David and Kori interview Felipe Pasini, who shares the story of losing his father, Marcelo, to cancer when Felipe was 21. Having drifted from his faith at the time, the sudden loss of both his grandfather and father forced Felipe into a period of deep sorrow and spiritual questioning.
Felipe discusses his initial struggle with the lack of a physical miracle and his frustration with God. However, through his mother’s inspired challenge to serve others, he discovered that service is a catalyst for healing. By "feeding the sheep" of his own siblings and finding personal "places of refuge," he rebuilt his relationship with the Savior and decided to serve a mission.
Finally, Felipe highlights the "small miracles" that confirmed God’s awareness, such as serving under a mission president who was his father’s former companion. As the author of About Us: From Grief to Grace, Felipe testifies that through Jesus Christ, sorrow is turned into joy and we are transformed into new creatures.

Resources:

⁠About Us: From Grief to Grace (BYU Bookstore and Amazon)

Ephraim Hanks the Musical (YouTube and Spotify)

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Elizabeth Smith shares the story of her husband, Jonny, a Southern California surfer and patent attorney who was serving as a Bishop when he passed away suddenly at age 39. Jonny’s death from cardiac arrest left Elizabeth and their three young children to navigate an unexpected and devastating journey through loss. Throughout the interview, Elizabeth emphasizes her core belief that “grief needs to be witnessed,” describing the profound healing that comes when others sit with us in our sorrow.

Elizabeth recounts the spiritual experience of hearing the prompting, “Do you have the faith for him not to be healed?” while paramedics worked to save her husband. This moment led to a transformative realization that while she did not receive the physical miracle she sought, Jesus Christ is the miracle. This perspective allows her to hold the duality of deep mortal agony alongside spiritual peace, trusting in the Savior’s infinite capacity to carry her.

Finally, Elizabeth discusses the challenge of parenting through bereavement and the importance of allowing the Savior to mend a shattered life. She shares a moving visualization of placing "broken pieces" into a container for Christ to hold, trusting His power to heal her children. Her testimony highlights how temple covenants and the Savior's empathy provide an enabling power that sustains her through the long "winter" of grief.

Resources: https://rememberingjonathansmith.com/

Accepting the Lord's Will and Timing by Elder Bednar

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In this episode, David and Kori welcome Amy Ostler, a therapist who shares the story of her husband Trent’s battle with glioblastoma. Amy describes Trent as a man of intellect and adventure who faced a terminal diagnosis while they were raising two young children. After a series of medical complications and a prolonged coma, Trent passed away, leaving Amy to navigate the profound "winter" of her life.

Amy candidly discusses the "agony and deep sorrow" that followed, which challenged her previous views of the gospel as transactional. Through therapy, she learned to visualize Christ in her moments of pain, often seeing Him carrying her when she felt powerless. She emphasizes that spiritual peace can coexist with intense mortal suffering, as the Savior meets us exactly where we are.

Concluding with a powerful testimony, Amy shares that she now knows Christ walks with us daily. He provides an infinite, healing love that listens without judgment or agenda, especially when others tire of the heaviness of grief. Her experience illustrates how a relationship with Christ becomes a lifting, enabling force through mortality's hardest trials.Follow along on social media:

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David and Kori welcome BYU PhD candidate Jordan Robertson to launch a monthly series bridging clinical research with lived experience. Jordan, a counselor with over 1,500 clinical hours, introduces eight grief frameworks to help listeners navigate their unique journeys. She discusses theories like the Tasks of Mourning and the Dual Process Model, which focus on moving between processing loss and rebuilding life.

The conversation highlights how clinical tools complement faith in Jesus Christ, helping believers manage the painful "in-between" stage of bereavement. Jordan also suggests volunteering as a way to "dip your toe" into helping others. Finally, she explores meaning reconstruction, emphasizing that resilience is the most common response to loss. Jordan concludes by showing how grief can uniquely connect us to Christ.

Disclaimer:

This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care. Although a therapist in training is featured, no therapy or counseling services are being provided, and no therapist-client relationship is formed. If you need support, please contact a qualified mental health professional or, in a crisis, reach out to local emergency services or the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

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Join David Mickelson and Kori Andrews for the Season 2 premiere of the Grief and Belief podcast. Celebrating one year and over 50 interviews, the hosts reflect on the blessing of providing a hopeful resource for those navigating loss.

This season introduces an exciting new monthly segment featuring Jordan Robertson, a PhD candidate, counselor, and author from episode 42. On the first Tuesday of every month, she will provide a clinical and scholarly perspective on grief, covering research-based frameworks and the benefits of counseling.

In honor of Easter, this episode features a special message centered on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24. David and Kori explore how sharing stories of heartbreak can invite the Savior to "draw near," transforming grief into a journey of discovery and healing. To conclude, the hosts invite the audience to participate in a new community discussion by answering the question: "What do you now know about Jesus Christ?". Join the conversation via email or social media as the podcast continues its mission to find hope in the wake of loss.

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Hosts David Mickelson and Kori Andrews welcome Shad Anderson to the season one finale. Shad shares the story of his mother, Glenda, on the 20th anniversary of her passing. He describes her as a "rock solid" foundation who raised six boys with a "fiery" personality and unwavering faith. Glenda’s influence was defined by her directness and her constant efforts to keep her sons on the "bus" toward their spiritual goals.

The family faced a "bombshell" when Glenda was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. Despite a six-month prognosis, she passed away just three weeks later. Shad recounts the sacred experience of teaching seminary immediately after receiving the news and the powerful realization at the funeral home that his mother’s body was merely a mortal shell, as her spirit lived on.

Shad reflects on the "veil-thin" experiences of the first year, including feeling his mother’s presence and blessing during his father’s remarriage. He testifies that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can find peace in the reality of the resurrection. His story serves as a witness that God’s plan is "fabulous" and that our loved ones remain intimately involved in our lives.

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Erica Kiefer joins hosts David Mickelson and Kori Andrews to share the story of her son, Ty, who passed away from SIDS at four months old. Erica, a former rugby player and recreation therapist, recounts her deep connection to the biblical story of Hannah. She reflects on the joy of Ty’s arrival and the devastating morning she discovered him in his crib.
In the hospital, Erica and her husband found peace through the Samoan word "taumafai," meaning to persevere through all things with Christ. Erica navigated her grief through journaling, eventually writing the book Borrowed Angel to help others see the spiritual side of loss. She emphasizes that grief can be a conversion process, allowing individuals to feel a "spiritual buoyancy" even in the depths of sorrow.
Erica testifies that God fulfills His promises, mirroring Hannah’s story through her own growing family. Her youngest daughter, Eliana, whose name means "God has answered," serves as a reminder of God's timing. Using a metaphor of waves in Thailand, Erica concludes that while Christ doesn't always stop the storm, He is in the water with us.Resources: Borrowed Angel by Erica Kiefer

"Pe a faigata le ala Taumafai" sung by Moni Aumua (Spotify Artist) and other missionaries

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Ellie Robertson joins hosts David Mickelson and Kori Andrews to share the story of losing her father, Jake, to brain cancer when she was just eight years old. She remembers her dad as a goofy, sports-loving man who played Van Halen on the piano and took her on a memorable father-daughter trip to a BYU football game.

Ellie discusses the difficulty of navigating major life milestones, like turning 18 and graduating, without her father there. She recalls the "overwhelming relief" the Plan of Salvation brought her as a young girl, providing certainty amidst the unknowns of grief. Playing competitive soccer and reflecting on her baptism—performed by her father shortly before his death—remain vital sources of peace and strength.

Ultimately, Ellie testifies that Jesus Christ is the reason the "garage door of life" will open again. She believes Christ has felt her specific pain and that, through Him, her family will be reunited eternally. Her message offers hope that there is "always good after the bad" and that God provides no trial we cannot overcome.

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