What unique techniques does Brian D Smith use to address grief brain in his podcast episodes?

“Grief brain” is real – foggy thinking, memory issues, feeling overwhelmed. In my work and on the Grief 2 Growth podcast, several approaches show up again and again:

1. Normalize and de-shame it
   I repeatedly explain that grief brain is a natural response, not a personal failing or a mental defect. That alone lowers anxiety and pressure.

2. Mental fitness tools
   I talk about “mental fitness” rather than pathology. I borrow from positive psychology and coaching:

   1. Tiny, doable habits
   2. Reframing unhelpful thoughts
   3. Focusing on what is controllable today

3. The GEMS framework
   I weave GEMS into conversations, even when I don’t name it explicitly:

   1. Gratitude: training the brain to notice one or two small good things, even in pain
   2. Exercise/sleep: body-based regulation to calm the nervous system so the brain can function
   3. Mindfulness: grounding practices, breath, and present-moment awareness to reduce rumination
   4. Self-care: realistic boundaries and rest so cognitive capacity can rebuild

4. Story as “neural proof”
   Hearing guests describe their own fog and eventual clarity helps listeners’ brains update from “I’m broken” to “I’m temporarily overloaded, and this can ease.”

5. Afterlife and meaning-making
   Without preaching, I explore evidence for consciousness beyond the body and the idea that we are “spiritual beings having human experiences.” For many, this softens terror, which in turn calms the brain.

6. Practical, low-bandwidth suggestions
   I emphasize things that do not require a clear head:

   1. Write down simple routines
   2. Use reminders and checklists
   3. Ask for help with decisions
   4. Lower expectations of productivity

Is there a specific episode or kind of grief brain struggle (memory, decision-making, work, parenting) you are most interested in?