In this episode of the Grief and Belief podcast, hosts David Mickelson and Corey Andrews welcome Stu Davis to share the powerful story of losing his son, Grant, 19 years ago. Stu, an orthopedic surgeon, active outdoorsman, and a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, provides a glimpse into his family's life and his journey through medical school and his career. He describes his son Grant as a precocious, fun-loving, and "all-American great kid" who was outgoing, humorous, and deeply dedicated to his faith and family.
Stu recounts Grant's extraordinary passion and talent for road cycling, which began as a Boy Scout merit badge activity and quickly blossomed into a potential professional career. Grant was a nationally ranked cyclist who had been invited to train at the U.S. Olympic Training Center just a month before his accident. This incredible self-driven dedication was tragically cut short when, at 16 years old, Grant collided with a parked truck during a routine training ride, resulting in a broken neck and a severe lack of oxygen to his brain. Stu, drawing on his medical background, quickly understood the severity of the situation and shares the family's decision to donate Grant's organs, which helped save three other lives.
Throughout the conversation, Stu reflects on the spiritual experiences that provided comfort and perspective in the aftermath of Grant's passing. He discusses the eternal promises found in Grant's patriarchal blessing, which Grant never had the chance to read himself, and how it reassured his family that this life is just a transition. Stu also explores how his medical training prepared him for the clinical reality of death but not for the profound sense of separation from his son. He shares his testimony that while he has questioned many things over the past 19 years, his knowledge that he will see Grant again because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ has been the "iron rod" he has held onto.
Resources: The Alchemist
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This episode of the Grief and Belief podcast features hosts David Mickelson and Kori Andrews interviewing their friend, Cindy Thredgold, who shares the story of her son, Connor. Connor, known by his family as a responsible "doer" who loved repairing cars, passed away as a missionary in the Taiwan Taipei mission in 2014. He and his companion tragically died from carbon monoxide poisoning, which Cindy described as quick and overwhelming.
The discussion centers on Cindy's hopeful theme: "Today’s challenge is tomorrow’s testimony," or, as found in Connor's scriptures, "Our greatest blessings come from our greatest trials". Cindy recounts the emotional difficulty of being notified by church leaders and the subsequent three-week wait for Connor’s body to be returned home from Taiwan. Despite the overwhelming grief, Cindy felt immediately "content" that Heavenly Father knew what He was doing and never experienced the anger that often accompanies loss.
Cindy highlights the "compensating blessings" that followed, noting that God provided personal comfort by arranging major family events (like the birth of her grandchild) to occur on anniversaries of Connor's death, emphasizing that Heavenly Father "knows our dates". She explains that experiencing this loss brought her to a deeper level of understanding of Christ's Atonement. In honor of Connor’s memory, Cindy also co-manages a service that provides free memorial portraits to the families of other missionaries who have passed away while serving.
Resources:
Virtual Cemetery for missionaries who died while serving
Virtual Cemetery for missionaries who died right before or after serving
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In this episode of the Grief and Belief podcast, hosts David Mickelson and Kori Andrews sit down with Addie Billman to discuss her story of profound loss, faith, and the protective power of angels. Addie shares how she met her fun and energetic husband, Wyatt, their love story, and the joy they shared with their young son, Arlo. Just two months shy of their second wedding anniversary, Wyatt was tragically killed in a car accident involving a semi-truck on black ice, leaving 21-year-old Addie a widow with a one-year-old son. Addie recounts the harrowing moments of discovering the accident and the unbelievable shock of having her greatest fear confirmed.
Throughout the episode, Addie describes the overwhelming grief and the tender mercies that helped her navigate the immediate aftermath of Wyatt's passing. She shares a sacred experience where she felt Wyatt's presence through their son Arlo, just hours after his death. However, the story takes an astonishing turn when, just four months later, Addie herself is involved in a severe car accident, also with a semi-truck. While trapped and unconscious in her vehicle, she had a remarkable near-death experience where she saw Wyatt and their miscarried baby, who assured her that everything would be okay before she woke up to the chaos of the crash scene.
Addie's story is a powerful testament to the reality of ministering angels and their ability to physically protect us. She explains how she chose gratitude over guilt, leaning on a quote by Francis Weller about carrying grief in one hand and gratitude in the other. She testifies that Wyatt's final message to her was a message of love for everyone from the angels on the other side. Ultimately, Addie shares how this journey deepened her relationship with Jesus Christ, who she came to know as a true friend who has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.
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In this deeply moving episode, we hear from Krista Isaacson, who bravely shares her journey as a self-described "hopeful mourner" after the passing of her cherished daughter, Elora. A mother of six and grandmother of three, Krista illuminates how her unwavering faith in Jesus Christ has been her anchor, providing solace and purpose through unimaginable grief.
Krista recounts a profound personal experience of divine preparation: two weeks before Elora became ill, she received a strong prompting to study how Jesus Christ faced immense pain in Gethsemane and declared, "Not my will but thine be done". This spiritual foresight provided her with scriptures, hymns, and words of peace, confidence, and love from Heavenly Father, which became a very personal answer to her prayers when she faced the agonizing decision about Elora's life support. She vividly describes feeling like she was sinking in a "dark torrent of water" when her faith was rocked, but by reaching out with the three-word prayer, "Help me, Lord," she felt the Savior take her hand, not removing her trials but promising she would not drown.
Her journey of belief led her to pen the book, "Unbearable Burden," reflecting her conviction that with Christ's grace, "every unbearable burden can become bearable". Krista testifies that Jesus Christ has "truly hath become my savior," trusting him implicitly to lead her to good, even through the hardest and most incomprehensible challenges. She deeply believes in his promise, "I will not leave you comfortless. I will come to you" (John 14:18), having experienced His constant presence and help as a true friend who always keeps His promises.
Resources: Krista's website
Find Unbearable Burden on Amazon
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Welcome to a poignant episode of the Grief and Belief podcast, featuring Mikkele Daybell, who offers her unique perspective as the older sister to Grant, whose story was previously shared by their mother, April Gallier, in episode 16. Mikkele, now 25, grew up in Springville, Utah, taking on a significant caregiving role for Grant from a young age, including managing his G-tube and medications and even babysitting by nine years old. She lovingly describes Grant as a brother who, despite communication challenges, expressed himself through actions and was a constant, supportive presence at her volleyball games.
Mikkele recounts Grant's lifelong health struggles, which included frequent illnesses and infections, ultimately leading to his passing in 2017 when she was 17 years old. She vividly recalls the emotional drive to the hospital and the heartbreaking decision for her parents to sign a Do Not Resuscitate order, a moment when other people's "normal lives" seemed so distant from her family's profound grief. The family found comfort in singing Grant's favorite song, "Follow the Prophet," which fittingly opened his funeral service.
After Grant's death, Mikkele initially faced a loss of purpose, feeling the void left by her extensive caregiving responsibilities. However, her experience profoundly shaped her path, inspiring her to become a special education teacher and to create watercolor portraits and Christ-centered artwork, which she now sees as part of her life's mission. Her story beautifully illustrates how navigating deep grief can lead to a renewed sense of purpose and a strengthened connection to one's beliefs.
Resources: Faceless by Mikkele
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This podcast episode features Jared, a recent high school graduate, discussing the sudden and tragic deaths of his brother and father within weeks of each other. Jared shares how he coped with immense grief by finding purpose through service and a church history trip, where he received a personal spiritual confirmation that his loved ones were still nearby.
He emphasizes the profound impact of community support and the importance of choosing joy and helping others, even amidst deep sorrow, as a testament to his faith and belief in eternal families. Jared's narrative ultimately centers on his commitment to serve a mission and spread the message of hope and the love of Jesus Christ, drawing strength from his experiences and the knowledge that he will reunite with his family.
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***This episode does contain some references to suicide without specific details of the event***
This podcast episode features Jennifer Suiter, who shares her incredibly poignant story of losing both her son, Brian, and husband, Chris, within a 20-day period. The hosts guide Jennifer as she eloquently describes her loved ones, emphasizing Brian's journey from a friendless child to a compassionate young man, and Chris's role as a devoted husband and father.
A central theme is the unexpected nature of their deaths: Brian's suicide is powerfully linked to a concussion he sustained three years prior, highlighting the often-unseen long-term impacts of head injuries and the importance of seeking help. Chris's death was a tragic car accident, hit by a teenage driver, adding another layer of shock and grief. Despite the immense sorrow, Jennifer repeatedly underscores her unwavering belief that "families can be together forever" and the importance of gratitude, service, and allowing others to help in navigating profound loss, illustrating how these principles have sustained her through an unimaginable ordeal.
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In this insightful episode, the Grief and Belief podcast features Kyle Lemmon, a long-time friend of David Mickelson. Kyle introduces himself as a father of a blended family with 6 children, ranging from ages 10 to 20 years old.
The interview centers on Kyle's profound experience of losing his first wife, Andrea, in 2012 due to bacterial meningitis, a tragic event that occurred suddenly after she fell ill during a family trip. With 13 years having passed since her death, Kyle offers a unique, long-term perspective on grief and healing, distinct from many other guests who are in the earlier stages of their loss. This distance allows him to reflect on how his life has unfolded and how unexpected blessings have emerged from such a traumatic period.
A central theme of Kyle's discussion is the law of compensation, an idea introduced to him shortly after Andrea's passing by an emeritus general authority. He shares that while life may not always follow a predictable "formulaic" path, God's plan is ultimately better, and blessings will compensate for losses endured. Kyle illustrates this with examples from his life, including his marriage to April, their son Seth (whose name means "compensation" in Hebrew), and how his son with autism has profoundly blessed their family. Through his grief, Kyle has come to believe that Jesus Christ will guide and shape individuals through difficult experiences, and that the Savior is the only way to find solace from loss, pain, and agony, urging listeners to be covenant-keeping and to trust in the Lord's path.
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In this moving episode, Shalee Taylor courageously shares her deeply personal journey of coping with seven miscarriages. She recounts the profound emotional toll each loss took, from initial excitement to anger, deep sadness, and even numbness.
Shalee reveals that after her fourth miscarriage, she felt broken, with faith in God but no hope in Him. However, a transformative insight from the New Testament story of Lazarus — "Jesus waited, but He still came" — became a beacon of hope. This realization helped her understand that the Savior's timing, even when delayed, ensures His eventual presence and understanding.
Through these harrowing experiences, Shalee's belief in Jesus Christ has become more real and profoundly strengthened. She shares a unique empathy for the Savior, understanding that He alone could atone for sins and be resurrected, mirroring her own isolated experience of loss. Her powerful testimony highlights that even amidst bleak circumstances, Christ offers a path to healing and enduring joy.
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In this special episode of the Grief and Belief podcast, we welcome Jessica Brandley. Jessica shares her deeply personal journey of honoring grief after the unexpected passing of her husband, Jim.
Jim, described as fun-loving and full of life, tragically died after an accident. Jessica recounts the harrowing hours leading up to his death, including the moment he asked, "Are you going to be okay when I'm gone?". She delves into the raw moments of discovering his passing and the subsequent process of navigating this profound loss.
The episode also highlights Jessica's unique path to finding comfort and creating a blended family. She discusses her new marriage and how she embraced the name Jessica Hall Brandley to honor both families. Jessica testifies that, even in the deepest moments of despair, the Savior picked her up and carried her, especially during moments like cleaning up after her children, feeling His presence right there with her. Her story is a powerful testament to finding strength and connection to Jesus Christ amidst indescribable sorrow.
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This podcast episode of Grief and Belief features David Mickelson and guest co-host Brian Mickelson interviewing LeGrand Laing, a seminary teacher. The core of the discussion revolves around LeGrand's experience of grieving the unexpected death of his eldest son, Brayden, who passed away at 21 in a motorcycle accident.
Throughout the interview, LeGrand emphasizes Brayden's exceptionally positive, unifying, and service-oriented nature, highlighting his profound impact on others. A central theme introduced by LeGrand is the principle of "running to the Savior first," an idea suggesting that focusing on Jesus Christ is the primary path to healing and ultimately reuniting with loved ones, even amidst immense sorrow.
The conversation also explores how LeGrand and his family have found strength through faith, prayer, scripture study, and temple worship in the aftermath of their devastating loss.
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Join us for a powerful and deeply moving episode with Jen Dyal, sharing her journey of grief and belief after the loss of her oldest son, Jack, at just nine years old in 2016. Jack was a beloved, kind, and unifying spirit. Jen recounts the auto-pedestrian accident that occurred on her husband Nate's birthday, the chaotic hospital experience, and the agonizing decision against a medically induced coma for her "vivacious nine-year-old boy". She describes the heartbreaking goodbyes before Jack's organ donation, accompanied by the "Come and Get Your Love" song by Redbone.
A central theme is forgiveness. Jen remarkably shares immediately forgiving the driver, who hit Jack, having met her just weeks prior. She discusses the contrasting ways she and Nate processed forgiveness, and her children's developmental paths to understanding.
Through profound loss, Jen believes God doesn't cause suffering but knows what's coming due to human choices. She emphasizes the power of choice in handling grief and forgiveness, and a Savior who carries her through every decision, always present without forcing her to come to Him.
Join us for a special combined episode featuring Kallie Andrews, Kori's oldest daughter, and Allie Mickelson, David's youngest daughter. You'll hear these two remarkable young women share their unique experiences with grief and belief after losing their sisters, Kamryn and Ava, when they were both nine years old.
Kallie recounts the unexpected and rapid events surrounding Kamryn's birth and 38-day life, including the bravery it took to get special permission to see her sister in the hospital's NICU by overcoming her fear of shots. She reflects on the challenges of witnessing her sister's broken body connected to monitors but also the special moments shared as a family. Kallie also shares wisdom for young people grieving, emphasizing the importance of talking to friends and family and allowing others to serve.
Allie shares tender memories of her sister Ava, describing her as a social, happy peacemaker who looked and acted strikingly like Allie herself. She recounts playful times, like playing "Super Nuke" with Ava during COVID quarantine, before detailing the shocking and quick progression of Ava's illness and cancer diagnosis. Allie describes the difficult hospital visits, needing to wear protective gear, and the profound, almost unbelievable moment when Ava passed away after life support was removed.
This episode explores how these young ladies navigate their grief, emphasizing the importance of family, friends, and their faith in finding comfort and understanding through profound loss.
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In this episode of the Grief and Belief podcast, hosts David Mickelson and Kori Andrews welcome Ryan and Valerie Davies, who share the heart-wrenching story of losing their son, Tanner. Their conversation centers on the theme of grace—an idea that resonates deeply with both hosts, who each have daughters named Grace.
Valerie reflects on her upbringing in Southern California, her move to Provo for BYU, and meeting Ryan after his mission. The couple shares their love story, family background, and the difficult details surrounding Tanner’s accident. Valerie recounts the moment she called the hospital and the uncertainty she felt when they couldn't give her answers. The couple also speaks about others involved in the accident and the complexity of piecing together what happened.
Throughout their grief journey, Ryan and Valerie have found grace to be a sustaining and transformative power. This episode explores how grace has helped them move forward, hold onto faith, and continue to honor Tanner’s memory with love and hope.
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In this episode of the Grief and Belief podcast, hosts David Mickelson and Kori Andrews talk with Caitlin Naulu about the powerful role of prayer in her journey through grief. Caitlin shares the story of her daughter Auni, who was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a rare genetic condition that causes severe muscle weakness. Caitlin recalls the heartbreaking moment of diagnosis and the difficult conversations that followed with their palliative care team.
Caitlin opens up about how prayer became a source of strength as she navigated Auni’s illness and eventual passing. She also shares a meaningful experience with a therapist that helped her recognize and confront self-critical thoughts brought on by grief. Kori reflects on how their conversation influenced his own prayer life, even during podcast prep.
Through her story, Caitlin shows how grief and belief can exist together and how turning to God in prayer can bring peace and perspective during unimaginable loss.
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In this poignant episode of the Grief and Belief podcast, we feature Saedi Oldham, who courageously shares her son Ethan's story. Ethan passed away at 17 after battling rhabdomyosarcoma. Saedi's interview delves into her profound grief and steadfast belief in trusting in the Lord through unimaginable pain.
You'll hear about Ethan's determined personality from a young age, and the overwhelming challenges of his illness. Saedi recounts moments she felt she was warning her husband and oldest son that Ethan was dying. She describes the difficult decision to remove his breathing support and how, through prayer, she gained strength to sing to him as his heart slowly stopped. This was one of the most beautiful experiences of her life, feeling the strong presence of the Savior who greeted Ethan through the veil.
Saedi openly discusses raw grief, including bitterness, anger, and crippling anxiety, wrestling with questions like "Why did Ethan get sick? Why did Ethan die?". Despite these struggles, a powerful impression reminded her: "He is worthy of your trust". Her relationship with God has become more secure and real, finding comfort in envisioning Jesus with a smile, happy to bear our burdens alongside us.
Join us to hear Saedi's authentic testimony of how, even when life feels like screaming at the world, faith in Jesus Christ brings new depth of understanding and peace.
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Join us for a special episode of the Grief and Belief podcast featuring Sheryl Jepson. Sheryl shares her journey of grief after her brother Daniel passed away from a tragic hiking accident when she was a child, and how this experience led her to feel bound to Jesus Christ.
Sheryl offers powerful "hard truths" learned, emphasizing that the passing of a loved one is part of God's plan and the critical importance of choosing faith during trials. She highlights her parents' anchoring example of choosing faith and offering prayers of gratitude even weeks after their son's death. Her clear advice for parents: the greatest support you can offer grieving children is to choose the Savior when it is hardest.
Listen as Sheryl discusses coping, like finding an outlet in clogging (now power tap), and answers the podcast's signature question: considering her experience with grief, what does she now believe about Jesus Christ?
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This episode of the Grief and Belief podcast features a poignant conversation with Dave Morrey, who shares the story of his brother, Matthew, and his sudden passing at 38.
Dave discusses his initial "operational mode" after Matthew's death, followed by intense grief and unanswered questions. He emphasizes the importance of faith and empathy in navigating loss, contrasting ineffective attempts to "fix" grief with the power of presence.
Dave reflects on his evolving understanding of empathy and the urgency of showing love and forgiveness in the present. Ultimately, he shares his deepened belief in Jesus Christ as a result of his grief, highlighting the vital role of faith in the face of loss.
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Join us for a powerful and deeply moving episode with Jennie Taylor, sharing her profound journey of grief and belief after the loss of her husband, Major Brent Taylor, in 2018 while serving in the military. A mother of seven, Jennie faced immense challenges as a stay-at-home mom, feeling "half of me died that day". Jennie focused on "how" to manage, often feeling "incredibly afraid of the future" and "completely incapable".
A central theme is learning "line upon line, precept upon precept" from the Lord, understanding God reveals truth at our pace due to "mortal limits". She describes realizing her limits and needing to "breathe".
Through profound loss, Jennie's belief significantly deepened. She realized "just how real the Savior is, just how true the gospel is, just how close our loved ones are, just how thin the veil can be". She knows Jesus "feels our pain," "treats us with compassion," and "is enough to make up for every shortcoming". Jennie asserts she's been "very blessed by my husband's death," strengthening her testimony and capacity to become Christlike.
Resources: Major Brent Taylor Foundation
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This episode of the Grief and Belief podcast features a heartfelt interview with April Gallier, who shares her personal journey of grief and belief after the passing of her special son, Grant.
April candidly discusses her experiences surrounding Grant's life and his passing. Listeners will gain insight into April's family, including her daughter who was deeply involved in Grant's life and now works in special education.
In this moving conversation, April reflects on what she has come to believe about Jesus Christ through her experience with grief. She shares her evolving understanding of the Atonement, recognizing it as a source of strength and comfort in all aspects of life, not just for repentance. April testifies of Christ's constant presence and the power of prayer, even in difficult moments.
The hosts and April discuss creative and meaningful ways to honor and remember loved ones. Additionally, information will be provided in the episode notes for listeners who wish to contribute to efforts in Grant's memory (Amazon Wish List).
Join David and Kori as they learn from April's inspiring story of love, loss, and enduring faith in Jesus Christ.
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