How To Move Forward With A Broken Heart w/ Gwen Florio

How To Move Forward With A Broken Heart w/ Gwen Florio

From Bounce Back Stronger with Donna Ferris by Donna Ferris

November 18, 2025 · 24 min · Episode 81

About this episode

Donna Ferris talks with Gwen Florio about navigating life and finding joy after experiencing deep grief and loss.

“Astoundingly, you find joy, and it coexists with the grief…It's like the grief kind of moves over a little bit and lets joy in.” If you’re doing life with a broken heart this holiday season, this episode is for you. In this moving conversation, Donna talks with award-winning journalist and novelist Gwen Florio about what it means to keep showing up for life after loss. Gwen shares her experience of losing her child, the suffocating early days of grief, and the small, stubborn acts of living—walking, traveling, noticing beauty in unexpected places—that helped her breathe again. Together they explore: How people actually survive deep grief What helps (and what doesn’t) when every day feels impossible The surprising relief of being somewhere no one knows your story How creativity and movement open new pathways in the brain The unexpected moments of beauty that kept her afloat Why community matters more than perfect words If you’re navigating the world with a tender or tired spirit, Gwen’s story offers truth, compassion, and the reminder that grit and grace can coexist. To learn more about Gwen’s books, writing, and events, please visit gwenflorio.net. If you found this episode…

People in this episode

Host: Donna Ferris

Guest: Gwen Florio

Topics covered

  • grief
  • loss
  • resilience
  • creativity
  • community
  • joy

Keywords

  • broken heart
  • grief
  • joy
  • loss
  • resilience
  • creativity
  • community
  • healing

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