The Next Podcast: Moving Forward with Grief and Loss

In this episode of The NEXT Podcast, Jay shares openly about navigating a difficult day of grief while leaning into the spiritual practice of repetition. He unpacks the power of “Truth Bombs”—statements of faith and identity that help reshape his perspective during loss. Jay shares his top three truths: • I am God’s son • I am not being punished • I can learn to love life again These affirmations...

Grief can feel like an endless, exhausting dance you never signed up for. In this episode, Jay shares how “repeatable rhythms” have been his lifeline—small, intentional choices that keep hope alive, faith anchored, and joy within reach. From raw prayer and honest journaling to speaking truth, worship, and finding beauty, these rhythms don’t just fill the day—they shape the soul. Discover how one f...

In this second part of our Four R’s series, Jay Cookingham explores the often-misunderstood nature of resilience. This episode dives deep into what it really means to be resilient—not as a badge of toughness, but as a testimony to God’s sustaining presence in the middle of grief, loss, and transformation. Resilience isn’t about bouncing back or pretending everything is okay. It’s about showing up...

Grief doesn’t take days off—and neither can we when it comes to healing. In this raw and honest episode, Jay Cookingham begins a four-part series on the “Four R’s” that have helped him walk through grief with courage and faith: Relentless, Resilient, Repeatable, and Rigorous. Today, he starts with the one that’s anchored him from day one: Relentless. With vulnerable reflections, Scripture, and pra...

In this deeply personal episode of the NEXT Podcast, Jay reflects on the complex emotions that surround his five-and-a-half-year mark of grief. With raw honesty and spiritual depth, he explores what it means to live in the tension between sorrow and joy, faith and frustration, longing and resilience. Jay shares how he's learning to move forward—not by erasing the pain, but by integrating it in...

In Episode 33 of the NEXT Podcast, Jay reflects on the 5.5-year mark since the passing of his beloved wife, Christine. What does grief feel like when the calendar keeps moving, but the ache remains? What happens when the expected emotions don’t arrive on cue—or when numbness sets in instead? Through raw honesty, scriptural reflection, and deeply personal insight, Jay shares how grief continues to...

Calendar Grief: When the Numbers Don’t Add Up In Episode 32 of the NEXT Podcast, host Jay Cookingham opens up about “calendar grief”—those dates on the calendar that carry deep emotional weight. Whether it’s an anniversary, a birthday, or a day of loss, these numbers don’t just track time… they hold stories, and sometimes, sorrow. As Jay reflects on what would have been his 43rd wedding anniversar...

In this honest and deeply reflective episode, Jay explores how grief doesn’t just take—it reshapes. After the loss of his wife Christine, Jay found himself facing a deep question: “Who am I now?” Grief may feel like it’s stealing everything familiar—purpose, peace, even identity—but it can also become a teacher. Jay unpacks how sorrow can actually refine us, drawing us back to the truth of who we...

In this honest and deeply personal episode, Jay shares about one of the least-discussed aspects of grief: sexual bereavement and Widower’s Fire—the overwhelming longing for intimacy after the death of a spouse. This episode opens the door to a conversation many avoid—especially in the church—and offers encouragement, grace, and practical steps for Christian men navigating this form of loss. Jay sp...

Giving Space to Grieve Honestly In this heartfelt episode, Jay shares a vulnerable and honest conversation around the well-meaning but often painful things people say to those who are grieving. Drawing from personal experience, he offers real-life examples, simple responses, and a call to compassion. More than a list of what not to say, this episode is an invitation—to walk gently with the grievin...

In this deeply personal episode, Jay explores the often-overlooked emotional terrain of grief—especially for men. Through raw honesty and spiritual reflection, he unpacks how emotions aren’t enemies to conquer, but messengers to learn from. Jay shares how he uses his pain as fuel for healing, creativity, and worship, offering practical ways to process sorrow without shame. From quiet tears to rive...

In this special post-Easter edition of the NEXT Podcast, Jay shares raw, honest reflections recorded the day after Resurrection Sunday. After taking time away to intentionally reflect on Holy Week, Jay opens up about where he is in his grief journey—five years, four months, and six days after Christine’s passing. This “Current Mood” episode explores themes of resilience over recovery, how love—not...

In this episode of the NEXT Podcast, we continue exploring the myths surrounding grief—especially the pressure to “move on,” or “find closure,” and the belief that time alone brings healing. I share honestly about what it means to live with loss beyond the first year, the unexpected ways pain deepens over time and how embracing that pain with God’s presence can actually grow your capacity for joy....

Grief doesn’t follow the rulebook. In this episode of the NEXT podcast, host Jay Cookingham unpacks one of the biggest myths about grief—the idea that it moves in predictable stages. Society tells us we should process loss in a neat, orderly way, but real grief is messy, unpredictable, and deeply personal. Jay shares his own journey, challenging the common misconceptions that hold us back from hea...

Grief isn’t just about losing a spouse—it’s about losing all the roles they filled in your life. One of the deepest losses I’ve faced is losing Christine not only as my wife, but as my sister in Christ—the one who prayed with me, encouraged me, and challenged me in my faith. In this episode, I reflect on: • How Christine’s faith and friendship shaped our marriage • Why losing a spouse changes ever...

Grief is layered. It’s not just about losing a spouse—it’s about losing all the roles they filled in your life. And one of the deepest losses for a widower is the loss of intimacy. But intimacy isn’t just physical. It’s conversational, relational, and spiritual. It’s the connection that makes you feel known, chosen, and truly at home. And when that’s suddenly gone, the silence it leaves behind is...

Grief is layered. When we lose someone we love, especially a spouse, we’re not just mourning one loss, but many. There are different levels of grief that unfold over time, and each one requires space to process. In this episode, I reflect on my own grief journey, the stories of widowers I met at a recent men’s conference, and the deep impact of losing not just a spouse, but a best friend. Christin...

Pain changes us. Grief marks us. But it doesn’t have to destroy us. In this episode of the NEXT Podcast, I share more of the story of my wife Christine’s battle with cancer—the heartbreak, the questions, the moments of worship, and the growth that came through pain. Grief gave me a limp, but it also led me deeper into trust, faith, and dependence on God. Join me as I talk about: • The moment Chris...

Grief has a way of making us question everything—our purpose, our future, even God Himself. But trust is the destination of grief. It’s not about having all the answers, but about believing in the One who does. In this episode of the NEXT Podcast, we reach the final step in the NEXT framework: TRUST. Trust is both the destination and the road we walk to get there. It’s a journey of surrender, of c...

Grief doesn’t just sit quietly, it demands to be felt, wrestled with, and understood. But what happens when grief makes you question everything? In this episode of the NEXT Podcast, we continue through the NEXT framework, diving into the third step: EXPLORE—the process of asking tough questions, seeking meaning, and discovering how God meets us in our doubts. If Embracing grief is about expressing...

Grief is real. It’s raw. It changes us. But it doesn’t have to define us. In this episode of the NEXT Podcast, we continue our journey through the NEXT acronym by exploring what it means to embrace grief—fully acknowledging the pain of loss while refusing to let it consume us. I share my personal journey of wrestling with God in grief, the moment my pain turned to surrender, and how worship became...

Grief often leaves us feeling stuck or adrift, unsure of how to move forward. In this episode of the NEXT podcast, Jay Cookingham explores what it means to navigate grief intentionally. It’s not about knowing the entire plan—it’s about trusting God to guide the next step. Join Jay as he shares practical steps to navigate your journey, from setting daily targets to creating a “grief compass” that k...

Grief doesn’t just take—it gives. In this episode of the NEXT podcast, Jay Cookingham shares how the pain of loss can shape and refine us, offering gifts we never expected. From discovering the strength to face loneliness to embracing sorrow as a companion to joy, this episode explores the transformative power of grief when seen through the truth of who God is and who we are in Christ. Join Jay as...

Loneliness, grief, and faith often collide in ways that feel overwhelming. In this episode of the NEXT podcast, Jay Cookingham reflects on five years of navigating grief after the loss of his bride, Christine. He shares how lament meets loneliness with worship, why pacing yourself through sorrow is essential, and how God’s unstoppable love anchors him through it all. This raw and passionate conver...

In this episode of The Next Podcast: Moving Forward with Grief and Loss podcast, Jay Cookingham dives into the complexities of navigating grief as a leader. Sharing raw, personal experiences and timeless biblical truths, he explores the tension between vulnerability and strength, the transformative power of pain, and how faith sustains us in seasons of loss. Whether you’re leading a church, a mini...