The Next Podcast: Moving Forward with Grief and Loss
Welcome to The NEXT Podcast with Jay Cookingham—a heartfelt journey through grief, loss, and healing. After the devastating loss of his wife Christine, Jay shares his raw, honest reflections on navigating life without her. This podcast explores the power of grief as a medicine that teaches resilience, invites lament, and leads us to discover God’s presence during sorrow. With grace and vulnerability, Jay offers hope and encouragement to those walking through grief, reminding us that we’re not alone on this journey of healing.
Welcome to The NEXT Podcast with Jay Cookingham—a heartfelt journey through grief, loss, and healing. After the devastating loss of his wife, Christine, Jay shares raw, honest reflections on navigating life without her. Each episode explores how grief can become a teacher of resilience, inviting lament and revealing moments of grace in the deepest sorrow. With vulnerability and compassion, Jay offers encouragement to anyone walking the path of loss, reminding you that you are never alone on the journey toward healing.
After losing Christine, Jay realized he hadn’t just lost his wife—he had lost his person. The one he automatically turned to, shared life with, and allowed to know him deeply.
In this episode, Jay talks honestly about the uncomfortable realization that he needs people. Not someone to replace Christine, but people who can occupy new and different places in his life.
He explores the tension between isolation and connection, the lie that protecting ourselves is the same as healing, and what it means to allow God to bring people alongside us as we move forward.
Through a tender story about holding his grandson Ayden, Jay discovers that sometimes we show up thinking we are the ones comforting, only to discover that God is comforting us through someone else.
This is an episode about loneliness, community, vulnerability, and the courage to receive.
“I don’t need a replacement for the person I lost. I need the courage to receive the people God has placed—and will place—in my life.”
Find out more about me here: www.jaycookingham.com
I’m on @buymeacoffee. If you like, even maybe love my podcast, you can buy me a coffee and support me. It’s a simple way of showing your support and helping me grow the podcast. Thank you!
Here’s the link: buymeacoffee.com/jcdude56t
Music by Paul Grimsland.
