Episode 39 – Traumatic Grief | When Loss and Trauma Collide

Traumatic grief is different.

It’s not just missing someone.
It’s shock in the body, images that won’t leave, a nervous system stuck on high alert, and a world that no longer feels safe.

In this episode of The Grief Guardian Podcast, we talk openly about traumatic grief — what it is, why it feels so intense, and why trying to “be strong” often makes it worse.

This episode is for anyone who:

• Lost someone suddenly or unexpectedly

• Lives with intrusive memories or constant tension

• Feels disconnected, on edge, or exhausted

• Wonders why their grief doesn’t look like other people’s

• Knows something changed in them the moment it happened

We cover:

• What traumatic grief actually is

• Common signs people don’t realise are trauma-related

• Why the body stays stuck in survival mode

• How traumatic grief impacts identity, relationships, and daily life

• Practical ways to slow the nervous system and rebuild safety

• Why healing isn’t linear — and why that’s normal

This isn’t about fixing yourself.
It’s about understanding what happened to you — and learning how to live with more space, steadiness, and breath again.

If this episode resonates, you’re not alone. And you’re not broken.

Support & Community
📺 Subscribe to The Grief Guardian Podcast for weekly episodes
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566541571732
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant_a_cosgrove/
📲 Telegram: https://t.me/+ehvQ_JkVsL0wZmRl
💬 WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAeIqL5kg6wunsGOU3e

If you know someone carrying this kind of grief, consider sharing this episode. Sometimes hearing “this makes sense” is the first step toward breathing again.

Episode 38 – The Witness Void | When You’re Present but Not Really There

There’s a state many people slip into after loss, trauma, or long-term overwhelm.

You’re awake.
You’re functioning.
You’re even talking to people.

But inside, you feel like you’re watching life from a distance.

In this episode of The Grief Guardian Podcast, we talk about what I call The Witness Void — that place where you’re aware, but disconnected. Present, but not fully in your body.

For many grieving parents, especially fathers, this state shows up quietly. No breakdowns. No big emotions. Just distance, numbness, and a strange sense of observing your own life instead of living it.

In this episode, we explore:

• What the Witness Void actually is

• How it shows up in everyday life

• Why it’s a normal response to grief and overwhelm

• How it affects relationships and connection

• Gentle ways to return to your body without forcing anything

If you’ve ever thought, “I feel like I’m here, but I’m not really here,” this episode is for you.

You’re not broken.
You’re not failing grief.
Your system is trying to protect you.

🎧 Listen if you’re navigating grief, numbness, dissociation, or emotional shutdown
🛡️ The Grief Guardian Podcast
Hosted by Grant Cosgrove

📍 Connect with me
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566541571732
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant_a_cosgrove/

📢 Join the community
WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAeIqL5kg6wunsGOU3e
Telegram: https://t.me/+ehvQ_JkVsL0wZmRl

Episode 37 – Developmental / Life-Stage GriefGrief doesn’t only come from death.Sometimes it comes from change.In this episode of The Grief Guardian Podcast, we explore Developmental / Life-Stage Grief — the kind of grief that shows up when one chapter of life ends, and another begins.Becoming a parent.Watching your children grow up.Leaving a career.Aging.Stepping into a new version of yourself.Even positive transitions can carry a quiet sense of loss. This episode gives language to those feelings, explains why they occur, and offers practical ways to navigate them without judging yourself for experiencing them in the first place.In this episode, we cover:• What developmental and life-stage grief really is• Common signs people often miss or dismiss• Why identity shifts can feel unsettling• How transitions impact your emotional world• Practical ways to acknowledge and work through this type of griefIf you’re feeling unsettled during a life transition and can’t quite explain why, this episode is for you.You’re not broken.You’re adjusting.Listen, reflect, and share:If this episode resonates, share it with someone navigating a big life shift.Follow The Grief GuardianFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566541571732Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant_a_cosgrove/Telegram: https://t.me/+ehvQ_JkVsL0wZmRlWhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAeIqL5kg6wunsGOU3eThe Grief Guardian PodcastHelping you make sense of grief — in all its forms.If this episode supported you, and you’d like to help me continue creating more content like this, you can do that here:buymeacoffee.com/thegriefguardian

Episode 36: Anticipatory Joy + Loss | The Grief Guardian Podcast

In this episode, we talk about the emotional whiplash that happens when joy and grief collide. Anticipatory joy is that excitement you feel while imagining your child’s future — the little moments, the big milestones, the life you were ready for. When loss hits, all that joy doesn’t just disappear. It becomes something you tiptoe around because it hurts to look at.

This episode breaks down what anticipatory joy really is, how it shows up after losing a child, why it can feel so conflicting, and how to work with it instead of feeling trapped by it. If you’ve ever felt guilty for remembering the good part, or unsure how to talk about the dreams you once had, this one’s for you.

What we cover:

• What anticipatory joy means for grieving parents

• Signs and emotional reactions you might recognise

• Why this mix of feelings happens

• How it affects your day-to-day life and relationships

• Practical ways to handle these emotions and keep moving forward

If you’re a dad who’s lost a child, or someone supporting a grieving parent, this episode offers grounded guidance from someone who gets it. You’re not alone in this.

Listen, breathe, and take what helps.

Subscribe for more weekly episodes on grief, healing, and reclaiming your strength after loss.

Stay connected with me:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566541571732Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant_a_cosgrove/Telegram: https://t.me/+ehvQ_JkVsL0wZmRlWhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAeIqL5kg6wunsGOU3e

Episode 35: Secondary Loss GriefIn Episode 35 of The Grief Guardian Podcast, we’re talking about something most grieving parents aren’t warned about: secondary losses.Losing your child is the first hit. Everything that crumbles afterwards… that’s what this episode is about.You might notice friendships fading, your relationship taking a strain, money getting tight, your identity changing, or work falling apart. These are the hidden aftershocks that stack on top of the main pain.In this episode, I break down:• What secondary losses actually are• How to recognise them• Why they show up• How they affect your life more than people realise• Practical ways to rebuild and copeIf you’ve ever felt like your life took several hits instead of just one, you’re not crazy, and you’re not alone. This episode will help you make sense of it.💬 If this helped, drop a comment.Your story might be exactly what another grieving parent needs to hear.✦ Connect with meFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566541571732Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant_a_cosgrove/Telegram: https://t.me/+ehvQ_JkVsL0wZmRlWhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAeIqL5kg6wunsGOU3eThanks for being here. Take care of yourself.

Episode 34 - Guiding Children and Teenagers Through Losing a Loved One

Helping kids and teenagers through grief can feel overwhelming. They don’t always talk about what they’re feeling, and sometimes their behaviour is the only clue that something deeper is going on. In this episode of The Grief Guardian Podcast, we break down how young people experience loss and how you can support them without adding pressure or pretending everything is fine.

I cover:
• how children and teens understand loss at different ages
• common signs to watch for
• why their reactions can look “random”
• how grief affects their sense of safety
• what actually helps them heal
• practical ways to show up, even when you don’t know what to say

If you’re a parent, relative, teacher or someone who cares about a young person who’s hurting, this episode will give you clarity and confidence. You don’t need perfect words — just a steady presence.

Follow The Grief Guardian:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566541571732Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant_a_cosgrove/Telegram: https://t.me/+ehvQ_JkVsL0wZmRlWhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAeIqL5kg6wunsGOU3e

Episode 33 – Beyond Belief: Facing Loss Without Religion

Grief has a way of shaking everything, including the beliefs we once held onto. Some people turn to religion during times of loss. Others, like many of us, don’t. And some walk away from faith completely after tragedy hits. In this episode, I talk openly about what it’s like to face grief without relying on religion. No scripts, no pressure to “find comfort in God,” just the honest experience of navigating loss when faith doesn’t fit—or when it’s fallen apart entirely.

We’ll look at:• What grieving without religion actually looks like• Why do some people lose faith after a loss• The emotional and practical impact of navigating grief on your own terms• How to find meaning, comfort, and connection without relying on traditional beliefs• Ways to cope when you feel isolated or misunderstood.

If you’ve ever felt alone in your grief because the usual religious platitudes didn’t speak to you, this episode is for you.

Thanks for listening. If this hits home, feel free to share your story in the comments.

Follow The Grief

Guardian:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566541571732Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant_a_cosgrove/Telegram: https://t.me/+ehvQ_JkVsL0wZmRlWhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAeIqL5kg6wunsGOU3e

Episode 32 — Survivor’s Guilt: The Weight We Don’t Talk About

Survivor’s guilt hits hard. It creeps in when you start to smile again, when you try to live your life, or when you have a moment that feels “too good” after losing someone you love.

In this episode, we’re going straight into what survivor’s guilt looks like, why it shows up, and how to deal with it without beating yourself up. No sugar-coating. No clichés. Just real talk from someone who’s been there.

We cover:
• What survivor’s guilt actually is
• Why it shows up even when you had no control
• The signs most people don’t notice
• How it affects parents, partners, siblings, and anyone carrying a loss
• Simple ways to work through it day by day
• How to start letting yourself live again without feeling like you’re leaving someone behind

If this hits home, you’re not alone.
And if you know someone carrying this same weight, share it with them.

✦ Listen to more episodes of The Grief Guardian
New episodes drop regularly with real conversations about grief, healing, and finding your feet again.

Follow The Grief Guardian:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566541571732Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant_a_cosgrove/Telegram: https://t.me/+ehvQ_JkVsL0wZmRlWhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAeIqL5kg6wunsGOU3e

Thanks for being here. Keep going.