Grieve That Sh!t

"It's okay to be a griever." In this episode of Grieve That Sh!t, Sharon Brubaker, grief specialist and founder of The Grief School, sits down with Monette Hopkins, a graduate of Forever Changed and Processing the Pain of Grief, to share an honest conversation about what healing can look like after unimaginable loss. Monette has experienced the deaths of her husband, three children, and several other loved ones. When she first met Sharon, the weight of her grief was so overwhelming that she could barely speak in complete sentences. Today, she shares how grief work helped her find hope, peace, laughter, and the courage to keep living. Together, Sharon and Monette talk about the power of brain dumps, why healing takes time, the importance of boundaries, and how telling the truth about your grief can change everything. This episode is a beautiful reminder that healing doesn't mean forgetting the people you love. It means learning how to carry their love without carrying the unbearable weight of unprocessed grief. Because no matter how deep your pain feels... There is still hope. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why it's okay to be a griever How brain dumps help process overwhelming emotions Why grief healing looks different for everyone The importance of honesty during the healing process How boundaries support emotional healing Why laughter can exist alongside grief How community helps us heal What happens when you finally begin processing years of unresolved pain Questions to Sit With After Listening What have I been carrying that I've never put into words? Am I giving myself permission to grieve honestly? Who has been walking alongside me in my grief? What would it look like to tell the truth about my pain? Homework for You Take a journal and spend ten minutes doing a brain dump. Write whatever comes to mind without editing, judging, or organizing your thoughts. Then ask yourself: "What is my heart trying to tell me that my mind has been avoiding?" Because sometimes healing begins the moment we stop holding everything inside. Resources + Next Steps 👉 Join Courage Club 👉 Listen to more episodes of Grieve That Sh!t 👉 Learn more at: griefdiscovery.com Because your grief deserves to be heard. And you never have to walk through it alone.

Episode Description "Time doesn't heal grief. It just passes." In this episode of Grieve That Sh!t, Sharon Brubaker, grief specialist and founder of The Grief School, takes on some of the biggest grief myths we've all heard—and tells the truth about why they're keeping grievers stuck. "Just give it time." "Grief comes in waves." "You're never supposed to let go of the pain." "Grief is a roller coaster." We hear these phrases all the time. They're repeated at funerals, shared by friends, posted online, and passed from one griever to another. But are they actually helping? Or are they keeping people trapped in survival mode? In this powerful episode, Sharon breaks down the hidden messages behind common grief advice and explains why healing requires more than simply waiting for time to pass. She explores why so many grievers believe holding onto pain is the same as holding onto their person, why grief keeps showing up in waves, and what it really means to process loss instead of avoiding it. This episode is a reminder that grief is not something time fixes. It's something we learn to move through. Because healing doesn't happen by accident. It happens when we stop waiting and start doing the work. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why "just give it time" is some of the most misunderstood grief advice What time actually does—and doesn't do—for grief Why looking better is not the same as healing The truth about holding onto pain after loss Why many grievers fear letting go of their suffering What it means when grief comes in waves The difference between surviving grief and processing grief Why grief feels like a roller coaster—and how to step off How unprocessed grief continues to resurface Why healing requires action, not just time Questions to Sit With After Listening What am I waiting for time to fix? Am I healing my grief or simply learning how to hide it? What pain am I afraid to let go of? What emotions keep showing up over and over again? What would change if I stopped waiting and started processing? Homework for You Take out a piece of paper and answer this question: "What am I hoping time will do for me?" Write down every answer that comes up. Then ask yourself: "What if time isn't the thing that's supposed to heal this?" Because healing doesn't happen because enough days pass. Healing happens when you become willing to face the pain that's asking for your attention. Resources + Next Steps 👉 Join Processing the Pain of Grief 👉 Join The Story Room 👉 Listen to more episodes of Grieve That Sh!t 👉 Learn more at: griefdiscovery.com Because time is not coming to save you. But that doesn't mean you're stuck. It means the power to heal has been inside you all along. And there is a way forward.

Episode Description "Healing didn't just change her life. It changed her purpose." In this episode of Grieve That Sh!t, Sharon Brubaker sits down again with Elizabeth Keene for Part 2 of their powerful conversation about grief, healing, and what happens when you finally stop surviving and start living. After doing her own grief work, Elizabeth experienced something she never expected. She didn't just heal. She found her calling. What started as a random TikTok scroll turned into a journey that transformed how she sees herself, other people, and the entire world. Now, after working through decades of unresolved grief, Elizabeth is becoming a certified grief specialist to help others navigate the pain she knows so well. Together, Sharon and Elizabeth dive into the reality that every person you meet is carrying a broken heart somewhere. They discuss why grief is not a life sentence, how emotional pain accumulates over time, and why so many people remain stuck in survival mode for years—or even decades. Elizabeth shares the moment she realized her own pain could become a pathway to helping others heal, the surprising connection between grief and trauma, and why doing grief work gave her something no amount of therapy, self-help, or distraction ever could: Peace. This episode is also a powerful conversation about purpose. Because sometimes the thing that breaks your heart becomes the very thing that teaches you how to help someone else heal theirs. And sometimes your greatest pain becomes your greatest gift. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why everyone is a griever The difference between carrying pain and processing it How grief accumulates throughout a lifetime Why grief is often connected to trauma and survival responses What happens when you stop avoiding emotional pain Why healing doesn't erase your story How grief work creates more peace, joy, and emotional freedom The role grief plays in purpose and personal growth Why people stay stuck in grief for decades How healing changes the way you show up for others Questions to Sit With After Listening What pain have I been carrying longer than I realize? Am I surviving my life or fully living it? What losses have shaped the person I am today? What would my life look like if I stopped carrying the emotional weight? Could my healing help someone else someday? Homework for You Write down this question: "What pain am I still carrying that no longer belongs in my backpack?" Then make a list. Don't judge it. Don't rank it. Don't minimize it. Just tell the truth. Because every unresolved hurt takes up space. And healing begins when you're willing to look at what you've been carrying. Resources + Next Steps 👉 Join The Story Room 👉 Listen to more episodes of Grieve That Sh!t 👉 Learn more at: griefdiscovery.com Because grief is not the end of your story. It's often the beginning of the chapter where you finally learn how to live again. And when you heal your own heart, you become a safer place for someone else's.

Episode Description "What you thought grief was… it isn't." In this episode of Grieve That Sh!t, Sharon Brubaker, grief specialist and founder of The Grief School, breaks down the real definition of grief and why so many grievers feel overwhelmed, exhausted, numb, angry, and emotionally out of control after loss. Because nobody taught us what grief actually is. We were taught how to survive it. Stay strong. Stay busy. Push it down. Keep going. Humans really decided emotional pain should be ignored until it starts leaking out sideways into every relationship. Strange little system. But grief is not just sadness. It is emotional, mental, physical, and deeply connected to the body. It affects your brain, nervous system, thoughts, emotions, and reactions. In this episode, Sharon talks about the brain fog, exhaustion, chest tightness, numbness, anger out of nowhere, and the feeling that your whole life split in half after loss. She also explains why grief itself is not the problem. The problem is resisting it, avoiding it, distracting yourself from it, and pretending it is not there. Because unprocessed grief does not disappear. It waits. It builds. And eventually it starts showing up in every part of your life. This episode is also a powerful teaching on what it actually means to process grief. Not just talking about it, but learning how to lean into the pain long enough for your body to move through it. Because your body already knows how to grieve. It was designed to. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why grief is more than sadness What a full-body grief experience looks like Why grief causes brain fog, exhaustion, and numbness The difference between surviving grief and processing grief Why avoiding grief keeps people stuck What it actually means to process grief How unprocessed grief starts showing up in daily life Questions to Sit With After Listening What was I taught grief should look like? What emotions have I been trying to avoid? Am I processing my grief… or surviving it? Where is grief showing up in my body right now? Homework for You Write this question at the top of a page: "What was I taught to do with grief?" Then answer honestly. Because most people were never taught how to process grief. They were taught how to hide it. Resources + Next Steps 👉 Join The Story Room 👉 Listen to more episodes of Grieve That Sh!t 👉 Learn more at: griefdiscovery.com Because healing starts when you stop resisting the pain and finally understand what grief is actually doing inside of you.

Episode Description "Your life isn't broken. Your heart is." In this episode of Grieve That Sh!t, Sharon Brubaker, grief specialist and founder of The Grief School, breaks down why so many grievers stay stuck in pain for years… even while trying everything they can to survive it. After losing her nephew Austin, Sharon realized the problem wasn't that grievers were weak. The problem was that nobody taught us how to grieve. So we stay busy. We avoid the pain. We push it down. And we keep trying to "get over" something our body is still trying to process. In this episode, Sharon explains the real work of grief. Not just talking about it. Not pretending you're okay. But understanding what grief actually is, why your body reacts the way it does, and what it means to truly process pain instead of carrying it forever. She also talks about "completion", the unfinished conversations, emotions, and words that stay trapped inside the body after loss. The things you still need to say. The anger. The guilt. The love. The goodbye you never got. Because undelivered emotions do not disappear. This conversation is not about "moving on." It's about finally understanding what grief is trying to do inside you… so you can stop fighting yourself. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why grief feels like a full-body experience The difference between surviving grief and processing it Why staying busy keeps grief stuck What "completion" actually means in grief How unfinished emotions stay trapped in the body Why avoiding grief makes it louder over time How to separate love from pain Questions to Sit With After Listening Take your time with these. What have I still not said? What emotions have I been trying to avoid? Am I processing my grief… or just surviving it? What pain am I still carrying that was never expressed? Homework for You Write this at the top of a page: "What is still left unsaid?" Then let yourself answer honestly. Not the polite version. Not the strong version. The real one. Because grief doesn't stay stuck because you loved too much. It stays stuck when everything inside you goes unspoken. Resources + Next Steps If this episode hit you, it's because something inside you is ready to stop surviving and start understanding your grief. You don't have to carry this alone. 👉 Join The Story Room 👉 Listen to more episodes on Grieve That Sh!t 👉 Learn more at: https://stan.store/TheGriefSchool Because healing starts when you stop running from the pain and finally learn how to move through it.

Episode Description "Your child doesn't need the pain removed. They need you to help them move through it." In this episode of Grieve That Sh!t, Sharon Brubaker, grief specialist and founder of The Grief School, breaks down one of the biggest mistakes parents make when their child is grieving. After losing her nephew Austin, Sharon learned that grief isn't something you can protect someone from. Especially not your child. Because your kids already feel everything. They feel your silence. They feel your sadness. They feel what's not being said. They just don't have the words for it. In this episode, Sharon walks through what actually happens when parents try to shield their children from grief, why that instinct makes sense, and how it unintentionally creates confusion, fear, and isolation. She also explains what children really need, how to talk to them about loss, and why your own grief work is the most powerful tool you have to help them. This conversation is not about being a perfect parent. It's about telling the truth. Because your child is not learning from what you say. They're learning from what you show. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why children feel everything, even when they can't express it What happens when you try to protect them from grief Why avoiding the truth creates confusion instead of comfort How children process grief differently from adults Why your own grief work matters more than what you say How to talk to your child about death in a way they can understand Questions to Sit With After Listening Take your time with these. What am I trying to protect my child from? Am I avoiding their grief… or my own? What emotions from my child are hardest for me to sit with? What did I learn about grief growing up… and how is that showing up now? Homework for You Write this at the top of a page: "What am I trying to protect my child from?" Then answer honestly. Not the version that sounds like you're doing it right. The real one. Because clarity is what builds trust. And trust is what makes grief safer. Resources + Next Steps If this episode hit you, it's because something in you is ready to stop avoiding and start understanding grief, for you and your child. You don't have to figure this out alone. 👉 Join the masterclass: https://griefdiscovery.com Because your child doesn't need perfection. They need you.

Episode Description "Grief does not disappear when you ignore it. It just gets heavier when you carry it alone." In this episode of Grieve That Shit, Sharon Brubaker, grief specialist and founder of The Grief School, opens an honest conversation about men, grief, and emotional pain. After losing her nephew Austin, Sharon learned that grief is not just sadness. It is a full-body experience that affects thoughts, emotions, and the nervous system. And while grief impacts everyone, many men are taught early that strength means silence. This episode challenges the belief that "big boys don't cry" and explores what really happens when men are never given space to feel, talk, or be witnessed in their grief. Sharon is joined by Coach Martize of The Frazier Group, who brings his personal story and professional experience into the conversation. Together, they unpack how emotional suppression is learned, why avoidance is not weakness but survival, and how outdated beliefs keep people stuck long after the loss. This episode is not about fixing grief. It is about creating space for it. Because pain does not need to be handled. It needs to be held. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why emotional pain is often avoided, not because of weakness, but because of conditioning How men are taught to survive instead of feel The difference between strength and emotional suppression Where beliefs about toughness and vulnerability come from Why grief needs space, not silence Questions to Sit With After Listening You do not need to answer these quickly. Where did I learn that showing emotion was unsafe? What feelings have I been pushing down instead of listening to? How has "being strong" shaped the way I grieve? Where do I need space instead of advice? Homework for You Write this at the top of a page: "What I was taught about emotions." Now finish the sentence honestly. No fixing. No explaining. Just notice what comes up. That awareness matters. Resources + Next Steps 👉 Find everything at clickhereforhope.com

"You were never meant to grieve quietly. Your emotions didn't show up to hurt you. They showed up to help you process what just happened." In this episode of Grieve That Shit, Sharon Brubaker, Certified Grief Specialist and founder of The Grief School, sits down with Nikki to talk about a kind of loss that cuts straight to the core. The loss of a mother who was also a best friend. After losing her nephew Austin, Sharon learned that grief isn't one-dimensional. There are layers. And one of the most overlooked layers is the grief that comes from losing the person who knew you, guided you, and helped you make sense of life. In this conversation, Nikki shares the story of her mom Cheryl. Not just who she was, but how deeply intertwined she was in every part of her life. From daily texts and phone calls to faith, caregiving, unanswered prayers, and the shock of having no time to prepare. This episode explores what happens when grief collides with faith, when anger at God feels unavoidable, and when the foundation you were raised on both supports you and breaks your heart at the same time. We talk about the reality of caregiving, the trauma of watching someone you love decline, and the quiet ways people stay connected after loss. Keeping a phone on. Sending messages that will never be answered. Letting grandchildren leave voicemails. Choosing connection instead of rules. This is an honest, raw conversation about layered grief, unfinished moments, and learning how to live in a world where your anchor is gone. You're not doing grief wrong. You're responding to something that mattered deeply. Let's grieve that shit together. What You'll Hear in This Episode • Why losing a mother who was also a best friend creates a second layer of grief • How caregiving changes the grief experience before death even happens • What it's like to have no time to process before everything changes • How faith can both comfort and anger you after loss • Why staying connected in your own way is not wrong • The difference between healing and erasing the relationship Reflection Questions Take your time with these. There's no rush. Who was your person to you beyond the title they held in your life? What part of your grief do you feel most people don't understand? Where has faith supported you, and where has it felt complicated or painful? What unfinished moments or conversations still live in your body? What connection are you holding onto that brings you comfort, even if others wouldn't understand it? If you stopped judging your grief, what would you allow yourself to feel? Gentle Homework Write this sentence at the top of a page: "What hurts the most about losing them is…" Let yourself finish it without fixing, explaining, or softening the answer. That honesty is part of your healing. Resources + Next Steps 🎥 Watch Sharon's grief teachings and video overviews 🎧 Explore deep-dive podcast episodes like this one 📘 Access study guides, journal prompts, and grief education 🧠 Continue your work inside The Grief School 👉 Everything lives at clickhereforhope.com You don't have to rush this. You don't have to be okay. You just have to be honest.