When Grief Is Complicated: Losing My Brother, Letting Go & Trusting GodWhen Grief Is Complicated: Losing My Brother, Letting Go & Trusting God
Busy Living Sober with Host Elizabeth Chance
Elizabeth "Bizzy" Chance talks candidly about losing her younger brother and the complicated grief that follows, especially after years of estrangement. She links this experience with sobriety, faith and the importance of processing emotions in a personal, authentic way.
18:19•1 Sept 2026
Grieving Differently: Sobriety, Faith and Saying Goodbye to a Brother
Episode Overview
- Grief looks different for everyone, and there is no "right" way to respond to loss.
- Long-term sobriety means facing emotions instead of numbing them, even when they are uncomfortable.
- Writing can be a practical tool for processing complex feelings and finding a sense of freedom.
- Trusting a higher power and accepting powerlessness can ease the urge to control everything during difficult times.
- Focusing on good memories and the light in someone’s life can help soften the pain of their death.
“There is no book on how to be a human, right?”
What emotional and inspiring tales of recovery are out there? This episode centres on Elizabeth "Bizzy" Chance opening up about the sudden loss of her younger brother and how that grief sits alongside long-term sobriety and faith. It's a raw, honest chat where you'll hear her wrestle with complicated emotions, family history and the pressure of "grieving the right way". She talks openly about not crying as much as she expected and questions whether there’s a "correct" response to loss.
As she puts it, "There is no book on how to be a human, right?" That line runs through everything she shares: the imperfect sibling relationship, years of estrangement, and still the deep love and sadness that comes when a family member dies. For people in recovery, Bizzy’s reflections may feel particularly familiar. She speaks about shame around her drinking past, the label of alcoholic, and how staying sober means feeling emotions instead of numbing them.
Writing becomes her way to cope; she describes filling journals because “it makes me feel good to write” and helps her process pain without reaching for alcohol or other escapes. Faith is a strong thread too. Bizzy talks about trusting God’s plan, feeling powerless, and leaning on the first three steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. Her image of sitting in a canoe while God steers from behind is a gentle reminder that not everything has to be controlled, especially during grief.
You’ll also hear her emphasise authenticity, refusing to pretend her feelings match anyone else’s expectations. She invites reflection on how each person handles death and how important it is to remember the light, the funny moments and the unique qualities of those who’ve gone.
If you’re dealing with loss, wrestling with family complications, or simply trying to stay sober while life gets tough, this episode may give you company and a bit of breathing space to ask: is it okay for my grief to look different?
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