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

In this special episode, Ashley Opliger shares a heartfelt message and prayer for mothers who are grieving during the holidays. This Christmas season was supposed to be a time of joy and making memories with your baby, but now is filled with overwhelming sadness and pain.

Ashley shares practical ideas for "coping with hope" through the holidays when grief is magnified and our hearts miss our babies in Heaven more than we can stand. With a focus on grace and communication, Ashley gives advice on how to navigate holiday gatherings and relationships with friends and family. This hope-filled episode will leave you celebrating the reason for the season—Jesus, the baby born in a manger who gives us hope to see our babies in Heaven one day.

In this episode, Ashley discusses:

• How to survive the holiday/winter season
• Giving yourself and others grace to strengthen your relationships
• Protecting your heart and putting up boundaries
• Why it's okay to say "no" or do things differently this year (and why you shouldn't feel guilty about it)
• Creating space to grieve
• How to set up our families for success to support and love us well
• Traditions and ways to honor your baby in Heaven for Christmas
• Allowing yourself to "hold both" and feel both happiness and sorrow
• Scripture and Christmas songs that bring hope in this season

EPISODE SHOW NOTES, FULL TRANSCRIPT, & FREE PDF HOPE GUIDE:
www.bridgetscradles.com/post/episode13

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 conversation with Alicia Michelle, host of the Vibrant Christian Living Podcast, about renewing our minds after pregnancy loss. Alicia is a Bible Teacher and certified NeuroCoach. She equips women with practical brain-and-Biblically based tools to overcome negative thinking and cultivate godly confidence.

After losing her son in an early miscarriage, Alicia struggled with overwhelming sadness. Through her journey, God has given her wisdom on how to cope with grief in a healthy way. She teaches us how to manage our thoughts and get out of the negative spirals that we get stuck in so that we can draw closer to God in our grief.

In this episode, we discussed:

• Giving voice and legacy to our babies in Heaven
• The nearness of Heaven and how we can talk to our babies (through Jesus!)
• What Alicia wishes she would have known when she was grieving her baby
• How to honor our grief and allow it to exist
• Sin tendencies and how our brains can trap us into negative habits
• Self-sabotaging behaviors and why we do them
• Amygdala hijack and how to stop moments of panic
• The root problems of fear and control and why they impact our grief
• How to trust in a God who allowed your baby to die
• The American dream vs. the Kingdom dream
• Going deeper in fellowship with God and being refined in our pain
• How to combat the enemy's schemes to destroy your healing work
• Surrender and the fruit of spiritual gifts and good works

EPISODE SHOW NOTES, FULL TRANSCRIPT, & FREE PDF HOPE GUIDE:
www.bridgetscradles.com/post/episode12

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 conversation with Lindsay Johnson, founder of Aspyn Arrows, about pressing into the pain after infant loss. Lindsay shares the tragic story of finding her one-month-old daughter, Aspyn, unresponsive in her crib.

Following her daughter's death, she struggled with suicidal thoughts. She leaned into her faith and God brought beauty from ashes. In this episode, Lindsay shares her story and more about Aspyn Arrows (the nonprofit organization she started to educate families on safe sleep practices and empower them to sleep with peace of mind by providing them with Owlet Baby Care monitors).

In this episode, we discussed:

• Praying hard prayers and trusting God's will
• What to do with baby items in your home after you've lost an infant
• How death still hurts even when you have the hope of Heaven
• Seeing God work in the middle of grief and why it's a blessing
• Books that Lindsay found helpful in her healing journey
• How to redirect your thoughts when the pain is too heavy to carry
• The difference between longing for Heaven and being suicidal
• The benefits of being in community and staying physically active
• Talking about your baby and special family traditions in their memory
• Parenting living children after the loss of a baby
• Why guilt is not from God and how to forgive yourself
• Postpartum anxiety with subsequent pregnancies after loss
• SIDs and other sleep-related deaths and about Owlet monitors

EPISODE SHOW NOTES, FULL TRANSCRIPT, & FREE PDF HOPE GUIDE:
www.bridgetscradles.com/post/episode11

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, 2021, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.

In this episode, we shared:

• The program and announcements from Bridget's Cradles Wave of Light 2021 event
• Ashley Opliger's speech and prayer from the event
• A thank you to our generous corporate and memorial sponsors
• The Shine Their Light Award Winners and David Steinhilpert's speech
• Reading of Names of Babies in Heaven (for families that registered/attended or sponsored the event)

EPISODE SHOW NOTES:
https://www.bridgetscradles.com/post/waveoflight2021

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 conversation with Anesha Stanley, founder of Keys of Hope Foundation, about walking through the valley of the shadow of death after recurrent pregnancy loss. Anesha shares how she struggled with suicidal thoughts after losing five babies to miscarriage and life-threatening ectopic pregnancies.

As she walked this painful road of depression, God began to guide her out of the valley and renew her joy. In this episode, Anesha shares her triumphant testimony of overcoming the darkness of grief and how God led her to start a nonprofit to serve grieving mothers in her community.

In this episode, we discussed:

• Anxiety, depression, PTSD, and nightmares after pregnancy loss
• Suicide ideation in grief and how to find the right counselor
• What does "justice" look like for a grieving mother?
• How to rely on God in your weakness and surrender your children to Him
• The power of worship music in the middle of grief
• Scripture that came to life for Anesha in her darkest days
• Self-care routines and how they can bring peace to your mind and body
• How to strengthen friendships after loss
• The six "Keys of Hope" that are the foundation of Anesha's Hope Classes

EPISODE SHOW NOTES, FULL TRANSCRIPT, & FREE PDF HOPE GUIDE:
www.bridgetscradles.com/post/episode10

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 conversation with Jess McClenahan about how the Gospel anchored her to hope after the loss of her 11-month-old daughter, Cora. Jess shares Cora's story of being diagnosed with neuroblastoma cancer and how she clung to her faith after Cora's passing to Heaven.

In her heartbreak, Jess discovered God's character and learned to trust Him in a new and deeper way. Jess shares how she found abundant life in Christ and redefined what blessing looked like. She encourages grieving mothers to study God's Word and anchor their hearts to the hope of Jesus.

In this episode, we discussed:

• How can you trust God with the death of your child?
• What does abundant life look like as a believer?
• Why God's wrath and our sin matters in the story of the Gospel
• Salvation and why it's our greatest need
• Jesus is the only way to Heaven and to see our babies again
• Why does God allow suffering? 
• Putting God in a box and why that affects our ability to trust Him
• An analogy of an Earthly vs. Heavenly perspective
• Symbolic traditions in memory of your baby to bring healing
• The power of God's Word as a lifeline to survive grief
• Why sharing your story matters and can plant seeds of faith for others

EPISODE SHOW NOTES, FULL TRANSCRIPT, & FREE PDF HOPE GUIDE:
www.bridgetscradles.com/post/episode9

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 conversation with Johanna Mutz and Denise Wolfe, founders of laurelbox, about how to nurture the heart of a grieving mother. Johanna and Denise share their story of starting a company to offer beautiful gifts for women who have experienced loss. 

After Denise's friend lost a baby and Johanna experienced a miscarriage herself, they knew there was a need to nourish broken hearts after loss. Starting laurelbox was their response to that need. Now they offer thoughtfully curated gift boxes to support women who want to support their loved ones through grief.

In this episode, we discussed:

• How to show up for someone who's grieving even if you don't know what to do or have the right words to say
• Why it's important to give ourselves and our loved ones permission to grieve
• How to cultivate a tender heart toward moms who have experienced loss
• Why it takes practice being a good grief supporter
• Misconceptions about grief and talking about the loss of our babies
• The love and care that goes into each laurelbox gift
• Tangible ways to support a bereaved mom during October Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Month
• Practical gifts and ideas to honor a baby in Heaven and nourish the heart of a grieving mom

EPISODE SHOW NOTES, FULL TRANSCRIPT, & FREE PDF HOPE GUIDE:
www.bridgetscradles.com/post/episode8

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 conversation with Lori Beth Blaney, founder of Rachel's Gift about improving hospital experiences for grieving families. Lori Beth shares her story of losing her daughter, Rachel, in a tragic car accident, and choosing to forgive the teenager who caused the crash. 

Lori Beth discusses with Ashley why she started a nonprofit to support grieving families and train hospital staff on bereavement care. She is an advocate for families to have options and guidance while making decisions in the hospital. 

In this episode, we discussed:

• Why it's important to talk about your baby and tell your story
• Overcoming anger and bitterness with the power of forgiveness
• Not knowing what or how to pray when in deep grief
• Regrets of choices made at the hospital while in trauma/shock
• The need for nurses to be trained on bereavement care
• Why "time, space, and privacy" is not what grieving parents need
• The importance of consistent patient care
• Rachel's Gift services for hospitals and families
• Bridget's Cradles and complementing vs. competing with other resources
• How God will equip you if He calls you to ministry
• The partnership between Rachel's Gift and Bridget's Cradles

EPISODE SHOW NOTES, FULL TRANSCRIPT, & FREE PDF HOPE GUIDE:
www.bridgetscradles.com/post/episode7

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 episode, Ashley Opliger discusses how to raise Rainbow Babies (or older living children) to remember their sibling in Heaven. Through her experience of raising two boys on earth after the loss of her daughter, Ashley shares four practical ways you can help your living children honor their sibling in Heaven.

Ashley is joined by her four-year-old son, Branton, for a few minutes during this episode to demonstrate how to talk to a young child about God, Heaven, and their sibling in Heaven. This short episode is a sweet glimpse into Ashley's life mothering children on earth and in Heaven. If you have lost a baby and desire for your living children to know about them, this episode is for you.

In this episode, Ashley shares:

• How to talk to your living children about their sibling in Heaven
• Traditions you can do to honor your baby's place in your family
• How to involve your living children in Celebrations of Life for your baby in Heaven such as a Heaven Day Birthday Party 
• Acts of Kindness you can do in memory of your baby in Heaven (plus a link to 50 ideas and a free personalized template card)
• How Bridget's life has positively impacted her parenting
• Why having a baby in Heaven has allowed them to share the Gospel in a very real and tangible way with their living children

EPISODE SHOW NOTES, FULL TRANSCRIPT, & FREE PDF HOPE GUIDE:
www.bridgetscradles.com/post/episode6

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 conversation with Kristin Hernandez, author of Sunlight in December, about wrestling well with God through recurrent pregnancy loss. Kristin shares her story of losing five babies: a baby boy, Ethan, due to a life-limiting condition, and four precious babies to early miscarriage.

In her heartbreak, Kristin discusses with Ashley how she turned to her faith in God and embraced the suffering. She believes that God will meet moms in the storm of grief and show them His goodness.

In this episode, we discussed:

• Wrestling well with God through loss and pain
• What does wrestling with God mean and how do we wrestle in a healthy way?
• How to navigate a life-limiting diagnosis in pregnancy
• Not having answers for why miscarriage and recurrent loss happens
• How grief exposes errors in our theology
• The problem with prosperity thinking
• Why we should expect and embrace suffering
• Finding God's goodness in the messy middle of grief
• Why our hope isn't (and shouldn't be) in a rainbow baby
• Surrendering our desires for God's will
• How we can turn to God even when we doubt Him

Guest Info | Kristin Hernandez
Kristin is a writer, podcaster, wife, and mother to six children—one in her arms and five with Jesus. Kristin is the author of Sunlight in December and the co-host of the Through the Lens podcast.

www.sunlightindecember.com

EPISODE SHOW NOTES, FULL TRANSCRIPT, & FREE PDF HOPE GUIDE:
www.bridgetscradles.com/post/episode5

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