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In this episode, we are joined by Tom Braden of Marble Falls, Texas, a retired high school football coach. On September 23, 2016, Tom and his wife, Laura, received the devastating news that their son, Jeff, an F-22 Raptor pilot, had drowned while diving with friends in Guam.

Tom shares how his faith in God has carried him through his grief journey and how his and Laura’s experiences with grief have looked different. He holds onto the hope that he will one day see Jeff again in heaven. In the meantime, Tom pours into his grandchildren—and finds that they pour right back into him.

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In this episode, we are joined by Charles Mwungura, pastor of the Southeast Christian Church Multinational Campus in Louisville, Kentucky. Charles shares his journey as he recently passed the two-year anniversary of losing his 18-year-old son, Isaac, in a drowning accident.

While grief remains a constant companion, life has continued to move forward. Over the past six months, Charles and his wife, Esperance, welcomed a newborn baby in April 2026, and their oldest son is preparing to be married this September.

Charles reflects on navigating the tension of holding both joy and sorrow at the same time. He shares how he has coped through profound loss, how his faith has sustained him, and how he is learning not just to survive, but to thrive. His story is a powerful reminder that even in the midst of heartbreak, life continues, hope remains, and joy can still be found among what is missing and broken.

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In this episode, Sharon Strouse shares the heartbreaking story of losing her 17-year-old daughter, Kristin, who died by suicide on October 11, 2001, after jumping from her 15th-floor dorm room at Parsons School of Design in New York City.

As an art therapist, Sharon discusses how painting and collage became powerful tools in her own healing and have since helped countless others navigate the trauma of loss. While she affirms that traditional talk therapy is valuable and necessary, she explains that creating art allowed her to express emotions that words alone could not capture—transforming chaos into meaningful expression.

Sharon reminds us that grief is "not all darkness, but about exploring the fullness and richness of life." She shares how, in the wake of unimaginable tragedy just one month after 9/11, she was able to transform the horror of losing Kristin into a journey of healing and hope. By first embracing her own healing, Sharon has gone on to help others do the same—truly turning grief into growth.

You can learn more about Sharon at: www.artfulgrief.com