💔 What happens when your entire world shifts in just six weeks?
In this soul-stirring episode of Grief 2 Growth, host Brian Smith speaks with Betsy Thiebaud Stephenson, a mother whose son, mother-in-law, and beloved dog all transitioned into spirit in an incredibly short span of time. Through unbearable heartache, Betsy found her voice—and chose to write through the pain instead of waiting to heal first.
🖤 In 2022, Betsy’s radiant 21-year-old son Charlie transitioned into spirit by suicide, just 11 weeks after first expressing thoughts of self-harm. During that same time, her mother-in-law passed following a long journey with dementia, and her family dog, Bear, died suddenly from cancer. In her rawest moments, Betsy began writing what would become her memoir:
Blackbird: A Mother's Reflection on Loss, Grief, and Life After Suicide.
🎤 In this conversation:
Betsy shares who Charlie truly was—his humor, sensitivity, and soul.
We explore the emotional complexity of suicide and spiritual survival.
Hear how she found healing in vulnerability, community, and storytelling.
Discover the power of writing while the wound is still open.
💬 "You have to tell yourself a story you can live with." — Betsy
This episode is for you if:
✔️ You’re grieving the transition of a child into spirit
✔️ You’re struggling with back-to-back spiritual losses
✔️ You want a space where raw honesty and divine connection coexist
✔️ You believe in speaking truth even in the deepest pain
🕊️ You are not alone. This is a space for soul-deep healing.
👉 Watch now and join us in honoring Charlie, Bear, and all those who have returned to spirit.
📘 Get Betsy's book: https://blackbirdbetsy.com
📷 Follow Betsy on Instagram: @blackbirdbetsy21
🧠 Keyword Optimized For: grief after suicide of a child
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00:00 🌱 Planted, Not Buried
Brian opens with a powerful metaphor: What if grief isn’t the end—but the beginning of becoming?
00:45 🙏 A Sacred Space for Grief
Brian welcomes listeners and introduces Betsy—who experienced three profound transitions into spirit in just six weeks.
02:00 👦 Remembering Charlie
Betsy shares the essence of her son Charlie—his quiet strength, his humor, and the early signs of his mental health struggle.
09:40 ⚠️ From Crisis to Goodbye
She recounts flying to Texas to support Charlie, his brief recovery, and the heartbreaking moment he transitioned into spirit just weeks later.
17:30 💔 Suicide, Guilt & The Story We Tell
Betsy and Brian explore the crushing weight of guilt after suicide—and how each person must shape a story they can live with.
26:20 ✍️ Writing Through the Wound
Betsy shares why she didn’t wait to heal before writing her memoir Blackbird—and how raw honesty became her medicine.
34:15 🕊️ Three Transitions in Six Weeks
Charlie, Betsy’s mother-in-law, and Bear the family dog all transitioned—each deeply personal, each reshaping her world.
42:00 🚶♀️ Reentering the World
After over a year of retreat, Betsy reflects on reclaiming her life and how grief continues to show up without warning.
51:00 💬 Charlie Is Still With Us
Charlie remains a vibrant part of Betsy’s life. She explains why she speaks of him in the present tense and how his spirit lives on.
59:00 📘 Blackbird’s Message + Where to Connect
Betsy shares how her book is helping others and offers ways to connect with her work, story, and ongoing advocacy.
