The loss of a dog, a cat, a horse, a bird, any pet can cause us to experience grief.  The animals we share our homes and lives with are part of our families and  when they are no longer there it can create a significant and painful void.Listen in as I interview Rachel Shirley,   a compelling author and certified coach committed to guiding individuals through life's profound moments, including the impactful experience of pet loss.https://www.rachel-shirley.com/

When Katherine and her husband learned of their baby’s fatal fetal diagnosis, they knew they had some hard decisions to make.  Since their child had no kidneys he would most likely die in utero or shortly after birth, so doctors recommended termination of the pregnancy.Listen in as Katherine shares her story about carrying a baby she knew she could not keep and making a choice to stay true to her convictions.   Katherine's blog:https://medium.com/@whenwatersrise/four-years-and-gods-goodness-eb7c68c003ea

When doctors diagnosed her father with mild cognitive disorder, a form of dementia that would likely progress to Alzheimer’s, Joycelyn was in denial.  It was difficult to watch the decline of her superhero dad and she began to grieve the loss of the man he once was. Her personal story will resonate with anyone who has walked alongside a loved one with cognitive decline and has experienced anticipatory grief.  Listen in to this intimate discussion with Reverend Jocelyn Jones, as she shares her raw emotions and profound life lessons that will leave you inspired.Rev. Jocelyn's website:https://www.faithonthejourney.org/Breaking the Power of the Mask:https://www.amazon.com/Breaking-Power-Mask-Discover-Healing/dp/1734046708/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1707439139&sr=8-1

Born with a severe cleft palate, Sue faced ridicule and harassment on daily basis due to the way she looked.  In addition to having to endure multiple surgeries and physical pain, she would also be traumatized by her parent's divorce and an abusive encounter in college that resulted in rape.Today, Sue Corl is an international women’s conference speaker, author, mentor, Bible teacher, missionary, founder and Executive Director of Crown of Beauty International, and His Heartbeat Podcast host. Her greatest joy is being a wife and mother of two adult children.She has a passion to see women set free to live in the powerful truths of who they are in Christ and the love of God. She served as a missionary for twenty-five years in Asia. Currently, she travels to minister to women throughout Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and the U.S. She has a Master’s of Education from the University of Hawaii and a Master’s of Christian Counseling from Philadelphia Biblical University. She is the author of several books including Crown of Beauty Twelve Week Bible Study, For Such a Time as This, and Broken but Undefeated.Listen in to this incredible story of perseverance and strength as one woman discovers how to stop believing the lies about beauty and realize how she is seen in the eyes of God.Website: https://www.crownofbeautyinternational.comPodcast Link: https://www.crownofbeautyinternational.com/podcastAmazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Sue+Corl&i=stripbooks&crid=MJ4LB7W50FDC&sprefix=sue+corl%2Cstripbooks%2C89&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

At the age of 13, Katherine made the choice to exclude her father from her life.  By going no contact with him, she hoped to rid herself of his toxic behavior and safeguard her own mental health.Listen in to our conversation as Katherine shares about her emotional journey of stepping away from her father for 13 years and the impact it had on her adult life.  She also discusses the liberating force of forgiveness and its essential role in overcoming bitterness, anger, and the importance of praying for those not ready to mend fences. https://leonfe.org/https://www.linkedin.com/in/opportunitymade/https://leonfoundation.thinkific.com/ - free leadership course#nocontact #reconciliation #forgiveness #toxicbehavior #radicalacceptance

While away from home on a business trip, Anne-Marie was informed that her husband suffered a brain aneurysm and died in their bedroom.  Nothing could have prepared her for the pain and grief she was about to experience and no one seemed equipped to come alongside her emotionally.Listen in to this inspirational story of how one widow was determined to use her experience to help other grievers -ultimately becoming a grief specialist, 8-time award-winning author on grief,  and founder of The Grief & Trauma Healing Network, LLC.Her website: Grief & Trauma Healing Network https://griefandtraumahealing.comWidow Retreat Information:https://www.griefandtraumahealing.com/widows-grief-retreat/Her free online grief support site: MyGriefCare.com https://www.mygriefcare.comYour Grief Guides YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxXrACWW7qjFlQ1A26onCMQAnne-Marie’s 8-time award-winning book “When Their World Stops - The Essential Guide to Truly Helping Anyone in Grief”   https://amzn.to/3Sb2T2f

Raising twin daughters with severe intellectual disabilities and autism, working full time and becoming an advocate for people with disabilities would keep Clay busy and challenged over the years.  But when his wife was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, he began to wonder why his family had been singled out for so much adversity in this life.Listen in and hear how Clay Boatright eventually found purpose in adversity and how he learned to view life's challenges as blessings.Purchase Clay's book here:https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Plan-Our-Circus-Reinvention/dp/1955711224

When a social media post informed her about a fatal shark attack at the very time and place her husband was surfing that day, Katie instinctively knew her worst fear had been realized.  Now widowed at the age of 27, her life had been shattered into a million pieces launching her into the unknown, unwanted journey of grief. Listen in as I talk with Katie Kelly- an incredibly strong and resilient woman, and the founder of  Through It All - a newly established nonprofit foundation dedicated to helping those in grief and equipping churches and individuals with the tools to compassionately walk alongside people after the loss of a loved one.Katie's Foundation - Through it All:https://www.throughitall.com/#widow #childlesswidow #traumaticloss #suddenloss #throughitall

Ten years after losing  her mom to cancer, Ceci was still healing but feeling stronger, restored and more grounded.  Then the news came that her father was ill and ultimately died in the hospital during the pandemic.    By age 30, she had lost both parents and was struggling with PTSD, suicidal ideation and a variety of somatic issues stemming from her intense grief.  Listen in to this honest and inspirational conversation with Ceci Frost about her trauma, grief journey and the lessons she learned in her loss.https://thehopecollective.net/?fbclid=IwAR3lVNvcQIKOjeyMYINTWOtMj8Go42hLr-AbqwCQm0CVicMvxwXFbnPeXYE#parentloss #grief #examingmyfaith #PTSD #somaticissues #mindfulness

Growing up in an alcoholic and abusive home made every day difficult for Suzy.  She endured painful emotional and physical abuse and failed to receive the nurturing and parental guidance that is so critical to a child’s healthy development.  But even after being raped at a very young age, and living in a home devoid of love, Suzy’s greatest loss would be the death of her younger brother, Bart, who died tragically by suicide.Join me in this intimate conversation with Suzy Ryan, author, educator, Ironman athlete, and SCAD (Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection) survivor. After twenty-plus years of teaching bright-eyed, enthusiastic pupils and tired-eyed, apathetic ones, and everything in between, Suzy realized each student had a story to tell—some even traumatic as her own.Her debut novel, Saving Summer, was born out of a desire to offer a bridge of hope for students, encouraging them to see themselves as victors rather than victims. Awarded Valley Middle School’s teacher of the year in 2020, Suzy now teaches 6th, 7th, and 8th grades at Carlsbad Seaside Academy. A Kansas native turned California girl, she enjoys spending time with her husband and three adult children.https://www.Suzyryan.com#abusesurvivor #sexualabuse #suicide #atriskstudents #teacher #compassion #rape #empathy #narcissisticparents #alcoholism #savingsummer #suzyryan #SCAD #trauma #faith #BartBradford #JackMunday

Following two miscarriages, Darrell and his wife were thrilled to learn that they would finally become parents.   As they arrived at the hospital prepared to experience their greatest joy, they also received devasting news that would trigger a mix of emotions they were completely unprepared for.Listen in on my conversation with Darrell Williams, former white  house communications director to the vice president,  military veteran, pastor, speaker, facilitator, and certified life coach. Darrell's candid discussion on managing emotional turmoil while offering support to his spouse, and drawing strength from their faith, family and circle of friends is sure to touch your heart, inspire you, and give you hope!#miscarriage #joyandsorrow #faith #grief Darrell's Website:https://speakerhub.com/speaker/darrell-williams

During a family vacation in Colorado, Tara's 13-year-old daughter Taylor died suddenly when she struck a tree while skiing.  Still in shock, Tara and her husband were asked a question no parents ever think they will hear:  "Would you be willing to donate Taylor's organs?" In our conversation, Tara opens up about the difficult journey of grief and how Taylor's passing impacted her family. However, amidst the pain, Tara found a sense of purpose in promoting organ donation, an act that truly embodies Taylor’s selfless spirit. She shares the admirable work of the Taylor's Gift Foundation, a beacon of support for grieving families across the nation, and the crucial role of organ procurement organizations.Tara also recounts the incredible aftermath of Taylor's passing, including the emotional moment she read Taylor's poem, 'I Am', on the Ellen DeGeneres show. The inspiring stories of the five recipients of Taylor's organs highlight the life-altering power of organ donation. Taylor's Gift Foundation:https://www.taylorsgift.org/Ellen Show clip:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UU0_Joq0yRsGood Morning America clip:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFx-TIE3zy8#organdonation #lessonsinloss #taylorsgift #bereavedmom #losingadaughter #deathofachild #faith #adversity #loss

When her husband passed away suddenly, Debbie was widowed without warning at the age of 35 with 4 young boys.  In our discussion, she  weaves through the terror of losing Aaron,  the heartbreak of explaining the tragedy to her four young boys, and the struggle to keep her faith amidst the darkest storm she'd ever faced.Debbie's story isn't just about loss and grief, it's one of resilience, hope, and faith that will challenge your perspective on life. With raw emotions and heartfelt wisdom, Debbie takes us along her journey navigating the unfathomable tide of grief while finding strength in her faith and community. She reminds us all that even though tomorrow is not guaranteed, we can trust our unknown future to a known God. Don't miss this episode. It's a testament to the human spirit's indomitable power to overcome adversity and keep pushing forward.https://www.debbiewilkinsbaisden.com/#widowedwithchildren #widow #suddenloss #grief #faith #deathofspouse

Just before Thanksgiving in 2020, in the midst of a global pandemic, a loving wife and mother of three would discover that her 17-year-old daughter had taken her own life. In an incredibly touching conversation with author K. L .Gilchrist, we walk through her journey of sudden bereavement. Gilchrist paints a poignant picture of the initial shock and grief that accompanied her daughter's untimely passing and her struggle for closure. Yet, in this darkness, she found solace by leaning on her faith.  Gilchrist's perspective on trusting God amidst the storm is not only inspirational but also insightful.https://www.klgilchrist.com#childloss #suicide #radicaltrust #God #faith #grief

What if I told you that you could transform your mental health through the power of daily text messages? Join me for a powerful conversation with my guest, Johnny Crowder, a suicide and abuse survivor who has turned his pain into purpose by creating Cope Notes, a text-based mental health platform that's now supporting users in nearly 100 countries across the globe.Johnny shares his journey through depression and the impact of growing up in an abusive home, revealing how music and art provided an emotional outlet he desperately needed. We also explore the crucial role of asking for help in reducing recovery time and how Johnny's faith in God, combined with the support of his church community, helped him find hope, healing, and the motivation to help others.Don't miss this inspiring episode as we dive deep into Johnny's story and the mission behind Cope Notes. Together, we reflect on the importance of empathy and understanding in supporting those struggling with mental health challenges and challenge you to take action, making a positive difference in your own life and the lives of others.https://copenotes.com/https://johnnycrowder.com/

While in the hospital giving birth to her son, Veronica received the news that her sister had just passed away.    Listen in to hear the story of how this woman of faith chose to react to her circumstances and how she turned her misery into a ministry that is helping others overcome adversity and loss.#miscarriage #multiplelosses #faith #loss #grief https://speakerhub.com/speaker/veronica-williams

Following the death of her dear friend, Marnie was surprised at the impact her grief would have on her physical health.   Later, her father's sudden death also hit her hard emotionally and physically, but it didn't take her long to realize the spiritual 9-1-1 call she needed to make that she still relies on to this day.Listen in as Marnie shares an uplifting and positive message of faith and hope in the midst of loss!https://www.marnie.com/#suddenloss #marnieswedberg #grief #impactofgrief

When Darryl first learned that his son Chase had a drug habit, he panicked.  He didn't know how to respond to his son's behavioral changes, so he turned to an intervention team.  Chase was admitted to a treatment facility, seemed to be doing better, but eventually relapsed.Listen in as Darryl openly shares the parenting mistakes he made and the lessons he learned about the proper role of a parent with an addicted child.https://www.darrylrodgers.com/https://www.griefshare.org/#addictedchild #parentinganaddict

On the 10 year anniversary of my son Sean's passing, I share the lessons I learned from the most devastating experience of my life.#lossofmyson #lessonsinloss #gratitude

At the age of 18, Beth's son Mitchell passed away from an undiagnosed illness.  For the last five years of his life, she did everything in her power to help him return to health, only to realize it was out of her control.    Listen in as Beth shares the incredible lessons she learned about coming to a point of complete surrender and discovering an even deeper relationship with God.#surrender #relinquishingcontrol #mitchellthorpfoundationhttps://www.mitchellthorp.org/