Turning Grief into Growth: The Journey of Transformation

"Send us a Comment"

In this episode, we are joined by Audri Beugelsdijk, who courageously shares her life journey following the tragic loss of her husband, Jason Springer, who was lost at sea on March 5, 1997. Audri was just 24 years old and had been married for only two months and four days when her world changed forever.

Audri opens up about navigating life after loss, sharing how her perspective was not a matter of if she would marry again and have children, but rather when and how. She also describes the loneliness she experienced as people seemed to evaporate from her life after Jason's death. Even while surrounded by others and serving on active duty in the Navy herself, she often felt alone in her grief.

Audri's story reminds us of the importance of showing up for those who are grieving, being willing to have the uncomfortable conversations, and offering genuine connection when it matters most.

She leaves us with a powerful nugget of wisdom and a challenge for all of us: “Seize the Awkward!” Sometimes, the most meaningful thing we can do for someone who is hurting is to step into the awkwardness, ask the difficult question, and simply be present.

"Send us a Comment"

Andy has been married to his wife, Cathy Cooper Miller, for nearly 44 years. Together, they have three children—Brooke, Todd, and Drew—and three grandchildren, Mila, Eli, and Asher.

He began his professional career after earning a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology, working for three years in two different counseling settings before transitioning those skills into the world of business and sales.

Since 1991, he has led an executive search and recruiting firm. Today, he leads a team of 55 people and continues to grow the company. One of his greatest sources of pride is the culture he has worked hard to build at BrainWorks—a culture centered on caring, sharing, and genuinely investing in people.

But perhaps the greatest challenge of his life has been surviving the loss of his son, Drew, who died by suicide on November 29, 2021.

Early in his grief journey, one of the first books he read was My Son... My Son... by Iris Bolton, who lost her own son to suicide. At one point, Bolton writes about eventually finding a gift within the loss. Initially, that message made him angry. It was simply too soon, and the pain was far too raw to imagine that anything good could possibly come from such a devastating loss.

Yet, with time, something began to change. While he would never describe Drew’s death as a gift, he recognizes that his journey through grief has transformed him. Today, he considers himself a kinder, gentler, and more compassionate person—someone who cares more deeply about others and understands the importance of meeting people where they are in their pain.

And then there is the fun side of who he is. Born and raised in Philadelphia, he is a lifelong, diehard Eagles and Phillies fan—and at 71 years old, he is still playing baseball.

His story is one of love, loss, resilience, transformation, and the ongoing journey of learning how to live while carrying grief.

"Send us a Comment"

In this episode, we are joined by Scott McCutcheon from Vermilion, Ohio. Scott shares the story of losing his son, Sammy, on April 29, 2021, at the age of 29, to an overdose resulting from an addiction that developed after injuries he sustained while serving in Afghanistan.

Scott openly shares about the hope he has found and the significant role his faith has played throughout his grief journey. He also talks about how, after Sammy’s death, he had to put his own grief on hold for nearly three months while caring for his wife, Susie, following an accident.

Sammy left behind a son, Dawson, who was just seven years old when his father died. Scott had not seen Dawson for more than five years, but this summer, he was given the opportunity to spend 10 days with his grandson. As Scott talks about Dawson, you can hear the joy in his voice. He describes Dawson as the spitting image of Sammy and shares how reconnecting with his grandson has played a tremendous role in helping him work through the PTSD surrounding his son’s death.

Scott has been very intentional about moving forward and finding healing along his grief journey, and Dawson has become a huge part of that journey. His story is a powerful reminder that even in the midst of profound loss, hope, faith, and meaningful relationships can help us find a path forward.

"Send us a Comment"

In this episode, we are joined by Sarah, who lost her husband, Dave, in 2004. Dave was a helicopter pilot who was killed in action in Iraq just a couple of weeks before he was scheduled to come home. At the time of his death, Sarah was raising two children, ages 8 and 10.

Sarah shares her journey of trying to find stability for her family in the aftermath of such a devastating loss. For the first couple of years, she found herself putting on a facade and trying to hold everything together on the outside, even while struggling on the inside.

She also shares how her faith and spiritual journey have provided her with hope, purpose, and direction as she has navigated life after loss. Sarah reflects honestly on the realization that simply existing and surviving wasn't enough—she wanted to truly thrive.

Her story is a powerful reminder that there can be a path forward after profound loss, and that healing can lead us not just toward survival, but toward a life filled with purpose and hope.

"Send us a Comment"

In this episode, we are joined by Jon Ganues from Virginia. Jon lost his son, Wesley, to suicide on June 2, 2009, while Wesley was serving in the United States Air Force. Jon shares his journey of healing and growth, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and vulnerability as essential ingredients in the process.

Jon reminds us that even after devastating loss, there can still be a path forward. As he puts it, “There was a path forward with challenges along the way. I just needed to establish what was next in my life.”

"Send us a Comment"

In today’s episode, we are joined by renowned psychologist Dr. Heidi Horsley, an international grief expert, licensed psychologist, and social worker. Dr. Horsley is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Open to Hope Foundation, one of the largest online grief resources, reaching more than 7 million visitors each year.

She is also the co-host of the award-winning Open to Hope television show and podcast, where she shares valuable insights and resources to help people navigate grief and find hope after loss. Learn more at www.opentohope.com.

"Send us a Comment"

In this episode, we are joined by Tom Braden of Marble Falls, Texas, a retired high school football coach. On September 23, 2016, Tom and his wife, Laura, received the devastating news that their son, Jeff, an F-22 Raptor pilot, had drowned while diving with friends in Guam.

Tom shares how his faith in God has carried him through his grief journey and how his and Laura’s experiences with grief have looked different. He holds onto the hope that he will one day see Jeff again in heaven. In the meantime, Tom pours into his grandchildren—and finds that they pour right back into him.

"Send us a Comment"

In this episode, we are joined by Charles Mwungura, pastor of the Southeast Christian Church Multinational Campus in Louisville, Kentucky. Charles shares his journey as he recently passed the two-year anniversary of losing his 18-year-old son, Isaac, in a drowning accident.

While grief remains a constant companion, life has continued to move forward. Over the past six months, Charles and his wife, Esperance, welcomed a newborn baby in April 2026, and their oldest son is preparing to be married this September.

Charles reflects on navigating the tension of holding both joy and sorrow at the same time. He shares how he has coped through profound loss, how his faith has sustained him, and how he is learning not just to survive, but to thrive. His story is a powerful reminder that even in the midst of heartbreak, life continues, hope remains, and joy can still be found among what is missing and broken.

"Send us a Comment"

In this episode, Sharon Strouse shares the heartbreaking story of losing her 17-year-old daughter, Kristin, who died by suicide on October 11, 2001, after jumping from her 15th-floor dorm room at Parsons School of Design in New York City.

As an art therapist, Sharon discusses how painting and collage became powerful tools in her own healing and have since helped countless others navigate the trauma of loss. While she affirms that traditional talk therapy is valuable and necessary, she explains that creating art allowed her to express emotions that words alone could not capture—transforming chaos into meaningful expression.

Sharon reminds us that grief is "not all darkness, but about exploring the fullness and richness of life." She shares how, in the wake of unimaginable tragedy just one month after 9/11, she was able to transform the horror of losing Kristin into a journey of healing and hope. By first embracing her own healing, Sharon has gone on to help others do the same—truly turning grief into growth.

You can learn more about Sharon at: www.artfulgrief.com

"Send us a Comment"

In this episode, Don and I are joined by Andy McNiel, CEO of The Compassionate Friends. Andy shares why supporting those who are grieving isn't about having all the answers. Instead, he explains the importance of simply holding space for others and recognizing that we don't have to be experts in someone else's grief to walk alongside them. He also offers a powerful perspective on healing after loss—not as a return to who we once were, but as a transformation into someone new, forever shaped by love and loss.