Episode #97
There’s No Finish Line to Grief
Content Note : This episode contains candid discussion of suicide, the death of a child, grief, depression, and suicidal thoughts. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or is in crisis, in the United States call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Join us at The Bright Side for your daily dose of positive news and inspiration: https://livethebrightside.com/ Grief doesn’t follow a timeline. It doesn’t look the same for everyone. And it isn’t something we simply “get over.” In this deeply personal conversation, Elliot sits down with author Laura Busse to talk about the unimaginable loss of her 23-year-old son, Evan, who died by suicide in 2021. Laura shares who Evan was—a brilliant young man with a huge heart for people on the margins—and what happened when her family suddenly found themselves navigating grief, trauma, guilt, and questions they never expected to face. Laura describes herself as once being “grief illiterate.” After Evan’s death, she discovered that grief reaches far beyond sadness, affecting our bodies, identities, relationships, families, and even our relationship with God. She also talks candidly about her anger with God—and why wrestling with Him ultimately drew her closer rather than driving her away. Elliot and Laura also explore how differently members of the same family can grieve, the guilt that often follows suicide loss, and why people who are hurting need our presence more than our explanations. Laura offers practical guidance for walking alongside someone in grief: keep showing up, remember the difficult dates, resist the urge to fix their pain, and give them permission to grieve in their own way. And perhaps most importantly, Laura reminds us that healing doesn't require leaving the person we love behind. As she puts it, “There’s no finish line to grief. I am healing.” Laura Busse is an author, speaker, certified grief coach, and founder of Grief and Hope, a ministry devoted to helping people navigate profound loss and rediscover hope and healing. After her 23-year-old son, Evan, died by suicide in 2021, Laura began combining her lived experience of traumatic loss with grief education and more than 20 years of experience as a Bible study author and teacher. Laura is the author of The Unimaginable: God, Grief, and the Questions That Won’t Go Away . Elliot Sands is the host of the Live Faith First podcast—a dynamic space where faith meets real-world challenges. With a rich background as a pastor, school principal, health-tech co-founder, and now Operations Director of Churches Addressing Poverty-Silicon Valley, Elliot brings deep wisdom and practical insight to every conversation. As a husband, father, and grandfather, he weaves personal experience with thoughtful discussion, tackling tough topics with clarity and compassion. Live Faith First is all about bridging divides—whether in society or the church—encouraging listeners to step beyond echo chambers and build real, meaningful relationships across the aisle, the street, or the table. Connect with Laura Busse Website Instagram Facebook Connect with Live Faith First Website: livethebrightside.com Instagram : @LiveFaithFirst TikTok : @livefaithfirst Facebook : facebook.com/LiveFaithFirst YouTube : youtube.com/@livefaithfirst
