Episode 358: “This Isn't the Story I Wanted:” Nicole Langman on Grief, Shame, and Trusting God

Host Erin Kerry sits down with Nicole Langman, a therapist, speaker, and author of This Isn't the Story I Wanted: Grieving the Life You Lost and Trusting the God Who Stays, to explore the concept of non-death grief. Together, they discuss the losses we rarely name as grief, the "casserole code" and why some losses get community support while others don't, the loss of stress resilience in perimenopause, shame and the comparison game, spiritual bypassing versus genuine faith-filled support, the difference between over-identifying with a wound and minimizing it, and practical tools for processing grief in the middle of an ordinary day. You'll also learn why naming a loss out loud is the first courageous step toward healing it, how blood sugar and protein intake directly affect your capacity to process grief, and two simple physical tools — a grounding scent and a floor-to-standing movement — that calm the amygdala in real time. Whether you're grieving a relationship, a season of your body changing, a dream that didn't happen the way you expected, or you've simply never had language for a loss that doesn't fit the usual mold, this conversation offers permission to name it, and practical, faith-rooted ways to move through it without shame. Links Mentioned: * Nicole Langman's website: nicolelangman.com (free 5-day devotional available there) * This Isn't the Story I Wanted: Grieving the Life You Lost and Trusting the God Who Stays * You Are Wanted: Reclaiming the Truth of Who You Are * Sparking Wholeness mailing list: https://erinbkerry.mykajabi.com/email-list This Episode Is Sponsored by Lovebug Probiotics at www.lovebug.com If you've listened to Sparking Wholeness for a while, you know gut health comes up a lot — because supporting whole-body wellness means paying attention to the microbiome, too. This episode is brought to you by Lovebug Probiotics, a mom-founded probiotic brand offering science-backed options for the whole family. Lovebug's story began after co-founder Ashley Harris received broad-spectrum antibiotics during the birth of her son, Hudson. That experience led her to start learning more about the gut microbiome and ultimately inspired Lovebug. Today, Lovebug offers probiotics for different ages and stages of family life, with options for babies, toddlers, kids, women, and adults. Their products are designed to support digestive and immune health as a simple addition to an everyday wellness routine.* Erin had the opportunity to personally try Immune Support Probiotic and the kids’ Little Ones. She especially liked the fact that the immune support blend contains zinc and echinacea because that has made a difference in her seasonal sniffles. Because supporting your health doesn't have to mean chasing perfection or adding another complicated wellness routine. Sometimes it's about finding simple, sustainable ways to support your body consistently. Ready to find the right Lovebug for you or your family? Shop Lovebug Probiotics at lovebug.com Use code SPARKING20 for 20% OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.