Hope After Child & Sibling Loss/the empty chair endeavor

A sudden illness can take a child in days, but the grief can echo for decades and it changes far more than most people realize. I’m joined by Ron and Nan Deal as they share the story of losing their 12-year-old son, Connor, and what 17 years of child loss grief has taught them about love, memory, triggers, and the hard work of continuing to live. We talk about a mom’s experience of loss, including...

One phone call can erase the world you thought you were living in. Greg Buffkin talks with Linda Stirling, president of Umbrella Ministries, about the sudden and unthinkable loss of her 19-year-old son, Jeff, who was killed in an airplane crash in the mountains of Idaho. Linda doesn’t sanitize the story. She names the shock, the scream, the days that don’t feel real, and the quiet moment after the...

A midnight knock can split your life in two. Diane Grotberg remembers the moment two sheriff’s deputies told her their 19-year-old son, David, was dead, and how the first thing she felt was that everything had changed forever. David was a Baylor University sophomore, a gifted musician and friend, and a young man whose faith and compassion had already shaped people far beyond his hometown in Minnes...

Miscarriage can shatter your world in minutes, and sometimes it happens in a place you never expected. I sit down with Samantha Watson, a military wife and mom, as she tells the story of her 2015 pregnancy loss while stationed far from family and still building community. She shares the moment joy turned to grief, the trauma surrounding the miscarriage, and the faith in Jesus Christ that held her...

A teen can look like he is just “being a teenager” while he is privately fighting for his life. We talk with Todd and Melissa Shaffer about the loss of their 18-year-old son, Tristan, to suicide after a long, confusing road that included isolation, anger, depression, and warning signs nobody around them could clearly name. Their story is honest about what it feels like to miss what you did not kno...

A suicide can leave a family with a thousand questions and zero satisfying answers. I sat down with Anne Starke, a nurse, wife, and mom, to talk about the day her 16-year-old son, David, died by suicide and what it’s like to live with the shock of finding your child and realizing there is nothing you can do to undo it. Ann shares the subtle changes she noticed in David over time and why teen depre...

The phone call changes everything. One minute you’re living a normal week, and the next you’re racing toward tests, scans, and words like “concerning” and “brain tumor.” I’m joined by Billy and Julie Melton to remember their daughter Juliana, a newlywed with a contagious laugh, a love for people, and a faith that stayed steady through a long, painful 16-month cancer fight that ended on Valentine’s...

A father checks “Find My iPhone” and realizes the unthinkable might be true. From that moment, Doug Schneider’s world changes forever. Doug joins me, Greg Buffkin, to tell the story of his daughter Micaela, a recent college graduate who landed her dream job at Warner Brothers, loved adventure, and wanted to be a light for Jesus in the entertainment industry. What follows is an honest conversation...

Jodi Snowdon is an author, podcaster, and speaker who serves women through her podcast, Depth , and her blog, Heartbreak to Strength . In August 2022, she released her first book, Depth: Growing Through Heartbreak to Strength . Having walked through multiple heartbreaks (divorce, miscarriage, & cancer), Jodi now inspires women to grow deeper in their faith and to find hope, joy, and purpose th...

In this transparent and hope-filled conversation, Carol Brown shares her journey of grief after the tragic loss of her precious 29 year old daughter Jackie, who was a dedicated teacher and a bright light in the lives of many. Carol reflects on the impact of grief on her life, the importance of community support, and the lessons she learned about faith and God through her experience. She emphasizes...

On this episode, Karen McCord shares her profound experience with grief, following the loss of her daughter Carley, a well known ESPN sports reporter, in a tragic plane crash while traveling to cover the Atlanta Peach Bowl in December 2019. Karen reflects on both the personal and public aspects of her journey through grief, the impact of her daughter's life, and the haunting thoughts she some...

In this heartfelt episode, Greg Buffkin welcomes Ron Deal from FamilyLife to discuss the profound journey of grief following the loss of his precious son Conner. Ron shares his personal story of losing Connor to a sudden, tragic medical complication, emphasizing the importance of not wasting pain and using it to help others. The conversation delves into the duality of grief, represented by the met...

In this hope filled conversation, author and speaker Angie Ford-Green shares her journey of grief after the loss of her son, Kevin in a surfing tragedy. She reflects on the profound impact of his life and death on her identity, her marriage, and her family. Angie emphasizes the importance of community, faith, and the need to embrace grief while also finding hope and purpose in life after loss. Thr...

In this heartfelt conversation, Janet Boxx shares her profound journey through grief after experiencing the loss of her son through stillbirth and later, the tragic loss of two daughters in a car accident. You’ll hear us talk about how she’s continuing to navigate the messiness and complexity of grief, as well as cultural misunderstandings surrounding it, and the importance of community support. J...

In this episode, Greg Buffkin speaks with Sam Hodges, president of Church Initiative, about GriefShare, the number one grief support program in the world, and its significance in providing support for those experiencing grief, as well as the importance of community in the healing process. They discuss Sam's journey to Church Initiative, the signs of healing in grief, and some of the resources...

In this heartfelt conversation, Ashley Opliger shares her journey of grief after the stillbirth of her daughter, Bridget, and how it led to the creation of Bridget's Cradles, a ministry that provides cradles for families experiencing loss. Ashley discusses the emotional, physical, and spiritual aspects of grief, the importance of communication in relationships, and how grief evolves over time...

In this heartfelt conversation, Melanie DeSimone shares her journey of grief after the tragic loss of her son, Dominic. She discusses the profound impact of child loss on family dynamics, the importance of community support, and the lessons learned through her experience. Melanie emphasizes the need for compassion, understanding, and practical strategies for navigating grief, while also highlighti...

In this heartfelt conversation, Greg talks with Linda Cook about her journey of grief after losing her beautiful daughter Jocelyn in a tragic accident. Linda shares her experiences of navigating the complexities of loss, the impact of her faith, and the importance of community support. Through her story, she highlights the ongoing process of healing, the joy of remembering Jocelyn, and the legacy...

In this heartfelt conversation, Greg talks with Kathe Wunnenberg, founder of Hope Lifters Unlimited, about her profound journey of grief and healing. Kathe shares her personal experiences with loss, including the death of her son and multiple miscarriages, and how these experiences shaped her understanding of grief and GOD’s goodness in our suffering. They discuss the importance of community suppo...

In this heartfelt conversation, Christina Schuetz shares her profound journey of grief following the loss of her daughter, Sylvia, who battled congenital heart disease. Christina discusses the impact of this loss on her mental health, including struggles with PTSD, depression, and anxiety. She emphasizes the importance of community, faith, and open communication in navigating grief, and how these...

In this heartfelt conversation, I talk with Felicia Cook, a mother who lost her son Corey to a fentanyl overdose. Felicia shares her journey through grief, the impact of losing a child, and how her faith has helped her navigate this unimaginable pain. She discusses the importance of community support, the complexities of mental health and substance abuse, and her desire to honor Corey by helping o...

On this episode, Cheryl Davis, host of the Time for Mom podcast, shares her story of loss as a young mom whose heart was neither equipped nor prepared to deal with the grief of child loss. Cheryl’s is a story that represents over a million others just like hers every year in the U.S. suffering the death of a child by miscarriage. All too often, we have a tendency to rank or compare grief based on...

 In this episode you’ll hear Shelly Kolwinska share her profound journey of grief following the stillbirth of her daughter, Margaret Rose. In our conversation we discuss the importance of community support for grieving parents and the unique services offered by The Child Loss Foundation. Shelly's personal story intertwines with her professional mission as Director of Child Loss@Work to help o...

Finding anything good in grief might seem impossible for you today, and if so, you’re not alone. Grief often feels like it has taken on a life of its own, and even wants to become your new identity. How can there possibly be anything resembling gold in our grief journey? On this episode you’ll hear a conversation I recently had with Sarah Beth Gerbers about how she began to discover gold on her mu...

They are known as “the forgotten mourners.” On this episode you’ll be hearing a conversation I had with Bobby and Gabby Bisterfeldt, founders of Sibling Lifeline, as we talk about how the death of a child affects surviving children. Both have experienced the tragic loss of two siblings each. As they share their stories, you’ll learn how each tried to process their own pain and grief while attempti...