Healing Starts With The Heart

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,

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 jou

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 S

The Lies We've Been Told About Grief Episode Description: In this eye-opening episode of Healing Starts with the Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker confronts the damaging lies we've all been told about grief. From childhood, we are handed false beliefs like: • “Don’t feel bad” • “Be strong” • “Time will heal” • “You should get over it” Sharon dives deep into how these messages have distorted our understanding of grief and often cause us to suppress or deny the pain we’re carrying. She shares her own personal experience with the grief that no one warned her about, and how unlearning these toxic myths led her on a path of true healing. If you’ve ever felt like your grief didn’t fit into the tidy boxes society sets for it, this episode is a must-listen. Sharon invites you to release the shame and guilt tied to these lies, offering a new, empowering perspective on what it truly means to grieve and heal. Key Points Discussed: The Lies We’ve Been Taught About Grief Why pretending to be “strong” and “moving o

  The Truth About Time and Why It Won’t Heal Your Grief Episode Description: In this powerful episode of Healing Starts with the Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker challenges one of the most common myths about grief: that time alone will heal all wounds. With raw honesty and deep personal reflection, Sharon explores the ways time affects grief—not by erasing pain, but by revealing the spaces where healing is still needed. She shares her own journey of realizing just how long it has been since she last saw and spoke to her loved ones, and the surprising emotions that surfaced when she did the math. If you've ever wondered why your grief still feels fresh after months or even years, this episode will provide clarity, validation, and a new perspective on how to navigate healing with intention. Key Points Discussed: The Myth of Time as a Healer Why waiting for time to "fix" grief often leads to more frustration and heartache. What Time Actually Does Time reveals unresolved pain, surfaces hidden emotions,

Grief and the Journey of Healing Grief is a deeply personal and often misunderstood experience. Society tends to encourage moving on quickly, but true healing comes from acknowledging and processing grief rather than suppressing it. Sharon Brubaker, a grief specialist with over 18 years of experience, guides individuals through their healing journeys with compassion and practical tools. Rather than avoiding grief, embracing it with awareness can lead to emotional recovery. Suppressing grief may seem like the easiest option, but unprocessed emotions often resurface in unexpected ways. By allowing yourself to sit with your emotions, you create space for healing. Journal Questions for Reflection Take a moment to reflect on your grief journey with these questions. Writing down your thoughts can help you gain clarity and insight: Have you been keeping yourself busy as a way to cope with grief? How has that been working for you? What are some unexpected ways your grief has shown up in your daily life? When wa

Episode Description: In this episode of Healing Starts with the Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker sheds light on the exhausting and relentless nature of grief. She challenges the common advice to “give it time” and explains why grief pain demands to be felt. Through personal stories and deep insights, Sharon provides listeners with practical steps to lean into their grief and begin processing it in a healthy way. Key Points Discussed: Why Grief Feels Exhausting Grief takes every bit of your energy, leaving you physically and emotionally drained. Staying busy and distracted may seem like a solution, but it doesn’t make the pain go away. The exhaustion of grief is real—it’s as if all your nerve endings are exposed, making even small tasks feel overwhelming. The Myth of “Time Heals All” Many are told to just “give it time,” but time alone does not heal grief. Pain has a purpose—it demands to be felt and processed before true healing can begin. Avoiding grief only causes it to show up unexpectedly, in wa

The Truth About Grief: Why Pain Demands to Be Felt Episode Description: In this episode of Healing Starts with the Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker sheds light on the exhausting and relentless nature of grief. She challenges the common advice to “give it time” and explains why grief pain demands to be felt. Through personal stories and deep insights, Sharon provides listeners with practical steps to lean into their grief and begin processing it in a healthy way. Key Points Discussed: Why Grief Feels Exhausting Grief takes every bit of your energy, leaving you physically and emotionally drained. Staying busy and distracted may seem like a solution, but it doesn’t make the pain go away. The exhaustion of grief is real—it’s as if all your nerve endings are exposed, making even small tasks feel overwhelming. The Myth of “Time Heals All” Many are told to just “give it time,” but time alone does not heal grief. Pain has a purpose—it demands to be felt and processed before true healing can begin.

The Hidden Cost of Unprocessed Grief Episode Description: In this episode of Healing Starts with the Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker delves into the often-overlooked process of truly understanding and working through grief. She challenges the misconceptions around "moving on" and highlights the importance of acknowledging and processing pain as essential steps toward healing. Through personal experiences and expert insights, Sharon shares a powerful approach to grief that transforms pain into progress. Key Points Discussed: Why Grief Feels Endless Many people struggle with lingering grief for years because they were never taught how to process it properly. Healing doesn't mean forgetting—it means learning to carry grief in a healthy way. Ignoring pain only intensifies it, making healing feel impossible. Acknowledging the Pain as a First Step The first step to healing is recognizing and allowing yourself to feel the pain of grief. Suppressing grief leads to emotional wounds that can fester,

Honoring Your Loved One While Thriving in Grief Episode Description: In this episode of Healing Starts with the Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker explores the powerful connection between honoring a loved one’s memory and finding personal growth through grief. She challenges the common belief that grieving and thriving are opposites, showing how they can coexist. Through personal stories and practical guidance, Sharon helps listeners embrace healing while keeping their loved one’s legacy alive. Key Points Discussed: The Coexistence of Grief and Growth Grief doesn’t mean a life of endless suffering, and thriving doesn’t mean forgetting your person. Healing involves learning to carry grief while finding purpose and moments of joy. Honoring Their Memory Through Storytelling Sharing stories keeps your loved one’s presence alive in your heart and helps others who are grieving. Personal anecdotes, cherished memories, and creative expressions can become healing tools. How Loss Deepens Relationships Grief c

Grief as a Full-Body Experience Episode Description: In this episode of Healing Starts with the Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker uncovers the physical, emotional, and mental toll of grief. She explains how grief affects every part of the body, from emotions to physical health, and discusses ways to recognize and address these effects. Sharon shares her own experiences and offers tools to help listeners navigate the overwhelming, full-body impact of grief. Key Points Discussed: Grief Affects Every Part of You Grief is more than an emotional experience; it impacts the mind, body, heart, and soul. Physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach issues, muscle pain, and changes in appetite are common. Sharon urges listeners to seek medical attention for persistent symptoms while understanding their connection to grief. Six Areas Affected by Grief Feelings: Grief brings intense, unpredictable emotions such as sadness, anger, and confusion. These emotions can feel like waves or roller coasters, and avoidi

Why Grief Makes You Feel Alone—Even in a Crowd Episode Description: In this episode of Healing Starts with the Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker explores the profound emotional experiences of loneliness, solitude, and isolation in grief. Sharon dives into the distinctions between these feelings and provides guidance on how to manage them effectively. Through personal insights and practical tools, she helps listeners embrace the balance between connection and introspection as they navigate their grief journey. Key Points Discussed: The Difference Between Loneliness, Solitude, and Isolation Loneliness: An emotional state where you feel disconnected, even when surrounded by others. Being Alone: A physical state where you are by yourself, often by choice. Isolation: A deeper form of solitude that can arise when solitude persists and leads to disconnection from others. Why Grievers Retreat Into Solitude Many grievers isolate themselves because they need time to process their loss or because they feel uns

Why Does Grief Bring Back Old Pain? Episode Description: In this episode of Healing Starts with the Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker delves into the concept of cumulative grief, explaining how past unresolved losses often resurface during new grieving experiences. Sharon shares personal stories, psychological insights, and actionable tools to help listeners understand and navigate the layered emotions of cumulative grief, making space for healing and growth. Key Points Discussed: What Is Cumulative Grief? Cumulative grief refers to the accumulation of past unresolved losses that resurface during new grief experiences. These memories might stem from losses like childhood experiences, pet deaths, or moments of neglect that were never acknowledged as grief at the time. Examples of Cumulative Grief: Childhood losses such as being bullied, losing a pet, or experiencing a death that wasn’t openly discussed. Life events like divorce or career setbacks that resurface when facing a new loss. Sharon shares ho

  Hidden Grief: The Losses We Don’t Talk About In this episode of Healing Starts with the Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker dives into the topic of hidden grief—those personal, often unacknowledged grief experiences that go unnoticed by society. Sharon explains how hidden grief manifests in many forms beyond death and how societal norms often discourage people from recognizing and processing these losses. Through personal stories and practical advice, she helps listeners uncover and validate their hidden grief, paving the way for healing. Key Points Discussed: What Is Hidden Grief? Hidden grief refers to losses that don’t fit traditional definitions of grief, such as losing a job, relationship, or sense of identity. Sharon describes hidden grief as deeply personal and often invisible, making it harder for others to recognize or offer support. Examples of Hidden Grief: The loss of a dream job that you’ve worked toward for years. Breaking up with a significant other or going through a divorce. Losing s

   Lessons Learned Through Grieving As A Mother Episode Description: In this heartfelt episode of Healing Starts with the Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker sits down with Yannette, a mother who shares her journey of navigating grief after the tragic loss of her husband. Together, they explore the unique challenges of grieving while raising children and the profound transformation that occurs when a mother learns to process and share her emotions openly. Sharon and Yannette delve into how grief manifests differently for mothers and children and why it’s crucial to model healthy emotional expression. Yannette’s story of courage, resilience, and creating space for her children to grieve will inspire and empower listeners to embrace their own healing journeys. Key Points Discussed: Breaking Generational Norms Around Grief Yannette reflects on her childhood experience of loss, where emotions were often hidden, and how it shaped her initial approach to grief. Sharon emphasizes the importance

Episode Title: The First Step in Healing Episode Description: In this heartfelt episode of Healing Starts with a Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker invites listeners to explore the transformative power of sharing their grief. Drawing on her own experiences, Sharon reflects on the deeply personal journey of losing her nephew, Austin, and how finding a safe space to express her emotions became the first step in her healing process. Grief often isolates us, convincing us that our pain doesn’t matter or that it’s a burden to others. Sharon challenges these misconceptions, advocating for the importance of acknowledging and talking about grief—not as a mother, sister, or aunt, but as an individual. She introduces Grief Study Hall, a safe community for sharing stories and finding connection, as a first step toward emotional recovery. Key Points Discussed: Breaking the Silence Around Grief Why it’s crucial to speak openly about your personal grief story. The First Step in Healing Sharon’s pers

Episode Title: Shattered Trust: Finding Hope in Grief  Episode Description: In this heartfelt episode of Healing Starts with a Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker delves into the complex and little-discussed topic of grooming in the context of grief. Grievers are often in a state of heightened emotional vulnerability, which can make them susceptible to predatory behavior. Sharon sits down with guest Sherry Young, who bravely shares her personal experience of being groomed and scammed during her grieving process. Together, they explore the tactics used by groomers, the emotional toll it takes, and how to recognize and protect oneself from such situations. Key Points Discussed: What is Grooming? An explanation of grooming and its psychological impact on individuals, especially those who are grieving. Grooming vs. Scamming: The Link How grooming often serves as a precursor to financial or emotional exploitation. Personal Story: Sherry's Journey Sherry candidly shares her experience of being groome

Episode Title: How to Recognize and Heal Silent Grief Episode Description: In this episode of Healing Starts with a Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker dives into the often-overlooked world of silent losses. Grief isn’t always about losing a loved one; it can stem from many other life experiences that bring deep feelings of sadness and emptiness. Sharon sheds light on the impact of silent losses, like moving away from a childhood friend, losing a job, or experiencing a broken relationship. These losses, though less recognized, can attach themselves to major grief events, amplifying pain over time. Sharon shares why it’s essential to acknowledge and grieve these silent losses to find a path toward healing and resilience. Key Points Discussed: Silent Losses Explained Grief isn’t always tied to death. Sharon explains how silent losses, such as moving away, career setbacks, or relationship changes, can have a lasting emotional impact. Why Silent Grief is Overlooked Society often doesn’t recognize or suppo

Episode Title: How Grief Affects Your Whole Body Episode Description: In this episode of Healing Starts with a Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker discusses how grief impacts more than just our emotions—it’s a full-body experience. Sharon shares insights from her personal journey and professional expertise, illustrating how grief can affect various parts of the body, from physical pain to changes in behavior and even beliefs. She explores six main areas that grief can impact, helping listeners understand why grief feels so overwhelming and unpredictable. Through practical advice and compassionate guidance, Sharon sheds light on how grief touches every part of who we are and why it’s essential to recognize these effects on our path to healing. Key Points Discussed: Grief’s Full-Body Impact Grief is more than an emotional experience; it affects the entire body, including physical health, behavior, and even our beliefs. Emotional Roller Coaster Grief can send emotions spinning, often changi