In the season 1 finale, A.M. Alpin, the documentary filmmaker behind The Story of the Stuff, discusses the burden gifts like teddy bears put on a grieving community.

Geoff Johns is a writer, producer and showrunner who made a name for himself in comics. But in 1996, he was just beginning his career when he lost his sister Courtney in the crash of TWA 800. In his work, her legacy became entwined with his.

In 1997, Anne McGinty was commissioned to compose a piece for the Montoursville High School band in memory of three band members who had died in the crash of TWA 800. It should have been just another job.

"'Tis a Gift" shared by licensing agreement with Neil A. Kjos Music Company.

Executive producer and host: Erika Grotto

Sound design and editing: Matt Grotto

Theme music courtesy of Champagne Sunday

Visit us on Instagram @survivedbypodcast

Pamela Wood reflects on what it was like to report on a shooting at the Capital Gazette in Annapolis, Maryland, after five employees were murdered in the newsroom.

Executive producer and host: Erika Grotto

Sound design and editing: Matt Grotto

Theme music courtesy of Champagne Sunday

Visit us on Instagram @survivedbypodcast

Heidi Snow Cinader was 24 when her fiance, Michel Breistroff, died in the crash of TWA 800. As she sought to rebuild the future she'd planned for herself, she found the most comfort talking with people who had gone through similar losses. Through her efforts, ACCESS--AirCraft Casualty Emotional Support Services--came to pass. Now, her daughter Sadie has learned from her example and also uses a traumatic event in her past to help others.

Links:

http://accesshelp.org/

https://www.instagram.com/comfortkitsforkids/?hl=en

https://alysmonkeys.org/

Executive producer and host: Erika Grotto

Sound design and editing: Matt Grotto

Theme music courtesy of Champagne Sunday

Visit us on Instagram @survivedbypodcast

In 1995, Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols built and planted a truck bomb outside of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City with the goal of inciting a revolution against the federal government. Instead, the nation united behind a city reeling from loss. And a phone call from one first lady to another began a movement that would continue for decades.

Executive producer and host: Erika Grotto

Sound design and editing: Matt Grotto

Theme music courtesy of Champagne Sunday

"Teddy Bears Picnic" from Library of Congress Jukebox collection

Visit us on Instagram @survivedbypodcast

On July 17, 1996, TWA 800 exploded over the Atlantic Ocean 12 minutes after takeoff from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. There were no survivors. Among the 230 on board were 16 French Club students and 5 chaperones from Montoursville High School in Pennsylvania. The town would never be the same.

In the aftermath of the crash, flowers, gifts and notes poured in from all over the world. One item, a stuffed bear sent from Oklahoma City, was just beginning its journey.

Read more:

EXPLOSION ABOARD T.W.A. FLIGHT 800: THE FRENCH CLUB;A Pennsylvania Town Asks, 'Why Us?'

Terror on Flight 800

CBS This Morning open 7-18-96

Executive producer and host: Erika Grotto

Sound design and editing: Matt Grotto

Theme music courtesy of Champagne Sunday

Visit us on Instagram @survivedbypodcast

Imagine the worst moment of your life unfolding with the world watching. A phone call saying "turn on the news." A knock on the door. Your friends' faces on a magazine cover.

This summer, a new podcast explores how people affected by public tragedies work their way through the trauma with the hope of emerging stronger.

This is Survived By.

Host: Erika Grotto

Sound design: Matt Grotto

Music: "Year of the Night (Summer Sun)" by Champagne Sunday

Art: Josh Seybert