How Do You Heal When You Can’t Fix It? Camille Block on Grace, Grit, and Secondhand Suffering

03/31/25 • 61 min

Caring for a loved one who is suffering can be one of the most heartbreaking and exhausting journeys a person can take. It’s a path filled with love, but also with emotional weight, isolation, and the painful realization that you can’t always make things better. On this episode of the Crackin’ Backs Podcast, we welcome Camille Block, author of Hope for Secondhand Suffering: Tools for the Heart When You Can’t Fix Your Loved One’s Pain.

Camille’s story is one of resilience, advocacy, and learning to find peace in the middle of the storm. As a dedicated caregiver to her brother Kevin, she has experienced the silent struggles that come with witnessing a loved one’s pain while having no way to take it away. Through years of challenges, she has discovered strategies to not only ensure Kevin’s voice is heard but also to protect her own well-being.

In this heartfelt episode, we explore:
The pivotal moment that changed Camille’s life and made her a caregiver
How she helped Kevin communicate through eye-gaze technology and how other caregivers can amplify their loved one’s voice
The mental and emotional toll of caregiving, and how to prevent burnout
Practical ways to find balance between self-care and caregiving responsibilities
The role of community and support networks in navigating the weight of secondhand suffering
How to cherish moments of joy even in difficult circumstances
Key lessons from Camille’s journey that offer guidance and hope to caregivers

Whether you’re a caregiver yourself, love someone who is struggling, or just want to better understand the emotional weight of advocacy, this conversation will touch your heart and provide real, compassionate solutions.

Find Camille Block’s book, Hope for Secondhand Suffering, Tools for the Heart When You Can’t Fix Your Loved One’s Pain - HERE

Follow Camille Block and her work through her Website – www.camilleblock.cc

Follow Camille Block on her social media accounts: @camilleblock.author

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/camilleblock.author/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/camilleblock.author

Tune in now and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. Because even when you can’t fix the pain, there is still hope.

We are two sports chiropractors, seeking knowledge from some of the best resources in the world of health. From our perspective, health is more than just “Crackin Backs” but a deep dive into physical, mental, and nutritional well-being philosophies.

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Find Camille Block’s book, Hope for Secondhand Suffering, Tools for the Heart When You Can’t Fix Your Loved One’s Pain - HERE

Follow Camille Block and her work through her Website – www.camilleblock.cc

Follow Camille Block on her social media accounts: @camilleblock.author

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/camilleblock.author/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/camilleblock.author

Tune in now and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. Because even when you can’t fix the pain, there is still hope.

Join us as we talk to some of the greatest minds and discover some of the most incredible gems you can use to maintain a higher level of health. Crackin Backs Podcast

Previous Episode

Lost in Comfort: How Modern Life is Breaking Us—and How Nature Can Restore Us

In this compelling episode of Crackin' Backs, we sit down with Christopher Dooley, a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPCC) with extensive research and clinical experience in trauma and resilience. Together, we explore the multifaceted nature of trauma, acknowledging that it manifests uniquely in each individual.

Key Discussion Points:

Human Evolution and Learning: Despite our advancements, our primal instincts remain influential. We discuss how our evolutionary roots impact our responses to trauma and our ongoing journey of growth.
Military Dynamics: The military is known for forging strong leaders but can also leave lasting scars. We examine how its structure fosters resilience in some while leading to challenges in others.
Nature's Healing Power: Amidst our technology-driven lives, we consider how reconnecting with the natural world can restore mental clarity and balance.
The Role of Suffering: Is suffering an essential component of personal growth? We delve into how processed trauma can become a catalyst for strength rather than destruction.
Authentic Leadership: True leadership extends beyond authority; it's about inspiring and nurturing without oppression. We discuss the core principles that distinguish effective leaders from tyrants.
Counterintuitive Insights: Christopher shares unconventional lessons from his practice that challenge traditional beliefs and offer fresh perspectives on healing and growth.

Recommended Readings:

Christopher references two influential books by Pema Chödrön that offer profound insights into facing fear and adversity:

"The Places That Scare You: A Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times"
This book provides tools to awaken our basic goodness and connect deeply with others, teaching us to accept ourselves and our imperfections. FIND HERE
"When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times"
Chödrön offers life-changing tools for transforming suffering and negative patterns into habitual ease and boundless joy. FIND HERE
Connect with Christopher Dooley:

For those interested in learning more or seeking guidance, Christopher Dooley

Join us as we talk to some of the greatest minds and discover some of the most incredible gems you can use to maintain a higher level of health. Crackin Backs Podcast

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The Crackin' Backs Podcast - How Do You Heal When You Can’t Fix It? Camille Block on Grace, Grit, and Secondhand Suffering

Transcript

Dr. Spencer Baron00:00:01.139

What happens when love isn't enough to take away someone's pain, when you're forced to watch a loved one suffer, powerless to fix it? How do you keep going today, we welcome Camille Block, an author advocate and a caregiver who has absolutely walked this road and found purpose in this struggle.

Dr. Spencer Baron00:00:26.359

In her new book hope for secondhand suffering, she shares the tools and the truths t