Season 05 Episode 40

The Heart of a Man: Redefining Strength in Grief with Cedric Dale Hoard, MS, LPC LISTEN NOW

Grief, Faith, and Courage in Motion: A Conversation with Counselor Cedric on Healing Through Loss

This week on Dirty Laundry with Ollie, we sit down with Cedric, a counselor whose journey toward healing began with heartbreak. The loss of his childhood best friend became the moment that changed everything. What started as unbearable pain slowly transformed into a deeper understanding of faith, purpose, and what it means to truly heal.

Cedric’s story reminds us that grief isn’t something to get over, it’s something we move through. It shapes us, humbles us, and if we allow it, it can open our hearts to a new kind of strength.

Moving Through Grief, Not Around It

Together, we explore what it means to walk through grief with honesty and intention. Cedric shares how grief can look different for everyone and how, for many men, it often goes unspoken. Society teaches men to be strong, stoic, and silent, but the cost of that silence can be heavy. We talk about the importance of acknowledging pain, of allowing space for emotion, and of understanding that healing isn’t linear. Grief doesn’t come with a finish line; it’s an ongoing process of learning, releasing, and remembering.

How Faith and Culture Shape Healing

Faith played a pivotal role in Cedric’s journey, grounding him in moments of doubt and despair.

We also unpack how culture, faith, and even feminism influence how men are allowed to express emotion and seek help. From messages about masculinity to the expectations placed on men within relationships and communities, we take an honest look at the pressures that shape how men experience mental health and how we can start rewriting those narratives.

Redefining Vulnerability

One of the most powerful parts of this conversation is our exploration of vulnerability. Cedric challenges the idea that being vulnerable means being weak. Instead, he sees it as an act of courage — a conscious decision to face the truth of what we feel and to let others in. We also talk about how women can support the men in their lives without trying to fix or rescue them. Sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do is listen, validate, and make space for honest emotion.

Courage in Motion

Healing isn’t a destination. It’s a daily choice to feel, to grow, and to keep showing up even when it hurts. Cedric’s story is a powerful reminder that healing isn’t weakness; it’s courage in motion. It’s learning to let go without losing who you are, and finding strength in the spaces where pain once lived.

Listen to the full episode of Dirty Laundry with Ollie.