Episode 76: When Self-Help Isn't Enough—Finding the Faith & Strength to Move Forward after Loss & Heartache With Granger Smith

I read country music singer Granger Smith's new book in one sitting and cried my way through it. It’s a powerful story of the unspeakable loss of his 3-year old son and what happened in the aftermath. Granger tried everything to cope with the trauma, including numbing and every self-help hack. It didn't work. This is an incredible story of what happens when self-help fails and God shows up. Here’s what we cover: 1. The traumatic “slide show” that ran through Granger's mind for months (10:44) 2. Why we numb (16:19) 3. Granger's rock bottom moment and what happened after (24:33) 4. What grief looks like when transformed (30:38) 5. How self-help messages gaslight us (40:59) This episode contains discussions about suicide which may be distressing for some listeners. Please prioritize your well-being and proceed with caution. If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 for free, confidential support. Find a full transcript and list of resources from this episode here . Do you have questions for Dr. Alison?⁠ Leave them here . Want to receive free bonus content? ⁠⁠Sign up for my free weekly email here . Related Episodes: Episode 75 : Your Secret Weapon Against Stress & Anxiety—How to Transform Your Mind Through the Power of Prayer Episode 74 : The Neurobiology of Hope and How to Find Hope in Hard Times with Dr. Curt Thompson Episode 67 : The Link Between Faith & Emotional Healing—Gen Z, College Life, & A Hidden Search for Meaning with Cindy Gao Episode 65 : Vulnerability, Parenting, and Letting Go of Control—Inside A Guy’s Perspective With Our Friends From Dadville Thanks to our sponsors: Go to ⁠ www.organifi.com/bestofyou⁠ today and use code BESTOFYOU for 20% off your order today. Visit seed.com/BESTOFYOU and use code BESTOFYOU to redeem 25% off your first month of Seed's DS-01® Daily Synbiotic. Go to Reliefband.com and use promo code BESTOFYOU to receive 20% off plus free shipping. Sleep deeply and wake gently with Hatch Restore - go to hatch.co/bestofyou to get $20 off and free shipping! Music by Andy Luiten Sound editing by Kelly Kramarik While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices