029: Unlocking Emotional Freedom Behind Bars: A Grief Recovery Story

I’m Cole James, and on this special episode of the Feel Free Again podcast, I sit down with Amanda Sherlock and Mona Rahimi—two amazing grief recovery specialists—and Pratik “Teek” Bhargava, who’s currently incarcerated at the California Men’s Colony. Teek shares how he discovered that grief isn't just about death—it’s about the everyday losses that accumulate behind bars: lost freedom, broken routines, fractured families, and fading hope. His journey with Amanda and Mona’s work has been nothing short of transformative.

 

We dive into how Teek and his fellow inmates have embraced the Grief Recovery Method to become “hearts with ears,” learning to listen and hold space for one another in a place that’s often emotionally barren. Teek draws a powerful comparison to AA’s “singleness of purpose”—in this group, survivors aren’t competing or comparing; they’re simply sharing and healing together. He even shares how participants have begun mentoring new cohorts and fostering trust across yard lines.

 

Amanda and Mona explain how they got permission to bring this work into prisons, describe the powerful ripple effect of grief education, and even celebrate the growing interest among incarcerated men who want access to books and follow-up support. They share that every parole, every transfer, even graduation—these are grief events. This conversation is raw, honest, and uplifting, and it turns the spotlight on a transformative, accessible program that's changing lives behind bars—and beyond.