Episode 37 – Developmental / Life-Stage GriefGrief doesn’t only come from death.Sometimes it comes from change.In this episode of The Grief Guardian Podcast, we explore Developmental / Life-Stage Grief — the kind of grief that shows up when one chapter of life ends, and another begins.Becoming a parent.Watching your children grow up.Leaving a career.Aging.Stepping into a new version of yourself.Even positive transitions can carry a quiet sense of loss. This episode gives language to those feelings, explains why they occur, and offers practical ways to navigate them without judging yourself for experiencing them in the first place.In this episode, we cover:• What developmental and life-stage grief really is• Common signs people often miss or dismiss• Why identity shifts can feel unsettling• How transitions impact your emotional world• Practical ways to acknowledge and work through this type of griefIf you’re feeling unsettled during a life transition and can’t quite explain why, this episode is for you.You’re not broken.You’re adjusting.Listen, reflect, and share:If this episode resonates, share it with someone navigating a big life shift.Follow The Grief GuardianFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566541571732Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant_a_cosgrove/Telegram: https://t.me/+ehvQ_JkVsL0wZmRlWhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAeIqL5kg6wunsGOU3eThe Grief Guardian PodcastHelping you make sense of grief — in all its forms.If this episode supported you, and you’d like to help me continue creating more content like this, you can do that here:buymeacoffee.com/thegriefguardian

Episode 36: Anticipatory Joy + Loss | The Grief Guardian Podcast

In this episode, we talk about the emotional whiplash that happens when joy and grief collide. Anticipatory joy is that excitement you feel while imagining your child’s future — the little moments, the big milestones, the life you were ready for. When loss hits, all that joy doesn’t just disappear. It becomes something you tiptoe around because it hurts to look at.

This episode breaks down what anticipatory joy really is, how it shows up after losing a child, why it can feel so conflicting, and how to work with it instead of feeling trapped by it. If you’ve ever felt guilty for remembering the good part, or unsure how to talk about the dreams you once had, this one’s for you.

What we cover:

• What anticipatory joy means for grieving parents

• Signs and emotional reactions you might recognise

• Why this mix of feelings happens

• How it affects your day-to-day life and relationships

• Practical ways to handle these emotions and keep moving forward

If you’re a dad who’s lost a child, or someone supporting a grieving parent, this episode offers grounded guidance from someone who gets it. You’re not alone in this.

Listen, breathe, and take what helps.

Subscribe for more weekly episodes on grief, healing, and reclaiming your strength after loss.

Stay connected with me:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566541571732Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant_a_cosgrove/Telegram: https://t.me/+ehvQ_JkVsL0wZmRlWhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAeIqL5kg6wunsGOU3e

Episode 35: Secondary Loss GriefIn Episode 35 of The Grief Guardian Podcast, we’re talking about something most grieving parents aren’t warned about: secondary losses.Losing your child is the first hit. Everything that crumbles afterwards… that’s what this episode is about.You might notice friendships fading, your relationship taking a strain, money getting tight, your identity changing, or work falling apart. These are the hidden aftershocks that stack on top of the main pain.In this episode, I break down:• What secondary losses actually are• How to recognise them• Why they show up• How they affect your life more than people realise• Practical ways to rebuild and copeIf you’ve ever felt like your life took several hits instead of just one, you’re not crazy, and you’re not alone. This episode will help you make sense of it.💬 If this helped, drop a comment.Your story might be exactly what another grieving parent needs to hear.✦ Connect with meFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566541571732Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant_a_cosgrove/Telegram: https://t.me/+ehvQ_JkVsL0wZmRlWhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAeIqL5kg6wunsGOU3eThanks for being here. Take care of yourself.