Life With Grief Podcast | Grief Support Podcast 147. Redefining Resilience After Loss: Jessica Boarman on Grief, Caregiving, and Losing Parents & Sibling
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Aug 28, 2025 Jessica Boarman, a heartfelt advocate for journaling and self-compassion, shares her profound journey through the loss of her brother, mother, and father. She discusses the emotional complexities of caregiving and how grief reshapes one's path. Jessica explores the therapeutic power of journaling as a means to confront suppressed emotions and highlights the importance of community support. Most importantly, she redefines resilience, emphasizing that true strength lies in embracing softness and taking small steps toward healing.
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Early Cluster Of Family Losses
- Jessica lost her 17-year-old brother when she was 25, then her mother and father within a decade-long arc.
- She describes the losses as rapid, saying "boom, boom, boom, boom."
Caregiving Became Task-Focused Escape
- Jessica became the primary scheduler and manager during her mother's cancer caregiving period while working full-time.
- She realized her mother wanted presence more than logistical control when mom asked her to sit with her during chemo.
Suppressing Personal Grief To Support Mom
- After Justin's suicide, Jessica supported her grieving mother and suppressed much of her own grief to be present.
- She later recognized long-term suppression and its effects years after the event.