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.

If you’ve ever carried unresolved grief and never quite knew what to do with it, this episode is for you. In today’s Feel Free Again Podcast, I sit down with certified grief recovery specialist Kelli Sheumaker, whose personal journey through traumatic brain injury and the death of her mother revealed just how deep grief can run. We talk candidly about the moments she never got to say “I love you,” the medical trauma she endured, and how grief shows up in unexpected ways—even decades later.

This conversation unpacks not just the pain, but the power of emotional healing through the Grief Recovery Method. Kelli vulnerability will resonate with anyone who’s experienced loss, chronic illness, or that silent question of “Why do I still feel stuck?” She shares how the recovery process gave her peace with her past and a renewed purpose to help others do the same. We also dive into societal avoidance of death, the emotional impact on children, and why “complicated grief” is often misunderstood.

Connect with Kelli: https://www.griefrecoverymethod.com/grms/kelli-sheumaker

In this episode of the Feel Free Again podcast, host Cole James interviews Adrienne Mejias, a licensed marriage and family therapist who specializes in the Grief Recovery Method. Adrienne shares her personal journey of discovering the method and how it has helped her professionally and personally. She opens up about the loss of her two children and the challenges she faced while caring for them in different hospitals.

The conversation highlights the conflicting emotions and the relief that can come with grief. In this conversation, Adrienne Mejias shares her journey after the death of her two daughters and the impact it had on her marriage. She discusses the things she did as a griever and the helpful and unhelpful approaches she tried.

The conversation also explores the misconceptions and ranking system of grief, highlighting the importance of recognizing and addressing grief in children. Adrienne emphasizes the need for education and awareness about grief and the potential misdiagnosis of mental health issues. She also discusses the physical health effects of unresolved grief and the importance of doing grief work.

Connect with Adrienne: https://www.griefrecoverymethod.com/grms/adrienne-mejias

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/

Cole interviews Ed Owens, his great friend and his Vice President of The Grief Recovery Method. Cole and Ed discuss the pressing issue with PTSD and Survivor's Guilt within the military. If you are in the military, and yes if you're married into the military or have a loved one serving, this is a MUST for you. More about Ed: Ed retired from the US Air Force (Reserves) as a First Sergeant in 2009 where he was responsible for the health, safety and welfare of service members and their families.

During his career he deployed several times; his last deployment was as a First Sergeant to Iraq in 2006. As a law enforcement officer, Ed has worked in agencies at the city, county, State and Federal levels. Ed has a profound passion for helping our military service members, law enforcement, and their families. His background includes a BA in Social Science, with a minor in Human Development and a Certificate in Human Services Case Management and Administration. For over 20 years he’s been an instructor, trainer and facilitator teaching a wide range of topics. He also has experience working with at-risk foster children as a behavioral specialist as well as coaching and mentoring youth in our schools. He is also an advocate for children’s safety within his state and at the national level. Ed’s career includes over 23 years of military and law enforcement experience.

More about Cole:

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. Through the Grief Recovery Handbook and translations, interviews on radio and TV, public appearances and talks, web traffic, and various programs we offer, we have reached tens of millions of people with our message of hope and recovery from significant emotional loss.

For more information visit: https://www.griefrecoverymethod.com/

Cole sits down with Ed Owens, his great friend and his Vice President of The Grief Recovery Method. Ed shares his most life changing moment of his life, the loss of his 3 year old son. Grab your tissues and note pad, this episode will change you.

More about Ed:

Ed retired from the US Air Force (Reserves) as a First Sergeant in 2009 where he was responsible for the health, safety and welfare of service members and their families. During his career he deployed several times; his last deployment was as a First Sergeant to Iraq in 2006. As a law enforcement officer, Ed has worked in agencies at the city, county, State and Federal levels. Ed has a profound passion for helping our military service members, law enforcement, and their families. His background includes a BA in Social Science, with a minor in Human Development and a Certificate in Human Services Case Management and Administration.

For over 20 years he’s been an instructor, trainer and facilitator teaching a wide range of topics. He also has experience working with at-risk foster children as a behavioral specialist as well as coaching and mentoring youth in our schools. He is also an advocate for children’s safety within his state and at the national level. Ed’s career includes over 23 years of military and law enforcement experience. More about Cole: 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. Through the Grief Recovery Handbook and translations, interviews on radio and TV, public appearances and talks, web traffic, and various programs we offer, we have reached tens of millions of people with our message of hope and recovery from significant emotional loss.

For more information visit: https://www.griefrecoverymethod.com/

Cole interviews his dear friend Susan Dindinger, a facilitator and trainer in the Grief Recovery Method. Susan shares her personal experience with grief and how she discovered the method after the death of her sister. She discusses the reluctance she initially felt in trying the method and the profound impact it had on her life. Susan also highlights the pitfalls of churches in dealing with grief and the importance of meeting people where they are in their grief journey. In this conversation, Cole James and Susan Dindinger discuss the problem with skipping grief and the danger of positive thinking. They also explore unhelpful messages in the church and the transformative power of the Grief Recovery Method. They emphasize the importance of creating unity through emotional honesty and the need for safe spaces to share truth. They highlight the power of sitting with someone in grief and the gift of listening without offering advice. They also touch on the impact of COVID on grief and loss and the importance of certified grief recovery specialists.

Connect with Susan here: https://www.griefrecoverymethod.com/about-us/susan-dindinger

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/