Conquering Shame: From Surviving to Thriving with Monica Gullotta | EP 434

🧠 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

Visit the Grief 2 Growth store for FREE items as well as other tools to help you along your journey:

• Guided Meditations
• My book GEMS of Healing (signed copy)
• My Oracle deck to help you connect with your loved ones
• Mini-courses
• Mini-guides
  
  

Check it out at https://grief2growth.com/store

Grief doesn’t follow stages, timelines, or rules.
If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I doing this right?”—you’re not alone.

That’s why I created the Grief Check-In.
It’s not a test. There are no right or wrong answers.
 

In just a few minutes, you’ll gain clarity, reassurance, and language for what you’re experiencing.

👉 Visit grief2growth.com/checkin

This deck is a labor of love. It's a 44 card oracle deck that's about connecting you to your loved one in spirit. The deck comes with a companion digital guide that gives you an affirmation, a reflection, and an activity for the day.

Check it out at https://stan.store/grief2growth/p/oracle-deck