Grit & Grace (with a side of grief)

Episode #16: An Explosion Happened

[https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65e08e2ecc5d490120ba8c58/ed6fafd8-7f6b-4498-ad4c-d2f33aa5bfec/jongina.png?format=1000w] Gina and Jon in the ‘studio.’ > “There is no denying that this mix of stuff was God acting in my life. ” — Gina > “I had another day of freedom. What am I going to do with that?” — Gina Resources The Plymouth House [https://www.theplymouthhouse.com/lp/?campaign=22662514788&adgroup=181355627976&keyword=the%20plymouth%20house&matchtype=e&device=c&devicemodel=&position=&creative=757851936408&extensionid=&locinterest=&locphysical=9001946&placement=&network=g&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&substance=&insurance=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22662514788&gbraid=0AAAAApQ3SuK6lB9WSKyb1xJ-Gau6hZ8tK&gclid=Cj0KCQjwvJHIBhCgARIsAEQnWlB-ljRT9vsk8oxJj91-Bzarjiuq7zljUJVWyT5Ny0EWtN44NsNLC0kaAgg7EALw_wcB] Celebrate Recovery [https://celebraterecovery.com] The Holliston Drug & Alcohol Awareness Coalition [https://hdaac.org] When loss hit Gina, it was relentless. A charmed childhood took an abrupt turn when she was in her early 20s and lost her boyfriend in a car accident. This was quickly followed by the loss of three other major people in her life. Her life went on but the grief and pain went unchecked. And in her words, “an explosion happened.” Her story includes heartache, addiction, shame followed by redemption, grace and unconditional love. Please sit in with our talk with Gina, an amazing, authentic, funny and real person who knows grit, experienced grace and has made meaning from her grief. Episode # 16: There was an explosion

Episode #15: Forgiveness

[https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65e08e2ecc5d490120ba8c58/1759187161144-ZTK6NPCKSBTA2LXDMH2W/unsplash-image-oLYzJXvsSnE.jpg?format=1000w] > “It feels like there is this world-wide Christian marketing campaign about forgiveness that says forgiveness is for ME. We’re forgetting that is for that other person too.” — Jon Resources: Nadia Boltz-Weber: The Confessional Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-confessional-with-nadia-bolz-weber/id1502171248] When we lie, our bodies get weak [https://youtube.com/shorts/Qw2GG8CfELk?si=Q32BkTZKB7BMWp3x] Zach Bush, MD [https://zachbushmd.com] Antarctic Expedition Story [https://academiwales.gov.wales/api/storage/7fdc682d-8b5c-411d-bb1c-53f6a4fe2ac4?preview=true] > View this post on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPD-ufDiOGj/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading] > > A post shared by ICA (@icahk) [https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPD-ufDiOGj/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading] > “I’m trying to change the fabric of my life, trying to do things I wouldn’t normally do and surround myself with people who would be positive about things like forgiveness. ” — Jon This is one of those episodes where we wondered if we had hit any valid points or if we had missed the mark. Then we reminded ourselves of the reason behind our little recordings. They are conversations, not answers. So our deepest desire is that these podcasts lead to great conversations and insights and maybe you’ll land the same place we do or another place entirely. It’s doesn’t matter. What matters is that we are talking about life and all that other stuff because it’s worthy of our curiosity. We live in a world that seems to scream “Forgive others. It will be good for you.” That is true, however, forgiveness has many branches -its reach, its depth and its impact - spreads far and wide. Have you been forgiven? Have you forgiven another person? Have you witnessed forgiveness? If you said yes to any of the above, you have felt the feeling we’re talking about.   Check out this instagram post and Jon’s thoughts about it below. This is what I see a lot of. And it’s good. And it’s right. And it makes sense. And it’s true. I get that this is very important. I understand. But this is all we hear about now. And for good reason. People do horrible things to other people. And the person that is hurt needs to release that so they can move on and move forward. And I get that the forgiveness is helping them so they can heal and maybe be whole again. But forgiveness is also for the person who hurt you. As hard as that is to hear. As hard as that is to accept. They are still part of the equation. And no one ones to talk about that. And I’m trying to put it on the table. Because there is more in there for us … if we want and choose to dig it out. Episode #15: Forgiveness

Episode #14: Do you have a heart at war or a heart at peace?

[https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65e08e2ecc5d490120ba8c58/711ed391-4845-4112-920d-7226e7cbd355/Heart+at+war+or+heart+at+peace.png?format=1000w] Here’s how you can tell if you are living with a heart at war or a heart a peace. Do you feel angry? Alone? Are there relationships in your life that feel nothing more than an obstacle to your well-being? That’s war. Are you tired? We have a choice. Here you will hear how Jon discovered his grief (and his overall stance throughout his life) was in need of some peace. It’s brutal, emotional and real. Is a heart at peace possible? Of course. Just keep fighting for it. > “Anger is not a distant cousin to me. Anger is like my twin.” — Jon > “When you live with a heart at war, it’s a horrible place to be. It’s lonely, angry spot where all you care about is gathering people who agree with you and finding a way to prove the other person wrong”” — Heather > “Keep fighting with God... If He wants to be in relationship with you, He doesn’t want you to lie, He doesn’t want you to sugarcoat it. He doesn’t want you to hide. If you’re mad, you’re mad, if you’re sad, you’re sad, if you’re pissed that your wife is gone, and He just so happens to be the #@! creator of the universe then he’s the one who is going to get it. ” — Jon Episode #14: Do you have a heart at war or a heart at peace? Heather’s message on a Heart at War vs. a Heart at Peace. The Netflix Movie she refers to is Straw [https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/straw-tyler-perry-taraji-p-henson-release-date-photos-news]. Heathers sermon is a great look into the reasoning of why we might treat people (and ourselves) the way we do. It deals with OUR part in the situation - the only thing we really have a say in. For me this sermon was definitely the catalyst in unearthing and showing me another “corner” of grief. My corner was in the shape of anger - shocking.  How many corners are in this fucking place? :) And even though the whole experience made me even more angry :) I’m glad I got the chance to see it and walk thru it. Listen to see what corner of your life might need some attention. -Jon Resources: [https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65e08e2ecc5d490120ba8c58/6e139257-b5c8-4b66-a1ba-923458d5705d/Image+8-31-25+at+6.35+AM.jpg?format=1000w]

Episode #12: The Sainthood Effect

Episodes RSS [https://www.gritgracewithasideofgrief.com/episodes?format=rss] [https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65e08e2ecc5d490120ba8c58/9465aed8-aa0d-4a12-9169-1429759729b3/stainedglass.jpeg?format=1000w] > “I’m surprised you haven’t been struck by lightning by her (Krissy) for even saying her name with the word sainthood” — Heather > “When we go the pedastal route, we bury the stuff we should be looking to deal with. The pain the hurt of that relationship. They’re gone so how can I work it through with them? You can’t but you can work with someone else who can shed light on how it could unwrap itself. ” — Jon > “On the good/healthy side of sainthood, we’re longing for this thing we can’t reach anymore. This person is gone. There are no more new things. I think by putting in the sainthood effect you’re focusing on the good not the bad to get another drink from that person. ” — Jon Is it bad to put someone on a proverbial pedestal after they die? At funerals and memorials, amazing stories of kindness, love and generosity are told. We all hope for such remembrances. But here’s something Jon has been kicking around as it pertains to the serious business of grief. We may have a tendency to put some people on a pedestal without knowing that it could be our way of bypassing the act of grief- the unmet expectations; the deep regrets; and/or the very gritty stuff of a flawed human being (spoiler alert, we’re all flawed). In that sense, pedestals could be dangerous. Jon is thinking the better bet is to deal with the realness of your earthly relationship. Remember the whole person, flaws and all, and work through those feelings. Depending on your relationship with the deceased - if it was mainly decent - we may see our loved one through the lens of ‘the sainthood effect'.’ This doesn’t mean the person was perfect but because your relationship was mostly good, it presents as a deep-held respect for your loved one coupled with a “beautiful desperation” to keep that love/relationship alive. These are certainly not the only ways our grief can lead us when it comes to remembering those we lost but it’s worth some thought. How do you remember the people you have lost? Truthfully? Authentically? Unsure? And could you experience your grief differently if you were to try and answer that question? [https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65e08e2ecc5d490120ba8c58/f57968d6-5dc7-4f8b-8d31-13b8b16303f2/ralph.jpg?format=1000w] Episode #12 The Sainthood Effect

Episode #11: Our First ‘Live’ Podcast

Episodes RSS [https://www.gritgracewithasideofgrief.com/episodes?format=rss] [https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65e08e2ecc5d490120ba8c58/94f03596-7304-4e4e-877f-315379c2d2bf/uslaugh.jpg?format=1000w] Jon and Heather left the frigid garage that serves as their “recording studio” for the warmth of the indoors and company of some audience members. Recorded at New England Chapel in Franklin, the duo was joined by 50 guests. In this first ‘live’ podcast, Jon and Heather share the story behind their friendship and in that reflection we find Jon at a new crossroads of understanding faith, coming to terms with the idea of hope and sharing his thoughts on love and loss. The two think they are made for audio-only but appreciate the rawness of opening up the conversation with others. “ I don't operate on things like "How did the Bruins do last night?" I love the Bruins but I want to talk about stuff that really matters,” said Jon. He does so with all his heart (but a bit begrudgingly if we’re honest). > “No good can come from her death. Good can come from how we choose to handle our pain.” — Jon [https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65e08e2ecc5d490120ba8c58/1743191039610-UEU9GX9SIU763231FZR3/hopesign.jpg?format=1000w] > “The word hope is in a frame above our fireplace because my wife put that up there to remind herself to pray for a friend that was going through something. > > She didn’t realize that same sign and would be there for her while she was going through her cancer; what she didn’t know is that same word would be there for me. > > There was a time I wanted to take that picture and chuck it out the window. It’s a tough word for me.” — Jon Episode #11: Live Podcast uslaugh.jpg [https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65e08e2ecc5d490120ba8c58/1743190012321-4NUW0R99MXQZMXTUQEC8/uslaugh.jpg?format=1000w] thetable.jpg [https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65e08e2ecc5d490120ba8c58/1743190005236-450CSE4ZTQQBMM3RHYRZ/thetable.jpg?format=1000w] usserious.jpg [https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65e08e2ecc5d490120ba8c58/1743190018670-OYANCUN9FU4Q2WZO45NY/usserious.jpg?format=1000w] crowd.jpg [https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65e08e2ecc5d490120ba8c58/1743190029957-KDU5ORNZPJ1IVPGD34QC/crowd.jpg?format=1000w] hopesign.jpg [https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65e08e2ecc5d490120ba8c58/1743191039610-UEU9GX9SIU763231FZR3/hopesign.jpg?format=1000w]