Curtis reflects on year three of grief after the passing of his wife, Michal. What began as crushing sorrow has slowly transformed into a season of quiet healing, memories, and even new beginnings. Curtis opens up about how grief changes with time...how the pain softens but the love and lessons remain. From walking through loss with his fiancée Crystal to finding hope amid darkness, his story is a raw and redemptive look at what it means to heal. Whether you’re in the early days of loss or years down the road, this episode will remind you that God’s greatest work often begins in our deepest hurt. --- DONATE TO THE MICHAL FOUNDATION: https://www.runtothehard.com/give Rate The Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/rtth Become a Sponsor: https://www.runtothehard.com/sponsors Share The Episode...Remember, "Running to the hard is better, when we run together". --- CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro 0:51 The difference at 3 years after loss 8:04 The many waves of grief 11:08 Acceptance 13:24 Having a relationship while grieving 14:59 Charlie Kirk's passing from a grief perspective 22:28 How the kids are grieving 3 years in 31:42 Darkness and breakthroughs 36:07 New traditions 39:49 Talking to the deceased while grieving? 46:55 Practice what you preach
Ever feel like grief has literally changed the way your brain works? You're not alone. It's like it rewires things in there. Memory issues. Compartmentalization. Checking out. Difficulty connecting. Curtis shares his raw and real experience with what he calls "grief brain" in an effort to help you know you're not alone, and hopefully to start down the path of healing. But, we also talk about finding purpose and motivation in grief, what grieving does to relationships, and how Curtis is trying to take every thought captive with examples from his life. Join us. --- DONATE TO THE MICHAL FOUNDATION: https://www.runtothehard.com/give Rate The Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/rtth Become a Sponsor: https://www.runtothehard.com/sponsors Share The Episode...Remember, "Running to the hard is better, when we run together". CHAPTERS 0:00 Grief Brain 8:18 Getting Stuck in "Boxes" 18:13 Motivation in Grief 22:52 Finding Purpose in Grief 28:17 Grief Makes It Hard To Connect 39:18 Seriously Taking Thoughts Captive 41:58 Not What I Envisioned Life To Look Like 47:17 God Uses The Hard Stuff To Prepare Us 52:12 Prayer MENTIONED PTSD Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoI0rDmSDcM
Is it just grief that's impacting you? Or is PTSD partially to blame? One off-handed remark from Curtis triggered something in Crystal, who knew about PTSD, and asked him to look into it further. Turns out, Curtis has experienced most of the top 10 most common reasons people suffer from PTSD, and exhibits many of the symptoms. This is a whole new level of healing and growth that they're entering into. This realization is huge and hopefully gives you some permission to look a little into your past with some self-reflection to see what else you might be dealing with alongside your grief. --- DONATE TO THE MICHAL FOUNDATION: https://www.runtothehard.com/give Rate The Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/rtth Become a Sponsor: https://www.runtothehard.com/sponsors Share The Episode...Remember, "Running to the hard is better, when we run together". CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro 2:40 I've experienced 8 of the top 10 reasons people have PTSD 12:33 Dealing with all the symptoms of PTSD (while grieving) 16:42 The tornado of grief and chaos recently 18:16 Helping the kids with grief and potential PTSD 21:03 Self-reflecting and the path forward 31:55 Righteous Judgement 35:10 The healing process 39:03 Why it's hard to surrender control 43:31 How will God use this?
This is the epic conclusion to our 3 part series with Curtis and Crystal, walking through the absolute "shipwreck" of their lives right now. They're grieving their spouses deaths... Curtis' step-children's dad passes away... Their wedding was canceled... Old grief is being brought to the surface as they navigate death, grief, the legal system... Their ways of managing the overwhelm have them feeling disconnected... There's no way you could make up something like this. It's just too much. And yet... By God's grace, they are here and they keep going. Join me in this final instalment, and please...pray for them. --- DONATE TO THE MICHAL FOUNDATION: https://www.runtothehard.com/give Rate The Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/rtth Become a Sponsor: https://www.runtothehard.com/sponsors Share The Episode...Remember, "Running to the hard is better, when we run together". CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro 1:40 New grandbaby! 5:51 A whole new level of grief 16:18 Grieving your husband when your fiancé is weighed down by grief 28:58 Temptations while navigating such immense grief and intensity 37:50 Everything burns down 43:14 Doing vs resting in the waiting 48:37 The children are our joy 52:15 Where is the rest and recovery? 1:00:50 How to make sure rest doesn't become destructive 1:02:38 What grieving kids need 1:12:58 The future vision 1:16:07 Crystal's vision MENTIONED Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpWP4QmfDDE Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYxLFaLySjs
Welcome to part 2 of this unbelievable saga. The life of Curtis Christopher, Michal's kids, and Crystal and her kids continues to plunge further into the chaos of unexpected death, compounding grief, triggers, postponed marriage, court dates, and just life with so many moving parts. Today they dive into the difficulty of deciding to postpone a wedding, just days after their court date, blending such a unique family, sacrificial love, obedience to the Lord, and inter-family dynamics. This is a story that would be hard to make up, because it sounds so unbelievable. But by God's grace, Curtis and Crystal continue along the path to build a safe, stable, loving home for these kids while they continue to wait on God's timing and trust Jesus to bring everything to fruition, in His time. --- DONATE TO THE MICHAL FOUNDATION: https://www.runtothehard.com/give Rate The Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/rtth Become a Sponsor: https://www.runtothehard.com/sponsors Share The Episode...Remember, "Running to the hard is better, when we run together". CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro 0:42 Sudden death, grief triggers, and about to get married 8:36 When grief shuts you down emotionally 19:41 The rollercoaster of postponing our wedding 32:32 Blending families in a very unique situation 37:09 Sacrificial love 43:03 Another layer of grief impacting relationships 50:30 Obedience and the wilderness 57:42 The enemy is trying to split us up
If you've heard our story and think things have been crazy lately, you haven't heard anything yet. In this episode we walk you through the absolute whirlwind of grief and tragedy we've been walking through the last couple of months, to make things all the more complicated after the last couple of years of grief. From sudden death, to planning a funeral, to postponing our wedding, to lawyers and court dates, to deathversaries making it all the worse. Not much of this story makes sense from our limited human perspective, but God is faithful and we hope sharing this both encourages and strengthens your own walk. --- DONATE TO THE MICHAL FOUNDATION: https://www.runtothehard.com/give Rate The Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/rtth Become a Sponsor: https://www.runtothehard.com/sponsors Share The Episode...Remember, "Running to the hard is better, when we run together". CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro 0:37 The insanity of the last couple of months with grief upon grief 6:58 What's going to happen to the kids? 9:46 Sudden death...AND a death anniversary...at the same time 26:04 The kids’ relationship with their passed dad 35:54 The funeral 42:20 Chaos of normal life with so much grief 48:44 Kids going back to school 55:50 A 10 year old did WHAT? 1:00:20 How could you do this without Jesus?
From the grief of being unable to have children, to the joys of adopting and building a picture-perfect life together... Straight into the depths of losing her husband to brain cancer... JoBeth Evan's story is a roller coaster, and she tells it - and lives it - with so much grace and peace. Today's episode is extra impactful because not only does JoBeth have lived experience of deep grief, BUT, she's turned that experience into a way to serve others as a certified grief recovery specialist. She helps others navigate deep grief in a way that keeps them moving forward and honoring the memory of those who are being grieved. Seeing things from the experiential AND the professional side of things allows JoBeth to offer an incredible testimony to the goodness of God, and how to walk through grief well. --- DONATE TO THE MICHAL FOUNDATION: https://www.runtothehard.com/give Rate The Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/rtth Become a Sponsor: https://www.runtothehard.com/sponsors Share The Episode...Remember, "Running to the hard is better, when we run together". CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro 0:46 God's Plans 9:28 Adoption 14:30 Things Change Drastically 21:25 Brain Cancer 23:45 The Practical Reality of Losing Your Spouse 28:15 How Much To Share 34:42 "Selfish" Grieving? 39:57 Do NOT Say This To Grieving People 41:56 Kids Grieving 49:14 Response To Dying 58:07 Grief Recovery Coaching 1:03:38 Run To The Hard - Buffalo Style MENTIONED Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jobeth.polley/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jobethevans/ NWA Grief Specialists: https://nwagriefspecialists.com/
You will NOT believe the compounded grief that's just been added to our story. This episode was recorded right before another tragedy, so when we sat down to talk about the overwhelm of 2.5 years of grieving, trying to get your life back on track, guiding and raising 9 children from multiple families, and being weighed down by it all while learning to trust God in the process...we couldn't imagine it could get more complicated. Listen in and be encouraged, because despite everything that's happening, we know God is good, and He is redeeming everything. --- DONATE TO THE MICHAL FOUNDATION: https://www.runtothehard.com/give Rate The Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/rtth Become a Sponsor: https://www.runtothehard.com/sponsors Share The Episode...Remember, "Running to the hard is better, when we run together". CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro 5:28 Overwhelm: 2.5 years of grief 11:12 Pressure 16:14 Does grief stunt growth? 22:01 How to lead without letting guilt make the decisions 26:21 Blending two grieving families 34:26 Raising boys 41:40 The 4 types of grievers 47:20 Encouragement from Megan, who lost both parents at 14 58:42 How God uses His people to accomplish His purposes MENTIONED Finding Motivation After Grief: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzUyEpQEmBg 2 Years After Grief: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84kfHysGE9k Crystal Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8JVCqZsW4Y Lonnie Potts episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56FDX1Pi6HI&t=1s
Lonnie Potts is my favorite preacher. He played an instrumental role in my life as a young father, husband, and professional. I'm thrilled to have him on the podcast today, to honor him, number one, but also to give you hope that when all seems lost...God gives a way forward. Lonnie shares what it's like to experience crushing failure as a Christian, and to turn to God for redemption and healing. Within a very short time, Lonnie lost both parents, his marriage, and the ministry he'd worked so hard to build. But God is good, and failure does NOT define you. --- DONATE TO THE MICHAL FOUNDATION: https://www.runtothehard.com/give Rate The Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/rtth Become a Sponsor: https://www.runtothehard.com/sponsors Share The Episode...Remember, "Running to the hard is better, when we run together". CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro 4:04 The Joy (and Challenges) of Church Growth 17:17 Tell Stones vs Tomb Stones 23:33 Starting a Church School 28:14 Lonnie Quotes 32:49 Divorce, Losing Both Parents Within Weeks of Each Other 47:28 Inspiring Stories of Failure and Faith in The Bible
Feeling abandoned, betrayed, or forgotten? I know the feeling. And so did Joseph in the Bible. But the story of Joseph, my story, and yes, your story, too, is NOT over no matter how bad things are. God RESTORES. He USES the hard parts of your life. Joseph kept going through all of it and ended up saving not only all of Egypt, but his own family. His household. Keep going, because God hasn't finished your story, yet. (This is a talk Curtis Christopher gave to the students of Ohio Christian University in April 2025.) --- DONATE TO THE MICHAL FOUNDATION: https://www.runtothehard.com/give Rate The Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/rtth Become a Sponsor: https://www.runtothehard.com/sponsors Share The Episode...Remember, "Running to the hard is better, when we run together". CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro 5:11 Curtis's Unexpected Ministry 5:50 Joseph Runs Into The Hard 8:09 Abandoned 12:07 Betrayal 15:14 Forgotten 16:08 Heartbreaking Diagnosis and Grief 21:10 She Said THIS On Her Deathbed... 23:59 The Birth of a Podcast 28:00 From Podcast Listener To Wife 31:52 God's Not Done Writing Your Story
100 surgeries. Her body is breaking down, making things like work, driving, even turning her head to the side impossible. Yet LeeAnnw is one of the most loving, caring, positive people I've ever met. She's literally my hero because of how much she's gone through...with a smile on her face! LeeAnne's story of grief is not about losing a person, but about losing a future she thought she'd have. Losing mobility, independence...even losing a pain-free life, which most of us just take for granted. Whether you just got bad health news, or you're a caregiver to someone who has, this is an episode where we hope you'll be inspired and come to lean ever more on the Lord. --- DONATE TO THE MICHAL FOUNDATION: https://www.runtothehard.com/give Rate The Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/rtth Become a Sponsor: https://www.runtothehard.com/sponsors Share The Episode...Remember, "Running to the hard is better, when we run together". MENTIONED Podcast with LeeAnne's husband Josh Ep 28: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UApYSOFikXk
Josh's dad took his own life when he was only 6 years old. This leaves a mark on a young boy, and it showed in Josh's life as he pursued partying and drinking. But God is faithful. Even before Josh was a Christian, He put good men in Josh's life. One of which eventually became his father in law! Not to leave a story unfinished, Josh and his wife Leanne moved into a neighborhood FULL of Christians, where Josh went to church for the first time and eventually gave his life to the Lord! This is a story of God's fatherly provision and God's redemption! CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro 3:30 The Neighborhood Where Josh Found Jesus 8:00 Childhood Tragedy 13:35 The Miracle Job 16:03 Suicide 21:47 How Josh and Leanne Met 28:02 The Power of One Man Paying Attention --- DONATE TO THE MICHAL FOUNDATION: https://www.runtothehard.com/give Rate The Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/rtth Become a Sponsor: https://www.runtothehard.com/sponsors Share The Episode...Remember, "Running to the hard is better, when we run together".
Curtis and Crystal both traumatically lost their spouses roughly 2 years ago. Their lives were turned upside down. They experienced grief like they didn't know existed. Suddenly everything needed to be rebuilt. Along his grieving journey, Curtis started this podcast to support other grievers. Crystal was one of those early listeners, and felt like Curtis truly saw her in her grief. She reached out. They got talking and developed a friendship. Now? They're getting married! Join Curtis, Crystal, and Chris for this incredibly deep and vulnerable episode, and learn how Curtis and Crystal are planning to rebuild - together, now - as they each continue their personal grieving journeys. DONATE TO THE MICHAL FOUNDATION to Help Families Stuck in Grief. https://www.runtothehard.com/give Rate The Podcast https://ratethispodcast.com/rtth Become a Sponsor-https://www.runtothehard.com/sponsors Share The Episode Remember, "Running to the hard is better, when we run together" Watch The Video Where Curtis Proposes! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNUUEa9jHms Watch Crystal's Full Story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8q2eZ7md6o Watch Curtis' Full Story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5nvmuqbRwM
If you have experienced the sudden and tragic loss of a spouse, this episode is for you. In this powerful conversation, Cortney Kendrick shares her heartbreaking yet hope-filled journey after losing her husband Don to sudden violence. We dive into the raw emotions of grief, questioning God, and the battle against the enemy’s lies. Cortney opens up about life before the tragedy, navigating sorrow, how God has redeemed her story and what it truly means to Run to the Hard when life feels unbearable. CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro 2:53 Life Leading Up To Tragedy 11:32 Questioning God? 18:09 How Should You Comfort A Griever? 21:54 Suffering Loss 28:39 Savior Complex 32:18 Fighting The Enemy's Lies During Grief 36:40 Life After Loss 45:44 What Does Run To The Hard Mean to Cortney? DONATE TO THE MICHAL FOUNDATION to Help Families Stuck in Grief. https://www.runtothehard.com/give Rate The Podcast https://ratethispodcast.com/rtth Become a Sponsor-https://www.runtothehard.com/sponsors Share The Episode Remember, "Running to the hard is better, when we run together" Cortney's Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/cortney.scyoc
What do you do when you lose your mom at 18, only a month after you found out she was sick? You've heard Curtis and Michal's story on this podcast many times. It's a story of love, grief, perseverance, faith, and God's loving kindness. But today, we are blessed to hear the story from a very special source. Michal's daughter Ellah joins us on the podcast today to talk about her experience of losing her mother at only 18 years old, and how she's grieved while running to the hard over the past 2 years since her mother's death. DONATE TO THE MICHAL FOUNDATION: https://www.runtothehard.com/give Rate The Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/rtth Become a Sponsor: https://www.runtothehard.com/sponsors Share The Episode...Remember, "Running to the hard is better, when we run together". CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro 2:27 Why People Isolate In Grief 4:44 What It's Like To Learn Your Mom Has 1 Week To Live 13:15 Being The Eldest Sibling After Mom Passes Away 16:02 The Dumbest Things People Say To Grievers 20:54 Anger Against God? 32:15 Self-Help...or Jesus? 35:39 The Truth About Curtis Christopher 43:57 A Caveat To All Of This... 45:37 Healing Through Writing 49:26 One Last Piece of Encouragement
In This episode, Curtis is joined by his long-time friends Steph and Dale Schaeffer. They discuss the challenges of caring for aging parents, the importance of having difficult conversations about health and care, and the emotional toll of being part of the sandwich generation. Steph and Dale reflect on the impact of COVID-19 on caregiving, the necessity of community support, and the moments of joy found amidst the hardship Steph losing both of her parents weeks apart. DONATE TO THE MICHAL FOUNDATION- https://www.runtothehard.com/give Rate The Podcast https://ratethispodcast.com/rtth Become a Sponsor-https://www.runtothehard.com/sponsors Share The Episode- Remember, "Running to the hard is better, when we run together" CHAPTERS 1:45 Sick Parents and Grieving Their Loss 6:10 Having Hard Conversations About Caring For Aging Parents 11:45 When Mom goes to a Nursing Home and Dad is in Hospital 15:03 Dealing With Home Life When Your Spouse is Away Helping Ailing Parents 23:44 Strain on the Marriage 28:46 How To Help When It's Hard 31:50 Ministry Before Tragedy Versus Ministry After 36:15 A New Boldness 39:12 Unpacking Matthew 8
In this powerful episode, Curtis invites his girlfriend Crystal to speak live at Sunbury Nazarene Church in Sunbury, Ohio to answer the question, what does Thanksgiving and gratitude look like right in the middle of devastation and pain? Stay until the end for a huge surprise! DONATE TO THE MICHAL FOUNDATION- https://www.runtothehard.com/give Rate The Podcast https://ratethispodcast.com/rtth Become a Sponsor-https://www.runtothehard.com/sponsors Share The Episode- Remember, "Running to the hard is better, when we run together" Chapters 02:58 Curtis' Introduction of Crystal 08:56 The Journey of Healing and Restoration 11:55 The Role of Faith in Suffering 14:59 Embracing New Beginnings 17:56 The Importance of Gratitude 21:08 Lessons from the Valley of the Shadow of Death 23:57 Choosing to See God's Goodness 26:49 The Transformative Power of Scripture 29:59 A New Chapter of Life 32:57 Celebrating Love and New Beginnings
In this powerful episode of Run to the Hard, host Curtis sits down again with longtime friend and pastor Tristan Borland to delve deeper into the journey of grief and the search for hope. Both Curtis and Tristan have endured profound personal losses, and their discussion centers on how faith, community, and finding purpose can help navigate the dark seasons of life. Tristan shares his experiences as a pastor counseling grieving families, how his own loss of his daughter,Maria brought him to a new understanding of boundaries, and the ways his congregation ministered to him in his time of need. DONATE TO THE MICHAL FOUNDATION- https://www.runtothehard.com/give Rate The Podcast https://ratethispodcast.com/rtth Become a Sponsor-https://www.runtothehard.com/sponsors Share The Episode- Remember, "Running to the hard is better, when we run together" Buy Tristan and Jill's Book- https://www.amazon.com/Life-After-Death-Struggle-Child/dp/1666711411 Tristan's other podcasts-https://www.youtube.com/@UCmbJvnwGgCS3v039dcwlpOw 01:30 Tristan's Pastoral Story 03:17 Managing Grief and Boundaries 05:12 The Role of Community in Healing 07:40 The Weight of Grief 11:24 Helping Others Through Grief 24:27 The Theology of a Three-Year-Old 29:52 Jesus Loves Me 34:46 Two Different Lives 39:15 Love as a Multiplying Force 43:32 Pain into Purpose 49:08 The Cosmic Story of Redemption 51:25 Amen
This audio podcast is for grievers who have experienced loss of a child and the devastating impact of grief on a young family. DONATE TO THE MICHAL FOUNDATION- https://www.runtothehard.com/give Rate The Podcast https://ratethispodcast.com/rtth Become a Sponsor-https://www.runtothehard.com/sponsors Share The Episode- Remember, "Running to the hard is better, when we run together" Buy Tristan and Jill's Book- https://www.amazon.com/Life-After-Death-Struggle-Child/dp/1666711411 Tristan's other podcasts-https://www.youtube.com/@UCmbJvnwGgCS3v039dcwlpOw CHAPTER 01:00 Tristan & Curtis's Connection 04:39 A Grief Conversation with a Friend 07:55 Experiencing Sudden Loss of a Child 13:00 Therapy Writing that Turned to a Book 18:25 Forced to Postpone Daughter's Funeral 19:30 Welcoming a New Baby With No Joy 23:08 A Profound Metaphor Describing Grief 26:45 The Awkwardness of Grieving 32:28 Theology of Suffering 37:22 The Reality of Doubt 40:32 The Messiness of Grief 42:00 Responding To Weird Comments 46:36 The Risk of Loving Again 49:06 Sacred Relics 59:10 Redeeming Pain 01:02:59 Everything is Uncomfortable 01:06:35 Giving Hope Through Tristan's Book 01:10:00 Joy in Sorrow 01:12:10 Closing
In this episode, Chris and Curtis delve into the profound journey of grief, exploring how to find motivation amidst loss. DONATE TO THE MICHAL FOUNDATION- https://www.runtothehard.com/give 1. Rate The Podcast https://ratethispodcast.com/rtth 2. Become a Sponsor-https://www.runtothehard.com/sponsors 3. Share The Episode- Remember, "Running to the hard is better, when we run together" CHAPTERS 00:60When Did Curtis Find Motivation in Grief? 03:40 Was There a Turning Point? 06:49 What is God's Purpose For Us? 11:33 Why You Shouldn't Alienate Others 17:51 Griever's Responsibility in Healing 20:48 Celebrity Stories 21:13 Deion Sanders 22:20 Darryl Strawberry 22:56 Hulk Hogan's Story 23:41 The Common Denominator 27:01 The Message of the Gospel 28:10 What is Spiritual Laziness? 33:55 Laziness Vs Brokeness and Living to Our Full Potential 36:25 Why Can't I Find Motivation in Grief? 39:59 A Prayer for the Grieving