How do we keep living when someone we love is no longer part of our everyday life? And what happens when grief brings anger, injustice, and questions we may never be able to answer?

In this deeply personal solo episode of Rooted & Wild, Henry Hawk reflects on meeting Wynonna Judd backstage at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado during her concert with Melissa Etheridge. Having admired Wynonna since childhood, through her music, gospel performances, and appearance on Touched by an Angel, Henry experienced the evening as something far more meaningful than meeting a beloved artist.

Surrounded by towering red sandstone and thousands of people celebrating two extraordinary women, he found himself reflecting on what it takes to stand before the world and sing after devastating loss.

Wynonna’s grief following the death of her mother and musical partner, Naomi Judd, and Melissa’s experience of losing her son, Beckett, bring a deeply human dimension to the evening. Their stories open a conversation about complicated love, unanswered questions, the limits of our ability to protect those we love, and the courage it can take to remain open to life.

Inspired by Wynonna’s new album, The Hard Truth, Henry brings that reflection into his own history. Growing up in the rainforests of Panama, he helped care for Esther, a little girl from the Emberá community who entered his family’s home when she was just fifteen days old. Their bond grew through years of ordinary care, until a sudden separation left him devastated, furious, and powerless to keep her close.

Henry speaks candidly about the grief that made him wail and scream, the injustice he felt, and the difficulty of carrying a loss that had no funeral and no easy resolution.

From a riverbank in Panama to an open-air concert in Colorado, this episode explores how love continues to shape us after our lives have changed. It makes room for grief that is messy, spiritual, angry, tender, and unfinished, and for the possibility of experiencing joy without denying what hurt.

In this episode, we explore:

• Meeting Wynonna Judd and the meaning of a lifelong musical connection
• Experiencing Wynonna and Melissa Etheridge at Red Rocks Amphitheatre
• Naomi Judd’s death and the complexity of mother-daughter love
• Melissa Etheridge’s loss of her son, Beckett, and the helplessness of trying to protect someone you love
• Wynonna’s The Hard Truth and the possibility of being “Broken and Blessed”
• Henry’s childhood in Panama and his bond with Esther
• Grieving separation when the person you love is still alive
• Anger, injustice, and the pain of having no power to change an outcome
• Spiritual healing that allows room for sorrow and unanswered questions
• Welcoming connection, music, and joy while still carrying loss
• A gentle closing reflection for anyone navigating grief

Whether you’re mourning a death, a separation, an estranged relationship, or a future that never arrived, this episode offers space to acknowledge what mattered and consider what living on might mean for you.

Wynonna’s new album: The Hard Truth

Purchase the album on CD through Wynonna’s official store:
The Hard Truth CD

Rooted & Wild provides general information for educational and informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guest speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Henry Hawk. The content shared on this podcast is not intended to replace individualized medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice, nor should it be used to diagnose or treat any health condition. Listeners are encouraged to consult with qualified healthcare professionals regarding any medical or mental health concerns.