In this powerful continuation of our grief and loss conversation, Susan Boswell returns to Empower Hour to help listeners better understand what actually helps when grief feels overwhelming. This episode moves beyond platitudes and dives into practical, compassionate tools for coping, setting boundaries, and supporting both yourself and others through loss.

April and Susan talk honestly about why grief is not something you “move on” from, but something you learn to walk with. They explore the importance of giving yourself permission to rest, release expectations, and adjust traditions that no longer serve you in this season. Grief is not linear, and there is no right timeline. Wherever you are is allowed.

This episode also unpacks boundaries in grief. From protecting your time and space to learning how to say no without guilt, Susan explains why boundaries are not about pushing people away, but about caring for yourself when your emotional capacity is limited. You will also hear thoughtful guidance on how to identify what kind of support you actually need, even when you do not yet have the words for it.

April and Susan discuss support systems and why support may not come from the people you expect. They talk about when professional support may be helpful, how community and faith can play a role in healing, and how to recognize when grief is impacting daily functioning.

The conversation closes with practical guidance for those supporting someone who is grieving. What to say. What not to say. And why sometimes the most loving thing you can do is simply sit with someone and acknowledge that this really does hurt.

This episode is for anyone grieving a person, a relationship, a season of life, or an identity they once held. You are not weak. You are not behind. You are human.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why grief is not something you fix or rush
• Giving yourself permission to change expectations and traditions
• Setting boundaries around time, space, and emotional energy
• How to identify what kind of support you need
• When professional support may be helpful
• How to support someone who is grieving with compassion and presence
• What grief looks like in the body and why awareness matters

If this episode resonated with you, consider sharing it with someone who may need it. Grief is something we all carry, and no one should have to carry it alone.