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How Childhood Grief Became a Healing Story with Daryl McCullough

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Manage episode 490197292 series 3428200
Content provided by Jill McClennen. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Jill McClennen or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://staging.podcastplayer.com/legal.

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In this heartfelt episode, Daryl McCullough shares how childhood grief led him to create a story that now helps others navigate death, loss, and healing. What started as a middle school writing assignment after the death of his cousin became a lifelong journey of finding meaning in grief and honoring loved ones through storytelling. His children’s book, The Story of Tree and Cloud, began as a crayon-illustrated parable about connection and the enduring nature of spirit, written in the wake of that early loss.

Years later, when Daryl’s mother was dying of cancer, he found that very book carefully saved by her, a reminder of their shared love and the deeper threads of life, death, and legacy. That moment inspired him to turn his childhood story into a published book, beautifully illustrated by his aunt, to help children and adults alike process death in a gentle, natural way. Set in California’s oak trees and infused with universal spiritual ideas, the story reflects Daryl’s belief that life continues beyond physical form, whether through nature, memory, or something greater than ourselves.

Daryl speaks openly about caring for his mother through hospice, the power of legacy, and the healing that comes from making meaning out of grief. His second book, Chubby the Bear’s Big Choice, explores bullying, friendship, and self-worth—again using storytelling as a tool for conscious living and emotional healing. For Daryl, writing children’s books is not just about entertainment—it’s about helping people of all ages sit with life’s hardest moments and offering hope that we are never truly alone.

From working through childhood loss to donating his books to nursing homes and schools, Daryl’s mission is clear: to use art and story as a bridge between grief and growth. Through conscious living, love of nature, and honoring family legacy, he’s offering a path toward healing for anyone navigating the journey of life and death.

https://www.instagram.com/author_darylmc/

https://www.darylrmccullough.com/

https://www.amazon.com/Story-Tree-Cloud-Daryl-McCullough/dp/166571140X

Support the show

Support the show financially by doing a paid monthly subscription, any amount large or small help to keep the podcast advertisement free. https://www.buzzsprout.com/2092749/support
Subscribe to Seeing Death Clearly and leave a 5-star review if you are enjoying the podcast.
I appreciate the support and it helps get the word out to more people that could benefit from hearing the podcast.
Don’t forget to check out my free workbook Living a Better Life.

You can connect with me on my website, as well as all major social media platforms.
Website www.endoflifeclarity.com
Instagram
Facebook
Facebook group End of Life Clarity Circle
LinkedIn
TikTok

  continue reading

118 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 490197292 series 3428200
Content provided by Jill McClennen. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Jill McClennen or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://staging.podcastplayer.com/legal.

Send us a text

In this heartfelt episode, Daryl McCullough shares how childhood grief led him to create a story that now helps others navigate death, loss, and healing. What started as a middle school writing assignment after the death of his cousin became a lifelong journey of finding meaning in grief and honoring loved ones through storytelling. His children’s book, The Story of Tree and Cloud, began as a crayon-illustrated parable about connection and the enduring nature of spirit, written in the wake of that early loss.

Years later, when Daryl’s mother was dying of cancer, he found that very book carefully saved by her, a reminder of their shared love and the deeper threads of life, death, and legacy. That moment inspired him to turn his childhood story into a published book, beautifully illustrated by his aunt, to help children and adults alike process death in a gentle, natural way. Set in California’s oak trees and infused with universal spiritual ideas, the story reflects Daryl’s belief that life continues beyond physical form, whether through nature, memory, or something greater than ourselves.

Daryl speaks openly about caring for his mother through hospice, the power of legacy, and the healing that comes from making meaning out of grief. His second book, Chubby the Bear’s Big Choice, explores bullying, friendship, and self-worth—again using storytelling as a tool for conscious living and emotional healing. For Daryl, writing children’s books is not just about entertainment—it’s about helping people of all ages sit with life’s hardest moments and offering hope that we are never truly alone.

From working through childhood loss to donating his books to nursing homes and schools, Daryl’s mission is clear: to use art and story as a bridge between grief and growth. Through conscious living, love of nature, and honoring family legacy, he’s offering a path toward healing for anyone navigating the journey of life and death.

https://www.instagram.com/author_darylmc/

https://www.darylrmccullough.com/

https://www.amazon.com/Story-Tree-Cloud-Daryl-McCullough/dp/166571140X

Support the show

Support the show financially by doing a paid monthly subscription, any amount large or small help to keep the podcast advertisement free. https://www.buzzsprout.com/2092749/support
Subscribe to Seeing Death Clearly and leave a 5-star review if you are enjoying the podcast.
I appreciate the support and it helps get the word out to more people that could benefit from hearing the podcast.
Don’t forget to check out my free workbook Living a Better Life.

You can connect with me on my website, as well as all major social media platforms.
Website www.endoflifeclarity.com
Instagram
Facebook
Facebook group End of Life Clarity Circle
LinkedIn
TikTok

  continue reading

118 episodes

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