188: Finding Light in the Darkness: How to Grieve with Hope with Steve Carter

In Episode 188, Daniel and Christina talk with Steve Carter, who shares his journey through grief and insights from his new book, “Grieve, Breathe, Receive.” Steve discusses his complex relationships with his adoptive and biological fathers, emphasizing the importance of processing grief with hope. He introduces a framework for navigating grief, encouraging listeners to honour their feelings and remain open to the beautiful surprises that life can bring. The episode offers valuable perspectives on healing, reconciliation, and the transformative power of hope.

In This Episode, You’ll Hear About The Following:

• Exploration of grief and its complexities.
• Personal experiences of loss, particularly related to adoptive and biological fathers.
• A framework for processing grief.
• Navigating forgiveness in the context of loss.
• The role of hope and reconciliation in healing relationships.
• The impact of societal expectations on emotional expression, especially for men.
• The significance of community and support during grief.
• The relationship between grief, faith, and the anticipation of God’s goodness.

Resources Mentioned In This Episode:

• Pick up a copy of Steve’s newest book, Grieve, Breathe, Receive: Finding a Faith Strong Enough to Hold
• Steve’s previous book: The Thing Beneath the Thing Book
• Craft and Character Podcast
• Stevecarter.org

Journal Prompts For Self-Reflection:

1. How do you typically process grief individually, and how can your partner support you?
2. What roles have you seen in family or culture around dealing with emotions like sadness or loss? How does this impact how you approach grief in your relationship?

Discussion Questions For You As A Couple:

1. How do you recognize when unresolved grief affects your relationship? What steps can you take to address it before it creates further distance or misunderstandings?
2. What does “receiving” a new beginning or healing after grief look like to you? How can you support the other in being open to new growth after difficult seasons?
3. How do you remind each other of hope or look for positive change together when facing personal challenges?
4. Reflect on a time of growth you’ve had as a couple after facing a difficult season. How did that time bring you closer, and what did you learn about each other?

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Meet Steve Carter: