Let It Be - Navigating Grief with Dr. Jennifer Ryan

Mess and Meaning

This episode features personal stories and reflections on grief from my friends Stephen Shanabrook and Davenna Ward, as well as an interview with Dr. Jennifer Ryan, a licensed professional counselor supervisor and the managing director of I Choose Change in Allen, TX.

No one is immune to loss, and when it happens, we don’t get to skip the emotional rollercoaster that comes with it. Consider this episode your permission to feel it all, and let it be.

Whether you’re in the throes of grief yourself, or you want to better understand the process and how you can love others through the messy, ugly parts of grief, you’ll find encouragement and practical advice here to help you get more comfortable with the uncomfortable.
LISTEN IN AS WE EXPLORE:
1) how to support someone who’s grieving
2) when therapy is, and isn’t, helpful after a loss
3) how to grieve with/around our kids
4) misconceptions about the “stages” of grief
5) surprising ways our attachment style impacts our experience of grief
6) how to grow our capacity through self-care strategies and boundaries

LINKS + FOLLOW-UPS:
To connect with Dr. Jen, visit her website, ichoosechange.com, or find her on Facebook or Instagram.
Her DIY program for mental health, the Self-Love Hub, is available at myselflovetools.com.

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Looking for more ways to stay grounded in the good stuff?
Visit www.groundedingood.org for Dr. Kara's book, free newsletter, curated resources, and other offerings.
Disclaimer: This podcast is educational/preventive in nature and is NOT intended to be therapy. If you have relationship or mental health concerns, you can find qualified help on sites like BetterHelp or The Gottman Referral Network.
*Thanks to Alex Grohl for the intro/outro music.

Chapters

1. Podcast Intro (00:00:00)

2. Episode Preview - Grief (00:00:41)

3. Davenna Ward's Reflections (00:02:14)

4. Stephen Shanabrook's Story (00:03:12)

5. Guest Intro (Dr. Jennifer Ryan) (00:09:40)

6. Dr. Jen's Grief Experience (00:12:18)

7. Grieving With/Around Our Kids (00:14:00)

8. How to Support a Grieving Spouse (00:21:31)

9. Stages of Grief + Misconceptions (00:30:31)

10. When Therapy Can/Can't Help (00:32:28)

11. Attachment + Internal Working Models (00:40:03)

12. Self-Care + Relationships (00:47:36)

13. Dr. Jen's Recipe for Well-Being (00:53:18)

14. Self-Love Hub + Resources (00:54:53)

15. Stephen: Reaching Out for Help (01:00:42)

16. Stephen: Practical, Specific Offers (01:02:13)

17. Final Thoughts (01:03:07)

18. Podcast Outro (01:03:27)