We recently connected with Brian D. Smith and have shared our conversation below.
Brian D., we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I didn’t find my purpose so much as my purpose found me. It was born out of deep pain—the sudden passing of my 15-year-old daughter, Shayna. In the wake of that loss, I was shattered. I questioned everything—why we’re here, what happens when we die, and how I could go on. I wasn’t looking for a new path. I was trying to survive.
But as I walked through my grief, I started to realize something: everything I was learning, all the ways I was trying to put myself back together, could help others, too. I saw how many people were struggling, feeling lost, believing their grief was something they had to endure alone. And I knew I could offer them what I desperately needed—understanding, tools for healing, and proof that love never dies.
I immersed myself in studying grief, the afterlife, and the intersection of science and spirituality. I began volunteering with Helping Parents Heal, eventually joining the board. I created Grief 2 Growth, wrote a book, started a podcast, and built a community for those navigating loss. Every step felt like following breadcrumbs left by Shayna—guiding me to my preordained work in this world.
My purpose isn’t about fixing grief; it’s about transforming it. It’s about helping people see that growth is possible even in the darkest moments, and our loved ones remain connected to us. Finding my purpose wasn’t a single moment of clarity—it was a journey. And in many ways, it still is.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
At its core, my work is about guiding people through grief and transformation. I help individuals—especially those who have lost loved ones—find a path forward, not by “moving on” but by moving through grief in a way that fosters healing, growth, and even a renewed sense of purpose. I do this through my Grief 2 Growth platform, which includes a podcast, books, courses, and an online community. I also work one-on-one with clients to support them in navigating loss, reframing their experiences, and connecting with the deeper meaning of life and the afterlife.
What’s Special About It?
What makes this work so exciting is that it’s not just about coping—it’s about transformation. Grief cracks us open, but in that breaking, we can rediscover ourselves, our strength, and our connection to those we love beyond the veil. I combine practical tools like mindfulness, gratitude, and mental fitness training with evidence-based discussions on consciousness and the afterlife. This holistic approach bridges the spiritual and the scientific, making the journey through grief one of discovery rather than just endurance.
What’s New?
I’m always evolving my offerings to better serve those on this path. Right now, I’m particularly excited about:
– The Grief 2 Growth Circle Community – A space where people can connect, share, and grow beyond their grief. We recently introduced a VIP tier that offers deeper engagement, expert Q&As, and exclusive content.
– Upcoming Book Expansion – I’m expanding my GEMS booklet into a full-length book, incorporating personal experiences and research on how gratitude, exercise, mindfulness, and sleep (GEMS) support healing.
– Speaking & Events – I recently hosted the Transcendence Virtual Retreat, bringing together 17 experts to discuss connecting with loved ones in spirit. I also speak at conferences, including the Helping Parents Heal events, where I lead discussions for fathers who have lost children.
– Substack Publications: Grief 2 Growth & Soulful Solopreneur Strategies
– Grief 2 Growth (Substack) is an extension of my work helping people navigate loss, explore the afterlife, and find personal growth beyond grief. It’s a space where I share reflections, research, and practical tools to help people heal and reconnect with meaning.
– Soulful Solopreneur Strategies is my newest venture, designed for heart-centered entrepreneurs who want to build purpose-driven businesses while staying aligned with their values. This publication blends spirituality and strategy, offering insights into growing an impactful, service-based business in the grief, healing, and spiritual spaces.
– IANDS Advisory Board – I’m honored to have joined the Advisory Board of the International Association for Near-Death Studies (IANDS). IANDS is at the forefront of researching near-death experiences and consciousness beyond the physical, aligning closely with my mission of helping people understand that death is not the end. Serving in this role allows me to contribute to the growing conversation around afterlife evidence and the profound impact it has on the grieving and spiritually curious.
Final Thoughts
If there’s one thing I want people to know, it’s this: grief is not the end of your story. It’s an invitation to grow in ways you never imagined. Love never dies, and neither do we. My mission is to help people find hope, meaning, and connection, even in the wake of deep loss.
You can find my work at Grief2Growth.com (https://grief2growth.com), where I offer resources, courses, and community support for anyone navigating loss and transformation. If you’re looking for deeper insights into grief and growth, subscribe to my Grief 2 Growth Substack. And if you’re a purpose-driven entrepreneur, check out Soulful Solopreneur Strategies—where spirit meets strategy. Lastly, I’m excited to contribute to the IANDS mission, helping to expand awareness and understanding of the afterlife.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Three Qualities That Shaped My Journey & How You Can Cultivate Them
Looking back, I can see that three key qualities have been essential in shaping my path: resilience, curiosity, and the ability to connect deeply with others. These weren’t necessarily traits I consciously sought to develop—they emerged through necessity, trial and error, and a relentless drive to understand both my own grief and the nature of life itself.
1. Resilience: The Strength to Keep Going
Losing my daughter Shayna was the most devastating experience of my life. In the early days, I wasn’t thinking about growth—I was simply trying to survive. But over time, I realized that resilience isn’t about avoiding pain; it’s about learning how to carry it and integrate it into who we are.
How to Build It:
– Develop a daily practice of self-care, even if it’s small. Exercise, sleep, and mindfulness were foundational for me.
– Reframe setbacks as lessons. Instead of asking, “Why is this happening to me?” ask, “What can I learn from this?”
– Find a community. Having a support system—whether it’s close friends, a spiritual group, or an online community—makes the burden of grief lighter.
2. Curiosity: The Drive to Seek Answers
After Shayna’s passing, I needed to understand what happens after we die. That quest led me to study everything from near-death experiences to quantum physics, consciousness research, and spirituality. Curiosity fueled my healing and allowed me to transform grief into purpose.
How to Build It:
– Read widely. Books on science, spirituality, and psychology can shift your understanding of life and death.
– Stay open to new perspectives. Engage in discussions that challenge your beliefs.
– Question everything. The most profound truths often come from exploring the unknown.
3. Deep Connection: The Power of Meaningful Relationships
Grief has a way of isolating us, but I learned that the only way through it is with others. Whether it was supporting grieving parents, mentoring clients, or sharing my journey through Grief 2 Growth, connection has been the most healing force in my life.
How to Build It:
– Be vulnerable. The more we share our struggles, the more we create space for authentic connections.
– Listen deeply. People don’t just need advice—they need to be heard.
– Find your tribe. Surround yourself with people who uplift and inspire you.
Advice for Those Just Starting Their Journey
1. Be patient with yourself. Growth takes time, and healing isn’t linear.
2. Take small, intentional steps. Whether it’s reading one page of a book, taking a short walk, or meditating for five minutes, small habits create big shifts.
3. Never stop seeking. The answers you’re looking for will come—not all at once, but in pieces, as you stay open to learning.
If you’re navigating grief, purpose, or the unknown, know this: You are stronger than you realize, and you are never truly alone.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
The Book(s) That Changed Everything: The Team by Frances Key
One of the most influential books in my journey is actually a series of books, The Team: A Mother’s Wisdom from the Other Side by Frances Key. This book profoundly shifted my understanding of life, death, and the interconnected nature of our souls. It reinforced what I had already begun to suspect—that we are never truly alone, and our loved ones in spirit remain actively involved in our lives.
Key Nuggets of Wisdom from The Team
We Are Part of a Larger Soul Group
The Team introduced the idea that we are all part of interconnected soul teams, working together across lifetimes. This perspective reframes life’s challenges, showing them not as random suffering, but as opportunities for collective growth.
This wisdom helped me understand Shayna’s passing in a broader context—her soul, my soul, and others around us are working together in ways that transcend physical existence.
Death Is a Transition, Not an Ending
One of the most comforting messages from the book is that our loved ones are still with us, guiding and supporting us from the other side.
This reinforced my belief that Shayna’s presence in my life didn’t end—it simply changed form. I began recognizing the signs, synchronicities, and intuitive nudges as real, rather than dismissing them as wishful thinking.
We Are Here to Learn and Grow, Not Just to Suffer
Life’s struggles aren’t punishments; they’re part of a larger curriculum.
This idea helped me move from asking, “Why did this happen to me?” to “How can I grow from this?” It gave me a new lens to view my own grief—not as something that broke me, but as something that shaped me.
Service to Others Is the Key to Purpose
The book teaches that one of the most fulfilling ways to navigate life is through service—helping others, sharing wisdom, and uplifting those who are struggling.
This resonated deeply with me and helped clarify my mission. Instead of being consumed by grief, I channeled my pain into Grief 2 Growth—helping others heal and discover that love never dies.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.grief2growth.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/grief2growth
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grief2growth/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/grief2growth
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