Ep73: Gratitude and Grief: Finding Your Path From Pain to Purpose with Kelly Buckley

Kelly was in the healthcare space, working with families in the intensive care unit and oncology nursing. While she spent a good amount of time around grief and loss, nothing prepared her for what it was like to navigate losing her son 15 years ago.    She shares about the early days of shock, disbelief, and grief and how she dealt with anxiety, relationship changes, and still showing up for her other son. We discuss how grief has changed over the years and how she has used her experiences to connect on a deep level with other bereaved moms.    ---   Kelly Buckley is a gratitude practitioner, speaker, author, and the host of the Broken, Beautiful, Me podcast. With over 30 years of experience in healthcare leadership, Kelly turned her own journey through profound grief into a mission to inspire and support others. Her work focuses on using gratitude and storytelling to navigate life’s challenges, foster resilience, and create meaningful connections. Through her podcast and public speaking, Kelly provides a compassionate space for sharing stories of healing, hope, and personal growth, empowering others to embrace life’s beauty even in the face of adversity.   You can find Kelly at https://www.kellybuckley.com/   Chapters 00:00 Journey Through Grief: A Personal Story 02:51 The Impact of Loss on Family Dynamics 05:52 Navigating Anxiety and Grief 08:50 The Messiness of Grief and Self-Compassion 11:56 Relationships in the Wake of Loss 14:53 Finding Support and Understanding 17:51 The Role of Medication in Grief 21:04 Communicating Grief: What to Say and What Not to Say 23:58 The Unpredictability of Grief 26:46 Embracing Vulnerability in Grief 29:59 The Power of Sharing Your Story 40:02 Embracing Vulnerability in Grief 43:48 The Healing Power of Writing 46:08 Finding Flickers of Light in Darkness 50:41 The Evolution of Grief Over Time 54:41 Resilience Redefined 01:08:34 Final Thoughts on Healing and Connection