The Million Stages of Grief: Surviving the Unthinkable with Michael Reed | EP 465

2025-12-09

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In this deeply moving conversation, Brian sits down with Michael Reed, author of The Million Stages of Grief, whose life changed forever on the night of the 2016 Gatlinburg fires. Michael lost his wife Constance and daughters Chloe and Lily in the tragedy—and today, he shares not only his story, but the wisdom, compassion, and hard-earned insight that grew from unimaginable loss.This episode explores what grief really looks like—messy, nonlinear, human—and why comparing grief (“less than,” “more than,” “should be over it”) only creates more suff...

In this deeply moving conversation, Brian sits down with Michael Reed, author of The Million Stages of Grief, whose life changed forever on the night of the 2016 Gatlinburg fires. Michael lost his wife Constance and daughters Chloe and Lily in the tragedy—and today, he shares not only his story, but the wisdom, compassion, and hard-earned insight that grew from unimaginable loss.

This episode explores what grief really looks like—messy, nonlinear, human—and why comparing grief (“less than,” “more than,” “should be over it”) only creates more suffering.

You’ll hear how Michael went from suicidal despair to becoming a voice for grievers everywhere.

💡 What You’ll Learn

Why the “five stages of grief” don’t reflect most people’s real experience
How men are socialized to hide grief—and how to break that cycle
The truth about survivor’s guilt
Faith after tragedy: doubt, anger, surrender, and transformation
What helped Michael choose to live when he didn’t want to
How writing became a lifeline
What it means to move forward without “moving on”

🔗 Guest Links

🌐 Website: https://themillionstages.com
📘 Book: The Million Stages of Grief (available on Amazon)
📱 Follow Michael on social media: listed on his website

🎙️ Listen & Support Grief 2 Growth

💌 Join our community & weekly reflections: https://grief2growth.substack.com
⭐ Please rate & review the show to help others find support.

🧭 Interactive Elements

👉 Your Reflection Prompt:
What is one memory of your loved one that brings both pain and comfort?
Share it with us in the comments or reply on Substack—we honor them together.

👉 Your Action Step:
Choose one person who might feel alone in their grief today. Send them this episode and a simple message:

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

Grief doesn’t follow stages, timelines, or rules.
If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I doing this right?”—you’re not alone.

That’s why I created the Grief Check-In.
It’s not a test. There are no right or wrong answers.

In just a few minutes, you’ll gain clarity, reassurance, and language for what you’re experiencing.

👉 Visit grief2growth.com/checkin

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

Support the show

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Thanks so much for your support

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