The Grief That Doesn't End | Mourning the Future You Imagined

When you lose a child, you don't just lose the life they had.

You lose the future you thought you'd have with them.

Christmases. Birthdays. First days of school. Teenage years. Graduations. Watching them learn to drive. Watching them fall in love. All the ordinary moments you assumed would simply happen.

In this episode of The Grief Guardian Podcast, I talk openly about the grief that comes from losing Mia's future.

Mia was born sleeping in October 2022. Her first Christmas, her first birthday, and every milestone since have brought another reminder of the life we should have experienced together.

I talk about the guilt we felt around celebrating without her, why we chose to avoid some celebrations involving young children, and the beautiful origami boat ritual Saroeun created for Mia's first birthday.

I also talk about what it's like seeing children around the age Mia would be now and imagining what she might have been like. Her personality. Her confidence. The person she might have become.

But this episode isn't only about sadness.

It's also about how grief changes.

For me, the overwhelming grief has slowly become something quieter. A feeling that something is missing. The sadness is still there, but so is love, gratitude and a sense of connection.

I believe Mia is still with us at a soul level. I believe she continues to teach us, guide us and remind us what love really is.

And perhaps most importantly, I've learned that I don't have to grieve every future milestone today.

I'll deal with each one when it arrives.

I can't give Mia the future she should have had.

But I can live the life I still have in a way that honours her.

I can build a legacy around her memory.

And I can try to live in a way that would make her proud to have me as her father.

If you've lost a child, I hope this episode reminds you that you don't have to carry the entire future today.

One milestone at a time. One day at a time.

💬 I'd love to hear from you

If you've experienced the loss of a child, what future milestone has been the hardest for you?

And how have you found ways to honour your child as the years continue?

Feel free to share your story in the comments. Someone reading it may need to know they're not alone.

About The Grief Guardian

The Grief Guardian is about the realities of grief that often don't get talked about.

No pretending grief has a finish line.

No telling you how you should grieve.

Just honest conversations about loss, healing, relationships, identity, spirituality and learning how to live again after something changes your world forever.

If you're walking through grief, you're not alone.

Subscribe to The Grief Guardian for more honest conversations about grief and life after loss.

#TheGriefGuardian #ChildLoss #Grief #BereavedParents #GrievingParent #Stillborn #Stillbirth #GriefJourney #LossOfAChild #GriefAndLoss

Episode 68 | Working While Broken: What It's Really Like

What happens when you have to go back to work while your entire world has fallen apart?

In this episode of The Grief Guardian Podcast, I talk about what it was really like returning to work after losing my daughter, Mia.

I took around a month away before returning to my work as a martial arts instructor. On the outside, I had to be the instructor my students expected. I had to teach, motivate, focus and put their needs first.

Inside, I was falling apart.

We talk about the pressure to function when you're grieving, the mask we can wear at work, and the difference between functioning and actually healing.

I also share how returning to my own martial arts training before returning to teaching gave me somewhere I didn't have to hide my emotions. If I broke down, I broke down. It was a space where it could simply be about me.

We also look at what employers can do to support someone who is grieving. Grief doesn't follow a timetable. A person can be completely fine one moment and then be hit by a wave of grief the next. Sometimes they simply need permission to step away.

I'm incredibly grateful that I wasn't pressured to return to work and that I had people around me who continued checking in long after I returned.

Nearly four years later, my boss still reminds me to be easier on myself.

And perhaps the biggest lesson I've learned is this:

Everything that happened was out of your control, so you don't need to carry the guilt.

That's much easier to say than it is to believe.

If you're trying to work while grieving, please remember that you don't have to pretend you're okay. Be kind to yourself. Connect with people. Let others walk beside you.

The grief may not disappear, but the waves do change. The space between them gets bigger, and eventually those moments become easier to carry.

If this episode helps you, please consider subscribing to The Grief Guardian and sharing it with someone who may need to hear it.

#Grief #GrievingAtWork #GriefAndWork #ChildLoss #BereavedParents #GriefSupport #TheGriefGuardian #WorkingWhileGrieving

Have you ever thought you were finally getting better... only to be hit by another wave of grief?

One day you're coping. You're laughing again. Life feels like it's slowly finding a new rhythm.

Then, without warning, a song, a birthday, a memory, or sometimes nothing at all brings the grief rushing back.

If you've ever wondered, "Why am I back here?" this episode is for you.

In Episode 67 of The Grief Guardian Podcast, I share my own experience of navigating those unexpected grief waves after the loss of our daughter, Mia. I talk about why healing isn't a straight line, how grief runs on its own timeline, and why those moments don't mean you've gone backwards.

I also share the story of Mia's first birthday, the simple ritual Saroeun and I created to honour her, and the lesson I've learned about making peace with grief rather than trying to outrun it.

If you're grieving, I hope this episode reminds you that you're not failing. You're simply learning to live with a love that hasn't gone away.

💙 In this episode:
• Why grief isn't a linear journey.
• What unexpected grief waves really mean.
• The story of Mia's first birthday.
• Why grief returns when you least expect it.
• How to stop fearing the next wave and start making peace with it.

If this episode helped you, please consider liking, subscribing, and sharing it with someone who may need to hear these words today. You never know who might be quietly carrying a loss.

⬇️ Connect with The Grief Guardian

🌐 Website: https://thegriefguardian.com.au
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#Grief #ChildLoss #Bereavement #GriefSupport #HealingAfterLoss #Stillbirth #InfantLoss #MentalHealth #TheGriefGuardian #GriefJourney

Losing a child changes every part of your life, including your friendships.

Some friends become your greatest source of strength. Others quietly disappear. Many simply don't know what to say.

In this episode of The Grief Guardian Podcast, I share my own experience of how friendships changed after the loss of our daughter, Mia. I talk about the people who stood beside us when we needed them most, those who drifted away, and why grief often reveals the true depth of our relationships.

If you've ever felt abandoned after a loss, or if you're unsure how to support someone who is grieving, I hope this conversation helps.

You don't need perfect words.

Sometimes all someone needs to hear is:

"I'm sorry for your loss."

• Why some friendships become stronger after tragedy

• Why some people disappear after a child dies

• The biggest mistake people make when supporting someone who is grieving

• Why silence often hurts more than saying the wrong thing

• How grief changes the way we see relationships

• What grieving parents really need from their friends

If this episode resonates with you, please consider subscribing and sharing it with someone who may need it today.

Together, we can help make sure no grieving parent feels alone.

Connect with The Grief Guardian

🌐 Website: https://thegriefguardian.com.au
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegriefguardian
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant_a_cosgrove/
☕ Support the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/thegriefguardian

#Grief #ChildLoss #Stillbirth #BereavedParents #InfantLoss #GriefSupport #MentalHealth #HealingAfterLoss #ParentingAfterLoss #Friendship #TheGriefGuardian

In this episode:

Have you ever wondered whether the lessons learned through martial arts can help you face life's greatest tragedy?

After losing my daughter, Mia, I found myself reflecting on years of training in Arakan Martial Art. Not because it took away the pain, but because it had quietly prepared me for something I never saw coming.

In this deeply personal episode, I share how principles like staying present under pressure, yielding instead of breaking, choosing the right battles, and leaning on your tribe helped me navigate the darkest chapter of my life.

This isn't an episode about becoming tougher.

It's about being human.

Whether you're a martial artist, grieving the loss of someone you love, or simply searching for a way to face adversity with courage and compassion, I hope this conversation gives you something to take with you.

If this episode resonates with you, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who may need to hear it.

👇 Connect with The Grief Guardian:

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The Strange Things People Say and Do Around Grief | The Grief Guardian Podcast | Episode 64

Losing a child is devastating. What many people don't expect is how strangely others begin to behave afterwards.

Friends disappear without explanation. Conversations become awkward. People avoid saying your child's name. Others try to comfort you with well-meaning but deeply unhelpful comments like, "Everything happens for a reason," or "At least you can have another child."

In this episode of The Grief Guardian Podcast, I talk about the uncomfortable social side of grief. The comments that leave you speechless, the people who quietly vanish, and the few who simply show up and make all the difference.

We'll also look at why people react this way and what grieving parents really need from those around them.

If you've experienced child loss, I hope this episode reminds you that you're not alone. If you're supporting someone through grief, it may help you understand what truly matters.

If this episode resonates with you, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who may need to hear it.

In this episode:
• Why people become uncomfortable around grief
• The most common things people say after child loss
• Why friends sometimes disappear
• Why comparing grief rarely helps
• What grieving parents actually need from others
• The quiet acts of kindness that are never forgotten

💙 Connect with The Grief Guardian

🌐 Website: https://www.thegriefguardian.com.au

🎧 Listen on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/0MnorPx6bN8mSQDrfq8Vxq

📘 Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/thegriefguardian

📸 Instagram:
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☕ Support the podcast:
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#ChildLoss #Grief #BereavedParents #GriefSupport #HealingAfterLoss #MentalHealth #TheGriefGuardian #Podcast #LifeAfterLoss #GrievingParents

The fear doesn't end with the loss. Sometimes that's when it truly begins.

After losing a child, many parents find themselves living with a constant fear that something terrible will happen again. Every missed phone call, every late arrival, every unanswered text can send your mind into places it never used to go.

It's a part of grief that isn't talked about nearly enough.

In this episode of The Grief Guardian Podcast, I open up about the anxiety, overprotectiveness, panic, and endless "what if" thoughts that can follow the loss of a child. If you've ever felt like you're waiting for another tragedy to happen, you're not alone. These fears are far more common than most people realise.

We'll discuss:
• Why your brain becomes hyper-alert after traumatic loss
• The constant fear of losing another child or loved one
• How grief can lead to overprotectiveness and anxiety
• The difference between fear and reality
• Finding a way to live without letting fear control your life

If this episode resonates with you, please consider sharing it with another grieving parent. Sometimes simply knowing someone else understands can make all the difference.

💙 The Grief Guardian Podcast is here to support anyone navigating the loss of a loved one, with honest conversations, practical guidance, and hope for the road ahead.

🎧 Listen on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/2L7YwWLVQvYgoJXQFQ0qSk

🌐 Website:
https://thegriefguardian.com

☕ Support the podcast:
https://buymeacoffee.com/thegriefguardian

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#Grief #ChildLoss #BereavedParents #GrievingFather #GrievingMother #LifeAfterLoss #HealingAfterLoss #TheGriefGuardian #MentalHealth #TraumaRecovery #HopeAfterLoss

When Spiritual Beliefs Get Shaken After Loss | The Grief Guardian Podcast | Episode 62

Losing someone you love doesn't just break your heart. It can shake everything you believed about life.

After the death of a child, partner, parent, or loved one, many people begin asking questions they've never asked before.

Why did this happen?
Is there a purpose to this pain?
Is anyone listening when I pray?
Does life have meaning anymore?

In this episode of The Grief Guardian Podcast, Grant Cosgrove explores the spiritual conflict that often follows profound loss. This isn't about religion or having the "right" beliefs. It's about the internal battle that grief can create and why questioning your beliefs doesn't mean you're failing.

If you've ever felt angry at God, disconnected from your faith, or uncertain about what you believe anymore, this conversation is for you.

You are not alone.

In this episode, you'll discover:
• Why grief can shake your spiritual foundations
• Is it normal to question your beliefs after loss?
• Dealing with anger toward God or the universe
• Learning to live without all the answers
• Finding peace when certainty feels impossible
• How spiritual growth can emerge through grief

If this episode helped you, please consider subscribing, leaving a comment, and sharing it with someone who may need to hear it.

Together, we can remind grieving hearts that they don't have to walk this path alone.

Connect with The Grief Guardian

🌐 Website: https://www.thegriefguardian.com
🎙️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0kWJZ1X6M4O7Qxq5M8tP0J
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegriefguardian
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegriefguardian

❤️ If you'd like to support the podcast:
https://buymeacoffee.com/thegriefguardian

#Grief #ChildLoss #BereavedParents #GriefSupport #HealingAfterLoss #MentalHealth #SpiritualHealing #FaithAfterLoss #LifeAfterLoss #HopeAfterLoss #TheGriefGuardian #GriefPodcast

The Grief Guardian Podcast | Episode 61

How Different Family Members Grieve the Same Child

When a child dies, the grief doesn't stop with the parents.

Grandparents lose a grandchild. Siblings lose a niece or nephew. Extended family members lose someone they loved and looked forward to watching grow.

Yet these forms of grief are often overlooked.

In this episode, I explore how different family members experience the loss of the same child, the hidden struggles they face, and why understanding these different grief journeys can help families support one another during the darkest of times.

Drawing from my own family's experience after the loss of our daughter Mia, I discuss the unique pain grandparents carry as they watch their own children suffer, and the often unseen grief experienced by siblings who lose a beloved niece or nephew.

If you've ever felt that your grief wasn't acknowledged because you weren't the child's parent, this episode is for you.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How grandparents experience the loss of a grandchild
• Why many grandparents feel forgotten in the grieving process
• The unique grief of losing a niece or nephew
• How different grieving styles can create family tension
• Ways families can support one another after child loss
• Why grief should never be compared or ranked

Remember: grief exists wherever love exists.

🎙️ Listen now and join the conversation.

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#GriefSupport #ChildLoss #BereavedParents #GrandparentGrief #FamilyGrief #TheGriefGuardian #GriefHealing #GriefJourney #LossOfAChild #Podcast

Episode 60: The Mask We Wear: Pretending You're Okay for Everyone Else

After the loss of a child or loved one, there is often an unspoken expectation that life should eventually return to normal.

Friends stop asking how you're doing. Family members assume you're coping. Employers expect you to be back to your old self. Yet inside, the pain may still be as real as ever.

In this episode of The Grief Guardian Podcast, we explore the silent pressure many grieving people face to hide their emotions and pretend they're okay for the comfort of others.

We discuss:
• Why grieving people often wear a mask
• The pressure to "move on" and return to normal
• How emotional masking affects healing
• The exhaustion of pretending everything is fine
• Why honesty about grief matters
• How to stop carrying everyone else's expectations

If you've ever found yourself saying "I'm fine" when you weren't, this episode is for you.

Remember, grief is not something you get over. It's something you learn to carry. You don't owe anyone a performance, and you don't have to pretend your pain has disappeared simply because time has passed.

🎙️ The Grief Guardian Podcast is dedicated to helping grieving parents, families, and anyone navigating loss find understanding, hope, and support through honest conversations about grief.

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