Feel Free Again with Cole James

Feel Free Again with Cole James

Emotional pain from the past can rob of choice in our lives, prevent us from living the life we always wanted and ultimately feel like a prison.This podcast was created to share inspiring stories and helpful information so you can feel free again.

Episodes

April 30, 2025 53 mins

As a certified grief recovery specialist, mental health professional, and diversity coach, I’ve spent the last 8 years walking side-by-side with those in addiction recovery—and I’ve learned a truth we don’t talk about enough: Unresolved grief is often the silent root of addiction.

 

In this episode of the Feel Free Again podcast, Cole James and I explore the deeply emotional link between loss and substance use. We discuss the real-...

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If you’ve ever carried unresolved grief and never quite knew what to do with it, this episode is for you. In today’s Feel Free Again Podcast, I sit down with certified grief recovery specialist Kelli Sheumaker, whose personal journey through traumatic brain injury and the death of her mother revealed just how deep grief can run. We talk candidly about the moments she never got to say “I love you,” the medical trauma she endured, an...

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In this episode of the Feel Free Again podcast, host Cole James speaks with Wakaba Nakamura-Taitano, president of What Recovery Incorporated, about her journey into grief recovery, the cultural nuances of grieving in Japan, and the importance of professional training in grief recovery methods. Wakaba shares her personal experiences with grief, the challenges of addressing emotions in a culture that values harmony, and the strategie...

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Welcome to another powerful episode of the Feel Free Again Podcast. In this conversation, host Cole James is joined by grief recovery specialist Casey McBroom, who shares her heart-wrenching yet inspiring story of navigating eight major losses in just six months — including betrayal, health issues, the death of loved ones, and shattered dreams.

 

Casey opens up about the emotional darkness she faced, how she discovered the Grief Re...

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In this powerful episode of Feel Free Again, I sit down with my dear friend and grief recovery pioneer, Arturo Albin, to talk about life, legacy, and what it means to truly heal. Arturo shares his remarkable journey from being an industrial engineer to becoming a leader in emotional healing—bringing the Grief Recovery Method to Mexico and the broader Spanish-speaking world.

 

Together, we explore the pain of divorce, the loss of a ...

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In this conversation, Cole James and Dinah Simmons explore the profound themes of grief recovery, personal experiences with disabilities, and the cultural perspectives surrounding grief. Dinah shares her journey of becoming a grief recovery specialist during the COVID pandemic, her insights on the limitations of traditional bereavement support, and the importance of recognizing various forms of loss beyond death.

 

The discussion d...

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Hello everyone, and welcome back to the Feel Free Again podcast! I’m your host, Cole James, and today we have an incredible guest: Hannah Wachter—a life coach and certified Grief Recovery Method Specialist. Hannah has dedicated her work to helping people navigate loss, process grief, and rebuild their lives in a meaningful way.

 

In this episode, Hannah opens up about her personal journey with grief, including the sudden loss of he...

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In this heartfelt episode of the Feel Free Again podcast, host Cole James sits down with Jocelyn Jackson Williams, a certified grief recovery specialist and close friend of over a decade. Jocelyn shares her profound personal journey, navigating loss, heartbreak, and the complexities of becoming a caretaker for her aging father. With candor and wisdom, she reflects on how the Grief Recovery Method has shaped her life, equipping her ...

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In this heartfelt chat, I sat down with Rachelle Jones, someone who’s not only a certified grief recovery methods specialist but also a dear friend who’s been through the trenches of grief and come out stronger. We talked about her journey—how she found her way into the Grief Recovery Method and how it’s been a game-changer for her and her husband, especially given his tough job in law enforcement. We dug into the real stuff, like ...

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In this episode of the Feel Free Again podcast, Cole James interviews Ashley Mielke, the founder and CEO of the Grief and Trauma Healing Center. They discuss Ashley's journey with the grief recovery method and how she integrated it into her practice. They also explore the importance of completing the emotional work in relationships and the role of trauma processing in the healing process.

 

In this conversation, Cole and Ashley dis...

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In this episode of the Feel Free Again podcast, host Cole James is joined by Sandi Derby, a grief recovery specialist. Sandi shares her personal journey of healing from childhood abuse and addiction through the grief recovery method. She emphasizes the importance of emotional recovery and the need to process and grieve the losses that result from traumatic experiences. Sandi also discusses the societal narrative that trauma is some...

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Cole interviews his dear friend Susan Dindinger, a facilitator and trainer in the Grief Recovery Method. Susan shares her personal experience with grief and how she discovered the method after the death of her sister. She discusses the reluctance she initially felt in trying the method and the profound impact it had on her life. Susan also highlights the pitfalls of churches in dealing with grief and the importance of meeting peopl...

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Cole interviews his dear friend Susan Dindinger, a facilitator and trainer in the Grief Recovery Method. Susan shares her personal experience with grief and how she discovered the method after the death of her sister. She discusses the reluctance she initially felt in trying the method and the profound impact it had on her life. Susan also highlights the pitfalls of churches in dealing with grief and the importance of meeting peopl...

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In this episode, Tara Storm, an LCSW, discusses the concept of intangible losses and how they can impact our lives. She shares her personal experiences with intangible losses, such as the loss of support and identity, and highlights the importance of recognizing and addressing these losses. Tara emphasizes the need for individuals to do their own grief work and the power of self-disclosure in building rapport and connection. She al...

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In this episode, Cole James interviews Thera Storm, a licensed clinical social worker, about her work with grief recovery. They discuss the importance of creating a safe listening environment and the tendency to overcomplicate grief. Thera shares her personal journey to grief recovery and the impact of identity and loss. They also explore the concept of completing the grief process and the role of parents in helping children naviga...

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In part two of the interview with Adrienne Mejias, she discusses her journey as a mental health professional and how she discovered the Grief Recovery Method. She shares the impact of the method on her own life and her marriage. Adrienne emphasizes the importance of unlearning and relearning as a mental health professional and how it has changed her approach to helping clients. She also highlights the need to view every client as p...

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In this episode of the Feel Free Again podcast, host Cole James interviews Adrienne Mejias, a licensed marriage and family therapist who specializes in the Grief Recovery Method. Adrienne shares her personal journey of discovering the method and how it has helped her professionally and personally. She opens up about the loss of her two children and the challenges she faced while caring for them in different hospitals.

The conversat...

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In this conversation, Catherine Best discusses her journey in working with children and the development of the Helping Children with Loss program. She highlights the gap in emotional support for children in educational settings and the importance of addressing their emotional needs. Catherine shares her personal experiences with grief and how it led her to discover the Grief Recovery Method. She emphasizes the practicality and effe...

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Cole interviews Laura Rodas about her incredible recovery from her husband being murdered, and the process of taking pills to “deal with the pain” to becoming a powerful trainer in Grief Recovery.

Connect with Laura here: https://www.griefrecoverymethod.com/about-us/laura-rodas

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurarodas_sv?igsh=eGRlc2VqcW5pMXM0

More about Laura Rodas: Laura's husband was murdered in 2007. Her world crumbled, ...

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Cole interviews Ed Owens, his great friend and his Vice President of The Grief Recovery Method. Cole and Ed discuss the pressing issue with PTSD and Survivor's Guilt within the military. If you are in the military, and yes if you're married into the military or have a loved one serving, this is a MUST for you. More about Ed: Ed retired from the US Air Force (Reserves) as a First Sergeant in 2009 where he was responsible for the hea...

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