Fifteen years ago, Chris lost his daughter Madison, a loss that seemed unbearable yet quietly simmered beneath the surface of his life. For years, he felt the pressure of grief's unrelenting voice that told him he didn't suffer enough. That he hadn't truly faced the depth of his pain and that he should feel guilty for not being there when Madison died. He wrestled with shame, guilt, and the sense that he was "doing grief wrong."

Over time, though, Chris discovered that grief is not a measure of suffering, it's a journey, unique to each person, shaped by perspective, patience, and self-compassion. He shares how the slow passage of time, the courage to feel, and the practice of honoring his emotions transformed his relationship with loss. What once felt like a relentless judgment became a teacher, guiding him toward healing, acceptance, and a deeper understanding of love and memory.

Now, through his writing and work supporting others, Chris encourages those navigating grief to trust their own process, to feel what they need to feel, and to recognize that suffering is not a failure, but that it's part of a path that can ultimately lead to meaning, growth, and connection.

This episode is sponsored by Bould Point Lakehouse. Check out their AirBNB here. Modern Lakehouse on Quiet Peninsula - Houses for Rent in Lakeville, Maine, United States - Airbnb