Feel Free Again with Cole James

Episodes

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  054: Dawn Michele Jackson: Loving a combat veteran: what finally helped 27.10.2026 42m

  In this episode of Feel Free Again, host Cole James sits down with Dawn Michele Jackson — a nurse of nearly 30 years, former VA nurse, and Certified Grief Recovery Specialist who walked into her own training convinced she had no grief to work on. An hour later, she realized she'd been carrying it her whole life.Dawn's story runs from a childhood shaped by addiction in the home, through an early abusive relationship and a divorce, and across nearly three decades of nursing — where the unspoken rule was to stuff the pain and get back to work. She and Cole talk honestly about why grief is about so much more than death, what "it's just part of the job" quietly costs nurses, veterans, and first responders, why you can't numb the hard feelings without numbing the joy, how taking ownership of your own part in a relationship becomes freeing rather than shaming, and what it's meant to be the partner of a combat veteran. Dawn is married to Ed Owens, retired Air Force First Sergeant (four combat tours) and VP of the Grief Recovery Institute. Ed signed them both up for the training about 12 years ago, and Dawn credits these tools with keeping them together.Whether you're a caregiver who's learned to keep going no matter what, or you're carrying a chapter of your story that still feels unfinished, this conversation is a reminder that your future doesn't have to look like your past.🔎 Find a certified Grief Recovery Specialist near you: https://www.griefrecoverymethod.com/find-a-specialist🌐 Learn more about The Grief Recovery Method: https://www.griefrecoverymethod.com🌐 Learn more about Dawn Michele Jackson: https://www.dawnmichelejackson.com🌐Follow Dawn on Substack: https://substack.com/@dawnmichelejackson In this episode:- Why grief is about far more than death- What "it's just part of the job" costs nurses, veterans, and first responders- Why you can't numb the painful feelings without numbing the joyful ones- How taking ownership — even apologizing to an ex — becomes freeing, not shaming- The quiet power of listening without trying to fix- Why the only person you can truly change is yourself- Supporting a combat veteran by holding space instead of fixing#GriefRecovery #FeelFreeAgain #HealingJourney #Caregivers #Nurses #GriefSupport #MilitarySpouse #VeteranFamilies
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  054: The Torn Photograph: Jenn Andreou on Why Corporate America Doesn't Know How to Handle Grief 13.10.2026 51m

  In this episode of Feel Free Again, host Cole James sits down with Jenn Andreou — a 25-year advertising veteran, now an executive coach and certified Grief Recovery Specialist — for an honest conversation about a subject we rarely name: grief at work. Jenn lost her mother to cancer in college, and years later, at 38 weeks pregnant, her son Liam was born stillborn. She did what most of us are told to do — went back to work, kept busy, and waited for time to heal it. For 17 years, it didn't. The shift finally came in a continuing-education workshop, when someone else's grief story brought her to tears. She and Cole talk about why "keep busy" and "time heals" are two of the most damaging myths in grief, the torn photograph that captures how workplaces fail grieving employees, why leaders resist this work hardest yet benefit most, and why healing takes action, not time. Whether you've been telling yourself you're "fine," or you lead a team and want to show up better for people in loss, this conversation will land differently than you expect.Learn more about The Grief Recovery Method: www.griefrecoverymethod.comIn this episode:- Why "keep busy" and "time heals" are two of the most damaging grief myths- The torn photograph — how workplaces fail grieving employees- Why leadership resists this work the hardest, and benefits the most- Bringing grief recovery into a coaching practice- Why the method is a lifelong tool, not a one-and-done program- Why action, not time, is what actually moves grief #GriefRecovery
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  053: Tasha Carroway: Air Force Veteran, EMT, and the Grief No One Saw Coming 29.09.2026 43m

  In this episode of Feel Free Again, host Cole James sits down with Tasha Carroway — a 20-year Air Force veteran, EMT, certified life coach, and Grief Recovery Specialist who has walked through more loss in a single year than most people face in a decade.In the same year she lost her husband of nearly 20 years to cancer, Tasha also lost her grandmother and her stepfather — on top of military retirement, relocation, and a change of churches. Underneath it all was a quieter grief almost no one names: the loss of identity, of who she was and the future she'd planned. She and Cole talk about how grief compounds, why looking "fine" can hide how much you're carrying, how military and first responder culture trains you to suppress, and why the Grief Recovery Method reaches the losses other programs miss.Whether you've looked like you were doing fine when you weren't, or you're wondering who you are after a major loss, Tasha's story is a reminder that both grieving and becoming can be true at once.
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  052: What About Me: Renee Hill Carter on Caring for the Caregiver 15.09.2026 53m

  On this week's episode of the Feel Free Again podcast, Cole sits down with Renee Hill Carter — a minister, author, and advanced certified Grief Recovery Specialist whose story spans the loss of her parents and sister, the sudden death of her pastor, and decades alongside her husband, a Vietnam veteran.For years, Renee cared for grieving people in her church without the right tools. When her congregation lost its leader and chose to "move on," she watched everyone walk around the same unspoken pain, Sunday after Sunday. She knew there had to be a better way.And that's where the landscape opened up."The landscape of grief was so opened to me to realize that grief is not confined to the death of a loved one."In this conversation, Renee and Cole talk about:Why grief is so much broader than death — and what the church tends to missTelling people to forgive without ever telling them howThe hidden grief carried by the spouses and families of veteransCaring for the caregiver, and the heart behind her book What About Me?How relationship completion work can change the way we see the people we love
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  050: What happens when grief recovery actually works? Ask Johanna Stamps — or her six-year-old son. 18.08.2026 1h 1m

  Johanna Stamps is a life coach and certified Grief Recovery Specialist who found her way to this work the hard way: 13 weeks pregnant, her husband left, and she had no roadmap for what came next. So she locked herself in a room, told her family she'd "come out really depressed," and started figuring it out.Fifteen months after certification, she's logged over 300 hours of grief recovery client work — and counting.In this conversation, Cole and Johanna talk about:Why readiness has nothing to do with how long ago the loss happenedHow doing your own grief recovery work deepens your intuition as a specialistWhy worry is "misplaced imagination" — and what clears itThe counter-cultural self-care rhythms that make it possible to show up fully for othersWhat a six-year-old's emotional breakthrough during a movie taught Johanna about why this work mattersFind Johanna at positivedoingcoach.com — she offers a free 30-minute exploration call.
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  049: You've Got to Do the Work: Bishop Joey Johnson on Grief Recovery and Faith 05.08.2026 41m

  Is the Grief Recovery Method safe for someone of deep faith? Bishop Joey Johnson's answer is warm and clear — yes, and you still have to do the work.In this episode of the Feel Free Again podcast, Cole James sits down with Bishop Joey Johnson: a pastor of more than 50 years, a Grief Recovery Specialist since 2002, and someone many call "the father of grief recovery" in eastern Ohio. Bishop Johnson founded the House of the Lord Church in Akron, growing it from four members to over 7,000, and has spent decades bringing the Grief Recovery Method into church life.Together they talk about why repentance is a process and not just an exhortation, why you start grief work with the people in your life rather than with God, the difference between getting out of "solitary confinement" and getting out of "prison," and how grief recovery builds the kind of community a church can't assign.Bishop Johnson's books, Grief: The Biblical Pathway to God (foreword by Russell Friedman) and The God Who Grieves, are available on Amazon. Find a certified Grief Recovery Specialist at griefrecoverymethod.com/find-a-specialist.
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  051: What to Say (and What Not to Say) After Someone Experiences a Loss 26.03.2026 55m

  Have you ever gotten the news that a friend or loved one experienced a devastating loss and felt paralyzed, unsure what to say or terrified of making it worse?In this episode, Cole James and Ed Owens sit down to walk through exactly what to say and what to avoid when someone you care about is grieving. Drawing from nearly 50years of experience at the Grief Recovery Institute and over a million people helped, Cole and Ed break down the common phrases that unintentionally hurt grievers, whyyour role isn't to fix their pain, and the simple, powerful approach that makes you the safest person in someone's life during their hardest moment. This episode is thecompanion to the newly released "What to Say After a Loss" PDF guide, a free resource you can download and share with your family, friends, and community.Whether you've been avoiding that hard conversation or just want to be better at showing up for the people you love, this episode will change the way you think aboutsupporting someone through grief.Download the free PDF guide and share it with someone who needs it. Visit griefrecoverymethod.com to learn more.
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  015: Are Therapists Getting is All WRONG? Psychologist Ashley Mielke, B.A., M.Sc. MFT 28.05.2024 53m

  In this episode of the Feel Free Again podcast, Cole James interviews Ashley Mielke, the founder and CEO of the Grief and Trauma Healing Center. They discuss Ashley's journey with the grief recovery method and how she integrated it into her practice. They also explore the importance of completing the emotional work in relationships and the role of trauma processing in the healing process.   In this conversation, Cole and Ashley discuss the importance of the grief recovery method and its impact on personal and professional growth. Ashley shares her experience as a grief recovery specialist and the transformative power of the method.   They discuss the benefits of completing relationships with past losses and the impact it has on present relationships. They also explore how the grief recovery method can be applied to marriage and family therapy, helping couples navigate shared losses and unresolved issues. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the challenges of emotional communication and the role of grief recovery in parenting.   Connect with Ashley: https://www.griefrecoverymethod.com/about-us/ashley-mielke Website: https://www.healmyheart.ca/ashley-mielke-psychologist-edmonton IG: https://www.instagram.com/griefandtraumahealingcentre/?hl=en FB: https://www.facebook.com/griefandtraumahealingcentre/   Cole James, President of the Grief Recovery Institute, shares about the Power of Grief Recovery! Cole is dedicating his life to help people with grief. Now, grief is much more than just losing someone. Did you know that? You've probably heard of the Five Stages of Grief, right? Well, this goes much deeper than you think. Let me explain. Everyone has some type of grief in their lives, some haven't yet, but it's part of life. We can't escape it, BUT we can work through it. And you don't have to do it alone. Let's talk about it.   For more information visit: https://www.griefrecoverymethod.com/
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  021: I Faced 8 Major Losses in 6 Months — Here’s What Saved Me 08.04.2025 59m

  Welcome to another powerful episode of the Feel Free Again Podcast. In this conversation, host Cole James is joined by grief recovery specialist Casey McBroom, who shares her heart-wrenching yet inspiring story of navigating eight major losses in just six months — including betrayal, health issues, the death of loved ones, and shattered dreams.   Casey opens up about the emotional darkness she faced, how she discovered the Grief Recovery Method, and why she’s now on a mission to help others heal — especially those who feel forgotten, isolated, or stuck. Whether you're struggling with miscarriage, loss of faith, chronic illness, or the quiet griefs we don’t always name (like moving, infertility, or lost identity), this episode offers tools, hope, and healing.   From personal trauma to creating Brave & Co., a healing center in Kansas City, Casey's story proves that it’s never too late to feel free again. Listen in for wisdom, courage, and the reminder that your pain matters — and that healing is possible.   Connect with Casey: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/griefrecoverycasey/ Website: braveandco.com Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@griefrecoverycasey?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
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  020: Is There Life After Loss? What It Means to Carry the Ones You’ve Lost in Your Heart 31.03.2025 45m

  In this powerful episode of Feel Free Again, I sit down with my dear friend and grief recovery pioneer, Arturo Albin, to talk about life, legacy, and what it means to truly heal. Arturo shares his remarkable journey from being an industrial engineer to becoming a leader in emotional healing—bringing the Grief Recovery Method to Mexico and the broader Spanish-speaking world.   Together, we explore the pain of divorce, the loss of a child, and the silent heartbreaks so many carry. Arturo’s courage in facing his grief—and his choice to turn it into a mission to help others—is inspiring and deeply moving. From losing his wife to building something lasting for generations to come, this is a story about redemption, healing, and emotional resilience. We also discuss how grief isn't limited to death. It includes divorce, estrangement, broken dreams—even the loss of a pet. And most importantly, we dive into how grief recovery tools allow us to not only survive, but to love and live fully again. Whether you're heartbroken, curious about healing, or looking to help others, this conversation will leave a lasting imprint on your heart.   More about Arturo: https://www.griefrecoverymethod.com/about-us/arturo-albin Arturo became involved with grief work when he volunteered at his parish to become part of their bereavement team. It was very rewarding, but he was not satisfied. He could listen to the grievers, but he didn’t know how to help them. And then he discovered The Grief Recovery Method and went through extensive training with the Grief Recovery Institute, both in Mexico and in the United States.   At last he could guide people to help them work effectively on their emotional recovery. Arturo was so excited with his new Grief Recovery skills that he left a 30-year career in finance and systems and along with his wife, Alejandra, decided to start the Institute affiliate in Mexico to be able to reach more grievers to help them move beyond their pain.
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  025: What Most Therapists Miss About Grief Recovery 12.05.2025 57m

  Connect with Gwen: https://www.griefrecoverymethod.com/grms/gwen-russo-cherkovets As a grief recovery specialist, trainer, and former speech pathologist, I’ve walked the long road of trying to help others without the right tools. In this episode of the Feel Free Again Podcast, I sit down with Cole James to share the real story of how the Grief Recovery Method transformed both my practice and my life. Before discovering this method, I did everything “right” on paper—offering spiritual counseling, holding space, listening deeply. Yet the clients kept returning with the same unresolved pain. That’s when burnout hit. What I needed was not more compassion—it was completion. Through this powerful method, I found the structure and emotional tools that traditional therapy never gave me. And once I saw what was possible, I couldn’t turn back. ✅ In this candid conversation, Cole and I dive into: ✅ What makes grief recovery radically different from therapy ✅ Why professionals feel ill-equipped to handle grief ✅ How burnout often signals an emotional blockage in your clients ✅ And how a structured method can help them—and you—heal
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  029: Unlocking Emotional Freedom Behind Bars: A Grief Recovery Story 16.06.2025 1h 7m

  I’m Cole James, and on this special episode of the Feel Free Again podcast, I sit down with Amanda Sherlock and Mona Rahimi—two amazing grief recovery specialists—and Pratik “Teek” Bhargava, who’s currently incarcerated at the California Men’s Colony. Teek shares how he discovered that grief isn't just about death—it’s about the everyday losses that accumulate behind bars: lost freedom, broken routines, fractured families, and fading hope. His journey with Amanda and Mona’s work has been nothing short of transformative.   We dive into how Teek and his fellow inmates have embraced the Grief Recovery Method to become “hearts with ears,” learning to listen and hold space for one another in a place that’s often emotionally barren. Teek draws a powerful comparison to AA’s “singleness of purpose”—in this group, survivors aren’t competing or comparing; they’re simply sharing and healing together. He even shares how participants have begun mentoring new cohorts and fostering trust across yard lines.   Amanda and Mona explain how they got permission to bring this work into prisons, describe the powerful ripple effect of grief education, and even celebrate the growing interest among incarcerated men who want access to books and follow-up support. They share that every parole, every transfer, even graduation—these are grief events. This conversation is raw, honest, and uplifting, and it turns the spotlight on a transformative, accessible program that's changing lives behind bars—and beyond.
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  028: Stop Repeating the Past: The Secret to Lasting Emotional Healing 02.06.2025 1h 4m

  In this deeply personal episode of the Feel Free Again podcast, I sit down with Tammy Adams, a compassionate and highly skilled grief recovery specialist who shares powerful insights about the transformative effects of addressing unresolved grief. Tammy's journey—from educator and HR professional to certified grief recovery specialist—deeply resonated with me, especially her candid reflections on overcoming repeated life patterns caused by unprocessed emotional pain. Throughout our conversation, Tammy highlights the profound impact of grief recovery on breaking harmful cycles in relationships, career choices, and personal development. She opened my eyes to the importance of taking full accountability for healing my emotional wounds, which profoundly changed my perspective on both personal and professional levels. This episode truly underscores that unresolved grief isn't just about loss from death, but about a wide spectrum of emotional experiences we all encounter. One of the most impactful moments of our discussion was addressing the universal emotional toll taken by COVID-19, an event Tammy describes as a global grieving experience. Her clear and empathetic approach provided me with valuable tools and insights to process the unique losses we've collectively experienced, from trust and freedom to financial security and interpersonal relationships.
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  033: Challenging Myths About Child Loss & Finding the Right Support 21.07.2025 55m

  In this episode of the Feel Free Again podcast, host Cole James speaks with Kira Pertuit, a certified grief recovery method specialist, about her personal journey through grief after losing her daughter. Kira shares her struggles with traditional grief support and how she discovered the grief recovery method, which helped her heal and transform her life. They discuss the common myths surrounding grief, particularly the belief that time alone heals, and emphasize the importance of taking action to process grief. Kira highlights the possibility of finding joy and fulfillment in life despite the pain of loss, and they explore the emotional complexities of grieving, especially in the context of losing a child. The conversation aims to challenge misconceptions about grief and encourage listeners to seek support and healing. In this conversation, Cole James and Kira Pertuit explore the complexities of grief, the importance of finding the right support systems, and the transformative power of grief recovery methods. They discuss personal experiences with loss, the challenges of navigating grief in community settings, and the impact of unresolved grief on relationships and mental health. Kira shares her work in the Montana Women's Prison, highlighting the effectiveness of grief recovery tools in helping incarcerated women process their grief and find healing. The discussion emphasizes the need for emotional completeness in relationships and the importance of addressing grief in a constructive manner. Connect with Kira: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aspensangelsmt Website: https://www.griefrecoverymethod.com/grms/kira-pertuit   00:00 - Introduction to Grief Recovery 01:03 - Kira's Personal Journey with Grief 03:14 - The Impact of Time on Grief 05:42 - Navigating the Loss of a Child 08:45 - Finding Joy Amidst Grief 10:50 - Understanding Sadness vs. Pain 11:44 - The Process of Grieving 15:54 - Timing in Grief Recovery 18:32 - The Role of Identity in Grief 20:50 - The Balance of Emotions in Grief 22:01 - Challenging Myths About Child Loss 24:52 - Navigating Grief: Finding the Right Support 32:28 - Understanding the Impact of Loss on Relationships 36:25 - Empowering Change: Grief Recovery in Prisons 42:56 - Tools for Emotional Completeness in Daily Life
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  024: I Lost Clients to Overdose - What No One Tells You About Grief & Addiction Recovery 30.04.2025 53m

  As a certified grief recovery specialist, mental health professional, and diversity coach, I’ve spent the last 8 years walking side-by-side with those in addiction recovery—and I’ve learned a truth we don’t talk about enough: Unresolved grief is often the silent root of addiction.   In this episode of the Feel Free Again podcast, Cole James and I explore the deeply emotional link between loss and substance use. We discuss the real-life stories behind recovery, the overlooked pain of caregivers, and why so many of us silently carry grief until it breaks us.   I also share personal experiences, including: ✅ My late father’s 14-year sobriety journey beginning at age 77 ✅ Using food to cope with childhood pain ✅ The moment I almost left this work because of a client’s suicide—and how the grief recovery method helped me heal and return stronger   Whether you are in recovery, love someone who is, or work on the frontlines of grief and trauma, this conversation offers a safe space—and tangible hope.
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  003: The 5 Stages of Grief Debunked? | Cole James and Mike Strick 04.03.2024 55m

  Cole interviews his dear friend Mike Strick. Mike comes to The Grief Recovery Institute having witnessed exceptional outcomes for 15 years leading The Grief Recovery Method® as a Bereavement Coordinator at a hospice from 2007 - 2021. While there, he educated and guided thousands of grievers from all walks of life along their grief journey and led more than 120 Grief Recovery Method® Grief Support Groups. He also took the opportunity to personally use the Grief Recovery Method to work through multiple losses in his own life. Mike was drawn to work with death, dying, grief and loss after a series of his own tranformative spiritual experiences. He takes a holisitic approach to daily life incorporating nature, whole foods, meditation, yoga, exercise, silence, and consciousness exploration in his everyday choices. Connect with Mike: https://www.griefrecoverymethod.com/about-us/mike-strick Cole James, President of the Grief Recovery Institute, shares about the Power of Grief Recovery! Cole is dedicating his life to help people with grief. Now, grief is much more than just losing someone. Did you know that? You've probably heard of the Five Stages of Grief, right? Well, this goes much deeper than you think. Let me explain. Everyone has some type of grief in their lives, some haven't yet, but it's part of life. We can't escape it, BUT we can work through it. And you don't have to do it alone. Let's talk about it. We have trained Grief Recovery Method Specialists, who help heartbroken people, in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, the Middle East, Central America, South America, and North America. The Grief Recovery Method Certification Program is taught and available in multiple languages including: English, Spanish, Swedish, Hungarian, Ukrainian, and Russian. Our home office is in the United States and serves English-speaking nations and populations around the world, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and the Commonwealth Nations. In addition, we have international affiliate offices in Sweden, Australia, Mexico, and Hungary. Our goal is to help as many people as possible, which is why our books have been translated into over 30 languages including: Spanish, French, Dutch, Portuguese, Japanese, Ukrainian, Russian, and many more. Through the Grief Recovery Handbook and translations, interviews on radio and TV, public appearances and talks, web traffic, and various programs we offer, we have reached tens of millions of people with our message of hope and recovery from significant emotional loss. For more information visit: https://www.griefrecoverymethod.com/
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  040: Can You Grieve Someone You’ve Never Met? The Truth About Hidden Grief with Cindy Cipriani 03.11.2025 53m

  Connect with Cindy: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCindyCipriani/ Website: https://www.cindycipriani.com/ Contact: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/cindy-cipriani-sewell-nj/223227 Today’s conversation moved me deeply. I sat down with Cindy Cipriani, an emotional wellness coach and grief recovery specialist, whose story of loss, healing, and redemption is nothing short of powerful. From being excommunicated by her faith community and surviving domestic abuse, to finding new purpose through the Grief Recovery Method, Cindy’s testimony shows how emotional healing is possible — no matter your past. Cindy shares how grief can hide in plain sight — not just through death or divorce, but through lost dreams, childhood beliefs, or even fictional characters who brought comfort during hard times. We explore how to process those emotions instead of carrying them silently for years, and why forgiveness isn’t about condoning pain but releasing it. This episode is for anyone who has ever felt unseen in their grief or unsure where to start healing. You’ll learn about the five C’s of emotional wellness, how to reconnect with who you truly are, and why grief recovery is more than therapy — it’s a path to freedom. If this conversation resonates, please share it with someone who needs hope today.   Chapters: 00:00 – Welcome to the Feel Free Again Podcast 01:03 – Cindy’s Story: From Religious Trauma to Renewal 02:07 – Surviving Loss, Isolation, and a Suicide Attempt 04:13 – The Turning Point: Discovering the Grief Recovery Method 08:00 – Can You Grieve Someone You’ve Never Met? 15:08 – How the Grief Recovery Process Actually Works 21:23 – The Five C’s of Emotional Wellness Explained 33:04 – Rebuilding Identity After Loss and Forgiveness 44:08 – How Grief Recovery Changes Families and Workplaces 49:20 – Where to Find Cindy’s Books & How to Start Your Own Healing Journey
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  047: Retirement as a Grief Event: How to Navigate One of Life’s Most Major Transitions 09.03.2026 59m

  In this episode of the Feel Free Again podcast, grief recovery specialist Joe Dubowski shares his transformative journey from tech professional to marriage and family therapist. After experiencing the unimaginable loss of his daughter in a shooting, Joe turned to grief recovery methods, which not only helped him process his emotions but also led him to dedicate his life to helping others navigate grief. With over 15 years of experience, Joe offers valuable insights into the often overlooked stages of grief and how we can find healing through focused emotional work. During the conversation, Joe reveals how retirement can be a powerful grief event that often goes unaddressed, leaving people with unresolved emotions. He shares his own personal experience in approaching this life transition with the tools of grief recovery, showing how completing emotional work allowed him to retire on his terms, with peace and clarity. This episode is an eye-opening discussion for anyone facing a major life change, whether it be retirement, loss, or other significant life shifts. Tune in as Joe emphasizes the importance of recognizing grief in all aspects of life, even in places where society doesn’t typically acknowledge it. From career changes to personal losses, Joe’s story highlights how grief recovery tools can help individuals complete unfinished emotional business and embrace new chapters in life. If you’re ready to dive deeper into your own grief and learn how to process it effectively, this episode is a must-listen. ⏱️ Chapters: 00:04 - Introduction to Joe Dowski and His Background 02:52 - Joe Reflects on the Loss of His Daughter 06:37 - Transition from Tech to Grief Recovery and Therapy 09:03 - The Impact of Losing a Child and Joe’s Grief Journey 12:11 - How Joe Discovered the Grief Recovery Handbook 15:09 - Joe’s First Experience with the Grief Recovery Method 18:22 - Joe’s Transition into Grief Recovery Work as a Profession 21:48 - Recognizing Grief Beyond the Obvious Losses 25:31 - Joe Talks About Retirement as a Grief Event 28:44 - The Role of Grief in Retirement and Life Transitions 32:15 - How Grief Recovery Tools Helped Joe Complete His Career 36:01 - The Importance of Getting Complete with Past Grief 49:21 - Final Thoughts on Grief, Transition, and the Power of Emotional Healing About the Host: Cole James, President of the Grief Recovery Institute, shares about the Power of Grief Recovery! Cole is dedicating his life to help people with grief. Now, grief is much more than just losing someone. Did you know that? You've probably heard of the Five Stages of Grief, right? Well, this goes much deeper than you think. Let me explain. Everyone has some type of grief in their lives, some haven't yet, but it's part of life. We can't escape it, BUT we can work through it. And you don't have to do it alone. Let's talk about it. We have trained Grief Recovery Method Specialists, who help heartbroken people, in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, the Middle East, Central America, South America, and North America. The Grief Recovery Method Certification Program is taught and available in multiple languages including: English, Spanish, Swedish, Hungarian, Ukrainian, and Russian. Our home office is in the United States and serves English-speaking nations and populations around the world, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and the Commonwealth Nations. In addition, we have international affiliate offices in Sweden, Australia, Mexico, and Hungary. Our goal is to help as many people as possible, which is why our books have been translated into over 30 languages including: Spanish, French, Dutch, Portuguese, Japanese, Ukrainian, Russian, and many more. For more information visit: https://www.griefrecoverymethod.com/ 
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  043: Why “Time Heals” Is a Lie: The 2 Ways We Handle Grief (And Why One Keeps You Stuck) feat. Kelli Sheumaker 12.01.2026 49m

  Many of us were taught to handle grief in one of two ways: ignore it and hope it fades, or simply "be strong" and move on. But if I'm being honest, that approach doesn't heal—it just buries the pain. In this episode, Part 2 with grief recovery specialist Kelli Sheumaker, we dive into the complexities of grief and the different ways people cope with loss. We explore the importance of acknowledging grief rather than pushing it aside, the ripple effects of unresolved grief on relationships and physical health, and the transformative power of the grief recovery method. This conversation highlights that healing requires action and that grief recovery is an ongoing journey—not just about processing loss but about rediscovering joy and connection. We go beyond the typical association of grief with death. We discuss grief in living relationships—marriage, parenting, friendships—and the challenging dynamics where the relationship continues, but the pain endures. We also examine how unspoken expectations lead to disappointment, how unresolved grief can distort our memories of a person, and why getting accurate about a relationship—the good, the bad, and the unfinished—can restore clarity and empower us to make informed choices. And yes, we talk about the body. Not as a guilt trip or a simple "grief causes everything," but as an invitation to consider the impact of years of unprocessed emotional pain on your nervous system, sleep, health, and how you show up for the people you love. If you've ever thought, “I should be over this by now,” this conversation is for you. ⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 — Welcome + What Feel Free Again Is About 01:50 — The Two Paths: Avoiding Grief vs Healing It 04:51 — Getting Unstuck: Safe Space + Tools That Actually Work 09:53 — The Relationship Graph: How Grief Distorts Memory (and How to Get Accurate) 16:51 — Expectations = Planned Disappointments (Marriage + Living Relationships) 21:34 — The Ripple Effect: How Unresolved Grief Impacts Everyone Around You 26:59 — Grief in the Body: Sleep, Pain, Autoimmune, and Physical Symptoms 35:50 — Chronic Illness Grief: Mourning the Life You Expected 40:58 — Core Work First, Then Day-to-Day Maintenance Tools 46:08 — How to Work With Kelli + Final Takeaways + Closing Connect with Kelli: Website 1: www.renewedhopegriefrecovery.com Website 2: https://www.griefrecoverymethod.com/grms/kelli-sheumaker Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/renewedhopegriefrecovery/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renewedhopegriefrecovery YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@renewedhopegriefrecovery Cole James, President of the Grief Recovery Institute, shares about the Power of Grief Recovery! Cole is dedicating his life to help people with grief. Now, grief is much more than just losing someone. Did you know that? You've probably heard of the Five Stages of Grief, right? Well, this goes much deeper than you think. Let me explain. Everyone has some type of grief in their lives, some haven't yet, but it's part of life. We can't escape it, BUT we can work through it. And you don't have to do it alone. Let's talk about it. We have trained Grief Recovery Method Specialists, who help heartbroken people, in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, the Middle East, Central America, South America, and North America. The Grief Recovery Method Certification Program is taught and available in multiple languages including: English, Spanish, Swedish, Hungarian, Ukrainian, and Russian. Our home office is in the United States and serves English-speaking nations and populations around the world, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and the Commonwealth Nations. In addition, we have international affiliate offices in Sweden, Australia, Mexico, and Hungary. Our goal is to help as many people as possible, which is why our books have been translated into over 30 languages including: Spanish, French, Dutch, Portuguese, Japanese, Ukrainian, Russian, and many more. For more information visit: https://www.griefrecoverymethod.com/ #mentalhealth #grief #depression #sad
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  022: What Japan Taught Us About Grief // Why No One Talks About Grief in Japan – Until Now 16.04.2025 53m

  In this episode of the Feel Free Again podcast, host Cole James speaks with Wakaba Nakamura-Taitano, president of What Recovery Incorporated, about her journey into grief recovery, the cultural nuances of grieving in Japan, and the importance of professional training in grief recovery methods. Wakaba shares her personal experiences with grief, the challenges of addressing emotions in a culture that values harmony, and the strategies she employs to help others navigate their grief.   The conversation highlights the universal nature of grief while acknowledging the unique cultural contexts that shape how individuals process loss. In this conversation, Wakaba Taitano and Cole James discuss the importance of grief recovery, the need for more specialists in the field, and the unique challenges faced in Japan regarding emotional expression.   They explore how the Grief Recovery Method can empower individuals, particularly women, to help others while also addressing their own grief. The discussion highlights the cultural differences in approaching grief, the significance of building trust in online settings, and the transformative experiences of individuals who have engaged with the method. The conversation concludes with an invitation for listeners to connect with Wakaba's organization and the work being done in Japan.   Website: https://hypnofertility.com/wakaba-nakamura-taitano/