Episode 448 - Living Well While Waiting as Bereaved Parents with Brad & Jill Sullivan

How do you find hope after the unimaginable loss of a child? And what does it look like to walk through grief with people who truly understand your pain?After losing their 17-year-old daughter, Hannah, to brain cancer, Brad and Jill Sullivan discovered the life-changing power of being surrounded by others who had experienced a similar loss. That journey led them to found While We're Waiting, a ministry that provides retreats, support groups, and Christ-centered community for bereaved parents. Today, they help grieving families find hope by meeting them where they are and reminding them they don't have to walk through loss alone.In this episode, Davey sits down with Brad and Jill to talk about how While We're Waiting was born from their own grief journey, why faith, lament, and authentic community are essential parts of healing, and how God restores hope and purpose even after the deepest loss.If you've ever wondered whether healing is possible after profound loss or longed for a community that understands your grief, this episode is for you. Website: https://whilewerewaiting.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/while.were.waiting/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whilewearewaiting Not living the story you expected? Pain changes us but doesn't have to define us. Discover where you are on your healing journey and get a personalized pathway for your next steps: nothingiswasted.com/starthere Looking for help in navigating the valley of pain and trauma? Our Nothing is Wasted coaches can help: nothingiswasted.com/coaching SEEDS: Download the free SEEDS app (https://tinyurl.com/RONSeedsApp) and take one small step today: plant your first seed and see what God can grow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How can churches become places of healing for people navigating trauma and mental health challenges? And how can those who care for others avoid compassion fatigue and burnout?Laura Howe is a mental health clinician and community development strategist who equips churches to care well for their communities without burning out. Through her work with Hope Made Strong, she helps ministry leaders build sustainable care ministries, prevent burnout, and cultivate churches that become beacons of hope for people who are hurting.In this episode, Davey sits down with Laura to talk about how churches can become healing spaces for those navigating trauma and mental health challenges, how to recognize and prevent compassion fatigue in ministry, and what it looks like to create a sustainable culture of care that brings hope to both caregivers and those they serve.If you've ever felt the weight of caring for others, wrestled with ministry burnout, or wondered how your church can better support people in pain, this episode is for you. Website: https://www.hopemadestrong.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hope_made_strong/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063596195711# Davey's Affiliate link for Church Mental Health Summit: https://www.hopemadestrong.org/a/2148266118/74PVvopLNot living the story you expected? Pain changes us but doesn't have to define us. Discover where you are on your healing journey and get a personalized pathway for your next steps: nothingiswasted.com/starthere Looking for help in navigating the valley of pain and trauma? Our Nothing is Wasted coaches can help: nothingiswasted.com/coaching SEEDS: Download the free SEEDS app (https://tinyurl.com/RONSeedsApp) and take one small step today: plant your first seed and see what God can grow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do we bring hope to communities facing generations of poverty and hardship? And what role does the local church play in renewing neighborhoods and transforming lives?Pastor David Washington knows firsthand the power of hope in the midst of impossible circumstances. Growing up in an environment marked by violence and instability, David encountered the life-changing love of Christ through a church that didn't wait for people to come through its doors—it went into the community, built relationships, and faithfully lived out the gospel. Today, through his work in urban youth ministry and his book, Don't Despise Our Youth: Renewing Hope for Urban Youth Ministry, he equips churches to engage their communities with compassion, wisdom, and lasting impact.In this episode, Davey sits down with David to talk about the realities of systemic poverty and community rebuilding, how the local church can faithfully engage and invest in urban neighborhoods, and why hope in Christ has the power to transform both individuals and entire communities.If you've ever wondered how your faith can make a tangible difference in the places that need hope most, this episode is for you. Website: https://www.kingdomchicago.org/ Book: Don't Despise Our Youth: Renewing Hope for Urban Youth Ministryhttps://amzn.to/3Ry1gOp Not living the story you expected? Pain changes us but doesn't have to define us. Discover where you are on your healing journey and get a personalized pathway for your next steps: nothingiswasted.com/starthere Looking for help in navigating the valley of pain and trauma? Our Nothing is Wasted coaches can help: nothingiswasted.com/coaching SEEDS: Download the free SEEDS app (https://tinyurl.com/RONSeedsApp) and take one small step today: plant your first seed and see what God can grow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How can speaking to God in a new way invite us into a deeper way of seeing and hearing from Him? What role can poetry play in helping us communicate with our Creator?For pastor and author Tyler Staton, the words penned on a page during his cancer journey were never intended for anyone but himself and the Lord. Yet he discovered that the way he communed with God through scribbles in a tattered notebook offered a powerful invitation for all of us—to notice God's presence in both the ordinary moments and the difficult circumstances of our lives. Paired with Scripture, Tyler's book, After Amen: 50 Days of Poetry and Prayer, explores the beautiful intersection of poetry and prayer, offering a meaningful way to examine our lives while paying closer attention to God's presence within them.In this episode, Davey and Tyler discuss how we can better recognize God in the everyday, why it is so important to grieve our losses, and the role spiritual practices play in carrying us into the presence of God amid our pain.If you've ever struggled to find the words to speak to God, this conversation offers an invitation into the creative and poetic language that can help you feel seen, understood, and accompanied in your suffering. Website: https://www.tylerstaton.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tylercstaton/ Episode 362: Spiritual Practices in Wilderness Seasons with Tyler Staton https://www.nothingiswasted.com/podcast1/episode-362 Book: After Amen: 50 Days of Poetry and Prayerhttps://amzn.to/42WUl3P Not living the story you expected? Pain changes us but doesn't have to define us. Discover where you are on your healing journey and get a personalized pathway for your next steps: nothingiswasted.com/starthere Looking for help in navigating the valley of pain and trauma? Our Nothing is Wasted coaches can help: nothingiswasted.com/coaching SEEDS: Download the free SEEDS app (https://tinyurl.com/RONSeedsApp) and take one small step today: plant your first seed and see what God can grow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do we find the true rest our souls need in the most pressing seasons of life? What does it look like to stay grounded in who we are when the needs around us feel constant and consuming?Author Jess Ronne knows this reality deeply. As a mother caring for her special needs son into adulthood, she has experienced the kind of depletion that can come with long-term caregiving. Like many caregivers, Jess discovered that traditional ideas of self-care often aren’t enough when life is this demanding. What she needed was something deeper—what she calls rest care: intentional renewal for the soul, mind, and body.She explores this kind of rest in her book, Caregiving with Grit and Grace: 100 Days of Hope and Encouragement, offering honest reflection and hope for those walking similar paths.In this episode, Davey and Jess talk about the unique challenges caregiving families face, especially as care extends into adulthood, the vital role community plays in sustaining caregivers, and how to rediscover your identity in the midst of caring for others.If you are responsible for the ongoing care of someone in your life, this conversation will remind you that it is not only okay—but necessary—to receive the rest your soul needs in order to keep showing up with love, strength, grit and grace. Website: www.jessronne.com thelucasproject.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessplusthemess Books: Caregiving with Grit and Grace: 100 Days of Hope and Encouragement – Wisdom and Refreshment for Every Season of Lifehttps://amzn.to/4uAlWmv Blended with Grit and Grace: Just Keep Livin’ When Life Is Unexpectedhttps://amzn.to/3Mnjr72 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why does it sometimes feel like different parts of us are pulling in opposite directions? How do we begin to notice, understand, and care for the parts of ourselves that are trying to cope with pain, loss, and grief?For psychologist and author Dr. Audrey Davidheiser, understanding Internal Family Systems (IFS) has transformed both her personal and professional journey. Through her own experiences—including the loss of her father—and years of helping others navigate grief, she has seen how IFS offers a compassionate framework for understanding the many parts that make up our inner world. Rather than viewing these parts as problems to be fixed, IFS invites us to approach them with curiosity, compassion, and care, recognizing that each part is often trying to protect us or help us survive difficult experiences. In her book, Grieving Wholeheartedly: Bringing Healing to Every Part of Your Soul, Dr. Davidheiser explores how the principles of IFS can be applied to the grieving process through a thoughtful Christian lens, offering practical tools for healing and growth.In this conversation, Davey and Dr. Davidheiser discuss what Internal Family Systems is, how different parts can emerge in response to grief and hardship, and how understanding these parts can help us move toward deeper healing and wholeness.If you've ever felt torn between conflicting emotions, wondered why one part of you wants to move forward while another wants to hold back, or struggled to make sense of your reactions in seasons of loss, this episode will encourage you to approach yourself with greater compassion. You'll discover that every part of you has a story to tell, and that through the healing presence of Jesus, those parts can be understood, cared for, and brought toward greater wholeness. Website: https://www.aimforbreakthrough.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/draudreyd Book: Grieving Wholeheartedly: Bringing Healing to Every Part of Your Soulhttps://amzn.to/3RSmiax Not living the story you expected? Pain changes us but doesn't have to define us. Discover where you are on your healing journey and get a personalized pathway for your next steps: nothingiswasted.com/starthere Looking for help in navigating the valley of pain and trauma? Our Nothing is Wasted coaches can help: nothingiswasted.com/coaching Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How can men begin the journey toward vulnerability when they've been taught to hide their emotions? What does it look like to engage honestly with your feelings when you've never developed the habit of paying attention to them?Author and therapist Trey Tucker has helped countless men learn to recognize what is happening beneath the surface and begin addressing the emotions, wounds, and struggles they have buried for far too long. The cost of suppressing emotions can be significant, affecting relationships, physical health, and overall well-being. Trey believes that true strength is not found in avoidance, but in cultivating purposeful habits that allow men to live with authenticity, resilience, and intention. Drawing from both his professional experience and personal story, he shares practical wisdom in his book, Tough Enough: Hone Your Habits, Cultivate Purpose, and Forge Genuine Strength.In this conversation, Davey and Trey discuss why vulnerability can be especially difficult for many men, how to begin paying attention to your inner world, and what it takes to grow, heal, and move forward after adversity.If you've ever struggled to put words to what you're feeling or found it difficult to share honestly about what is happening inside, this episode will encourage you that vulnerability is not weakness—it is often the first step toward healing, deeper relationships, and a greater sense of purpose. Website: https://www.ruggedcounseling.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruggedcounseling/ Book: Tough Enough: Hone Your Habits, Cultivate Purpose, and Forge Genuine Strengthhttps://amzn.to/43AmopS Not living the story you expected? Pain changes us but doesn't have to define us. Discover where you are on your healing journey and get a personalized pathway for your next steps: nothingiswasted.com/starthere Looking for help in navigating the valley of pain and trauma? Our Nothing is Wasted coaches can help: nothingiswasted.com/coaching Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you learn to embrace a story you never would have chosen for yourself? What does it look like to find hope in places where healing feels impossible?Author and speaker Katherine Wolf was living an ordinary life with her newborn son and husband in law school when in 2008, at just 26 years old, a massive stroke changed everything. In an instant, she went from being fully independent to facing a long and difficult road of recovery, one that would require help with even the simplest daily tasks. Years later, Katherine continues to navigate significant physical challenges. Yet through her books, speaking, and the ministry she co-founded, Hope Heals, she has become a beacon of encouragement for countless individuals and families living with disability, chronic illness, and unexpected hardship. Katherine knows firsthand the pain of having life change in an instant, and she has discovered what it means to embrace the story God is writing—even when it looks nothing like the one she imagined.In this episode, Davey and Katherine discuss what it means to flourish in a life marked by pain, why radical acceptance of your story can become the doorway to hope, and how the Church can better come alongside families caring for loved ones with disabilities and complex medical needs.If you've ever struggled to find hope in the midst of disappointment, suffering, or circumstances you never would have chosen, this conversation will remind you that hope is not merely a feeling—it is a practice, one that can be cultivated no matter what story you find yourself living. Website: https://hopeheals.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopeheals Book: Hope Heals: A True Story of Overwhelming Loss and an Overcoming Lovehttps://amzn.to/4uMXxe3 Suffer Strong: How to Survive Anything by Redefining Everythinghttps://amzn.to/4eHIQ7o Treasures in the Dark: 90 Reflections on Finding Bright Hope Hidden in the Hurtinghttps://amzn.to/3PK9RNj Not living the story you expected? Pain changes us but doesn't have to define us. Discover where you are on your healing journey and get a personalized pathway for your next steps: nothingiswasted.com/starthere Looking for help in navigating the valley of pain and trauma? Our Nothing is Wasted coaches can help: nothingiswasted.com/coaching Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do we begin to understand the landscape of our soul in light of our spiritual journey? What does it look like to live a more integrated life—one that honors the connection between mind, body, and spirit?For pastors and authors Cyd and Geoff Holsclaw, these questions became deeply personal as they explored their own spiritual formation and the hidden forces that shape the way we relate to God, ourselves, and others. Drawing from the science of attachment and its profound spiritual implications, they have examined how our earliest experiences of connection can influence our understanding of God, our relationships, and the way we navigate the world. In their book, Landscapes of the Soul: How the Science and Spirituality of Attachment Can Move You into Confident Faith, Courage, and Connection, they offer a compelling framework for cultivating deeper intimacy with God and greater wholeness in our lives.In this conversation, Davey, Cyd, and Geoff explore why faith and healing can sometimes feel disconnected, how attachment theory provides a powerful lens for understanding our spiritual lives, and what it looks like to navigate the terrain of our souls with compassion, honesty, and grace.If you've ever wondered how your past experiences continue to shape your relationships, your faith, or the way you see yourself and God, this episode offers both insight and hope. No matter what terrain you've traveled, healing and transformation remain possible through Christ, deeper self-awareness, and the secure connection we were created to experience. Website: https://www.embodiedfaith.life/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cydholsclaw https://www.instagram.com/geoffholsclaw Book: Landscapes of the Soul: How the Science and Spirituality of Attachment Can Move You into Confident Faith, Courage, and Connection https://amzn.to/4ubjxiRNot living the story you expected? Pain changes us but doesn't have to define us. Discover where you are on your healing journey and get a personalized pathway for your next steps: nothingiswasted.com/starthere Looking for help in navigating the valley of pain and trauma? Our Nothing is Wasted coaches can help: nothingiswasted.com/coaching Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How can God's Word reveal His character to us in seasons of suffering? What can the stories of those in Scripture teach us as we walk through the valleys of pain?Authors and Bible teachers Anne Graham Lotz and Rachel-Ruth Lotz Wright were raised on a firm foundation of faith and have spent their lives passionately teaching and sharing God's Word. Yet it was through their own personal trials—Anne's sudden loss of her husband and then her father, evangelist Billy Graham, as well as her cancer diagnosis, and Rachel-Ruth's series of heart-related health challenges and subsequent PTSD—that God illuminated powerful lessons about suffering through the story of Joseph.Drawing from these experiences, Anne and Rachel-Ruth share the wisdom and hope found in their latest book, God Won’t Leave You There: Joseph’s Story.In this conversation, Davey, Anne, and Rachel-Ruth discuss how our deepest messages often emerge from our own stories, how to overcome bitterness, and how to discover what God wants to teach us through our pain.If you find yourself in a pit like Joseph, wondering where God is, this episode will remind you that no matter what you're facing, God won't leave you there. Website: https://www.annegrahamlotz.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annegrahamlotz/ and https://www.instagram.com/rachelruthlotzwright/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnneGrahamLotz and https://www.facebook.com/RachelRuthLW/ Book: God Won’t Leave You There: Joseph’s Story https://amzn.to/4uKbSbh Not living the story you expected? Pain changes us but doesn't have to define us. Discover where you are on your healing journey and get a personalized pathway for your next steps: nothingiswasted.com/starthere Looking for help in navigating the valley of pain and trauma? Our Nothing is Wasted coaches can help: nothingiswasted.com/coaching Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices