In this episode of ‘Can You Just Sit With Me?’, host Natasha Smith engages in discussion with Chuck and Ashley Elliott, a dynamic duo of a pastor and a licensed counselor who specialize in grief counseling and coaching. They share their personal experiences with grief and the journey that led them to write their book ‘I Used to Be’. They chat about how to sit with identity loss and relationships in grief. Plus more.
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Grieving people need connection, especially to Jesus. And Jesus stood in our place and is now allowing us to stand in His place, representing Him to those who are hurting.
Chuck & ashley elliott
Navigate Through Grief with Biblical Mental Health Tools
When you suffer a loss, you enter the realm of “used to be.” You used to be married. You used to be employed. You used to be pregnant, secure, healthy, sober, thin. You used to be a son or daughter, a brother or sister, a mother or father. And in that used-to-be space there is deep emptiness, loneliness, and sorrow. It’s a place we all dwell for a while. But it’s not a place in which we are meant to remain.
The podcast conversation with Chuck and Ashley delves into practical strategies for dealing with grief, including the ‘three A’s of change’, the power of understanding one’s identity in the face of loss, and how grief can impact intimate relationships. Chuck and Ashley also emphasize the importance of processing grief to not just leave an inheritance but a legacy that profoundly affects others’ lives. Listeners are invited to connect with Chuck and Ashley through their work and the various resources they offer for support in navigating grief.
Episode Talking Points:
- 00:00 Welcome to ‘Can You Just Sit With Me?’
- 00:12 Meet Chuck and Ashley: The Dynamic Duo
- 00:51 The Power of Presence in Grief
- 03:30 From Personal Grief to Helping Others
- 06:17 Identity Loss in Grief: Insights from ‘I Used to Be’
- 10:10 Practical Steps to Healing: The Three A’s of Change
- 19:04 Merging Pastoral Care and Therapy in Grief Work
- 25:43 The Impact of Grief on Intimate Relationships
- 33:34 Finding Hope and Legacy in Grief
- 35:50 Connecting with Chuck and Ashley
- 36:56 Closing Thoughts: Hope in Grief
Other Ways to Listen to this Podcast with Chuck & Ashley Elliott:
About the Guests:
Chuck and Ashley Elliott are content creators who have partnered with YouVersion, RightNow Media, and an array of other national organizations. They serve as advisory board members for the AACC’s International Christian Coaching Association. Frequent speakers and popular workshop leaders, their numerous certifications in psychoeducational programs equip them to help others build relational success. In addition to speaking and writing, Chuck is a pastor at Bethel Church in Evansville, Indiana, and Ashley is a licensed counselor at Auxilium Psychological Services. Learn more at chuckandashley.com.