Feel Free Again with Cole James

020: Is There Life After Loss? What It Means to Carry the Ones You’ve Lost in Your Heart

In this powerful episode of Feel Free Again, I sit down with my dear friend and grief recovery pioneer, Arturo Albin, to talk about life, legacy, and what it means to truly heal. Arturo shares his remarkable journey from being an industrial engineer to becoming a leader in emotional healing—bringing the Grief Recovery Method to Mexico and the broader Spanish-speaking world.
 
Together, we explore the pain of divorce, the loss of a child, and the silent heartbreaks so many carry. Arturo’s courage in facing his grief—and his choice to turn it into a mission to help others—is inspiring and deeply moving. From losing his wife to building something lasting for generations to come, this is a story about redemption, healing, and emotional resilience. We also discuss how grief isn't limited to death. It includes divorce, estrangement, broken dreams—even the loss of a pet. And most importantly, we dive into how grief recovery tools allow us to not only survive, but to love and live fully again. Whether you're heartbroken, curious about healing, or looking to help others, this conversation will leave a lasting imprint on your heart.
 
More about Arturo: https://www.griefrecoverymethod.com/about-us/arturo-albin Arturo became involved with grief work when he volunteered at his parish to become part of their bereavement team. It was very rewarding, but he was not satisfied. He could listen to the grievers, but he didn’t know how to help them. And then he discovered The Grief Recovery Method and went through extensive training with the Grief Recovery Institute, both in Mexico and in the United States.
 
At last he could guide people to help them work effectively on their emotional recovery. Arturo was so excited with his new Grief Recovery skills that he left a 30-year career in finance and systems and along with his wife, Alejandra, decided to start the Institute affiliate in Mexico to be able to reach more grievers to help them move beyond their pain.

019: How to Parent Children With Disabilities // Importance of Emotional Awareness in Disabilities

In this conversation, Cole James and Dinah Simmons explore the profound themes of grief recovery, personal experiences with disabilities, and the cultural perspectives surrounding grief. Dinah shares her journey of becoming a grief recovery specialist during the COVID pandemic, her insights on the limitations of traditional bereavement support, and the importance of recognizing various forms of loss beyond death.
 
The discussion delves into the emotional complexities faced by individuals with disabilities, the impact of childhood experiences on grief, and the significance of emotional awareness in navigating life's challenges. Dinah emphasizes the need for ownership of one's grief and the freedom that comes from understanding what can and cannot be controlled in life.
 
They discuss the importance of recognizing various forms of loss, including the emotional toll of losing a service animal and the complexities of navigating life with a disability. The discussion emphasizes the significance of the loss history graph as a tool for understanding grief and the necessity of addressing unresolved grief to reclaim personal choices. Dinah shares her experiences and insights on how grief recovery can empower individuals and families, particularly parents of children with disabilities, to navigate their unique challenges and find peace.
 
Connect with Dinah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dinahsimmons/?originalSubdomain=uk

018: Struggling with Loss? Here’s What Actually Works with Hannah Wachter

Hello everyone, and welcome back to the Feel Free Again podcast! I’m your host, Cole James, and today we have an incredible guest: Hannah Wachter—a life coach and certified Grief Recovery Method Specialist. Hannah has dedicated her work to helping people navigate loss, process grief, and rebuild their lives in a meaningful way.
 
In this episode, Hannah opens up about her personal journey with grief, including the sudden loss of her mother and how that experience shaped her career in helping others heal. We dive deep into what makes grief so misunderstood, why society struggles with loss, and how the Grief Recovery Method provides a powerful framework for emotional healing. Whether you’re dealing with personal loss, supporting a loved one, or looking for tools to guide your emotional well-being, this conversation will provide real, actionable steps to move forward.
 
We also explore topics like unconventional grief, the impact of loss beyond death (divorce, career changes, loss of identity), and how setting boundaries is essential in the grieving process. If you’ve ever felt unheard in your grief or struggled with what to say to someone experiencing loss, this episode is for you.
 
🔹 Want to work with Hannah? Visit her website: hannahwachter.com
🔹 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stayroyalqueen

017: Overcoming Grief and Finding Freedom: Jocelyn Jackson Williams’ Journey of Resilience and Healing

In this heartfelt episode of the Feel Free Again podcast, host Cole James sits down with Jocelyn Jackson Williams, a certified grief recovery specialist and close friend of over a decade. Jocelyn shares her profound personal journey, navigating loss, heartbreak, and the complexities of becoming a caretaker for her aging father. With candor and wisdom, she reflects on how the Grief Recovery Method has shaped her life, equipping her to heal from the past while building a hopeful and resilient future.
 
Jocelyn reveals the transformative power of addressing unresolved grief, not just for loss but for navigating life's transitions—like finding love later in life and facing the emotional challenges of helping a parent in need. From her early experiences as a grief recovery trainer to her remarkable personal growth, Jocelyn’s story offers invaluable insights into how grief recovery can empower individuals to release emotional burdens and embrace a new sense of freedom and joy.
 
Whether you're seeking tools to heal your own heart, improve relationships, or support a loved one, this episode is full of practical advice and inspiring lessons. Jocelyn’s story is a testament to the healing potential of grief recovery and the courage it takes to show up fully for life's challenges and opportunities. Tune in for an enriching conversation that will leave you feeling hopeful and uplifted.

016: Understanding Emotional vs. Intellectual Communication // Grief Recovery for First Responders with Rochelle Jones

In this heartfelt chat, I sat down with Rachelle Jones, someone who’s not only a certified grief recovery methods specialist but also a dear friend who’s been through the trenches of grief and come out stronger. We talked about her journey—how she found her way into the Grief Recovery Method and how it’s been a game-changer for her and her husband, especially given his tough job in law enforcement. We dug into the real stuff, like how unresolved grief can quietly sneak into our relationships and mess with our communication and emotional health.
 
Rachelle shared some eye-opening insights on why it’s so crucial for both partners to be all in when it comes to healing. We also touched on the sometimes messy world of parenting, managing expectations, and the importance of just being there for our kids as they find their way. This conversation left me with a lot to think about, and I hope it does the same for you. Grab a cup of coffee and join us—this one’s worth your time.
 
Connect with Rachelle:
Website: https://www.griefrecoverywithrachelle.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grwrachelle/?hl=en
 

015: Are Therapists Getting is All WRONG? Psychologist Ashley Mielke, B.A., M.Sc. MFT

In this episode of the Feel Free Again podcast, Cole James interviews Ashley Mielke, the founder and CEO of the Grief and Trauma Healing Center. They discuss Ashley's journey with the grief recovery method and how she integrated it into her practice. They also explore the importance of completing the emotional work in relationships and the role of trauma processing in the healing process.
 
In this conversation, Cole and Ashley discuss the importance of the grief recovery method and its impact on personal and professional growth. Ashley shares her experience as a grief recovery specialist and the transformative power of the method.
 
They discuss the benefits of completing relationships with past losses and the impact it has on present relationships. They also explore how the grief recovery method can be applied to marriage and family therapy, helping couples navigate shared losses and unresolved issues. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the challenges of emotional communication and the role of grief recovery in parenting.
 
Connect with Ashley: https://www.griefrecoverymethod.com/about-us/ashley-mielke
Website: https://www.healmyheart.ca/ashley-mielke-psychologist-edmonton
IG: https://www.instagram.com/griefandtraumahealingcentre/?hl=en
FB: https://www.facebook.com/griefandtraumahealingcentre/
 
Cole James, President of the Grief Recovery Institute, shares about the Power of Grief Recovery! Cole is dedicating his life to help people with grief. Now, grief is much more than just losing someone. Did you know that? You've probably heard of the Five Stages of Grief, right? Well, this goes much deeper than you think. Let me explain. Everyone has some type of grief in their lives, some haven't yet, but it's part of life. We can't escape it, BUT we can work through it. And you don't have to do it alone. Let's talk about it.
 
For more information visit: https://www.griefrecoverymethod.com/

014: Is Trauma Something You Can‘t Recover From? // Guest Sandi Derby

In this episode of the Feel Free Again podcast, host Cole James is joined by Sandi Derby, a grief recovery specialist. Sandi shares her personal journey of healing from childhood abuse and addiction through the grief recovery method. She emphasizes the importance of emotional recovery and the need to process and grieve the losses that result from traumatic experiences. Sandi also discusses the societal narrative that trauma is something one can never recover from and challenges this belief by sharing her own transformation and the profound impact of the grief recovery method.
 
The episode highlights the power of emotional honesty, compassionate listening, and the ability to live a full and present life after healing from emotional pain. In this conversation, Cole James and Sandi Derby discuss the importance of not letting grief define one's identity. They emphasize the need to do the work of grief recovery in order to move forward and let go of past pain. They highlight the pitfalls of holding onto grief, such as seeking validation through others' sympathy or attention. They also discuss the power of completing the grief process and finding one's true identity beyond the pain. The conversation explores various examples of traumatic events and the associated losses that require grief work. They encourage listeners to face, embrace, and release the pain in order to live a full and empowered life.
 
Connect with Sandi: https://sandiderby.com/
 
Cole James, President of the Grief Recovery Institute, shares about the Power of Grief Recovery! Cole is dedicating his life to help people with grief. Now, grief is much more than just losing someone. Did you know that? You've probably heard of the Five Stages of Grief, right? Well, this goes much deeper than you think. Let me explain. Everyone has some type of grief in their lives, some haven't yet, but it's part of life. We can't escape it, BUT we can work through it. And you don't have to do it alone. Let's talk about it.
 
We have trained Grief Recovery Method Specialists, who help heartbroken people, in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, the Middle East, Central America, South America, and North America. The Grief Recovery Method Certification Program is taught and available in multiple languages including: English, Spanish, Swedish, Hungarian, Ukrainian, and Russian. Our home office is in the United States and serves English-speaking nations and populations around the world, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and the Commonwealth Nations. In addition, we have international affiliate offices in Sweden, Australia, Mexico, and Hungary.
 
Our goal is to help as many people as possible, which is why our books have been translated into over 30 languages including: Spanish, French, Dutch, Portuguese, Japanese, Ukrainian, Russian, and many more.
 
For more information visit: https://www.griefrecoverymethod.com/

013: How to Understand the levels of Grief within Your Children, with guest Susan Dindinger

Cole interviews his dear friend Susan Dindinger, a facilitator and trainer in the Grief Recovery Method. Susan shares her personal experience with grief and how she discovered the method after the death of her sister. She discusses the reluctance she initially felt in trying the method and the profound impact it had on her life. Susan also highlights the pitfalls of churches in dealing with grief and the importance of meeting people where they are in their grief journey.
 
In this conversation, Cole James and Susan Dindinger continue their discuss the problem of skipping grief and the importance of learning the levels of grief within your kids.
 
Connect with Susan here: https://www.griefrecoverymethod.com/about-us/susan-dindinger
 
Cole James, President of the Grief Recovery Institute, shares about the Power of Grief Recovery! Cole is dedicating his life to help people with grief. Now, grief is much more than just losing someone. Did you know that? You've probably heard of the Five Stages of Grief, right? Well, this goes much deeper than you think. Let me explain. Everyone has some type of grief in their lives, some haven't yet, but it's part of life. We can't escape it, BUT we can work through it. And you don't have to do it alone. Let's talk about it.
 
We have trained Grief Recovery Method Specialists, who help heartbroken people, in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, the Middle East, Central America, South America, and North America. The Grief Recovery Method Certification Program is taught and available in multiple languages including: English, Spanish, Swedish, Hungarian, Ukrainian, and Russian. Our home office is in the United States and serves English-speaking nations and populations around the world, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and the Commonwealth Nations. In addition, we have international affiliate offices in Sweden, Australia, Mexico, and Hungary.
 
Our goal is to help as many people as possible, which is why our books have been translated into over 30 languages including: Spanish, French, Dutch, Portuguese, Japanese, Ukrainian, Russian, and many more.
 
For more information visit: https://www.griefrecoverymethod.com/