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The Other Side of Potential
Over time, the conversations we choose to have begin to reflect what matters most.
If you’ve been part of this podcast, you’ve heard me speak about human development, systems thinking, and the ways we make meaning of our lives and work. That work continues—and remains at the core of my coaching and professional practice.
What has changed is the space where I am choosing to have a different kind of conversation.
After the death of my son, Michael, I felt called to create a more personal place—one that speaks directly to the experience of loss, and to the questions that emerge when life no longer looks the way it once did.
That space is now Beyond the Loss.
This podcast is for parents who have lost a child, and for those who support them. It is not about fixing grief or finding closure, but about understanding how we continue to live, to make meaning, and to become—after loss.
If you are looking for my current podcast,
you will now find me there.
I invite you to join me on Beyond the Loss.
You are welcome.
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6wqQ8MwCty4eJAiZ8VroUV?si=0b4c5d3bab6a4b64
The Other Side of Potential
Episode 321: Understanding Loss: Navigating Survivor’s Guilt and PTSD
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What if the weight of loss is holding you back from truly living? Today on The Other Side of Potential, we unpack the hidden struggles of survivor’s guilt and PTSD, exploring how unresolved trauma shapes our lives and offering a path toward healing.
In part two of the Understanding Loss series, Dr. Sharon Spano reflects on her own guilt after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, shedding light on the emotional complexities of surviving trauma and the critical need to process loss in healthy ways.
Sharing her experience with delayed PTSD following her son’s passing, Dr. Spano distinguishes survivor’s guilt from post-traumatic stress and explains how symptoms like nightmares, emotional numbness, and avoidance can surface even years later.
With a focus on seeking professional help, utilizing online resources, and connecting with others, this episode is an inspiring guide for anyone looking to transform adversity into opportunities for radical abundance!
What you’ll learn about in this episode:
- Defining survivor’s guilt through examples from Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
- Dr. Spano’s guilt over evacuating and not being directly involved in recovery efforts.
- The emotional impact of survivor’s guilt, including self-blame, sadness, and frustration.
- The vital role of community connection in fostering healing.
- Viewing trauma and loss as opportunities for personal growth and expansion.
- Clarifying the distinction between survivor’s guilt and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Dr. Spano’s experience of delayed PTSD after her son Michael’s passing.
- Recognizing PTSD symptoms and understanding why it’s often called the “silent killer.”
- Encouragement to seek professional support for unresolved trauma and loss.
- What to expect from future episodes in the Understanding Loss series.
Transcript: Here
Sharon Spano:
Website: sharonspano.com
Facebook: facebook.com/SharonSpanoPHD
Instagram: instagram.com/drsharonspano/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sharonspano/
Book: thetimemoneybook.com
Contact: sharon@sharonspano.com
The Other Side of Potential Podcast: sharonspano.com/podcast/