The Lost Love Stories with Rae Ann & Her Son Max: Hazing, Loss, and a Life That Changed Everything

Send us Fan Mail Some stories are hard to hear. And some feel almost impossible to understand. In this episode of The Lost Love Stories, I sit down with Rae Ann to talk about her son, Max—a young man who was kind, inclusive, and the kind of person who made everyone around him feel seen. The kind of kid who noticed the quiet one in the room… and made sure they didn’t feel alone. But this story takes a turn that Rae Ann describes in one word: senseless. Max lost his life during a fraternity hazing incident just weeks into his freshman year of college. What happened that night is difficult to hear—and even harder to make sense of. But this conversation isn’t just about what happened. It’s about what Rae Ann chose to do next. In the midst of unimaginable grief, she found something her son had written years earlier: “God does bad to ultimately create good.” And from that moment, everything shifted. Rae Ann has since dedicated her life to making sure Max’s story changes others—traveling the country, speaking to students, advocating for stronger laws, and reminding young people of one simple, life-saving truth: Call 911. Step in. Take care of each other. This episode is heartbreaking. It’s eye-opening. And it’s deeply important. Because Max’s story isn’t just about loss. It’s about the lives that can still be saved. For more information on the Max Gruver Foundation and hazing resources: Contact Rae Ann: [email protected] https://www.maxgruverfoundation.com/ https://hazingpreventionnetwork.org/state-hazing-laws/ https://hazingpreventionnetwork.org/programs-available-through-hazing-prevention-network/ https://www.hazinginfo.org/ Keywords Max Gruver, hazing, college life, Greek life, advocacy, loss, resilience, tragedy, awareness, support, anti hazing, advocacy, grief, community support, legislation, mental health, college safety, personal growth, family Email [email protected] with comments, questions or to be considered as a guest on show.