Episode 20 – Finding Support When You’re Grieving

Grief is heavy, but you don’t have to carry it alone. In this episode of The Grief Guardian Podcast, I open up about one of the most difficult parts of my own journey after losing my daughter—finding the right kind of support.

We’ll explore what support looks like, why it’s often so hard to ask for help, and the different ways you can find it—from friends and family, to support groups, counselling, spiritual practices, and even alternative outlets like martial arts or meditation.

Support doesn’t erase grief, but it changes the way you carry it. Whether it’s talking with someone who understands, sitting quietly with a friend, or being part of a community that simply “gets it,” connection makes all the difference.

If you’ve been feeling isolated, misunderstood, or like your grief is getting heavier instead of lighter—this episode is for you.

🔹 Listen in and discover how reaching for support could be the step that lightens your load.

Connect with me here:
📌 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566541571732
📌 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant_a_cosgrove/
📌 Telegram: https://t.me/+ehvQ_JkVsL0wZmRl
📌 WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAeIqL5kg6wunsGOU3e

🎙️ Episode 19 – Grief and Special Dates: Birthdays, Anniversaries, and Holidays
The Grief Guardian Podcast with Grant Cosgrove

Some days hurt more than others.

In this episode, we’re talking about one of the toughest parts of grief — navigating special dates like birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and death dates. These moments can feel like emotional landmines, stirring up memories and intensifying the pain of loss.

Together, we’ll explore:
💔 Why special dates hit so hard — absence, memories, traditions, and the pressure to “be happy”
😔 Common experiences — dread, exhaustion, conflicting feelings, even physical symptoms
🛠️ Practical ways to cope — creating new rituals, setting boundaries, honouring your loved one in your own way
💬 How to support someone grieving on a special date — showing up with presence, compassion, and patience

✨ “This pain is proof of love. Be gentle with yourself. The love stays with you — and you don’t have to walk through it alone.”

If this episode helps you, please share it with someone facing an upcoming birthday, anniversary, or holiday without their loved one. Sometimes the smallest reminder that they’re not alone makes all the difference.

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📌 Subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes.
👍 Like, comment, and share to help others find support on their grief journey.

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🔗 Connect with Grant Cosgrove:
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566541571732
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant_a_cosgrove/
📱 Telegram: https://t.me/+ehvQ_JkVsL0wZmRl
📱 WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAeIqL5kg6wunsGOU3e

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#GriefSupport #SpecialDates #TheGriefGuardian #GrantCosgrove #GriefJourney #HolidaysAndGrief #YouAreNotAlone #HealingAfterLoss

🎙️ Episode 18 – Grieving the Loss of a Pet
The Grief Guardian Podcast with Grant Cosgrove

Pet loss is real grief. And it’s time we talked about it.

In today’s episode, I dive into a type of grief that often gets overlooked—the death of a beloved animal companion. If you’ve ever loved a pet, you already know: they’re not “just a dog” or “just a cat.” They’re family. And when they’re gone, it hurts deeply.

In this conversation, I’ll cover:
🐾 Why losing a pet can feel like losing a family member
💔 The 5 Stages of Grief (and how they really show up in pet loss)
🛠️ Practical ways to navigate this grief: journaling, rituals, safe spaces, and community
🚫 How to set boundaries with people who dismiss your pain
🌱 Why giving yourself permission to grieve is essential for healing

💬 “You don’t have to justify your grief to anyone. Just honour it.”

This episode was inspired by a member of the Grief Guardian community who reached out with this request. If there’s something you’d like me to talk about on the podcast, message me anytime.

If this episode helps you, please share it with someone else who’s grieving a pet right now. Sometimes just knowing you’re not alone makes all the difference.

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📌 Subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes.
👍 Like, comment, and share to help others find support on their grief journey.

—

🔗 Connect with Grant Cosgrove:
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566541571732
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant_a_cosgrove/
📱 Telegram: https://t.me/+ehvQ_JkVsL0wZmRl
📱 WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAeIqL5kg6wunsGOU3e

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#GriefSupport #PetLoss #TheGriefGuardian #GrantCosgrove #GrievingPets #GriefJourney #YouAreNotAlone #HealingAfterLoss #PetGrief

🎙️ Episode 17 – Grief & PTSD
The Grief Guardian Podcast with Grant Cosgrove

Grief doesn’t just break your heart—it can rewire your brain.
Today, we’re talking about PTSD and grief—not the textbook version, but the raw, personal, lived version that can come from losing someone you love, especially a child.

I never thought PTSD applied to me… until it showed up in the darkest chapter of my life.

In this episode, I open up about:
💔 The moment my life split in two—seeing my daughter, Mia, for the last time
🧩 How trauma stacked on trauma—my wife fighting for her life, and a coroner’s report that made everything worse
🚪 Why even a broken door became a daily trigger that pulled me back into pain
⚡ What PTSD really looks like when grief is the cause—not just for soldiers, but for anyone who’s been shattered by loss
🛠️ The coping strategies that help me manage flashbacks and triggers (and why awareness is key)

💬 “You’re not broken. You’re not crazy. And you’re not alone. PTSD after loss is brutal, but there are ways to live with it—one breath at a time.”

If this episode resonates, please share it with someone who needs to hear it.

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📌 Subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes.
👍 Like, comment, and share to help others find support on their grief journey.

—

🔗 Connect with Grant Cosgrove:
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566541571732
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant_a_cosgrove/
📱 Telegram: https://t.me/+ehvQ_JkVsL0wZmRl
📱 WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAeIqL5kg6wunsGOU3e

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#GriefSupport #PTSD #TheGriefGuardian #GrantCosgrove #ChildLoss #TraumaHealing #YouAreNotAlone #MentalHealthAwareness #GriefPodcast

🎙️ Episode 16 – The Impact of Grief on Men
The Grief Guardian Podcast with Grant Cosgrove

Men grieve too—but too often, their pain is ignored.
Society tells us to “be strong,” to “hold it together,” to be the rock for everyone else. But being the rock doesn’t mean we don’t feel. It doesn’t mean we don’t break inside.

In this episode, I’m speaking directly to the men navigating grief. I share my own story of losing my daughter, Mia, and nearly losing my wife in the same storm—and the lessons I’ve learned about the hidden cost of grief on men.

Here’s what we’ll unpack today:
💔 The silent pressure men face while grieving
🛠️ Tools that can actually help—journaling, therapy, rituals, mindfulness
🌍 The power of community, like the Grieving Fathers group that became my lifeline
👨 The often-overlooked pain of fathers and why they need to be checked in on too

👉 If you’re a man in grief: you are not broken. You’re human. And you don’t have to carry this alone.

💬 “Men need to hear that it’s okay to feel. It’s okay to cry, to rage, to question everything. Strength isn’t silence—it’s honesty.”

⚠️ If this episode speaks to you, please share it with someone who needs to hear it. And if you’re struggling—reach out. Don’t do this on your own.

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📌 Subscribe to The Grief Guardian Podcast so you never miss an episode.
👍 Like, comment, and share to support others on their healing journey.

—

🔗 Connect with Grant Cosgrove:
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566541571732
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant_a_cosgrove/
📱 Telegram: https://t.me/+ehvQ_JkVsL0wZmRl
📱 WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAeIqL5kg6wunsGOU3e

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#GriefSupport #MensMentalHealth #TheGriefGuardian #GrantCosgrove #GrievingMen #CopingWithLoss #YouAreNotAlone #GriefPodcast #GrievingFathers

🎙️ Episode 15 – Tools for Working Through Grief: What Actually Helps
The Grief Guardian Podcast with Grant Cosgrove

“How the hell do I get through this?”
Not “get over it”—because that’s not the goal.
This episode is about real tools for surviving grief—mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

After losing my daughter, I found myself searching for anything that could help me breathe through the pain without letting it drown me. Today, I’m sharing what actually helped—and what might help you too.

In this episode:
🧠 Mental tools like journaling, therapy, mindfulness, and grief groups
🏋️ Physical tools like movement, rest, crying (yes, that’s a tool)
🔍 Cognitive tools like reframing and grief education
💬 Connection tools like creative outlets, talking to someone, or spiritual practices
📱 Digital tools like grief apps, AI journaling, and online support

This isn’t about “fixing” grief. It’s about building a toolkit that helps you carry it—without letting it crush you.

⚠️ If you’re stuck in denial, rage, numbness, or just total exhaustion—this is your sign to try something different.

🛠️ Use what works. Leave what doesn’t. But don’t sit in the rubble forever. Pick something up. Try something.

💬 “Grief doesn’t get solved. It gets carried. And you don’t have to carry it alone.”

📢 If this episode helps you, share it with someone in the trenches.
💌 Got a tool that worked for you? Message me—I might share it in a future episode.

—

📌 Subscribe to The Grief Guardian Podcast so you don’t miss an episode.
👍 Like, comment, and share to support others on their healing journey.

—

🔗 Connect with Grant Cosgrove:
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566541571732
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant_a_cosgrove/
📱 Telegram: https://t.me/+ehvQ_JkVsL0wZmRl
📱 WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAeIqL5kg6wunsGOU3e

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#GriefSupport #GriefTools #TheGriefGuardian #GrantCosgrove #MentalHealth #GriefHealing #YouAreNotAlone #CopingWithLoss #GriefPodcast

🎙️ Episode 14 – The 5 Stages of Grief: What They Are and How to Work Through Them
The Grief Guardian Podcast with Grant Cosgrove

You’ve heard of the five stages of grief—Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance—but grief isn’t a checklist. It’s chaos. It’s waves. It’s raw.

In this episode, we break down the iconic Kübler-Ross model and get real about what each stage actually looks like when you're living it—not just reading about it.

You’ll learn:
🧠 What each stage really means (without the psychobabble)
⚠️ Why the stages don’t always follow a neat order
🌀 How bouncing between stages is completely normal
💥 What grief does to your body, brain, and spirit
🛠️ Coping strategies that actually help—no fluff, no filters
💬 Why saying their name still matters

This one’s for anyone who’s ever felt broken, stuck, or just trying to breathe through the storm. You're not crazy. You're grieving. And you're not alone.

💬 “Grief doesn’t follow rules—it follows your heart.”

🎯 If this hit home, share it with someone who needs to hear it.
👊 Let’s face grief together, one honest conversation at a time.

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📌 Subscribe to The Grief Guardian Podcast so you never miss an episode.
👍 Like, comment, and share to help others on their healing journey.

—

🔗 Connect with Grant Cosgrove:
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566541571732
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant_a_cosgrove/
📱 Telegram: https://t.me/+ehvQ_JkVsL0wZmRl
📱 WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAeIqL5kg6wunsGOU3e

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#GriefSupport #FiveStagesOfGrief #KublerRoss #TheGriefGuardian #GrantCosgrove #GriefPodcast #MentalHealthAwareness #HealingJourney #YouAreNotAlone

🎙️ Episode 13 – “When the Words Go Quiet: The Grief of Losing Connection”
Or: “Grieving the Child Who’s Still Here: When Autism Changes Everything”
Today’s episode isn’t about death—but it is about loss.
This one’s deeply personal, and incredibly important.

What happens when your child becomes non-verbal due to autism?
When the “I love you”s stop. When the conversations go silent.
You’re left grieving someone who’s still here.
This is called ambiguous loss—a type of grief most people don’t talk about.

In this episode, I’ll unpack:

• What this grief is and why it hurts

• The guilt, confusion, and isolation it brings

• What causes it—and how it changes you

• The impact on parenting, relationships, and identity

• How to cope and reconnect in new ways

If you’re a parent walking this path—your grief is real. And you’re not alone.

🕊️ Share this episode with someone who needs to hear this message.

🗨️ Got a story to share or just want to connect? Reach out—I’d love to hear from you.

👇 Stay connected:
📱 Telegram: https://t.me/+ehvQ_JkVsL0wZmRl
📱 WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAeIqL5kg6wunsGOU3e
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant_a_cosgrove/
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566541571732

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