Rachel Wall’s Story: Losing Her Husband Mike to Suicide After Years of Chronic Pain

Rachel Wall’s Story: Losing Her Husband Mike to Suicide After Years of Chronic Pain

Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2400595/open_sms] When Rachel Wall lost her husband Mike to suicide, her world changed in an instant. Left to raise three toddlers, she faced the unimaginable weight of grief while navigating the stigma of suicide loss and the hidden toll of chronic pain. In this episode of She Diaries, Rachel shares her love story with Mike, their family’s journey through a miscarriage, adoption, and raising young children, and the heartbreaking reality of his struggles with traumatic brain injury and daily migraines. She reflects on the suddenness of loss, the challenges of single parenting, and how she struggles to grieve while continuing to move forward. Rachel’s openness sheds light on widowhood, parenting after loss, and the importance of breaking silence around mental health and suicide. Content Warning This podcast includes real stories of suicide loss. Some episodes may reference the method of suicide and include emotionally intense or uncomfortable descriptions. We understand how sensitive this content is, and we carefully edit each episode to honor and respect both our guests and listeners. If you or someone you know is struggling, please call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org [https://988lifeline.org/] for free, 24/7 support. Please take care while listening—pause if you need to. You are not alone. Takeaways * Chronic pain can quietly erode hope. * Life can change in an instant with suicide loss. * Parenting through grief requires honesty with children. * Talking about suicide reduces stigma, not increases it. * Widowhood means learning to start over while honoring love. About She Diaries In She Diaries, women who have lost their husbands to suicide bravely share their stories of strength while navigating the unimaginable journey of widowhood. Through candid interviews, the podcast explores their lives before the tragedy, moments that changed everything, the web of grief, and the hard-earned lessons of overcoming deep loss. These powerful stories shed light on the strength and courage it takes to move forward. Produced by Bright Sky House [https://www.brightskyhouse.com/] — bringing hidden stories to light. Mental Health Resources * 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for free, 24/7, confidential support for mental health crises, suicidal thoughts, or emotional distress. * Find a Therapist: Search for licensed therapists near you through directories like Psychology Today [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us], TherapyDen [https://www.therapyden.com/], or Mental Health Match [https://mentalhealthmatch.com/]. * Join a Support Group: Connect with others through peer-led or professionally facilitated support groups via NAMI [https://www.nami.org/support-education/support-groups/] or GriefShare [https://www.griefshare.org/findagroup]. Stay Connected with She Diaries Instagram: @BrightSkyHouse [https://www.instagram.com/brightskyhouse] Facebook: Bright Sky House [https://www.facebook.com/brightskyhouse] YouTube: Bright Sky House Official [https://www.youtube.com/@brightskyhouseofficial] LinkedIn: Bright Sky House [https://www.linkedin.com/company/brightskyhouse] If you have questions or would like to follow-up with any of our guests, reach out to Hello@BrightSkyHouse.com. She Diaries is available wherever you listen to podcasts.

Michelle Bray’s Story: Widowhood, Alcoholism, and Healing After Suicide Loss

Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2400595/open_sms] In this deeply moving episode, Michelle Bray opens up about widowhood, what it means to grieve a spouse, and the burden of bereavement after losing her husband David to suicide. She courageously confronts addiction, mental health struggles, the stigma surrounding them, and the silence so often associated with loss. Michelle shares how she found her own “story of resilience” through therapy, spiritual reflection, and community—ultimately starting over and rebuilding her life. As part of suicide prevention, her honesty encourages other women to speak up, seek support, and remember: even after the unthinkable, healing, resilience, and new beginnings are possible. Content Warning This podcast includes real stories of suicide loss. Some episodes may reference the method of suicide and include emotionally intense or uncomfortable descriptions. We understand how sensitive this content is, and we carefully edit each episode to honor and respect both our guests and listeners. If you or someone you know is struggling, please call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org [https://988lifeline.org/] for free, 24/7 support. Please take care while listening—pause if you need to. You are not alone. Takeaways * Stories of resilience emerge from deep grief and bereavement * Understanding what it means to grieve a spouse * Mental health openly addressed—beyond the broken silences * Honest talk about addiction stigma and surviving its weight * Illuminating suicide prevention through shared experience * On starting over: healing, hope, and the possibility of joy again About She Diaries In She Diaries, women who have lost their husbands to suicide bravely share their stories of strength while navigating the unimaginable journey of widowhood. Through candid interviews, the podcast explores their lives before the tragedy, moments that changed everything, the web of grief, and the hard-earned lessons of overcoming deep loss. These powerful stories shed light on the strength and courage it takes to move forward. Produced by Bright Sky House [https://www.brightskyhouse.com/] — bringing hidden stories to light. Mental Health Resources * 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for free, 24/7, confidential support for mental health crises, suicidal thoughts, or emotional distress. * Find a Therapist: Search for licensed therapists near you through directories like Psychology Today [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us], TherapyDen [https://www.therapyden.com/], or Mental Health Match [https://mentalhealthmatch.com/]. * Join a Support Group: Connect with others through peer-led or professionally facilitated support groups via NAMI [https://www.nami.org/support-education/support-groups/] or GriefShare [https://www.griefshare.org/findagroup]. Stay Connected with She Diaries Instagram: @BrightSkyHouse [https://www.instagram.com/brightskyhouse] Facebook: Bright Sky House [https://www.facebook.com/brightskyhouse] YouTube: Bright Sky House Official [https://www.youtube.com/@brightskyhouseofficial] LinkedIn: Bright Sky House [https://www.linkedin.com/company/brightskyhouse] If you have questions or would like to follow-up with any of our guests, reach out to Hello@BrightSkyHouse.com. She Diaries is available wherever you listen to podcasts.

Kathryn Craft's Story Part 2: A Police Standoff, Suicide Loss, and Choosing Life

Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2400595/open_sms] In Part 2 of Kathryn Craft’s story, she shares an intense and transformative moment: the police standoff that ended with suicide loss. In those fragile hours—including waiting, hard decisions, and hearing the news—she understood what it means to grieve a spouse in real time. Returning home with her children, Kathryn faced bereavement, emotional trauma, and financial secrets—all shadowed by unspoken stigma around mental health crises. Yet, in the quiet aftermath, she forged a powerful mantra: “choose this day.” It’s one of those stories of resilience—a testament to how choosing life can lead to starting over, rebuilding even when everything feels broken. By bravely sharing her journey, Kathryn contributes to suicide prevention, reminding us that connection, honesty, and mental health awareness can light a path through heartbreak. Content Warning This podcast includes real stories of suicide loss. Some episodes may reference the method of suicide and include emotionally intense or uncomfortable descriptions. We understand how sensitive this content is, and we carefully edit each episode to honor and respect both our guests and listeners. If you or someone you know is struggling, please call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org [https://988lifeline.org/] for free, 24/7 support. Please take care while listening—pause if you need to. You are not alone. Takeaways * The power of stories of resilience in the darkest hours * Learning what it means to grieve a spouse—with raw honesty * Navigating bereavement and haunting financial revelations * Challenging the stigma around trauma and mental health * Her quiet vow to “choose this day”—a step toward starting over * How shared testimony can meaningfully support suicide prevention About She Diaries In She Diaries, women who have lost their husbands to suicide bravely share their stories of strength while navigating the unimaginable journey of widowhood. Through candid interviews, the podcast explores their lives before the tragedy, moments that changed everything, the web of grief, and the hard-earned lessons of overcoming deep loss. These powerful stories shed light on the strength and courage it takes to move forward. Produced by Bright Sky House [https://www.brightskyhouse.com/] — bringing hidden stories to light. Mental Health Resources * 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for free, 24/7, confidential support for mental health crises, suicidal thoughts, or emotional distress. * Find a Therapist: Search for licensed therapists near you through directories like Psychology Today [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us], TherapyDen [https://www.therapyden.com/], or Mental Health Match [https://mentalhealthmatch.com/]. * Join a Support Group: Connect with others through peer-led or professionally facilitated support groups via NAMI [https://www.nami.org/support-education/support-groups/] or GriefShare [https://www.griefshare.org/findagroup]. Stay Connected with She Diaries Instagram: @BrightSkyHouse [https://www.instagram.com/brightskyhouse] Facebook: Bright Sky House [https://www.facebook.com/brightskyhouse] YouTube: Bright Sky House Official [https://www.youtube.com/@brightskyhouseofficial] LinkedIn: Bright Sky House [https://www.linkedin.com/company/brightskyhouse] If you have questions or would like to follow-up with any of our guests, reach out to Hello@BrightSkyHouse.com. She Diaries is available wherever you listen to podcasts.

Kathryn Craft's Story Part 1: A Hidden Addiction, the Unraveling of Trust, and the Seeds of Resilience

Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2400595/open_sms] In Part 1 of this powerful two-part episode, author Kathryn Craft shares the real-life events that inspired her novel The Far End of Happy. She unpacks the unseen cracks beneath a picture-perfect life—from emotional isolation to financial betrayal. As she discovered $100K in hidden debt and her husband’s secret alcoholism, Kathryn began to understand how painful truths can unmoor mental health and amplify the stigma of addiction. Through journaling, she grappled with what it means to grieve a spouse before that grief could fully arrive. Her life-altering decision to call the police marked an unexpected starting over—a first step toward healing, resilience, and confronting the bereavement yet to come. By openly sharing this journey, Kathryn contributes to suicide prevention, reminding us of the importance of talking about pain before it spirals into tragedy. Content Warning This podcast includes real stories of suicide loss. Some episodes may reference the method of suicide and include emotionally intense or uncomfortable descriptions. We understand how sensitive this content is, and we carefully edit each episode to honor and respect both our guests and listeners. If you or someone you know is struggling, please call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org [https://988lifeline.org/] for free, 24/7 support. Please take care while listening—pause if you need to. You are not alone. Takeaways * Unraveling the mask of a picture-perfect marriage * Hidden addiction, deep emotional isolation, and financial betrayal * The journal becomes a gateway to truth—and the question, “Have I married the right person?” * A suicide note sparks a shift toward starting over * Early steps toward resilience and emotional clarity * Narratives like this bolster suicide prevention and de-stigmatize mental health struggles About She Diaries In She Diaries, women who have lost their husbands to suicide bravely share their stories of strength while navigating the unimaginable journey of widowhood. Through candid interviews, the podcast explores their lives before the tragedy, moments that changed everything, the web of grief, and the hard-earned lessons of overcoming deep loss. These powerful stories shed light on the strength and courage it takes to move forward. Produced by Bright [https://www.brightskyhouse.com/] Mental Health Resources * 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for free, 24/7, confidential support for mental health crises, suicidal thoughts, or emotional distress. * Find a Therapist: Search for licensed therapists near you through directories like Psychology Today [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us], TherapyDen [https://www.therapyden.com/], or Mental Health Match [https://mentalhealthmatch.com/]. * Join a Support Group: Connect with others through peer-led or professionally facilitated support groups via NAMI [https://www.nami.org/support-education/support-groups/] or GriefShare [https://www.griefshare.org/findagroup]. Stay Connected with She Diaries Instagram: @BrightSkyHouse [https://www.instagram.com/brightskyhouse] Facebook: Bright Sky House [https://www.facebook.com/brightskyhouse] YouTube: Bright Sky House Official [https://www.youtube.com/@brightskyhouseofficial] LinkedIn: Bright Sky House [https://www.linkedin.com/company/brightskyhouse] If you have questions or would like to follow-up with any of our guests, reach out to Hello@BrightSkyHouse.com. She Diaries is available wherever you listen to podcasts.

Kristy Steenhuis's Story: Suicide Loss, Postvention, and Building National Support for Survivors

Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2400595/open_sms] In this heartfelt conversation, Kristy Steenhuis shares her journey of bereavement and resilience after the suicide loss of her husband, Matthew. She recounts the moments before tragedy—from warning signs to the day she found him—and the ripple effect on her family and mental well-being. Kristy discusses the stigma and silence she encountered in a rural community, why postvention is a crucial act of suicide prevention, and how she channeled her pain into building national support networks for survivors. Through candid storytelling, she encourages open dialogue around mental health, models what it means to grieve a spouse, and shows that starting over is possible—even from the deepest grief. Content Warning This podcast includes real stories of suicide loss. Some episodes may reference the method of suicide and include emotionally intense or uncomfortable descriptions. We understand how sensitive this content is, and we carefully edit each episode to honor and respect both our guests and listeners. If you or someone you know is struggling, please call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org [https://988lifeline.org/] for free, 24/7 support. Please take care while listening—pause if you need to. You are not alone. Takeaways * What grief looked like as a 28-year-old widow with two young children * The pivotal moment she recognized something was wrong * How postvention is a form of suicide prevention * Using honest metaphors to explain loss to children * Confronting stigma, blame, and silence in her community * How she built a supportive national movement—and stepped into advocacy for mental health * Why lived experience must drive suicide prevention efforts * The path from grief through bereavement toward resilience and starting over About She Diaries In She Diaries, women who have lost their husbands to suicide bravely share their stories of strength while navigating the unimaginable journey of widowhood. Through candid interviews, the podcast explores their lives before the tragedy, moments that changed everything, the web of grief, and the hard-earned lessons of overcoming deep loss. These powerful stories shed light on the strength and courage it takes to move forward. Produced by Bright Sky House [https://www.brightskyhouse.com/] — bringing hidden stories to light. Mental Health Resources * 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for free, 24/7, confidential support for mental health crises, suicidal thoughts, or emotional distress. * Find a Therapist: Search for licensed therapists near you through directories like Psychology Today [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us], TherapyDen [https://www.therapyden.com/], or Mental Health Match [https://mentalhealthmatch.com/]. * Join a Support Group: Connect with others through peer-led or professionally facilitated support groups via NAMI [https://www.nami.org/support-education/support-groups/] or GriefShare [https://www.griefshare.org/findagroup]. Stay Connected with She Diaries Instagram: @BrightSkyHouse [https://www.instagram.com/brightskyhouse] Facebook: Bright Sky House [https://www.facebook.com/brightskyhouse] YouTube: Bright Sky House Official [https://www.youtube.com/@brightskyhouseofficial] LinkedIn: Bright Sky House [https://www.linkedin.com/company/brightskyhouse] If you have questions or would like to follow-up with any of our guests, reach out to Hello@BrightSkyHouse.com. She Diaries is available wherever you listen to podcasts.