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The journey through grief often challenges our deepest spiritual beliefs. When devastating loss shatters our world, many find themselves wrestling with profound questions about meaning, purpose, and connection. What happens when our faith feels broken alongside our hearts?

Becky McCoy knows this territory well. After losing her husband while eight months pregnant with their second child, she embarked on a decade-long journey of rediscovery—not just of herself, but of her spiritual foundations.

This conversation explores how spiritual formation offers pathways through grief that honor our full emotional experience. Becky shares how healthy anger acknowledges the wrongness of our loss, while teaching us that not all suffering has meaning or cause. This perspective liberates us from the exhausting cycle of guilt, shame, and self-blame that often accompanies grief.

We delve into practical spiritual practices—from traditional meditation and prayer to creative expressions like storytelling and art appreciation—that help us process grief in body, mind, and spirit.

For anyone questioning their faith after loss or seeking deeper meaning in their suffering, this episode offers compassionate guidance. Whether you're drawn to traditional spiritual practices or searching for new ways to connect with yourself and something greater, Becky's insights illuminate how spiritual formation can transform grief's darkness into unexpected wisdom.

Contact:
www.asiliveandgrieve.com
info@asiliveandgrieve.com
Facebook: As I Live and Grieve
Instagram: @asiliveandgrieve
YouTube: asiliveandgrieve
TikTok: @asiliveandgrieve

To Contact Becky:
Becky Mccoy's Website
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
Threads

Credits:
Music by Kevin MacLeod

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Copyright 2020, by As I Live and Grieve

The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.

Send us some LOVE!

Sarah Mayfield brings a uniquely powerful perspective to the conversation about children's grief – she's both a former elementary school counselor and a bereaved mother who watched her four-year-old son navigate the sudden loss of his younger brother.

When Sarah's 18-month-old son Elliot died unexpectedly in his sleep, she faced not only her own devastating grief but also the challenge of helping her living son Bradley understand and process what had happened. Despite her professional background, nothing had prepared her for guiding a child through sibling loss while managing her own raw emotions.

What makes this episode particularly valuable is Sarah's candid sharing about the realities of childhood grief. She challenges the well-meaning but dismissive comments like "he's too young to remember" or "kids are resilient" that often minimize children's grief experiences. Instead, she offers practical insights about using direct language, answering repeated questions with patience, and creating meaningful rituals that honor the person who died.

Sarah's experience led her to write "The Sure Thing," a beautiful children's book that illustrates how a child can continue to "live that love" for a sibling who has died. Beyond the touching story itself, the book provides valuable resources for grieving families, including 30 suggested activities for honoring lost loved ones and templates for children to express their feelings.

Perhaps the most comforting message Sarah shares is that while the trauma of loss may diminish with time, the love never does.

Contact:
www.asiliveandgrieve.com
info@asiliveandgrieve.com
Facebook: As I Live and Grieve
Instagram: @asiliveandgrieve
YouTube: asiliveandgrieve
TikTok: @asiliveandgrieve

To Reach Sarah:
https://www.livethatlove.com/

Credits:
Music by Kevin MacLeod

Support the show

Copyright 2020, by As I Live and Grieve

The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.

Send us some LOVE!

When was the last time you found yourself in a safe space to talk about grief? In this heartfelt conversation, Kathy welcomes back Nick Gaylord, host of "Our Dead Dads" podcast, for a candid exploration of grief community and the transformative power of shared stories.

Nick opens up about creating his unconventionally-named podcast after his father's death left him struggling with unexpected anger and communication challenges. Despite seeking therapy himself, he recognized how many people lack access to professional grief support due to financial barriers or societal stigma. His solution? Build a platform where anyone could find connection through honest grief conversations without judgment or cost.

The discussion takes a powerful turn when Nick shares insights from his most impactful interviews—conversations with Gabby Petito's parents and Sandy Hook father Robbie Parker. These stories highlight how public tragedies create additional layers of grief, yet also showcase the resilience of those who transform devastating loss into meaningful action. Nick's upcoming participation in the Gabby Petito Foundation's charity golf event demonstrates how grief communities extend beyond podcast conversations into real-world connection and purpose.

Perhaps most revealing is Kathy's personal evolution with death conversations. She recounts arranging "escape calls" to avoid her mother's funeral planning discussions, only to later find herself hosting a grief podcast after gradual exposure through hospice work transformed her relationship with mortality. This journey from avoidance to advocacy perfectly captures why these conversations matter—they create safe spaces for others still struggling to face their grief.

Both hosts emphasize that grief isn't something we can outrun or drink away—it must be processed and moved through. As Nick poignantly puts it, "If we're going to jump off the cliff into the abyss, then let's all hold hands on the way down."

Contact:
www.asiliveandgrieve.com
info@asiliveandgrieve.com
Facebook: As I Live and Grieve
Instagram: @asiliveandgrieve
YouTube: asiliveandgrieve
TikTok: @asiliveandgrieve

To Reach Nick:
Website: http://www.ourdeaddads.com
E-mail : ourdeaddadspodcast@gmail.com

Credits:
Music by Kevin MacLeod

Support the show

Copyright 2020, by As I Live and Grieve

The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.