198. The Grief of Belonging: Friendship, Family & the Village That Never Showed Up

Welcome to the Grief Series, a collection of conversations about the grief woven throughout our lives with some extraordinary women bringing their raw, vulnerable stories to the mic. I hope you see yourself somewhere in these stories. … This episode is for anyone who has ever looked around and realized the people who were supposed to show up simply haven't. My guest, Emily Merrell, is a connector by nature, the founder of Second Degree Society, a business coach, and a two-time boy mom based in Denver, Colorado. She brought her whole, unfiltered heart to this conversation, and we both cried. We go deep into the grief of friendships that fall apart without explanation, the grandparent village that never materialized, and what it actually costs to need your mom and find that who she is now can't meet you there. **TOPICS WE EXPLORE** - When your friends don't show up for your business - The slow fade of a deep friendship and the loop that never closes - Being ghosted by people who you thought were your friends - How ambition triggers the people closest to you - The grandparent grief nobody talks about - Asking for help once and being let down - Grieving your mom while she's still alive - Building a village when the one you expected never arrived **THE POINT** Sometimes the hardest grief isn't the loss of someone. It's the slow realization that the village you were counting on was never coming, and you have to build it yourself. **ABOUT EMILY** Emily Merrell is the founder of Second Degree Society, a networking community that takes the awkward out of connection by handpicking who you meet. She's also a business coach passionate about helping people grow, scale, and open the right doors. She's based in Denver, Colorado, and is a two-time boy mom who turns human connection into both a superpower and a business. Find her on Instagram @emilyamerrell and at seconddegreesociety.com. **MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE** - Second Degree Society - Let Them by Mel Robbins - Work with Ash Are you loving it? Send Ash a text! **MORE ABOUT ASH** I am the definition of duality — I swear like a sailor and break rules like it’s my job, but I also hold incredible space for my clients and work my ass off to help them achieve the success they’re after. But I'm also here for the non-preneur woman, too. My background in counseling gives me a unique perspective on what it means to show up, serve, & create connection for those who feel like they've never belonged before. **LINKS:** - **Become the** Regulated Woman - **Get** emails that feel like your best friend (if your best friend was a therapist and actually told you the truth). - Use code **BB20** to get The Burnout Breakthrough for only $7 - Follow me on IG (dropping in once a quarter for updates & gossip) - **Website:** ashmcdonaldmentoring.com Work with Ash