Emily Barnhardt

Grief. Loss. None of us are spared from these feelings and yet, they are some of the least talked about. We're constantly barraged with images of senseless violence and pain everyday on television and media, the results of which, reaches down into our community and the communities of others. 

It's a real struggle for many of us that have ever connected with someone who is going through loss. We want to say the perfect thing but it is hard and, at the cost of that perfection, we end up paralyzed, not saying anything at all.

In today's episode, we talk with Emily Barnhart who co-authored a book on grief called, The Grief Diaries, and the wisdom she shares as a 28-year old is astounding. While it's painful to think of what she has endured to gain that wisdom, I'm very grateful for the experiences she shares with us when we have a friend or loved one grieving. We discuss these difficult topics and the work she is doing with The Dinner Party, a private dinner party group for people who are dealing with a loss in their life. 

This episode will open your eyes about grief and the grief process with the understanding that everybody is going to grieve a loss differently. Emily shares how we can best be there in support for our loved ones.

If you know anyone who is grieving, struggling with a loss and could benefit from listening to this episode, reading Emily's book or building relationships with others at a Dinner Party, please share this with show with them.

For more information on joining, hosting or a list of frequently asked questions, go to: https://www.thedinnerparty.org. 

On today's podcast...

04:50 - Emily's latest project deals with human trafficking, a surprisingly growing problem in North Carolina
08:10 - What's a Trauma Bond?
11:11 - A "Dinner Party" that isn't about the food
14:12 - Why would I go to the Dinner Party?
18:59 - How Emily connected with the Dinner Party
22:53 - What does 'holding space' mean?
25:15 - Significant loss means different things to different people.
26:26 - Emily's personal significant loss story
29:56 - One size does not fit all
34:11 - How writing and journaling led Emily to write the Grief Diaries.
37:18 - The unhealthy ways people cope with grief
42:16 - How do you show up and be there for someone who's grieving?
47:21 - Prioritize your presence over your words
52:10 - What encouragement would you give to a person unsure about joining a Dinner Party?
54:53 - Emily's hopes for the future of Dinner Parties

More about today's guest...

Emily Barnhart works in HR as a training specialist, maintaining and managing compliance training. She volunteers with a non-profit called Justice Ministries here in Charlotte that helps survivors of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation with a focus on emergency response - victim recovery, emergency transportation, and emergency case management services.

Hidden Stories is a production of the Sell or Die Network, a collection of the best podcasts on sales and personal development on the planet. Check out what else we have to offer:

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