gullotta—educator, author, and shame recovery mentor—to unmask the silent, insidious force that shapes how we see ourselves: shame.
Whether it stems from childhood trauma, religion, culture, or societal conditioning, shame often drives our behaviors without our awareness. Monica bravely shares her personal story, clinical insights, and the 7 Developmental and Recovery Stages of Shame—a...
Supernatural Love: Continuing a Marriage After Death | Pam Johnson’s Story EP 432
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What if your soulmate could still reach you from the other side?
In this unforgettable episode, Brian D. Smith talks with Pam Johnson, a healer, channeler, and co-author of Supernatural Love: A True Story of Life and Love After Death. When her husband Alan passed away unexpectedly on his birthday in 2020, Pam’s heart broke—but it didn’t close. Instead, Alan returned from Spirit with a message: “We’re not done.”
Pam and Alan spent more than 30 years together as mediums, healers, and spiritual teachers. And now, the...
Rachel Corpus: An Angel in Human Form on Earth’s Divine Mission EP 431
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In one of our most profound conversations yet, Rachel Corpus shares her lived experience as a Seraphim angel in a human body. At just 4 years old, a near-death experience shattered her earthly identity—and reminded her of her divine mission.
Rachel reveals how angels incarnate with purpose, what she was shown about humanity’s evolution, and how each of us can remember our eternal nature. Whether you're healing from grief, exploring your spiritual gifts, or curious about life beyond the veil, this episode will stir your soul.
🧭...
From Pain to Purpose: Kim Hodous on Connecting with Her Children in Spirit EP 430
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In this unforgettable conversation, host Brian D. Smith talks with Kim Hodous, a speaker, author, and “shining light parent” who has experienced the unimaginable—losing not one, but two of her children. In her search for healing, Kim discovered something extraordinary: a way to continue her relationship with her son Rob, even after his passing.
Raised in a religious household, Kim’s beliefs were shaken—and ultimately expanded—when grief became her teacher and spirit became her guide. In this episode, she shares:
Her early religious ro...Forgiveness, Family, and Finding Freedom Through Storytelling- Kennerly Clay EP 429
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🔍 Episode Summary:
What if the stories we’ve buried hold the power to heal us? In this deeply personal and moving conversation, Brian D. Smith speaks with Kennerly Clay, author of Letters from East of Nowhere, about the long road to forgiveness, the wounds of parental abandonment, and the unexpected redemption found in decades of handwritten letters.
Kennerly’s father, an alcoholic and long-haul truck driver, was largely absent from her life. But through raw honesty, early sobriety, and years of storytelling, she found a way to forg...
Is Afterlife Communication Real? | Daniel Drasin on EVP, Ghosts, and Consciousness EP 428
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Episode Summary:
Award-winning filmmaker and afterlife researcher Daniel Drasin joins Brian for one of the most mind-opening conversations in Grief to Growth history. From capturing real spirit voices through EVP to experiencing a solid, physical ghost encounter witnessed by multiple people, Daniel shares decades of research that challenge what we think we know about reality.
Together, they dive deep into instrumental transcommunication (ITC), the power of language in shaping our beliefs, and the vital distinction between scientific skepticism and close-minded debunking...
Forgiving The Unforgiveable- When Your Father Kills Your Mother- Scott Stewart EP 427
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What do you do when the person who caused your deepest pain is someone you once loved—and trusted?
In this gripping and emotionally raw episode, Scott Stewart shares his incredible story of survival, healing, and transformation. Raised in a home of fear, manipulation, and emotional volatility, Scott’s life was forever changed when his father murdered his mother. But instead of staying locked in bitterness, Scott made a bold decision: to forgive—not for his father, but for himself.
Over 12+ years of therapy and soul-searching, Scott...
How Spirit Is Guiding a Mediumship Revolution | Sally Hawk & Sherry Abdou on VerySoul- EP 426
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In this powerful conversation, host Brian Smith welcomes back Sally Hawk—founder of VerySoul—and evidential medium Sherry Abdou. Together, they explore the spiritual guidance behind VerySoul's creation and how it's become a beacon of hope for grieving people around the world.
VerySoul now hosts over 2,500 vetted mediums across 50+ countries, solving the biggest challenges people face when seeking a connection: affordability, trust, and availability. Sally reveals how this spirit-guided platform is revolutionizing mediumship, while Sherry shares her deeply personal journey—losing her child, caring for her father, and developing the gifts...
Healing Through Connection: Trauma, Awakening & Collective Consciousness w/ Blaise Kennedy EP 425
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Healing Through Connection: Trauma, Awakening & Collective Consciousness w/ Blaise Kennedy
📝 Episode Description:
What if your deepest pain isn’t just yours to bear—but a doorway to connection, growth, and even awakening?
In this episode of Grief 2 Growth, Brian Smith welcomes Blaise Kennedy—a spiritual teacher whose work challenges the solitary nature of personal development. Blaise invites us into a space of deep relational healing, showing us how trauma lives not just in our bodies, but in our families, our ancestry, and the collective fields of...
Every Soul Knows: How Grief, Loss & Purpose Led to a Spiritual Awakening (w/ Peter Alessandria)- EP 423
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✨ Episode Summary:
What if your deepest grief was actually your greatest opportunity for growth? In this heart-opening conversation, Brian D. Smith sits down with photographer, filmmaker, and former attorney Peter Alessandria to explore how loss, self-doubt, and life’s most painful detours can lead to profound spiritual awakening.
Peter shares his personal transformation—how losing everything during the 2008 financial crisis set him on a path to uncovering his creative gifts, and how his brother’s unexpected passing deepened his spiritual conviction. His documentary, Every Soul Knows, w...
Mindfulness, Monastic Life, and the Art of Letting Go | Stephen Schettini- EP 422
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🧘♂️ Episode Summary:
In this soul-stirring conversation, former Buddhist monk Stephen Schettini joins Brian Smith to talk about practical mindfulness, the emotional power of silence, and what it really means to know yourself. From the pain that led him to the monastery, to the courage it took to leave, Stephen shares timeless wisdom that helps us face modern challenges with clarity and grace.
💡 In This Episode, We Explore:
Why mindfulness isn’t about emptying your mindThe difference between real transformation and spiritual bypassingHow grief, anxiety...Healing Grief & Generational Trauma Through Internal Family Systems | Tamala Floyd- EP 421
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What if your grief isn't just your own—but a wound passed down through generations? In this powerful episode, I speak with psychotherapist, author, and IFS lead trainer Tamala Floyd about the healing power of Internal Family Systems (IFS) and ancestral wisdom.
Tamala breaks down how parts of ourselves—like the people-pleaser or the inner critic—form in response to trauma, and how they can be lovingly unburdened, not exiled. She also discusses how healing isn’t just personal—it’s generational.
You’ll Learn:
How To Be Truly Unmessable With- with Josselyne Herman-Saccio EP 420
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🧭 Episode Overview
In this powerful episode, Brian sits down with transformation coach Jocelyn Herman Saccio, who shares how to become unmessable with—a state of being where no trigger, obstacle, or stressor can shake your foundation.
Jocelyn’s unique methodology, shaped by over 30 years of coaching and personal transformation, helps people move from “someday” dreams to TODAY breakthroughs. Whether you're feeling stuck in a job, overwhelmed by family dynamics, or simply tired of surviving instead of thriving—this episode is for you.
🔥 What You’ll Learn
What i...On Second Thought Maybe I Can - Debbie Weiss EP 419
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What happens when you spend your whole life taking care of others—and forget who you are? In this deeply moving conversation, Brian Smith talks with Debbie Weiss, a woman who’s worn many hats: caregiver, business owner, author, and now, a voice of possibility and hope. Debbie shares her incredible journey of caring for her father, her neurodivergent son, and her husband through terminal illness and mental health struggles.
She opens up about anticipatory grief, the complexity of feeling both relief and guilt, and how writing her memoir On S...
From Caregiver to Purpose-Driven Leader: Caren Paskel’s Journey of Transformation- EP 418
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Episode Summary:
How do you rebuild your life after profound loss? Caren Paskel was a thriving yoga studio owner when her world turned upside down—her husband, David, was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. As his caregiver, she faced overwhelming challenges, but instead of breaking, she transformed. In this episode, Caren shares how she turned personal tragedy into a mission of empowerment, helping others find self-belief, resilience, and purpose after loss.
💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✔️ The emotion...
The Doctors Gave Her Three Years- She Said "Watch This" - Dr. Wendy Slattery EP 417
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What does it mean to truly live when faced with a terminal diagnosis? In this powerful episode, Dr. Wendy Slattery shares her remarkable journey from growing up on a North Dakota farm in the 1950s to becoming a top infectious disease doctor—only to have her career cut short by a cancer diagnosis. Joined by her daughter Jenny, Wendy reveals how she turned to storytelling as a way to leave a legacy, rediscover faith, and embrace the unseen world.
With courage and humor, Wendy reflects on:
✨ The pivotal moment at ag...
You Don't Have To Die To Get to Heaven EP 416
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🕊️ What if you could accompany a loved one partway to heaven? Would it change the way you see life, death, and everything in between? In this unforgettable episode of Grief 2 Growth, Emmy Award-winning journalist Sue Pearson shares her shared death experience (SDE) with her father, a moment that completely transformed her understanding of the afterlife.
Sue also opens up about:
✅ The mystical experiences that followed her father’s passing
✅ Her encounters with divine guidance and the signs from loved ones...
Ancient Japanese Technique For Relaxation- Akikazu Nakamura- EP 415
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What if music could heal your soul? What if a simple breathing technique could bring you deep peace? In this episode of Grief 2 Growth, I sit down with the incredible Akikazu Nakamura, a world-renowned shakuhachi (Japanese bamboo flute) master. Aki’s journey is remarkable—he left the structured world of quantum chemistry to embrace the boundless power of music, meditation, and the ancient Japanese breathing technique, Missoku.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✔️ What is the shakuhachi...
How To Connect With Your Guardian Angel- Nancy Yearout EP 414
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💡 Episode Summary:
Do you ever wonder if you have a guardian angel watching over you? In this episode, Brian Smith sits down with Nancy Yearout—an angel medium, author, and spiritual mentor—to explore the power of angelic guidance, spiritual laws, and how YOU can connect with your angels today.
Nancy shares her journey from real estate broker to spiritual teacher, the profound messages she receives from Archangel Gabriel, and simple ways you can tune into divine wisdom in your ow...
Struggling With Religion? Awaken To Love EP 413
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In this episode of Grief 2 Growth, I sit down with David Hulse, a kindred soul whose journey closely mirrors my own—a shift from fear-based religion to love-centered spirituality. As a spiritual guide, teacher, and founder of the Academy for Spiritual Awakening, David has dedicated his life to helping others release limiting beliefs and awaken to a more expansive, compassionate faith.
From his early days in fundamentalist Christianity to discovering the healing power of sound, frequency, and vibration, David’s st...
Before You Give Up, Hear Jessica Fein’s Story of Love, Loss, and Unbreakable Strength- EP 412
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In this heartfelt episode of Grief 2 Growth, host Brian Smith sits down with Jessica Fein, author of Breathtaking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken Genes, and host of I Don’t Know How You Do It. Jessica shares her journey of love, loss, and finding joy amidst heartbreak—especially after losing her beloved daughter, Dahlia, to a rare disease. 💜
✨ In this episode, we explore:
🔹 The inspiration behind Breathtaking and Jessica’s powerful memoir
🔹 Dahlia’s incredible spirit and lessons she taught through her journey
🔹 How h...
You Don't Have To Die To Get To Heaven- Sue Pearson's Shared Death Experience- EP 416
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🕊️ What if you could accompany a loved one partway to heaven? Would it change the way you see life, death, and everything in between? In this unforgettable episode of Grief 2 Growth, Emmy Award-winning journalist Sue Pearson shares her shared death experience (SDE) with her father, a moment that completely transformed her understanding of the afterlife.
Sue also opens up about:
✅ The mystical experiences that followed her father’s passing
✅ Her encounters with divine guidance and the signs from loved ones...
The Romantic Near Death Experience Movie That Will Blow Your Mind EP 411
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In this episode of Grief 2 Growth, host Brian Smith is joined by filmmaker Max Rissman, whose debut feature film, Upon Waking, takes viewers on an emotional journey through near-death and shared-death experiences. The film explores themes of forgiveness, family dynamics, and the transformative power of love and healing. Max opens up about his creative process, the challenges of making an independent film, and how spirituality plays a pivotal role in his storytelling.
If you’ve ever wondered about the spiritual side of filmmaking, the role of intuition in cr...
Experience The Afterlife Through Hypnosis - No Death Required! EP 410
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Episode Summary
What if the afterlife isn’t a mystery, but a space we can explore to find healing, clarity, and purpose? In this transformative episode, host Brian Smith welcomes Regan Forston, clinical hypnotherapist and former board member of the Michael Newton Institute. Regan has guided hundreds of clients through life-between-lives sessions, offering profound insights into the afterlife, reincarnation, and our soul’s purpose.
Together, they discuss the groundbreaking work of Dr. Michael Newton, the healing power of hypnosis, and Regan’s own life-c...
Mary D'agostino's Shared Death Experience With Her Son, Brandon EP 409
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In this heartfelt episode of Grief 2 Growth, Brian Smith is joined by the remarkable Mary D’Agostino, a professional intuitive, spiritual counselor, psychic medium, and author. Mary shares her personal journey through love, loss, and spiritual awakening following the passing of her beloved son, Brandon. From profound visions to a shared death experience, Mary provides insight into how grief can be a catalyst for growth and transformation.
Key Topics Discussed:
The vibrant life and legacy of Mary’s son, Brandon.How intuition and spiritually transformative expe...The Hidden Truth About Postpartum Recovery After Pregnancy Loss- with Eileen Santos Rosete EP 408
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In this profound and heartfelt episode, Brian Smith welcomes Eileen Santos Rosete—author, grief educator, and certified postpartum doula—whose groundbreaking work is changing the way we view and support those navigating pregnancy and infant loss.
Eileen shares her deeply personal journey of loss and healing, offering insights into the physical and emotional realities of postpartum after pregnancy loss. Through her holistic approach, Eileen highlights the transformative power of embodiment, self-tending practices, and cultural reverence in the grieving process.
Eileen's new book, To Tend and To Hold: Honoring Our...
Jungian Psychology Meets the Paranormal: Unlocking Your Infinite Consciousness with Dr. Susan Plunket- EP 407
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In this episode of Grief 2 Growth, host Brian Smith and Dr. Susan Plunket explore the fascinating world of Jungian psychology and the paranormal. Together, they explore the mysteries of consciousness, life between lives, and transcendent experiences that reveal the profound truth of our infinite nature.
Dr. Plunkett, a renowned Jungian psychologist and author, shares her incredible journey into understanding psychic phenomena, astral projection, and how to integrate mystical experiences into our everyday lives. Whether you’re curious about the afterlife, searching for meaning, or intrigued by the paranormal, th...
Transforming Grief Into Healing: Stories from Shining Light Parents EP 405
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🌟 Episode Summary:
In this deeply moving episode of Grief 2 Growth, host Brian Smith sits down with Dolores Cruz and Allison Alison, two inspiring mothers who have transformed unimaginable loss into profound healing. Both are contributors to the book Shining Light Parents Speak, a collection of stories from parents who’ve found hope and connection after losing a child.
Dolores shares her journey after the loss of her son Eric, whose signs and presence continue to affirm their eternal bond. Allison recounts the transformative experience of he...
🎙️ Healing Grief Through the Power of Sound with Jeralyn Glass EP 403
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Episode Summary:
In this powerful episode, Brian Smith welcomes internationally renowned musician, author, and sound healer Jeralyn Glass, who shares her deeply moving story of loss, healing, and transformation. After the sudden passing of her only child, Dylan, Jeralyn turned to the healing power of crystal alchemy singing bowls, blending her expertise in music with the transformative science of sound. Guided by Dylan’s presence and love, Jeralyn found a way to transform her grief into purpose and now helps others heal through the universal la...
She Lost Her Mother, Son, and Husband- Then Found Joy- Dr. Kimberly Harms EP 402
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What happens when life delivers blow after blow, taking everything you hold dear? Dr. Kimberly Harms knows this all too well. After losing her son to suicide, her husband to illness, her mother to tragedy, and even her career, Kimberly could have stayed in the depths of despair. Instead, she clawed out of the grief pit, finding purpose, resilience, and joy.
In this deeply moving episode, Kimberly shares her remarkable story of surviving the unimaginable and how she’s now helping others navigate their grief journeys. She reveals the secrets to...
Unlocking Autism's Voice- Laura Hirsch EP 400
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In this extraordinary episode of Grief 2 Growth, host Brian Smith sits down with Laura Hirsch, an author, advocate, and mother who has navigated unimaginable challenges with resilience and grace. Laura’s life changed forever when her son, Trevor, was diagnosed with regressive autism and became nonverbal. But Trevor's story is anything but typical.
Through a revolutionary technique called Spelling to Communicate (S2C), Trevor has broken through his silence, revealing a rich inner world. He shares astonishing insights about mediumship, telepathy, and life beyond this one. To...
🌟 Humanity’s Great Awakening: Raphael Garcia on Ascension, Trump, and a New Earth 🌟 EP 399
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What if the challenges we face today are not the end, but the beginning of something extraordinary? In this groundbreaking episode of Grief 2 Growth, host Brian Smith sits down with Raphael Garcia, a near-death experiencer and visionary who offers profound insights into humanity’s path to ascension.
Raphael explains how the 2024 U.S. election marks a turning point in the collapse of old systems, paving the way for a higher dimensional reality defined by compassion, transparency, and unity. Discover why political disruption, societal upheaval, and the revelations of hidden truths ar...
Her Son Never Spoke So She Learned To Listen To The Silence with Gina Gayle Gray EP 398
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Gina Gayle Gray is a seasoned emotional health coach, counselor, and Oracle, whose life was profoundly transformed after the loss of her 23-year-old son, Spencer. Spencer, who never spoke a word in his physical life, taught Gina the extraordinary power of listening to the silence—a lesson that has shaped her life and work.
Gina now channels her experiences into helping others heal emotional wounds, reconnect with themselves, and transform grief into grace. From her retreat center, Casa Grace, in the Sierra Madre Mountains of Mexico, she guides clients on the...
FORGOTTEN MEMORIES NO MORE! Matt Jacobson's Fight to Keep His Father’s Story Alive! EP 397
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Preserving Legacy Through Loss: Matt Jacobson’s Journey with LifeBooks
Episode Summary:
In this deeply moving episode of Grief to Growth, host Brian Smith speaks with Matt Jacobson, founder of LifeBooks, a platform born from love and a commitment to honoring family legacies. After losing his father while studying abroad, Matt returned to run his family’s mattress store. His experience inspired him to create LifeBooks, an innovative service for families to collaboratively preserve and honor their loved ones' stories in beautifully bound books that last for generations. Matt and...
✨ Flow Dreaming with Summer McStravick – Manifesting and Healing in Action ✨ EP 396
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In this powerful episode of Grief 2 Growth, host Brian Smith sits down with Summer McStravick, a renowned personal growth coach, author, and the creator of Flowdreaming—a transformative practice that merges daydreaming with emotional reconditioning to help individuals manifest and thrive. Summer’s unique journey includes her inspiring work with Louise Hay and her personal battle with a life-threatening illness, which she transformed into a journey of healing and empowerment.
Summer shares profound insights on emotional resilience, embracing grief, and overcoming the limiting beliefs she calls “lack thinking.” Her philosophy on conne...
Ancestral Whispers: PROFOUND Stories of Healing, Destiny, and Life Beyond Death!- Katina Z. Jones EP 395
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In this heart-opening episode, host Brian Smith is joined by Rev. Katina Z. Jones—spiritual advisor, medium, and “The Purple Priestess”—to discuss the art of connecting with loved ones who have passed and embracing spirituality as a path to healing. Rev. Katina draws on her background as a death doula and intuitive guide to offer insights into finding peace, purpose, and connection amid loss.
With over 25 years as a healer, author, and medium, Katina’s spiritual journey began after a transformative personal loss, eventually leading her to help others navigate g...
Messages From Beyond: How to Connect With Your Spirit Guides NOW!- Cheryl Murphy EP 394
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In this enlightening episode of Grief 2 Growth, host Brian Smith welcomes Cheryl Murphy, an evidential medium, psychic, and certified hypnotherapist, to explore the profound impact of spirit communication on healing and personal growth. Cheryl, with over 20 years of experience in metaphysics, shares how connecting with loved ones in spirit can be a powerful tool for healing grief and offers practical advice on how anyone can start their own spiritual journey. She also touches on her personal journey growing up in a psychic family, including her mother and great aunt, and...
Can Meditation Really Stop CRIME? The Shocking Research Behind Transcendental Meditation! EP 393
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In this eye-opening episode of Grief 2 Growth, host Brian Smith sits down with Patricia Saunders, an expert in Transcendental Meditation (TM) and best-selling author, to explore a remarkable idea—can meditation really reduce crime and societal violence?
Patricia has been teaching TM for decades, both in the UK and the US, and is currently at Maharishi International University. Her groundbreaking work, particularly highlighted in her book An Antidote to Violence: Evaluating the Evidence, dives deep into the research behind TM’s potential to transform both...
