In this heartfelt episode of The Samurai Way, I’m sitting down with Carol Banens, a grief educator, grief to gratitude coach, and author who has turned her own loss into a journey of hope and purpose. After losing her husband, Carol discovered healing through creative writing and poetry, drawing inspiration from the Japanese art of Kintsugi showing us how even broken pieces can be made beautiful again.

We talk about how grief intersects with samurai wisdom, including the courage to keep going, the honesty to acknowledge your emotions, and the compassion to give yourself grace. Carol shares powerful poems from her work and reminds us that healing is a journey of patience, love, and small acts of bravery every single day.

Some of the things we explore in this episode: • The physical and emotional impact of grief and why rest is essential • How our nervous system and sense of safety shape the healing process • Why community is so important and how connection supports recovery • The power of allowing uncomfortable emotions instead of pushing them away • How love, memory, and courage can come together to help us move forward

Carol is also starting a new community for women navigating grief a safe, supportive space to be heard, to learn, and to heal together.

If you’d like to connect with Carol, learn more about her programs, or grab her book, visit www.carolbanens.com. Her book Kintsugi Your Heart The Art of Living with Grief is a beautiful guide for anyone walking the path of loss.

This episode is a reminder that grief changes us, but it doesn’t have to break us. Even in the cracks, there is beauty, strength, and a way forward.