Episode Summary
Liverpool-based grief coach Rachel Hart-Phillips shares her profound journey through multiple layers of grief, including losing both of her parents and then her husband to suicide while she was pregnant with their first child all before she turned 30.
Rachel shares how she transformed her experiences into a mission to support others through her grief coaching and support practice The AfterGlow Space.
In a raw and deeply personal conversation, Rachel opens up about what it meant to become a widow and a mother at the same time—carrying the devastating loss of her husband while preparing to welcome their baby. She talks about the realities of grieving a suicide, the questions that don’t always have answers, and how she learned that healing isn’t about leaving grief behind. It’s about finding a way to carry it while continuing to live, love, grow, and make space for joy again.
This episode explores the complex coexistence of grief and joy, resilience, and the power of community and holistic healing.
Episode Sponsored by The HelpHUB™
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Key Topics
• Rachel's experience with layered grief including losing both parents and her husband to suicide
• The impact of early loss on identity and sense of belonging
• The importance of community and shared experience in healing
• Holistic and somatic approaches to grief recovery
• The concept of building a life around grief rather than trying to 'move on'
• The significance of hope and resilience in difficult times
• The role of self-awareness and personal growth through trauma
• How grief influences personal confidence and priorities
• The origin and meaning of the name 'Afterglow' in Rachel’s work
• Resources and support networks for those experiencing grief
Mental Health Resources
• If you or someone you know is struggling, please call 988 for help.
• The Survivors Podcast Website – https://thesurvivors.net/
• National Domestic Violence Hotline – Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7223)
• Surviving: Finding Hope After Suicide Loss (Familius Books) (https://a.co/d/00Zthp5f)
• The HelpHUB™ – Mental health resources, tools, and support networks – https://www.thehelphub.co/
• Connect with Rachel at https://www.theafterglowspace.com/
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See you next week! In the meantime, keep surviving.