Episode Details

🧠 What if the voice in your head saying you're not enough… isn’t really yours?

In this powerful and vulnerable episode of Grief 2 Growth, Brian D. Smith sits down with Monica Gullotta—educator, author, and shame recovery mentor—to unmask the silent, insidious force that shapes how we see ourselves: shame.

Whether it stems from childhood trauma, religion, culture, or societal conditioning, shame often drives our behaviors without our awareness. Monica bravely shares her personal story, clinical insights, and the 7 Developmental and Recovery Stages of Shame—a framework that has transformed countless lives.

If you've ever felt like you're not worthy, not lovable, or stuck in your healing journey, this episode will give you the awareness, tools, and hope to take your first step toward emotional liberation.

🔑 What You’ll Learn:

• The surprising definition of shame—and why most people don’t know they have it
• How shame differs from guilt (and why that matters)
• The hidden ways shame shows up: addiction, anxiety, imposter syndrome, isolation
• Why religion and culture often unintentionally breed toxic shame
• Monica’s ARM Method and “Detect & Redirect” technique for real-life healing
• How shame deepens the pain of grief and blocks emotional recovery
• The 7 stages of shame recovery—from victimization to liberation

👩‍⚕️ About Monica Gullotta:

Monica has over 25 years of experience supporting people through panic, anxiety, depression, and most importantly—shame. She founded the Upstate Group for Panic, Anxiety, and Depression in 1999, and in 2009 opened the Ray of Hope Wellness Center. Her mission is to help individuals reclaim their lives through compassionate, honest, and empowering mentorship.

📚 Monica’s Books:

• Conquering Shame: From Surviving to Thriving
• Therapy Land
• Rethinking Anxiety and Depression: Two Important Messengers

🛒 All available on Amazon

🌐 Connect with Monica:

Website: https://www.monica

You've been listening. You're doing the work. But there's still this feeling that you're circling the same place.

Maybe you've thought about working with me one-on-one. Maybe something's held you back. 

I get that. And I want you to know there's still a place for you.

All of it, pay what you want. You decide what it's worth. Nobody gets turned away because of money.

https://grief2g

The International Association for Near-Death Studies or IANDS will host its annual conference at the Hyatt Regency in Bellevue.  The event features an all-star lineup of keynotes like Proof of Heaven Author Eben Alexander, MD, and Dying to Be Me Author Anita Moorjani. I Early bird registration rates are available through July 15.

Visit IANDS.org to register

The International Association for Near-Death Studies or IANDS will host its annual conference at the Hyatt Regency in Bellevue.  The event features an all-star lineup of keynotes like Proof of Heaven Author Eben Alexander, MD, and Dying to Be Me Author Anita Moorjani. I Early bird registration rates are available through July 15. 

Visit IANDS.org to register

Want to go deeper? My Substack is where I share solo essays on grief, consciousness, and continuing bonds — thoughts that don't always make it into the podcast. It's also home to a community of listeners who get it, because they're living it too. Free to subscribe. Find it at