048: How One Mother Lost Her Son, Sister, and Marriage, But Turned Tragedy Into Purpose

In this episode, I sit down with Judy Giovangelo, a grief recovery specialist who has experienced unimaginable loss. After losing her son to suicide, followed by multiple family tragedies, Judy shares how she navigated overwhelming grief and discovered tools that truly helped her heal. This conversation goes beyond surface-level advice and dives into what actually moves people forward.

We unpack the myths surrounding grief, including the idea that time alone heals and why staying busy can actually keep people stuck. Judy opens up about how even meaningful work, like starting a nonprofit, can sometimes act as a distraction from processing pain. Together, we explore the concept of short-term energy relieving behaviors, unresolved grief, and how unprocessed emotions can impact relationships, mental health, and even the body.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in grief, overwhelmed by loss, or unsure how to move forward, this episode offers hope and clarity. I truly believe this conversation can change how you see grief and what’s possible for your healing. If this resonates, share it with someone who needs it and help us get this message out.

⏱️ Chapters: 
00:00 – Welcome to the Feel Free Again Podcast
05:03 – Judy’s Story: Loss, Trauma, and Nonprofit Beginnings
10:06 – The Truth About “Sturbs” and Avoiding Grief
15:09 – How Grief Impacts Relationships and Family Dynamics
20:12 – Ben Speaks: Turning Pain Into Purpose
25:15 – Grief Recovery Training and Real Transformation
30:18 – Misdiagnosed Grief and Mental Health Confusion
35:21 – Why Support Groups Don’t Always Work
40:24 – Guilt vs Regret: A Major Breakthrough
45:27 – Final Thoughts: Tools for Healing and Moving Forward

Connect with Judy:
Website: https://www.benspeaks.org/
Email: judygiovangelo@benspeaks.org

About the Host:
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/