Grieve That Sh!t

In this deeply moving and unforgettable episode of Grieve That Sh!t, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker shares a story that stopped her in her tracks, a moment that changed two families' lives forever. What began as an ordinary drive with her husband turned into a tragedy they witnessed unfold before their eyes. Through this raw, emotional experience, Sharon explores how quickly life can change, how grief shatters the illusion of time, and what it truly means to live with awareness, compassion, and love before it's too late. This episode isn't just about loss it's about the fragility of life, the depth of empathy, and the sacred invitation to love harder, forgive faster, and be present now.   🧠 Key Points Discussed: How grief can enter your life in one split second Why no one is immune to loss—grief is the great equalizer The illusion of "time" and how we waste it on silence, anger, or pride The difference between empathy and agreement—and why both matter How witnessing tragedy reminds us that everyone is carrying invisible pain Why judgment has no place in grief What it means to truly "love in the now" and not wait for later How unspoken words become the loudest echoes after loss   📓 Journal Questions for Reflection: What moment in your life divided your world into "before" and "after"? What are the words you wish you had said—and who still needs to hear them? Who do you need to forgive or apologize to today? What would loving harder and living slower look like for you right now? How can you honor both sides of a painful story—with empathy instead of blame?   🩶 Conclusion: Life changes in an instant. One minute you're laughing at a gas station—and the next, everything is different. Grief doesn't wait for your permission. It breaks in, rewrites your story, and asks you to start living with your eyes open. You cannot control what happens, but you can choose how you show up when it does. So before you go to bed tonight—say what needs to be said. Tell your people you love them. Forgive where you can. Because the ache in your heart is proof that it still works.   📬 Contact Us: If your heart feels heavy after this episode, that's okay. That means it's working. Come sit with us and learn to process your grief with guidance and community.   📝 Processing the Pain of Grief – Join the self-guided program and begin healing today 💻 clickhereforhope.com 🎄 Holiday Grief Care Plan Masterclass – November 8 at 7PM CST If the holidays feel impossible, this class will help you breathe again. You can join one session for $19, or get the full bundle for $47 to receive all October freebies, recordings, and access to November and December's live sessions. 📧 Contact: hello@thegriefschool.com 📲 TikTok, YouTube, Instagram: @thegriefschool

"Avoiding the pain won't make it go away—it only teaches it to hide." In this episode of Grieve That Shit, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker breaks down one of the sneakiest traps that keeps grievers stuck: avoidance. When life shatters, the natural instinct is to run from the pain, to stay busy, and to pretend you're doing fine. But as Sharon reminds us, ignoring grief doesn't erase it—it buries it. This episode dives deep into what happens when we try to outsmart our pain. Sharon explains why our brains convince us to avoid reminders of our person, how distraction becomes a survival skill that turns into a lifestyle, and how avoidance slowly shrinks our world until even joy feels out of reach. She shares real, compassionate tools to help you stop running from grief and begin facing it—one small, brave step at a time. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why grief convinces you that avoiding pain will make it fade The difference between healthy, temporary breaks and lifelong avoidance How avoidance shows up in daily life—from over-cleaning to staying "too busy" Why the longer you avoid your grief, the smaller your world becomes Simple, gentle steps to start meeting your grief instead of running from it Homework for You Take five quiet minutes this week to notice when you avoid your feelings. Ask yourself: 1. What emotion am I trying not to feel right now? 2. Where do I feel it in my body? 3. Then set a time limit for your avoidance. 4. Give yourself permission to take a break, but also promise yourself to come back—to cry, to write, to feel. That's how you begin to heal. Resources + Next Steps Check what's happening in the Grief School: clickhereforhope.com Join Grief Study Hall – live support with Sharon every Tuesday at 1 PM CST Sign up for the Surviving Christmas Masterclass on November 8th to create your holiday grief plan Follow Sharon on TikTok and YouTube at @thegriefschool

"Grief isn't just sadness—it's a full-body takeover. It's the storm that hits when love has nowhere left to land." In this episode of Grieve That Shit, Sharon Brubaker takes you back to the foundation of it all: understanding what grief actually is. For too long, we've been fed clichés about "moving on" or "staying strong," while no one ever taught us how to live through the ache. Sharon unpacks the real definition of grief—the kind you feel in your bones. She shares what she wishes she'd known when her nephew Austin died, and why understanding the truth about grief changes everything. This isn't theory—it's lived experience, raw and unfiltered. You'll learn why grief isn't just emotional, but physical. Why it feels unnatural even though it's the most natural thing in the world. And why no two people grieve the same, even when they're mourning the same person. By the end of this episode, you'll stop asking "what's wrong with me?" and start realizing: nothing is wrong with you. Your grief is proof that you loved deeply. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why grief is normal and natural—and what that really means The truth about conflicted feelings and why you can miss someone and still feel relief they're gone How grief becomes physical, showing up in your body as much as in your heart Why your grief will never look like anyone else's How naming your grief gives you power to begin healing Homework for You Print this out and do it this week: Write down three moments when grief hits you the hardest. Is it when you wake up? When you reach for the phone to call them? When silence gets too loud? Then, for each moment, write one sentence starting with: "This is grief." "This is grief when I reach for the phone." "This is grief when I cook their favorite meal." "This is grief when I laugh and feel guilty right after." Naming it helps you see it for what it is—love looking for a place to land. Resources + Next Steps 📘 Download your free eBook: clickhereforhope.com 🎥 Get the video series "This Is Grief" – self-guided lessons that walk you through Sharon's full teaching on the definition of grief. 🧠 Join Grief Study Hall – live support with Sharon every Tuesday at 1 PM CST.

"Loneliness in grief isn't just about missing your person—it's about missing the version of yourself you were when they were alive. Naming that loneliness is how you stop drowning in it."  In this episode of Grieve That Shit, Sharon Brubaker takes on one of the hardest truths of grief: loneliness. Even in a crowded room, grief makes you feel like you're on another planet. People may surround you, but no one else can feel the exact pain you're carrying.  Sharon unpacks why grief is so isolating—why people avoid your pain, why you feel like you don't belong anywhere, and why loneliness feeds the heaviness of loss. Most importantly, she shows you how to name it, face it, and take small steps to soften it so it doesn't drown you.  What You'll Learn in This Episode  Why grief makes you feel lonely, even when you're not alone  How silence and avoidance from others deepen the isolation  The difference between missing your person and missing the version of yourself when they were alive  Why naming loneliness out loud is a powerful first step  Small ways to create connection when everything feels hollow  Homework for You  Print this out and do it this week:  Write down the moments when loneliness hits you the hardest.  Is it in the morning?  At night?  During family gatherings?  For each moment, write one small action you could try—not to erase the loneliness, but to soften it.  Call one safe person.  Light a candle and say their name.  Sit with someone who will let you cry without fixing it.    Resources + Next Steps  Download your free eBook: https://clickhereforhope.com/  Join Grief Study Hall – live support with Sharon every Tuesday at 1 PM CST. Sign up at Grief Study Hall 

"We should've been given hip-high boots and a damn instruction manual. Instead, we're dropped into grief with nothing but clichés. But here's the truth—you can face the pile, grieve it, and climb out."  In this episode of Grieve That Shit, Sharon Brubaker gets brutally honest about what grief really feels like: like stepping straight into a hip-high pile of shit with no warning, no boots, and no map out.  Nobody prepared us for the sleepless nights, the chest-crushing pain, or the brain fog that makes you feel like you're losing your mind. Nobody told us grief would come with silence from friends, family drama, and the pressure to "be strong." Instead, we're left to stumble through the mess with nothing but bad advice and our broken hearts.  This episode is your manual for facing that pile, wading through it, and finding a way out—without pretending it's not there.  What You'll Learn in This Episode  Why grief feels like drowning in a pile of shit no one warned us about  The ways society avoids preparing us for loss  How grief takes over your body and makes simple things feel impossible  The extra weight of silence, guilt, and bad advice  The first steps to facing grief instead of resisting it  Homework for You  Print this out and do it this week:  Write down your personal version of "the pile."  Is it the silence from friends?  The guilt that won't let go?  The exhaustion that never ends?  The family drama that made it worse?  Circle the one part of the pile that feels heaviest right now. That's where you start. Naming it is the first step to grieving it.  Resources + Next Steps  Download your free eBook: https://clickhereforhope.com/  Join Grief Study Hall – live support with Sharon every Tuesday at 1 PM CST. Sign up at Grief Study Hall.

"The shit is not just the loss itself—it's the lies, the silence, the guilt, and the pressure that come with it. You didn't create it, but you can name it. And once you name it, you can grieve it."  In this episode of Grieve That Shit, Sharon Brubaker breaks down what "the shit" actually means. Grief isn't just the pain of missing your person—it's all the lies, the silence, the pressure, and the guilt that come piled on top of the loss.  From the bad advice ("time heals") to the avoidance (people ducking you at the grocery store), Sharon calls it out. This is the part nobody warns you about, the weight that makes grief feel heavier than it already is. And until you name it, you can't begin to move through it.  What You'll Learn in This Episode  The real meaning behind "grieve that shit"  Why clichés and cultural rules about grief keep you stuck  How silence and avoidance from others add to the pain  The difference between grieving your person and grieving the shit around the loss  Why naming the shit is the first step toward healing  Homework for You  Print this out and work through it:  1. Write your personal list of "the shit" you've been carrying.  o   What lies have you been told?  o   What guilt do you wrestle with?  o   What moments still knock the wind out of you?  2. Say it out loud: "This is my pile of shit." Don't soften it. Don't excuse it. Just name it.  Resources + Next Steps  Download your free eBook: https://clickhereforhope.com/  Join Grief Study Hall – live support with Sharon every Tuesday at 1 PM CST. Sign up at Grief Study Hall    

"Grief is not polite. It's not delicate. It doesn't wait until you're ready. It crashes in and takes over your whole life. So let's stop pretending—and let's grieve that shit." On the very first episode of Grieve That Shit, Sharon Brubaker rips the mask off grief and tells the truth: grief is messy, painful, and nothing like the world says it should be.  Sharon shares the moment her life split in two with the death of her nephew Austin and why she chose to call this podcast Grieve That Shit. You'll learn why clichés like "time heals" do more harm than good, why grief is a full-body experience, and why facing the pain head-on is the only way through.  This episode sets the tone for everything that's coming: raw honesty, calling out the lies, and creating a space where you can finally stop pretending and start healing. What You'll Learn in This Episode  Why Sharon chose the name Grieve That Shit  How grief takes over your entire body—not just your emotions  The truth about "being strong" and why it blocks healing  Why laughter and tears often show upside by side in grief  The first step toward actually healing    Homework for You  Print this out and do it this week:  Grab a notebook and write your version of the shit.  What lies have you been told about grief?  What feelings are you pushing down?  What moments knock the wind out of you?  Don't edit it. Don't make it pretty. Just get it on the page. Naming your pile of shit is the first step to grieving it.  Resources + Next Steps  Download your free eBook:   Download your free eBook: clickhereforhope.com  Join Grief Study Hall – live support with Sharon every Tuesday at 1 PM CST.   Sign up Grief Study Hall 

Episode Summary: Welcome to Healing Starts With the Heart, the podcast where grief meets resilience. In this episode, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker gets raw and real about the unspoken chaos of grief—what it feels like in your body, why your mind can't stop replaying the moment it all changed, and how society leaves us completely unprepared to deal with it. From the hospital diagnosis to the late-night phone call that split life into "before and after," Sharon lays out what really happens when grief hits—and why it's not weakness, madness, or something you just "get over." It's a full-body, full-heart experience that demands to be felt. If you've ever wondered "What the hell is happening to me?" this episode is your answer: you're not broken—you're grieving. 🧠 Key Points Discussed: The moment everything changes: the call, the diagnosis, the hospital, the knock at the door. Why grief is a full-body experience—chest tightness, heavy head, shallow breath, restless nervous system, twisted stomach, sleepless nights. The battle between your logical mind (searching for answers) and your heart (knowing the truth). How grief shows up in everyday life—seeing their favorite cereal in the store, picking up the phone to call them, lying awake at night unable to breathe. The danger of performing instead of grieving—wearing a smile, staying busy, saying "I'm fine," while silently falling apart. Why society has left us unprepared: no one showed us how to grieve, only how to hide. Grief isn't just sadness—it's anger, numbness, confusion, shutdown, and longing all at once. Pain is not the problem; pretending is. Surviving grief is not about fixing or outrunning it—it's about one breath, one moment, one day at a time. Tools Sharon shares in That Grief Sht* ebook + video series: Why grief feels like it does in the body What it means to "be strong" vs. fall apart Allowing emotions (anger, numbness, tears) instead of suppressing them Answering the question: Am I crazy or am I normal? 📓 Journal Questions for Reflection: What was the moment my life split into "before" and "after"? How does grief show up in my body right now? Where am I performing instead of allowing myself to feel? What everyday moments trigger my grief—and what do they teach me about my love? How have I silenced my emotions to comfort others? What might it look like to take grief one moment, one breath, at a time? 🩶 Conclusion: Grief is not weakness. It's not madness. It's love with nowhere to go. You were never taught how to grieve—only how to perform, suppress, and "be strong." But pretending suffocates the heart. Healing starts when you stop performing and let yourself feel. So if you're exhausted from holding it all together, if your nervous system is on fire and your heart is begging to be heard—this episode is your reminder: you are not broken. You are grieving. And grieving is natural. One moment, one breath, one day at a time—you will survive this. 📬 Contact Us: ✨ Upcoming Events: 📝 Grief Study Hall – Wednesdays @ 7PM CST 📍 Live in The Grief School Facebook Group 🎤 Grieve That Sht* – Next Live Lecture: Monday, August 4th @ 7PM CST 💻 clickhereforhope.com (Sign up to attend or receive the replay) 📩 Email: info@thegriefschool.com 📱 TikTok, Instagram, YouTube: @thegriefschool

Episode Summary: Welcome to Healing Starts With the Heart, where grief gets real and healing gets honest. In this episode, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker pulls back the curtain on the 9 biggest lies we've been told about grief—and how they've shaped generations of silent suffering. From pretending you're okay to being told "just stay busy," this episode is a deep and raw dive into the ways our society teaches us to perform instead of process our pain. If you've ever felt like you're grieving "wrong," this is your invitation to unlearn the myths and finally make space for the truth: you are not broken—just unheard. 🧠 Key Points Discussed: Why most of us were never taught to grieve—and inherited myths from people who were also grieving The 9 biggest lies we've been told about grief, including: If it's not death or divorce, it's not grief Stay busy and it will help Don't feel bad Grieve alone If you're not crying, it's not grief Just replace the loss Be strong for others Time will heal Moving forward means forgetting How these lies lead to emotional isolation, pretending, resentment, and long-term unresolved grief Why crying isn't weakness—and "being strong" often just means shutting down What it means to truly acknowledge grief, and how that creates space for healing 📓 Journal Questions for Reflection: Which of these grief lies have I believed or been told? Where in my life am I pretending to be "okay"? What emotions have I been taught to suppress in grief? What version of myself have I lost that I haven't grieved? How has staying busy or being strong delayed my healing? 🩶 Conclusion: You weren't given the tools to grieve—because no one ever gave them to the people who raised you either. You were handed myths instead of truth, silence instead of support. But it's not too late to start over. It's not too late to unlearn. Grief isn't a mindset problem. It's not something you fix with strength or smiles. Grief is a wound that deserves your attention, your honesty, and your community. So if you're tired of pretending, if the lies about how to grieve are weighing you down—this episode is your permission slip to finally grieve out loud. 📬 Contact Us: ✨ Upcoming Events: 📝 Grief Study Hall – Wednesdays @ 7PM CST 📍Live in The Grief School Facebook Group 🎤 Grieve That Sht – Next Live Lecture: Monday, August 4th @ 7PM CST 💻 clickhereforhope.com (Sign up to attend or receive the replay) 📩 Email: info@thegriefschool.com 📱 TikTok, Instagram, YouTube: @thegriefschool

Episode Summary: In this powerful and raw episode of Healing Starts With the Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker asks a deeply uncomfortable—but necessary—question: What if the pain isn't the problem… but the key to your healing? Sharon breaks down why so many of us are still stuck in our grief—not because we're doing it wrong, but because no one ever taught us how to feel the pain instead of managing it. From performative grief to inherited patterns, she shares how unprocessed pain keeps us in a holding pattern of burnout, resentment, and silence. You'll learn how to stop performing, start feeling, and allow grief to finally move through you—instead of staying trapped inside your body. 🧠 Key Points Discussed: Why pain is not something to avoid, but the portal to healing What "performative grief" looks like (and how it keeps you stuck) The difference between acknowledgment and acceptance Why crying, screaming, and "ugly crying" are necessary parts of the healing process How grief passed down through generations teaches us silence instead of support The truth about what happens when we don't let grief move through the body Why managing pain is not the same as processing pain The one-minute challenge to sit with grief (and why that's so hard) What it means to stop apologizing for grief and let the nervous system exhale 📓 Journal Questions for Reflection: What pain have I been managing instead of feeling? Where am I pretending to be "okay"? When was the last time I gave myself permission to fall apart? What would it look like to acknowledge, out loud, that I am grieving? Who taught me how to grieve—and were they in pain too? 🩶 Conclusion: If you're still in pain, it doesn't mean you're failing. It means you're human. It means something—or someone—mattered. And you don't have to perform your way through this anymore. You are allowed to hurt. You are allowed to cry. You are allowed to feel this all the way through. Because the pain is not the end of your grief story— It's the beginning of your healing. 📬 Contact Us: Want to go deeper or get live coaching? Join Sharon Brubaker for weekly grief support: 📝 Grief Study Hall – every Wednesday @ 7PM CST 📍Live in The Grief School Facebook Group (link in comments) 🎤 Next 'Grieve That Sh*t' Live Lecture – Monday, August 4 @ 7PM CST Sign up once and get the replay, even if you can't attend live! 👉 clickhereforhope.com 📧 Contact: hello@thegriefschool.com 📲 TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram: @thegriefschool

Episode Description: In this powerful episode of Healing Starts with the Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker takes us into the often-unspoken world of collective grief—the grief that doesn't belong to just one person, one family, or one household. It belongs to all of us. When tragedy strikes a community—whether it's a school shooting, a local accident, a sudden death, or a public loss—every face reflects the sorrow. And every heart carries a piece of it. Sharon unpacks what it means to grieve together, how public mourning impacts private pain, and why it's so hard to know what to say or do. Through her personal story and the communities she's walked with through deep loss, this episode is a reminder: you are allowed to grieve, even if you weren't the one closest to the loss. If you've ever struggled to understand why you're hurting after a tragedy in your town—or if you've watched your community rally and then fall silent—this episode will help you name it, feel it, and find a way forward together. Key Points Covered: What community grief really is: How grief spreads beyond the immediate family and becomes a shared weight. The ripple effect of loss: Why neighbors, classmates, church members, teachers—even strangers—feel it too. When your grief becomes public: What it means when your pain is visible in grocery store aisles, in church pews, and across front porches. The awkwardness of support: Why communities show up with casseroles, candles, and balloon releases—because they don't know what else to do. No grief is "too small": Even if your connection was distant, your pain is real and valid. What happens after the funeral: Why grief gets louder in the silence after the ceremonies, when the door closes and the cameras are gone. The trap of being "community strong": Why telling people to "stay strong" shuts down healing—and what to say instead. The importance of afterward support: How real community healing starts not just with rituals, but with consistent presence, honest words, and quiet connection. Reflection Questions for Your Heart: Have you ever felt grief that didn't "belong" to you, but changed you anyway? What role did you play in a collective loss—neighbor, teacher, nurse, friend? Who have you been meaning to check in on, long after the candles were blown out? What does your community need most right now: another event—or someone who will simply say, "I see you"? A Note from Sharon: If you're hurting for your town, your school, your street, your neighbor—you're grieving. And you deserve space to feel it, too. Let's stop pretending we're okay. Let's stop hiding behind strong. Real grief calls for real community. Let's keep showing up for one another—not just for the funeral, but for the months and years afterward, when it matters most. Listen weekly to Healing Starts with the Heart for truth-filled, compassionate guidance through the hardest parts of grief. Follow Us: Website: healingstartswiththeheart.com Facebook: Healing Starts with the Heart Instagram: @healatthegriefschool TikTok: @thegriefschool Join Us for Ongoing Healing: If you're grieving quietly after a public loss, we see you. You're not invisible. Join Sharon and our team at the next Grief Healing Weekend Intensive—a space for real healing, not just survival. You don't have to carry this alone. Visit clickhereforhope.com for details.

Episode Description: In this raw, heart-opening episode of Healing Starts with the Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker walks you through one of the deepest truths about loss—grief doesn't just take your person. It takes everything. And no one prepares you for that part. With her own story and the stories of thousands of grievers she's supported, Sharon names the unspoken: how grief sneaks in like a thief in the night and strips away your energy, your motivation, your peace, and even your sense of time. This isn't just emotional pain. It's physical, spiritual, mental—and it touches every part of your life. If you've felt like grief broke something in you that you can't get back... this episode will make you feel seen. It's not just you. This is what grief does. But this is also your invitation to take it back—your joy, your identity, your voice, your future. Key Points Discussed: Grief doesn't just take your person— It takes you, the version of you who felt whole before the loss. Energy depletion and physical exhaustion— Why simple tasks like getting out of bed, showering, or doing laundry can feel impossible. Loss of motivation and pleasure— The things you used to love may now feel meaningless or numb. Sleep disruption— Why nights are the hardest and how grief hijacks your ability to rest. Loss of confidence and focus— How grief impacts your ability to think clearly, trust yourself, and feel secure in your identity. The collapse of inner peace— Why your nervous system stays on high alert after your loss. Grief and identity loss— Feeling like a stranger in your own life and questioning your role in the world. Grief takes your voice— The silence we fall into when no one understands our pain or says the right thing. Time distortion— Feeling stuck in the moment of loss while time speeds up or slows down around you. Future grief— Mourning the dreams, milestones, and shared plans that will never happen. Control and patience vanish— How grief can make you feel emotionally raw, snappy, and out of control. The truth no one tells you— Grief may have taken everything... but you can take it back. Journal Questions for Reflection: What's something you've lost that no one talks about? What do you miss most about yourself—the version of you before the loss? Where do you feel most "not like yourself" these days? What's one thing grief made you believe you couldn't reclaim—but maybe you can? Join the Journey: You were not given a life sentence when your person died. You're allowed to reclaim the pieces of your life that grief tried to steal. The healing starts when you stop pretending you're okay, and begin honoring what you've lost—and what you still deserve to feel. Subscribe now to Healing Starts with the Heart for new episodes every Wednesday. You're not alone. You never were. Follow Us: Website: healingstartswiththeheart.com Facebook: Healing Starts with the Heart Instagram: @healatthegriefschool TikTok: @thegriefschool Come to the Healing Weekend Intensive: If this episode spoke to the places in you that feel broken, we invite you to spend the weekend with us. You'll learn how to reclaim your voice, your energy, your identity, and your hope. Click the link below to waitlist in the upcoming Grief Healing Weekend Intensive. We're saving you a seat. https://beacons.ai/thegriefschool

  Episode Description: In this deep and unfiltered episode of Healing Starts with the Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker unpacks one of the most misunderstood truths about grief—that it's not just sadness. So many grievers are led to believe that they're supposed to carry this endless, heavy sadness for the rest of their lives—that sadness is the whole story of grief. But in this powerful conversation, Sharon reveals what most people don't talk about: that grief affects your entire body, your mind, your spirit, and your entire world. With honesty, compassion, and her signature clarity, Sharon explores how grief is an all-consuming storm—how it shows up in brain fog, physical exhaustion, anxiety, disconnection from reality, and deep detachment from your own life. She reminds listeners that they are not broken, they are grieving—and that grief deserves real support, not silence. If you've been stuck in the belief that "I'm just going to be sad forever," this episode is a wake-up call and a warm hand reaching for yours. This is your reminder: your grief is valid, it's big, it's real—and you don't have to carry it alone anymore. Key Points Discussed: Grief Isn't Just Sadness Why reducing grief to sadness keeps grievers stuck and unseen. The Full-Body Grief Storm How grief affects your nervous system, thoughts, beliefs, sleep, digestion, and sense of reality. Why You Can't Think Your Way Out Grief is an emotional experience in the heart—not a logic problem for the mind to fix. Processing vs. Performing Why it's time to stop pretending you're okay and start moving the pain through your body. What Healing Actually Looks Like Sharon shares the need for action, truth-telling, and intentional space to feel without apology. Journal Questions for Reflection: Where in your body are you holding your grief right now? What part of your life has grief touched that no one acknowledges? What have you stopped doing because of your grief—and what do you miss most about that part of yourself? What would it feel like to be witnessed in your grief without having to explain it? Join the Journey: Grief isn't something to be ignored or waited out. You deserve a safe space to land—a place where your pain is seen, held, and honored. That's what Healing Starts with the Heart is here to offer. Subscribe now for new episodes every Wednesday and start walking this path with someone who truly understands. Follow Us: Website: healingstartswiththeheart.com Facebook: Healing Starts with the Heart Instagram: @healatthegriefschool TikTok: @thegriefschool Check Our Programs: You're not broken. You're grieving. And Sharon is here to walk beside you—because she is you.

Episode Summary: In this heartfelt episode of Healing Starts with the Heart, Sharon Brubaker opens the door to a topic many avoid—your grief story. Not the polite, watered-down version, but the real, raw, unfiltered story of what happened, what you felt, and what you still carry. Sharon explains why telling this story—first to yourself and then to others—is a necessary part of healing. She shares how the truth of our pain holds the key to transformation, connection, and true emotional release. Whether you've lost a person, a dream, a relationship, or a piece of yourself—this episode invites you to step into your truth, name your grief, and be seen in your pain without shame or apology. Key Points Discussed: Why your real grief story matters more than the "acceptable" version The physical, emotional, and spiritual toll of holding your story in How your brain and body record every detail of trauma and grief The difference between what we tell others and what we need to tell ourselves How society pressures us to hide our pain—and why that compounds it The power of grief storytelling in community and connection Sharon's personal grief stories—and how they continue to evolve The freedom and healing that come from speaking your story out loud Journal Questions for Reflection: Who were you before your loss, and who are you now? What part of your story have you never said out loud? What do you still carry in silence? What changed in your life that no one else sees? What would it feel like to tell the truth about your grief story? What is something you lost beyond the person—was it safety, identity, future plans? What do you want the world to know about the depth of your pain? Conclusion: Your grief story matters. All of it. Not just the death or the loss, but what it did to your soul, your routine, your identity. And while you may have been taught to hide your pain, Sharon reminds us that real healing starts when we stop editing our story to protect others. Speak the truth. Say what happened. Say what still hurts. Because when you tell your story, you make room for healing—not only for yourself but for others walking this same painful road. Contact Us: Have a question, story, or want to connect with Sharon? 📧 Email: hello@thegriefschool.com 📱 Follow Sharon on TikTok: @thegriefschool 🌐 Learn more or join a healing program: www.thegriefschool.com ✨ Join the community: clickhereforhope.com

In this empowering episode of Healing Starts with the Heart, Sharon Brubaker pulls back the curtain on one of the greatest grief misconceptions: that we need to learn how to grieve. Sharon reveals a deeper truth—we were all born knowing how to grieve. From your first cry to your instinct to reach out when in pain, grief is not something to be taught but something we've been taught to forget. Through raw, compassionate storytelling and the powerful example of a client who found her way back to healing, Sharon reminds us that grief is not a flaw—it's our body and spirit doing exactly what they were designed to do. If you've ever questioned your tears, your numbness, or the way your grief looks—this episode is for you. Key Points Discussed: You didn't lose your ability to grieve—you were born with it The world unteaches us how to grieve by rewarding silence and pretending Grief is a full-body, nervous system experience—not just emotional pain Your grief is not wrong, too big, too heavy, or something to be fixed Real healing begins when we stop performing and start expressing honestly A powerful story of a widow rediscovering her voice in Grief Study Hall Why your body still remembers how to release what hurts—without needing a manual Journal Questions for Reflection: When did you first start to believe your grief was "too much"? How have you been performing instead of feeling your grief? What rules or messages about grief have shaped your current experience? How has your body been trying to express grief—and have you been listening? What would it look like to stop apologizing for your grief? Are you willing to trust that you still know how to grieve? Conclusion: You don't need to learn how to grieve—you need to remember that you already know. Your tears are not signs of weakness, your pain is not brokenness, and your emotions are not something to hide. They're sacred. They're real. They're part of the healing. Sharon invites you to stop apologizing, stop performing, and return to what your body, your heart, and your spirit already know how to do: grieve. Contact Us: Have a question, story, or want to connect with Sharon? Email: hello@thegriefschool.com Join the Grief Study Hall every Tuesday from 1–3 PM CST Facebook: The Grief School Facebook Group TikTok: @thegriefschool Website: clickhereforhope.com

In this raw and deeply honest episode of Healing Starts with the Heart, Sharon Brubaker invites listeners into the messy, painful, and necessary truth of what it means to lean in to grief. Instead of hiding, numbing, or pretending you're okay, Sharon challenges you to stop running from the pain and start facing it head-on. This is not about suffering for suffering's sake—it's about healing the only way that works: by feeling it all. If you've ever told yourself, "If I let this out, I'll never stop crying," this episode is for you. Sharon unpacks the myths we're told about grief, the lies we believe to stay strong, and what it truly means to begin moving pain through you—not around you. Key Points Discussed: Why avoidance only deepens and prolongs grief The dangerous myth that time alone heals grief What "leaning into the pain" actually looks like in real life How grief lives in the body—and what happens when we suppress it The truth about emotional numbness and false strength Why staying "composed" is not the same as healing The power of sitting with your grief, naming your pain, and giving it space The importance of breaking free from performative grieving and moving into true processing How leaning in, little by little, helps you reclaim pieces of yourself Real-life stories of clients who finally allowed themselves to cry—and what happened next Why grief is not a lifetime sentence, unless you choose it to be Journal Questions for Reflection: What pain have you been avoiding in your grief? Where in your body do you feel the heaviness of your loss? What lies have you been told (or believed) about being strong? What might shift if you gave yourself permission to fall apart today? Can you name a moment when you chose numbness over feeling? What did that cost you? What part of your grief needs to be witnessed right now—by you? Conclusion: Grief demands to be felt. Not hidden, not ignored, not scheduled. And the truth is, real healing only begins when you choose to lean in. You don't have to be strong. You don't have to pretend. You just have to show up—to your own pain—with honesty and compassion. You'll find that in the leaning, there's light. There's breath. There's a path forward. Contact Us: Have a question, story, or want to connect with Sharon? 📧 Email: hello@thegriefschool.com 📱 Follow Sharon on TikTok: @thegriefschool 🌐 Join our healing spaces: www.thegriefschool.com ✨ Be part of our community: clickhereforhope.com 💬 Join us for Grief Study Hall (Tuesdays 1–3 PM CST) or Processing the Pain of Grief (Thursdays 7 PM CST)

🎙️ Episode Summary: In this unforgettable episode of Healing Starts with the Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker shares the story of the exact moment her life split into "before" and "after." Through a searingly honest account of the phone call that changed everything—the loss of her nephew Austin—Sharon takes listeners inside the collapse that grief can cause. This isn't a conversation about "moving on" or checking boxes—it's a journey through the mess, the silence, and the search for truth. If you've had that day—the one where it all fell apart—this episode is for you. 💔 Key Points Discussed: The moment grief hit: June 17, 2006—the call that shattered Sharon's life The illusion of "ordinary" before a loss, and the unbearable clarity after How the world keeps spinning while your life stops The raw, physical, full-body nature of grief Society's failure to understand or support grieving people The myth of strength: why being "strong" isn't always helpful Why no one is coming to save you—and how Sharon created the help she needed The role of silence, breaking down, and choosing to face the pain head-on Why The Grief School and Grief Study Hall were born—from brokenness to building The truth: You are not broken. You are grieving. And you don't have to do it alone. 📝 Journal Questions for Reflection: What was the moment that split your life into "before" and "after"? How did your body respond to the shock of your loss? What lies about grief or "being strong" have you believed or been told? Where in your life have you been waiting for someone to save you? What truth are you ready to say out loud about your grief? 🔚 Conclusion: Grief isn't polite. It doesn't knock first. It wrecks, rewires, and reshapes everything. But even in the rubble, there is still breath, still hope, and still a path through. If you've had that day—the one that broke you—you are not alone. And if no one ever told you: you don't have to carry this forever. You just have to walk through it. One breath at a time. One truth at a time. 📬 Contact & Community: Need more support or want to connect with Sharon? 📝 Join Grief Study Hall: Every Tuesday, 1–3 PM CST 📚 Read the Book: Grieve That Sht* — grab it at clickhereforhope.com 📸 Follow Sharon on TikTok: @thegriefschool 💌 Email: hello@sharonbrubaker.com

Episode Summary: In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Healing Starts with a Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker explores the raw truth behind her book Grieve That Sht*. Through honest storytelling and lived experience, Sharon unpacks "the grief sh*t"—the real, often unspoken pain that comes with loss—and what it actually feels like in the body, mind, and soul. This episode is a lifeline for anyone navigating the devastating aftermath of grief and looking for real talk, not clichés. Key Points Discussed: The origin and meaning behind the book title Grieve That Sht* What "the sh*t" really is: the messy, painful, and often invalidated experience of grieving Grief as a full-body, biological, emotional, and intellectual experience The myth of "moving on," "closure," and other harmful expectations Why people say the wrong things, and how to hold your truth anyway You can't outthink grief—you have to feel your way through it Grief is more than death: it includes lost dreams, identities, relationships, and futures Journal Questions for Reflection: What does "the grief sh*t" look like in your life right now? When have you tried to "outthink" your grief, and how did that feel in your body? How do you resist grief—and what might it feel like to let go just a little? What parts of your life or identity have you grieved that weren't related to death? What's one honest answer you could give someone if they asked how you're really doing? Conclusion: Grief isn't just emotional—it's physical, spiritual, and all-consuming. It changes everything, and there's no handbook, no timeline, no "right" way to do it. But one truth remains: you are not broken. You are grieving, and your body knows what to do. You don't have to hold your breath through it—you can let yourself breathe again. Let this episode be your reminder: you're doing a damn good job just making it through today. 📬 Contact Us: Need more support or want to connect with Sharon? 📚 Get on the waitlist for Grieve That Sht*: clickhereforhope.com 📸 Follow Sharon on TikTok: @thegriefschool 💌 Email: hello@sharonbrubaker.com

A Wake-Up Call for Every Griever Episode Summary: In this powerful kickoff to Healing Starts with a Heart, Sharon Brubaker gets real about what it means to truly grieve. This episode introduces the unapologetic truth behind her upcoming book, Grieve That Sht*. Sharon shares the raw inspiration for the title, why she refuses to sugarcoat grief, and why it's time for all grievers to stop hiding. If you've ever felt suffocated by forced positivity, misunderstood by the people around you, or overwhelmed by the hidden layers of loss—this episode is for you. This is more than a conversation. It's a declaration. It's your permission to grieve loudly, deeply, and truthfully. Key Points Discussed: The story behind the bold title Grieve That Sht* Why we need to stop hiding in our grief The difference between grieving the person vs. grieving the secondary losses The lies grievers are told by society—and why they don't help The world's broken response to grief and how it adds to our pain Sharon's personal journey and the defining moment that sparked this movement The true meaning of giving yourself permission to heal What it means to grieve on your own terms How the book and Sharon's grief programs are transforming the healing process Journal Questions for Reflection: What "grief sh*t" have you been carrying that no one sees? How has the world responded to your grief, and how did that make you feel? In what ways have you felt pressure to "move on" before you were ready? What would it look like for you to grieve truthfully and unapologetically? Where do you still need to give yourself permission to heal? Conclusion: This episode sets the tone for a new kind of grief healing journey—one rooted in truth, resilience, and radical permission. Sharon isn't just writing a book. She's starting a movement. One that says you no longer have to grieve in silence, put on a brave face, or make other people comfortable. You get to grieve this sh*t. All of it. Every last bit. Because that's how healing starts—with a heart wide open. Contact Us: Have a question, story, or want to connect with Sharon? Email us at: hello@thegriefschool.com Follow Sharon on TikTok: @thegriefschool Learn more or join our next healing weekend at: www.thegriefschool.com You can also follow and connect with us at: clickhereforhope.com

Grieve That Sht – A Wake-Up Call for Every Griever Episode Summary: In this powerful kickoff to Healing Starts with a Heart, Sharon Brubaker gets real about what it means to truly grieve. This episode introduces the unapologetic truth behind her upcoming book, Grieve That Sht*. Sharon shares the raw inspiration for the title, why she refuses to sugarcoat grief, and why it's time for all grievers to stop hiding. If you've ever felt suffocated by forced positivity, misunderstood by the people around you, or overwhelmed by the hidden layers of loss—this episode is for you. This is more than a conversation. It's a declaration. It's your permission to grieve loudly, deeply, and truthfully. Key Points Discussed: The story behind the bold title Grieve That Sht* Why we need to stop hiding in our grief The difference between grieving the person vs. grieving the secondary losses The lies grievers are told by society—and why they don't help The world's broken response to grief and how it adds to our pain Sharon's personal journey and the defining moment that sparked this movement The true meaning of giving yourself permission to heal What it means to grieve on your own terms How the book and Sharon's grief programs are transforming the healing process Journal Questions for Reflection: What "grief sh*t" have you been carrying that no one sees? How has the world responded to your grief, and how did that make you feel? In what ways have you felt pressure to "move on" before you were ready? What would it look like for you to grieve truthfully and unapologetically? Where do you still need to give yourself permission to heal? Conclusion: This episode sets the tone for a new kind of grief healing journey—one rooted in truth, resilience, and radical permission. Sharon isn't just writing a book. She's starting a movement. One that says you no longer have to grieve in silence, put on a brave face, or make other people comfortable. You get to grieve this sh*t. All of it. Every last bit. Because that's how healing starts—with a heart wide open. Contact Us: Have a question, story, or want to connect with Sharon? Email us at: hello@thegriefschool.com Follow Sharon on TikTok: @thegriefschool Learn more or join our next healing weekend at: www.thegriefschool.com You can also follow and connect with us at: clickhereforhope.com