Hope After Child & Sibling Loss: An Empty Chair Endeavor Podcast

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 multiple grief journeys; yes, Sarah has experienced the loss of a precious, beautiful child five(5) times by miscarriage! By any standard, that’s more heartbreak, loss and pain than any parent should ever have to endure. Sarah talks about her struggles with the multi-pronged impact of grief with refreshing honesty and transparency. You will also hear about how GOD’s tenderness, compassion, and grace carried Sarah through the darkest moments of her life and began weaving in threads of healing and beauty along her journey. Today, Sarah is passionate about introducing other grieving parents to the hope, meaning and purpose she knows through her relationship with her Savior and friend, Jesus Christ. That passion led Sarah to author a newly published book entitled” Moonflower: Defiantly Blooming in the Face of Great Darkness”, which you’ll be hearing about in our conversation.

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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 attempting not to be an additional burden on their grieving parents. It’s a common dilemma most siblings face after such a loss, but often overlooked or misunderstood by others who tend to be more focused on the parents. As a result, their grief is often delayed or suppressed, but nevertheless, is just as real and has a lasting impact on their lives. Bobby and Gabby are an amazing father in law, daughter in law team who have a heart for these forgotten mourners demonstrated by providing retreats where they can get away for a weekend with others who understand their loss and discover they’re not alone on their grief journey. These retreats are Christ centered and designed to offer hope, encouragement, and support. Click the link below to find out more about Sibling Lifeline and upcoming retreat opportunities.

https://siblinglifeline.org/

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*** If  you find this podcast helpful and encouraging, please leave us a review by clicking one the links below:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hope-after-child-sibling-loss-the-empty-chair-endeavor/ 

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You can contact us by email at: [email protected]
If you would like to share your story on an upcoming episode, please send us an email so that we can talk with you about it.
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A phone call on Christmas morning 2020 brought heart shattering news she never could have imagined. On this episode, Mary McNamara talks with me about how one phone call forever altered her life that day. Her beautiful 28 year old son, Zack, had died during the night alone. We talk about the questions such a sudden, unexpected tragedy leaves a parent facing and trying to process. You'll also hear Mary talk about what a caring, sensitive, and funny young man Zack was as well as some of his struggles. With courage, transparency, and grace, Mary shares her own struggles along her grief journey and how her relationship with Jesus Christ has been her source of comfort and strength. 

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*** If  you find this podcast helpful and encouraging, please leave us a review by clicking one the links below:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hope-after-child-sibling-loss-the-empty-chair-endeavor/ 

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You can contact us by email at: [email protected]
If you would like to share your story on an upcoming episode, please send us an email so that we can talk with you about it.
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 On this episode, Brad and Jill Sullivan join me to talk about their sweet daughter Hannah, and their grief journey since losing her to a glioblastoma brain tumor in February 2009 after a year long battle. Hannah loved Jesus, and her faith in Him enabled her to not only endure this battle, but to live each day with purpose to honor Him even as she underwent radiation therapy and surgery. Brad shares a very touching conversation he had with Hannah at one point that year as the two of them talked about why GOD allows us to suffer through storms in our lives, and the bold, unforgettable prayer she offered to Him prior to her diagnosis.  Learn how Jill and Brad dealt with the questions, anger and trauma in learning the tumor had returned with a vengeance after months of healing and recovery and an initially positive response to treatment. With grace and transparency, they talk about the impact grief made in their lives and their marriage. You will also hear about the impact Jesus had on their grief! After losing Hannah, GOD inspired them to co-found While We’re Waiting, a non-profit ministry for grieving parents offering Christ-centered retreats, both near their home in Hot Springs, Arkansas, as well as venues in several other states, at no cost to their guests. Since 2020, their ministry now includes a very successful podcast by the same name where bereaved parents share their own stories of loss and GOD’s faithfulness to restore hope, meaning, and purpose. Their story is sure to offer you, our listeners, a message of hope and encouragement in your own storm.

Learn more about their ministry by clicking the link below

https://whilewerewaiting.org/podcast/

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*** If  you find this podcast helpful and encouraging, please leave us a review by clicking one the links below:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hope-after-child-sibling-loss-the-empty-chair-endeavor/ 

https://www.podchaser.com/HopeAfterChildSiblingLossTheEmptyChairEndeavor

You can contact us by email at: [email protected]
If you would like to share your story on an upcoming episode, please send us an email so that we can talk with you about it.
Thank you for listening!

Send us Fan Mail

*** If  you find this podcast helpful and encouraging, please leave us a review by clicking one the links below:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hope-after-child-sibling-loss-the-empty-chair-endeavor/ 

https://www.podchaser.com/HopeAfterChildSiblingLossTheEmptyChairEndeavor

You can contact us by email at: [email protected]
If you would like to share your story on an upcoming episode, please send us an email so that we can talk with you about it.
Thank you for listening!

On this episode, David Corvi and I explore the many facets of how grief after child loss affects men. The impact of such trauma is often overlooked or downplayed with dads, due, in large part, to cultural norms and unrealistic expectations of men in our society. While men and women grieve differently, men do indeed grieve, but the impact is not often visible. Having experienced the unthinkable pain of losing his beautiful son Charlie to late term stillbirth in October 2021, David candidly shares a dad’s unique journey from brokenness and disbelief to experiencing GOD’s loving kindness and grace, eventually inspiring David to author a book entitled, “Dear Charlie, Letters to my Son: A Father’s Journey of Loss, Grief, and Remembrance.” Additionally, David and his wife, Katherine, have established The Charles Martin Corvi Fund that partners with organizations that support families who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss. 

https://www.charlesmartincorvi.org/

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*** If  you find this podcast helpful and encouraging, please leave us a review by clicking one the links below:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hope-after-child-sibling-loss-the-empty-chair-endeavor/ 

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You can contact us by email at: [email protected]
If you would like to share your story on an upcoming episode, please send us an email so that we can talk with you about it.
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Seemingly unpredictable and random, miscarriage loss leaves parents, more especially moms, devastated and brokenhearted. Pregnant yesterday, but suddenly today, no longer. She’s left with countless questions that often have no answers, feelings of guilt that she didn’t do something right, fear that it might happen again, and so much love in her heart that now has no where to go. In this episode, Rachel Maxwell shares her story and we talk about these challenges and how she faced them. With a deep compassion for others borne out of her own pain and loss, Rachel shares how she was able to process and begin moving through the questions, fears and anger out of a deep faith and trust in Jesus who is our hope. 

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*** If  you find this podcast helpful and encouraging, please leave us a review by clicking one the links below:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hope-after-child-sibling-loss-the-empty-chair-endeavor/ 

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You can contact us by email at: [email protected]
If you would like to share your story on an upcoming episode, please send us an email so that we can talk with you about it.
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In this episode, Tracy Dailey and I talk about her journey that began without warning on May 30, 2007. Eight months into her pregnancy and only 24 years old, Tracy was told by her doctor, after performing an ultrasound, that her sweet, precious daughter Emma, had no heartbeat. Everything seemed to slip into slow motion, and denial took over temporarily. Prior to the previous day, it had been a picture perfect pregnancy, and now the unthinkable had become reality and her life forever changed. Prior to this day, Tracy had never experienced grief. Now, without any support network, Tracy and her husband, Bryan, found themselves ill-equipped and unable to even begin processing the trauma and pain. Listen as Tracy shares how GOD rescued both of them from a very dark place and began healing and breathing new life back into both of them. Today, she’s Co-Founder and Board President of Emma’s Footprints, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing care and support for pregnancy and infant loss families ensuring that no family has to walk alone.

https://www.emmasfootprints.com/

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*** If  you find this podcast helpful and encouraging, please leave us a review by clicking one the links below:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hope-after-child-sibling-loss-the-empty-chair-endeavor/ 

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You can contact us by email at: [email protected]
If you would like to share your story on an upcoming episode, please send us an email so that we can talk with you about it.
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Critically injured by a hit and run driver on 10/5/23, Tommy’s beautiful 23 year old son Nick died from his injuries on October 21, 2023, a day that would forever change Tommy’s life. Parents shouldn’t have to bury their children. Like other dads, Tommy had dreams of seeing Nick discover his purpose in life, possibly get married and have a family of his own, and enjoy activities he and Nick loved doing together. Like those dreams, Tommy’s life was shattered that day. I hope you’ll listen as he shares his story and we discuss the impact of grief on a dad’s heart, his mind, his work, and relationships. You’ll also learn how Tommy’s faith and personal relationship with Jesus Christ are getting him through his grief journey one day at a time, healing the brokenness, and restoring hope and joy.

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*** If  you find this podcast helpful and encouraging, please leave us a review by clicking one the links below:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hope-after-child-sibling-loss-the-empty-chair-endeavor/ 

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You can contact us by email at: [email protected]
If you would like to share your story on an upcoming episode, please send us an email so that we can talk with you about it.
Thank you for listening!

In this episode, pastoral counselor, author, and Bible teacher, Betty Ringeisen, talks with me about a grief/healing journey that began 20 years ago after miscarriage. Tragically, what lay ahead was unthinkable ... over the course of a few more years, Betty and her husband would experience the life altering loss of four (4) other children by miscarriage. How can a young mom survive, let alone process, that level of pain and trauma? Can a heart so deeply wounded ever heal? Betty's story is one of resilient faith and endurance in the face of deep loss and brokenness. It's also the story of GOD's love and faithfulness to restore joy,  purpose and hope in Betty's life and then surprise her with a long awaited, beautiful gift. This is a message of encouragement and hope!

Send us Fan Mail

*** If  you find this podcast helpful and encouraging, please leave us a review by clicking one the links below:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hope-after-child-sibling-loss-the-empty-chair-endeavor/ 

https://www.podchaser.com/HopeAfterChildSiblingLossTheEmptyChairEndeavor

You can contact us by email at: [email protected]
If you would like to share your story on an upcoming episode, please send us an email so that we can talk with you about it.
Thank you for listening!