How to create safe spaces for sensitive subjects—the story of Grief 2 Growth
Brian Smith is a grief guide and coach whose mission began with a personal tragedy—the passing of his daughter Shayna at the tender age of 15. This life-altering event propelled Brian to establish a sanctuary for those grappling with similar heartaches, which he called Grief 2 Growth.
As a Certified Grief Educator, Brian leverages his personal experiences to lead others through their emotional labyrinths by helping them rediscover purpose, joy, and community.
In describing his community, Brian says, "It's about creating a safe space where members don't feel alone in their grief, a place where they can discuss thoughts that might otherwise seem 'crazy' to the outside world."
The experience of loss can be an isolating journey, yet within the virtual halls of the Grief 2 Growth community, members find solace, understanding, and the support they need to heal.
The community breakdown
📍 Community: Grief to Growth
👋 Founder: Brian Smith
🗓️ Circle Community Launched: November 2023
🌟 Size: 380+ members
🎯 Purpose: To provide a supportive environment for those experiencing grief, fostering healing and connection.
💰 Pricing Model: Freemium with an annual VIP membership at $100
Core community offering
Initially, Brian explored several digital platforms to find the right home for his community. After experimenting with Mighty Networks, he settled on Circle, drawn by its user-friendly interface and accessibility, both crucial for his audience.
In setting up the Grief to Growth community, Brian identified a crucial need for privacy and inclusivity—his platform would be members-only, reinforcing a circle of trust and respect.
"I want people to feel a sense of privacy," Brian explains. "The application process helps maintain that exclusivity, making it a refuge people can trust."
The Grief to Growth community offers various features to engage and support its members:
Free public podcast access: The only spaces that non-members can access are those about recent podcast episodes, to read the community guidelines, and to apply to join, which provides a taste of the community's ethos and encourages deeper engagement.
“I do want a public way that people can come in and get a taste for the community without allowing them into where the members are,” Brian says.
Members-only spaces: Once admitted, members access carefully curated spaces and specialized resources to address the multifaceted nature of grief, like
- Chat
- Resources
- Courses
- Onboarding
- Free guided courses
- Hall of fame
- Community experts
VIP services: The paid VIP area offers exclusive podcasts, expert Q&A sessions, and special courses designed to deepen member connections and healing processes. Freemium > $100/year to get access
- Private podcasts
- Expert Q&A sessions with mediums and spiritual guides
- Premium courses ($)
How it’s organized
Brian structures his community into a few key buckets:
- Member access
- VIP access
- Paid courses
Any external marketing he does leads people back to the community, where they can look around but have to apply to join to see any specific content. Also, his VIP membership is separate from his paid courses.
A recent Circle feature, Topics, has greatly enhanced organization within Brian’s community. By predetermining topics, Brian ensures that posts remain categorized, making it easier for members to navigate and connect over shared interests—be it books, music, or expert advice.
You can explore the live community space here.
How it’s monetized
Brian offers tiered access to his community
- Free membership (basic access)
- VIP membership ($100/year)
- Standalone courses like "Love Never Dies and Neither Do You" ($100) are separate from the VIP membership.
Brian is also exploring expanding into group coaching and paid events.
The community team
Brian runs this largely as a solo operation. While fostering engagement remains a challenge, especially given the sensitive nature of grief, Brian manages to encourage members through gamification strategies and by sharing his vulnerability, hoping to inspire reciprocation.
"The biggest lesson has been understanding that not all engagement is visible. People are taking in what they need, even if silently," reflects Brian.
Brian’s insights on building community
Brian’s journey with Grief to Growth offers invaluable lessons:
- Create safe spaces: Prioritize privacy and trust to allow members to feel secure in sharing deeply personal experiences.
- Cultivate patience and understanding: Recognize that engagement may not always be visible but is nonetheless impactful.
- Use available tools: Leverage the variety of digital tools at your disposal to foster organization and streamline interaction.
- Welcome feedback: Adjust offerings based on community needs, remaining receptive and responsive to suggestions and changing dynamics.
Grief to Growth stands as a beacon for how personal experiences can drive the creation of supportive networks, proving that even in the darkest times, community can be a powerful force for healing.
