Episode 21: Toni Loyal – Grief, Tradition, and Homegoing

How we grieve is shaped by who we are, where we come from, and the traditions passed down through generations.

In Episode 21 of Rod & Chris: Unqualified and Unsupervised, we're joined by Toni Loyal, who grew up on the South Side of Chicago and shares the traditions surrounding death, mourning, and remembrance in his Black family and community. Toni takes us inside what happens when a family comes together after a loss—from the rituals of mourning and the funeral itself to the homegoing celebration and the re-pass, when family and friends gather afterward to share food, stories, laughter, and memories.

We talk about why a funeral can be both deeply sad and a celebration. Toni shares how faith, family, food, music, storytelling, and community all become part of honoring the person who died—and helping those left behind begin to move forward.It's a conversation about the different ways we say goodbye, the traditions that connect generations, and how grief and celebration can exist in the same room.In this episode you'll hear:

• Toni's experience growing up on the South Side of Chicago
• Traditions surrounding death and mourning in his Black family
• What a homegoing celebration means and why it's important
• The role of faith, music, family, and community
• What happens at the re-pass after the service
• Why food, stories, laughter, and memories are part of grieving
• How traditions help families honor those they've lost

No matter what our traditions look like, grief has a way of bringing us together. And sometimes celebrating a life is just as important as mourning its loss.

If this conversation resonates with you, please follow the podcast, leave a rating and review, and share this episode with someone who might enjoy hearing a different perspective on how we grieve, remember, and celebrate the people we love.

Music CreditsMusic: "Sergio's Magic Dustbin" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Episode 20: Dr. Sterling Laaveg – The Gift of Respite

What do you do when you've been caring for someone around the clock and you desperately need a break... but feel guilty for taking one?

That's where respite care comes in.

In Episode 20 of Rod & Chris: Unqualified and Unsupervised, we're joined by Dr. Sterling Laaveg to talk about the life-changing impact of respite care. Drawing from his experience as a respite care volunteer in Arizona, Dr. Laaveg shares what it's like to spend time with patients who are nearing the end of life, giving their caregivers something they rarely allow themselves—time away.

For caregivers, stepping away can feel impossible. There are errands to run, sleep to catch up on, appointments to keep, or sometimes just the need to sit in silence for a little while. Dr. Laaveg reminds us that taking care of yourself isn't abandoning the person you love—it's what allows you to keep showing up for them.

This conversation shines a light on the quiet, compassionate work of respite volunteers and why caring for the caregiver is just as important as caring for the patient.

In this episode you'll hear:

• What respite care is and why it matters
• Dr. Laaveg's experiences volunteering with end-of-life patients in Arizona
• Why caregivers often struggle to give themselves permission to take a break
• How even a few hours of respite can make a lasting difference
• The emotional rewards of serving patients and their families
• Why no caregiver should have to carry the burden alone

If this episode encourages you, helps you better understand the challenges caregivers face, or inspires you to support someone in need, please follow the podcast, leave a rating and review, and share it with someone who could benefit from this conversation.

Music Credits

Music: "Sergio's Magic Dustbin" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Episode 19: Jamie Locke – Funeral Etiquette, Expectations & The Stories You Never Hear

What should you wear to a funeral? Is there really a "right" way to behave? And what are some of the funniest, strangest, or most memorable requests funeral directors have ever received?

In Episode 19 of Rod & Chris: Unqualified and Unsupervised, we're joined by funeral director Jamie Locke. Since Rod works alongside Jamie at the funeral home, we thought it was time to pull back the curtain on a profession that most people only see during one of the hardest days of their lives.

Jamie helps us separate fact from fiction when it comes to funeral etiquette. We talk about what families really appreciate, what guests often worry about unnecessarily, and why showing up is usually far more important than saying the perfect thing. Of course, no conversation with funeral directors would be complete without sharing a few of the funny, unexpected, and unforgettable moments that happen behind the scenes.

It's a conversation that's informative, heartfelt... and probably a lot funnier than you'd expect.

In this episode you'll hear:

• What you should (and shouldn't) wear to a funeral
• Common questions about funeral etiquette and behavior
• Why your presence matters more than finding the perfect words
• Funny and unusual requests funeral directors have actually received
• Behind-the-scenes stories from life inside a funeral home
• Why laughter often has a place, even during life's hardest moments

If this episode makes you laugh, teaches you something new, or helps make an uncomfortable topic a little less intimidating, please follow the podcast, leave a rating and review, and share it with someone who appreciates honest conversations with a little humor mixed in.

Music Credits

Music: "Sergio's Magic Dustbin" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Episode 18: Conversational Goulash – When Plans Go Sideways

What do you do when your guest texts to say they're stuck in Twin Cities traffic and won't make the interview?

Well... we guess we make goulash.

In Episode 18 of Rod & Chris: Unqualified and Unsupervised, our carefully planned interview turned into something completely unplanned. Instead of a guest, it's just Rod and Chris serving up what we affectionately call Conversational Goulash—a little bit of everything mixed together.

We dive into gratitude and why it can be so difficult after loss. We talk about the "year of firsts" that so many people expect after grief... and why the "year of lasts" can catch you completely off guard. Along the way, we share stories, laugh at ourselves, chase a few rabbit trails, and somehow manage to make it all fit together.

Sometimes the best conversations aren't planned at all.

In this episode you'll hear:

• How a traffic jam turned into an unexpected episode
• Why gratitude isn't always easy—but still matters
• The emotional weight of the "year of firsts"
• Why the "year of lasts" can be even more surprising
• A few completely unplanned detours (because that's how conversations work)
• Proof that sometimes the best episodes come from making it up as you go

If this episode makes you laugh, think, or nod your head in agreement, please follow the podcast, leave a rating and review, and share it with someone who appreciates honest conversations—even when they don't go according to plan.

Music Credits

Music: "Sergio's Magic Dustbin" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Episode 17: Scott Schell – Loss, Faith, and Answering the Call

Sometimes life leads you down a path you never expected. In Episode 17 of Rod & Chris: Unqualified and Unsupervised, we're joined by Scott Schell, whose journey took him from the business world to the pulpit. But long before becoming a pastor, Scott experienced heartbreaking loss as several of his close friends died during the AIDS epidemic—a time when fear, misunderstanding, and stigma often left people grieving in silence.

Scott shares how those losses shaped his faith, changed his perspective on compassion, and ultimately influenced his decision to answer God's call into ministry. We talk about grief, purpose, friendship, and what it means to simply be present for people when life falls apart.

This conversation is honest, thoughtful, and full of hope. Whether you've experienced loss yourself, wrestled with questions of faith, or wondered how difficult seasons can lead to unexpected purpose, Scott's story offers encouragement and perspective.

In this episode you'll hear:

• How Scott's career shifted from business to ministry
• What it was like losing several close friends during the AIDS epidemic
• How grief and loss strengthened his compassion for others
• The role faith played in navigating life's hardest moments
• Why simply showing up for someone can make all the difference
• How purpose can emerge from seasons of heartbreak

If this conversation resonates with you, please follow the podcast, leave a rating and review, and share this episode with someone who could use a reminder that hope can still be found—even after tremendous loss.

Music Credits Music: "Sergio's Magic Dustbin" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Episode 16: Trey Sandvig – When Home Isn't Safe

Home should be the safest place in the world. For far too many people, it isn't.

In Episode 15 of Rod & Chris: Unqualified and Unsupervised, we're joined by Trey Sandvig, a Domestic Assault Advocate with ACCESS (Assault Care Center Extending Shelter & Support). Trey shares what it's really like to help survivors of domestic violence find safety, navigate the legal system, and take the first difficult steps toward a new beginning.

Leaving an abusive relationship isn't as simple as walking out the door. Fear, finances, children, housing, and countless other obstacles can make escaping feel impossible. Trey helps us understand those challenges while explaining how ACCESS provides advocacy, emergency shelter, crisis support, and hope for people who need it most.

This conversation is compassionate, eye-opening, and incredibly important. Whether you know someone who may be in an abusive relationship, work with people in crisis, or simply want to better understand what survivors face, this episode has the power to change how you see domestic violence.

In this episode you'll hear:

• Why leaving an abusive relationship is often the most dangerous time
• What a Domestic Assault Advocate does every day
• How ACCESS helps survivors find safety, shelter, and support
• What to expect when working through the court system
• How friends and family can recognize warning signs and offer meaningful support
• Why no one should have to face abuse alone

If you or someone you know needs help, ACCESS is available 24 hours a day.

Sexual Abuse Crisis Line: 1.800.203.3488
Domestic Violence Crisis Line: 1.855.983.4641
Shelter Services Crisis Line: 1.855.696.2980

If this conversation resonates with you, please follow the podcast, leave a rating and review, and share this episode. You never know who may need these resources—or who may become the person someone turns to for help.

Music Credits

Music: "Sergio's Magic Dustbin" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Episode 15: Conrae Huinker - Walking Both Sides of Hospice What is hospice really like?Hospice nurse Conrae Huinker has spent years walking alongside patients and families during life's most difficult moments. She thought she understood grief—until her own husband was diagnosed with ALS.In this episode of Rod & Chris: Unqualified and Unsupervised, Conrae shares moving stories from her career in hospice, dispels some of the biggest myths about hospice care, and reflects on what it was like when she became the caregiver instead of the nurse.We talk about the realities of ALS, the challenges of caring for someone you love, the lessons grief teaches us, and why laughter still has a place—even in the hardest seasons of life.Whether you've experienced loss, are caring for a loved one, work in healthcare, or simply want to understand hospice a little better, this is a conversation you won't soon forget.In this episode:• What hospice nurses wish everyone understood• Common misconceptions about hospice care• Caring for a spouse living with ALS• Experiencing grief from both sides of the bedside• Finding hope, purpose, and even humor after profound lossRod & Chris: Unqualified and Unsupervised features real conversations about grief, caregiving, resilience, and finding a way forward after life knocks you flat. No experts. No perfect answers. Just honest conversations from people who've lived it.New episodes premiere first on Boomer X Radio Mondays and Wednesdays at 7:00 PM (Central) before becoming available wherever you listen to podcasts.Music CreditsMusic: "Sergio's Magic Dustbin" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Episode 14: Sybil Soukup – The Healing Power of Pets

They greet us with wagging tails, unconditional love, and somehow always seem to know exactly when we need them most.

In Episode 14 of Rod & Chris: Unqualified and Unsupervised, we're joined by Sybil Soukup, Executive Director of the Humane Society of North Iowa, for a heartfelt conversation about the unique bond between people and their pets.

Together, we explore how pets can help us navigate grief, why losing a beloved animal can be just as heartbreaking as any other loss, and even how animals themselves experience grief. It's a thoughtful, touching conversation filled with stories, laughter, and a reminder that healing sometimes comes with four legs and a wet nose.

Whether you've loved and lost a pet, are grieving someone special, or simply understand the comfort an animal can bring, this episode is sure to resonate.

In this episode you'll hear:

• How pets help us through grief and loss
• Why grieving a pet is real and valid
• Do animals grieve? What we've learned
• The incredible human-animal bond
• Stories that will make you smile—and maybe reach over to pet your dog or cat

Welcome to the club nobody asked to join.

If this episode touched your heart, please follow the podcast, leave a rating and review, and share it with a fellow animal lover or someone who could use a little hope—and maybe a smile.

Music Credits

Music: "Sergio's Magic Dustbin" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/