What happens when grief collides with faith — and suicide shatters everything you thought you believed?

In this candid and raw episode of Grief 2 Growth, Brian sits down with Rachel Powell, widow, author, speaker, and founder of Hope Speaker, to explore the complicated intersection of grief, faith, suicide loss, and hope.

After losing her husband André to suicide — and surviving suicide attempts herself — Rachel shares her story with courage, clarity, and compassion. This conversation goes beyond platitudes and into the realities many people are afraid to name: church hurt, spiritual abuse, suicidal thinking, and the long road back to hope.

This episode is for anyone who has:

Lost a loved one to suicide
Struggled with faith after loss
Felt silenced, blamed, or misunderstood in grief
Wondered if hope is still possible

🧠 In this episode, we discuss:

Why suicide is not a failure of love or faith
How grief becomes more complicated when faith communities cause harm
The difference between religion and faith in healing
Rachel’s concept of the “black box” of suicidal thinking
Why suicide prevention must include helping people save their own lives
How hope can still grow — even after devastating loss

💬 A gentle note to listeners

This episode includes honest discussion of suicide and suicidal ideation. Please listen with care and take breaks as needed.

Share your reflections and connect with others at
👉 https://grief2growth.substack.com

🔗 Guest Resources

Rachel Powell – Hope Speaker: https://hopespeaker.com
Christian Widow Community: https://hopestronghold.com
Instagram & Facebook: Hope Speaker / Rachel Powell

📝 Helpful Resource from Brian

Not sure where you are in your grief?
Take the Grie

Visit the Grief 2 Growth store for FREE items as well as other tools to help you along your journey:

Guided Meditations
My book GEMS of Healing (signed copy)
My Oracle deck to help you connect with your loved ones
Mini-courses
Mini-guides

Check it out at https://grief2growth.com/store

Grief doesn’t follow stages, timelines, or rules.
If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I doing this right?”—you’re not alone.

That’s why I created the Grief Check-In.
It’s not a test. There are no right or wrong answers.

In just a few minutes, you’ll gain clarity, reassurance, and language for what you’re experiencing.

👉 Visit grief2growth.com/checkin

This deck is a labor of love. It's a 44 card oracle deck that's about connecting you to your loved one in spirit. The deck comes with a companion digital guide that gives you an affirmation, a reflection, and an activity for the day.

Check it out at https://stan.store/grief2growth/p/oracle-deck

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