“The world told me to move on… but my heart was still aching.”
In this powerful episode of What’s Grief Got to Do with It? ™, host Marica L. Floyd, MFT, Certified Grief Educator, sits down with pastor, author, leader and coach Consuello Hodges (Coach C) for a conversation that is part tribute, part intervention, and completely transformative.
Coach C pulls back the curtain on the “performance” he began at 13 after the unexpected death of his mother—a survival mechanism mistaken for strength for decades. What looked like resilience on the outside was often unresolved grief hiding in plain sight.
This episode is for anyone who has ever been told to “be strong” while silently breaking inside.
Inside this unforgettable conversation:
• The Error of Rushing Grief
How well-meaning words like “be strong” can unintentionally force people—especially children—into emotional survival mode, creating a lifelong performance instead of true healing.
• Healing the Inner Child
Watch as Consuello speaks directly to “Con,” the 13-year-old boy who was never given permission to fall apart, grieve honestly, or process the magnitude of his loss.
• The “Step” Who Became Dad
A heartfelt tribute to the aunt and the man he proudly calls “Dad,” who stepped in, stood firm, and helped raise him through unimaginable pain while carrying grief of their own.
• A Manifesto for Men
A powerful message to men everywhere: silence is not strength, and vulnerability is not weakness. Honesty is where healing begins.
• Grief Literacy for Children
Practical wisdom for parents, leaders, caregivers, and families on how to truly witness a child’s grief without rushing their process or minimizing their pain with careless language.
In one of the most honest moments of the conversation, Consuello honors the legacy of his mother while finally acknowledging the boy she left behind—and the man his father successfully raised against the odds.
For years, he survived.
In this conversation, he finally grieves.
It’s time to stop performing and start healing.
