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Some moments split a life into before and after. When Matt was eight, a phone call about his mum’s fatal motorcycle accident shattered the version of childhood where safety felt assumed. What followed was a quiet agreement many of us make without words. To be perfect, pleasing and fine so no one else leaves. Years later, a high school essay cracked open the grief he’d pushed down, hinting that telling the story might be a way through rather than a way back.

We go deep into what came next. His grandmother who moved close and became a mother figure, the kind of unwavering presence that re-teaches nurture. When cancer came for her, Matt chose a different path than the one grief taught him at eight. He had the hard conversation while there was still time, saying everything that so often gets saved for eulogies. He stayed by her side for the final 96 hours, present for her last breath and found a devastatingly beautiful truth. That love can be most powerful in the moments we’d rather avoid.

The conversation broadens to pet loss and the myth that these goodbyes are somehow lesser. Matt shares how losing his dog Mikey upended his confidence as a “grief pro,” forcing him to confront guilt, timing and the silent calculus of mercy. Together we unpack why every grief writes its own map, why comparison steals compassion and why men must be allowed to name feelings without shame. Threaded through it all is the power of storytelling, when people voice the messy parts, isolation breaks and healing starts in the echoes we recognise.

If you found strength or comfort here, follow and subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a five-star review so more Everyday Warriors can find their way to these stories. Then tell us: what truth do you still need to say while there’s time?

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Music Credit: Cody Martin - Sunrise (first 26 episodes) then custom made for me.

Disclaimer: The views, opinions, and stories shared on this podcast are personal to the host and guests and are not intended to serve as professional advice or guidance. They reflect individual experiences and perspectives. While we strive to provide valuable insights and support, listeners are encouraged to seek professional advice for their specific situations. The host and production team are not responsible for any actions taken based on the content of this podcast.