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...
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...
🔒 You Are Not Your Body | A Spiritual Perspective on Life, Death & What Remains EP 424
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We live in a world obsessed with appearances—but what if who we are goes far deeper than skin and bone? What if death isn't the end, but a transformation?
In this heart-opening episode, Brian D. Smith explores a powerful truth: You are not your body. 💫 Through reflections on grief, near-death experiences, and spiritual wisdom, we’re invited to look beyond the physical and connect with the eternal essence of our loved ones—and ourselves.
💭 Have you ever felt someone’s presence after...
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...
🔒 It Is Well With My Soul
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What does it truly mean to have faith? It’s easy when life is going well, but what about when everything falls apart? In this episode, we explore the concept of soul planning—why we come to this world, what we are here to experience, and how faith plays a crucial role in our journey. Through the powerful story behind the hymn It Is Well with My Soul, we’ll uncover how even our deepest tragedies hold purpose.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Wh...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...
🔒 The "Untimed" Week- EP 406
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In this episode, recorded during the "untimed" week between Christmas and New Year, I share personal stories and insights about the evolving nature of the holidays, the quiet joy of simpler traditions, and the bittersweet beauty of letting go.
From the magic of Christmas mornings with young children to the calm solitude of preparing a holiday brunch, I explore how life’s rhythms shift over time. I also delve into the questions many of us ponder as a new year approaches: What do we want to ca...
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...
🔒 The Dangerous Lie About Emotions (And the Truth You Need to Hear) EP 404
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Have you been told to suppress your emotions or "rise above" your feelings to achieve peace or spiritual growth? What if that’s the most dangerous lie you’ve ever believed?
In this episode, we uncover the truth: your emotions are not your enemies. They are the sacred language of your soul, guiding you to deeper understanding and growth. Drawing on the profound teachings of Seth through Jane Roberts, we explore how embracing your emotions can unlock spiritual wisdom and psychological balance.
We also take...
🎙️ 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...
🔒 Why Does It Feel Like Everything Is Falling Apart? EP 402
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In a world where it feels like everything is falling apart—from climate change and geopolitical tensions to financial and political instability—what if the true power to create change lies within our collective consciousness? J
Join me as I explore how the disengagement of 90 million eligible voters in the last election might be contributing to global chaos and what we can do about it.
We’ll dive into the fascinating intersection of quantum physics and spirituality, exploring how our collective focus—or lack thereof—c...
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...
🔒 Hope Is A Warrior EP 401
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Episode Description:
In this episode, I explore the true nature of hope—not as a delicate, fleeting feeling, but as a gritty, unyielding force that shows up when life knocks us down.
Drawing from personal experiences and reflections, I’ll share how hope can be messy, raw, and relentless—bloodied and bruised but always ready to rise again. This is hope as a fighter, not a whisper, and it’s a reminder that even in our darkest moments, we can still find the strength...
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...
The UNBELIEVABLE Beauty of Aging: Why Society is WRONG About Getting Older! EP 392
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🌿 Imagine a world where aging isn't feared, but embraced as a source of wisdom and power. In this episode of *Grief 2 Growth*, host Brian Smith sits down with acclaimed author David W. Berner to explore the deep, often overlooked beauty of growing older.
David, an award-winning author of fiction, memoir, and creative nonfiction, discusses his latest book, Daylight Saving Time, a collection of essays on aging, art, and finding joy in life's later years. Together, we dive into how aging can be a profound journey of self-discovery, the role of art...
🌱 Finding Meaning in Grief with David Kessler 🌱 EP 391
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In this deeply insightful episode of Grief 2 Growth, host Brian Smith welcomes the world’s foremost grief expert, David Kessler, to explore how we can find meaning in grief. David, a grief counselor and author of Finding Meaning: The Grief Workbook, shares his personal experience of losing his son and provides practical tools for processing grief. Brian and David dive into the emotional, spiritual, and psychological aspects of healing after profound loss.
David has worked alongside iconic figures in the grief field like Elisabeth Kübler-Ross and Louise Hay...
Shocking Link Between QUANTUM MECHANICS and CONSCIOUSNESS Unveiled by a Nuclear Physicist! EP 390
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In this enlightening episode, Brian Smith interviews Dr. Erik Deumens, a nuclear physicist whose life journey bridges the realms of science and spirituality. Erik shares how his early fascination with quantum mechanics eventually led him to a deeper understanding of human consciousness, sparked by the practice of yoga and the personal growth that followed the loss of his wife. Listen as Erik explains the balance between the physical and spiritual worlds, and how grief can be a powerful catalyst for transformation.
Key Topics Discussed:
Erik’s academic ba...
