160. When a Dream Dies: Healing Through Major Life Changes and Invisible Loss

Have you ever grieved something difficult to explain to others ... or to yourself? A dream you never got to live, a world you left behind after moving, a home you never got to call home, a relationship that never got off the ground?

In this powerful solo return, Bryan Reeves explores the deep emotional terrain of ambiguous loss: grief without closure, headlines, or a clear reason. From the loss of a dream wedding and the promise of parenthood to the emotional cost of eight moves in five years, Bryan shares personal stories and hard-earned insights on how to grieve the invisible, hold space for uncertainty, and honor your experience without needing it to make sense to anyone else.

If you're carrying sadness you can't fully name or explain, this episode will help you feel seen, and invite you to start healing.

⏱️ Highlights

00:00 – Why I Took a Break

01:32 – The Ireland Retreat That Changed Everything

03:20 – The Weight of Eight Moves in Five Years

04:45 – What Is Ambiguous Loss?

06:30 – Invisible Grief: Our Lost Wedding & Parenthood Dreams

08:15 – The House We Couldn't Live In

10:00 – Guilt, Grief, and Comparing Pain

12:05 – Grieving the End of a Day: A Malibu Story

14:00 – Why Some Grief Is Hard to Explain

15:25 – The Loneliness of Loss Without Witness

17:10 – Wisdom from Francis Weller on Communal Grief

19:40 – Moving In, Letting Go: A Nervous System Exhale

21:10 – Lessons From a Decade-Long Relationship

23:00 – Life Has Seasons—And That’s Okay

25:15 – Tiny Green Shoots: Signs of Spring After Long Winter

27:05 – New Beginnings: Retreats, Books, and Rebuilding

29:15 – Closing Reflection: You’re Not Broken for Feeling This

30:45 – Name Your Grief, Honor Its Place

📬 Connect with Bryan:

• 🌐 Join the newsletter & explore Bryan's coaching & retreats: https://bryanreeves.com
• 📸 Instagram
• 📺 Youtube