"Understanding Grief: Giving Space to What Was Lost"

In today’s episode of A Time to Care: The Caregivers Podcast, we welcome grief expert Danielle Southwick for a heartfelt and enlightening conversation on one of the most universal yet often misunderstood experiences: grief. Danielle reminds us that grief is a normal and natural part of life—it’s not something to hide, fix, or rush through. She expands our understanding of grief by explaining that it doesn’t only come from the death of a loved one. Grief shows up in many forms: Tangible losses, such as the death of someone close, graduating from school, or relocating to a new city.Intangible losses, like losing a sense of identity, confidence, faith, or emotional connection.Disenfranchised grief, a type of loss that isn’t always recognized or validated by society—for example, mourning the death of a public figure or a pet, or feeling grief over a relationship that others might not have seen as significant. Danielle explains that the grieving process is deeply personal and complex. It’s not just about what we’ve lost—it’s also about the unspoken words, the dreams that were never fulfilled, the roles we no longer play, and the parts of ourselves that don’t feel heard. The healing process begins with a small but essential step—what she calls the 1%. It’s the decision to acknowledge the grief and allow ourselves to feel it. That small act of courage can open the door to greater healing. As Danielle says, "The rest will come, but the first step must be yours." This episode is a powerful reminder that grief is not a weakness—it's part of being human. Whether you're grieving a person, a season of life, or an old version of yourself, there’s space for your feelings, and healing is possible. Join us for this deeply compassionate conversation about how to give yourself—and others—permission to grieve and the grace to heal.