While We're Waiting® - Hope After Child Loss
This is a podcast FOR bereaved parents BY bereaved parents. Join your host, Jill Sullivan, as she talks with parents who have lost children of all ages to all types of circumstances. This is a podcast of stories ... stories of devastating loss and grief and heartbreak and struggle ... and stories of hope and healing and faith, and yes, even joy. Underlying every conversation will be the hope we have in Jesus Christ, which makes it possible to not just survive the loss of a child, but to live well while we're waiting to see them again in Heaven one day. Visit our website at www.WhileWereWaiting.org for more information about our nonprofit ministry to bereaved parents.
Episodes
467 episodes
267 | Writhing, Wrestling, and Worshiping (Part One) with Chad and Ronni Fellers
We’re beginning a two-part series today with Chad and Ronni Fellers, who invite us into their story and help us understand what it means to grieve with both faith and honesty.In today’s episode, Chad and Ronni share about their son Paxto...
•
Episode 267
•
40:47
.png)
266 | A Lifeline for Bereaved Siblings ... with Bobby Bisterfeldt and Gabby Bisterfeldt
As bereaved parents, one of the most pressing questions we grapple with is this: How do I help my surviving children? We want to support them well, but sometimes we’re met with silence or withdrawal. It can feel like we’re walking blin...
•
Episode 266
•
1:28:46
265 | Hope Comes to Stay with Clarissa Moll
I'm so pleased today to be joined by Clarissa Moll—an award-winning writer, podcaster, and author of the bestselling book Beyond the Darkness: A Gentle Guide for Living with Grief and Thriving After Loss. While Clarissa is not a ...
•
Episode 265
•
29:41
264 | Blessings for Barrett (Part Two) with Katy Bone
In this second half of my conversation with Katy Bone, we explore how grief has not only reshaped her life, but also refined her faith and revealed a deeper sense of purpose. Nearly six years after her son Barrett went to heaven, Katy reflects ...
•
Episode 264
•
28:58
263 | Blessings for Barrett (Part One) with Katy Bone
In today's episode, I’m joined by my new friend Katy Bone, a wife and mother whose story is marked by both profound loss and enduring hope. In this first part of our conversation, Katy shares the early chapters of her motherhood journey—beginni...
•
Episode 263
•
37:05
.png)
262 | The Empty Chair Endeavor (Part Two) with Greg and Cathy Buffkin
Welcome back to the second half of my conversation with Greg and Cathy Buffkin.In today's episode, the Buffkins speak directly to the grieving parent—especially the one who has lost a child to suicide and is wondering how to take the nex...
•
Episode 262
•
46:06
261 | The Empty Chair Endeavor (Part One) with Greg and Cathy Buffkin
Greg and Cathy Buffkin join me on the podcast today to share the story of their son Ryan—a funny and tenderhearted young man who brought joy and laughter to everyone around him. As we get to know Ryan through their memories, we also learn about...
•
Episode 261
•
34:36
260 | Desperate Prayers (Part Two) with Rachel Wojo
Rachel Wojo is my guest once again, and today we shift from her story of parenting her daughter Taylor through a terminal illness to the deeper spiritual lessons that followed her death—lessons about grief, surrender, and the hard, holy work of...
•
Episode 260
•
37:07
259 | Desperate Prayers (Part One) with Rachel Wojo
In this first half of our two-part conversation, author and speaker Rachel Wojo shares her journey with her daughter Taylor, who was diagnosed with a rare degenerative condition. Rachel opens up about the challenges and the joys of parent...
•
Episode 259
•
31:31
258 | Questions About Heaven (Part Two) with Austin DeArmond
In this second half of our two-part conversation, Austin DeArmond returns to the mic to continue exploring some of the most common myths and misunderstandings people have about heaven—especially those that surface in grief and longing after chi...
•
Episode 258
•
41:12
257 | Questions About Heaven (Part One) with Austin DeArmond
My friend, Austin DeArmond, returns to the podcast today to explore some of the most common myths and misconceptions people have about Heaven. As a bereaved Dad, Bible translation consultant, and faithful follower of Christ, Austin brings both ...
•
Episode 257
•
38:05
256 | Lamenting in the Waiting ... with Josh and Nicole Kingsbury
As we continue our conversation from the previous episode, Josh and Nicole Kingsbury open up about how they’ve walked through grief as a couple after the loss of their daughter, Amber, to suicide in 2021. They share the early commitment they ma...
•
Episode 256
•
43:29
255 | Wrestling in the Waiting ... with Josh and Nicole Kingsbury
I recently had the privilege of sitting down with Josh and Nicole Kingsbury as they shared the beautiful and heartbreaking story of their daughter Amber. A vibrant, creative, and compassionate young girl who loved Jesus, Amber touched the lives...
•
Episode 255
•
39:50
.png)
254 | Sacred Circles with Michael and Peggy Mages
Welcome to Episode #254, which is a continuation of my conversation with Michael and Peggy Mages. In our last episode, we were introduced to their son Mason—a bold, kindhearted, and faith-filled young man—and the tragic day they lost him in a d...
•
Episode 254
•
44:50
253 | An Eternal Hope with Michael and Peggy Mages
Today, I’m honored to welcome Michael and Peggy Mages to the podcast to share the story of their son, Mason—a deeply thoughtful young man often referred to as an "old soul", who loved everything John Deere and Star Wars, was always prepared wit...
•
Episode 253
•
51:35
252 | See the Good (Part Two) with Brad and Karen Nadolson
In Part Two of this powerful conversation, Brad and Karen Nadolson continue sharing the story of their daughter Bethany—this time focusing on how life has unfolded in the wake of her homegoing.With honesty and grace, they talk about walk...
•
Episode 252
•
42:10
251 | See the Good (Part One) with Brad and Karen Nadolson
In this first part of a two-part conversation, Brad and Karen Nadolson share the story of their daughter Bethany—a vibrant, faith-filled young woman whose life was defined by compassion, courage, and an unwavering desire to serve others....
•
Episode 251
•
38:57
250 | Butterflies and Grace (Part Two) with Brian and Danna Mayhall
Welcome to Episode #250, which is a continuation of my conversation with Brian and Danna Mayhall. Their daughter Amelia went to Heaven in July of 2013 after sustaining a devastating brain injury due to a woman’s deliberate decision to dri...
•
Episode 250
•
34:25
249 | Butterflies and Grace (Part One) with Brian and Danna Mayhall
I was honored to sit down with Brian and Danna Mayhall recently, who joined me to share the story of their daughter, Amelia—a young woman whose life was characterized by kindness and compassion. Amelia sustained a devastating...
•
Episode 249
•
41:53
248 | Jeffrey Is With Jesus (Part Two) ... with Jeannie Williams
Last week I introduced you to my friend Jeannie Williams, and we heard the story of her precocious and compassionate 11-year-old son Jeffrey, who died from carbon monoxide poisoning in a hotel room in 2013, an incident that left her with perman...
•
Episode 248
•
32:07
247 | Jeffrey is With Jesus (Part One) ... with Jeannie Williams
Today, I have the privilege of introducing you to Jeannie Williams, a mother, wife, and "retired" homeschool teacher, whose life took an unimaginable turn in June of 2013. Jeannie will share the story of her son, Jeffrey—his kind h...
•
Episode 247
•
40:23
Bonus 200 | Finale
Thank you for joining me for the final bonus episode in this series in which I’ve been sharing our family’s experiences in the last year of our daughter Hannah’s life, which spanned from February 2008 through February 2009. I’ll be comple...
•
5:14
.jpg)
Bonus 199 | The Origin of While We're Waiting (Part 8 )
A friend of ours got us connected with an architect who donated his time and drew up a plan for our dream retreat center. The facility would incorporate the existing house, adding a large dining room, a commercial kitchen, and ten private...
•
4:56
Bonus 198 | The Origin of While We're Waiting (Part 7)
For three years, we had wonderful bereaved-parent retreats at Family Farm. As awareness began to grow about the ministry via word-of-mouth, internet searches, and our Facebook presence, our waiting lists also began to grow. Even wit...
•
4:00
246 | Nail-Scarred Hands ... with Nanette Klinect
Last week, we heard the story of Nanette's beautiful daughter Katie’s life and the day everything changed for their family. Today, we continue our conversation, diving into what life has been like in the years since that time. Nanette shares th...
•
Episode 246
•
30:55
