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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 became her guide. In this episode, she shares:

• Her early religious roots and how grief transformed her faith
• The distinction between fentanyl poisoning and overdose
• Her emotional journey of connecting with her children in spirit
• How Rob continues to guide her from the other side 💫
• Why she believes that any parent can connect with their child

Kim’s story offers not just hope, but practical guidance for navigating the intersection of loss, love, and the afterlife.

🔗 Links & Resources:

• 🌐 Visit Kim's site & course info: https://messagesformoms.com
• 📘 Be the first to get Kim’s upcoming book: “My Son’s Afterlife Breakthrough” (join her launch list on her site)
• 💬 Continue the conversation: https://grief2growth.com/community

🔊 Listen Now On:

• Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube

💡 Highlights You’ll Love:

• The dream that changed everything: Kim’s “waking dream” visit from Rob
• How grief can be both a portal to pain and a path to power
• Why Kim says Rob’s death was “exactly on time”
• The surprising connection between addiction and spiritual purpose

💬 We Want to Hear from You!

✨ Have you experienced a sign from a loved one in spirit?
✨ Do you struggle to reconcile religious teachings with spiritual experiences?

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

You can send me a text by clicking the link at the top of the show notes. Use fanmail to:

1.) Ask questions.
2.) Suggest future guests/topics.
3.) Provide feedback

Can't wait to hear from you!

I've been studying Near Death Experiences for many years now. I am 100% convinced they are real. In this short, free ebook, I not only explain why I believe NDEs are real, I share some of the universal secrets brought back by people who have had them.

https://www.grief2growth.com/ndelessons

Support the show

🧑🏿‍🤝‍🧑🏻 Join Facebook Group- Get Support and Education
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📈 Leave A Review

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🔍 Episode Summary:

What if the stories we’ve buried hold the power to heal us? In this deeply personal and moving conversation, Brian D. Smith speaks with Kennerly Clay, author of Letters from East of Nowhere, about the long road to forgiveness, the wounds of parental abandonment, and the unexpected redemption found in decades of handwritten letters.

Kennerly’s father, an alcoholic and long-haul truck driver, was largely absent from her life. But through raw honesty, early sobriety, and years of storytelling, she found a way to forgive—and even to love—the man who shaped her pain.

💬 This episode explores:

• The power of writing to reclaim your narrative 🖋️
• How forgiveness frees us, even when others don’t change 🕊️
• Rediscovering lost love through preserved letters 💌
• Turning personal trauma into a purposeful message 🌈

You’ll walk away with a new lens on your own past—and perhaps the courage to look at it with more compassion.

👤 Guest: Kennerly Clay

Kennerly is a memoirist, speaker, and storytelling strategist helping others transform personal pain into powerful purpose. Her memoir Letters from East of Nowhere: Daddy’s Words to Live, Drink, and Die By is available now.

🔗 Learn more & get the book: https://lettersfromeastofnowhere.com

🔗 Links & Resources

• 💻 Visit our community: grief2growth.com/community
• 📘 Get Letters from East of Nowhere: lettersfromeastofnowhere.com
• 🎧 Subscribe on YouTube: Grief 2 Growth Channel
• 📬 Join Brian’s newsletter: grief2growth.com

🔁 Share This Episode

Know someone who's struggling to forgive a parent? Or searching for purpose in pain?
🎧 Share this episode with a friend, and tag us @grief2growth on social media!

💭 We Want to Hear From You

What’s one story from your past you’ve learned to see in a new light?

👇 Leave a comment on YouTube or join our c

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

You can send me a text by clicking the link at the top of the show notes. Use fanmail to:

1.) Ask questions.
2.) Suggest future guests/topics.
3.) Provide feedback

Can't wait to hear from you!

I've been studying Near Death Experiences for many years now. I am 100% convinced they are real. In this short, free ebook, I not only explain why I believe NDEs are real, I share some of the universal secrets brought back by people who have had them.

https://www.grief2growth.com/ndelessons

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

Send me a Text Message

Episode Summary:
Award-winning filmmaker and afterlife researcher Daniel Drasin joins Brian for one of the most mind-opening conversations in Grief to Growth history. From capturing real spirit voices through EVP to experiencing a solid, physical ghost encounter witnessed by multiple people, Daniel shares decades of research that challenge what we think we know about reality.

Together, they dive deep into instrumental transcommunication (ITC), the power of language in shaping our beliefs, and the vital distinction between scientific skepticism and close-minded debunking. Whether you’re grieving, curious, or deeply spiritual, this episode will stir your soul and stretch your mind.

What We Cover in This Episode:

• 🎬 How Daniel went from filmmaking to afterlife exploration
• 🎤 What EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena) tells us about spirit contact
• 📺 The mysterious origins of video and photographic spirit messages
• 👻 Daniel’s unforgettable experience with a spirit who physically manifested
• 🧠 How language limits—and expands—our understanding of consciousness
• 🔬 Why true science embraces curiosity, not dismissal
• 📱 Are spirits using modern tech to reach us?

Watch Daniel’s Films:
📽 Calling Earth & The Scole Experiment — Watch on Vimeo
📘 Buy the book: A New Science of the Afterlife

Join the Conversation:
💬 Got a story or sign from a loved one? Share it in our community:
👉 grief2growth.com/community

Connect with Daniel Drasin:
🌐 Website: dandrasin.com
📖 A New Science of the Afterlife – available wherever books are sold

💬 We Want to Hear from You!

Have you ever experienced a sign from a loved one?
What do you think about afterlife communication?

Drop a comment, email Brian, or come share your experience in the community.

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

You can send me a text by clicking the link at the top of the show notes. Use fanmail to:

1.) Ask questions.
2.) Suggest future guests/topics.
3.) Provide feedback

Can't wait to hear from you!

I've been studying Near Death Experiences for many years now. I am 100% convinced they are real. In this short, free ebook, I not only explain why I believe NDEs are real, I share some of the universal secrets brought back by people who have had them.

https://www.grief2growth.com/ndelessons

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

Send me a Text Message

What do you do when the person who caused your deepest pain is someone you once loved—and trusted?

In this gripping and emotionally raw episode, Scott Stewart shares his incredible story of survival, healing, and transformation. Raised in a home of fear, manipulation, and emotional volatility, Scott’s life was forever changed when his father murdered his mother. But instead of staying locked in bitterness, Scott made a bold decision: to forgive—not for his father, but for himself.

Over 12+ years of therapy and soul-searching, Scott unpacked what forgiveness really means—and what it’s not. This episode will challenge you, inspire you, and possibly give you the keys to your own healing.

💡 What You'll Learn

• How Scott broke free from a cycle of generational abuse
• The role therapy and faith played in his healing
• What forgiveness actually is—and common myths we all believe
• The 6 reasons people stay stuck in anger
• Why forgiveness is a process, not a single decision
• How to reclaim your future by letting go of the past

🔗 Guest Links

🌐 Website: scottstewartspeaking.com
🔗 LinkedIn: Scott Stewart on LinkedIn
📘 Facebook Page: Scott Stewart: Author, Speaker, Overcomer

💬 Join the Conversation

🗣️ Have you struggled to forgive someone who hurt you deeply? What helped—or held you back?
👉 Share your story and connect with others at our community hub:
🔗 grief2growth.com/community

🙏 Leave Us a Review

If this episode moved you, please consider leaving a review. It helps others find the podcast and reminds them they're not alone.

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

You can send me a text by clicking the link at the top of the show notes. Use fanmail to:

1.) Ask questions.
2.) Suggest future guests/topics.
3.) Provide feedback

Can't wait to hear from you!

I've been studying Near Death Experiences for many years now. I am 100% convinced they are real. In this short, free ebook, I not only explain why I believe NDEs are real, I share some of the universal secrets brought back by people who have had them.

https://www.grief2growth.com/ndelessons

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

Send me a Text Message

In this powerful conversation, host Brian Smith welcomes back Sally Hawk—founder of VerySoul—and evidential medium Sherry Abdou. Together, they explore the spiritual guidance behind VerySoul's creation and how it's become a beacon of hope for grieving people around the world.

VerySoul now hosts over 2,500 vetted mediums across 50+ countries, solving the biggest challenges people face when seeking a connection: affordability, trust, and availability. Sally reveals how this spirit-guided platform is revolutionizing mediumship, while Sherry shares her deeply personal journey—losing her child, caring for her father, and developing the gifts she now uses to bring healing to others.

Whether you’ve lost a child, spouse, friend, or parent—or you’re simply curious about the afterlife—this episode will speak to your heart. ❤️

🔗 Links & Resources:

• 🌐 VerySoul – Book a reading or become a medium: https://verysoul.com
• 👩‍💻 Learn more about Sally Hawk: https://verysoul.com
• 📞 Connect with Sherry Abdou via VerySoul: Sherry's Profile (link to her direct profile if available)
• 💬 Continue the conversation in the Grief 2 Growth Community: grief2growth.com/community

🧭 Episode Highlights:

• Sally's journey from corporate leadership to spiritual service
• How Spirit designed VerySoul—and what makes it truly unique
• Sherry’s awakening after loss, and how caregiving opened her gifts
• The truth about developing mediumship: training, practice, and spiritual growth
• What makes a medium “ethical” and how VerySoul sets those standards
• The emotional side of evidential readings—and why compassion matters
• Real stories of validation that brought peace, healing, and awe

💬 Your Voice Matters:

We'd love to hear from you!
📝 What resonated with you most in this episode?
🎧 Have you had a mediumship experience that changed your view of grief or the afterlife?

👇 Drop a comment on YouTube or join the deeper discussion in

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

You can send me a text by clicking the link at the top of the show notes. Use fanmail to:

1.) Ask questions.
2.) Suggest future guests/topics.
3.) Provide feedback

Can't wait to hear from you!

I've been studying Near Death Experiences for many years now. I am 100% convinced they are real. In this short, free ebook, I not only explain why I believe NDEs are real, I share some of the universal secrets brought back by people who have had them.

https://www.grief2growth.com/ndelessons

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

Send me a Text Message

Healing Through Connection: Trauma, Awakening & Collective Consciousness w/ Blaise Kennedy

📝 Episode Description:

What if your deepest pain isn’t just yours to bear—but a doorway to connection, growth, and even awakening?

In this episode of Grief 2 Growth, Brian Smith welcomes Blaise Kennedy—a spiritual teacher whose work challenges the solitary nature of personal development. Blaise invites us into a space of deep relational healing, showing us how trauma lives not just in our bodies, but in our families, our ancestry, and the collective fields of consciousness we all share.

This is more than a conversation—it’s a roadmap to healing that reclaims our right to feel with each other, not just for ourselves.

🔍 What You'll Discover:

• The surprising power of “feeling together”—and why it’s so healing
• How trauma is passed through generations and collective fields 🧬
• The myths of rugged individualism in Western culture and spirituality
• Why men often avoid emotional spaces—and how we can change that 💬
• How grief, when witnessed, becomes transformational 💔→🌱
• What younger generations are teaching us about the pursuit of meaning
• How to access the light you were born to bring into the world ✨

🔗 Guest Links:

🌐 Visit Blaise's website: blaisekennedy.com
📺 YouTube: @BlaiseKennedy

💬 Join The Conversation:

What part of Blaise’s story or teachings resonated most with you? Share your reflections below or join our supportive community to go deeper:
👉 grief2growth.com/community

⭐ Leave Us a Review:

If this episode moved you, please take a moment to rate and review the show. Your feedback helps others find hope and healing.

Shall I move on to Step 3: YouTube Chapters with Enhanced Descriptions?

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

You can send me a text by clicking the link at the top of the show notes. Use fanmail to:

1.) Ask questions.
2.) Suggest future guests/topics.
3.) Provide feedback

Can't wait to hear from you!

I've been studying Near Death Experiences for many years now. I am 100% convinced they are real. In this short, free ebook, I not only explain why I believe NDEs are real, I share some of the universal secrets brought back by people who have had them.

https://www.grief2growth.com/ndelessons

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

Send me a Text Message

✨ Episode Summary:
What if your deepest grief was actually your greatest opportunity for growth? In this heart-opening conversation, Brian D. Smith sits down with photographer, filmmaker, and former attorney Peter Alessandria to explore how loss, self-doubt, and life’s most painful detours can lead to profound spiritual awakening.

Peter shares his personal transformation—how losing everything during the 2008 financial crisis set him on a path to uncovering his creative gifts, and how his brother’s unexpected passing deepened his spiritual conviction. His documentary, Every Soul Knows, weaves together the voices of over 60 near-death experiencers, mediums, and spiritual teachers—all pointing to a powerful truth: we are so much more than we think we are.

💡 In this episode, we discuss:

• Peter’s journey from law to photography to filmmaking 🎬
• How loss and failure can lead to breakthrough moments 🌱
• What NDEs reveal about the afterlife, soul contracts & reincarnation
• The life-changing message Peter received after his brother’s death 💔
• Behind the scenes of the making of Every Soul Knows
• How to apply spiritual truths to everyday challenges 🙏
• Why YOU came here—and what your soul already knows ✨

🎧 Don’t miss: A moving clip from the film featuring Dr. Eben Alexander’s powerful near-death experience and a message from beyond the veil.

🔗 Resources & Links:

• 🌍 Every Soul Knows (Film): https://www.everysoulknows.com
• 📘 Be Bigger Than You Think You Are (Peter's book): https://www.bebiggertoday.com
• 🌱 It’s Time to Remember (Nonprofit mission): https://www.itstimetoremember.org
• 💬 Join the Grief 2 Growth community: https://www.grief2growth.com/community

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

You can send me a text by clicking the link at the top of the show notes. Use fanmail to:

1.) Ask questions.
2.) Suggest future guests/topics.
3.) Provide feedback

Can't wait to hear from you!

I've been studying Near Death Experiences for many years now. I am 100% convinced they are real. In this short, free ebook, I not only explain why I believe NDEs are real, I share some of the universal secrets brought back by people who have had them.

https://www.grief2growth.com/ndelessons

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

Send me a Text Message

🧘‍♂️ Episode Summary:
In this soul-stirring conversation, former Buddhist monk Stephen Schettini joins Brian Smith to talk about practical mindfulness, the emotional power of silence, and what it really means to know yourself. From the pain that led him to the monastery, to the courage it took to leave, Stephen shares timeless wisdom that helps us face modern challenges with clarity and grace.

💡 In This Episode, We Explore:

• Why mindfulness isn’t about emptying your mind
• The difference between real transformation and spiritual bypassing
• How grief, anxiety, and frustration can be doorways to growth
• What Stephen learned from the Buddha himself—beyond religion
• How you can start (and stick with) a daily mindfulness practice

🌐 Guest Info:
Stephen Schettini
Website: https://mindfulnesslive.ca
Books:
📘 The Novice
📘 It Begins With Silence

💬 Join the Discussion:
What’s been your biggest challenge with mindfulness?
Continue the conversation at 👉 grief2growth.com/community

🔔 Subscribe & Review:
Love this episode? Subscribe, rate, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. It helps others discover the show and supports the message of healing through awareness.

🎧 Listen on the go:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon Music | Google Podcasts

🫶 Support the Mission:
If Grief 2 Growth has helped you, consider supporting the show at grief2growth.com/support

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

You can send me a text by clicking the link at the top of the show notes. Use fanmail to:

1.) Ask questions.
2.) Suggest future guests/topics.
3.) Provide feedback

Can't wait to hear from you!

I've been studying Near Death Experiences for many years now. I am 100% convinced they are real. In this short, free ebook, I not only explain why I believe NDEs are real, I share some of the universal secrets brought back by people who have had them.

https://www.grief2growth.com/ndelessons

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