Episode 8: When Grief Comes Home

Grief is one of the hardest journeys a person can walk—and when it enters our homes and affects our families, it can feel overwhelming. In this powerful episode, Dr. Jonathan Hoover sits down with Erin Nelson and Colleen Montague from Jessica’s House, a grief support center, to discuss the complexities of grieving as a family, how children process loss differently, and how we can navigate sorrow with hope.

Key Takeaways: ✅ How grief affects children and why they process it differently than adults ✅ Common myths about grieving and why the 5 stages don’t apply ✅ Practical ways to support grieving kids and teens ✅ Why honesty and presence matter more than having the "perfect" answer ✅ The importance of community and seeking support

📖 Get the Book: When Grief Comes Home by Erin Nelson & Colleen Montague – A compassionate guide for grieving families.

🔗 Resources Mentioned: 🔹 Jessica’s House: jessicashouse.org

⏳ Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 02:00 - Why Grief is So Difficult to Talk About 06:30 - Erin’s Personal Story of Loss 10:15 - How Grief Impacts Our Sense of Safety and Faith 15:30 - Helping Children Process Grief in Their Own Way 21:45 - How to Support Kids During Funerals 26:20 - The Importance of Community in Grieving 32:00 - How Jessica’s House Helps Grieving Families 38:00 - Final Thoughts & Where to Find Support

If this episode resonated with you, please like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of psychology and faith. Let’s navigate life’s toughest moments—together.

#Grief #MentalHealth #ChristianPsychology #GriefSupport #Podcast

In this conversation, Georgia shares her personal journey of overcoming divorce, battling cancer, and rebuilding her life. She provides practical insights on how to grieve losses, embrace a new identity in Christ, and move toward healing.

Whether you are personally experiencing divorce or supporting a loved one through it, this episode is packed with hope, wisdom, and biblical truth. Subscribe for more insights at the intersection of psychology and Christianity!

Chapters:

00:00 - Welcome & Introduction

01:06 - Meet Georgia Shaffer: Author, Psychologist, & Coach

02:48 - Why Georgia is Passionate About Helping the Divorced

04:39 - The Stigma of Divorce in the Church

06:02 - The Deep Grief of Divorce

10:23 - Why Listing Your Losses Can Help You Heal

13:32 - The Lies That Keep People Stuck

14:51 - Healing Doesn’t Come from the Person Who Hurt You

19:58 - The Complexity of Trust After Betrayal

24:10 - How Long Does It Take to Rebuild Trust?

29:33 - What NOT to Do in "Frantic Mode"

32:41 - The Dangers of Love Bombing & Manipulation

34:14 - How to Find Support & Community After Divorce

37:51 - Georgia’s Books & Rebuild After Divorce Membership

39:00 - Closing Thoughts

🎯 Key Takeaways:

✔️ Divorce comes with layers of grief—beyond losing a spouse, it includes shattered dreams and unexpected losses.

✔️ Healing takes time, and expecting instant closure can lead to more pain.

✔️ Your identity is in Christ, not in your divorce.

✔️ Trust isn’t rebuilt overnight—it requires consistent trustworthiness over time.

✔️ Community is essential for healing, and support groups like Rebuild After Divorce provide life-giving encouragement.

Resources Mentioned:

🔗 Rebuild After Divorce Membership: GeorgiaShaffer.com/rebuildmembership

If this episode encouraged you, please like, comment, and share it with someone who needs hope!

In this episode of The Dr. Jonathan Hoover Show, we dive deep into the topic of mindfulness—what it is, how it affects our lives, and how Christians can engage with it in a faith-centered way. Dr. Fernando Garzon, a clinical psychologist, ordained pastor, and faculty member at Regent University, joins the conversation to unpack the science and spirituality of mindfulness.

We explore how mindfulness can enhance focus, emotional regulation, and spiritual connection—and how it differs from secular and Buddhist practices. If you've ever wondered how Christian mindfulness fits into mental health and daily life, this episode is for you!

👉 Topics Discussed: ✅ What is mindfulness? ✅ How does technology fuel "mindlessness"? ✅ The neuroscience behind mindfulness and attention ✅ What does it mean to be "non-judgmental" in mindfulness? ✅ The difference between Christian mindfulness and Eastern traditions ✅ Practical ways Christians can incorporate mindfulness into daily life ✅ The connection between Psalms of Lament and mindfulness ✅ The power of surrender vs. acceptance

📌 YouTube Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to the episode 00:58 - Meet Dr. Fernando Garzon 02:38 - What is mindfulness? A simple definition 03:11 - The impact of technology on attention and presence 06:03 - Mindfulness and the Christian perspective on judgment 08:07 - Automatic thoughts and their effect on emotions 09:50 - How grounding techniques relate to mindfulness 12:52 - The challenge of mindfulness and faith traditions 14:19 - Can Christians practice mindfulness? 16:16 - Mindfulness in Christianity: Biblical meditation and focus 19:18 - Psalms of Lament: A biblical case for mindfulness 22:28 - The importance of surrender vs. acceptance 26:26 - How mindfulness becomes richer with faith 29:01 - Practical ways for Christians to start mindfulness 34:20 - Nature walks and mindfulness in Jesus’ teachings 36:47 - How psychology and Christianity intersect 41:17 - How Regent University integrates faith and psychology 45:22 - Final thoughts and resources

📖 Key Takeaways: 1️⃣ Mindfulness isn’t about emptying your mind; it’s about being present and aware. 2️⃣ Technology can drive mindlessness, making intentional focus more important than ever. 3️⃣ Non-judgmental awareness in mindfulness isn’t about moral relativism—it’s about learning to pause reactivity and respond wisely. 4️⃣ The Bible has a rich history of mindfulness-like practices, such as Psalms of Lament and Christian meditation. 5️⃣ Surrendering to God is a more powerful alternative to mere acceptance when dealing with overwhelming experiences. 6️⃣ Christians can embrace mindfulness while staying rooted in their faith—mindfulness is a tool, not a belief system. 7️⃣ Practical mindfulness for Christians can include scripture meditation, nature walks, and grounding techniques with faith in mind.