Shining Light Parents Episodes

The casseroles arrive. The flowers fill the house. For a few weeks, people show up. And then they don't. For most grieving people, the silence that follows the funeral is one of the loneliest parts of loss — and one of the least talked about. In this episode, Brian sits down with Kelly Edmondson, a trauma nurse, grief counselor, and Shining Light mother who lost her son Darius on January 3rd, 2023. Kelly spent years delivering devastating news to families in the ER. She thought she understood...

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...

Send me a Text Message- please include your contact information so I can respond “Our time on Earth is just one little page in a never-ending story.” – Charlie Bynar After the tragic loss of her only child, 16-year-old Isaac, Charlie Bynar’s world fell apart. What followed was a breathtaking journey through unimaginable grief, mysterious signs, and undeniable communication from the other side. In this deeply moving conversation, Charlie and Brian explore love that doesn’t die — and what it m...

Send me a Text Message- please include your contact information so I can respond What happens when a mother loses her child—and chooses to live bigger than grief? In this heart-opening episode of Grief to Growth, Brian D. Smith sits down with Melissa Hull—author of Dear Drew: Creating a Life Bigger Than Grief, speaker, and coach—on the very day her book launches. Melissa shares the heartbreaking story of her 4½-year-old son Drew’s drowning, and how that unimaginable pain became the foundation...

Send me a Text Message In this unforgettable conversation, host Brian D. Smith talks with Kim Hodous, a speaker, author, and “shining light parent” who has experienced the unimaginable—losing not one, but two of her children. In her search for healing, Kim discovered something extraordinary: a way to continue her relationship with her son Rob, even after his passing. Raised in a religious household, Kim’s beliefs were shaken—and ultimately expanded—when grief became her teacher and spirit bec...

Send me a Text Message In this heartfelt episode of Grief 2 Growth , host Brian Smith sits down with Jessica Fein , author of Breathtaking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken Genes , and host of I Don’t Know How You Do It . Jessica shares her journey of love, loss, and finding joy amidst heartbreak—especially after losing her beloved daughter, Dahlia, to a rare disease. 💜 ✨ In this episode, we explore: 🔹 The inspiration behind Breathtaking and Jessica’s powerful memoir 🔹 Dahlia’s incredible ...

Send me a Text Message In this heartfelt episode of Grief 2 Growth , Brian Smith is joined by the remarkable Mary D’Agostino , a professional intuitive, spiritual counselor, psychic medium, and author. Mary shares her personal journey through love, loss, and spiritual awakening following the passing of her beloved son, Brandon. From profound visions to a shared death experience, Mary provides insight into how grief can be a catalyst for growth and transformation. Key Topics Discussed: The vibran...

Send me a Text Message In this profound and heartfelt episode, Brian Smith welcomes Eileen Santos Rosete—author, grief educator, and certified postpartum doula—whose groundbreaking work is changing the way we view and support those navigating pregnancy and infant loss. Eileen shares her deeply personal journey of loss and healing, offering insights into the physical and emotional realities of postpartum after pregnancy loss. Through her holistic approach, Eileen highlights the transformative pow...

Send me a Text Message Episode Summary : In this powerful episode, Brian Smith welcomes internationally renowned musician, author, and sound healer Jeralyn Glass , who shares her deeply moving story of loss, healing, and transformation. After the sudden passing of her only child, Dylan, Jeralyn turned to the healing power of crystal alchemy singing bowls , blending her expertise in music with the transformative science of sound. Guided by Dylan’s presence and love, Jeralyn found a way to transfo...

Send me a Text Message What happens when life delivers blow after blow, taking everything you hold dear? Dr. Kimberly Harms knows this all too well. After losing her son to suicide, her husband to illness, her mother to tragedy, and even her career, Kimberly could have stayed in the depths of despair. Instead, she clawed out of the grief pit, finding purpose, resilience, and joy. In this deeply moving episode, Kimberly shares her remarkable story of surviving the unimaginable and how she’s now h...

Send me a Text Message Gina Gayle Gray is a seasoned emotional health coach, counselor, and Oracle, whose life was profoundly transformed after the loss of her 23-year-old son, Spencer. Spencer, who never spoke a word in his physical life, taught Gina the extraordinary power of listening to the silence—a lesson that has shaped her life and work. Gina now channels her experiences into helping others heal emotional wounds, reconnect with themselves, and transform grief into grace. From her retreat...

Send me a Text Message I sit down with Chris Ryan, a father who has turned his profound grief into a mission of healing and connection. After the tragic loss of his son, Sean, to fentanyl poisoning, Chris's journey has taken him through unimaginable pain, spiritual exploration, and, ultimately, a powerful transformation. Chris shares his unique bond with Sean, their love for music, and the struggles Sean faced with substance use. The conversation delves into Chris's evolving spiritual beliefs, i...

Send me a Text Message In this episode of Grief to Growth, host Brian Smith welcomes Teena Christel, a mother, artist, and spiritual guide. Teena shares her transformative journey of healing and spiritual awakening after the devastating loss of her son, Chase. Discover how Teena navigated through grief, found her purpose, and now empowers others through her work and insights. Key Topics Discussed: - Introduction to Teena Christel and her background - The loss of her son Chase and the beginning o...

Send me a Text Message In this heartfelt episode of "Grief 2 Growth," host Brian Smith sits down with Diane Calderon to discuss her poignant journey through the twin challenges of losing her son and supporting her husband through his battle with dementia. Diane shares how these experiences led her to discover mediumship and ultimately find a way to maintain a connection with her son beyond the physical. Listen as Diane opens up about her personal and spiritual growth, her new book, and how she u...

Send me a Text Message In this inspiring episode, host Brian Smith talks with Nick Shaw, an accomplished executive coach, author, and speaker known for his deep insights into personal transformation, self-discovery, and authentic leadership. Nick shares his emotional and spiritual journey through the pages of his book, "My Teacher, My Son," which details the profound impact of his son William's life and untimely passing. What You'll Learn: The Power of Perspective - How viewing challenges as opp...

Send me a Text Message Author and spiritual teacher Pam Grout shares her journey of grief, joy, loss, miracles, and healing after losing her daughter. Pam talks about her bestselling books like "E Squared," "The Course In Miracles Experiment," her foundation in honor of her daughter, the role of synchronicities & manifestation, and more. A psychic told Pam she'd have a daughter. At age 36 and single, she didn't think it was true. Taz turned out to be a turning point in Pam's life, even though Ta...

Send me a Text Message Can you imagine unearthing your intuitive abilities following a heart-wrenching loss? My recent heartfelt discussion with the impressive Serena Baptista, an award-winning author, international speaker, spiritual teacher, and evidential psychic medium, explores this journey. Serena candidly shared the story of how her son, JT, who tragically left us at the tender age of seven, guided her toward the discovery of her gifts and purpose. We navigated the realms of mediumship, s...

Send me a Text Message It was beautiful to sit down with a fellow Shining Light Dad. A Shining Light Parent has a child in spirit. Us dads taking the mic is rare indeed. Eric Hodgdon (pronounced Hodge-dun) is a coach, author, and speaker. After losing his 15-year-old daughter Zoi to suicide in early 2014, Eric found a way to survive and get back up, and through his grief journey, he is now living beyond his loss. Now, Eric is sharing his story and his journey so that no one else has to walk alon...

Send me a Text Message "Love Untethered: How To Live When Your Child Dies" is a memoir about Vanessa's grief for the loss of her son Harry. By sharing her personal experience, Vanessa hopes to enable others who have gone through a similar loss to feel less isolated in their grief. In the second part of her book, Vanessa offers some ideas for supporting physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual wellbeing using her experience, not just as a bereaved mother but as a nutritional therapist, wellbein...

Send me a Text Message When it comes to After Death Communication, it's hard to beat Teo. Cecilie Surasky and Carolyn Hunt are the parents of Teo Hunt Surasky, an exceptionally vibrant, compassionate, and loving young man who unexpectedly passed in July 2020 at 18 years old, a month after graduating from Berkeley High in California. Death did not stop their relationship or their communication. In profound shock from the sudden loss, Carolyn and Cecilie reached out to their extended community at ...

Send me a Text Message Camille Dan is the Shining Light Mother of Aaron, who transitioned into spirit at an early age. Camille and I discuss what Aaron was like before he passed. But, we really focus on her surprising relationship with Aaron since then. In a short span of time, Camille has written a book, come out with the second edition of that book, and put together an incredible anthology in a third book. Camille has regular communication with Aaron and credits him for the incredible work she...

Send me a Text Message Shauna's little boy, Jack, lives in spirit. Shauna has developed a way of communicating with Jack that she shares with other mothers whose children are no longer in the physical. 🔗 All my links and contact info: https://pages.grief2growth.com/profile 👛 Toss me a tip: https://www.grief2growth.com/tipjar 💰 Become a Patron (regular donor) https://www.patreon.com/grief2growth 🌐 Grief 2 Growth website: https://www.grief2growth.com 🎙️Podcast: https://podcast.grief2growth.com/ ⏰ ...

Send me a Text Message Cindy has endured more trauma in this life than many of us will in several lives. While there were times she wanted to give up, she never did. Today, she is an example of what we can become if we just keep showing up. At the end, she delivers a message of inspiration for us all. 🔗 All my links and contact info: https://pages.grief2growth.com/profile 👛 Toss me a tip: https://www.grief2growth.com/tipjar 💰 Become a Patron (regular donor) https://www.patreon.com/grief2growth 🌐...

Send me a Text Message When Aaron Schaeffer died, his mother Cathy Jane Jensen knew that could not be the end. The "loss" of her son set her on a quest that has turned into a worldwide mission. Religion asks us to believe without questioning. Atheistic Materialism is no better. Acquiring a truth for yourself is a very different process than accepting a belief. Cathy is determined to help as many people as possible discover the truth for themselves. Cathy's book is chock full of evidence that thi...