In this episode of the Feel Free Again podcast, I am joined by Rhys Kiaaina, a grief recovery specialist, who shares his profound personal journey with the Grief Recovery Method. Rhys opens up about his experience with unresolved grief from the loss of his grandmother, the church split that impacted his community, and how the grief recovery process helped him find healing after 18 years of emotional turmoil. He dives into the powerful and transformative process of identifying grief, embracing it, and working through it to find peace. Rhys explains how the Grief Recovery Method not only helped him recover emotionally from the significant loss of his grandmother but also opened his eyes to the power of healing unresolved grief in other areas of his life. His story of transformation emphasizes the importance of addressing the emotional pain we carry, especially when it remains unresolved for years. We also explore the profound impact of the method on communities, highlighting how it helped Rhys navigate his own grief while also aiding others in their healing journey. In this candid conversation, Rhys offers advice to those struggling with grief, encouraging them to take action and seek help. Whether it’s grief from personal loss, church splits, or other emotional wounds, this episode provides hope and practical insights for overcoming the emotional pain that can sometimes feel insurmountable. If you’re ready to heal from past hurt and emotional loss, tune in for Rhys' powerful message on how the Grief Recovery Method can help transform your life. ⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to Rhys Kiaaina and the Grief Recovery Method 00:43 - Rhys' Journey into Grief Recovery 02:05 - Impact of Church Split on Rhys and His Community 03:18 - Introduction of Grief Recovery Specialist at Rhys' Church 04:50 - Emotional Struggles After Church Split and Unresolved Grief 05:36 - Reflecting on the Loss of a Dear Family Friend 06:10 - Role of Grief Recovery Specialist in Helping the Church Heal 07:42 - Unresolved Childhood Grief and Its Lasting Impact 09:22 - Uncovering Unresolved Grief from the Loss of His Grandmother 12:02 - How Grief Recovery Helps Navigate Emotional Healing 14:50 - The Guilt Rhys Felt After Recommending Chemotherapy for His Grandmother 16:39 - Realizing the Importance of Feeling Emotions to Heal 19:15 - Rhys' Breakthrough: Visiting His Grandmother’s Grave 24:30 - The Power of Emotional Connection in Grief Recovery 58:00 - Rhys' Path to Becoming a Grief Recovery Specialist Connect with Rhys: Website 1: https://www.peacewithrhys.com/ Website 2: https://www.griefrecoverymethod.com/grms/rhys-kiaaina LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhys-kiaaina-795b9793/ Email: rhys@peacewithrhys.com About the Host: Cole James, President of the Grief Recovery Institute, shares about the Power of Grief Recovery! Cole is dedicating his life to help people with grief. Now, grief is much more than just losing someone. Did you know that? You've probably heard of the Five Stages of Grief, right? Well, this goes much deeper than you think. Let me explain. Everyone has some type of grief in their lives, some haven't yet, but it's part of life. We can't escape it, BUT we can work through it. And you don't have to do it alone. Let's talk about it. We have trained Grief Recovery Method Specialists, who help heartbroken people, in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, the Middle East, Central America, South America, and North America. The Grief Recovery Method Certification Program is taught and available in multiple languages including: English, Spanish, Swedish, Hungarian, Ukrainian, and Russian. Our home office is in the United States and serves English-speaking nations and populations around the world, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and the Commonwealth Nations. In addition, we have international affiliate offices in Sweden, Australia, Mexico, and Hungary. Our goal is to help as many people as possible, which is why our books have been translated into over 30 languages including: Spanish, French, Dutch, Portuguese, Japanese, Ukrainian, Russian, and many more. For more information visit: https://www.griefrecoverymethod.com/

In this episode, I sit down with Judy Giovangelo, a grief recovery specialist who has experienced unimaginable loss. After losing her son to suicide, followed by multiple family tragedies, Judy shares how she navigated overwhelming grief and discovered tools that truly helped her heal. This conversation goes beyond surface-level advice and dives into what actually moves people forward. We unpack the myths surrounding grief, including the idea that time alone heals and why staying busy can actually keep people stuck. Judy opens up about how even meaningful work, like starting a nonprofit, can sometimes act as a distraction from processing pain. Together, we explore the concept of short-term energy relieving behaviors, unresolved grief, and how unprocessed emotions can impact relationships, mental health, and even the body. If you’ve ever felt stuck in grief, overwhelmed by loss, or unsure how to move forward, this episode offers hope and clarity. I truly believe this conversation can change how you see grief and what’s possible for your healing. If this resonates, share it with someone who needs it and help us get this message out. ⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 – Welcome to the Feel Free Again Podcast 05:03 – Judy’s Story: Loss, Trauma, and Nonprofit Beginnings 10:06 – The Truth About “Sturbs” and Avoiding Grief 15:09 – How Grief Impacts Relationships and Family Dynamics 20:12 – Ben Speaks: Turning Pain Into Purpose 25:15 – Grief Recovery Training and Real Transformation 30:18 – Misdiagnosed Grief and Mental Health Confusion 35:21 – Why Support Groups Don’t Always Work 40:24 – Guilt vs Regret: A Major Breakthrough 45:27 – Final Thoughts: Tools for Healing and Moving Forward Connect with Judy: Website: https://www.benspeaks.org/ Email: judygiovangelo@benspeaks.org About the Host: Cole James, President of the Grief Recovery Institute, shares about the Power of Grief Recovery! Cole is dedicating his life to help people with grief. Now, grief is much more than just losing someone. Did you know that? You've probably heard of the Five Stages of Grief, right? Well, this goes much deeper than you think. Let me explain. Everyone has some type of grief in their lives, some haven't yet, but it's part of life. We can't escape it, BUT we can work through it. And you don't have to do it alone. Let's talk about it. We have trained Grief Recovery Method Specialists, who help heartbroken people, in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, the Middle East, Central America, South America, and North America. The Grief Recovery Method Certification Program is taught and available in multiple languages including: English, Spanish, Swedish, Hungarian, Ukrainian, and Russian. Our home office is in the United States and serves English-speaking nations and populations around the world, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and the Commonwealth Nations. In addition, we have international affiliate offices in Sweden, Australia, Mexico, and Hungary. Our goal is to help as many people as possible, which is why our books have been translated into over 30 languages including: Spanish, French, Dutch, Portuguese, Japanese, Ukrainian, Russian, and many more. For more information visit: https://www.griefrecoverymethod.com/

In this powerful episode of the Feel Free Again podcast, I chat with Amy Diane Ross, a Grief Recovery Method Specialist and Bible teacher, about her transformative journey through grief and healing. Amy's story is deeply personal – she started this work as a way to help others but ended up healing her own heart in ways she never anticipated. From dealing with childhood trauma to navigating complex relationships, she found profound freedom through the Grief Recovery Method. Her experience proves that emotional healing is not just about overcoming loss, but about learning how to process grief to live fully in the present.

Amy's passion for emotional wellness within the Christian community is contagious. She discusses the importance of offering healing tools in church settings and how they can help create healthier, more compassionate congregations. With years of ministry and outreach work, Amy shows us that meeting people where they are emotionally – without judgment – is key to real transformation. Whether you are dealing with grief from personal loss or church hurt, Amy shares how these methods can help you find peace and forgiveness. If you're struggling with emotional pain or unfinished grief, this conversation is a must-listen.

Amy’s approach emphasizes the power of self-disclosure, vulnerability, and using grief recovery tools to create lasting healing in our lives and communities. Tune in and discover how grief recovery can restore your emotional health, strengthen your relationships, and deepen your faith journey.

Connect with Amy:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amydianeross/

Website: https://www.bethechurchministry.com/

Timestamps with Titles:

00:00 - Introduction to Amy Diane Ross and Her Journey Cole and Amy dive into her background and the work she does with Grief Recovery.

02:10 - How Amy Found the Grief Recovery Method Amy shares the emotional journey that led her to discover grief recovery, after losing her father.

04:40 - The Power of a Listening Heart: Amy’s Personal Healing Experience Amy describes the transformative impact of being truly heard during her grief recovery process.

07:10 - Grief Recovery in Christian Communities: A Missing Link Why this method is essential in helping the Christian community heal from emotional pain.

09:40 - The Importance of Emotional Healing in Churches Amy explains why churches need tools like grief recovery to help people emotionally process loss.

13:00 - Church Hurt and Unresolved Grief: How It Affects Congregations Exploring how grief and pain are often overlooked in church communities and the damage that can cause.

16:20 - How Grief Recovery Builds Trust and Vulnerability in Relationships The crucial role that emotional openness plays in building deeper, authentic relationships.

19:00 - Emotional Health for Pastors: Why They Need Grief Recovery Too Amy discusses the importance of pastors and leaders undergoing grief recovery to avoid burnout.

22:30 - Why Grief Recovery Should Be the First Step in Discipleship The benefits of starting with grief recovery before diving into Bible-based counseling.

30:00 - Practical Tools for Dealing with Grief and Trauma Amy talks about how the grief recovery tools provide a systematic approach to healing emotional pain.