Episode 50: Don't Rush Past Your Grief: Learning to Embody the Both/And

Send us Fan MailWhat does it mean to hold joy and grief at the same time?In this episode, Emma and I explore the tension of living in a both/and world. Through reflection, breath, and honest conversation, they unpack how grief shows up in the body, how the world rushes us past it, and how joy can become a grounding practice rather than something we wait to earn.This conversation invites us to slow down, listen to what we’re feeling, and create space for the fullness of our humanity.Chapters00:45 – Why Grief Is Bigger02:30 – Naming Feelings in the Body03:11 – Consistency Through Exhaustion04:20 – Grounding Breath Prayer07:22 – Mindfulness and ASMR10:48 – Making Space for Grief13:12 – Phrases That Hurry Us14:57 – Grief as Growth15:37 – Reverence for the Week16:58 – Three Questions on Feelings17:58 – Naming Emotions at Work20:21 – When You Say “I’m Fine”21:33 – Incongruence and Humor23:16 – Finding Quiet Grounding24:48 – Self-Talk and Journaling26:40 – Chicken Nugget WisdomReflection QuestionsWhat am I feeling in my body right now?Where might I be rushing myself past something that needs care?Can I sit with this feeling, even for a moment, instead of avoiding it?Emma’s Chicken Nugget WisdomWrite a poem.Not just about what you feel…But where you feel it.What does your face do when you feel it?What does your body do when you feel it?Let your emotions have language.Let them take up space.MentionsSundays in 3D: The Both/And of Grief (and the Practice of Reverence)Dr. Erika McDowell ( Just Erika) essay on GriefTressie McMillan Cottom’s Instagram:Connect with Me:Instagram: @natural_inclinationYoutube: @naturalinclinationTikTok: Amber SessomsLinkedIn: Dr. Amber M. Sessoms, NCSPBluesky: @ambersessoms.bsky.socialFacebook: Natural InclinationWebsite: www.aninclination.comLike, Comment, Share, EngageIf this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who would love these conversations. Engage with the Curiosity Cards and ask the youth in your life about their experiences because you might be surprised by what you learn. Share your thoughts and reflections in the comments or on social media using #LivingIn3DPower. And, don’t forget to subscribe and stay tuned for next week’s conversation!