Episodios

  • Grief: Sleep and Rest During Loss - Your Body's Healing Guide

    Grief: Sleep and Rest During Loss - Your Body's Healing Guide
    Jul 16 2025
    In this episode, Dylan explores the complex relationship between grief and rest, addressing why sleep becomes so elusive during loss and how our bodies desperately need recovery time. He discusses the physical and emotional exhaustion that accompanies grief, the role of grief dreams in healing, and practical ways to honor your need for rest without guilt. Dylan shares personal stories and client experiences to illustrate how rest isn't weakness—it's essential for processing loss and moving through grief with more resilience and presence.

    Key Takeaways
    • Grief exhaustion affects your body, mind, and nervous system simultaneously
    • Your body's hypervigilant state during grief requires extra rest and recovery time
    • Grief dreams are your brain's way of processing trauma and reorganizing reality
    • Resisting rest often leads to greater depletion and overwhelming emotions
    • Taking care of your sleep needs honors both yourself and your lost loved one
    What You'll Discover
    • Why grief disrupts sleep patterns and creates vivid, intense dreams
    • How to distinguish between healthy rest and avoidance behaviors
    • The science behind why grief makes you feel physically exhausted
    • Practical approaches to honoring your rest needs without judgment
    • Why society's pressure to bounce back quickly is harmful to healing
    Resources Mentioned
    • Sleep and grief recovery research from trauma psychology studies
    • Nervous system regulation techniques for grief processing
    • Client stories: Sarah's post-loss sleep struggles and Maria's guilt journey
    Next Episode Preview Join Dylan next time as he explores navigating grief triggers in everyday life and how to build resilience when the world feels unpredictable. He'll share strategies for managing unexpected waves of emotion and finding stability in the midst of loss.

    📩 Have questions or want to share your story? Reach out at grief@senseofthisshit.com.
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    14 m
  • Grief: Finding Strength During Emotional Setbacks | Grief Podcast

    Grief: Finding Strength During Emotional Setbacks | Grief Podcast
    Jul 15 2025
    In this episode, Dylan explores the profound reality that strength in grief looks nothing like what we've been taught. Rather than being about "getting over it" or maintaining composure, true grief strength emerges through vulnerability, presence, and the courage to feel deeply. Through personal stories and research-backed insights, this conversation reveals how emotional setbacks are actually love in disguise, how healing isn't linear, and why authentic grief work requires us to stay soft in a hard world.

    Key Takeaways
    • Emotional setbacks in grief are normal and indicate love, not healing failure
    • True strength means staying present with pain rather than avoiding it
    • Grief doesn't follow a linear path and that's completely normal
    • Vulnerability and authenticity are forms of profound courage in loss
    • Small daily practices can help build resilience over time
    What You'll Discover
    • How neuroscience research explains why grief changes our brain structure
    • The difference between "armored strength" and "embodied strength" in grief
    • Real stories from listeners finding their own paths through loss
    • Practical tools like the five-minute rule and grief inventory technique
    • Why post-traumatic growth can emerge from our darkest moments
    Resources Mentioned
    • Dr. George Bonanno's research on resilient grief at Columbia University
    • Dr. Mary-Frances O'Connor's neuroscience work on grief and brain imaging
    • Post-traumatic growth research by Richard Tedeschi and Lawrence Calhoun
    • Dr. Crystal Park's studies on meaning-making in grief
    • Dr. Sheldon Cohen's social support research at Carnegie Mellon
    Next Episode Preview Join us next time as we explore how to navigate the complex terrain of grief during holidays and anniversaries. We'll discuss practical strategies for honoring memory while creating new traditions that hold both joy and sorrow.

    📩 Have questions or want to share your story? Reach out at grief@senseofthisshit.com.

    💛 Join Our Supporters Club 💛 Help keep these vital conversations alive—Click Here
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    38 m
  • Daily Practices for Grief Recovery: Small Steps to Big Healing

    Daily Practices for Grief Recovery: Small Steps to Big Healing
    Jun 30 2025
    In this episode, we dive into the heart of grief recovery through the gentle power of daily practices. Your host Dylan creates a calm, supportive space where small routines become lifelines, not just to survive, but to rediscover moments of hope, agency, and self-kindness. Through heartfelt stories and honest reflection, you’ll learn why the tiniest rituals matter and how showing up for yourself in simple ways can create lasting change, even in the darkest times.

    Key Takeaways
    • Small daily routines can provide stability and comfort during grief
    • Grief recovery happens through tiny, consistent actions
    • There’s no perfect or “right” daily practice for healing
    • Rituals help reclaim agency and nurture self-kindness
    • Every act of care, no matter how small, truly counts

    What You’ll Discover
    • Real stories of how daily habits support healing after loss
    • The role of gentle routines in building resilience
    • How to create your own meaningful daily ritual
    • Why self-compassion is essential during grief
    • Practical tips for starting a daily practice today

    Resources Mentioned
    • “The Year of Magical Thinking” by Joan Didion
    • “Option B” by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant
    • “Healing After Loss” by Martha Whitmore Hickman
    • “Tiny Habits” by BJ Fogg
    • Article: “Rituals and Grief Recovery” (Psychology Today)

    Next Episode Preview
    Next time, we’ll be talking about Finding Strength—practical ways to rediscover your resilience in the midst of loss. I hope you’ll join me for another honest, supportive conversation.

    📩 Have questions or want to share your story? Reach out at grief@senseofthisshit.com.

    💛 Join Our Supporters Club 💛
    Help keep these vital conversations alive—Click Here: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/grief-let-s-make-sense-of-this-sh-t--6352946/support
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    12 m
  • Accepting Change After Loss: Gentle Ways to Move Forward Through Grief

    Accepting Change After Loss: Gentle Ways to Move Forward Through Grief
    Jun 27 2025
    In this episode, we explore the difficult journey of accepting change after loss. Grief reshapes your world in ways that can feel overwhelming and unrecognizable. Together, we’ll unpack what acceptance really means—not as forgetting or moving on, but as learning to live with change while honoring what you’ve lost. Through stories, research-backed strategies, and compassionate insight, this episode offers practical tools and emotional support for anyone navigating grief’s unpredictable path.

    Key Takeaways
    • Acceptance is a process, not a destination
    • Resistance to change is natural and valid
    • Small, gentle steps invite acceptance
    • Guilt and anger can block healing but are normal emotions
    • Connection and community are essential supports

    What You’ll Discover
    • The true meaning of accepting change after loss
    • Why grief disrupts identity and daily life
    • Real-life stories illustrating acceptance in action
    • Practical strategies like mindfulness and radical acceptance
    • How to navigate setbacks and emotional barriers

    Resources Mentioned
    • Tara Brach’s teachings on radical acceptance
    • Journaling and mindfulness practices
    • Support groups and community resources

    Next Episode Preview
    Next time, we’ll explore Daily Practices—simple routines to support your healing journey every day. Join us for more gentle guidance and tools.

    📩 Have questions or want to share your story? Reach out at grief@senseofthisshit.com.

    💛 Join Our Supporters Club 💛
    Help keep these vital conversations alive—Click Here: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/grief-let-s-make-sense-of-this-sh-t--6352946/support
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    46 m
  • Healing Affirmations for Grief: Positive Statements and Practical Comfort for Recovery

    Healing Affirmations for Grief: Positive Statements and Practical Comfort for Recovery
    Jun 23 2025
    In this episode, we gently explore how affirmations—those simple, compassionate statements—can create a little light on the darkest days of grief. Whether you’re feeling numb, overwhelmed, or just searching for something to hold onto, this episode is a space to rest, reflect, and try something new. Dylan walks alongside you, sharing stories from real people, offering calming science-backed insights, and guiding you through an affirmation practice that’s made for real, messy, unpredictable grief—not perfection. You’ll discover how tiny shifts in self-talk can support your healing journey and why kindness to yourself is never wasted, even if you don’t believe the words at first. You’re invited to bring only yourself and an open mind—no need to have it all together. This conversation is here to meet you exactly where you are.

    Key Takeaways
    • Affirmations offer gentle self-compassion in grief
    • You can use affirmations even when you don’t fully believe them
    • Consistent self-kindness supports your brain’s healing process
    • Affirmations can be simple, private, and personal
    • No right way to practice; all feelings are welcome

    What You’ll Discover
    • The science behind affirmations and grief recovery
    • How to find phrases that genuinely resonate with you
    • Ways real people use affirmations after loss
    • Practical tips for integrating affirmations daily
    • Permission to rest in imperfection and keep going

    Resources Mentioned
    • “Option B” by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant
    • “Healing After Loss” by Martha Whitmore Hickman
    • The Greater Good Science Center (Berkeley)
    • “The Body Keeps the Score” by Bessel van der Kolk
    • Mindfulness Apps: Insight Timer, Headspace

    Next Episode Preview
    Next time, we’ll explore accepting change—finding stability and meaning as life continues to shift after loss. Join me for practical tools and heartfelt support on your ongoing journey.

    📩 Have questions or want to share your story? Reach out at grief@senseofthisshit.com.

    💛 Join Our Supporters Club 💛
    Help keep these vital conversations alive—Click Here: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/grief-let-s-make-sense-of-this-sh-t--6352946/support
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    13 m
  • Moving Forward After Loss: Practical Steps to Rebuild Your Life and Find Hope

    Moving Forward After Loss: Practical Steps to Rebuild Your Life and Find Hope
    Jun 19 2025
    In this episode, we gently explore what it truly means to move forward after loss—not by forgetting or moving on, but by rebuilding a life that honors both grief and hope. Dylan guides you through the realities of grief, dispelling myths about “getting over it,” and offers heartfelt stories alongside practical strategies to help you navigate this difficult journey. Whether you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just beginning to consider what comes next, this episode provides compassionate insights and tools to support you every step of the way.

    Key Takeaways
    • Moving forward is different from moving on and doesn’t erase love or loss
    • Small daily acts can be powerful steps toward healing
    • Guilt around joy and progress is normal but can be eased with self-compassion
    • Building support and community is vital for navigating grief
    • Meaning-making helps integrate memories into your evolving life

    What You’ll Discover
    • How to embrace grief and hope at the same time
    • Practical routines and goals that gently rebuild your days
    • Ways to find and cultivate support during difficult times
    • The importance of self-kindness in your healing journey
    • How to honor memories while opening to new possibilities

    Resources Mentioned
    • “On Grief and Grieving” by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross & David Kessler
    • “Option B” by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant
    • The Grief Recovery Method (griefrecoverymethod.com)
    • Mindfulness meditation apps like Insight Timer and Headspace
    • Local and online grief support groups

    Next Episode Preview
    Next time, we’ll explore “Affirmations for Healing,” sharing simple, nurturing phrases to carry you through tough moments. I hope you’ll join me.

    📩 Have questions or want to share your story? Reach out at grief@senseofthisshit.com.

    💛 Join Our Supporters Club 💛
    Help keep these vital conversations alive—Click Here: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/grief-let-s-make-sense-of-this-sh-t--6352946/support
    Más Menos
    34 m
  • Self-Care for Grief: Practical Tips to Support Your Healing Journey

    Self-Care for Grief: Practical Tips to Support Your Healing Journey
    Jun 16 2025
    In this episode, Dylan gently guides you through the real-life challenges of caring for yourself while grieving. Grief can make even basic self-care feel impossible, and the guilt or resistance that comes with prioritizing your needs is deeply human. This conversation offers both practical tips and compassionate reassurance—reminding you that taking care of yourself is not selfish, but essential. You’ll hear moving stories, learn simple exercises you can try right now, and discover why even the smallest acts of self-kindness can help you survive the hardest days.

    Key Takeaways
    • Self-care is essential for healing during grief
    • Small acts of kindness toward yourself matter
    • Guilt about self-care is a common experience
    • Practical self-care looks different for everyone
    • It’s okay to accept help from others

    What You’ll Discover
    • The impact of grief on your ability to care for yourself
    • How to identify and meet your basic needs
    • Gentle exercises for grounding and relief
    • Why self-care is not a sign of weakness
    • Tips for overcoming resistance to self-care

    Resources Mentioned
    • “The Wild Edge of Sorrow” by Francis Weller
    • “Option B” by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant
    • National Alliance for Grieving Children (childrengrieve.org)
    • “Self-Compassion” by Kristin Neff
    • Grief.com articles and resources

    Next Episode Preview
    Join us next time as we talk about “Moving Forward After Loss”—gentle ways to step into the future, even when it feels daunting. We’ll explore how to honor your loved one while also reclaiming hope and meaning in your life.

    📩 Have questions or want to share your story? Reach out at grief@senseofthisshit.com.

    💛 Join Our Supporters Club 💛
    Help keep these vital conversations alive—Click Here: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/grief-let-s-make-sense-of-this-sh-t--6352946/support
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    14 m
  • How to Grieve a Relationship: Navigating the Loss of Loved Ones and Healing Your Heart

    How to Grieve a Relationship: Navigating the Loss of Loved Ones and Healing Your Heart
    Jun 12 2025
    In this episode, we explore the complex journey of grieving relationships—whether through death, distance, breakup, or estrangement. Losing someone you love is more than missing a person; it’s losing the routines, memories, and sense of self tied to that connection. We dive into the unique pain of relational grief, real-life stories of loss, and the science behind why heartbreak hurts so deeply. You’ll discover gentle, research-backed strategies for processing grief, honoring your feelings, and rebuilding your life with compassion. Whether you’re facing ambiguous loss or the finality of goodbye, this episode offers a heartfelt guide to navigating love and loss.

    Key Takeaways
    • Grief is complex and unique to every relationship
    • Emotional pain can mimic physical pain in the brain
    • Ambiguous loss can be especially confusing and isolating
    • Rituals and storytelling help process grief
    • Healing is non-linear and requires patience and self-compassion

    What You’ll Discover
    • How attachment shapes our grief reactions
    • Stories of different types of relational loss
    • Practical strategies to cope and heal
    • The role of memory and triggers in daily life
    • Ways to rebuild trust and form new connections

    Resources Mentioned
    • “On Grief and Grieving” by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross and David Kessler
    • What’s Your Grief website (whatsyourgrief.com)
    • Grief: Support for Young Adults app
    • Local counseling and support groups

    Next Episode Preview
    Next time, we’ll explore practical self-care tips for navigating grief. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed or stuck, these gentle tools will help you find calm and grounding.

    📩 Have questions or want to share your story? Reach out at grief@senseofthisshit.com.

    💛 Join Our Supporters Club 💛
    Help keep these vital conversations alive—Click Here: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/grief-let-s-make-sense-of-this-sh-t--6352946/support
    Más Menos
    41 m