Feel Free Again with Cole James

Family estrangement is becoming increasingly common in the United States, with nearly one in four Americans now estranged from at least one close family member. In this episode of the Feel Free Again Podcast, I sit down with grief recovery specialist Victoria to have a deeply honest, nuanced conversation about why family estrangement happens, when it may be necessary, and when it may actually be causing more harm than healing. We talk about unresolved grief, emotional pain, mismatched values, expectations, boundaries, forgiveness, and the cultural shifts that have changed how families relate to one another. I share what I’ve seen after working with hundreds of people in grief recovery — adult children, parents, siblings — all heartbroken, often good people on both sides of the estrangement. We explore how unfinished emotional business, misunderstood boundaries, and unspoken expectations can quietly dismantle relationships, sometimes without either side fully understanding why. This conversation is not about shaming anyone for choosing distance. It’s about clarity, emotional responsibility, and reclaiming your agency. Grief recovery offers tools to help you assess whether estrangement is protecting you — or whether unresolved pain is driving decisions that don’t align with who you truly are. If you’re navigating family conflict, estrangement, forgiveness, or emotional healing, this episode will challenge you to slow down, reflect, and consider a different path forward. ⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 — Why Family Estrangement Is Rising 05:12 — Cultural Shifts and the Breakdown of Family Systems 09:47 — Expectations, Boundaries, and Planned Disappointments 14:01 — The Danger of Acting on Incomplete Emotional Pain 18:48 — Taking 1% Responsibility and Reclaiming Power 23:32 — Why Forgiveness Isn’t Weakness 28:23 — When Boundaries Become Emotional Walls 33:56 — The Grief of Parents Estranged From Adult Children 39:46 — Love, Acceptance, and Letting Others Choose 45:12 — How Grief Recovery Helps Heal or Clarify Estrangement 47:12 — Detoxing From Collective Drama Before Family Gatherings 50:47 — Teaching Kids Responsibility for Their Own Feelings 53:26 — Grieving the Child Who Is Growing Up 1:00:55 — How to Know If Estrangement Was the Right Choice Connect with Victoria: Website: https://theunleashedheart.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriavolk/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theunleashedheartllc/ GRM Website: https://www.griefrecoverymethod.com/grms/victoria-volk 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/

In this episode of the Feel Free Again Podcast, I sit down with healing and empowerment coach Jorge Ruiz to talk about something men desperately need, but rarely reach for: grief recovery. We dig into why men often avoid emotional healing, why “I’m fine” becomes a lifestyle, and how unprocessed loss doesn’t just hurt your feelings, it quietly anchors your identity to your past and shapes how you react in the present and fear the future. Jorge shares powerful stories from working with foster youth, people coming out of prison, and men who’ve learned to survive by numbing instead of processing. We talk identity labels like “addict” or “prisoner,” and how the Grief Recovery Method can help you finally separate who you are from what happened to you. We also go deep on men’s isolation, the suicide reality, and the warrior/protector paradox: real strength isn’t pretending you feel nothing—it’s learning how to feel without being ruled by it. If you’ve ever felt stuck, reactive, ashamed, disconnected, or like peace always sits just one achievement away… this conversation is for you. I also share how grief recovery impacts marriage and fatherhood, and Jorge breaks down his FOCUS framework (Faith Overcomes Challenges Unleashes Success) plus why none of this works well until the heart gets healed first. If you know a man who needs this, please share it. It might be the conversation that helps him finally start healing. ⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 — Why Feeling “Stuck” Happens to Strong People 05:54 — Meet Ezra Stanton: The Cost of Staying in Quicksand 11:48 — The Hidden Patterns That Keep Men Stalled 17:42 — How to Tell If You’re Numb vs. Actually “Okay” 23:36 — The Moment You Realize It’s Not Just Stress 29:30 — The Lie of Self-Sufficiency (And Why It Backfires) 35:24 — Naming the Real Problem Without Shame 41:18 — The Inner Story Driving Your Outer Life 47:12 — Why Willpower Fails (Even for Disciplined Men) 53:06 — Rebuilding Clarity When You Can’t Trust Your Feelings 59:00 — The Emotional Weight You Didn’t Know You Were Carrying 01:04:54 — What Healing Actually Looks Like in Real Life 01:10:48 — Breaking the Cycle: Triggers, Reactions, and Repair 01:16:42 — Identity: Who You Become After Loss and Change 01:22:36 — Relationships Under Pressure: How Men Pull Away 01:28:30 — The Turning Point: Doing the Work That Works 01:34:24 — Practical Tools to Get Unstuck This Week 01:40:18 — What Freedom Feels Like (And Why It’s Quiet at First) 01:46:12 — The Long Game: Staying Free, Not Just Getting Free 01:52:08 — Final Charge: The Next Step for Men Ready to Move Connect With Jorge: Email: jorgeruiz@focusimaginelife.com Website: https://www.griefrecoverymethod.com/grms/jorge-ruiz 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/

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

In today’s episode of the Feel Free Again Podcast, I’m joined again by Tammy Adams. This is her second time on the show, and I’m grateful we get to keep building on the ground we covered last time. In this conversation, we’re diving into something that’s breaking hearts everywhere: how we’ve forgotten how to love each other through differences, and how families are getting fractured, ghosted, and cut off over “outside topics” that were never supposed to cost us our relationships. We talk about how belief systems form early, why certain phrases can trigger massive reactions, and the powerful shift from “You made me feel” to “When you said/did ___, I felt ___.” Tammy brings her early childhood education background into the conversation, and we connect the dots between nervous system overwhelm, social media saturation, unresolved grief, and why so many people live in defense mode. We also get real about how unresolved emotions often show up as anger, especially for men and what it looks like to do the inner work that gives you your peace (and your relationships) back. If you’re a Grief Recovery Specialist (or considering the work), we also speak directly to the importance of creating safety and staying anchored in the mission: helping broken hearts heal without bringing our personal “rightness” into the room. If this episode helps you, please share it, subscribe, and leave a review so more people can find these tools and find their way back to connection. ⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 - Tammy Adams Returns: A Deeper Conversation on Healing Relationships 01:35 - The Divide Is Breaking Families (And We Need Better Tools) 05:20 - How Childhood Beliefs Get Wired and Become Adult Triggers 10:55 - “You Made Me Feel” vs “I Felt”: The Language That Restores Power 14:40 - Social Media, iPads, and Why Beliefs Form Earlier Than We Think 17:50 - The “One-Hour Debate” Rule: Staying Family While Disagreeing 22:55 - You’re Not a Wind-Up Toy: Owning Your Emotional Responses 27:45 - When Unresolved Grief Shows Up as Anger (Tammy’s Real Story) 37:50 - People-Pleasing, Control, and Trauma Responses in Conflict 40:14 - Why Constant Global News Keeps Us Triggered and Divided 52:45 - Message to Specialists: Create Safety, Stay in Your Lane, Help the Heart Heal 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

Connect with Victoria Volk: Website: www.theunleashedheart.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/theunleashedheart   As the host of the Feel Free Again Podcast, I’ve had the privilege of hearing countless stories of loss and restoration — but few moved me like my conversation with Victoria Volk, a grief recovery specialist and mother of three from rural North Dakota. In this episode, we explore what it really means to confront decades of buried pain and how doing so can restore connection, compassion, and freedom. Victoria opens up about losing her father at age 8, enduring abuse, and spending 30 years trying to outrun grief through achievement, distraction, and numbing. Her breaking point led her to the Grief Recovery Method, which completely changed her life — and even saved her relationship with her mother. She shares how healing her heart didn’t require others to change, but instead invited empathy, forgiveness, and peace that rippled through her entire family. We also talk about how grief recovery helps parents and children communicate more openly, why boundaries create safety, and what happens when anger is finally understood instead of suppressed. If you’ve ever lost someone, faced trauma, or felt emotionally stuck, this episode will remind you that you can’t heal what you won’t feel — and that freedom is closer than you think.   ⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 – Intro & Welcome to the Feel Free Again Podcast 01:05 – Meet Victoria Volk: Finding Grief Recovery After 30 Years 04:56 – The Midlife Unraveling: Identity, Motherhood & Burnout 06:50 – Discovering the Grief Recovery Method & Choosing Healing 10:05 – Why You Can’t Heal Alone: The Power of Safe Spaces 16:42 – Healing the Relationship with Her Mother Through Compassion 23:04 – Boundaries, Body Awareness & Feeling Safe Again 31:02 – Teaching Kids Emotional Honesty & Healthy Anger 45:00 – Victoria’s Son’s Accident: How Grief Tools Saved Their Family 1:00:07 – Grief Is Everywhere: Why the World Needs This Work

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

In this episode of the Feel Free Again Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Andrea Szegedi, a medical doctor, grief recovery specialist, and founder of a clinic in Budapest, Hungary. Andrea’s story is both heartbreaking and deeply inspiring — after losing her third son, she began searching for answers that science, logic, and faith alone couldn’t provide. What she discovered was that grief isn’t just emotional — it’s cellular. It lives in the body, and true recovery means reconnecting the mind, body, and heart. Connect with Dr. Szegedi: https://www.griefrecoverymethod.com/grms/andrea-szegedi-md Throughout our conversation, Dr. Andrea Szegedi shares how the Grief Recovery Method gave her stability in the chaos of loss, helping her rebuild her life from the inside out. She opens up about how grief physically affected her body, why expression is the opposite of depression, and how movement, music, and writing became sacred tools for healing. From crawling on the floor to completing two half-marathons, her journey is proof that emotional recovery leads to physical restoration. We also talk about the missing education around grief, how children naturally process loss, and why modern medicine must integrate emotional healing with physical care. Andrea now uses her platform to help parents, cancer patients, and grievers around the world find peace, laughter, and hope again. Whether you’re grieving a loved one, your health, or simply trying to understand your emotions — this conversation will help you reconnect with the part of yourself that still believes in wholeness. Chapters: 00:00 – Welcome & Introduction to Dr. Andrea Szegedi 03:00 – Losing a Child and the Birth of a Calling 06:00 – Why Logic and Faith Aren’t Enough to Heal Grief 10:00 – Understanding Grief as an Emotional Process 13:00 – The Pyramid of Grief and Finding Stability 17:00 – How Movement, Crying, and Singing Healed Her Body 23:00 – Laughter and Light Returning After Loss 31:00 – Teaching Children to Process Grief Naturally 40:00 – Integrating Medicine and Grief Recovery in Healthcare 55:00 – The Biology of Trauma and Path to Wholeness

Welcome back to the Feel Free Again Podcast! In today’s episode, I’m joined by grief recovery specialist Michele Mariscal, who brings over 8 years of experience helping people process grief through the Grief Recovery Method. We dive deep into her unique journey—from molecular biology to esoteric philosophy—and how these experiences shaped her approach to grief and healing. Michelle shares how her personal grief journey inspired her to become certified in grief recovery and how she uses powerful tools like HeartMath to help people heal from emotional trauma in both personal and workplace settings. Connect with Michele: https://energym.org/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelemariscal-phdgrief/ https://www.facebook.com/michele.mariscal/ https://www.amazon.com/GROWING-THROUGH-GRIEF-Alchemy-Healing/dp/1791800246/ref=sr_1_1?sr=8-1 Grief is often misunderstood, and we’re shedding light on its far-reaching impacts—especially in the workplace. Employers and coworkers often fail to recognize the daily grief events that impact productivity, mental health, and relationships. Michelle shares how grief recovery can support employees in overcoming unresolved grief, helping them process not only personal loss but also unspoken disappointments, broken relationships, and unmet expectations. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to understand grief beyond the obvious and learn about the transformative tools that can change the way we communicate and heal, whether in our personal lives or at work. Tune in as we explore the often-overlooked concept of "emotional maintenance," how unresolved grief impacts workplace dynamics, and why it’s crucial for employers to integrate grief recovery into their employee wellness programs. Whether you’ve experienced personal loss or are navigating unresolved emotions in your workplace, this episode offers valuable insights on how to heal and move forward. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to the Episode 00:06 - Michelle Mariscol’s Background and Grief Recovery Work 01:50 - From Molecular Biology to Esoteric Philosophy 03:43 - Michelle’s Personal Grief Journey and the Catalyst for Certification 06:01 - Finding the Grief Recovery Method in 2017 08:25 - The Power of the Grief Recovery Method as a "Template" 10:36 - The First Steps in Michelle's Grief Recovery Practice 12:57 - Grief in the Workplace: A Hidden Epidemic 15:23 - The Importance of Emotional and Mental Health for Employees 17:50 - How Grief Recovery Can Prevent Workplace Conflict 21:15 - Addressing Unmet Expectations and Grief in Career Development 23:33 - Understanding “Emotional Maintenance” in the Workplace 27:00 - How Grief Recovery Tools Strengthen Employee Relationships 31:12 - The Role of Grief Recovery in Post-Trauma Communities 34:02 - HeartMath and Grief Recovery: A Powerful Combination 38:21 - Wrapping Up and Michelle’s Final Thoughts on Grief 41:09 - Where to Find Michelle and Connect with Her Services 44:00 - Conclusion and Call to Action: Share This Episode

In this episode of the Feel Free Again podcast, host Cole James interviews Sandy Wheeler, a Vietnam veteran and creator of the Life's Final Thoughts app. The conversation explores the importance of emotional communication, especially in the context of grief and loss. Sandy shares his personal experiences with PTSD and the impact of unresolved grief, particularly in military settings. The app aims to help individuals record video messages for their loved ones, preserving their voices and messages for future generations. The discussion emphasizes the need for emotional debriefing, the role of family in healing, and the significance of leaving a legacy through meaningful communication. Connect with Sandy: https://www.lifesthoughts.com Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to Sandy Wheeler and His Mission 06:12 -Sandy's Journey Through Grief and PTSD 12:24 - The Impact of Technology on Grief Recovery 18:03 - Creating Lasting Memories Through Video Messages 23:51 - The Importance of Emotional Communication 29:51 - Collaborative Efforts in Grief Recovery 35:42 - Technical Difficulties and Transition 36:56 - The Military's Grief Recovery Challenges 40:26 - The Impact of Grief on Individuals 42:34 - Communication and Emotional Intelligence 44:56 - Understanding the Warrior's Experience 48:45 - The Power of Personal Videos 51:32 - Navigating Estranged Relationships 55:12 - Final Thoughts on Love and Legacy

In this powerful episode of the Feel Free Again podcast, I chat with Amy Diane Ross, a Grief Recovery Method Specialist and Bible teacher, about her transformative journey through grief and healing. Amy's story is deeply personal – she started this work as a way to help others but ended up healing her own heart in ways she never anticipated. From dealing with childhood trauma to navigating complex relationships, she found profound freedom through the Grief Recovery Method. Her experience proves that emotional healing is not just about overcoming loss, but about learning how to process grief to live fully in the present. Amy's passion for emotional wellness within the Christian community is contagious. She discusses the importance of offering healing tools in church settings and how they can help create healthier, more compassionate congregations. With years of ministry and outreach work, Amy shows us that meeting people where they are emotionally – without judgment – is key to real transformation. Whether you are dealing with grief from personal loss or church hurt, Amy shares how these methods can help you find peace and forgiveness. If you're struggling with emotional pain or unfinished grief, this conversation is a must-listen. Amy’s approach emphasizes the power of self-disclosure, vulnerability, and using grief recovery tools to create lasting healing in our lives and communities. Tune in and discover how grief recovery can restore your emotional health, strengthen your relationships, and deepen your faith journey. Connect with Amy: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amydianeross/ Website: https://www.bethechurchministry.com/   Timestamps with Titles: 00:00 - Introduction to Amy Diane Ross and Her Journey Cole and Amy dive into her background and the work she does with Grief Recovery. 02:10 - How Amy Found the Grief Recovery Method Amy shares the emotional journey that led her to discover grief recovery, after losing her father. 04:40 - The Power of a Listening Heart: Amy’s Personal Healing Experience Amy describes the transformative impact of being truly heard during her grief recovery process. 07:10 - Grief Recovery in Christian Communities: A Missing Link Why this method is essential in helping the Christian community heal from emotional pain. 09:40 - The Importance of Emotional Healing in Churches Amy explains why churches need tools like grief recovery to help people emotionally process loss. 13:00 - Church Hurt and Unresolved Grief: How It Affects Congregations Exploring how grief and pain are often overlooked in church communities and the damage that can cause. 16:20 - How Grief Recovery Builds Trust and Vulnerability in Relationships The crucial role that emotional openness plays in building deeper, authentic relationships. 19:00 - Emotional Health for Pastors: Why They Need Grief Recovery Too Amy discusses the importance of pastors and leaders undergoing grief recovery to avoid burnout. 22:30 - Why Grief Recovery Should Be the First Step in Discipleship The benefits of starting with grief recovery before diving into Bible-based counseling. 30:00 - Practical Tools for Dealing with Grief and Trauma Amy talks about how the grief recovery tools provide a systematic approach to healing emotional pain.

When I sat down with Caelyn Caulfield, I knew this conversation would hit home for so many coaches, parents, and athletes. As a varsity basketball head coach and future school counselor, she’s bringing the grief recovery tools she’s learned into the gym, the classroom, and her everyday life with students. What stood out most to me is how intentional she is about giving her team space to process emotions—not just run plays. Too often, coaches and parents expect kids to "shake it off" or hide their feelings when they miss a shot, lose a game, or face personal struggles. But as Caelyn shared, those unresolved emotions don’t disappear—they follow kids into the next practice, the classroom, and even into adulthood. By creating weekly team meetings that focus on themes like trust, she’s building stronger athletes and healthier young women who know it’s okay to feel and process life as it comes. This episode is a call to action for every coach, teacher, and parent: emotions aren’t a distraction from the game—they’re the foundation of growth. Whether you’re on the field, in the dugout, or at home cheering in the stands, we all have a responsibility to model emotional health for the next generation. I think you’ll walk away from this conversation inspired to lead with more compassion and intentionality—on and off the court.   Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to Unresolved Emotions 01:39 - Caelyn Caulfield's Journey to Certification 04:09 - Applying Emotional Tools in Coaching 08:23 - Creating a Safe Space for Emotions 12:24 - The Importance of Vulnerability in Sports 16:11 - Building Trust and Team Dynamics 20:34 - The Work Behind Emotional Coaching 24:37 - Navigating Change and Grief in Teams 33:19 - Navigating Emotions in Youth Sports 36:09 - Building Relationships and Accountability 39:28 - Understanding Grief in Young Athletes 43:41 - The Impact of Unfinished Business on Coaching 48:05 - Connecting with Students in Detention 54:40 - Emotional Engagement in Coaching and Life   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/  

In this episode of the Feel Free Again podcast, host Cole James engages in a heartfelt conversation with Laylani Colibri, formerly known as Laura Jack. Leilani shares her transformative journey through grief after the sudden loss of her mother, which catalyzed her path towards becoming a grief recovery specialist. Connect with Laylani: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laylanicolibri/ Websites: https://linktr.ee/lsjack?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=9687c4e6-236c-4337-b8f0-a8786de1ffa9 She discusses her discovery of the Grief Recovery Method, her experiences in training, and the evolution of grief recovery training into the digital age. The conversation also delves into Laylani's courageous decision to change her name and live authentically, emphasizing the importance of making personal choices that align with one's true self. Throughout the episode, Laylani's passion for helping others navigate their grief and find healing shines through, making for an inspiring and insightful discussion. In this conversation, Laylani Colibri shares her journey of navigating parental expectations, the impact of grief on her identity, and the importance of self-acceptance. She discusses how her mother's death influenced her relationship with her father and her struggle with people-pleasing. The dialogue explores the nuances of emotional responsibility in relationships and the significance of compassionate communication. Laylani introduces her book, The Compassion Code, which aims to help individuals support others through their challenges while also taking care of themselves.   Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Laylani Colibri 02:10 - Laylani Colibri's Journey Through Grief 09:36 - Discovering the Grief Recovery Method 12:21- Becoming a Grief Recovery Specialist 19:10 - The Evolution of Grief Recovery Training 25:10 -Living Authentically: Laylani Colibri's Name Change 28:11 - Empowering Others Through Personal Choices 28:50 - Navigating Parental Expectations and Personal Freedom 31:14 - The Impact of Grief on Identity and Relationships 35:18 - The Journey of Self-Acceptance and Loving Choices 39:58 - Understanding Emotional Responsibility in Relationships 53:11 - The Compassion Code: Bridging Grief and Compassionate Communication    

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

In this heartfelt episode, Cole James interviews Deborah Brown, founder of GIFTS (Grief Information for Teachers and Services), a UK-based initiative focused on supporting children through grief using the Grief Recovery Method. Deborah shares her deeply personal journey through grief, beginning with the death of her mother in 2013 and then her sister in 2016. Both losses were profound and compounded by the pressure to “stay strong” for her children, which led Deborah to suppress her own emotions and carry the weight of unprocessed grief. Her turning point came after a colleague gently encouraged her to seek support, helping her realize that staying busy wasn't healing. That moment prompted her to explore resources, though she struggled to find a grief tool that actually helped—until she encountered the Grief Recovery Method. Deborah later became a certified specialist and began teaching the Helping Children with Loss course to educators, health professionals, clergy, and others who work with children. Through her experiences, Deborah recognized that unresolved grief in children is often overlooked—especially when it comes to losses like divorce, terminal illness in the family, or even the death of a pet. In response, she developed the Lessons in Loss journal series to give kids a safe outlet to process emotions. These include guides for specific events such as losing a parent, suicide, imprisonment of a loved one, and more. Each journal is paired with an adult support guide to equip parents, teachers, and caregivers with practical tools to engage with grieving children. The episode emphasizes the urgent need for adults to do their own grief work so they can model healthy emotional processing for children. As Cole notes, “We can't help kids grieve well if we haven't done it ourselves.” Both he and Deborah challenge leaders and parents to be courageous in facing their own pain—because dysregulated adults can’t support dysregulated children. Deborah ends by encouraging listeners to reflect on what might be holding them back from healing and to take action. Her final words: “You need to be able to complete with that… Put yourself first, and don’t take anything except the absolute best for you.” Connect with Deborah: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Mrs-Deborah-Jane-Brown/author/B0CCZW3KTZ?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=d7124efd-a0c2-4833-a155-a528ab5481a8   Timestamps: 00:00 – From Grief to Purpose: Deborah’s Story Begins 03:35 – The Loss That Changed Everything 06:45 – A Second Blow: Losing Her Sister Too Soon 10:01 – When Staying Busy Becomes a Mask 13:45 – Anger, Denial, and the Misuse of Grief Stages 17:05 – Grieving Children Are Everywhere—and Often Missed 22:00 – The Power of the Grief Recovery Method 25:41 – Teaching Teachers to Heal: The HCWL Course 29:25 – Why We Must Equip Adults Before We Can Heal Children 33:50 – Lessons in Loss: Journals That Give Kids a Voice

In this episode of the Feel Free Again podcast, Cole James interviews Dr. Emőke Sarungi, a psychiatrist and the leader of the Grief Recovery Institute in Hungary. They discuss Dr. Emőke personal journey with grief, the establishment of the Grief Recovery Institute, and the importance of addressing grief in living relationships. Dr. Emőke shares her experiences with college students and how the grief recovery method has transformed her life and the lives of others. The conversation emphasizes the significance of emotional communication and creating a supportive community for grievers. In this conversation, Cole James and Dr. Emőke Sarungi explore the profound impact of relationships on emotional health, the journey of navigating cancer, and the importance of grief recovery. Dr. Emőke shares her personal experiences with cancer and how the grief recovery method has helped her cope with her emotions and maintain connections with loved ones. Connect with Dr. Emőke Sarungi:https://sarungi.hu/index.php/bemutatkozas/ The Grief Recovery Method® originated in the USA in the 1970s from the Grief Recovery Institute founded and led by John W. James and Russell Friedman. Since then, centers that use the method and train grief recovery method specialists have been established and are operating in several countries and in Hungary. Under the leadership of Andrea Herke Dahlgren, a grief recovery method specialist trained in Sweden and Los Angeles, the method has been taught in Hungary since 2009 at the Grief Recovery Method® Hungary center, both in groups and individually, to help grieving people and people who have experienced a variety of emotional losses (divorce, breakup, job loss, loss of trust, moving, etc.). Based on the feedback from hundreds of participants so far and the results of the research conducted at the center so far, the self-help method can be effective in processing a variety of emotional losses and in preventing physical and mental health damage caused by unprocessed grief. The professional director of the center since 2012 is Dr. Emőke Sarungi, an adult and child psychiatrist, group analytical psychotherapist, and Grief Recovery Method® Trainer. She completed the Grief Recovery Specialist training at the Grief Recovery Institute in Los Angeles/Sherman Oaks in 2011 and 2015 with Russell Friedman, one of the developers of the method and the author of the book. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to Grief Recovery and Its Importance 02:14 - Emőke's Journey to the Grief Recovery Method 06:01 - Establishing the Grief Recovery Institute in Hungary 09:36 - Engaging College Students with Grief Recovery 13:27 - Personal Grief: Emőke's Experience with Her Father's Passing 18:33 - The Impact of Grief Recovery on Living Relationships 22:46 - Creating a Supportive Community for Grievers 25:54 - Navigating Grief in Different Contexts 29:32 - The Importance of Grief Recovery Before Losses Occur 32:30 - The Importance of Relationships 35:08 - Navigating Cancer and Emotional Recovery 41:01 - Grief and the Body: A Personal Journey 44:43 - The Impact of Grief on Health 48:08 - Growing the Grief Recovery Method in Europe 53:23 - Empowering Future Helpers  

Cole James welcomes husband and wife duo Alfonzo and Gwendolyn Jones to share their powerful transformation story through the Grief Recovery Method. Gwendolyn first discovered the method during a personal season of feeling lost and purposeless. After reading The Grief Recovery Handbook on the recommendation of her pastor, she got certified and experienced a profound emotional breakthrough. Her personal transformation inspired Alfonzo to get certified as well—even though he originally didn’t think he “needed” it.   Together, they used the tools not just individually, but to heal their marriage—most notably by completing “relationship graphs” and grief letters for each other, which unearthed years of unresolved pain and brought deep emotional healing. They describe how grief recovery shifted their communication from surface-level and combative to emotionally honest and heart-centered, using tools like active listening, emotional paraphrasing, and intentional vulnerability.   As parents, the method helped them radically change how they connect with their children. They started creating safe, open environments where feelings were heard and validated—replacing harmful “be strong” messaging with empathy and emotional tools. Gwendolyn shares how she had to re-learn affection with her daughter, and Alfonzo highlights how seeing grief as 100% real for each person—even if it's just a lost crayon—changed how he parented.   The couple now integrates these tools into leadership coaching and everyday life, encouraging others to do the personal work that leads to relational healing and generational change. They emphasize that grief is not limited to death or divorce but includes losses of identity, safety, trust, and more. Their closing message: doing this work personally is essential before we can lead, parent, or love well.   Where to find them: Gwendolyn: GwendolynJJones.com Alfonzo: TrifectaPrime.com

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.

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.

In this episode of the Feel Free Again Podcast, I sit down with Brian Magee, an accomplished grief recovery specialist and former funeral director from Alberta, Canada. Brian shares openly about his journey—from facing significant personal losses to discovering the profound impact of the Grief Recovery Method. Together, we delve deeply into how grief manifests beyond death, exploring its wide-ranging impact on life's significant changes and transitions. Our conversation also highlights Brian’s innovative approach to integrating grief recovery support within the funeral home setting. We discuss the challenges faced by funeral directors and the hesitations many funeral homes have around adopting new grief support programs. Brian provides invaluable insights into how effective aftercare not only meets a crucial emotional need in the community but also greatly enhances the reputation and relational bonds of the funeral home within its community. We further address common misconceptions around grief, critically examining the well-known five stages of grief proposed by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, and discuss why a practical, emotionally-driven method often surpasses intellectual approaches in truly helping people heal. This episode emphasizes a clear message: unresolved grief requires active emotional processing, and Brian’s insights offer powerful guidance on how to achieve emotional completion and healing.

Connect with Tammy: https://www.griefrecoverymethod.com/grms/tammy-fleming In this episode of the Feel Free Again Podcast, I sit down with the remarkable Tammy Flemming, a woman whose life story spans continents, careers, and profound emotional revelations. Trained at the highest level with the Grief Recovery Institute, Tammy unpacks the decades of emotional baggage she carried—and the transformative power of finally facing it. We explore her journey from Ivy League dropout to full-time missionary, and how unresolved grief silently shaped her relationships—especially with her daughter. Through the Grief Recovery Method, Tammy unearthed the real source of her pain: not just death, but decades of emotional avoidance, especially as a mother navigating pre-menopause, international moves, and personal loss. I was blown away by Tammy’s raw honesty and depth. She courageously shares how her healing journey didn’t start until she truly looked inward—and how this method helped her reclaim the present. Her story is both gut-wrenching and inspiring. Whether you're a parent, griever, or someone seeking emotional clarity, this conversation will resonate deeply. Tammy also shares how she’s now helping people process grief in Ukraine and Russia—amid an ongoing war—proving this method has global relevance. Don’t miss the final segment where we discuss how unresolved grief robs us of the present moment—and how healing is possible.