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What if grief isn't just about what you've lost, but also about honoring who you were and how far you've come?
In this raw and heartfelt episode of The Big Silence, Karena sits down with entrepreneur, artist, and mental health advocate Tallulah Willis. The youngest daughter of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore shares what it was like navigating life in one of Hollywood's most iconic families. We talk about confronting eating disorders, ADHD, autism, and her father's dementia journey, Tallulah opens up about the many forms grief can take. She shares how she's learned to embrace "good grief," build unshakeable self-trust, and find healing through creativity and vulnerability. Whether you're processing your own loss, struggling with identity, or searching for permission to feel it all, Tallulah's wisdom will reassure you that you're exactly where you need to be.
How do you learn to trust yourself when life keeps throwing you into the unknown, and honor all the versions of yourself that got you here?
True strength comes from acknowledging your feelings, giving yourself the dignity of your process, and knowing you can handle whatever comes your way.
(00:00) Redefining Grief & The Power of "Yes, And"
● The concept of "Good Grief" and making space for celebration within the pain
● How DBT (dialectical behavior therapy) helps navigate the "yes, and" of complex emotions
(3:30) High School: ADHD, Autism & Feeling Invisible
● Her recent autism diagnosis and lifelong ADHD
● Believing she was unintelligent
● Feeling "mid" and overlooked by adults who should have seen her
(06:02) Growing Up in the Spotlight: Life as Bruce and Demi's Daughter
● What it was like being raised by "the last era movie stars"
● Fielding paparazzi from a young age
● How early experiences shaped her adaptability
(8:39) Eating Disorders, ARFID & Using Control to Cope
● How her eating disorder became a catch-all for unprocessed emotions
● Living with ARFID (avoidant restrictive food intake disorder) her whole life
● The journey to recovery and learning to nourish herself
(20:57) Surrounding Yourself with People Who See You
● Grieving relationships with people who didn't see her
● Being surrounded by people whose reflection of her she loves
● Her fiancé's recognition of her ability to adapt and roll with new situations
● Learning what it means to be truly seen and valued
(24:08) Her Father's Dementia, Love & Finding Joy
● Navigating Bruce Willis's FTD diagnosis and the family's decision to go public
● Why she initially avoided learning the clinical details
● Handling invasive questions with grace
● How transparency opens doors for others to get checked and seek help
(31:06) Self-Trust, Pausing & Acknowledging Your Feelings
● The power of naming what's real
● Focusing on her art practice: drawing, interior design, and creative expression
● Why she's leaning into discomfort and pushing herself into new spaces
● The magic of curiosity
Reconnect with yourself and your community: We start the New Year, New TI-YOU Challenge January 5th in the Tone It Up App. Just download the Tone It Up App at ToneItUp.com/app and we will see you January 5th!
Episode Resources
● Watch The Big Silence and Karena Dawn at the Not Alone Summit
● Learn More: Not Alone Summit & Not Alone Challenge
Guest Resources
● Follow Tallulah on Instagram
● Read Tallulah's Vogue piece: "Tallulah Willis on Grief, Healing, and the Road Ahead"
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