When I sat down with Caelyn Caulfield, I knew this conversation would hit home for so many coaches, parents, and athletes. As a varsity basketball head coach and future school counselor, she’s bringing the grief recovery tools she’s learned into the gym, the classroom, and her everyday life with students. What stood out most to me is how intentional she is about giving her team space to process emotions—not just run plays.

Too often, coaches and parents expect kids to "shake it off" or hide their feelings when they miss a shot, lose a game, or face personal struggles. But as Caelyn shared, those unresolved emotions don’t disappear—they follow kids into the next practice, the classroom, and even into adulthood. By creating weekly team meetings that focus on themes like trust, she’s building stronger athletes and healthier young women who know it’s okay to feel and process life as it comes.

This episode is a call to action for every coach, teacher, and parent: emotions aren’t a distraction from the game—they’re the foundation of growth. Whether you’re on the field, in the dugout, or at home cheering in the stands, we all have a responsibility to model emotional health for the next generation. I think you’ll walk away from this conversation inspired to lead with more compassion and intentionality—on and off the court.

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction to Unresolved Emotions

01:39 - Caelyn Caulfield's Journey to Certification

04:09 - Applying Emotional Tools in Coaching

08:23 - Creating a Safe Space for Emotions

12:24 - The Importance of Vulnerability in Sports

16:11 - Building Trust and Team Dynamics

20:34 - The Work Behind Emotional Coaching

24:37 - Navigating Change and Grief in Teams

33:19 - Navigating Emotions in Youth Sports

36:09 - Building Relationships and Accountability

39:28 - Understanding Grief in Young Athletes

43:41 - The Impact of Unfinished Business on Coaching

48:05 - Connecting with Students in Detention

54:40 - Emotional Engagement in Coaching and Life

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 of the Feel Free Again podcast, host Cole James engages in a heartfelt conversation with Laylani Colibri, formerly known as Laura Jack. Leilani shares her transformative journey through grief after the sudden loss of her mother, which catalyzed her path towards becoming a grief recovery specialist.

Connect with Laylani:

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

Websites: https://linktr.ee/lsjack?utm_source=linktree_profile_share

She discusses her discovery of the Grief Recovery Method, her experiences in training, and the evolution of grief recovery training into the digital age. The conversation also delves into Laylani's courageous decision to change her name and live authentically, emphasizing the importance of making personal choices that align with one's true self.

Throughout the episode, Laylani's passion for helping others navigate their grief and find healing shines through, making for an inspiring and insightful discussion. In this conversation, Laylani Colibri shares her journey of navigating parental expectations, the impact of grief on her identity, and the importance of self-acceptance.

She discusses how her mother's death influenced her relationship with her father and her struggle with people-pleasing. The dialogue explores the nuances of emotional responsibility in relationships and the significance of compassionate communication. Laylani introduces her book, The Compassion Code, which aims to help individuals support others through their challenges while also taking care of themselves.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to Laylani Colibri

02:10 - Laylani Colibri's Journey Through Grief

09:36 - Discovering the Grief Recovery Method

12:21- Becoming a Grief Recovery Specialist

19:10 - The Evolution of Grief Recovery Training

25:10 -Living Authentically: Laylani Colibri's Name Change

28:11 - Empowering Others Through Personal Choices

28:50 - Navigating Parental Expectations and Personal Freedom

31:14 - The Impact of Grief on Identity and Relationships

35:18 - The Journey of Self-Acceptance and Loving Choices

39:58 - Understanding Emotional Responsibility in Relationships

53:11 - The Compassion Code: Bridging Grief and Compassionate Communication

In this episode of the Feel Free Again podcast, host Cole James speaks with Kira Pertuit, a certified grief recovery method specialist, about her personal journey through grief after losing her daughter. Kira shares her struggles with traditional grief support and how she discovered the grief recovery method, which helped her heal and transform her life.

They discuss the common myths surrounding grief, particularly the belief that time alone heals, and emphasize the importance of taking action to process grief. Kira highlights the possibility of finding joy and fulfillment in life despite the pain of loss, and they explore the emotional complexities of grieving, especially in the context of losing a child.

The conversation aims to challenge misconceptions about grief and encourage listeners to seek support and healing. In this conversation, Cole James and Kira Pertuit explore the complexities of grief, the importance of finding the right support systems, and the transformative power of grief recovery methods. They discuss personal experiences with loss, the challenges of navigating grief in community settings, and the impact of unresolved grief on relationships and mental health.

Kira shares her work in the Montana Women's Prison, highlighting the effectiveness of grief recovery tools in helping incarcerated women process their grief and find healing. The discussion emphasizes the need for emotional completeness in relationships and the importance of addressing grief in a constructive manner.

Connect with Kira:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aspensangelsmt

Website: https://www.griefrecoverymethod.com/grms/kira-pertuit

00:00 - Introduction to Grief Recovery

01:03 - Kira's Personal Journey with Grief

03:14 - The Impact of Time on Grief

05:42 - Navigating the Loss of a Child

08:45 - Finding Joy Amidst Grief

10:50 - Understanding Sadness vs. Pain

11:44 - The Process of Grieving

15:54 - Timing in Grief Recovery

18:32 - The Role of Identity in Grief

20:50 - The Balance of Emotions in Grief

22:01 - Challenging Myths About Child Loss

24:52 - Navigating Grief: Finding the Right Support

32:28 - Understanding the Impact of Loss on Relationships

36:25 - Empowering Change: Grief Recovery in Prisons

42:56 - Tools for Emotional Completeness in Daily Life