When Grief Comes Home

The hardest losses do not stay neatly private, and when grief becomes public it can feel like you are bleeding in front of a crowd. We sit down again with Davey Blackburn to talk about what happens when a homicide shatters your family and the world has opinions, theories, and headlines. This conversation includes a content warning, because parts of Davey’s story involve the murder of his wife Amanda and their unborn child, yet it also holds real hope for parents who feel like they will never breathe normally again.We dig into the complexity of grieving under scrutiny, including the unexpected “advantages” of people rallying around you and the crushing disadvantages of being on display in the worst moment of your life. Davey shares what it was like to live through a legal process that dragged on for years, how delays and mistrials can keep trauma reopened, and why someone told him to settle things in his heart before they were ever settled in a courtroom.We also get practical about the lifelong nature of grief: you do not get over it, you learn to carry it. We talk triggers, anniversaries, the random moments that knock the wind out of you, and why “I shouldn’t feel this” adds unnecessary suffering. Then we move into a tender topic many parents wrestle with quietly: remarriage, blended family life, and learning to embrace joy while still honoring the person who died.Davey also explains the mission behind Nothing Is Wasted, including coaching, online community, and the Pain to Purpose course designed to help people heal in supportive groups. If you’re looking for grief support resources, we point you toward options through Jessica’s House and the National Alliance for Children’s Grief. Subscribe, share this with a parent who needs it, and leave a review so more grieving families can find this podcast.Nothing is Wasted: https://www.nothingiswasted.com/Order the book When Grief Comes Home: https://a.co/d/ijaiP5LJessica's House Resources: https://www.jessicashouse.org/resourcesSend us Fan MailFor more information on Jessica’s House or for additional resources, please go to jessicashouse.org 

A random, shuffled worship song becomes a turning point in a story no family ever wants to live. We sit down with pastor and author Davey Blackburn to talk about the murder of his wife Amanda and their unborn child during a home invasion, and the complicated road that followed. This conversation includes details that may be hard to hear, but it also holds steady focus on grief, faith, and the long work of healing.Davey opens up about the kind of shock that scrambles your senses, your expectations, and even your beliefs about how the world works. We talk about the questions that show up after traumatic loss, especially the ones that don’t resolve with a neat answer: Why didn’t God protect her? Can I still trust God’s goodness? Instead of pushing those questions down, we explore lament and what Davey calls “wrestling with God,” a practice that makes room for honesty without walking away.We also get deeply practical about parenting through loss. How do you keep a parent’s memory alive for a child without forcing your grief onto them? What do you do when questions come out of nowhere in the car ride to school? Davey shares tools shaped by lived experience and widower support work, including a simple “yellow card” idea that gives kids a concrete way to ask for time and attention when words feel too big.If you’re looking for grief support, child bereavement resources, and trauma-informed guidance that respects both pain and hope, press play. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and please rate and review so more grieving families can find the show.Nothing is Wasted: https://www.nothingiswasted.com/Order the book When Grief Comes Home: https://a.co/d/ijaiP5LJessica's House Resources: https://www.jessicashouse.org/resourcesSend us Fan MailFor more information on Jessica’s House or for additional resources, please go to jessicashouse.org 

Some of the hardest grief days aren’t circled on anyone’s holiday planner. We’ve learned from parents that the calendar can ambush you with emotion on days you never expected: the first New Year’s Day without them, a Super Bowl Sunday that used to be full of laughter, an April Fools moment that makes you wish it were all a prank, or even Tax Day when paperwork forces you to face a new identity.We walk through the Griever’s Calendar and explain why these “ordinary” dates can hit so hard when you’re parenting through loss. Erin shares a personal story about the first Fourth of July after her husband Tyler died and how missing roles, routines, and simple support can turn a family tradition into a day that feels overwhelming. Colleen adds what we see in grief groups at Jessica’s House, including how different seasons affect different families and why triggers can stack up when anniversaries, birthdays, and floating holidays collide.Along the way, we offer practical grief support for widowed parents and bereaved families: name what’s coming so it’s less shocking, talk with your kids about what they want, keep traditions if they help, change them if you need to, and scale things down without guilt. We also touch on when it makes sense to outsource stressful tasks and how to honor your limits while you find a new rhythm.If this conversation helps, subscribe, share it with a parent who might need it, and leave a rating and review so more families can find support. What date on the calendar feels hardest for you right now?Resources:The Griever's CalendarJessica's House ResourcesSend us Fan MailFor more information on Jessica’s House or for additional resources, please go to jessicashouse.org 

Grief often steals our words, but the body keeps speaking. We open up about how loss rewires the nervous system, why kids struggle to “talk it out,” and what actually helps: safety you can feel, choices that restore control, and creative expression that carries what language can’t. With Erin Nelson and Colleen Montague from Jessica’s House, we break down the brain science in plain terms and show how warm light, soft seating, and even dinner can tell the body it’s safe enough to heal.From there, we get practical. You’ll learn how to co-regulate before you communicate, using simple tools like 5‑4‑3‑2‑1 grounding, cross-body tapping, side-to-side swaying, weighted blankets, and sensory anchors like sour candy or an ice cube. We step outside, too—leaf hunts, star gazing, and lavender rubs make nature a ready-made regulation kit. For kids stuck in anger or freeze, we demonstrate safe outlets that match big energy: a DIY scream box, pool noodles, throwing ice, wall pushes, heavy lifts, stomps, and paper tears that transition into slower, calming motions.Art becomes the bridge. Sand trays, blocks, drums, watercolors, clay, and quick scribbles let children tell complex stories without direct questions. “Colors of My Heart” invites mixed emotions to sit side by side. We model “sports casting” to witness play without judgment, and we take on the inner critic so creativity stays about process, not perfection. Along the way, we share what years in peer support have taught us: when kids have agency, adults show calm, and environments feel safe, expression turns pain into meaning.If this conversation helps, please follow the show, share it with a friend who needs it, and leave a rating and review so more grieving families can find us. For free resources or to reach out, visit jessicashouse.org and email your questions to [email protected] the book When Grief Comes Home https://a.co/d/ijaiP5LSend us Fan MailFor more information on Jessica’s House or for additional resources, please go to jessicashouse.org 

The ground can drop out in a single phone call—or grind away over months of scans and unanswered pain. We sit down with pastors and co-authors Rolf Jacobson and Michael Pancost to talk about cancer, grief, and the fierce honesty that keeps families tethered when life breaks open. Their friend and co-author Carl died before the manuscript was finished, and that loss threads through every story with clarity and care: no platitudes, no shortcuts, just presence, prayer, and practical help.We unpack the shock of 30 days in the hospital with no contact, the logistics of telling a spouse and children—sometimes over Zoom—and the relief of using CaringBridge to share updates without reliving the news on repeat. Rolf and Michael share how truth-telling builds trust with kids, why some friends disappear and others draw close, and how side-by-side companionship multiplies joys and divides sorrows. If you’ve ever asked where God is in a chemo ward, their answer is simple and hard-won: right there, in the hand you’re holding.Scripture becomes a map, not an umbrella. We linger with Psalm 23 and the Psalms of lament, learning to pray both praise and protest. “You are with me” moves off the page into late nights, waiting rooms, and milestone meals that feel like mini-banquets in the presence of enemies. And yes—there’s laughter. Not as denial, but as oxygen. From cracked jokes in tense rooms to Seinfeld’s wisdom on humor as a life skill, they show how joy and sorrow can share the same table without canceling each other.If you’re navigating cancer, supporting someone who is, or searching for language that holds grief and hope together, this conversation offers grounding practices, theological depth, and humane encouragement. Listen, share it with a caregiver, and tell us what line or ritual carries you on the hardest days. If our work helps you feel less alone, subscribe, leave a review, and pass this along to someone who needs it.Order the book When Grief Comes Home https://a.co/d/ijaiP5LSend us Fan MailFor more information on Jessica’s House or for additional resources, please go to jessicashouse.org 

What if you never got to say goodbye? We dig into that question with honesty and care, unpacking how sudden loss and anticipated loss shape grief in different, but equally real, ways. From the shock that hits your nervous system to the looping what if thoughts, we name what so many parents feel but struggle to put into words—and we offer simple, practical ways to say what was left unsaid.Together, we explore the five phrases that heal—thank you, I love you, I’m sorry, please forgive me, and I forgive you—and show how to use them in letters, private rituals, and visits to meaningful places. We talk about companioning as a posture of presence rather than fixing, and we explain why honest, ongoing conversations can soften guilt and create room for relief, gratitude, and connection. You’ll hear how families create “retroactive” goodbyes that matter just as much as bedside moments, even years later.For kids, we share hands-on ideas that work: a simple “time machine” drawing with a pretend phone to call the past, a “wish I could tell you” jar, and place-based practices like sitting in a loved one’s favorite spot to speak what’s on their heart. We highlight how writing organizes big feelings, how rituals anchor memory, and why the bond with someone who died continues through stories, values, and everyday acts of remembrance.If you’re carrying unsaid words or wondering how to guide a grieving child, this conversation offers validation, language, and tools you can use today. Listen, share with someone who needs it, and if our work helps you, please follow, rate, and leave a review so more families can find support. What message would you add to your goodbye?Order the book When Grief Comes Home https://a.co/d/ijaiP5LSend us Fan MailFor more information on Jessica’s House or for additional resources, please go to jessicashouse.org 

The diagnosis redraws the map of a family’s life, and suddenly everyone is living in two worlds: the one they knew and the one they never asked for. We dive into anticipatory grief—the real grief that begins long before a death—unpacking how it changes routines, identities, and relationships. From the “before and after” moment to the long grind of treatments, we name the hidden costs of caregiving, the overwhelm of new medical language, and the relentless fatigue that makes even simple decisions feel heavy.Together with Erin Nelson and Colleen Montague from Jessica’s House, we get practical about what helps. We explore the myth that more time makes you ready, and why relief, guilt, and anger can sit side by side after a long illness. You’ll hear clear, compassionate scripts for talking with kids about death and illness, ways to validate their feelings without shutting them down, and simple phrases that help them discover they did nothing wrong. We also share strategies for reframing hard rooms and images, using photos, stories, and rituals to separate the person you love from the illness that changed everything.If medical settings now trigger fear, we offer concrete steps for preparing children—alerting providers, involving child life specialists, and using kid-friendly videos to demystify procedures. We talk about choosing quality of life, explaining treatment decisions in age-appropriate ways, and inviting your community into the messy middle without shame. Through it all, we focus on authenticity, presence, and the belief that kids are natural mourners when given empathy and permission.If this conversation supports you, subscribe, share it with a friend who’s grieving, and leave a rating and review to help more families find these tools. Your review puts this episode in the hands of parents who need it most.Order the book When Grief Comes Home https://a.co/d/ijaiP5LSend us Fan MailFor more information on Jessica’s House or for additional resources, please go to jessicashouse.org 

Some grief gets welcomed with casseroles and open arms. Other grief is met with silence, side‑eye, or the sense that you don’t have the right to mourn. We go straight at disenfranchised grief—losses like suicide, overdose, miscarriage, pregnancy loss, or the death of an ex‑partner—naming how stigma shrinks support and deepens isolation, and how to reclaim the validation every mourner deserves.We share Erin’s story of two very different deaths and the stark contrast in community response, then define disenfranchised grief and the “unwritten rules” that tell people to hide. Together with Colleen, we unpack sacred silence versus silent indifference, the suspicion that follows certain causes of death, and the internal self‑judgment many parents carry. You’ll hear practical ways to help kids and teens: simple scripts like “my dad died from a mental illness,” how to hold mixed feelings such as relief and sadness at the same time, and why honest conversations about complex relationships protect children from shame.We also offer hands‑on tools you can use today. Learn expressive options beyond talk—art, music, storytelling with figurines, movement—and ceremony ideas when words fall short: lighting a candle, planting a tree after miscarriage, writing letters, and sharing one word that captures your person. We close with prompts that keep the whole person in view: what you’ll never forget, what you want others to know, and the qualities you’ll carry forward.If this resonates, you’re not alone. Your grief matters, your bond was real, and healing grows in community. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a quick review so more families can find support. Have a topic you want us to explore next? Email [email protected] and join the conversation.Order the book When Grief Comes Home https://a.co/d/ijaiP5LSend us Fan MailFor more information on Jessica’s House or for additional resources, please go to jessicashouse.org 

When a child returns to school after a death, routine and heartbreak collide. We open this conversation with Erin’s story of walking her daughter into kindergarten weeks after losing her dad and the quiet power of structure—the same faces at the door, a predictable pickup time, and a teacher who became a steady anchor. From there, we build a practical roadmap parents and educators can use right away: how to set up half-days, flexible assignments, and a discreet system for “grief days” so kids can step out before overwhelm takes over.We talk through classroom dynamics with care. Teachers need language that is clear, concrete, and compassionate when sharing hard news with students. We explain why gathering in a circle, naming death plainly, and normalizing mixed emotions helps classmates welcome a grieving peer without turning them into “the kid whose parent died.” We also share real-world tools for big feelings in busy halls: movement breaks, comfort corners, and small rituals like a double goodbye or matching hearts drawn on hands to ease separation anxiety.Older students face different choices, from taking a lighter load to pausing a term. Erin reflects on her family’s decision to step back from college after the death of a sibling, highlighting how mental health, distance from home, and timing shape what “support” looks like. We round out the conversation with scripts for handling insensitive comments, an ally plan to reduce isolation, and simple ways to check in that go beyond “How are you?”—using a feelings wheel, images, and concrete questions that kids can actually answer.If you’re navigating school after loss, you’re not alone. Grab these strategies, share them with a teacher or counselor, and make a plan your child can trust. For more resources, visit jessicashouse.org. If this conversation helped, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review to help other families find support.Order the book When Grief Comes Home https://a.co/d/ijaiP5LSend us Fan MailFor more information on Jessica’s House or for additional resources, please go to jessicashouse.org 

The hardest calendar invite is the one that pulls you back to work after a death. Your world has changed, yet the inbox still fills, the meetings still stack, and people don’t know whether to talk about it—or avoid it. In this conversation with Erin Nelson and Colleen Montague from Jessica’s House, we sit with the truth that you’re not the same person, and work needs to meet you where you are.Erin shares her story of stepping away after her son Carter died and returning in phases, naming the clunky handoffs, the new workplace dynamics, and how grief reshapes leadership and teamwork. We unpack what many grieving parents experience: cognitive fog, surges of emotion during routine tasks, and the quiet relief of colleagues who check in without prying. Together we map practical steps to make re-entry kinder—looping in HR early, exploring family leave, proposing flexible schedules, and setting simple agreements with supervisors and peers so you don’t have to carry unspoken expectations.You’ll hear grounded tools you can use the moment you’re back at your desk or on the floor: sensory grounding to find the present in a hard meeting, short “reset” lists you can keep nearby, and how a designated private space—a car, a quiet room, a “cry closet”—can help you release pressure without shame. We talk about distinguishing intrusive thoughts from the steady ache of grief and why brief logic tasks, like a quick game of Tetris, can interrupt re-traumatization. We also lean into body-based care: hydration, crunchy or cold snacks that wake you up, warmth and weight to calm your system, peer proofreading for foggy days, and micro-rest that supports sleep when nights are broken.Whether you’re a nurse with no spare minute, a teacher without a private office, or a manager navigating your team’s uncertainty, this episode offers adaptable ideas and language to ask for what you need. If your workplace isn’t sure how to help, bring them this playbook. Subscribe for more compassionate conversations on parenting through loss, share this with someone returning to work after bereavement, and leave a review to tell us what practices steadied you.Order the book When Grief Comes Home https://a.co/d/ijaiP5LSend us Fan MailFor more information on Jessica’s House or for additional resources, please go to jessicashouse.org 

Joyful traditions can feel unbearably loud when grief settles in a home. We sat down to map out a kinder way to show up for grieving parents during the holidays—one rooted in companioning, where presence matters more than pep talks and fixing gives way to listening. The goal isn’t to lift someone out of grief; it’s to walk alongside them with steadiness, humility, and care.We unpack how the season’s bright energy often clashes with the body-heavy weight of loss, and why “Don’t cheer them up” can be the most loving rule of thumb. You’ll hear simple, human ways to help: say their person’s name without hesitation, send the photo or memory even if tears come, and use small rituals like lighting a candle and texting a picture to signal “I’m with you.” We share scripts you can borrow, from writing holiday cards that acknowledge the pain to invitations that include permission to leave early and a quiet room to decompress. We also talk consent before tributes—asking if a toast, a photo on the mantle, or a candle feels supportive—and letting the griever lead.For those who want to move from vague offers to real relief, we lay out concrete ideas: handle teacher gifts, assemble toys, wrap presents, run errands, drop off freezer meals, or organize yard work. If you’re close, help build a shared note of needs so friends can plug in without creating more decisions. And through it all, lean into your strengths—whether you’re a doer, a writer, a steady texter, or a calm presence in silence. These small acts help parents conserve energy for what matters most: caring for their children in a season that magnifies absence.If this conversation helped, share it with someone who wants to show up better. Subscribe for more grounded guidance, and leave a rating and review so other families searching for grief support can find us.Order the book When Grief Comes Home https://a.co/d/ijaiP5LSend us Fan MailFor more information on Jessica’s House or for additional resources, please go to jessicashouse.org 

The lights are bright, the music is loud, and everywhere you look someone is telling you to be merry—while your home carries an empty seat. We open the door to a different way of doing the holidays after a death, one that honors grief, protects your energy, and still makes space for your kids’ sparkle when they have it.Together, Erin and Colleen name the reality many parents feel but rarely say out loud: traditions can hurt, “firsts” can ambush you, and rest isn’t optional. You’ll hear practical ways to simplify without guilt, set boundaries with family, and create a comfort space you can slip into for ten quiet minutes. We reframe asking for help as a deep act of connection and share a simple system—a visible task list and a trusted point person—to turn offers into real support. Plans are written in pencil, not Sharpie, so you can leave early, skip what stings, or try something new this year and return to old rituals later.We also focus on kids’ needs. Use gentle, open prompts—“I wonder what you’re wondering”—to invite questions about the death, the person who died, and the season ahead. Blend conversation with movement: toss a balloon while you talk, shoot hoops and trade memories, or step outside to discharge extra energy. These small, playful rituals help children regulate big feelings and make remembering feel safe. And when their eyes light up for traditions you can’t carry alone, enlist your circle—let an aunt handle teacher gifts or a friend lead tree decorating for an hour—so kids feel supported without you burning out.If the person’s absence feels like the loudest voice in the room, say it. Honesty lowers the pressure to be “okay” and teaches others how to support you. Press play for language you can use today, strategies you can try tonight, and permission to do only what your heart and body can hold. If this episode helps, please subscribe, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more grieving families can find their way to these tools.Order the book When Grief Comes Home https://a.co/d/ijaiP5LSend us Fan MailFor more information on Jessica’s House or for additional resources, please go to jessicashouse.org 

Welcome to the When Grief Comes Home podcast. We're glad you're here. This podcast supports parents who are grieving a spouse, partner, or child while helping their children who are living through the loss of a parent or sibling. With personal grief stories and professional guidance, we offer parents practical tips for supporting their child who is grieving while caring for their own grief. A four-year-old finds her dad gone one morning, and that moment reshapes the rest of her life. Audrey joins us to share how childhood loss became a compass—through awkward school projects, the hush that follows “my dad died,” and the everyday pangs that hit when a dashboard light turns on and there’s no one to call. Her story moves from memory and faith to the practical tools—children’s books, art therapy, journaling, and community support—that helped her speak what words couldn’t.We walk with Audrey through later losses that stirred old alarms and led to a diagnosis of delayed expression PTSD. She opens up about panic attacks, sleepless nights, and the surprising relief she found in body-based practices like progressive muscle relaxation and grounding. Along the way, we talk about post-traumatic growth: how grief work, peer support, and meaning-making transformed pain into purpose, guiding her toward social work and back to Jessica’s House as a volunteer, youth ambassador, and intern.This episode is a compassionate guide for parents navigating children’s bereavement and for anyone seeking grief support that honors both heart and body. We share language for tough conversations, simple family rituals that keep memories alive—hello, monarch butterflies—and clear, age-appropriate ways to talk about death without sugarcoating. If you’re looking for practical coping skills, faith-informed resilience, and a reminder that “moving forward” doesn’t mean letting go, this conversation is for you.If this conversation helps, share it with someone who needs it, subscribe for future episodes, and leave a rating and review so others can find the show. For free grief resources or peer support, visit jessicashouse.org, and email topic ideas to [email protected] the book When Grief Comes Home https://a.co/d/ijaiP5LSend us Fan MailFor more information on Jessica’s House or for additional resources, please go to jessicashouse.org 

Welcome to the When Grief Comes Home podcast. We're glad you're here. This podcast supports parents who are grieving a spouse, partner, or child while helping their children who are living through the loss of a parent or sibling. With personal grief stories and professional guidance, we offer parents practical tips for supporting their child who is grieving while caring for their own grief. What if the only way out of the storm is through it—and what if that path could widen your life? Erin and Colleen explore how leaning into grief, rather than outrunning it, can open doors to strength, empathy, deeper relationships, and a renewed sense of meaning. This isn’t about silver linings. It’s about honest pain, real support, and the surprising growth that can follow when we feel, speak, and share our losses.We unpack post‑traumatic growth through five research‑backed domains—personal strength, closeness with others, new possibilities, appreciation of life, and spiritual or existential expansion. Erin and Colleen bring this to life with stories from families and kids, from the teen who finally opened up after being asked “What’s one thing you want me to know about your dad?” to parents who learned that modeling emotions teaches children that big feelings are survivable. You’ll hear practical tools you can use today: letting waves of grief crest and recede, breathing and bilateral movement, journaling or voice notes, nighttime “dosing” strategies to protect rest, and building a circle of trustworthy helpers so you don’t carry this alone.We also talk about keeping bonds alive. As Dr. Alan Wolfelt teaches, death ends a life, not a relationship. Bringing your person into everyday moments—“What would Mom think of this?”—can lighten the body and soften the day. And we’ll be honest about avoidance: when we stuff feelings, they leak into our bodies and behaviors. Turning toward pain gently, with support, lets healing do its quiet work. Grief may never end because love never ends, but a larger, kinder life is possible.If this conversation helps, share it with someone who needs it, subscribe for future episodes, and leave a rating and review so others can find the show. For free grief resources or peer support, visit jessicashouse.org, and email topic ideas to [email protected] the book When Grief Comes Home https://a.co/d/ijaiP5LSend us Fan MailFor more information on Jessica’s House or for additional resources, please go to jessicashouse.org 

Welcome to the When Grief Comes Home podcast. We're glad you're here. This podcast supports parents who are grieving a spouse, partner, or child while helping their children who are living through the loss of a parent or sibling. With personal grief stories and professional guidance, we offer parents practical tips for supporting their child who is grieving while caring for their own grief. Hope doesn’t erase grief—it gives it somewhere to go. We sit down with Ashley Oplinger, founder and executive director of Bridget’s Cradles and host of Cradled in Hope, to trace how a handmade cradle in a Wichita hospital became a nationwide lifeline for more than 30,000 bereaved families each year. Ashley shares Bridget’s story with unflinching honesty, opening space for the raw questions parents carry after miscarriage and stillbirth: Where is God? Why does guilt cling to my body? How do I live with an empty nursery and a full heart?Together we explore a practical, faith‑rooted path through loss. Ashley explains how she moved from feeling forsaken to trusting God’s character, flipping the script so scripture shapes thoughts and feelings instead of letting pain define who God is. We talk about the ministry of presence, what to say (and what to avoid), and simple survival tools for the hard nights—protein when meals feel impossible, opening the blinds, and listening to the Psalms when reading is too heavy. Ashley also offers a clear, comforting vision of heaven and the new earth, where reunion is real and embodied, and why “grateful and grieving” can exist at the same time without cancelling each other out.Ashley also honors her father, SRG, who was killed by a drunk driver, and shares how drumming became therapy—turning anger into rhythm and engaging the brain much like EMDR. If you or someone you love is navigating pregnancy or infant loss, you’ll find gentle wisdom, practical guidance, and resources: support groups, free ebooks, and Ashley’s new book, Cradled in Hope. Listen, share with a friend who needs it, and help us reach more parents—subscribe, leave a review, and tell us: what helps you hold both joy and sorrow today?Order the book When Grief Comes Home https://a.co/d/ijaiP5LSend us Fan MailFor more information on Jessica’s House or for additional resources, please go to jessicashouse.org 

Welcome to the When Grief Comes Home podcast. We're glad you're here. This podcast supports parents who are grieving a spouse, partner, or child while helping their children who are living through the loss of a parent or sibling. With personal grief stories and professional guidance, we offer parents practical tips for supporting their child who is grieving while caring for their own grief. The room gets quieter when pregnancy loss comes up, and that silence can make grief feel even heavier. We open the door wide—talking candidly about miscarriage and stillbirth, why the loss can feel invisible, and how parents can honor a baby’s life at any gestational age without apologizing for their pain. Erin and Colleen share tender personal stories, the origins of our Heartstrings group, and the small, steady practices that bring comfort when words fail.You’ll hear practical ways to care for yourself in the early days and beyond, from navigating hormonal shifts and the shock of emptiness to setting boundaries around showers and birthdays. We also explore the complicated emotions of future pregnancies—the way joy mixes with fear—and how to create rituals that carry meaning: candles on a “Heaven Day,” planting a tree or rose bush, memory boxes, Molly Bears, and using your baby’s name. For friends and family, we offer guidance that actually helps: show up with meals and gift cards, keep inviting without pressure, remember due dates and anniversaries, and send a simple message that says, “Your baby mattered.”Parents with other children will find ideas to include siblings in healthy remembrance—letters, drawings, and the “I wish/I wonder” prompts that keep a sibling’s story alive in an age-appropriate way. Throughout, we return to one truth: grief changes, but love remains. If this conversation resonates, subscribe, share it with someone who needs gentle support, and leave a review so more grieving families can find us.Order the book When Grief Comes Home https://a.co/d/ijaiP5LSend us Fan MailFor more information on Jessica’s House or for additional resources, please go to jessicashouse.org 

Welcome to the When Grief Comes Home podcast. We're glad you're here. This podcast supports parents who are grieving a spouse, partner, or child while helping their children who are living through the loss of a parent or sibling. With personal grief stories and professional guidance, we offer parents practical tips for supporting their child who is grieving while caring for their own grief. When grieving, we desperately need what therapist Kristi Gaultiere calls "oxygen for the soul" – empathy. Not quick fixes or sympathetic platitudes, but the profound healing that comes through being truly seen in our pain.In this illuminating conversation, Kristi unpacks why empathy transforms grief by allowing us to breathe through unbearable moments. Research shows that when someone responds to our vulnerability with genuine understanding, our whole body responds – energy increases, fatigue decreases, sleep improves, and our ability to concentrate returns. Without this empathetic connection, we remain isolated in our pain, unable to process our grief effectively.Kristi walks us through her practical Four A's framework for offering empathy: Ask curious questions, Attune completely to the person, Acknowledge the unique significance of their loss, and Affirm their strength (but only after the first three steps). She clarifies crucial distinctions between healthy empathy and codependency, explaining how true empathy empowers while codependency drains both parties.For parents navigating their own grief while supporting children, Kristi offers wisdom about self-empathy and befriending our emotions. When we judge or shame ourselves for feelings like anger or sadness, our children learn to suppress their emotions too. By modeling acceptance of our grief, we create safe spaces for our children to process theirs.Most powerfully, Kristi reminds us that our wounds can become sources of healing for others. Through our grief journey, we develop deeper capacity for empathy – turning our pain into a gift that helps others feel less alone. Whether you're grieving, supporting someone who is, or simply want to become more empathetic, this episode offers practical wisdom and heartfelt guidance for the journey ahead.Order the book When Grief Comes Home https://a.co/d/ijaiP5LSend us Fan MailFor more information on Jessica’s House or for additional resources, please go to jessicashouse.org 

Welcome to the When Grief Comes Home podcast. We're glad you're here. This podcast supports parents who are grieving a spouse, partner, or child while helping their children who are living through the loss of a parent or sibling. With personal grief stories and professional guidance, we offer parents practical tips for supporting their child who is grieving while caring for their own grief. In this episode, Erin and Colleen share the powerful concept of "the rule of thirds" in grief support—how a third of people will disappointingly vanish, will provide neutral assistance, and will show up in ways you never imagined. Beyond practical support, we dig into the emotional quality of relationships during grief. The difference between true compassion versus what we call "silent indifference" can profoundly impact healing. We discuss how to handle well-intentioned but painful platitudes, express your authentic needs, and conserve precious emotional energy by showing up as your true grieving self instead of maintaining appearances.Order the book When Grief Comes Home https://a.co/d/ijaiP5LSend us Fan MailFor more information on Jessica’s House or for additional resources, please go to jessicashouse.org 

Welcome to the When Grief Comes Home podcast. We're glad you're here. This podcast supports parents who are grieving a spouse, partner, or child while helping their children who are living through the loss of a parent or sibling. With personal grief stories and professional guidance, we offer parents practical tips for supporting their child who is grieving while caring for their own grief. In this episode, Erin reflects on a moment of panic while driving through fog after her son’s death—an emotional “grief storm” that arrived without warning. We explore how grief can feel unpredictable and intense, and how tools like deep breathing and grounding can help bring us back to center.Using Dr. Dan Siegel’s “window of tolerance” framework, we look at how grief can leave us feeling overwhelmed or numb—and how to gently return to a place of balance. For parents, we share a creative activity where children illustrate their own “grief weather,” helping them name their feelings and discover what helps them cope.Grief storms do pass. And with the right support, we can move through them with greater strength and compassion.Have you had a grief storm? Share your story or leave a review to help others find this conversation.Order the book When Grief Comes Home https://a.co/d/ijaiP5LSend us Fan MailFor more information on Jessica’s House or for additional resources, please go to jessicashouse.org 

Welcome to the When Grief Comes Home podcast. We're glad you're here. This podcast supports parents who are grieving a spouse, partner, or child while helping their children who are living through the loss of a parent or sibling. With personal grief stories and professional guidance, we offer parents practical tips for supporting their child who is grieving while caring for their own grief. In this episode, we explore spirituality’s complex role in grief—from finding unexpected solace to wrestling with deep doubts.Erin Nelson shares how scripture became her lifeline after her husband’s death, offering comfort in dark moments. We also address tough questions like “why us?” and the silence that follows prayers.The episode highlights how faith communities provide vital support, creating spaces for shared grief. Brad reflects on the hopeful shift from “goodbye” to “see you later,” acknowledging the longing for physical presence.Parents will find helpful advice on supporting children’s spiritual questions—from imaginative beliefs to deeper doubts—with Colleen offering honest, practical language to hold mystery and truth.Order the book When Grief Comes Home https://a.co/d/ijaiP5LSend us Fan MailFor more information on Jessica’s House or for additional resources, please go to jessicashouse.org 

Welcome to the When Grief Comes Home podcast. We're glad you're here. This podcast supports parents who are grieving a spouse, partner, or child while helping their children who are living through the loss of a parent or sibling. With personal grief stories and professional guidance, we offer parents practical tips for supporting their child who is grieving while caring for their own grief. In this raw, honest conversation about grief and belief, Erin Nelson shares her starkly different spiritual journeys through two devastating losses. After her husband died in a plane crash, her faith deepened as she found comfort in scripture and prayer. Yet when her son Carter died years later in a car accident, she found herself furious with God, questioning everything she'd always believed. The team explores why protest is not just normal but necessary in grief—and how that anger can actually be an expression of profound love. They tackle the well-meaning but sometimes harmful "bright-siding" that happens in faith communities and offer permission to question, doubt, and wrestle with spiritual beliefs without shame.Please subscribe to the When Grief Comes Home podcast and leave us a review. The more stars, reviews, and downloads the show receives, the more parents and families in grief can find support.  Order the book When Grief Comes Home https://a.co/d/ijaiP5LSend us a textSend us Fan MailFor more information on Jessica’s House or for additional resources, please go to jessicashouse.org 

Welcome to the When Grief Comes Home podcast. We're glad you're here. This podcast supports parents who are grieving a spouse, partner, or child while helping their children who are living through the loss of a parent or sibling. With personal grief stories and professional guidance, we offer parents practical tips for supporting their child who is grieving while caring for their own grief. In this episode, Brad, Erin, and Colleen explore how tangible reminders, personal stories, and ongoing emotional bonds play essential roles in both adult and child grief processes. By embracing the fullness of relationships and fostering open conversations about grief, families can find meaningful ways to keep memories alive. Please subscribe to the When Grief Comes Home podcast and leave us a review. The more stars, reviews, and downloads the show receives, the more parents and families in grief can find support.  Order the book When Grief Comes Home https://a.co/d/ijaiP5LSend us Fan MailFor more information on Jessica’s House or for additional resources, please go to jessicashouse.org 

Welcome to the When Grief Comes Home podcast. We're glad you're here. This podcast supports parents who are grieving a spouse, partner, or child while helping their children who are living through the loss of a parent or sibling. With personal grief stories and professional guidance, we offer parents practical tips for supporting their child who is grieving while caring for their own grief. In this episode, Brad, Colleen, and Erin discuss the unique challenges families face when grieving the loss of a loved one from an accidental overdose. Families navigate the stigma associated with this type of death, as well as the complex emotions of shame, guilt, relief, and rage.We share how families often experience years of anticipatory grief while living with someone battling addiction, setting boundaries with love, only to question those decisions after death.Children also have their own regrets and fears, wondering if they could have prevented the death. It's vital to share the honest truth with them because it creates a foundation for trust and healing. Please subscribe to the When Grief Comes Home podcast and leave us a review. The more stars, reviews, and downloads the show receives, the more parents and families in grief can find support.  Order the book When Grief Comes Home https://a.co/d/ijaiP5LSend us Fan MailFor more information on Jessica’s House or for additional resources, please go to jessicashouse.org 

Welcome to the When Grief Comes Home podcast. We're glad you're here. This podcast supports parents who are grieving a spouse, partner, or child while helping their children who are living through the loss of a parent or sibling. With personal grief stories and professional guidance, we offer parents practical tips for supporting their child who is grieving while caring for their own grief. In this episode, Brad, Colleen, and Erin explore the complexities of grief within a family, offering wisdom on navigating the unique healing journeys of each member.Losing a loved one disrupts the natural rhythm of family life, often shifting roles and routines. We examine the concept of homeostasis and how families struggle to adjust to this absence. We will learn how tuning into one’s body and addressing personal needs can help restore a sense of stability.Supporting children through grief brings its own challenges, especially while managing your own sorrow. This episode emphasizes the importance of allowing children to express their emotions and take the lead in their healing process. We offer guidance on recognizing when additional support may be needed and reassure parents that mood fluctuations are a natural part of grief.Please subscribe to the When Grief Comes Home podcast and leave us a review. The more stars, reviews, and downloads the show receives, the more parents and families in grief can find support.  Order the book When Grief Comes Home https://a.co/d/ijaiP5LSend us Fan MailFor more information on Jessica’s House or for additional resources, please go to jessicashouse.org 

Welcome to the When Grief Comes Home podcast. We're glad you're here. This podcast supports parents who are grieving a spouse, partner, or child while helping their children who are living through the loss of a parent or sibling. With personal grief stories and professional guidance, we offer parents practical tips for supporting their child who is grieving while caring for their own grief. In this episode, Erin, Colleen, and Brad discuss how a parent can support their child as they grieve the loss of their sibling. Parents are encouraged to hold honest conversations as their child or children begin to have questions and worries about death. We also guide parents to hold space for their child's emotions and normalize their fears.This episode encourages parents to keep the memory of the sibling alive through linking objects or bookmaking to alleviate the fear of forgetting them. The importance of intentional time is also emphasized as we share about the value of one-one time with each child after the death.Please subscribe to the When Grief Comes Home podcast and leave us a review. The more stars, reviews, and downloads the show receives, the more parents and families in grief can find support.  Order the book When Grief Comes Home https://a.co/d/ijaiP5LSend us Fan MailFor more information on Jessica’s House or for additional resources, please go to jessicashouse.org 

Welcome to the When Grief Comes Home podcast. We're glad you're here. This podcast supports parents who are grieving a spouse, partner, or child while helping their children who are living through the loss of a parent or sibling. With personal grief stories and professional guidance, we offer parents practical tips for supporting their child who is grieving while caring for their own grief. In this episode, Brad, Colleen, and Erin talk about grieving a child and the many ways a family changes after the death. Partner relationships shift as each person finds their own way to heal. Sibling dynamics change as each child's role in the family is reshaped. Future milestones are grieved as families face the loss of what will never be.The loss of a child is a loss of a piece of yourself. Today, we discuss the importance of honoring your own grief while embracing the differences in how each family member mourns. We also explore the nuances of grief and mourning, emphasizing the need for expression and companionship during the healing process. Please subscribe to the When Grief Comes Home podcast and leave us a review. The more stars, reviews, and downloads the show receives, the more parents and families in grief can find support.  Order the book When Grief Comes Home https://a.co/d/ijaiP5LSend us Fan MailFor more information on Jessica’s House or for additional resources, please go to jessicashouse.org 

Welcome to the When Grief Comes Home podcast. We're glad you're here. This podcast supports parents who are grieving a spouse, partner, or child while helping their children who are living through the loss of a parent or sibling. With personal grief stories and professional guidance, we offer parents practical tips for supporting their child who is grieving while caring for their own grief. When your child loses their parent, they often experience a compromised sense of safety. They may wonder if something else bad might happen and even worry about their surviving parent’s health and well being. In this episode we explore how to support your child and help bring security and comfort after the death of their parent. We offer insights and resources on how to support your child after the death of their parent with ideas on how to explain death to your child. Please subscribe to the When Grief Comes Home podcast and leave us a review. The more stars, reviews, and downloads the show receives, the more parents and families in grief can find support.  Order the book When Grief Comes Home https://a.co/d/ijaiP5LSend us Fan MailFor more information on Jessica’s House or for additional resources, please go to jessicashouse.org 

Welcome to the When Grief Comes Home podcast. We're glad you're here. This podcast supports parents who are grieving a spouse, partner, or child while helping their children who are living through the loss of a parent or sibling. With personal grief stories and professional guidance, we offer parents practical tips for supporting their child who is grieving while caring for their own grief. Losing your spouse or partner changes everything. In this episode, Brad, Colleen, and Erin illuminate the often-overlooked changes that come with such a profound loss. The loss of a spouse or partner reshapes all aspects of daily life. Today we discuss the disorienting experience of adjusting after someone who lived with you side by side is no longer there. We explain how guilt is a natural companion in the grieving process and how it affects both adults and children. We explore how to acclimate with new responsibilities and routines. We offer strategies for what can help with the physicality of grief and how these feelings impact your body.We offer insights and resources on how to support your child after the death of their parent with ideas on how to explain death to your child. Please subscribe to the When Grief Comes Home podcast and leave us a review. The more stars, reviews, and downloads the show receives, the more parents and families in grief can find support.  Order the book When Grief Comes Home https://a.co/d/ijaiP5LSend us Fan MailFor more information on Jessica’s House or for additional resources, please go to jessicashouse.org 

Welcome to the When Grief Comes Home podcast. We're glad you're here. This podcast supports parents who are grieving a spouse, partner, or child while helping their children who are living through the loss of a parent or sibling. With personal grief stories and professional guidance, we offer parents practical tips for supporting their child who is grieving while caring for their own grief. This episode explores the newly released book, When Grief Comes Home. We discuss why we wrote the book, how the book can help you in grief and also reveals a little bit about our writing process.Colleen reveals a LIE she accidentally told on the podcast and we have a little fun talking about the book launch. Thank you for joining us🤍Please subscribe to the When Grief Comes Home podcast and leave us a review. The more stars, reviews, and downloads the show receives, the more parents and families in grief can find support.  Order the book When Grief Comes Home https://a.co/d/ijaiP5LSend us Fan MailFor more information on Jessica’s House or for additional resources, please go to jessicashouse.org 

Welcome to the When Grief Comes Home podcast. We're glad you're here. This podcast supports parents who are grieving a spouse, partner, or child while helping their children who are living through the loss of a parent or sibling. With personal grief stories and professional guidance, we offer parents practical tips for supporting their child who is grieving while caring for their own grief. In this episode, we discuss how each person in a family grieves differently and offer practical wisdom for parents as they balance self-care and the needs of their children. This episode offers techniques for honoring each person in your family's needs as they mourn. It offers ideas for maintaining consistency and providing sensory safety to help ease your child's worries. We discuss the value of routines, simple comforts, and honest conversations. With methods for deepening parent-child communication using reflective techniques and prompts like "I wonder" and "I hope” we help parents facilitate expression with their child. Please subscribe to the When Grief Comes Home podcast and leave us a review. The more stars, reviews, and downloads the show receives, the more parents and families in grief can find support.  Pre-order the book When Grief Comes Home https://a.co/d/ijaiP5LSend us Fan MailFor more information on Jessica’s House or for additional resources, please go to jessicashouse.org 

Welcome to the When Grief Comes Home podcast. We're glad you're here. This podcast supports parents who are grieving a spouse, partner, or child while helping their children who are living through the loss of a parent or sibling. With personal grief stories and professional guidance, we offer parents practical tips for supporting their child who is grieving while caring for their own grief. I this episode we explore emotions with complex deaths—guilt, shame, and emotional isolation. These feelings are often magnified when the loss is stigmatized, such as in cases of suicide. We find ways of creating safe spaces for expression and discuss open communication within families. This conversation encourages listeners to honor the magnitude of their loss and acknowledges the conflicting emotions, including relief, that survivors might experience.We provide practical coping strategies for those affected by grief with trauma, how to find support and find those you can have honest conversations about death by suicide and mental health. Special attention is also given to families affected by homicide and the complex emotions tied to ongoing court procedures. For parents, we offer guidance on helping children with grief, advocating for honest communication, and the sharing of information. Join us as we help create a safe environment where both adults and children can express their feelings and find ways to heal.If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for support. You can call the National LifeLine at 988 or text HELLO to 741741.American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: www.afsp.orgPlease subscribe to the When Grief Comes Home podcast and leave us a review. The more stars, reviews, and downloads the show receives, the more parents and families in grief can find support.  Pre-order the book When Grief Comes Home https://a.co/d/ijaiP5LSend us Fan MailFor more information on Jessica’s House or for additional resources, please go to jessicashouse.org 

Welcome to the When Grief Comes Home podcast. We're glad you're here. This podcast supports parents who are grieving a spouse, partner, or child while helping their children who are living through the loss of a parent or sibling. With personal grief stories and professional guidance, we offer parents practical tips for supporting their child who is grieving while caring for their own grief.This episode supports parents who are making decisions about the funeral. It highlights how to involve your children, ensuring they feel secure and included. The team shares self-care tips, such as maintaining nutrition and hydration, which are often overlooked during stressful times.We share insights on prioritizing rest, delegating tasks, and creating time for rest. It explores the financial and emotional hurdles you face when you are grieving, face, the importance of seeking community support, and the long-term benefits of grief support for parents and children. Please subscribe to the When Grief Comes Home podcast and leave us a review. The more stars, reviews, and downloads the show receives, the more parents and families in grief can find support. Order the book When Grief Comes Home https://a.co/d/ijaiP5LSend us Fan MailFor more information on Jessica’s House or for additional resources, please go to jessicashouse.org 

Welcome to the When Grief Comes Home podcast. We're glad you're here. This podcast supports parents who are grieving a spouse, partner, or child while helping their children who are living through the loss of a parent or sibling. With personal grief stories and professional guidance, we offer parents practical tips for supporting their child who is grieving while caring for their own grief.This episode explores how to take care of yourself while grieving during the holidays. We highlight communication within families and provide tips on how to help children express their mixed emotions of joy and sadness during the holidays. We offer practical suggestions such as asking for help with tasks while finding meaningful ways to remember loved ones. As the year draws to a close, families in grief face emotional complexities. Some may feel a sense of relief at leaving a painful year behind, while others may struggle with moving forward. We explore various ways to remember loved ones from family ceremonies to new traditions. You will discover how ceremonies like candle lighting can provide a sense of connection and solace. Please subscribe to the When Grief Comes Home podcast and leave us a review. The more stars, reviews, and downloads the show receives, the more parents and families in grief can find support.  Pre-order the book When Grief Comes Home https://a.co/d/ijaiP5LCandle ceremony:1. We light this candle in your memory. We will never forget the times we laughed or disagreed, the fun times, or the memories we made. We carry you with us, always.2. We light this candle for the emptiness we feel without you. The pain of missing you reminds us of the depth of our love for you. We wish you were here with us, and we remember you.3. We light this candle for hope. We remind ourselves that feelings are not forever. When living without you feels like too much, may we trust we will feel hopeful again.4. We light this candle for love. We remember our love for you and yours for us. May the love you brought to this world shine in us for each other. Send us Fan MailFor more information on Jessica’s House or for additional resources, please go to jessicashouse.org 

Welcome to the When Grief Comes Home podcast. We're glad you're here. This podcast supports parents who are grieving a spouse, partner, or child while helping their children who are living through the loss of a parent or sibling. With personal grief stories and professional guidance, we offer parents practical tips for supporting their child who is grieving while caring for their own grief.This episode explores how to be present to the emotions of grief and allow our community to support us. As we mourn during the early days, we create space for emotional processing and expression. We discuss how to accept help and the natural tendency to push grief away, emphasizing that it’s never too late to seek healing through personal rituals or community ceremonies.Parents will learn ways to help their children express overwhelming emotions and discover how they can be pillars of stability as they reflect and mirror their grief processes. This episode is a compassionate guide toward finding long-term support, balancing personal and family needs, and ensuring that mourning can open you to deeper connections and emotional resilience.Please subscribe to the When Grief Comes Home podcast and leave us a review. The more stars, reviews, and downloads the show receives, the more parents and families in grief can find support.  Pre-order the book When Grief Comes Home https://a.co/d/ijaiP5LSend us Fan MailFor more information on Jessica’s House or for additional resources, please go to jessicashouse.org 

Welcome to the When Grief Comes Home podcast. We're glad you're here. This podcast supports parents who are grieving a spouse, partner, or child while helping their children who are living through the loss of a parent or sibling. With personal grief stories and professional guidance, we offer parents practical tips for supporting their child who is grieving while caring for their own grief.In this episode, we explore how the holidays can increase the weight of our grief. How can you honor each person's unique way of grieving while communicating about individual needs surrounding the holidays? Practical adjustments, such as minimizing decorations and rethinking gift-giving, are suggested to help families through the holidays.We discover how parents can model healthy mourning for their children during the holidays and share ways to remember their loved ones. Please subscribe to the When Grief Comes Home podcast and leave us a review. The more stars, reviews, and downloads the show receives, the more parents and families in grief can find support. Pre-order the book When Grief Comes Home https://a.co/d/ijaiP5LSend us Fan MailFor more information on Jessica’s House or for additional resources, please go to jessicashouse.org 

Welcome to the When Grief Comes Home podcast. We're glad you're here. This podcast supports parents who are grieving a spouse, partner, or child while helping their children who are living through the loss of a parent or sibling. With personal grief stories and professional guidance, we offer parents practical tips for supporting their child who is grieving while caring for their own grief.This episode explores funerals, the grieving process, and how to allow space for mourning during the funeral planning process. By honoring the unique needs of grievers, we look for meaningful ways to remember your loved one.This episode shares practical tips and activities for involving children in funerals. We discuss how to prepare your child for what they will see and hear at a funeral and how to help children acknowledge the finality of death. Discover how comfort items, quiet spaces, and personalized elements can provide solace and honor your loved one's unique attributes. Please subscribe to the When Grief Comes Home podcast and leave us a review. The more stars, reviews, and downloads the show receives, the more parents and families in grief can find support.  Pre-order the book When Grief Comes Home https://a.co/d/ijaiP5LSend us Fan MailFor more information on Jessica’s House or for additional resources, please go to jessicashouse.org 

Welcome to the When Grief Comes Home podcast. We're glad you're here. This podcast supports parents who are grieving a spouse, partner, or child while helping their children who are living through the loss of a parent or sibling. With personal grief stories and professional guidance, we offer parents practical tips for supporting their child who is grieving while caring for their own grief.In this episode, we explore grief during the changing seasons of fall and the power of listening to your body in grief. We discuss the necessity of noticing fragility and giving yourself permission to cancel plans at the last minute if needed.As Halloween and the winter holidays approach, we explore the changes grieving families face. We touch on matching children's enthusiasm during the holidays while expressing how you miss the person who died. Please subscribe to the When Grief Comes Home podcast and leave us a review. The more stars, reviews, and downloads the show receives, the more parents and families in grief can find support.  Order the book When Grief Comes Home https://a.co/d/ijaiP5LSend us Fan MailFor more information on Jessica’s House or for additional resources, please go to jessicashouse.org 

Welcome to the When Grief Comes Home podcast. We're glad you're here. This podcast supports parents who are grieving a spouse, partner, or child while helping their children who are living through the loss of a parent or sibling. With personal grief stories and professional guidance, we offer parents practical tips for supporting their child who is grieving while caring for their own grief. What happens when you are faced with the unimaginable loss of a partner or child? In this episode of "When Grief Comes Home," we explore the intense feelings of early grief and discuss the importance of listening to your body's needs. We offer solace and understanding for those in early grief, reassuring them that these physical and emotional responses are a normal part of the healing process.Join us as we discuss practical ideas for managing visitors and finding what helps you and your children the most during the early days. We offer space for parents to model emotions for children and to find ways to create routines for a sense of stability. By distinguishing between grief and mourning, we look at how expressing sorrow is essential for parents and children as they heal. This episode offers practical advice and compassionate support for grief, ensuring that no one feels alone in their pain.Please subscribe to the When Grief Comes Home podcast and leave us a review. The more stars, reviews, and downloads the show receives, the more parents and families in grief can find support.  Order the book When Grief Comes Home https://a.co/d/ijaiP5LSend us Fan MailFor more information on Jessica’s House or for additional resources, please go to jessicashouse.org 

Welcome to the first episode of the When Grief Comes Home podcast. We're glad you're here. This podcast supports parents who are grieving a spouse, partner, or child while helping their children who are living through the loss of a parent or sibling. With personal grief stories and professional guidance, we offer parents practical tips for parenting while integrating their own grief.  We are launching this first episode with our host, Brad Quillen, who will be interviewing the founding Executive Director of Jessica's House, Erin Nelson. In this first segment, Erin shares her story of how she first entered the grief world when her husband and mom died when her children were young.  This first podcast introduces how Erin, Brad, and Colleen first met, how they became colleagues, and how Jessica’s House began.  Colleen and Erin introduce their new book When Grief Comes Home and talk about how long it takes to bring a book into the world. Update: In this episode, Erin and Colleen reflect on how a book takes as long to be born into the world as a baby elephant. They mistakenly said that the gestational period for a mama elephant is three years, when it’s actually 18-22 months. They admit that they need to brush up on their animal facts and promise to stay in their lane of grief support. Please subscribe to the When Grief Comes Home podcast and kindly leave us a review. The more stars, words, and downloads the show receives, the more parents and families in grief can find support.  Order the book When Grief Comes Home https://a.co/d/ijaiP5LSend us Fan MailFor more information on Jessica’s House or for additional resources, please go to jessicashouse.org