In this deeply moving episode of Grief 2 Growth, host Brian D. Smith sits down with writer, performer, and podcaster Hannah Rumsey to explore one of the most overlooked types of grief: grieving the loss of a friend.
After losing her best friend Lauren in a tragic accident, Hannah struggled not just with loss — but with the silence surrounding it. Through storytelling, creativity, and the founding of her podcast Friends Missing Friends, Hannah has turned pain into purpose and is now helping others honor the friends they’ve lost.
🎙️ Together, we talk about:
✨ Why friend loss often goes unacknowledged
✨ How society minimizes platonic love — and why it matters
✨ The power of being witnessed in grief
✨ Reframing the stories we tell ourselves after loss
✨ Hannah’s journey from devastation to creation
Whether you’re mourning a friend from childhood, a recent loss, or a friendship that drifted away — this episode is here to validate your pain, remind you that you’re not alone, and offer a path toward healing.
👁️🗨️ Watch now to feel seen, supported, and understood.
🔗 Resources & Links:
💡 Hannah’s Website: https://www.friendsmissingfriends.com
📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/friendsmissingfriends
📧 Contact Hannah: friendsmissingfriends@gmail.com
📬 Join Brian’s community on Substack: https://grief2growth.substack.com
👇 Has grieving a friend changed your life? Share your story in the comments.
🫂 Your grief is real. Your love is valid. Your healing matters.
#Grief2Growth #GrievingTheLossOfAFriend #FriendshipLoss #PlatonicLove #HannahRumsey #GriefSupport #Podcast #HealingThroughGrief #BrianDSmith #FriendsMissingFriends– – – Let’s Connect: – – –
🤝 Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHQeKu2pmrnCIViui2N8DUA/join
🔔 Subscribe for more: https://www.youtube.com/@Grief2Growth?sub_confirmation=1
🔗 All my links and contact info:
https://pages.grief2growth.com/profile
🔗 Join my Facebook group (it's lively!)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/grief2growth
👛 Toss me a tip:
https://www.grief2growth.com/tipjar
📰 Join My Email List
https://pages.grief2growth.com/join-the-list
⏰ Book a free 30-minute consultation
https://grief2growth.as.me/30-minute-complimentary
00:00 ⏯️ Welcome to Grief 2 Growth
Brian introduces the show and the day’s emotional focus — grieving the loss of a friend.
01:13 🌱 Grief as Growth
A metaphor of being buried like a seed — and growing into something powerful.
02:24 🤝 Meet Hannah Rumsey
Brian introduces guest Hannah Rumsey, and the loss of her dear friend Lauren.
04:12 💔 When a Friend Dies Young
Hannah shares how Lauren passed away suddenly — and how she learned about it through Facebook.
08:45 😢 A Shocking Discovery
Hannah finds out about Lauren’s death via rest-in-peace posts and collapses in grief.
12:00 🧠 Why This Friendship Was So Deep
Lauren came into Hannah’s life at a critical moment — and unlocked a part of her she’d hidden.
15:30 🧳 Long-Distance Love
Though they only spent one summer together in person, their bond lasted for years.
18:22 🪦 The Funeral & Unacknowledged Grief
Why grieving a friend can feel invisible — and what it was like to attend the service.
22:10 ⚠️ “You Won’t Think About Her One Day”
How coworkers and friends minimized Hannah’s grief — and the silent heartbreak that caused.
26:04 ✉️ The Letter at the Bottom of the Box
A powerful moment: Hannah finds Lauren’s old letter and starts to reframe the story around it.
31:45 🎭 42 Days of Summer: The One-Woman Show
Turning grief into performance — and how storytelling helped Hannah heal.
36:00 🔌 Signs from the Other Side
A surreal experience: Hannah believes Lauren connected with her through buzzing phone vibrations.
40:20 🧘♀️ The Power of Perspective
How reframing the narrative of grief can lead to profound healing.
45:10 🎙️ Starting “Friends Missing Friends”
Hannah explains why she launched her podcast and how it's changing lives.
49:33 💬 Talking About Grief, Friendship & Loneliness
Why adult friendships are hard — and why they matter more than ever.
53:25 🫂 Supporting a Friend in Grief
The biggest lesson: don’t be afraid to ask about their person. Don’t let silence win.
56:15 🔗 Connect with Hannah & Brian
Find Hannah online, and join Brian’s community to keep healing together.
