Cradled in Hope | Podcast for Grieving Moms | Biblical Hope for Miscarriage, Stillbirth, & Infant Loss
Ashley Opliger of Bridget's Cradles
Recent Episodes
Join us for a hope-filled conversation with Erin Nelson and Colleen Montague from Jessica's House, a dedicated grief support center for children and families. Erin shares her personal journey through loss and how her experiences gave her a passion for supporting others. Colleen provides insights into her role as a therapist and highlights their Heartstrings program, which supports children grieving the loss of a sibling due to pregnancy or infant loss.
In their discussion on their new book, When Grief Comes Home, Erin and Colleen explore ways in which grieving parents can effectively support their children in their grief. They delve into the power of expressive therapies, such as art and music, as valuable tools for processing difficult emotions. While grief is a challenging journey, Erin and Colleen emphasize that, with God, it can also lead to connection, healing, and resilience within families.
In this episode, we discussed:
- The power of finding others who can articulate your same pain
- Feelings of shame in pregnancy loss
- What does Jessica's House's peer support model look like?
- Their Heartstrings program for kids who have lost a sibling to miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss
- All about their new book, When Grief Comes Home
- Expressing grief through music, art, and movement
- Helping living siblings use their imagination to “remember” without having memories of their siblings
- Talking about your baby in Heaven in the present tense
- Envisioning Heaven and our future reunion with them
- How to survive grief “breath by breath”
• EPISODE SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT:
[www.bridgetscradles.com/post/episode58]
• CRADLED IN HOPE PODCAST WEBSITE:
Sign up here to receive email updates and hope-filled resources
[www.bridgetscradles.com/podcast]
• CRADLED IN HOPE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY FOR GRIEVING MOMS:
[www.facebook.com/groups/cradledinhope]
• FOLLOW BRIDGET'S CRADLES
[www.facebook.com/bridgetscradles]
[www.instagram.com/bridgetscradles]
[www.pinterest.com/bridgetscradles]
• CONNECT WITH THE HOST | ASHLEY OPLIGER
[www.ashleyopliger.com]
[www.facebook.com/ashleyopliger]
[www.instagram.com/ashleyopliger]
#cradledinhope #cradledinhopepodcast #bridgetscradles
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Join us for a hope-filled conversation with Jennie Parks, the Executive Director of Hope Mommies, a nonprofit dedicated to providing support and hope for grieving mothers who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss. Jennie shares her personal story of losing her daughter, Paige, and how her profound loss inspired her to help others through their grief.
Ashley and Jennie discuss the complexities of navigating grief, the importance of community, and the comfort found in God's promises. Grieving moms will be encouraged by Jennie's testimony and her reflection on love, loss, and hope. Lastly, Jennie shares about the mission and resources of Hope Mommies and how the organization fosters community among grieving mothers, offering them comfort grounded in the hope of Christ.
In this episode, we discussed:
- Traumatic experiences at the hospital
- The influence of nurses on bereavement care
- Finding purpose in pain by partnering with an existing organization
- The importance of a Christ-centered community
- Navigating a crisis of faith and seeking Jesus in the midst of it
- Sitting in your pain and truly lamenting your loss
- Handling hard milestones such as baby's Heaven Day
- All about their Hope Boxes, Hope Groups, Podcast, and Retreats
• EPISODE SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT:
[www.bridgetscradles.com/post/episode57]
• CRADLED IN HOPE PODCAST WEBSITE:
Sign up here to receive email updates and hope-filled resources
[www.bridgetscradles.com/podcast]
• CRADLED IN HOPE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY FOR GRIEVING MOMS:
[www.facebook.com/groups/cradledinhope]
• FOLLOW BRIDGET'S CRADLES
[www.facebook.com/bridgetscradles]
[www.instagram.com/bridgetscradles]
[www.pinterest.com/bridgetscradles]
• CONNECT WITH THE HOST | ASHLEY OPLIGER
[www.ashleyopliger.com]
[www.facebook.com/ashleyopliger]
[www.instagram.com/ashleyopliger]
#cradledinhope #cradledinhopepodcast #bridgetscradles
★ Support this podcast ★
Join us for a hope-filled conversation with Janet Boxx, a mother who has faced indescribable trauma and loss in her family. Janet shares her profound journey, beginning with the stillbirth of her son, Cole, the developmental disorders of her daughters Gracen and Katie, the tragic loss of her daughters Bethany and Katie in a car accident, and the impact of Gracen's resulting disabilities.
Through her story, Janet emphasizes the importance of reconciling grief with faith and how she uses her pain to educate others about loss, child disability, and trauma. She runs a blog, speaks in defensive driving classes, and facilitates biblical grief support groups. Janet's vulnerability about her struggles is a testament to the healing she has found in Jesus. No matter how deep the pain, Janet exemplifies that hope still exists.
In this episode, we discussed:
- Navigating multiple traumas/losses
- Do I have PTSD?
- Feeling invalidated by others
- Spoon theory, emotional energy, and how it relates to grief
- The importance of Scripture in our healing
- Reaching acceptance/approval of God's choices
- Trusting in God's sovereignty (this is hard!)
- Physical protection vs. spiritual protection
- Jesus' love for us demonstrated on the cross
- "Suffering well" for the Kingdom
• EPISODE SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT:
[www.bridgetscradles.com/post/episode56]
• CRADLED IN HOPE PODCAST WEBSITE:
Sign up here to receive email updates and hope-filled resources
[www.bridgetscradles.com/podcast]
• CRADLED IN HOPE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY FOR GRIEVING MOMS:
[www.facebook.com/groups/cradledinhope]
• FOLLOW BRIDGET'S CRADLES
[www.facebook.com/bridgetscradles]
[www.instagram.com/bridgetscradles]
[www.pinterest.com/bridgetscradles]
• CONNECT WITH THE HOST | ASHLEY OPLIGER
[www.ashleyopliger.com]
[www.facebook.com/ashleyopliger]
[www.instagram.com/ashleyopliger]
#cradledinhope #cradledinhopepodcast #bridgetscradles
★ Support this podcast ★
Join us for a hope-filled conversation with Caleb and Stefanie Rouse, relationship mentors and digital creators who focus on guiding couples toward faith-based, resilient relationships. Caleb and Stefanie share their personal journey of loss, having unexpectedly lost their twin sons, Shiloh and Asher, after years of praying and hoping to grow their family. Despite their heartbreak, they invited God into their pain and allowed Him to heal their hearts. Now, they help other couples find hope, joy, and love in their marriages.
In this episode, we discussed:
- Worshiping God in loss and sorrow
- Jesus' realness in moments of pain
- Processing grief (and differences between spouses)
- Wanting to hide and feel shame (and how these are attacks from the enemy)
- The importance of a funeral or memorial service for your baby
- How God weaves babies in our wombs (and why their spirits live forever)
- Using our broken stories for His glory
- Openly talking about our babies in Heaven
- Fixing our eyes on Heaven
- How to feel safe, seen, and loved by your spouse
- Why toxic thoughts wreak havoc in marriage
- The power of persistent prayer
• EPISODE SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT:
[www.bridgetscradles.com/post/episode55]
• CRADLED IN HOPE PODCAST WEBSITE:
Sign up here to receive email updates and hope-filled resources
[www.bridgetscradles.com/podcast]
• CRADLED IN HOPE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY FOR GRIEVING MOMS:
[www.facebook.com/groups/cradledinhope]
• FOLLOW BRIDGET'S CRADLES
[www.facebook.com/bridgetscradles]
[www.instagram.com/bridgetscradles]
[www.pinterest.com/bridgetscradles]
• CONNECT WITH THE HOST | ASHLEY OPLIGER
[www.ashleyopliger.com]
[www.facebook.com/ashleyopliger]
[www.instagram.com/ashleyopliger]
#cradledinhope #cradledinhopepodcast #bridgetscradles
★ Support this podcast ★
This is a special bonus episode highlighting the program from the Wave of Light event that Bridget's Cradles hosted in Wichita, Kansas on October 15, 2024, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.
In this episode, we shared:
- The program and announcements from our Wave of Light 2024 event
- Emcee Scott Evans and Pastor John Carney's remarks and Ashley Opliger's speech from the event
- A thank you to our generous corporate and memorial sponsors
- A special guitar solo by Steve Golik, Ashley’s Dad, titled “Bridget’s Ballad” played in his honor
- Josh Sander’s musical performance at Wave of Light
- Reading of Names of Babies in Heaven (for families that registered/attended or sponsored the event)
EPISODE SHOW NOTES:
https://www.bridgetscradles.com/post/waveoflight2024
CRADLED IN HOPE PODCAST WEBSITE:
Sign up here to receive email updates and hope-filled resources
www.bridgetscradles.com/podcast
CRADLED IN HOPE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY FOR GRIEVING MOMS:
www.facebook.com/groups/cradledinhope
FOLLOW BRIDGET'S CRADLES
www.facebook.com/bridgetscradles
www.instagram.com/bridgetscradles
www.pinterest.com/bridgetscradles
CONNECT WITH THE HOST | ASHLEY OPLIGER
www.ashleyopliger.com
www.facebook.com/ashleyopliger
www.instagram.com/ashleyopliger
#cradledinhope #cradledinhopepodcast #bridgetscradles
★ Support this podcast ★