When your child transitions into spirit, nothing is ever the same. In this deeply heartfelt episode, Brian speaks with Betsy Thibaud Stephenson, author of Blackbird: A Mother’s Reflection on Loss, Grief, and Life After Suicide.
Betsy’s son Charlie transitioned at age 21, just eleven weeks after expressing thoughts of self-harm. During that same six-week period, her beloved mother-in-law and family dog also transitioned. Rather than turning away from grief, Betsy faced it head-on—and began writing from her open wound instead of waiting for a scar.
This conversation explores the real grief journey—messy, sacred, and unfiltered.
🔑 Topics Covered:
- Charlie’s spirit and legacy 💫
- The emotional weight of suicide grief 🖤
- Why guilt is almost universal in child loss
- How grief impacts the body and mind
- The myth of grieving “the right way”
- Writing as a tool for survival
- Allowing space for others’ grief stories
- Keeping the spirit of our loved ones alive
✨ Guest Info:
Betsy Thibaud Stephenson
- 📘 Blackbird: A Mother’s Reflection on Loss, Grief, and Life After Suicide
- 🌐 Website: https://blackbirdbetsy.com
- 📸 Instagram: @blackbirdbetsy21
📣 Let’s Talk:
🗨️ How do you keep your loved one’s spirit present in your life?
Share with us in the comments or visit grief2growth.com/community
to connect with others walking this path.
🔗 Episode Resources:
- 📚 Get Betsy’s book: Blackbird on Amazon
- 🧠 Free resources on grief, suicide awareness, and emotional healing
- 🎙️ More episodes like this: Grief 2 Growth Podcast Archive
🙏 If this episode spoke to your heart:
➡️ Leave a review
➡️ Subscribe
➡️ Share with someone who’s grieving
Visit the Grief 2 Growth store for FREE items as well as other tools to help you along your journey:
- Guided Meditations
- My book GEMS of Healing (signed copy)
- My Oracle deck to help you connect with your loved ones
- Mini-courses
- Mini-guides
Check it out at https://grief2growth.com/store
I'm excited to announce a new resource I'm very proud of. This guide outlines the four daily practices I discovered on my grief journey. These techniques have helped dozens of my clients. Get it free today.
GEMS- 4 Steps To Go From Grief To Joy
This deck is a labor of love. It's a 44 card oracle deck that's about connecting you to your loved one in spirit. The deck comes with a companion digital guide that gives you an affirmation, a reflection, and an activity for the day.
Check it out at https://stan.store/grief2growth/p/oracle-deck
🧑🏿🤝🧑🏻 Join Facebook Group- Get Support and Education
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