Faith & Grief Podcast

We talk with Jody La Voie, founder of Widows in the Workplace. We discuss her rapid transformation after the murder of her husband, becoming a widow, parenting grieving kids, and becoming CEO of their technology company. We discuss the need for more awareness from employers of the effect of grief on their employees and the bottom line.

A conversation with Lisa Price & Christine Boehm, co-founders of bereavedtogether.org, about their BRAVE Moms Retreat for Bereaved Mother's Day, May 4-7, 2023. We discuss their grief stories, the importance of grieving together through grief support programs, and how they created this Bereaved Mothers' Day event. We also discussed the upcoming fundraising race they are hosting on June 3rd.

We talk with author Dina Gachman about her grief journey after the death of her mom and younger sister, which she writes beautifully about in her new book, So Sorry for Your Loss. Her book analyzes grief through humorous stories and shares her real-life pain and emotions. Dina gives us thoughts on how to remember our loved ones, process our grief, and where to find healing in the process.

In conversation with Vince Montague, whose new book, Cracked Pot, tells his story of finding meaning after the death of his wife in a tragic car accident. After weeks of loneliness and despair, Vince begins to explore his wife's pottery studio in the wild hills of Northern California, teaching himself to mix clay, throw a pot, fire a kiln, trim, and glaze. Just as his grief is ebbing and his future in clay looks bright, a wildfire advances upon his studio and threatens to destroy everything he has created. We talk about loss, kintsugi, and making art support healing.

We talk with author, photographer, and philanthropist, Jo Hopper. We talk about her extraordinary story of grief, loss, and the probate nightmare she experience after the death of her beloved husband Max. Max died without a will and Jo was left to pick up the pieces. Since Max’s children from his first marriage are inheriting his estate, Jo allows JPMorgan Chase Bank into what’s left of her life. As one of the world’s largest banks, the bank promises Jo they are experienced pros—trustworthy fiduciaries—who won’t even charge her a cent. What could go wrong with big money at stake? We talk about what goes wrong and her book, Rest in Peace; Robbed in Probate which tells the story of her incredible journey.

We sit down and talk with Kate J. Meyer about her work as a counselor, pastor, and author. We discuss her latest book; Faith Doesn't Erase Grief. In the book, Kate blends up-to-date grief psychology, biblical accounts, and everyday experience. She introduces easily understandable phases of Early Grief, Middle Grief, and Lasting Grief and provides a framework for grievers to build a personalized toolkit to navigate each step. 

We talk with Erica Michelle, founder, and CEO of Sisters in Loss. Erica started this company after her own experience with pregnancy loss and seeing there weren't really spaces or resources for women, especially women of color, to support them as they grieve and recover. She loves encouraging those who have experienced a Miscarriage, Infant Loss, or Infertility. Providing support through storytelling and empowering them to tell their stories to inspire others. She shares Grief & Pregnancy Loss stories each week on the Sisters in Loss Podcast.

Join us for our conversation with author Rochelle Weinstein about her book, When We Let Go. The book tells the story of an unlikely relationship that develops after loss and through grief. Rochelle shares her grief journey as she has grieved her mother and how it has influenced her writing. She began writing after a successful entertainment promotion career. 

We talk with Joi Renique about the Celebrate Legacy, their upcoming virtual retreat Gone Too Soon, September 19th - 23rd, and the importance of capturing our stories in grief. 

Celebrate Legacy is a network that encourages documenting your life's story in a fun & interactive way, with all the support you need to be successful. From participating in a writing challenge to full-blown writing a memoir. Learn more at Celebrate Legacy.

We talk with Dean Lambert, Executive Manager of the Love Always Project, and Jon Lefrandt of the Domani Group about this new movement launched by Homestead Life. The Love Always Project is a grassroots movement created to encourage people to preplan and pay for their funeral as the ultimate act of love for those they will leave behind. 

First up, we talk with Sherrie Barch, author, speaker, and CEO of two Forbes’ ranked top executive search firms and a leadership consulting company.

She wrote Heaven’s Bell to create a safe space for families to have a conversation about death and dying naturally and productively. Though the characters in the book fit the YA book genre, Heaven's Bell is a story that can be shared with most age groups. Sherrie has also released The Ring To Remember journal, the newest addition to the emotional safe space originally created by the Heaven’s Bell book.

Samantha Ruth experienced the death of her husband, which sent her on a journey to find healing in grief. She realized her grief was her own, and she would need to make it her own. She is a psychologist and a writer and created her Griefhab program, a concierge service for those who are grieving.

We talk with Marisa Renee Lee about her new book, Grief is Love: Living with Loss which tells her story grief story after the death of her mother as a young adult and pregnancy loss. Marisa Renee Lee is a new mom, CEO of Beacon Advisors, co-founder of Supportal, and founder of The Pink Agenda committed to raising money for breast cancer research and care and awareness of the disease among young professionals. Supportal is a platform that makes it easy for people to respond when someone they care about is faced with a life-changing challenge. Marisa gets grief and the book is a love letter to her mom and a gift to those who are grieving.

The guest's opinions expressed in the podcast are solely those of the guest and should not reflect on their employer or other associated organization's opinions. The guest's opinions do not reflect the opinion of this podcast or Faith & Grief Ministries.

We talk with Gallup Clifton Strengths Consultant and author, Rosanne Liesveld about her grief journey after the death of her husband, Curt, and how an honest Facebook Post about becoming a widow led to the book The Collision of Grief and Gratitude. 

The guest's opinions expressed in the podcast are solely those of the guest and should not reflect their employer or other associated organization's opinions. The guest's opinions do not reflect the opinion of this podcast or Faith & Grief Ministries.

We talk with Crystal Webster, Creator of SharingSolace.com, a company focused on helping others remember their loved ones and support those who are grieving. After the death of her daughter, Madelyn Elizabeth, Crystal searched for a way to find purpose in her grief. She started SharingSolace.com as part of her journey. She wanted a way to support those who are grieving and help them remember their loved ones.

The guest's opinions expressed in the podcast are solely those of the guest and should not reflect their employer or other associated organization's opinions. The guest's opinions do not reflect the opinion of this podcast or Faith & Grief Ministries.

We talk with David James, co-founder of The Peyton Heart Project, about suicide prevention, challenges in the school systems, and finding purpose. David and other volunteers started The Peyton Heart project to remember David's son Peyton, who died by suicide, and to offer words of hope to those who find the hearts. The hearts are left in places worldwide in hopes that those who find them are encouraged. They also are a suicide prevention tool, as the notes attached also provide the finder with Suicide prevention hotline numbers and other resources.

The guest's opinions expressed in the podcast are solely those of the guest and should not reflect their employer or other associated organization's views. The guest's views do not reflect the opinion of this podcast or Faith & Grief Ministries.

We talk with Autumn Toelle Jackson, about her grief journey after the death of her husband and later her there month old daughter. In her book, Boldy Into the Darkness, she writes about how she survived these unimaginable deaths, Her book is our February book club selection. Autumn also started the website growingingrief.com to provide other grievers resources and support. Her book is available through her website and where you purchase your favorite books.

The guest's opinions expressed in the podcast are solely those of the guest and should not reflect their employer or other associated organization's opinions. The guest's opinions do not reflect the opinion of this podcast or Faith & Grief Ministries.

We sit down and talk with Amanda Held Opelt about her upcoming book, A Hole in the World: Finding Hope in Rituals of Grief and Mourning coming out in July 2022. When Amanda suffered a season of loss—including three miscarriages and the death of her grandmother and culminating in the unexpected death of her sister, New York Times bestselling writer Rachel Held Evans—she was confronted with sorrow she didn't know how to face. We talk about her grief journey through these many losses, in her upcoming book where she explores the wisdom in rituals that past generations and other cultures embraced as a way to process grief and what grieving right now is like for her and so many others.

The guest's opinions expressed in the podcast are solely those of the guest and should not reflect their employer or other associated organization's opinions. The guest's opinions do not reflect the opinion of this podcast or Faith & Grief Ministries.

We talk with educator and author, Mallory McDuff about her latest book, Our Last Best Act: Planning for the End of Our Lives to Protect the People and Places We Love and her own grief journey. After the deaths of both her parents, Mallory realized how helpful it was to know what they wanted when they died. Mallory spoke with experts and researched best practices for end of life planning. She offers ideas and alternatives that can support those who love us as they deal with practical side of death with focus on how best to lessen the impact of these decisions on the earth.

The guest's opinions expressed in the podcast are solely those of the guest and should not reflect their employer or other associated organization's opinions. The guest's opinions do not reflect the opinion of this podcast or Faith & Grief Ministries.

We sit down with five of the thirteen writers, from the Farther Along writing group, all bereaved mothers, who have been writing together for almost 20 years. Julie Hester, Carol Henderson, Kelly Sechrist, Kay Windsor, Beverly Burton join us to talk about the writing process, the book, Farther Along: The Writing Journey of Thirteen Bereaved Mothers, and most importantly the family they have created through the group, The book and the group's story inspires others to seek community in grief.

The guest's opinions expressed in the podcast are solely those of the guest and should not reflect their employer or other associated organization's opinions. The guest's opinions do not reflect the opinion of this podcast or Faith & Grief Ministries.

We interview Steve Leder about his best selling book, The Beauty of What Remains  As Senior Rabbi of Wilshire Boulevard Temple in Los Angeles, Steve has counseled grieving families for over 30 years, yet the death of his father gave him a new perspective on grief. We talk about grief during the pandemic, his own grief experiences as a rabbi and what was different as a grieving son. You will appreciated Steve's transparency in telling his own grief story and willingness to talk about the challenges we all face. 

The guest's opinions expressed in the podcast are solely those of the guest and should not reflect their employer or other associated organization's opinions. The guest's opinions do not reflect the opinion of this podcast or Faith & Grief Ministries.

Faith & Grief is commemorating our 10th Anniversary as a grief support nonprofit. So, we sat down and talked with the three co-founders of Faith & Grief, Sharon Balch, Wendy Fenn, and Fran Shelton. We discussed the history, programs, and the compassionate vision they shepherded. We talk about the 10th Anniversary events, like the River of Time art installation at the Crow Museum for Asian Art in Dallas on display through the end of November and the upcoming signature event, The Faith & Grief Memorial Arch in Dallas opening November 27th, 2021. 

Thank you to all who have supported Faith & Grief and this podcast, your support offers those who are grieving opportunities for comfort & hope on their grief journey.

The guest's opinions expressed in the podcast are solely those of the guest and should not reflect their employer or other associated organization's opinions. The guest's opinions do not reflect the opinion of this podcast or Faith & Grief Ministries.

We talk with The Widowed Parent Podcast host and author, Jenny Lisk about parenting grieving children, grief during the pandemic, and her new book, Future Widow. Jenny shares an intimate look into her own grief journey and experiences after the death of her husband, Dennis. In the book, she shares honestly how she learned to parent grieving children and about her challenges in parenting her grieving children. She recognizes her mission is now is to support grieving parents and their grieving children.

The guest's opinions expressed in the podcast are solely those of the guest and should not reflect their employer or other associated organization's opinions. The guest's opinions do not reflect the opinion of this podcast or Faith & Grief Ministries.

We talk with speaker and host of the Resilient Heart Podcast, Beverly Shoemaker. Having faced serious trauma in her own life, Beverly is no stranger to adversity. After losing a husband to suicide and her son in a drunk driving crash, she wanted to give up. She battled depression and discouragement, loneliness and pain, yet she persevered and ultimately found hope. Now she seeks to share that hope with others. Join us as we discuss how her faith helped build her resiliency as she grieves.

The guest's opinions expressed in the podcast are solely those of the guest and should not reflect their employer or other associated organization's opinions. The guest's opinions do not reflect the opinion of this podcast or Faith & Grief Ministries.

We sit down for a conversation with Alan Pesky, Social Entrepreneur, Author & Co-founder of the Lee Pesky Learning Center. We discuss his book More to Life Than More and how he found meaning after the loss of his beloved son Lee.

More to Life Than More is a memoir of misunderstanding, loss, and learning. After Lee’s death, Alan’s conception of more crumbles. He launches himself into keeping Lee’s memory alive by helping kids in a way he wasn’t able to help his son.  In 25 years, LPLC has benefited more than 100,000 children and has become a national force for early childhood literacy. And for Alan, it has meant getting to know the son he had misunderstood and lost.

The guest's opinions expressed in the podcast are solely those of the guest and should not reflect their employer or other associated organization's opinions. The guest's opinions do not reflect the opinion of this podcast or Faith & Grief Ministries.

Part 2 - Music Therapists, Jennefer Dixon & Kathleen Montes from Faith Presbyterian Hospice are our guests for two episodes of the podcast. We talk about   music therapy in the hospice setting, what hospice are provides and the impact music has at the end of someone's life. Join us for both episodes where Jennefer and Kathleen share their musical talent and their stories of hope. Thanks for Faith Presbyterian Hospice & ForeFront Living for sharing their talented staff.

The guest's opinions expressed in the podcast are solely those of the guest and should not reflect their employer or other associated organization's opinions. The guest's opinions do not reflect the opinion of this podcast or Faith & Grief Ministries.

Part 1 - Music Therapists, Jennefer Dixon & Kathleen Montes from Faith Presbyterian Hospice are our guests for two episodes of the podcast. We talk about   music therapy in the hospice setting, what hospice are provides and the impact music has at the end of someone's life. Join us for both episodes where Jennefer and Kathleen share their musical talent and their stories of hope. Thanks for Faith Presbyterian Hospice & ForeFront Living for sharing their talented staff.

The guest's opinions expressed in the podcast are solely those of the guest and should not reflect their employer or other associated organization's opinions. The guest's opinions do not reflect the opinion of this podcast or Faith & Grief Ministries.

In recognition of National Suicide Prevention Month, we talk with Terry Bentley Hill about her mental health advocacy work and her project StopMindingYourOwnBusiness.org. Terry shares her powerful story with grief as a suicide loss survivor. She has experienced the death by suicide of her daughter and her first husband. As a an attorney and a staunch advocate for the rights of others, particularly those suffering from mental illness, Terry devotes a lot of her time and resources to raising awareness for mental health conditions and treatment.

You are not alone - If you are having thoughts of suicide, a mental health professional can help. If you are currently in a state of distress, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Lifeline) at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or text the Crisis Text Line (text HELLO to 741741). Both services are free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The guest's opinions expressed in the podcast are solely those of the guest and should not reflect their employer or other associated organization's opinions. The guest's opinions do not reflect the opinion of this podcast or Faith & Grief Ministries.

We sit down with Tyra Damm to discuss grief, the pandemic and finding ways to remember your loved ones. Tyra is a columnist with the Dallas Morning News and an educator, currently teaching 7th Grade Gifted and Talented Language Arts. We talk about her grief journey after the death of her husband in 2009 and walking that journey as a mother and a writer. 

The guest's opinions expressed in the podcast are solely those of the guest and should not reflect their employer or other associated organization's opinions. The guest's opinions do not reflect the opinion of this podcast or Faith & Grief Ministries.

We talk with Lindsey Encinias, suicide loss survivor & suicide prevention advocate about loss, sobriety, and grieving during the pandemic. Lindsey has experienced the death of her father and her aunt by suicide. She has also begun her walk-in recovery during the pandemic which she wrote about in an article for The Grit & Grace Project. We talk about how loss affects all of you.

The guest's opinions expressed in the podcast are solely those of the guest and should not reflect their employer or other associated organization's opinions. The guest's opinions do not reflect the opinion of this podcast or Faith & Grief Ministries.

We talk with Sara Cobb, founder of mygriefconnection.org, a portal for finding grief resources online and in your community. Sara started her website in 2019 after her own frustrating search for grief resources online. Again, she was grieving the loss of a brother; both of her older brothers died over 40 years apart, one in an accident and another in a murder/suicide. Sara talks about how love and faith, and finding purpose in grief are helping on her grief journey.

The guest's opinions expressed in the podcast are solely those of the guest and should not reflect their employer or other associated organization's opinions. The guest's opinions do not reflect the opinion of this podcast or Faith & Grief Ministries.

We talk with Melissa Gould, award-winning screenwriter & author of Widowish. When Melissa became a widow, after the death of her beloved husband, Joel, she found she didn’t look like a widow or act like a widow, but she felt like one. We talk about becoming a young widow, grieving with her daughter and how grief feels now. Widowish is our book club selection for March & April; RSVP for the Faith & Grief Book Club on April 22nd for the book discussion.

The guest's opinions expressed in the podcast are solely those of the guest and should not reflect their employer or other associated organization's opinions. The guest's opinions do not reflect the opinion of this podcast or Faith & Grief Ministries.

We welcome Bari J. Himes, founder of In Loving Memory 19, a COVID loss survivor group she started on Facebook. She started the group after the death of her mother, Rose. She has worked to build a community for COVID loss survivors, so no one has to grieve alone. Bari is also a highly respected educator and brings that experience to her care for others. We talk about loss during the pandemic and how ritual means so much to those who are grieving. Right after we recorded this interview, Bari's family experienced another tragedy, a fire in their home, destroying the part of their home where her mother Rose's belongings were being stored. 

The guest's opinions expressed in the podcast are solely those of the guest and should not reflect their employer or other associated organization's opinions. The guest's opinions do not reflect the opinion of this podcast or Faith & Grief Ministries.

We talk with Nicole Baker Fulgham, Founder & President of The Expectations Project. We talk about her grief journey after her beloved father's death due to COVID-19 and the relentless grief that accompanies a loss during a global pandemic. She wrote an insightful piece for Medium and talk about loss during a global event and how it carries its own burdens for the griever. We talk about how that impacted her grief. 

The Expectations Project works to close the education inequality gap by putting hope in action. The Expectations Project engages with the faith community and encourages their time and talents to be invested in their communities' public schools.

The guest's opinions expressed in the podcast are solely those of the guest and should not reflect their employer or other associated organization's opinions. The guest's opinions do not reflect the opinion of this podcast or Faith & Grief Ministries.

We welcome photographer and entrepreneur Jessica White to talk about how she is finding her way after the death of her beloved husband, Nathan. She shares their story, the practices that have brought her comfort, what it's like grieving with children, and the importance of resilience. Follow her journey, @jessicawhitephoto.

The guest's opinions expressed in the podcast are solely those of the guest and should not reflect their employer or other associated organization's opinions. The guest's opinions do not reflect the opinion of this podcast or Faith & Grief Ministries.

We sit down to talk with Rabbi Richard F. Address, D.Min, the founder and director of jewishsacredaging.com. Rabbi Address served for over three decades on staff for the Union for Reform Judaism. His work now focused on creating awareness and resources for congregations on the implication of the emerging longevity revolution. We talk about his work, grief during this time, and the importance of rituals, and how they can bring comfort. We also have a great conversation about the Wizard of Oz.

The guest's opinions expressed in the podcast are solely those of the guest and should not reflect their employer or other associated organization's opinions. The guest's opinions do not reflect the opinion of this podcast or Faith & Grief Ministries.

We sit down and talk with Ashley Fields of @Orphan_ish. She began her Instagram postings in 2019 following the heartbreak of losing her Dad & Mom in three short months. She began blogging about the experience of being an adult orphan and what happened to her when her whole world changed after the death of her parents. 

The guest's opinions expressed in the podcast are solely those of the guest and should not reflect their employer or other associated organization's opinions. The guest's opinions do not reflect the opinion of this podcast or Faith & Grief Ministries.

Our guest for this conversation is COVID Survivors for Change founder Chris Kocher. We talk about a year into the pandemic, what we have learned, and the importance of supporting those who are grieving. You may have seen the empty chair memorials in Washington D.C. and around the country hosted by COVID Survivors for Change. These memorials are just part of their mission. COVID Survivors for Change was started to elevate survivors’ voices, finding community in tragedy, and empowering our neighbors and lawmakers to better respond to this pandemic and future ones, too.

The guest's opinions expressed in the podcast are solely those of the guest and should not reflect their employer or other associated organization's opinions. The guest's opinions do not reflect the opinion of this podcast or Faith & Grief Ministries.

In this episode, we talk with entrepreneur and Chief Cookie Officer of Wackym’s Kitchen, Paul Wackym. Our conversation is about a different kind of grief, grief after a catastrophe. Paul talks about living through his home being destroyed by fire and how resilience played a role in his healing. Paul has an amazing background in fashion design, luxury product development, and a successful customer-focused business, which he attributes to grace & resilience. Wackym’s Kitchen was started in 2008, and the award-winning cookies are found in the best grocery stores and specialty stores across the country.

The guest's opinions expressed in the podcast are solely those of the guest and should not reflect their employer or other associated organization's opinions. The guest's opinions do not reflect the opinion of this podcast or Faith & Grief Ministries.

We are joined by COVID loss advocates Sabila Khan & Marla Sarrel on creating community and purpose in the midst of grief. Sabila co-moderates the COVID-19 LOSS SUPPORT FOR FAMILY & FRIENDS Facebook group, which she started after her beloved father's death. The group has supported thousands of grievers during the pandemic. Marla created the #thisjabsforyou campaign to encourage getting vaccinated in memory or honor of someone they love. Marla's husband died early in the pandemic, and she sees this as a way to honor him.  

The guest's opinions expressed in the podcast are solely those of the guest and should not reflect their employer or other associated organization's opinions. The guest's opinions do not reflect the opinion of this podcast or Faith & Grief Ministries.

We join COVID Loss Advocate Rosie Davis & Face Of COVID artist Hannah Ernst for a conversation about the Yellow Heart Memorial, currently on exhibit at the Irving Archives and Museum in Irving, Texas. We talk about how Rosie dreamed up the memorial, Hannah's artwork & how it provides comfort for those who have lost a loved one due to COVID. This is the first of a two-part conversation about grief during COVID. Link Here to add your loved one's name to the Yellow Heart Memorial or visit their Facebook page to learn more.

The guest's opinions expressed in the podcast are solely those of the guest and should not reflect their employer or other associated organization's opinions. The guest's opinions do not reflect the opinion of this podcast or Faith & Grief Ministries.

We welcome Bill Tammeus to the podcast to talk about his new book. Love, Loss, and Endurance: A 9/11 Story of Resilience and Hope in an Age of Anxiety.  Bill talks about his and his family's grieving experience after the death of his nephew on 9/11. We also discuss the rise in religious and political extremism and how our country is dealing with this since 9/11.

Bill is the former Faith section columnist for The Kansas City Star. He came to The Star in 1970 as a reporter, spent nearly 27 years on the paper’s editorial page, mostly writing the daily "Starbeams" column, and then moved his column in March 2004 to the weekly Faith section. He took formal retirement in mid-2006 but continued as Faith section columnist on a freelance basis until mid-November 2008. In addition to this daily blog, Bill writes columns for The Presbyterian Outlook and, from March 2010 until September 2018, wrote columns for the online edition of the National Catholic Reporter. He also writes a monthly column for Flatland, KCPT-TV's digital magazine.

The opinions expressed in the podcast by the guest are solely those of the guest and should not reflect the opinions of their employer or other associated organization. The guest's opinions nor the host do not reflect the opinion of podcasts or Faith & Grief Ministries.

We meet Bill Harrison, our January Book Club author, and discuss his book, Traveling Solo, but Never Alone. He tells about experiences after the death of his beloved wife, Mary. We talk about the pandemic and how life after the death of a loved one changes but still can be full of joy, travel, and purpose. Join us for the Faith & Grief Book Club discussion Thursday, January 28th at 6:30 CT. 

The opinions expressed in the podcast by the guest are solely those of the guest and should not reflect the opinions of their employer or other associated organization. The guest's opinions do not reflect the opinion of podcasts or Faith & Grief Ministries.

Episode 8 of our Faith & Grief podcast is live! In this episode, we talk with Sarah Braden, founder of ourterminal.com, a nonprofit created to provide hopeful resources for those facing a terminal diagnosis and their families. In 2015, Sarah Braden sat beside her mom as she received a devastating terminal cancer diagnosis. Over the following five months, Sarah and her family witnessed the grief, hope, and honor it could be to be with someone in their last days. 

The opinions expressed in the podcast by the guest are solely those of the guest and should not reflect the opinions of their employer or other associated organization. The guest's opinions do not reflect the opinion of podcasts or Faith & Grief Ministries.

This is our second conversation with Sara Murphy, Ph.D., CT., this time we talk about grief during the 2020 holidays. Sara is a death educator and certified thanatologist and a faculty member at the University of Rhode Island. Sara conducts workshops and seminars on death, dying, and bereavement nationwide.  Dr. Murphy can be reached at SaraMurphyDeathEducator@gmail.com.

Dr. Murphy is the author of the booklet, “Grieving Alone & Together: Responding to the loss of your Loved One during the COVID-19 Pandemic,” which is a free resource for helping professionals and individuals published by Funeral Service Foundation and available at rememberingalife.com, a great resource offered by the National Funeral Directors Associations for those who are grieving. 

The opinions expressed in the podcast by the guest are solely those of the guest and should not reflect the opinions of their employer or other associated organization. The guest's opinions do not reflect the opinion of podcasts or Faith & Grief Ministries.

We talk with Melody Chatelle about grief and dealing with a chronic illness. She shares both her personal experience and the stories she heard for her book, Journeys of Heartache and Grace.  She talks about the many lessons learned from the young people that she interviewed for the book all of whom faced serious and terminal illnesses.

Dr. Melody Chatelle is a well respected and effective veteran of the national and state legislative arenas. Prior to forming Chatelle and Associates, her own political and communications consulting company in 1999, she had a successful career in healthcare administration and communications.

The opinions expressed in the podcast by the guest are solely those of the guest and should not reflect their employer or other associated organization's opinions. The guest's opinions do not reflect the opinion of podcasts or Faith & Grief Ministries.

We sit down with Christian M.M. Brady, Interim Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences at the University of Kentucky, to talk about life during the pandemic and his book, beautiful and terrible things. Christian is an expert on Old Testament lament, and he says as prepared as a person could be for the death of a child, which is to say, not nearly well enough, when his eight-year-old son died suddenly from a fast-moving blood infection. We talk about his family, their grief journey, and what they have done to remember their son by doing things for others.

His book is our November & December Book Club selection. Join us and RSVP for the book club discussion on Thursday, December 3rd, at 6:30 pm CT.

The opinions expressed in the podcast by the guest are solely those of the guest and should not reflect their employer or other associated organization's opinions. The guest's opinions do not reflect the opinion of podcasts or Faith & Grief Ministries.

In this episode, we sit down with authors Jennifer Grant and Roger Hutchison and discuss their latest books on grief for children. Jennifer's latest book is A Little Blue Bottle, which tells the story of a young girl's first grief experience. Jennifer is also an editor & editorial consultant. Roger's book, My Favorite Color is Blue. Sometimes., guides the reader through different emotions and reactions related to grieving, including shock, tears, anger, and hope. Roger serves as the Director of Christian Formation and Parish Life at Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church in Houston, TX. Both are members of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.

The opinions expressed in the podcast by the guest are solely those of the guest and should not reflect their employer or other associated organization's opinions. The guest's opinions do not reflect the opinion of podcasts or Faith & Grief Ministries.

In this episode, we sit down with Rev. Michael W. Waters to discuss his new #1 best selling children's book, For Beautiful Black Boys Who Believe in a Better World, illustrated by Keisha Morris. The book explores a young boy's experience dealing with violence he sees in the news and community. And as the book cover describes, it is inspired by real-life events and is an honest, intimate look at one family's response to racism and traumatic death, asking the question, How can you change the world?

Michael W. Waters is the founding pastor of the Abundant Life African Methodist Episcopal Church in Dallas, Texas. As a pastor, professor, award-winning author, activist, and social commentator, Waters’ words of hope and empowerment inspire national and international audiences.

The opinions expressed in the podcast by the guest are solely those of the guest and should not reflect their employer or other associated organization's opinions. The guest's opinions do not reflect the opinion of podcasts or Faith & Grief Ministries.

We talk with Maria Quiban author & weather anchor on Fox 11 Los Angeles about her new book, You Can't Do It Alone. She talks about her husband Sean and their family's experience after his diagnosis of Glioblastoma. She talks about her grief after he died and how she and her son continue to process their grief.  She talks about their love story, the importance of support during treatment, and how a rockstar & a Vice President played a role in their story. The book also shares insights from grief experts on the nature of grief. You Can't Do It Alone is our October Book Club selection. Join us for the book discussion on October 22nd @ 6:30 CT. RSVP at Faithandgrief.org/book-club.

The opinions expressed in the podcast by the guest are solely those of the guest and should not reflect the opinions of their employer or other associated organization. The guest's opinions do not reflect the opinion of podcasts or Faith & Grief Ministries.

Our conversation this episode is with Sara Murphy, Ph.D., CT. She is a death educator, certified thanatologist, and a suicidologist. She is a faculty member at the University of Rhode Island and conducts workshops and seminars on death, dying, and bereavement nationwide. Dr. Murphy is the author of the booklet, “Grieving Alone & Together: Responding to the loss of your Loved One during the COVID-19 Pandemic,” which is a free resource for helping professionals and individuals published by Funeral Service Foundation and available at rememberingalife.com, a great resource offered by the National Funeral Directors Associations for those who are grieving. Dr. Murphy can be reached at SaraMurphyDeathEducator@gmail.com.

The opinions expressed in the podcast by the guest are solely those of the guest and should not reflect the opinions of their employer or other associated organization. The guest's opinions do not reflect the opinion of podcasts or Faith & Grief Ministries.

Our conversation is with Leslie Gray Streeter, author of the memoir, Black Widow, our Faith & Grief September Book Club selection. As the book jacket says, the book is "a sad-funny journey through grief for people who avoid books with words like "journey" in the title."  Leslie's book writes about navigating her grief after the unexpected death of her husband and the love of her life, Scott. It's a love story that will have you laughing out loud and getting a tissue or two. Learn more about Leslie at lesliegraystreeter.com & RSVP for the book club discussion at faithandgrief.org/book-club.

The opinions expressed in the podcast by the guest are solely those of the guest and should not reflect the opinions of their employer or other associated organization. The guest's opinions do not reflect the opinion of podcasts or Faith & Grief Ministries.

Learn more about our weekend grief retreats at faithandgrief.org/retreats and about Elaine on her blog elainegantzwright.com.

We talk with NiEtta Reynolds, host of The Help Show podcast, a podcast dedicated to connecting individuals to mental health care community resources. The podcast was started by NiEtta following the tragic and shocking death of a dear friend. This life-changing event, her friend’s death by suicide, began the journey in starting The Help Show. Listen & learn more at thehelpshow.org & on Apple podcasts.

The opinions expressed in the podcast by the guest are solely those of the guest and should not reflect the opinions of their employer or other associated organization. The guest's opinions do not reflect the opinion of podcasts or Faith & Grief Ministries.

We talk with author, Mary Potter Kenyon, about her book, Refined By Fire, our August book club selection. Mary talks about what grieving right now during COVID-19 feelings like and about the raw grief stories she shares in her book.

As the book cover suggests, “Where is the handbook for widows?” Mary lamented as she planned a funeral for the beloved husband whose triumph over cancer she chronicled in Chemo-Therapist: How Cancer Cured a Marriage. During the ensuing weeks, as she attempted to make sense of his untimely death, she filled two journals, blogged, and read the inspirational writings of others who had gone down the road of grief before her–authors like C.S. Lewis and Madeleine L’Engle. Learn more about the book and our book club atwww.faithandgrief.org/book-club.

The opinions expressed in the podcast by the guest are solely those of the guest and should not reflect the opinions of their employer or other associated organization. The guest's opinions do not reflect the opinion of podcasts or Faith & Grief Ministries.

On this episode, we talk with Speaking Grief Producer/Director, Lindsey Whissel Fenton, & Ajai Blue-Saunders, who participated in the Speaking Grief project. Speaking Grief is a public media initiative aimed at creating a more grief-aware society by validating the experience of grievers and helping to guide those who wish to support them. Learn more at SpeakingGrief.org.

The opinions expressed in the podcast by the guest are solely those of the guest and should not reflect the opinions of their employer or other associated organization. The guest's opinions do not reflect the opinion of podcasts or Faith & Grief Ministries.

We welcome three of the authors of The Daily Devotionals for Nurses Collection, Rev. Dr. Jonanna Bryant DNP, Ms. Onissa Mitchell, MSN, RN, APRN-FNP-C, and  Mrs. Chiketa Kelly-Dale, ADN, LPN. We discuss nursing,  grief during the pandemic and the struggles we are all experiencing as we navigate this time. Dr. Bridgette Jenkins, DNP and Dr. Michelle Spears, DNP also contributed to the collection. They are friends who met through Black Nurses Rock, a non-profit dedicated to showcasing the nursing profession and celebrate Black Nurses and their accomplishments. The devotional collection will be out later this summer.

The opinions expressed in the podcast by the guest are solely those of the guest and should not reflect the opinions of their employer or other associated organization. The guest's opinions do not reflect the opinion of podcasts or Faith & Grief Ministries.

Eric Markinson, Hospice Chaplain from CC Young Senior Living in Dallas joins us to talk about grief during COVID. Eric tells us about his experience working in a senior care facility and where he find comfort during this time. Eric talks about his own experience with grief, after the death of his mother and later his father. Learn more about CC Young Senior Living at ccyoung.org.

The opinions expressed in the podcast by the guest are solely those of the guest and should not reflect the opinions of their employer or other associated organization. The guest's opinions do not reflect the opinion of podcasts or Faith & Grief Ministries.

Our conversation on this episode is with Cat Golden, CEO & Founder of Nurses Inspire Nurses. She and her team at Nurses Inspire Nurses have built a community of over 30,000 nurses around the world. Cat talks about supporting nurses, how the pandemic has impacted nursing and running a small business. You can learn more at nursesinspirenurses.com.

The opinions expressed in the podcast by the guest are solely those of the guest and should not reflect the opinions of their employer or other associated organization. The guest's opinions do not reflect the opinion of podcasts or Faith & Grief Ministries.

In this pilot episode of Faith & Grief your host Shelley Craig sits down to talk with author and Faith & Grief Co-founder,  Fran Shelton. Fran discusses her memoir, No Winter Last Forever; Loving Bob & Loathing Alzheimer's, the book selection for the Faith & Grief monthly book club. Find out more about the book club at faithandgrief.org/book-club.

The opinions expressed in the podcast by the guest are solely those of the guest and should not reflect the opinions of their employer or other associated organization. The guest's opinions do not reflect the opinion of podcasts or Faith & Grief Ministries.