Redefining Grief with Herdyne Mercier, LCSW
Redefining Grief with Herdyne Mercier, LCSW
Herdyne Mercier, LCSW
The Truth About Grief, Divorce & Starting Over with Kelly Davis | PART 01 | Real Men. Real Grief. Real Healing.
32 minutes Posted Jun 16, 2026 at 9:00 am.
Welcome to the Redefining Grief Podcast
The pressure of being a public figure while carrying pain
Carrying other people's grief and stories
The importance of community and having people in your corner
Learning from parents who celebrated 60 years of marriage
Divorce, grief, and confronting difficult truths
Taking responsibility without carrying guilt
Anger, betrayal, and the emotions underneath divorce
Therapy, healing, and rebuilding relationships after divorce
What restoration actually looks like
How you learn is how you heal
Road trips, reflection, and finding peace
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Show notes
Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and does not establish a therapist-client relationship with Herdyne Mercier, Mercier Wellness & Consulting, or podcast guests. Please seek professional support for your individual mental health needs.
 
Episode Introduction:
In Part 1 of this heartfelt conversation, Herdyne Mercier welcomes longtime friend, radio personality, DJ, speaker, and community advocate Kelly Davis, better known to many as Big Man Kelly. Together they explore the often-unspoken realities of grief, divorce, emotional healing, masculinity, community and what it means to rebuild after life's most difficult transitions.
 
Kelly shares how years in radio taught him the importance of authenticity, why vulnerability became a strength rather than a weakness and how supporting others through tragedy often meant carrying pieces of their pain with him long after the microphone was turned off. He also opens up about navigating divorce, confronting difficult truths, seeking therapy, leaning on faith and finding hope through the examples set by the people closest to him.
 
This episode is a powerful reminder that grief isn't limited to death. Sometimes grief arrives through broken relationships, changing identities, unmet expectations and major life transitions. Healing begins when we stop running from those experiences and start telling the truth about them.
 
And this is only the beginning!
 
Part 2 continues the conversation as Kelly shares how his current marriage became part of his healing journey, what restoration looks like today and the lessons he's learned about love, growth, and moving forward. Make sure you're subscribed so you don't miss it.
 
Key Takeaways:
Vulnerability is not weakness; it creates connection and healing.
Community plays a vital role in helping people navigate difficult seasons.
Healing requires taking ownership of your part in the story without drowning in guilt.
Children benefit when adults choose healing over conflict.
Healthy relationships can still exist after a marriage ends.
Restoration often happens through connection, not isolation.
Understanding how you learn can help you understand how you heal.
 
About Our Guest:
Kelly Davis, widely known as Big Man Kelly, is a respected DJ, radio personality, speaker, father, and community advocate. Through his work in media, music, and public service, Kelly has spent decades connecting with audiences across South Florida while using his platform to inspire, encourage, and uplift others.
 
Known for his authenticity and heart for people, Kelly continues to use his experiences to spark conversations around healing, resilience, family, faith and personal growth.
 
Episode Quotes:
 
"It was a safe place for me to be vulnerable, even on the number one radio show in Miami." — Kelly Davis
 
"I was so in my grief space that I couldn't see the healthy relationship that was coming down the road." — Kelly Davis
 
"Restoring looks like going to therapy, anchoring in your faith, and allowing people to help you heal." — Herdyne Mercier
 
"Healing is not meant to be done in isolation." — Herdyne Mercier
 
Episode Time-Stamps:
 
Book Mentioned:
 
“Mommy, What’s That Feeling?” by Herdyne Mercier, LCSW - https://herdyne.com/mommy-whats-that-feeling/
 
“Mommy, What’s Th