Content Warning: Loss, Cancer, Loss of spouse.

 

Dawn Taylor welcomes Jason Clawson, therapist and co-founder of Giving Sunshine, to the show to talk intimately about grief. Jason has experienced deep personal grief and he shares what that journey was like, how hard expressing emotion was, and what he needed in a support system.

 

Jason Clawson lost his wife to cancer just when he thought his life was at a great place. He was left to parent their two boys on his own while struggling with his own deep grief in secret. He bottled up his suffering so he could “mask up” and be strong for everyone around him. But that wasn’t sustainable and Jason describes how he eventually broke down and asked for the help he needed. 

 

Dawn and Jason talk very openly about the grief associated with the loss of a spouse or loved one and Jason describes how there is an emotional disconnect for grieving men especially. Men are expected to be tough and not show vulnerability. But in this conversation Jason shares how he asked for help, who showed up for him, how they showed up, and then he shares advice on what to say and do to support someone in your life who is grieving. 

 

About Jason Clawson:

Jason Clawson is Therapist, Widower, and Father.

Shortly after experiencing the death of his third child, Jason Clawson and his wife discovered she had stage 4 colon cancer. After fighting for 9 months, he and his 2 boys had to say goodbye to her. Throughout all of this pain and heartache, it became obvious Jason had many people around him who cared about him but did not know how to give him the support he so desperately needed. This is when his friend Wyatt approached him and asked if he wanted to join in building a hope kit that would help those who are suffering progress through their own personal grieving cycle.

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Throughout 13 years of therapy, Jason has discovered what he calls the “Support Vacuum”. When those who are struggling need the most support, those who would become their support are so scared of making things worse than they already are, they end up doing nothing. Imagine that, when someone is needed most, they disappear. But it makes sense, there are no training grounds on how to be a good support system to those who are struggling. That is until now. The Hope Kit is designed to help the person going through grief branch out and build that support around them with minimal effort.

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Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Here is a link to the support cards that help you know what to say when someone is struggling and going through a hard time. 

https://givingsunshine.com/products/support-cards-deck-1-2-the-best-ways-to-guide-2-friends-on-how-to-provide-support-without-needing-to-ask 

• Here is a link to the sunshine cards people can pass out when they see people doing good in the world. 

https://givingsunshine.com/products/sunshine-cards-spread-share-happiness 

• Jason’s favorite gummy bears

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Jason Clawson - Giving Sunshine: website | instagram | email | facebook | linkedin | jason’s facebook