Hope After Child & Sibling Loss/the empty chair endeavor
A Christian faith based podcast shining the light of Hope into the darkness of trauma and grief to offer support and encouragement to grieving parents and siblings on their healing journey and in rediscovering meaning, purpose, and peace after the unspeakable loss of a child. Join us as guests share their stories of heartbreaking loss and how God has shown up on their journeys to heal and restore broken lives. The host, Greg Buffkin, lives with his wife Cathy in South Carolina. Because Cathy and Greg lost their beautiful son Ryan to suicide in 2015, they understand the trauma and pain of losing a child. On a journey that began 10 years ago out of unspeakable trauma and brokenness, GOD has brought them through to a place of restoration, hope and joy with a passion to help other grieving families on their journeys.
DISCLAIMER: The views, opinions, and beliefs expressed by our guests are not necessarily shared by this podcast or its host. We believe there is only one GOD: the Father, His son Jesus Christ, and His Holy Spirit (the Trinity). We also believe that the Holy Bible is the inspired, inerrant, eternal word of GOD which is our source of all truth.
Episodes
91 episodes
A Mother’s Story Of Grief, Depression, and Hope After Her Son’s Suicide with Anne Starke, David’s Mom
A suicide can leave a family with a thousand questions and zero satisfying answers. I sat down with Anne Starke, a nurse, wife, and mom, to talk about the day her 16-year-old son, David, died by suicide and what it’s like to live with the sh...
Contagious Hope with Billy & Julie Melton, Juliana’s parents
The phone call changes everything. One minute you’re living a normal week, and the next you’re racing toward tests, scans, and words like “concerning” and “brain tumor.” I’m joined by Billy and Julie Melton to remember their daughter Juliana...
Remembering Micaela, with Doug Schneider, Micaela’s Dad
A father checks “Find My iPhone” and realizes the unthinkable might be true. From that moment, Doug Schneider’s world changes forever. Doug joins me, Greg Buffkin, to tell the story of his daughter Micaela, a recent college graduate who land...
“Growing Through Heartbreak to Strength” with Jodi Snowdon, Grace-Linzey’s Mom
Jodi Snowdon is an author, podcaster, and speaker who serves women through her podcast, Depth, and her blog,
When Hearts Shatter, with Carol Brown, Jackie’s Mom
In this transparent and hope-filled conversation, Carol Brown shares her journey of grief after the tragic loss of her precious 29 year old daughter Jackie, who was a dedicated teacher and a bright light in the lives of many. Carol refle...
In a Single Moment, with Karen McCord, Carley’s Mom
On this episode, Karen McCord shares her profound experience with grief, following the loss of her daughter Carley, a well known ESPN sports reporter, in a tragic plane crash while traveling to cover the Atlanta Peach Bowl in December 2019. ...
Grieving Between The Two Rails With Ron Deal, Connor’s Dad
In this heartfelt episode, Greg Buffkin welcomes Ron Deal from FamilyLife to discuss the profound journey of grief following the loss of his precious son Conner. Ron shares his personal story of losing Connor to a sudden, tragic medical comp...
A Story of Faith, Hope and Love in Loss with Angie Ford-Green, Kevin’s Mom
In this hope filled conversation, author and speaker Angie Ford-Green shares her journey of grief after the loss of her son, Kevin in a surfing tragedy. She reflects on the profound impact of his life and death on her identity, her marriage,...
Incomprehensible Loss, Courageous Faith with Janet Boxx
In this heartfelt conversation, Janet Boxx shares her profound journey through grief after experiencing the loss of her son through stillbirth and later, the tragic loss of two daughters in a car accident. You’ll hear us talk about how she’s...
Sharing Our Grief, with Sam Hodges
In this episode, Greg Buffkin speaks with Sam Hodges, president of Church Initiative, about GriefShare, the number one grief support program in the world, and its significance in providing support for those experiencing grief, as well as the...
Ashley Opliger, Bridget’s Mom & Founder of Bridget’s Cradles
In this heartfelt conversation, Ashley Opliger shares her journey of grief after the stillbirth of her daughter, Bridget, and how it led to the creation of Bridget's Cradles, a ministry that provides cradles for families experiencing loss. A...
Navigating Grief: Insights from Melanie DeSimone, Dominic’s Mom
In this heartfelt conversation, Melanie DeSimone shares her journey of grief after the tragic loss of her son, Dominic. She discusses the profound impact of child loss on family dynamics, the importance of community support, and the lessons ...
Finding Joy in the Midst of Loss, with Linda Cook, Joscelyn’s Mom
In this heartfelt conversation, Greg talks with Linda Cook about her journey of grief after losing her beautiful daughter Jocelyn in a tragic accident. Linda shares her experiences of navigating the complexities of loss, the impact of her fa...
Navigating the Journey of Child Loss with Kathe Wunnenberg
In this heartfelt conversation, Greg talks with Kathe Wunnenberg, founder of Hope Lifters Unlimited, about her profound journey of grief and healing. Kathe shares her personal experiences with loss, including the death of her son and multipl...
The Impact of Grief on a Mom’s Heart with Christina Schuetz, Sylvia’s Mom
In this heartfelt conversation, Christina Schuetz shares her profound journey of grief following the loss of her daughter, Sylvia, who battled congenital heart disease. Christina discusses the impact of this loss on her mental health, including...
“My heart no longer beats the same” with Felicia Cook, Corey’s mom
In this heartfelt conversation, I talk with Felicia Cook, a mother who lost her son Corey to a fentanyl overdose. Felicia shares her journey through grief, the impact of losing a child, and how her faith has helped her navigate this unimagin...
Invisible Loss, with Cheryl Davis
On this episode, Cheryl Davis, host of the Time for Mom podcast, shares her story of loss as a young mom whose heart was neither equipped nor prepared to deal with the grief of child loss. Cheryl’s is a story that represents over a million o...
Child Loss and Work with Shelly Kolwinska, Margaret Roses’ Mom
In this episode you’ll hear Shelly Kolwinska share her profound journey of grief following the stillbirth of her daughter, Margaret Rose. In our conversation we discuss the importance of community support for grieving parents and the u...
“Finding the Gold in Grief” with Sarah Beth Gerbers
Finding anything good in grief might seem impossible for you today, and if so, you’re not alone. Grief often feels like it has taken on a life of its own, and even wants to become your new identity. How can there possibly be anything resembl...
“Sibling Lifeline” with Bobby and Gabby Bisterfeldt
They are known as “the forgotten mourners.” On this episode you’ll be hearing a conversation I had with Bobby and Gabby Bisterfeldt, founders of Sibling Lifeline, as we talk about how the death of a child affects surviving children. Both hav...
A Heart Stopping Call, with Mary McNamara, Zack's Mom
A phone call on Christmas morning 2020 brought heart shattering news she never could have imagined. On this episode, Mary McNamara talks with me about how one phone call forever altered her life that day. Her beautiful 28 year old son, Zack,...
“I Will Praise Him in the Storm” (Hannah Sullivan) with Brad and Jill Sullivan, Hannah’s parents
On this episode, Brad and Jill Sullivan join me to talk about their sweet daughter Hannah, and their grief journey since losing her to a glioblastoma brain tumor in February 2009 after a year long battle. Hannah loved Jesus, and her fa...
Honoring His Son with David Corvi, Charlie’s Dad
On this episode, David Corvi and I explore the many facets of how grief after child loss affects men. The impact of such trauma is often overlooked or downplayed with dads, due, in large part, to cultural norms and unrealistic expectations o...
Finding Hope After Loss, A Young Mom’s Journey with Rachel Maxwell
Seemingly unpredictable and random, miscarriage loss leaves parents, more especially moms, devastated and brokenhearted. Pregnant yesterday, but suddenly today, no longer. She’s left with countless questions that often have no answers, feeli...
