Healing Starts with the Heart
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...
info_outlineHealing Starts with the Heart
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...
info_outlineHealing Starts with the Heart
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...
info_outlineHealing Starts with the Heart
🎙️ 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...
info_outlineHealing 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* ...
info_outlineHealing Starts with the Heart
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....
info_outlineHealing Starts with the Heart
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...
info_outlineHealing Starts with the Heart
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...
info_outlineHealing Starts with the Heart
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...
info_outlineHealing Starts with the Heart
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...
info_outlineWhy 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 how unresolved grief can intensify the pain of current losses, making it harder to process and heal.
Why Cumulative Grief Happens:
- The brain and heart remember past grief experiences through sensory triggers like smells, songs, or locations.
- Unprocessed emotions are stored in the body, resurfacing during stressful events like a current loss.
Comparing Old and New Losses:
- Sharon explains how it’s natural to compare current grief to past experiences.
- While some comparisons can be helpful (e.g., identifying coping skills that worked), others, like judging one loss as "worse," can hinder healing.
Personal Stories of Cumulative Grief:
- Sharon shares examples from her work with clients, such as a woman grieving her father’s death who uncovered unresolved emotions from her divorce.
- She reflects on how her own childhood coping mechanisms influenced how she handled grief later in life.
The Role of "What-If" Thinking:
- Sharon discusses counterfactual thinking—reflecting on how things could have been different.
- While it’s a natural response, focusing on "what-ifs" can distract from addressing current grief.
The Silver Lining in Cumulative Grief:
- Past grief experiences can remind us of our resilience and coping skills.
- By reflecting on how we’ve overcome challenges before, we can find hope and strength in the present.
Journal Questions for Reflection:
- What is one memory from a past loss that has resurfaced during your current grief?
- Have you compared your current grief to a previous experience? What have you learned?
- Are there any "what-if" thoughts you’ve been holding onto? How do they affect your grieving process?
- What coping strategies or support systems from past losses might help you now?
Conclusion:
Cumulative grief is a natural part of the grieving process, allowing past emotions to come to the surface for healing. Sharon encourages listeners to embrace these memories, use them as a source of strength, and reflect on their grief through journaling and support systems. Remember, every loss brings an opportunity for growth and deeper emotional understanding.
Follow Us:
- Website: healingstartswiththeheart.com
- Facebook Group: Join our supportive community at Hope, Heal, Recover.
- Instagram: @healatthegriefschool
- Contact Us: Email Sharon at [email protected]
Thank you for listening! Tune in next time as we explore the transformative power of grief and healing.