Healing Starts With The Heart

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,

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 c

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 Feelings: Grief brings intense, unpredictable emotions such as sadness, anger, and confusion. These emotions can feel like waves or roller coasters, and avoidi

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 uns

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 ho

  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 s

   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: 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

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 pers

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: What is Grooming? An explanation of grooming and its psychological impact on individuals, especially those who are grieving. Grooming vs. Scamming: The Link How grooming often serves as a precursor to financial or emotional exploitation. Personal Story: Sherry's Journey Sherry candidly shares her experience of being groome

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 suppo

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 changi

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

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.

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: 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. Avoid Self-Bullying Grief isn’t a measure of strength or control. Sharon shares why it’s ess

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 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. It serves as a reminder of the love and deep connections we have with those we’ve lost. 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 m

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

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 t

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: 1.    What does grief mean to you personally? 2.    How has your understanding of grief evolved over time? 3.    In what ways has grief shaped your identity and your view of the world? 4.    How do you honor your grief and the memories of your loved one? 5.    What role does grief play in your ongoing journey of healing and self-discovery? Reflecting on these questions can help you uncover the deeper si

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