Run to the Hard Podcast

Days before she died, Michal asked her husband, Curtis Christopher, to preach her funeral. Four years later, he watched the service for the first time.

In this special episode of Run to the Hard, Curtis shares the eulogy he delivered to honor his wife, the stories that reveal who she was, and the faith she wanted him to speak about.

You'll also hear Michal in her own words through a recorded testimony, followed by Wendell's message about the marriage promises they made and kept.

Curtis opens with an honest reflection on his own grief.

It took him three and a half years to clear out Michal's closet.

His message to anyone facing loss: there is no single timeline, and your life can hold purpose again even if it never looks the same.

This episode includes personal accounts of terminal illness, end-of-life care, and the death of a spouse and child.

IN THIS EPISODE

• Why Curtis is sharing Michal's funeral four years later

• Grieving at your own pace

• Saying yes to the difficult thing someone you love asks of you

• Michal's humor, kindness, motherhood, and faith

• The story behind "Run to the Hard"

• Michal's recorded testimony about Jesus

• Wendell's reflection on love and promises kept

CHAPTERS

00:00 Remembering Michal four years later

02:16 "An expert griever," not a grief expert

05:08 Watching her funeral for the first time

05:35 She asked me to preach her funeral

08:36 A different life after loss

09:42 The Michal Foundation and Coffee with Michal

10:59 Curtis's eulogy begins

12:47 The people who cared for our family

20:14 Remembering Michal's humor and friendships

24:53 The Loft and a story of restoration

28:06 Her laughter and her heart for others

29:35 The final days with our family

33:38 Her humor stayed with her

36:21 What Michal wanted me to tell you

37:51 Her daily life of faith

40:16 How God brought two broken lives together

43:49 Michal's hope of heaven

47:37 Introducing Michal's recorded testimony

48:49 Michal shares her faith

55:41 Wendell: The promises they kept

1:00:11 Are we keeping our promises?

1:02:05 God's promises and grace

1:05:36 Closing prayer

Run to the Hard shares stories of grief, healing, faith, and meaningful action through life's hardest experiences. Hosted by Curtis Christopher, the podcast honors the loving memory of Michal Christopher and her call to "run to the hard, run to the hurt."

Follow the show for more honest conversations about facing hard things and moving forward in faith.

DONATE TO THE MICHAL FOUNDATION: https://www.runtothehard.com/give

1. Rate The Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/rtth

2. Become a Sponsor: https://www.runtothehard.com/sponsors

3. Share The Episode: Send this conversation to someone carrying hidden hurt—or someone learning how to support a hurting friend.

Learn more: https://www.runtothehard.com

Remember, "Running to the hard is better, when we run together"

Who are you when the thing that defined you is gone?

When Dave Corey lost his job, he felt like he was failing his family. His career had become his identity, and losing it led to a mental health crisis.

In this conversation with Curtis Christopher, Dave shares how professional help, faith, and people who kept reaching out helped him begin rebuilding his life. He also opens up about forgiving his father, choosing to stop drinking, and learning that strength includes accepting help.

Curtis shares how friends showed up after his wife, Michal, died, sometimes simply sitting with him when there was nothing to say. Together, they explore what it means to face pain, make room for change, and help someone else feel less alone.

If loss has left you asking, "Who am I now?" this conversation is for you.

Content note: This episode includes discussion of suicidal thoughts, a suicide plan involving firearms, childhood abuse, and alcohol use.

IN THIS EPISODE

• Losing a job without losing your worth. • Accepting therapy and support instead of facing pain alone. • Forgiving a parent without dismissing what happened. • Knowing when to keep going and when to walk away. • Dave's decision to stop drinking and change what he modeled for his children. • How friends can show up for someone who is grieving. • Why "I'm good" can be the beginning of a deeper conversation. • Finding purpose through service and community.

CHAPTERS

00:00 "Where is God?" 00:21 Meet Dave Corey 02:16 Remembering 9/11 and the families left behind 07:51 The wake-up call that changed Dave's health 12:36 Job loss, identity, and a mental health crisis 17:41 Accepting therapy and a friend's invitation 19:16 Growing up in a military family 24:06 Forgiving his father and letting go of resentment 28:21 Curtis's own story of forgiveness 31:21 Fatherhood, friendship, and a new direction 36:51 Quitting versus knowing when to walk away 39:26 Why Dave stopped drinking 49:01 Making room for what comes next 53:11 Curtis on grief, Michal's words, and friends who showed up 56:36 Looking beyond "I'm good" 58:36 A trip to Belize and an unexpected friendship 68:51 Supporting the Michal Foundation 71:01 Helping men become better 74:16 Closing encouragement and prayer

BOOK MENTIONED

Discipline Determines Destiny: Because the Life You Want Won't Wait by Dave Corey.

DONATE TO THE MICHAL FOUNDATION: https://www.runtothehard.com/give

1. Rate The Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/rtth

2. Become a Sponsor: https://www.runtothehard.com/sponsors

3. Share The Episode: Send this conversation to someone facing loss, questioning their worth, or learning how to show up for a hurting friend.

Remember, "Running to the hard is better, when we run together"

A college assignment asked R.D. Saunders to write about his family. What surfaced was years of childhood pain—and a decision: "I will not be a bad father."

Growing up with an abusive father who struggled with alcoholism, R.D. carried hurt he hadn't fully faced. In this conversation with Curtis Christopher, he shares how God began a work of healing in a college dorm room—and how he eventually returned to lead that same school, Ohio Christian University.

Together, they explore the pain we bury, the people who help us heal, and how those experiences can shape a life of service. Curtis also shares how his late wife Michal's example helped him begin reaching toward others through his own grief.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• The grandfather who became the father figure R.D. needed. • The writing assignment that brought hidden hurt to the surface. • The emotional "junk drawer" where we store unresolved pain. • Why R.D. initially turned down the university presidency. • How Isaiah 61 shaped his vision for helping students heal and grow. • Why supporting someone through grief begins with listening, humility, and knowing when to seek help.

Run to the Hard shares stories of grief, healing, faith, and meaningful action through life's hardest experiences. Hosted by Curtis Christopher, the podcast honors the loving memory of Michal Christopher and her call to "run to the hard, run to the hurt."

Follow the show for more honest conversations about facing hard things and moving forward in faith.

DONATE TO THE MICHAL FOUNDATION: https://www.runtothehard.com/give

1. Rate The Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/rtth

2. Become a Sponsor: https://www.runtothehard.com/sponsors

3. Share The Episode: Send this conversation to someone carrying hidden hurt—or someone learning how to support a hurting friend.

Learn more: https://www.runtothehard.com

Remember, "Running to the hard is better, when we run together"

This is such a special episode.

Not only has Curtis' mother Ellen been through her own fair share of grief and pain, but she joins us today to talk about what it's been like to be the mother of a grieving son, and to be so close to all that has happened to Curtis, Michal, the kids, and now Crystal and her kids.

This episode is packed full of faithful wisdom from a life of pursuing God.

You can see why Grandma C is so popular with everyone who meets her!

Join us to hear even more nuance and insights about Curtis' life and the ups and downs of the past few years.

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DONATE TO THE MICHAL FOUNDATION: https://www.runtothehard.com/give

Rate The Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/rtth

Become a Sponsor: https://www.runtothehard.com/sponsors

Share The Episode...Remember, "Running to the hard is better, when we run together".

CHAPTERS

0:00 Intro

5:56 Grandma's cancer

12:11 Grandpa's testimony

13:23 Ellen's testimony

15:13 Musical ministry opportunity

18:44 Uncle Dan

24:17 Curtis' father after Vietnam

28:39 Leaving a rough family situation

33:46 Never remarried

40:09 Life lessons from Mom

51:02 Being the mother of a son going through divorce

53:22 Meeting Michal

56:09 Michal gets sick

1:06:26 Mom started the adoption trend!

1:10:01 The joys of life

1:15:29 Prayer

This might be the most complete version of our grief story we've ever told.

What an honor to share it with the people at Fostoria Church of the Nazarene.

Curtis starts right from the beginning...

Him at 6 years old, packed into his mom's VW, driving away to start life anew.

Through a messy divorce, remarriage and Michael dying suddenly.

Into Crystal's story of abandonment, remarriage, then widowhood.

Through coming together in miraculous ways, only to have Michael's kids' dad die right before Curtis and Crystal were supposed to get married.

Guys God is in this.

He's in the hard. He's in the hurt.

Let Him do a miraculous work in your life by trusting Him and running into those hard places.

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DONATE TO THE MICHAL FOUNDATION: https://www.runtothehard.com/give

Rate The Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/rtth

Become a Sponsor: https://www.runtothehard.com/sponsors

Share The Episode...Remember, "Running to the hard is better, when we run together".

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CHAPTERS

0:00 Intro

6:12 Curtis' story growing up

15:25 Hidden family problems to tragedy

27:06 Crystal's story of grief

35:05 God's story weaving our lives together

42:44 More tragedy

46:19 Breakthrough

48:18 Run to the hard

WE FINALLY GOT MARRIED!

After an absolute roller coaster this past year that delayed our wedding including more trauma, more grief, and more death, we are so excited to finally be married and start a new life together with all of our amazing kids.

In this episode you'll hear how it all happened - including a big surprise - what our plans are, and how we're adapting to this new reality.

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DONATE TO THE MICHAL FOUNDATION: https://www.runtothehard.com/give

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Become a Sponsor: https://www.runtothehard.com/sponsors

Share The Episode...Remember, "Running to the hard is better, when we run together".

CHAPTERS

0:00 We're married!

2:11 Major God breakthrough

7:16 Breakthrough + Tragedy

15:48 The wedding

20:45 God's work through Chris and Crystal's brother

24:25 The elephant in the room

27:11 The God wave

31:05 In tune with God in relationship

39:50 20 more good years?

43:20 God moves in Crystal's life

50:46 Surrender

Curtis reflects on year three of grief after the passing of his wife, Michal.

What began as crushing sorrow has slowly transformed into a season of quiet healing, memories, and even new beginnings.

Curtis opens up about how grief changes with time...how the pain softens but the love and lessons remain.

From walking through loss with his fiancée Crystal to finding hope amid darkness, his story is a raw and redemptive look at what it means to heal.

Whether you're in the early days of loss or years down the road, this episode will remind you that God's greatest work often begins in our deepest hurt.

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DONATE TO THE MICHAL FOUNDATION: https://www.runtothehard.com/give

Rate The Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/rtth

Become a Sponsor: https://www.runtothehard.com/sponsors

Share The Episode...Remember, "Running to the hard is better, when we run together".

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CHAPTERS

0:00 Intro

0:51 The difference at 3 years after loss

8:04 The many waves of grief

11:08 Acceptance

13:24 Having a relationship while grieving

14:59 Charlie Kirk's passing from a grief perspective

22:28 How the kids are grieving 3 years in

31:42 Darkness and breakthroughs

36:07 New traditions

39:49 Talking to the deceased while grieving?

46:55 Practice what you preach

Ever feel like grief has literally changed the way your brain works?

You're not alone.

It's like it rewires things in there.

Memory issues. Compartmentalization. Checking out. Difficulty connecting.

Curtis shares his raw and real experience with what he calls "grief brain" in an effort to help you know you're not alone, and hopefully to start down the path of healing.

But, we also talk about finding purpose and motivation in grief, what grieving does to relationships, and how Curtis is trying to take every thought captive with examples from his life.

Join us.

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DONATE TO THE MICHAL FOUNDATION: https://www.runtothehard.com/give

Rate The Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/rtth

Become a Sponsor: https://www.runtothehard.com/sponsors

Share The Episode...Remember, "Running to the hard is better, when we run together".

CHAPTERS

0:00 Grief Brain

8:18 Getting Stuck in "Boxes"

18:13 Motivation in Grief

22:52 Finding Purpose in Grief

28:17 Grief Makes It Hard To Connect

39:18 Seriously Taking Thoughts Captive

41:58 Not What I Envisioned Life To Look Like

47:17 God Uses The Hard Stuff To Prepare Us

52:12 Prayer

MENTIONED

PTSD Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoI0rDmSDcM

Is it just grief that's impacting you?

Or is PTSD partially to blame?

One off-handed remark from Curtis triggered something in Crystal, who knew about PTSD, and asked him to look into it further.

Turns out, Curtis has experienced most of the top 10 most common reasons people suffer from PTSD, and exhibits many of the symptoms.

This is a whole new level of healing and growth that they're entering into. This realization is huge and hopefully gives you some permission to look a little into your past with some self-reflection to see what else you might be dealing with alongside your grief.

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DONATE TO THE MICHAL FOUNDATION: https://www.runtothehard.com/give

Rate The Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/rtth

Become a Sponsor: https://www.runtothehard.com/sponsors

Share The Episode...Remember, "Running to the hard is better, when we run together".

CHAPTERS

0:00 Intro

2:40 I've experienced 8 of the top 10 reasons people have PTSD

12:33 Dealing with all the symptoms of PTSD (while grieving)

16:42 The tornado of grief and chaos recently

18:16 Helping the kids with grief and potential PTSD

21:03 Self-reflecting and the path forward

31:55 Righteous Judgement

35:10 The healing process

39:03 Why it's hard to surrender control

43:31 How will God use this?

This is the epic conclusion to our 3 part series with Curtis and Crystal, walking through the absolute "shipwreck" of their lives right now.

They're grieving their spouses deaths...

Curtis' step-children's dad passes away...

Their wedding was canceled...

Old grief is being brought to the surface as they navigate death, grief, the legal system...

Their ways of managing the overwhelm have them feeling disconnected...

There's no way you could make up something like this. It's just too much.

And yet...

By God's grace, they are here and they keep going.

Join me in this final instalment, and please...pray for them.

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DONATE TO THE MICHAL FOUNDATION: https://www.runtothehard.com/give

Rate The Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/rtth

Become a Sponsor: https://www.runtothehard.com/sponsors

Share The Episode...Remember, "Running to the hard is better, when we run together".

CHAPTERS

0:00 Intro

1:40 New grandbaby!

5:51 A whole new level of grief

16:18 Grieving your husband when your fiancé is weighed down by grief

28:58 Temptations while navigating such immense grief and intensity

37:50 Everything burns down

43:14 Doing vs resting in the waiting

48:37 The children are our joy

52:15 Where is the rest and recovery?

1:00:50 How to make sure rest doesn't become destructive

1:02:38 What grieving kids need

1:12:58 The future vision

1:16:07 Crystal's vision

MENTIONED

Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpWP4QmfDDE

Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYxLFaLySjs