Cradled in Hope | Podcast for Grieving Moms | Biblical Hope for Miscarriage, Stillbirth, & Infant Loss

In this heartfelt and Spirit-led episode, Ashley welcomes returning guest Moria Rooney to share the God-breathed vision behind her new ministry, Holy Ground Retreats. A follow-up to Episode 21, this conversation continues Moria’s story of grief, healing, and purpose after the loss of her son, Noah. Moria opens up about her calling to step away from her first ministry, Mother of Wilde, and follow God into the unknown of hosting biblically based retreats for grieving moms. This powerful conversation will encourage you to pursue deep healing in the presence of Jesus, step into authentic community, and recognize the beauty of a Savior who meets us in our pain with abundant hope.

In this episode, we discussed:

• The inspiration and surrender behind launching Holy Ground Retreats
• How smaller, intimate gatherings create space for deep healing
• Grieving in isolation vs. grieving in Christ-centered community
• The importance of addressing unbiblical beliefs around suffering and loss
• Worship, deliverance, rededications, and baptisms at the first Holy Ground retreat
• A powerful God story of how the Lord provided a multimillion-dollar beach house
• Why every grieving mom needs a safe space to encounter Jesus
• Using your baby’s story to share the Gospel and build the Kingdom

EPISODE SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT:
[www.bridgetscradles.com/post/episode60]

• 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

In this solo episode, host Ashley Opliger shares a heartfelt message inspired by Psalm 23, offering hope and encouragement to grieving moms walking through the valley of loss. Reflecting on her personal grief journey—including the death of her daughter, Bridget, and her father—Ashley reminds listeners that Jesus, our Good Shepherd, walks with us through suffering and sorrow.

She also announces exciting ministry updates, including the upcoming release of her book Cradled in Hope, a new website filled with resources for grieving families, and shares songs and tools that have brought comfort during seasons of grief. With deep compassion, Ashley encourages grieving moms to share their stories, reminding them that their testimony is powerful and can be used by God to bring hope and healing to others.

In this episode, Ashley shared:

• Bridget's Cradles ministry updates, including a new website coming soon
• A preview of her upcoming book, Cradled in Hope, releasing July 22
• Reflections on Psalm 23 and how Jesus is our Good Shepherd
• Worship song recommendations
• A helpful grief resource, called Through This Valley
• The hope of Heaven and the power of your testimony

• EPISODE SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT:
[www.bridgetscradles.com/post/episode59]

• 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 Erin Nelson and Colleen Montague from Jessica's House, a dedicated grief support center for children and families. Erin shares her personal journey through loss and how her experiences gave her a passion for supporting others. Colleen provides insights into her role as a therapist and highlights their Heartstrings program, which supports children grieving the loss of a sibling due to pregnancy or infant loss.

In their discussion on their new book, When Grief Comes Home, Erin and Colleen explore ways in which grieving parents can effectively support their children in their grief. They delve into the power of expressive therapies, such as art and music, as valuable tools for processing difficult emotions. While grief is a challenging journey, Erin and Colleen emphasize that, with God, it can also lead to connection, healing, and resilience within families.

In this episode, we discussed:

• The power of finding others who can articulate your same pain
• Feelings of shame in pregnancy loss
• What does Jessica's House's peer support model look like?
• Their Heartstrings program for kids who have lost a sibling to miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss
• All about their new book, When Grief Comes Home
• Expressing grief through music, art, and movement
• Helping living siblings use their imagination to “remember” without having memories of their siblings
• Talking about your baby in Heaven in the present tense
• Envisioning Heaven and our future reunion with them
• How to survive grief “breath by breath”

• EPISODE SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT:
[www.bridgetscradles.com/post/episode58]

• 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 Jennie Parks, the Executive Director of Hope Mommies, a nonprofit dedicated to providing support and hope for grieving mothers who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss. Jennie shares her personal story of losing her daughter, Paige, and how her profound loss inspired her to help others through their grief.

Ashley and Jennie discuss the complexities of navigating grief, the importance of community, and the comfort found in God's promises. Grieving moms will be encouraged by Jennie's testimony and her reflection on love, loss, and hope. Lastly, Jennie shares about the mission and resources of Hope Mommies and how the organization fosters community among grieving mothers, offering them comfort grounded in the hope of Christ. 

In this episode, we discussed:

• Traumatic experiences at the hospital
• The influence of nurses on bereavement care
• Finding purpose in pain by partnering with an existing organization 
• The importance of a Christ-centered community
• Navigating a crisis of faith and seeking Jesus in the midst of it
• Sitting in your pain and truly lamenting your loss
• Handling hard milestones such as baby's Heaven Day
• All about their Hope Boxes, Hope Groups, Podcast, and Retreats

• EPISODE SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT:
[www.bridgetscradles.com/post/episode57]

• 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 Janet Boxx, a mother who has faced indescribable trauma and loss in her family. Janet shares her profound journey, beginning with the stillbirth of her son, Cole, the developmental disorders of her daughters Gracen and Katie, the tragic loss of her daughters Bethany and Katie in a car accident, and the impact of Gracen's resulting disabilities.

Through her story, Janet emphasizes the importance of reconciling grief with faith and how she uses her pain to educate others about loss, child disability, and trauma. She runs a blog, speaks in defensive driving classes, and facilitates biblical grief support groups. Janet's vulnerability about her struggles is a testament to the healing she has found in Jesus. No matter how deep the pain, Janet exemplifies that hope still exists.

In this episode, we discussed:

• Navigating multiple traumas/losses
• Do I have PTSD?
• Feeling invalidated by others
• Spoon theory, emotional energy, and how it relates to grief
• The importance of Scripture in our healing
• Reaching acceptance/approval of God's choices
• Trusting in God's sovereignty (this is hard!)
• Physical protection vs. spiritual protection
• Jesus' love for us demonstrated on the cross
• "Suffering well" for the Kingdom

• EPISODE SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT:
[www.bridgetscradles.com/post/episode56]

• 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 Caleb and Stefanie Rouse, relationship mentors and digital creators who focus on guiding couples toward faith-based, resilient relationships. Caleb and Stefanie share their personal journey of loss, having unexpectedly lost their twin sons, Shiloh and Asher, after years of praying and hoping to grow their family. Despite their heartbreak, they invited God into their pain and allowed Him to heal their hearts. Now, they help other couples find hope, joy, and love in their marriages.

In this episode, we discussed:

• Worshiping God in loss and sorrow
• Jesus' realness in moments of pain
• Processing grief (and differences between spouses)
• Wanting to hide and feel shame (and how these are attacks from the enemy)
• The importance of a funeral or memorial service for your baby
• How God weaves babies in our wombs (and why their spirits live forever)
• Using our broken stories for His glory
• Openly talking about our babies in Heaven
• Fixing our eyes on Heaven
• How to feel safe, seen, and loved by your spouse
• Why toxic thoughts wreak havoc in marriage
• The power of persistent prayer

• EPISODE SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT:
[www.bridgetscradles.com/post/episode55]

• 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

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