Summary:

In this heartfelt conversation, Carole Leathem and Jan Unfried explore the profound themes of grief, healing, and faith.

Jan shares her personal journey of loss following her son's tragic overdose, emphasizing the importance of finding God in the midst of pain.

They discuss the significance of personal stories, the impact of statistics on understanding grief, and the cultural challenges surrounding the grieving process.

Jan highlights the relentless love of God and how it has been a source of strength and hope throughout her journey.

The conversation also touches on practical ways to navigate triggers and hard questions, ultimately encouraging listeners to embrace their grief and seek God's presence in their stories.

Takeaways:

• Grief can take many forms beyond losing a loved one.
• Finding God in our stories is essential for healing.
• Statistics highlight the importance of personal stories.
• God's relentless love meets us in our lowest valleys.
• It's okay to grieve and feel sad; it's part of healing.
• Cultural attitudes often make it hard to grieve openly.
• Triggers can come unexpectedly; it's important to embrace them.
• The Reticular Activation System helps us notice God's presence.
• We can personalize scripture to deepen our connection with God.
• God can use our pain for good, even in tragic circumstances.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Jan Unfried's Journey

02:08 The Birth of Coffee Shop Chronicles

05:39 Transition to Overflowing Hope

08:14 The Tragic Loss of a Son

12:03 Statistics and Personal Stories

15:22 Navigating Hard Questions and Triggers

19:32 Embracing Grief and Healing

22:53 Understanding God's Relentless Love

26:51 The Role of RAS in Noticing God

31:13 Navigating Grief in Modern Cultures

35:21 Honesty with God: The Power of Questions

40:21 Finding God in Our Stories

41:50 Finding God in Our Stories

44:56 The Impact of Grief and Loss

47:46 Embracing Hope and Healing

Connect with Carole:

Website - https://www.thecaretakersjourney.com/

To join the mailing list, go to the website and join the community

Email - carole@thecaretakersjourney.com

Social Media - 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/carolesjourney/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/carolesjourney

Book - https://www.carolesjourney.com/book

Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-caretakers-journey/id1730593778

Connect with Jan:

Website: https://www.janunfried.com/

Books:  

Overflowing Hope https://amzn.to/3JJMi3G

Solid Ground - https://amzn.to/460b0FK

Common Ground - https://amzn.to/4oLFjHI

Higher Ground - https://amzn.to/45sWnuC

Draw the Circle - https://amzn.to/3V9gNCD