Episode 234: Chad’s Mom

When Susan’s 19-year-old son, Chad, died in September 2020 during the pandemic, it was an extremely isolating time, but she and her family were also completely exposed. Chad was a healthy, young athlete who died from an extremely rare neurological disease called...

Episode 232: Luella’s Mom

Today’s guest, Carrie, and her husband Ben attended their first retreat for bereaved parents only two months after their toddler, Luella, died from bacterial pneumonia. They drove 10 hours from their home in central Illinois to Faith’s Lodge in northern...

Episode 231: Ruben’s Mum

Rituals. Different cultures have rituals for various life events. There are beautiful, lavish rituals associated with marriage and births. In Latin American culture, a girl’s 15th birthday, her quinceaƱera, is celebrated as her social debut as a young woman....

Episode 230: Grieving in Community

As the new year began, I was asked a question. ‘What is your goal for the podcast this year?’ I thought for a minute and then answered, ‘I want to help create more of a community of grievers.’ I know that many people tune in to listen to me...

Episode 227: Chelsea’s Mom

When Melissa’s youngest daughter, Chelsea, died of an accidental prescription drug overdose, Melissa was devastated. In an instant, her baby was gone and she did not know what to do with her life. She had never faced anything like this and felt overwhelmed....