EPISODE #129

Grief, A Guitar & The Nonlinear Way Forward

WITH SHAWN EAGAN

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About This Episode

What happens when life delivers an unthinkable loss? In this deeply personal and moving conversation, Shawn Eagan shares his journey through grief after losing his son Kevin 11 years ago. He opens up about what helped him navigate the darkest moments, how he learned to lead his family through tragedy, and the unexpected ways music and movement became his lifelines.

Shawn reflects on the lessons he inherited from his father, the surprising messages that helped him stay grounded, and the raw, messy, nonlinear path of grief. He also shares what not to say to someone going through loss, the small but powerful ways to support a grieving friend, and how he found healing in playing music—eventually performing for family, friends, and special events.

This conversation is real, unfiltered, and full of hard-won wisdom about resilience, presence, and what truly matters. Plus, stay until the end for a special song performance by Shawn.

🎧 Tune in for an episode that will touch your heart and leave you with a new perspective on loss, healing, and living fully.

Show Notes

  • [00:53] Introduction with Barb
  • [03:25] Navigating Grief: A Personal Journey
  • [12:15] Lessons from the Past: Family Dynamics in Grief
  • [21:42] Finding Purpose: Music and Running as Therapy
  • [31:38] The Role of Humor in Healing
  • [33:45] Music as a Source of Comfort
  • [35:05] Personal Connections Through Music
  • [36:26] Music’s Healing Power in Grief
  • [38:06] Navigating Grief: Personal Insights
  • [40:15] Coping with Loss: Lessons Learned
  • [41:38] The Impact of Grief on Relationships
  • [43:26] Practical Tips for Supporting Grieving Friends
  • [45:19] Anticipating Grief Triggers
  • [47:11] Transformation Through Loss
  • [49:28] Closing Reflections and a Song

SHOW LINKS

Follow The Shawn Eagan Band on Instagram

Listen on Spotify

Follow Shawn on Linkedin

HAVE QUESTIONS FOR BARB?

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Meet Your Host

Barbara Patterson is the owner of a global coaching and consulting company helping entrepreneurs, leaders, and those who serve them access more clarity and creativity, have greater impact, build powerful relationships, and experience higher levels of fulfillment in work and life. She is the founder of Innerverse Academy, a global platform and community designed to point people to the source of human potential and the relationship between their inner world and their work in the world.

You can follow Barb on Linkedin and Instagram. You can also learn more about Barb and her decades of work here.