Feel Free Again with Cole James

026: Are You A Parent Carrying Pain? Grief Recovery Saved My Relationship with My Daughter

Connect with Tammy: https://www.griefrecoverymethod.com/grms/tammy-fleming
In this episode of the Feel Free Again Podcast, I sit down with the remarkable Tammy Flemming, a woman whose life story spans continents, careers, and profound emotional revelations. Trained at the highest level with the Grief Recovery Institute, Tammy unpacks the decades of emotional baggage she carried—and the transformative power of finally facing it.
We explore her journey from Ivy League dropout to full-time missionary, and how unresolved grief silently shaped her relationships—especially with her daughter. Through the Grief Recovery Method, Tammy unearthed the real source of her pain: not just death, but decades of emotional avoidance, especially as a mother navigating pre-menopause, international moves, and personal loss.
I was blown away by Tammy’s raw honesty and depth. She courageously shares how her healing journey didn’t start until she truly looked inward—and how this method helped her reclaim the present. Her story is both gut-wrenching and inspiring. Whether you're a parent, griever, or someone seeking emotional clarity, this conversation will resonate deeply.
Tammy also shares how she’s now helping people process grief in Ukraine and Russia—amid an ongoing war—proving this method has global relevance. Don’t miss the final segment where we discuss how unresolved grief robs us of the present moment—and how healing is possible.

025: What Most Therapists Miss About Grief Recovery

Connect with Gwen: https://www.griefrecoverymethod.com/grms/gwen-russo-cherkovets
As a grief recovery specialist, trainer, and former speech pathologist, I’ve walked the long road of trying to help others without the right tools.
In this episode of the Feel Free Again Podcast, I sit down with Cole James to share the real story of how the Grief Recovery Method transformed both my practice and my life. Before discovering this method, I did everything “right” on paper—offering spiritual counseling, holding space, listening deeply.
Yet the clients kept returning with the same unresolved pain. That’s when burnout hit. What I needed was not more compassion—it was completion. Through this powerful method, I found the structure and emotional tools that traditional therapy never gave me. And once I saw what was possible, I couldn’t turn back.
✅ In this candid conversation, Cole and I dive into:
✅ What makes grief recovery radically different from therapy
✅ Why professionals feel ill-equipped to handle grief
✅ How burnout often signals an emotional blockage in your clients
✅ And how a structured method can help them—and you—heal

024: I Lost Clients to Overdose - What No One Tells You About Grief & Addiction Recovery

As a certified grief recovery specialist, mental health professional, and diversity coach, I’ve spent the last 8 years walking side-by-side with those in addiction recovery—and I’ve learned a truth we don’t talk about enough: Unresolved grief is often the silent root of addiction.
 
In this episode of the Feel Free Again podcast, Cole James and I explore the deeply emotional link between loss and substance use. We discuss the real-life stories behind recovery, the overlooked pain of caregivers, and why so many of us silently carry grief until it breaks us.
 
I also share personal experiences, including:
✅ My late father’s 14-year sobriety journey beginning at age 77
✅ Using food to cope with childhood pain
✅ The moment I almost left this work because of a client’s suicide—and how the grief recovery method helped me heal and return stronger
 
Whether you are in recovery, love someone who is, or work on the frontlines of grief and trauma, this conversation offers a safe space—and tangible hope.

023: Unspoken Goodbyes & Healing: Her Last Words to Her Dying Mom Were an Argument…

If you’ve ever carried unresolved grief and never quite knew what to do with it, this episode is for you. In today’s Feel Free Again Podcast, I sit down with certified grief recovery specialist Kelli Sheumaker, whose personal journey through traumatic brain injury and the death of her mother revealed just how deep grief can run. We talk candidly about the moments she never got to say “I love you,” the medical trauma she endured, and how grief shows up in unexpected ways—even decades later.
 
This conversation unpacks not just the pain, but the power of emotional healing through the Grief Recovery Method. Kelli vulnerability will resonate with anyone who’s experienced loss, chronic illness, or that silent question of “Why do I still feel stuck?” She shares how the recovery process gave her peace with her past and a renewed purpose to help others do the same. We also dive into societal avoidance of death, the emotional impact on children, and why “complicated grief” is often misunderstood.
 
Connect with Kelli: https://www.griefrecoverymethod.com/grms/kelli-sheumaker

022: What Japan Taught Us About Grief // Why No One Talks About Grief in Japan – Until Now

In this episode of the Feel Free Again podcast, host Cole James speaks with Wakaba Nakamura-Taitano, president of What Recovery Incorporated, about her journey into grief recovery, the cultural nuances of grieving in Japan, and the importance of professional training in grief recovery methods. Wakaba shares her personal experiences with grief, the challenges of addressing emotions in a culture that values harmony, and the strategies she employs to help others navigate their grief.
 
The conversation highlights the universal nature of grief while acknowledging the unique cultural contexts that shape how individuals process loss. In this conversation, Wakaba Taitano and Cole James discuss the importance of grief recovery, the need for more specialists in the field, and the unique challenges faced in Japan regarding emotional expression.
 
They explore how the Grief Recovery Method can empower individuals, particularly women, to help others while also addressing their own grief. The discussion highlights the cultural differences in approaching grief, the significance of building trust in online settings, and the transformative experiences of individuals who have engaged with the method. The conversation concludes with an invitation for listeners to connect with Wakaba's organization and the work being done in Japan.
 
Website: https://hypnofertility.com/wakaba-nakamura-taitano/

021: I Faced 8 Major Losses in 6 Months — Here’s What Saved Me

Welcome to another powerful episode of the Feel Free Again Podcast. In this conversation, host Cole James is joined by grief recovery specialist Casey McBroom, who shares her heart-wrenching yet inspiring story of navigating eight major losses in just six months — including betrayal, health issues, the death of loved ones, and shattered dreams.
 
Casey opens up about the emotional darkness she faced, how she discovered the Grief Recovery Method, and why she’s now on a mission to help others heal — especially those who feel forgotten, isolated, or stuck. Whether you're struggling with miscarriage, loss of faith, chronic illness, or the quiet griefs we don’t always name (like moving, infertility, or lost identity), this episode offers tools, hope, and healing.
 
From personal trauma to creating Brave & Co., a healing center in Kansas City, Casey's story proves that it’s never too late to feel free again. Listen in for wisdom, courage, and the reminder that your pain matters — and that healing is possible.
 
Connect with Casey:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/griefrecoverycasey/
Website: braveandco.com
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@griefrecoverycasey?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

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