Turning Grief into Growth: The Journey of Transformation

"Send us a Comment" In this episode, we are joined by Scott McCutcheon from Vermilion, Ohio. Scott shares the story of losing his son, Sammy, on April 29, 2021, at the age of 29, to an overdose resulting from an addiction that developed after injuries he sustained while serving in Afghanistan. Scott openly shares about the hope he has found and the significant role his faith has played t...

"Send us a Comment" In this episode, we are joined by Sarah, who lost her husband, Dave, in 2004. Dave was a helicopter pilot who was killed in action in Iraq just a couple of weeks before he was scheduled to come home. At the time of his death, Sarah was raising two children, ages 8 and 10. Sarah shares her journey of trying to find stability for her family in the aftermath of such a de...

"Send us a Comment" In this episode, we are joined by Jon Ganues from Virginia. Jon lost his son, Wesley, to suicide on June 2, 2009, while Wesley was serving in the United States Air Force. Jon shares his journey of healing and growth, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and vulnerability as essential ingredients in the process. Jon reminds us that even after devastating loss, th...

"Send us a Comment" In today’s episode, we are joined by renowned psychologist Dr. Heidi Horsley , an international grief expert, licensed psychologist, and social worker. Dr. Horsley is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Open to Hope Foundation , one of the largest online grief resources, reaching more than 7 million visitors each year. She is also the co-host of the award-win...

"Send us a Comment" In this episode, we are joined by Tom Braden of Marble Falls, Texas, a retired high school football coach. On September 23, 2016, Tom and his wife, Laura, received the devastating news that their son, Jeff, an F-22 Raptor pilot, had drowned while diving with friends in Guam. Tom shares how his faith in God has carried him through his grief journey and how his and Laur...

"Send us a Comment" In this episode, we are joined by Charles Mwungura, pastor of the Southeast Christian Church Multinational Campus in Louisville, Kentucky. Charles shares his journey as he recently passed the two-year anniversary of losing his 18-year-old son, Isaac, in a drowning accident. While grief remains a constant companion, life has continued to move forward. Over the past six...

"Send us a Comment" In this episode, Sharon Strouse shares the heartbreaking story of losing her 17-year-old daughter, Kristin, who died by suicide on October 11, 2001, after jumping from her 15th-floor dorm room at Parsons School of Design in New York City. As an art therapist, Sharon discusses how painting and collage became powerful tools in her own healing and have since helped count...

"Send us a Comment" In this episode, Don and I are joined by Andy McNiel, CEO of The Compassionate Friends. Andy shares why supporting those who are grieving isn't about having all the answers. Instead, he explains the importance of simply holding space for others and recognizing that we don't have to be experts in someone else's grief to walk alongside them. He also offer...

"Send us a Comment" In this episode, Brett Sylver joins us to share the heartbreaking story of losing his son, Harrison, to suicide on January 13, 2024. Brett also reflects on earlier losses that shaped his life, including his father leaving when he was just five years old and the death of his brother when Brett was only nineteen. Throughout our conversation, Brett shares how participati...

"Send us a Comment" In this episode, Don and Greg explore the importance of effective communication—knowing not only what to say, but also when to speak and when silence may be the better choice. They discuss the value of communicating with both accuracy and clarity, recognizing that our words can either build bridges or create misunderstandings. The conversation also emphasizes the impo...

"Send us a Comment" In this episode, Greg and Don discuss the importance of putting service above self. While not everyone is at a place in their grief journey where they are ready to mentor or support others, many eventually reach that point. Companioning—walking alongside someone in their grief—can be one of the most meaningful ways to serve, but it can also be emotionally demanding. T...

"Send us a Comment" In this episode, we are joined by Steven Karaiskos, Ph. D., an educator, psychologist, and emotion scientist with more than 25 years of experience in the field of education. He is the founder of Elpis Consulting and serves as the Director of Postvention & Community Programming at The Kita Center, where he develops grief-informed retreats, peer support initiatives,...

"Send us a Comment"  In this episode, J. Monique Walker shares her journey of navigating the loss of a relationship with her biological mother. Although her mother is still living, Monique was raised by her grandparents, a reality that shaped much of her life and personal growth. As the founder of Pure U Coaching (Personal Unraveling Radiant Essence), Monique discusses the power of perso...

"Send us a Comment" In this episode, Jason Stout shares his passion for helping people reconnect with the outdoors and discover the healing power of nature. Jason's own life has been marked by profound loss. At just four years old, he lost his five-year-old sister. Later, his grandmother was murdered, and at the age of fourteen, he lost his father to a sudden heart attack while he s...

"Send us a Comment" In this episode, we welcome back returning guest Dr. Frank Campbell, who previously joined us on Episode #14. Dr. Campbell discusses how, in America, we often experience what he calls “microwave bereavement,” where society expects us to return to normal after only a few short days away from work following the loss of a loved one. Frank also shares his powerful concept...

"Send us a Comment" In this episode, Joanne Harpel shares part of her journey following the loss of her brother, Stephen, to suicide in 1993. Joanne is the President of Coping After Suicide (CAS). Throughout the episode, we discuss the importance of being not only reactive in grief, but also proactive. Joanne reflects on a quote from Admiral William McRaven’s book, sharing that grief, mu...

"Send us a Comment" In this episode, Glen Lord shares his personal grief journey following the loss of his son, Noah Thomas Emory Lord, on June 14, 1999, due to complications from a tonsillectomy. Glen also speaks about the heartbreaking loss of his sister to breast cancer in 2018 at the age of 39, as well as the ongoing challenges of having a son who has struggled with severe substance...

"Send us a Comment" In this episode, Don and Greg explore what it means to engage in self-reflection and attempt to define what progress truly looks like throughout one’s grief journey. They share how vulnerability and authenticity are absolutely essential in determining the path forward, fostering growth, and recognizing when it is necessary to ask for help. Grief is not a linear path;...

"Send us a Comment" In this episode, Greg and Don discuss what it means to make choices throughout the grief journey. Some choices may lead toward healing and long-term growth, while others can prove unsustainable over time. While they avoid taking a one-size-fits-all approach to grief, they explore several foundational principles that can help guide healthier decisions along the way. Th...

"Send us a Comment" In this episode, Robyn Houston-Bean shares the growth she has experienced throughout her grief journey following the loss of her son, Nick, who passed away from an overdose on May 23, 2015. Robyn is the founder of The Sun Will Rise in Massachusetts, an organization dedicated to creating and facilitating safe spaces for peer support groups for individuals experiencing...

"Send us a Comment" In this episode, Franklin Cook shares the story of losing his father to suicide in November 1978, following a lifetime struggle with daily alcohol use. He reflects on his own journey with substance use, including years spent in and out of rehab, and the limited attention given to grief as part of the recovery process. Recognizing this gap, Franklin went on to found SA...

"Send us a Comment" In this episode, Larry Carlat joins us to share his story and discuss his book, A Space in the Heart: A Survival Guide for Grieving Parents . Larry opens up about the loss of his son, Robbie, who died by suicide on February 6, 2019—over seven years ago. Robbie faced struggles with alcoholism, bipolar disorder, and complex emotions surrounding his adoption. Through his...

"Send us a Comment" In this episode, Greg and Don explore what it truly means to “put the work in” on a grief journey. They acknowledge that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach—grief is deeply personal, and the path forward looks different for everyone. Still, they highlight several practices that many have found helpful in fostering growth: staying connected to one’s emotions, engagin...

"Send us a Comment" In this episode, we are joined by Rebecca Mullaney, a licensed psychotherapist from North Carolina. Rebecca shares her deeply personal grief journey following the loss of her husband, Captain Ian Morrison, who died by suicide on March 21, 2012. At the time, Rebecca was just 24, and Ian was 26. She opens up about the early days of her loss—pouring her love and energy i...

"Send us a Comment" In this episode, Ben Harris joins us to share his complex and compounding journey through grief. He reflects on the loss of his father, Phil, to a heart attack on 11/10/01; his younger brother Christopher, who died from a drug overdose on 11/17/05; and his brother Michael, who died by suicide on 02/06/12 after struggling with mental health challenges following his ser...