EPISODE · Feb 3, 2026 · 1H 6M
When Grief Takes Everything: Vanessa May on Surviving Compounded Loss | EP 474
from Grief 2 Growth · host Brian D. Smith
What happens when grief doesn't just visit once—but keeps coming back? In this deeply honest conversation, Vanessa May shares how she navigated losing her son Harry, then her husband Anthony, and father during the pandemic, all while battling COVID and later a cancer diagnosis.Vanessa doesn't sugarcoat. She doesn't spiritually bypass. She tells the truth about what it's like when the ground keeps getting ripped out from under you—and how she's found her way forward anyway.In this episode, we explore:The unique pain of compounded grief—losing a child and a spouseHow trauma lives in the body and can manifest as illnessWhy "resilience" can feel like pressure instead of praiseSoul planning, earth school, and making meaning from lossThe loneliness of widowhood in the middle yearsHow Vanessa still feels Harry and Anthony guiding herThe six women featured in her new book and what they have in commonFinding the balance between spiritual hope and raw human griefAbout Vanessa May:Vanessa is a holistic grief coach, certified grief educator, nutritional therapist, and author of three books including Love Untethered: How to Live When Your Child Dies and her newest release, When Grief Takes Everything: A Survival Guide to Devastating Loss.Connect with Vanessa:Website: VanessaMay.co.ukInstagram: @may.wellbeing.griefsupportWhat resonated with you in this conversation?I'd love to hear your thoughts. Join the discussion at grief2growth.substack.com, leave a comment, and connect with others walking this road.You've been listening. You're doing the work. But there's still this feeling that you're circling the same place.Maybe you've thought about working with me one-on-one. Maybe something's held you back. I get that. And I want you to know there's still a place for you.All of it, pay what you want. You decide what it's worth. Nobody gets turned away because of money.https://grief2g Want to go deeper? My Substack is where I share solo essays on grief, consciousness, and continuing bonds — thoughts that don't always make it into the podcast. It's also home to a community of listeners who get it, because they're living it too. Free to subscribe. Find it at substack.com/grief2growth. I've been studying Near Death Experiences for many years now. I am 100% convinced they are real. In this short, free ebook, I not only explain why I believe NDEs are real, I share some of the universal secrets brought back by people who have had them.https://www.grief2growth.com/ndelessonsSupport the show🧑🏿🤝🧑🏻 Join me on Substack- connect with others and me 👛 Subscribe to Grief 2 Growth Premium (bonus episodes)📰 Get A Free Gift📅 Book A Complimentary Discovery Call📈 Leave A ReviewThanks so much for your support
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What happens when grief doesn't just visit once—but keeps coming back? In this deeply honest conversation, Vanessa May shares how she navigated losing her son Harry, then her husband Anthony, and father during the pandemic, all while battling COVID and later a cancer diagnosis. Vanessa doesn't sugarcoat. She doesn't spiritually bypass. She tells the truth about what it's like when the ground keeps getting ripped out from under you—and how she's found her way forward anyway. In this episode, w...
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When Grief Takes Everything: Vanessa May on Surviving Compounded Loss | EP 474
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