Grief 2 Growth Turning Sudden Loss Into Sacred Storytelling | Diandra Ford-Wing | EP 435
đ About This Episode
What do you do when grief crashes into your life without warning?
In this intimate and emotionally raw conversation, host Brian Smith sits down with Diandra Ford-Wing, an African-American author and sales director who made the courageous decision to pause her life and fully sit with her grief after her motherâs sudden passing.
Together, Brian and Diandraâboth of whom have experienced the devastating shock of sudden lossâopen up about the moments that shattered them, the signs that gave them hope, and the transformation that comes when we choose to feel deeply rather than move on quickly.
This is more than an interview. Itâs two people speaking from their hearts about the mess, the mystery, and the meaning found in mourning.
đïž What You'll Hear
- The moment Diandra got the call that changed everything
- Why she left her career to process grief on her own terms
- The powerful symbolism behind the red bird
- The mystery surrounding her auntâs death in The Gambia
- How Brian's daughter Shayna continues to guide his life after death
- Why grief in the Black community often goes unspokenâand how storytelling breaks that silence
- A candid discussion about anger, disbelief, and the fog of the first year
- The surprising connection between Diandraâs mother and her newborn great-niece, Eden
đ About Diandra's Book: Red Bird
Red Bird began as journal entries written during a sacred pauseâand grew into a soul-stirring novel that helps readers explore their own relationship to loss, love, and legacy. Itâs a short, powerful read meant to be absorbed in a day or two, but carried with you for a lifetime.
đ Get the book: booksbydiandra.com
đ· Follow Diandra on Instagram: @diandrafordwing
đ§ Reflect + Connect
đŹ Listener prompt:
Have you ever had a moment where a signâlike a bird, a dream, or a m
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 doesnât follow stages, timelines, or rules.
If youâve ever wondered, âAm I doing this right?ââyouâre not alone.
Thatâs why I created the Grief Check-In.
Itâs not a test. There are no right or wrong answers.
In just a few minutes, youâll gain clarity, reassurance, and language for what youâre experiencing.
đ 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
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