Run to the Hard Podcast

Ep 42: She Faced Loss & Divorce, and Still Said YES to God

This is such a special episode. Not only has Curtis' mother Ellen been through her own fair share of grief and pain, but she joins us today to talk about what it's been like to be the mother of a grieving son, and to be so close to all that has happened to Curtis, Michal, the kids, and now Crystal and her kids. This episode is packed full of faithful wisdom from a life of pursuing God. You can see why Grandma C is so popular with everyone who meets her! Join us to hear even more nuance and insights about Curtis' life and the ups and downs of the past few years. --- DONATE TO THE MICHAL FOUNDATION: https://www.runtothehard.com/give [https://www.runtothehard.com/give] Rate The Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/rtth [https://ratethispodcast.com/rtth] Become a Sponsor: https://www.runtothehard.com/sponsors [https://www.runtothehard.com/sponsors] Share The Episode...Remember, "Running to the hard is better, when we run together". CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro 5:56 Grandma's cancer 12:11 Grandpa's testimony 13:23 Ellen's testimony 15:13 Musical ministry opportunity 18:44 Uncle Dan 24:17 Curtis' father after Vietnam 28:39 Leaving a rough family situation 33:46 Never remarried 40:09 Life lessons from Mom 51:02 Being the mother of a son going through divorce 53:22 Meeting Michal 56:09 Michal gets sick 1:06:26 Mom started the adoption trend! 1:10:01 The joys of life 1:15:29 Prayer

Ep 39: Grief Lessons 3 Years After Losing My Wife

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 [https://www.runtothehard.com/give] Rate The Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/rtth [https://ratethispodcast.com/rtth] Become a Sponsor: https://www.runtothehard.com/sponsors [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

Ep 38: Fighting The Brain Fog of Grief To Find Purpose and Motivation Again

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 [https://www.runtothehard.com/give] Rate The Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/rtth [https://ratethispodcast.com/rtth] Become a Sponsor: https://www.runtothehard.com/sponsors [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 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoI0rDmSDcM]

Ep 33: Finding Purpose in Grief: JoBeth Evans' Story

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 [https://www.runtothehard.com/give] Rate The Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/rtth [https://ratethispodcast.com/rtth] Become a Sponsor: https://www.runtothehard.com/sponsors [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/ [https://www.facebook.com/jobeth.polley/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jobethevans/ [https://www.instagram.com/jobethevans/] NWA Grief Specialists: https://nwagriefspecialists.com/ [https://nwagriefspecialists.com/]

Ep 31: Trusting God After Losing Your Parents, Marriage, and Ministry with Lonnie Potts

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 [https://www.runtothehard.com/give] Rate The Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/rtth [https://ratethispodcast.com/rtth] Become a Sponsor: https://www.runtothehard.com/sponsors [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