Thank You Heartbreak

Illustrator Brianna Gilmartin gives the backstory on her autobiographical comics, particularly a recent comic which gained enormous attention and respect and dealt with no longer wanting to carry the weight of her father’s 15 year addiction by holding onto it as if it were her own secret. Joining Chelsea, she talks about the conflicting emotions of denial and guilt which she experienced as a child witnessing her father choose a substance over her every day and yet how she’s outgrown hope for change and cultivated an acceptance toward her life being what it is. With a quiet strength, she answers every pointed question and even indulges in Thank You Heartbreak’s first ever round of rapid fire Reflection Cards by Holstee. Gems to look out for:+ the comfort that comes with knowing others relate to your specific experience+ why your own sense of denial can make you resistant to joining support groups+ using humor to overcompensate for the heaviness of addiction+ what are parents do shape us+ her older siblings see