Grief 2 Growth cover art

Grief 2 Growth

Grief 2 Growth

Written by: Brian D. Smith
Listen for free

About this listen

"Transform your grief into growth with Brian Smith, an empathetic life coach, certified grief educator, public speaker, and author who has walked the treacherous path of profound loss. Grief 2 Growth unravels the intricacies of life, death, and the spaces in between, offering listeners a new perspective on what it means to be 'Planted. Not Buried.'

Join Brian and his compelling guests—bereaved parents, life coaches, mediums, healers, near death experiencers, and experts in various fields—as they discuss topics like survival guilt, synchronicities, and the scientific evidence supporting the existence of the afterlife. You'll come away with actionable advice, renewed hope, and the comforting knowledge that love and life are eternal.

One of the most powerful ways we know what awaits us and where we came from is Near Death Experiences. Much of Brian's knowledge is derived from extensive study of this phenomenon, along with interviewing dozens of near death experience experiencers.

Brian knows the soul-crushing weight of loss; his journey began with the sudden passing of his fifteen-year-old daughter, Shayna. It's not an odyssey he would have chosen, but it has been an odyssey that has chosen him to guide others.

Grief 2 Growth is a sanctuary for those grieving, those curious about the beyond, and anyone eager to explore the fuller dimensions of life and death. Each episode delves into topics that matter most—how to cope, grow, and connect with loved ones in the afterlife. If you ask: “Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where am I going?” this podcast is for you.

This isn't about forgetting your loss or simply 'moving on'; it's about growing in a new direction that honors your loved ones and your spirit. It’s about finding joy and purpose again.

Grief 2 Growth is more than a podcast; it's a community of souls committed to supporting one another through the darkest valleys and highest peaks of human existence. Listen today and start planting seeds for a brighter, more spiritually connected tomorrow."


© 2026 Grief 2 Growth
Philosophy Self-Help Social Sciences Spirituality Success
Episodes
  • My Daughter Predicted Her Own Death — And Never Stopped Talking to Me | Louise Crist | EP 477
    Feb 24 2026


    What if your daughter spent years telling you exactly how she was going to die — and then kept communicating after she did?

    That's the extraordinary story Louise Crist lives every day. In this episode, Louise shares the most remarkable account of a child predicting their own death and continued after-death communication I've ever featured on this podcast. From premonitions that began at age four, to the moment Jilly's voice came through minutes after the accident saying "I jumped — I didn't feel a thing," to signs so undeniable they've moved total strangers — this conversation will change the way you think about death, love, and what comes after.

    If you've lost a child and wondered whether they're still with you, Louise's answer — backed by story after story — is yes.

    About Louise Crist: Louise is a registered nurse with decades of bedside experience, a certified grief educator, a shining light parent, and the author of Always Remember to Kiss Me Goodnight. All proceeds from the book fund scholarships for future healthcare professionals in Jilly's honor — over 115 scholarships awarded to date. Louise is also an affiliate leader with Helping Parents Heal.

    📖 Always Remember to Kiss Me Goodnight — available on Amazon 🌐 Helping Parents Heal: helpingparentsheal.org

    In this episode we cover:

    • Jilly's premonitions from age 4 and how they all came true
    • What "I jumped" means and why it matters for every grieving parent
    • The ring that appeared under a funeral home table
    • The quarter buried a foot underground — and why Jilly sends quarters
    • How forgiveness unlocked a profound connection from the other side
    • Louise's emerging mediumship gifts and what she's learned to see
    • How to stop missing the signs your loved ones are sending

    What resonated with you most in this episode? Did Louise's stories of Jilly's signs spark something for you? Drop a comment and share — your story might be exactly what another grieving parent needs to hear today.

    Visit the Grief 2 Growth store for FREE items as well as other tools to help you along your journey:

    • Guided Meditations
    • My book GEMS of Healing (signed copy)
    • My Oracle deck to help you connect with your loved ones
    • Mini-courses
    • Mini-guides

    Check it out at https://grief2growth.com/store

    Grief doesn’t follow stages, timelines, or rules.
    If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I doing this right?”—you’re not alone.

    That’s why I created the Grief Check-In.
    It’s not a test. There are no right or wrong answers.

    In just a few minutes, you’ll gain clarity, reassurance, and language for what you’re experiencing.

    👉 Visit grief2growth.com/checkin

    This deck is a labor of love. It's a 44 card oracle deck that's about connecting you to your loved one in spirit. The deck comes with a companion digital guide that gives you an affirmation, a reflection, and an activity for the day.

    Check it out at https://stan.store/grief2growth/p/oracle-deck

    Support the show

    🧑🏿‍🤝‍🧑🏻 Join Facebook Group- Get Support and Education
    👛 Subscribe to Grief 2 Growth Premium (bonus episodes)
    📰 Get A Free Gift
    📅 Book A Complimentary Discovery Call
    📈 Leave A Review

    Thanks so much for your support

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 4 mins
  • How Grief Made Me a Better Parent: Lisa Woolery's Surprising Confession | EP 476
    Feb 17 2026

    When Lisa Woolery found her husband Eric slumped over in his home office—gone at 53 from sudden heart failure—she never imagined what would come next. Not just the frozen assets, the angry 12-year-old, or walking 20,000 steps a day to process the pain. But this: grief made her a better parent.

    In this honest, hope-filled conversation, Lisa shares how losing everything forced her to shed perfectionism, step into uncomfortable leadership, and discover that transformation often comes wrapped in tragedy. From getting kicked out of a grief group to sending her son to military boarding school, from hearing God "with her whole body" to healing generational wounds with her 82-year-old mother—Lisa's journey reveals what's possible when you take just one step forward every day.

    About Lisa Woolery: Lisa is the voice behind The Widow's Comeback, a ministry supporting widows through grief and reinvention. Her memoir, The Widow's Comeback, chronicles the first two years after Eric's death with raw honesty and unexpected humor. She also created a 365-day grief calendar and a guided grief journal to help others process loss. Lisa lives in Kansas City with her daughter and travels the world solo—something the "old Lisa" never imagined doing.

    Key Topics Covered:

    • How grief made Lisa a better parent by stripping away perfectionism
    • Processing grief through the body: 20,000 steps, breaking furniture, and physical release
    • The surprising journey from "because I say so" to collaborative parenting
    • Financial survival after sudden loss: frozen assets and practical widow wisdom
    • The controversial choice to send her son to military boarding school (and why it worked)
    • Trusting God as "husband" after losing her earthly partner
    • Creating a new life: from homebody to solo world traveler and bestselling author
    • Why "your life is not over" at 40, 50, 60, or beyond

    Visit the Grief 2 Growth store for FREE items as well as other tools to help you along your journey:

    • Guided Meditations
    • My book GEMS of Healing (signed copy)
    • My Oracle deck to help you connect with your loved ones
    • Mini-courses
    • Mini-guides

    Check it out at https://grief2growth.com/store

    Grief doesn’t follow stages, timelines, or rules.
    If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I doing this right?”—you’re not alone.

    That’s why I created the Grief Check-In.
    It’s not a test. There are no right or wrong answers.

    In just a few minutes, you’ll gain clarity, reassurance, and language for what you’re experiencing.

    👉 Visit grief2growth.com/checkin

    This deck is a labor of love. It's a 44 card oracle deck that's about connecting you to your loved one in spirit. The deck comes with a companion digital guide that gives you an affirmation, a reflection, and an activity for the day.

    Check it out at https://stan.store/grief2growth/p/oracle-deck

    Support the show

    🧑🏿‍🤝‍🧑🏻 Join Facebook Group- Get Support and Education
    👛 Subscribe to Grief 2 Growth Premium (bonus episodes)
    📰 Get A Free Gift
    📅 Book A Complimentary Discovery Call
    📈 Leave A Review

    Thanks so much for your support

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Intuitive Signs Before Death: How Your Soul Prepares You for Loss- with Tami Pitetti Sanders | EP 475
    Feb 10 2026

    What if those unexplainable feelings you get — those quiet nudges that something is about to change — aren't just anxiety or imagination, but your soul preparing you for what's ahead?

    In this deeply moving episode, I talk with Tami Pitetti Sanders, an intuitive guide whose journey began with subtle intuitive signs before death that she didn't fully understand until after loss transformed her life. Tami shares how she received "unknowing knowings" about a year before her father's passing — scheduling family photos on an off-year, feeling pulled toward Reiki training, and sensing something was coming for her dad.

    When her beloved dog died unexpectedly, followed months later by her father's peaceful transition, those intuitive nudges suddenly made perfect sense. In her grief, Tami discovered she could see, feel, and communicate with the other side — and she's now dedicated to helping others find the same comfort and validation she desperately needed.

    About Tami Pitetti Sanders:

    Tami is an intuitive medium and Reiki practitioner who specializes in helping grieving people reconnect with their loved ones in spirit. After experiencing profound loss during COVID and finding little support available, she developed her intuitive gifts to become the guide she wished she'd had. Through her unique reading style at Divine Lens Readings, Tami provides evidence-based comfort that love and connection continue beyond death.

    Connect with Tami: Instagram @DivineLensReadings

    Special offer for listeners: Tami is offering discounted readings ($55 instead of $111) for Grief 2 Growth podcast listeners. Message her on Instagram and mention you heard this episode.

    Resources mentioned:

    • Divine Lens Readings on Instagram: @DivineLensReadings
    • Grief 2 Growth Substack: grief2growth.substack.com
    • Free consultation with Brian: https://grief2growth.as.me/30-minute-consult

    Visit the Grief 2 Growth store for FREE items as well as other tools to help you along your journey:

    • Guided Meditations
    • My book GEMS of Healing (signed copy)
    • My Oracle deck to help you connect with your loved ones
    • Mini-courses
    • Mini-guides

    Check it out at https://grief2growth.com/store

    Grief doesn’t follow stages, timelines, or rules.
    If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I doing this right?”—you’re not alone.

    That’s why I created the Grief Check-In.
    It’s not a test. There are no right or wrong answers.

    In just a few minutes, you’ll gain clarity, reassurance, and language for what you’re experiencing.

    👉 Visit grief2growth.com/checkin

    This deck is a labor of love. It's a 44 card oracle deck that's about connecting you to your loved one in spirit. The deck comes with a companion digital guide that gives you an affirmation, a reflection, and an activity for the day.

    Check it out at https://stan.store/grief2growth/p/oracle-deck

    Support the show

    🧑🏿‍🤝‍🧑🏻 Join Facebook Group- Get Support and Education
    👛 Subscribe to Grief 2 Growth Premium (bonus episodes)
    📰 Get A Free Gift
    📅 Book A Complimentary Discovery Call
    📈 Leave A Review

    Thanks so much for your support

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 7 mins
No reviews yet