Susanne’s world fell apart piece by piece—her marriage ended, her health declined, her family home was lost, and as she mourned her father’s passing, she also became her mother’s caretaker. Just as Susanne thought she had found hope again, another deep loss left her shattered and without direction. Through this cascade of heartbreak, Susanne discovered that the well-meaning words and advice society gives us about grief often leave us even more isolated and confused.

In this episode of The Mom Next Door: Stories of Faith, Susanne Murphy joins Pam Fields to share her raw and honest journey through extraordinary loss and the profound lessons God revealed in the midst of her pain. Susanne not only tells her story but offers practical, biblically grounded tools to help us walk alongside others in their sorrow. She exposes the myths our culture perpetuates about grief and invites listeners to approach heartache with compassion and listening ears.

You’ll hear Susanne’s heartfelt encouragement for the brokenhearted and learn how even life’s “good” changes—like a child moving away to college or a big family move—can trigger grief that needs to be acknowledged. Drawing from her work as a grief recovery specialist, Susanne brings hope, healing, and a new perspective on how to hold space for our children and friends as they process loss, both big and small.

If you or someone you love is facing grief, this conversation will equip you to respond with empathy, listen without judgment, and recognize God’s redemptive work in the midst of suffering. Susanne reminds us that our stories are not over—hope, healing, and God’s loving presence are waiting as we step forward in faith.

Listen in for practical tips, biblical encouragement, and the gentle reminder that you are never alone in your heartbreak.

Check in with Susanne at Whole Heart Coaching or on Instagram @Susanne_Murphy

You can also connect with Pam and Friends on the Facebook group, Tending Fields Mom's Group and on Instagram@TendingFields

The book mentioned in this episode was

The Grief Recovery Handbook by John W. James & Russell Friedman

Some other episodes about grief:

#204 Partnering with God Through Chronic Pain, Susan Sage

#198 Supporting One Another Through Trials, Julie Foge

#192 A Mother's Loss, A Family's Faith, Christina Varvel

#146 Grief, Loss and Community, Kim Mendoza

#storiesoffaith #griefsupport #momshelpingmoms #healingjourney #faiththroughloss #holdspace #hopeafterheartbreak #listeningwell #grieflessons