What do you do when you can see your loved one’s fight for life fading before your very eyes? You know the unthinkable is inevitable and you are powerless to stop it. In today’s episode our guest Adam Levy talks about his loss and allowing hope for the future. Adam Levy is a songwriter and producer performing his music around the world. In 2012, Adam lost his son Daniel to suicide. Today Adam shares his journey to writing and performing music again and coming to terms with life ...
Nov 19, 2020•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 25
At the beginning of our grief journey we just try to make it to the next minute or the next hour. As our journey continues, we realize we have to get through all of the “Firsts”. Many of these “Firsts” are very difficult – holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, etc. The journey is long and difficult. However, what happens when you move into a home filled with grief? Today Elizabeth Smelski joins us to share her personal story of grief and what she experienced when she moved in with her...
Nov 12, 2020•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 24
It may be hard for you to feel optimistic about the future right now. If you’ve lost a spouse, child, family member, or friend, you’ve probably found there are not many people who understand the deep hurt you feel. This can be a confusing time when you feel isolated and have many questions about things you’ve never faced before. Steve and Cheryl Grissom founded Church Initiative in 1993. In 1998, Church Initiative reached an important milestone by releasing the first edition of Grief...
Nov 05, 2020•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 23
The journey of grief is a personal journey, which is different for everyone. Along the way we are all looking for “tools” and bits of wisdom to help us on difficult days and with our journey. Today, we continue our discussion with Mitch Carmody to talk about some examples of signs. Mitch has been on his journey of grief for almost 33-years, since his son Kelly died. Mitch has had many people share with him the signs they have received on their journeys of grief. This episode of “...
Oct 29, 2020•1 hr 31 min•Season 1Ep. 22
The journey of grief is a personal journey, which is different for everyone. Along the way we are all looking for “tools” and bits of wisdom to help us on difficult days and with our journey. We are also mindful of the fact our loved one is not here, but we would like to know they are ok! There are days that we need reminders, or we are looking for “signs” that our loved one is ok. Today Mitch Carmody joins us to talk about some examples of these signs. Mitch has been on his jour...
Oct 22, 2020•1 hr 20 min•Season 1Ep. 21
We all know that we will lose someone important and precious to us in our lifetime. It’s not an ‘if’ but a ‘when’. However, no one is expecting to lose a sibling early in life and the lifetime of unknowns that follow. In today’s episode we welcome Bethany Adams who lost her younger brother Hudson in 2016 at the age of 19. No one is supposed to leave this world that young and there is no road map to help navigate the lasting impact of such grief. Don’t miss this conversation fill...
Oct 15, 2020•59 min•Season 1Ep. 20
The journey of grief, while different for everyone, is also common in some respects. No one knows how grief will affect you and there will be very difficult days ahead. Some days will be much worse than others and at different points something will come up that triggers a memory or experience that can take you right back to where you were early on. These triggers can come at you in many, many different ways. It could be a song, it could be a place, it could be a previous tr...
Oct 08, 2020•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 19
The Suicide Prevention Lifeline number is 1-800-273-8255 Our ongoing conversation about suicide continues in this Part III episode as we continue to build on the conversations of Part I in Episode 9 and Part II in Episode 13. Of course as we taped this episode in late September 2020, we are still the uncertainty and isolation of the #COVID19 pandemic. As a suicide survivor and advocate Marshall shares stories of other survivor families who have so many questions and so few answe...
Oct 01, 2020•42 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Grief is a topic no one wants to study, or learn about, until you are in it. It’s a “if it hasn’t happened to me yet, I certainly don’t want to mention it” kind of thing. Herb Knoll lost his wife Michelle to cancer in 2008 after having been her care giver for 39 months. When Herb went to find a book about grief as a widower, he discovered there were none! So, Herb began researching and writing his book The Widower’s Journey: Helping Men Rebuild After Their Loss , available on...
Sep 24, 2020•47 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Today we welcome back the show Mr. Alan Pedersen from, Angels Across the USA Tour. This is of course, as the title denotes the second part of our conversation with Alan. If you missed episode 15 please press pause and listen to Part I and then come back and pick up the remaining conversation here in episode 16. In today’s discussion Alan talks about many things such as understanding how your kids grieve differently and realizing just how important it is to find support that works ...
Sep 17, 2020•38 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Today we welcome Mr. Alan Pedersen from, Angels Across the USA Tour to our show. Alan has been on his journey of grief for over 19 years. The loss of his 18-year old daughter changed the direction of his life. Alan has spent the past 17 years helping others with their grief, writing and singing his songs and leading grief organizations. Alan has a unique message and delivery as he signs some of his “Love” songs about grief and talks about the grief journey at hundreds of smal...
Sep 10, 2020•49 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Our legacy is something that we all begin to consider as life happens around us. The longer our journey gets the accumulated wisdom gives us a perspective that our lives need to be about more. About helping others. About leaving the world a better place. Today you’ll meet someone whose intentional legacy building is something you’ve likely heard of and maybe participated in. Meet Howard Dayton. Howard started Compass Ministries in 2009, which is now located ...
Sep 03, 2020•56 min•Season 1Ep. 14
The Suicide Prevention Lifeline number is 1-800-273-8255 In this Part II episode we build on the conversation of Part I in Episode 9. We are weeks further into the #COVID19 pandemic and continue our review of statistics and trends surrounding this type of loss, particularly with social distancing and isolation. Numbers and trends only tell part of the story. Guilt is an emotional experience that accurate or not can cause a suicide survivor to bear responsibility and shame ...
Aug 27, 2020•41 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Our storyteller is back and continuing to share real life experiences of grief, the lessons learned, and finding hope for the future! Dr. Joel C. Hunter, CEO and founder of Community Resource Network, in Altamonte Springs Florida continues our conversation from last week and Episode 11. Today, in Part II, Dr. Hunter takes us through the process of dealing with unanswered questions, the worry of salvation for our lost loved ones, and surviving grief during the #COVID19 global pandemic.&...
Aug 20, 2020•50 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Have you ever wanted to listen to a renowned storyteller describe their journey of grief to you by way of a series of short stories? Please meet Dr. Joel C. Hunter, CEO and founder of Community Resource Network, in Altamonte Springs Florida. In today’s episode Dr. Hunter takes us through his earliest memories of grief and then shares the story of the loss of his granddaughter and son. Dr. Hunter describes the added pain of double grief and how he and his wife Becky have been livin...
Aug 13, 2020•49 min•Season 1Ep. 11
What if your job and your talents were immersed in grief? Meet Pastor Harvey Carpenter of Journey Christian Church in Apopka Florida ( https://journeychristian.com/ ). Harvey has a heart of empathy that has equipped him to walk alongside those in the grief. Having been called to do over fifteen hundred funerals in the last 12 years for people and families from all walks of faith, Harvey has a unique perspective and insights into the grief process. Join this candid conversati...
Aug 06, 2020•50 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Because suicide is such a unique loss, for both the loved one and the suicide survivors, we have decided to break this into several episodes over the next few months In this Part I episode we review some of the many statistics surrounding this type of loss. Reviewing the numbers helps us set a baseline for understanding the scope and reach of this type of loss, as well as to understand the increasing need for medical intervention and education. In the past 20 years the numbers of...
Jul 30, 2020•58 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Dealing with grief while leaning into a support network of family and friends to get us through is hard enough. Enter the global pandemic of 2020, #COVID19. In an instant everything has become new and more difficult. Most of the available support is now done through technology and isolation. Socially distancing ourselves to stay safe is something our minds understand. Our hearts, not so much. Today Marshall and Steve breakdown the effects that a global pand...
Jul 23, 2020•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 8
This week Marshall and Steve welcome special guest Brian Mahon. Brian’s daughter Amy died on April 5, 2018 from bowel cancer at age 32. Receiving a terminal diagnosis and knowing that you are going to die can create an extended grieving process that puts you face to face with the inevitable each and every day. Is it possible to do more than simply live and get by post diagnosis, or can life be lived in service and in hope that inspire others? Amy’s story will leave you both i...
Jul 16, 2020•50 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Everyone tries to break grief down into a list of neat little stages. However, grief doesn’t always work, or feel that way. Everyone may experience the emotions of grief differently and in a much different order. Today we will examine and discuss in detail Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross’ model of the Five Stages of Grief *. Dr. Kubler-Ross developed this model in 1969. The model includes the stages of: (2:05) Overiew Kubler-Ross model (4:14) Denial* (8:31) Anger* (13:01) [Guilt] ...
Jul 09, 2020•41 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Creating a weekly podcast is a lot of work! Why would anyone put so much effort into a project like this if it wasn’t important? The answer is simple; they wouldn’t. This week we pull back the curtain to give you a ‘behind the scenes’ look at the who, the when, and the why behind Hope Thru Grief. One of those that help pull it all together each week is Randy Magray of Duck Duck Productions. In this episode, he dons the ‘host hat’ to find out more about the ‘why’ from...
Jul 02, 2020•56 min•Season 1Ep. 5
No one knows the correct way to experience grief because everyone’s journey of grief is different. However, many people ask how long will I be grieving and when can I expect to be finished? In today’s episode Marshall & Steve provide their thoughts on this difficult question. Some people ask is it possible to grieve something I will never experience? Marshall provides his thoughts on this topic. In today’s episode Steve shares his answer to “should I stay in touch with...
Jun 25, 2020•33 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Father's Day can be a fun and rewarding day to celebrate the dad's in our lives. But what about those fathers who have lost their sons? Marshall and Steve have words of wisdom and encouragement for all the dads who are struggling with loss. If you are dealing with the loss of a loved one, this is for you. Don't miss this heartfelt message of hope from two fathers who have dealt with the loss of their sons and found hope through their grief. We welcome your comments and questions! What...
Jun 20, 2020•17 min
Hope Thru Grief features co-hosts Marshall Adler & Steve Smelski discussing their journeys of grief, after losing their sons and other family members. They have changed their focus in life since their son’s deaths and have been helping others to find the support and answers they have been searching for. Steve and his wife, Shelly, had an ideal life with successful careers and an 11-year old son, Jordan. A day after returning from a summer vacation spent splashing in hot springs and zipl...
Jun 18, 2020•54 min•Season 1Ep. 2
No one makes a grief plan to outline how we are going to deal with the inevitable. No matter the form of loss we likely won’t be prepared to deal with everything that comes our way in the face of personal tragedy. And then we realize that it isn’t just ourselves that we need to worry about. Spouses, family, friends, we all deal with grief differently. In today’s episode Steve shares what it was like to navigate the unexpected and the unanswerable alongside his wife Shelly wit...
Jun 18, 2020•38 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Hope Thru Grief features co-hosts Marshall Adler & Steve Smelski discussing their journeys of grief, after losing their sons and other family members. They have changed their focus in life since their son’s deaths and have been helping others to find the support and answers they have been searching for. Marshall is a successful lawyer practicing in Winter Park, FL but his world was flipped upside down when his son Matt died from suicide at age 32. Two days after that terrible day, Marsh...
Jun 17, 2020•38 min•Season 1Ep. 1
Have you recently lost a loved one? Are you struggling with grief? Don’t understand why the world has moved on and you are stuck? Wondering what will help? Have you lost all hope you will get back to any kind of “normal”? Hope Thru Grief features co-hosts Marshall Adler & Steve Smelski discuss their journeys of grief, after losing their sons and other family members. They have changed their focus in life since their son’s deaths and have been helping others to find the support and answe...
May 22, 2020•3 min
