When Grief Changes You: A Conversation About Loss, Healing, and Holding On with John Kammer - Episode 156

Grief is a universal experience, yet it often leaves us feeling utterly alone and unequipped. In this deeply moving episode of the Caregiver Relief Podcast, host Diane Carbo, RN, sits down with John Kammer, the founder of Guardian Angels. Together, they explore the heavy reality of loss, the dangers of "numbing out," and how innovative technology can actually help us process our most complex emotions.

Whether you are grieving a recent loss or carrying the weight of "complicated grief" from years ago, this episode offers a roadmap for moving from catatonic pain to a place of resolution. ✨

📋 Episode Outline

• The Weight of Silence: John shares his 13-year journey, from the sudden loss of a best friend to the "avoidant behaviors" and substances used to mask the pain.
• The "Guardian Angels" Origin: How a simple text message idea evolved into an AI-guided journaling platform designed to help people say what they never got to say.
• The Science of Healing: Understanding Worden’s Four Tasks of Mourning and how structured journaling provides the framework to move forward without "moving on" or forgetting.
• Men and Grief: A candid look at why men often "stuff" their emotions and how low-risk digital spaces can help them find their voice again.
• The Power of One Question: Why asking "Tell me about them" is the most healing gift you can give to someone who is grieving.

💡 Key Takeaways

• Grief Reshapes Identity: Loss isn't just about missing someone; it changes how you show up for the people who depend on you today.
• Resolution over Closure: There is no such thing as "closure"—there is only resolution and defining what a relationship looks like when someone is no longer physically present.
• AI as a Mirror: Rather than a "creepy" replacement, AI can serve as a safe, empathetic reflection of what is already in your heart, helping you organize thoughts for therapy.
• The "Price" of Love: A powerful reframe—the depth of the hurt is a reflection of the depth of the love. To have loved greatly is worth the pain of the loss.

🌟 Why You Should Listen

"The healing lives in the sharing. Start talking about them and don't stop." — John Kammer

If you’ve ever felt like you had to "bury" your grief to make others comfortable, this episode is your permission slip to stop. Diane and John discuss the isolation of loss and how to find "human connectedness" even in your darkest hours. It’s a raw, honest, and ultimately hopeful conversation for anyone feeling the "heavy weight" of caregiving and loss. 🕊️

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