Today my guest Ashley Griffiths talks about the grief he felt over the sudden death of his sister Abi. As the conversation opens up, he explains how he was estranged from Abi and how it complicated his grief.

When it comes to grieving the loss of an estranged sibling or loved one, the pain can be uniquely complex. It's not only the grief over their physical departure but also the mourning of a relationship that never had a chance to fully mend. The emotions may range from deep sadness and regret to confusion and anger. We find ourselves questioning what could have been different, what we could have done to bridge the gap between us. In many ways, this type of loss is accompanied by waves of guilt and unresolved feelings that can take years, even decades, to process. While society often romanticizes about family bonds, it's important to acknowledge that sometimes relationships break down irreparably due to circumstances beyond our control. Grieving an estranged sibling or loved one involves embracing the complexity of these emotions and finding solace in cherishing the memories we did have instead of dwelling on what could have been.

We also discuss generational conditioning and how men are told to be strong and not cry. Phrases like, big boys don't cry and don't be like a girl, do not help the cause. 

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SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy)

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We discussed the teaching of Brene Brown and Gabor Mate.

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