Cradled in Hope | Podcast for Grieving Moms | Biblical Hope for Miscarriage, Stillbirth, & Infant Loss

On October 20, 2026, Bridget's Cradles hosted our annual Wave of Light candlelight vigil at Beech Lake in Wichita, Kansas, honoring babies in Heaven through an evening of remembrance, worship, and hope.This special bonus episode of the Cradled in Hope Podcast shares the event program, including testimonies, worship, and the reading of babies' names in Heaven.Under this year's theme, Heaven Is Our Home, we celebrated the beautiful promise that through faith in Jesus, we will one day be reunited with our precious babies in Heaven.In this episode, we shared: Opening remarks from emcee Scott Evans and a prayer by Andrew Musgrave of Equity Bank Trust and Wealth Management, our 2026 Presenting Sponsor.Recognition of our Shine Their Light fundraising families, including Kendall and Kylee Eden, recipients of the 2026 Shine Their Light Award, who shared their story of losing their daughter, Junie Bea, and honoring her legacy.Ashley's message, "Heaven Is Our Home," exploring how music can help us process grief, find healing, and worship God even in our deepest sorrow.A special performance by bereaved dad James Shove of his original song, Jealous That Heaven's Your Home, written in memory of his son, Phoenix.Worship led by Nate Johnson of Christ Church, including I Can Only Imagine and Sunday Is Coming, with Ashley making her drumming debut in honor of her dad.The Reading of Names of Babies in Heaven, honoring the precious babies whose families attended or sponsored the 2026 event.This episode captures a sacred evening of remembering our babies, celebrating their lives, and finding hope in the promise of eternity.Though our hearts ache for our babies here on earth, we have the hope of Heaven—where death is defeated, tears are wiped away, and we will be together again with Jesus forever.Heaven Is Our Home.EPISODE SHOW NOTES:https://www.bridgetscradles.com/post/waveoflight2026CRADLED IN HOPE PODCAST WEBSITE:Sign up here to receive email updates and hope-filled resourceswww.bridgetscradles.com/podcastCRADLED IN HOPE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY FOR GRIEVING MOMS:www.facebook.com/groups/cradledinhopeFOLLOW BRIDGET'S CRADLESwww.facebook.com/bridgetscradleswww.instagram.com/bridgetscradleswww.pinterest.com/bridgetscradlesCONNECT WITH THE HOST | ASHLEY OPLIGERwww.ashleyopliger.comwww.facebook.com/ashleyopligerwww.instagram.com/ashleyopliger#cradledinhope #cradledinhopepodcast #bridgetscradles ★ Support this podcast ★

In this practical and compassionate episode, Ashley welcomes Christian anger coach, podcaster, and bereaved mom Elizabeth to discuss a topic that many grieving mothers experience but few feel comfortable talking about: anger.After sharing the story of losing her son, Michael, to a second-trimester miscarriage at 16 weeks, Elizabeth opens up about the emotional aftermath of loss and how grief often surfaces through irritability, overwhelm, frustration, and anger. Together, Ashley and Elizabeth explore why anger is a normal part of the grieving process, how unprocessed emotions can impact our relationships and mental health, and healthy, biblical ways to process and release difficult emotions.This conversation offers both practical tools and biblical encouragement for grieving moms who feel emotionally flooded, easily triggered, or overwhelmed by the intensity of their emotions. Rather than stuffing anger or exploding in unhealthy ways, grieving moms will learn how to acknowledge their feelings, bring them honestly before God, and find healthy outlets for healing.In this episode, we discussed:How anger often emerges as a secondary emotion during griefThe grief cycle and how emotions such as shock, denial, anger, depression, and acceptance can overlapWhy grieving parents often have a much lower emotional capacity after lossThe "full cup" analogy and how small stressors can trigger overwhelming reactions when emotions remain unprocessedThe difference between exploding, suppressing, and healthily processing emotionsPractical ways to process grief through prayer, journaling, talking with trusted friends, and sharing your storyWriting honest letters to God and surrendering painful thoughts and emotions to HimHealthy ways to release emotions, including crying, walking, exercise, worship music, creative activities, and spending time in natureCalming the nervous system through activities such as painting, diamond art, puzzles, crafting, and other creative outletsHow social media, scrolling, emotional eating, shopping, and other numbing behaviors can prevent healingCreating intentional plans for how to respond when difficult emotions ariseIdentifying common grief-related lies and replacing them with biblical truthRenewing our minds with Scripture and taking negative thoughts captiveWhether you are newly grieving or years into your journey, this episode is a reminder that your emotions are not something to fear or hide from. God meets us in our pain and provides healthy pathways toward healing.GET THE BOOK! Cradled in Hope is sold on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, Christianbook, and Baker Bookhouse.[www.bridgetscradles.com/book]EPISODE SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT:[www.bridgetscradles.com/post/episode73]• 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 ★

In this heartfelt episode, Ashley welcomes James Shove to share the story behind his powerful song, Jealous That Heaven's Your Home. James' wife, Emily, was previously on our podcast on Episode 61, but in this conversation, James offers a unique perspective as a grieving father navigating the loss of their son, Phoenix.Together, Ashley and James discuss the excitement of expecting a baby, the heartbreak of miscarriage, and the often-overlooked grief experienced by fathers. James vulnerably shares his struggles with depression, anxiety, emotional expression, and how poetry, music, and prayer became a pathway for processing his grief. Through the writing of this song, he wrestled with questions about Heaven, longing for his son, and the hope found in Christ's promises.This episode is an honest conversation about pain, healing, fatherhood, and eternity. It reminds grieving parents that while loss leaves an ache that remains, we can hold onto the hope that our children are safe with Jesus and that Heaven is ultimately our Hhome too.In this episode, we discussed:James and Emily's journey of expecting their son Phoenix and the heartbreak of miscarriageThe unique grief fathers experience and the pressure many dads feel to stay strong during lossAllowing yourself to feel grief while also supporting your spouse through sufferingJames's personal struggles with depression, anxiety, and expressing difficult emotionsWrestling with the biblical question of whether babies are in Heaven and finding hope in ScriptureThe inspiration behind the song Jealous That Heaven's Your HomeHow songwriting became one of the most healing experiences in James's grief journeyWhy James hopes the song serves as a stepping stone toward healing for grieving familiesJames's experience attending Wave of Light and how remembrance events can help grieving parents process lossHolding both sorrow and hope at the same time as we wait for eternity with our childrenIf you have ever wrestled with questions about Heaven, struggled to express your grief, or felt the ache of missing your child while longing for eternity, this episode will resonate deeply. Through James's story and song, listeners are reminded that grief and hope can coexist—and that because of Jesus, our separation from our children is temporary, our hope is secure, and Heaven truly is our Home.GET THE BOOK! Cradled in Hope is sold on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, Christianbook, and Baker Bookhouse.[www.bridgetscradles.com/book]EPISODE SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT:[www.bridgetscradles.com/post/episode72]• 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 ★

In this hope-filled episode, Ashley welcomes author, speaker, and fellow Bethany House author Lisa Appelo to discuss her new devotional, God of Comfort. After losing her husband unexpectedly and later walking alongside her son and daughter-in-law through the stillbirth of their baby, Lisa shares how grief transformed her faith, priorities, and understanding of God's presence in suffering.Together, Ashley and Lisa explore the unique challenges of devastating loss, the lies grief often whispers to hurting hearts, and the biblical practice of bringing our deepest questions, fears, and emotions directly to God. Through personal stories, Scripture, and honest reflection, they discuss surrender, God's sovereignty, the hope of Heaven, and the comfort available to every grieving heart through Christ.This conversation offers encouragement that God is not intimidated by your questions, your tears, or your pain. He invites you to bring it all to Him and discover that the pathway through grief is not a formula or a set of stages—but the God of all comfort Himself.In this episode, we discussed:Lisa's story of unexpectedly losing her husband, Dan, overnight, and becoming a widow with seven childrenWalking through the recent stillbirth of her grandson and supporting her grieving son and daughter-in-lawHow grandparents experience a unique "double grief" when a grandchild diesPractical ways to support grieving families without inserting your own story or taking controlThe lies grief often whispers, including fears that joy will never returnRegret, guilt, and the "what if" questions that frequently accompany lossLearning to surrender control and trust God's sovereignty when life does not make senseLetting go of the life you expected and embracing the life God has given youThe sanctifying work God accomplishes through suffering and griefWhy grief is not a tidy process and cannot be reduced to a series of stagesWrestling with the question "Why?" and learning to trust God's character even without answersHow suffering deepens our longing for Heaven and reshapes our earthly prioritiesThe gifts that can emerge from grief, including compassion, intimacy with God, and eternal perspectiveLisa's devotional God of Comfort and how it helps grieving people encounter God's character through Scripture, prayer, journaling, and reflectionFinding hope in the truth that God comforts us so we can comfort others with the same comfort we have received from HimThis conversation is a beautiful reminder that grief may change us, but it does not have the final word. As Lisa shares, the way through grief is not found in a method, a timeline, or a set of steps—it is found in a Person. If you are carrying sorrow, wrestling with unanswered questions, or wondering if joy will ever return, this episode will encourage you to bring your broken heart to the God of Comfort, who sees you, loves you, and promises to walk with you every step of the journey.GET THE BOOK! Cradled in Hope is sold on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, Christianbook, and Baker Bookhouse.[www.bridgetscradles.com/book]EPISODE SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT:[www.bridgetscradles.com/post/episode71]• 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 ★

In this moving episode, Ashley welcomes her friend Aubrey Pavlacka to share the story of her daughter, Timber Kai. What began as a joyful babymoon in Kauai quickly became a devastating journey through premature labor, ten days of hospitalization, and the heartbreaking loss of a much-loved baby girl at 22 weeks.With remarkable honesty, Aubrey recounts the days she spent fighting to keep Timber alive, the faith that sustained her through unimaginable uncertainty, and the grief that followed after returning home without her daughter. Together, Ashley and Aubrey explore difficult questions about suffering, unanswered prayers, pregnancy after loss, and the tension of holding both deep sorrow and deep hope at the same time.Throughout the conversation, they reflect on God's faithfulness in grief, the promise of Heaven, and the ways a baby's life can continue to impact others. This episode is a powerful reminder that while loss changes us forever, our hope in Christ remains secure.In this episode, we discussed:Aubrey's pregnancy with Timber and the unexpected complications that began during a trip to KauaiGiving birth to Timber at 22 weeks and the precious hours Aubrey and Justin spent with herReturning home after loss and navigating the early days of griefHow Exodus 14:14 ("The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still") became an anchor during the crisisWrestling with unanswered prayers while continuing to trust God's characterThe impact Timber's life had on others and how God continues to use her storyPregnancy after loss, cervical insufficiency, and the anxiety of carrying another babyHonest conversations about "what ifs," regrets, and the realities of being a grieving motherRaising children with an awareness of Heaven and helping siblings know and remember their sisterHow grief reshaped priorities, family life, and Aubrey's perspective on what matters mostFinding hope in the promise of reunion and eternity with our children in HeavenIf you are grieving a baby, struggling with unanswered questions, navigating pregnancy after loss, or longing for reassurance that your child's life mattered, this conversation will encourage your heart. Aubrey's story is a beautiful testimony of faith in the midst of heartbreak, reminding us that while we may not understand every part of our suffering, we can trust the God who walks with us through it—and cling to the hope that one day we will be reunited with our children in Heaven.GET THE BOOK! Cradled in Hope is sold on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, Christianbook, and Baker Bookhouse.[www.bridgetscradles.com/book]EPISODE SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT:[www.bridgetscradles.com/post/episode70]• 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 ★