Dan Adams
When Grief, Divorce, and Family Trauma Collide: Finding Strength and Recovery with Dan Adams
DESCRIPTION:
In this powerful conversation, Nick guides Elissa through the second half of her story—a deeply human look at what long-term healing from domestic violence really feels like. Elissa opens up about triggers that still appear years later, how grief intersects with trauma, and why survivorship is an ongoing process of unlearning and rebuilding. She shares the emotional and spiritual turning points that led her into advocacy and the extraordinary, grief-anchored moment that connected her to Tala, the young woman whose legacy inspired Tala’s Closet. Nick and Elissa also discuss the impact of post-separation abuse, the realities of healing while co-parenting, and the courage required to reclaim your identity after trauma. The conversation expands into community, purpose, grief education, and the life-changing ripple effect Elissa now creates for survivors everywhere. This episode is both a testament to the power of healing and an invitation to believe that rock bottom is not the end of your story.
WHO THIS EPISODE HELPS:
Anyone navigating grief, divorce, family trauma, identity loss, or major life transitions.
WHAT LISTENERS WILL GET:
Powerful insight into grief recovery, emotional rebuilding, personal resilience, and reclaiming identity after life-altering loss.
THIS EPISODE ANSWERS:
What does grief look like when multiple losses hit at the same time?
How do you rebuild your identity after divorce, parental loss, and family trauma?
How do midlife transitions and empty nest grief impact emotional wellbeing?
Why does hearing other people’s grief stories reduce isolation and shame?
What helps someone recover when life radically changes in just a few months?
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Grief doesn’t only come from death—it also comes from truth, identity, and family shifts.
Multiple losses in quick succession can dismantle a person’s emotional foundation.
Rebuilding requires honesty, community, vulnerability, and support from others.
Sharing stories normalizes grief and helps people feel less alone in their pain.
Healing is possible even after the most disorienting seasons of life.
IMPORTANT LINKS:
If you want to follow Dan and check out all of his music:
Website: https://brokenyellowline.com/home
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:
KIM GAYLORD TRAVEL
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kimgaylordtravel
Contact: kim@kimgaylordtravel@gmail.com
GIVE THE SHOW A 5-STAR RATING ON APPLE PODCASTS!
FOLLOW US ON APPLE OR YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM!
BOOKMARK OUR WEBSITE: www.griefisnotadirtyword.com
FOLLOW OUR DEAD DADS ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/griefisnotadirtyword
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/griefisnotadirtyword
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@griefisnotadirtyword
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmmv6sdmMIys3GDBjiui3kw
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-gaylord/
