Cradled in Hope | Gospel-Focused Podcast for Grieving Moms

This is a special bonus episode highlighting the program from the Wave of Light event that Bridget's Cradles hosted in Wichita, Kansas on October 15, 2024, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.
 
 In this episode, we shared: 

• The program and announcements from our Wave of Light 2024 event
• Emcee Scott Evans and Pastor John Carney's remarks and Ashley Opliger's speech from the event
• A thank you to our generous corporate and memorial sponsors
• A special guitar solo by Steve Golik, Ashley’s Dad, titled “Bridget’s Ballad” played in his honor
• Josh Sander’s musical performance at Wave of Light
• Reading of Names of Babies in Heaven (for families that registered/attended or sponsored the event) 

EPISODE SHOW NOTES:
https://www.bridgetscradles.com/post/waveoflight2024

CRADLED IN HOPE PODCAST WEBSITE:
Sign up here to receive email updates and hope-filled resources
www.bridgetscradles.com/podcast

CRADLED IN HOPE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY FOR GRIEVING MOMS:
www.facebook.com/groups/cradledinhope

FOLLOW BRIDGET'S CRADLES
www.facebook.com/bridgetscradles
www.instagram.com/bridgetscradles
www.pinterest.com/bridgetscradles

CONNECT WITH THE HOST | ASHLEY OPLIGER
www.ashleyopliger.com
www.facebook.com/ashleyopliger
www.instagram.com/ashleyopliger

#cradledinhope #cradledinhopepodcast #bridgetscradles

Join us for a hope-filled conversation with Alicia Michelle about managing emotions in grief with science and Scripture. Alicia, who previously shared her story of losing her son in an early miscarriage in Episode 12 of the Cradled in Hope Podcast, has recently written a book titled Emotional Confidence. Using three simple steps from her book, Alicia shares how we can face difficult emotions and choose to live differently in light of them. As we focus on God's character while at the same time caring for our brains & bodies, healing can happen. Alicia shares practical wisdom for grieving moms to navigate their grief journey, blending faith with their emotional well-being.

In this episode, we discussed:

• A framework for managing emotions
• What are the 3 steps (Acknowledge, Discern, Decide)?
• Choosing where we emotionally dwell
• What happens if we get stuck?
• How to move past culture's expectations of us
• The emotional iceberg
• It's okay to hate death
• Disconnect between our heart and head
• Cracks in the foundation of our faith
• The mystery of God
• What is "emotional prep"?
• Being good stewards of our bodies

• EPISODE SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT:
[www.bridgetscradles.com/post/episode54]

• CRADLED IN HOPE PODCAST WEBSITE:
Sign up here to receive email updates and hope-filled resources
[www.bridgetscradles.com/podcast]

• CRADLED IN HOPE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY FOR GRIEVING MOMS:
[www.facebook.com/groups/cradledinhope]

• FOLLOW BRIDGET'S CRADLES
[www.facebook.com/bridgetscradles]
[www.instagram.com/bridgetscradles]
[www.pinterest.com/bridgetscradles]

• CONNECT WITH THE HOST | ASHLEY OPLIGER
[www.ashleyopliger.com]
[www.facebook.com/ashleyopliger]
[www.instagram.com/ashleyopliger]

#cradledinhope #cradledinhopepodcast #bridgetscradles

Join us for a hope-filled conversation with NBC's The Voice contestant Josh Sanders and his wife, Kendra. Josh was the runner-up on Season 25 of The Voice on Team Reba McEntire. On national television, Josh shared his story of losing his precious son, Leelynd, in 2020 on his own birthday. When his story aired, NBC showed a photo of him and Kendra holding Leelynd in a Bridget's cradle.

Ashley [Bridget's Cradles founder + Cradled in Hope podcast host] and Kendra connected and formed a friendship. In this episode, you'll hear Josh and Kendra share Leelynd's story and how they navigated their grief journey both individually and as a couple. Grounded in their faith in God and commitment to each other, they authentically share the ups and downs of marriage after loss. You won't want to miss hearing their honest and vulnerable testimony of hope in the midst of deep pain.

Exciting Announcement: This month, Josh and Kendra are flying from their home state of North Carolina to Bridget's Cradles headquarters in Wichita, Kansas. Josh will sing at Bridget's Cradles' event, Wave of Light, on October 15th, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. Visit www.bridgetscradles.com/waveoflight for more information and to register to attend!

In this episode, we discussed:

• Grief is a symptom of love
• What it looks like when spouses grieve differently
• Losing a baby and having a funeral during the pandemic
• Marital tension after loss
• Surface-level feelings vs. deeper soul emotions
• Why Josh auditioned for NBC's The Voice
• His experience being on the show on Reba's team
• Holding our life plans loosely
• Spiritual warfare in grief
• Why we shouldn't pretend to be put together
• How God takes our mess and turns it into a message
• Their experience holding Leelynd in a Bridget's cradle
• Josh singing at Wave of Light 2024 and their hopes for the event
• A special prayer from Josh for grieving parents

• EPISODE SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT:
[www.bridgetscradles.com/post/episode53]

• CRADLED IN HOPE PODCAST WEBSITE:
Sign up here to receive email updates and hope-filled resources
[www.bridgetscradles.com/podcast]

• CRADLED IN HOPE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY FOR GRIEVING MOMS:
[www.facebook.com/groups/cradledinhope]

• FOLLOW BRIDGET'S CRADLES
[www.facebook.com/bridgetscradles]
[www.instagram.com/bridgetscradles]
[www.pinterest.com/bridgetscradles]

• CONNECT WITH THE HOST | ASHLEY OPLIGER
[www.ashleyopliger.com]
[www.facebook.com/ashleyopliger]
[www.instagram.com/ashleyopliger]

#cradledinhope #cradledinhopepodcast #bridgetscradles

Join us for a hope-filled conversation with Eric Schumacher and Jessika Sanders about how to pray for a child or baby in a medical crisis. Eric is a grieving father and author of Ours: Biblical Comfort for Men Grieving Miscarriage. Jessika is the founder and Executive Director of Praying through Ministries. Together, they wrote In His Hands: Prayers for Your Child or Baby in a Medical Crisis.

In this episode, we discussed:

• Going to God before Google
• Surrendering our children's lives to the Lord
• The impact of trauma on our brains
• The power of intercessory prayer
• All about their book, In His Hands
• When God doesn't answer our prayers in our timing or ways
• Trials and how they build our (and our kids') testimony
• Suffering and our sanctification
• Reasons why we believe in Jesus
• Praying through Ministries and how they help grieving families

• EPISODE SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT:
[www.bridgetscradles.com/post/episode52]

• CRADLED IN HOPE PODCAST WEBSITE:
Sign up here to receive email updates and hope-filled resources
[www.bridgetscradles.com/podcast]

• CRADLED IN HOPE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY FOR GRIEVING MOMS:
[www.facebook.com/groups/cradledinhope]

• FOLLOW BRIDGET'S CRADLES
[www.facebook.com/bridgetscradles]
[www.instagram.com/bridgetscradles]
[www.pinterest.com/bridgetscradles]

• CONNECT WITH THE HOST | ASHLEY OPLIGER
[www.ashleyopliger.com]
[www.facebook.com/ashleyopliger]
[www.instagram.com/ashleyopliger]

#cradledinhope #cradledinhopepodcast #bridgetscradles

Join us for a hope-filled conversation with Sara Horton, a bereaved mom, and a perinatal bereavement nurse. Sara has experienced the loss of three boys, all born sleeping. She received cradles for two of her sons and began attending Hope Online. Sara is passionate about sharing Christ's truth and hope with grieving moms struggling to understand God's goodness while suffering through deep waters. 

In this episode, we discussed:

• How stepping out of her comfort zone (to attend Hope Online) blessed her
• What is it like attending a support group for the first time?
• Reconciling your circumstances with your faith
• The difference between our spiritual good and our materialistic good
• Wrestling with doubt and resting in the Truth of God's Word
• "Even if" kind of faith
• Practicing biblical lament
• Sanctification in suffering
• Being honest with God and expressing your emotions
• Praying even when you don't have the words
• Is there a quota on trials and tribulations?
• Rethinking what it means to be broken
• What is the difference between joy and happiness?
• Advice for nurses caring for grieving families

• EPISODE SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT:
[www.bridgetscradles.com/post/episode51]

• CRADLED IN HOPE PODCAST WEBSITE:
Sign up here to receive email updates and hope-filled resources
[www.bridgetscradles.com/podcast]

• CRADLED IN HOPE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY FOR GRIEVING MOMS:
[www.facebook.com/groups/cradledinhope]

• FOLLOW BRIDGET'S CRADLES
[www.facebook.com/bridgetscradles]
[www.instagram.com/bridgetscradles]
[www.pinterest.com/bridgetscradles]

• CONNECT WITH THE HOST | ASHLEY OPLIGER
[www.ashleyopliger.com]
[www.facebook.com/ashleyopliger]
[www.instagram.com/ashleyopliger]

#cradledinhope #cradledinhopepodcast #bridgetscradles

Join us for a hope-filled conversation with Eric Schumacher, author of Ours: Biblical Comfort for Men Grieving Miscarriage. After experiencing multiple miscarriages in his marriage, Eric felt called to write a book for fellow dads, encouraging them to grieve alongside their wives. He journeys through the Gospel of Luke to lead dads to Jesus.

In this episode, we discussed:

• Compounded grief, how it impacts us, and why we need to grieve well
• Does time heal all wounds?
• The different components of loss and how we experience them over time
• Sanctification in the midst of grief
• Jesus as a friend and how He showed us it's okay to show emotion
• Why don't we blame Satan for our loss?
• Nothing is outside God's control
• God is the only solution to our pain
• Why we should read the Gospels and run to Jesus
• Practical ways for fathers to grieve
• How a husband can support his wife (even when he can't fix it)
• An explanation of a father's grief timeline after pregnancy loss
• Sharing grief in marriage, even when spouses grieve differently

• EPISODE SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT:
[www.bridgetscradles.com/post/episode50]

• CRADLED IN HOPE PODCAST WEBSITE:
Sign up here to receive email updates and hope-filled resources
[www.bridgetscradles.com/podcast]

• CRADLED IN HOPE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY FOR GRIEVING MOMS:
[www.facebook.com/groups/cradledinhope]

• FOLLOW BRIDGET'S CRADLES
[www.facebook.com/bridgetscradles]
[www.instagram.com/bridgetscradles]
[www.pinterest.com/bridgetscradles]

• CONNECT WITH THE HOST | ASHLEY OPLIGER
[www.ashleyopliger.com]
[www.facebook.com/ashleyopliger]
[www.instagram.com/ashleyopliger]

#cradledinhope #cradledinhopepodcast #bridgetscradles

Join us for a hope-filled conversation with Whitney Pipkin, author of We Shall All Be Changed. Whitney wrote the book after experiencing the loss of two babies to miscarriage and her mom after a twenty-year battle with cancer. She reminds us that God changes us through grief, often in unexpected and beautiful ways.

In this episode, we discussed:

• Holding joy and sorrow together
• Having a timid hope through pregnancy
• Coping with anticipatory grief and facing grief head-on
• Developing a "theology of death" using the metanarrative of Scripture
• The difference between redemption and consummation
• When will our hearts be healed?
• 1 Corinthians 15 and the Resurrection
• Sharing in the sufferings of Christ
• How to feel the Lord's presence
• The story of Elijah and why eating and sleeping is important
• Why sanctification is more important than trying to perform or be productive
• Sitting in the hard parts so we can stay soft and allow God to mold us 
• Receiving Christ's care 
• Taking care of living children after pregnancy loss
• Stewarding your sadness in your kids' lives 

EPISODE SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT:

• www.bridgetscradles.com/post/episode49

CRADLED IN HOPE PODCAST WEBSITE:
Sign up here to receive email updates and hope-filled resources

• www.bridgetscradles.com/podcast

CRADLED IN HOPE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY FOR GRIEVING MOMS:

• www.facebook.com/groups/cradledinhope

FOLLOW BRIDGET'S CRADLES

• www.facebook.com/bridgetscradles
• www.instagram.com/bridgetscradles
• www.pinterest.com/bridgetscradles

CONNECT WITH THE HOST | ASHLEY OPLIGER

• www.ashleyopliger.com
• www.facebook.com/ashleyopliger
• www.instagram.com/ashleyopliger

#cradledinhope #cradledinhopepodcast #bridgetscradles

Join us for a hope-filled conversation with Mattie Steinhilpert, who lost her daughter, Sloane, after getting sick with COVID in her pregnancy. Mattie shares the story of how God saved her when she was on the brink of death herself. Sadly, her daughter died after delivery. Mattie and her husband relied on their faith in God to get them through the devastating, traumatic experience they faced so early in their marriage. With their hope in Heaven, they found renewed joy and purpose as God continued to grow their family.

In this episode, we discussed:
• COVID and its impact on pregnancy and placentas
• What it was like being on the news right after their daughter's death

• Being surrounded by Christ-like love in the hospital

• Asking the Lord to provide the strength to get through each moment

• Choosing to rely on their faith in the midst of deep grief

• Jesus is the only solution to our problem

• Navigating the loss of a baby in the first year of marriage

• Growing love and respect for our spouse through grief

• How grief changed when they had another little girl

• Rainbow babies are not replacement babies

• Giving grace and forgiveness to people who say the wrong thing

• Breaking free from victim mentality

• Why she loves Romans 8:28 and Numbers 6:24-26

• Looking forward to Jesus' return

• EPISODE SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT:
[www.bridgetscradles.com/post/episode48]

• CRADLED IN HOPE PODCAST WEBSITE:
Sign up here to receive email updates and hope-filled resources
[www.bridgetscradles.com/podcast]

• CRADLED IN HOPE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY FOR GRIEVING MOMS:
[www.facebook.com/groups/cradledinhope]

• FOLLOW BRIDGET'S CRADLES
[www.facebook.com/bridgetscradles]
[www.instagram.com/bridgetscradles]
[www.pinterest.com/bridgetscradles]

• CONNECT WITH THE HOST | ASHLEY OPLIGER
[www.ashleyopliger.com]
[www.facebook.com/ashleyopliger]
[www.instagram.com/ashleyopliger]

#cradledinhope #cradledinhopepodcast #bridgetscradles

Join us for a hope-filled conversation with Kathryn Johnson, grieving mom and founder of Hannah's Hope. After experiencing multiple losses, Kathryn chose to believe that one day, she would have a reason to celebrate. She trusted that God would grow her family in His timing. Kathryn shares how she found her way through grief and started a ministry to comfort others in the same way the Lord comforted her.

In this episode, we discussed:

• How Hannah's Hope started
• Having faith for the future, even after multiple losses
• The power of worship in grief
• Infertility and waiting seasons
• Taking our thoughts captive
• Loss not becoming a part of our identity
• Parenting after loss
• Sanctification and becoming more like Christ

EPISODE SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT:
www.bridgetscradles.com/post/episode47

CRADLED IN HOPE PODCAST WEBSITE:
Sign up here to receive email updates and hope-filled resources
www.bridgetscradles.com/podcast

CRADLED IN HOPE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY FOR GRIEVING MOMS:
www.facebook.com/groups/cradledinhope

FOLLOW BRIDGET'S CRADLES
www.facebook.com/bridgetscradles
www.instagram.com/bridgetscradles
www.pinterest.com/bridgetscradles

CONNECT WITH THE HOST | ASHLEY OPLIGER
www.ashleyopliger.com
www.facebook.com/ashleyopliger
www.instagram.com/ashleyopliger

#cradledinhope #cradledinhopepodcast #bridgetscradles

Join us for a hope-filled conversation with Chuck and Ashley Elliott about navigating the relational aspects of loss. Drawing from their own loss experience and their background as counselors, Chuck and Ashley share helpful advice on how to face the complexities of grief. 

After experiencing recurrent miscarriage, Chuck and Ashley felt called to write a book called I Used to Be which provides biblical and mental health techniques to develop healthy ways to see yourself, your life, and your loved ones. We discuss these techniques and the intricacies of handling the hurt others may cause us in grief. You will be blessed and encouraged by the practical wisdom they share!

In this episode, we discussed:

• Keeping our faith intact when we feel distant from God
• Praising God in the midst of the pain
• Neutralizing emotional triggers in grief
• Giving grace to those who have hurt us
• The ways that grief lies to us
• How to help people help us
• The importance of communicating our needs
• Grieving in marriage from the father's perspective
• Comparison and why it is destructive
• Why they wrote the book, I Used to Be

EPISODE SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT:
www.bridgetscradles.com/post/episode46

CRADLED IN HOPE PODCAST WEBSITE:
Sign up here to receive email updates and hope-filled resources
www.bridgetscradles.com/podcast

CRADLED IN HOPE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY FOR GRIEVING MOMS:
www.facebook.com/groups/cradledinhope

FOLLOW BRIDGET'S CRADLES
www.facebook.com/bridgetscradles
www.instagram.com/bridgetscradles
www.pinterest.com/bridgetscradles

CONNECT WITH THE HOST | ASHLEY OPLIGER
www.ashleyopliger.com
www.facebook.com/ashleyopliger
www.instagram.com/ashleyopliger

#cradledinhope #cradledinhopepodcast #bridgetscradles