Life Beyond Loss

Preview - What Is Survival in the Trenches and Life Beyond Loss?

In this preview episode of Survival in the Trenches: Life Beyond Loss, the SITT team—Kelly Chandler, Michael Chandler, and JJ Kirkpatrick—introduces listeners to the mission behind their impactful new show. They share how their work provides a safe space for people to share their stories of profound loss and resilience, offering a variety of resources and fostering empathy and awareness around mental health, PTSD, and tragic loss.
Driven by their “AERO” principle—Awareness, Empathy, Resources, and Outcomes—the team is committed to creating real, lasting change for individuals who have faced unimaginable challenges. The conversation highlights their dedication to partnering with non-profits and socially responsible businesses to maximize impact, focusing on purposeful outcomes over profit.
By collaborating with organizations like the PTSD Foundation and leveraging both traditional and innovative technologies, they aim to develop proactive solutions that address critical issues before they escalate. Through inspiring interviews and heartfelt storytelling, Survival in the Trenches brings awareness to invaluable resources and healing techniques, encouraging listeners to support others or find the strength to seek help themselves.

#1 - Lisa Picker - From Grief to Giving: Turning Tragedy Into a Mission

In this deeply moving episode of Life Beyond Loss, host Kelly Chandler sits down with Lisa Picker, a mother whose life was forever changed by the tragic loss of her son, Liam. Lisa takes us on a profound journey, sharing intimate moments of Liam’s life—his vibrant personality, his love for music and Japanese culture, and the immense challenges he faced due to mental health struggles. Despite the unimaginable heartbreak, Lisa has channeled her grief into purpose, founding the Liam Michael Foundation to support mental health resources and offer hope to families who face similar losses.
With courage and compassion, Lisa discusses her mission to honor Liam’s memory, shedding light on the harsh realities of mental health and the importance of understanding, resilience, and community support. This episode explores the transformative power of love, faith, and advocacy, offering listeners a powerful reminder of hope and healing, even in life’s darkest moments.

#2 - Carrie Breen - A Mother’s Strength: Healing After the Loss of Her Son

In this deeply moving conversation, Carrie Breen reflects on her life as a mother and the profound loss of her son, Sam, who died by suicide. Carrie shares her journey from raising a large family with six children, navigating the unique challenges of parenting a free-spirited child like Sam, to the painful realization that despite her love and efforts, she could not save him from his struggles. Sam was a vibrant and curious child, full of energy, mischief, and deep emotions, but as a teenager, he began battling substance abuse, depression, and self-harm. Despite many efforts to get him professional help, including counseling and rehab, Sam eventually lost his battle with addiction and mental health. Carrie candidly shares the heartbreaking details of the day she learned of Sam’s passing, describing the immense pain and disbelief that followed.
Throughout the conversation, Carrie emphasizes the stigma that often accompanies suicide and the importance of keeping Sam’s memory alive beyond that single, tragic decision. She explains how her faith has been a crucial source of strength, helping her cope with her grief, and how she is working toward healing while keeping Sam’s memory present in her family’s life. Carrie’s story highlights the complexities of grief, the challenge of finding joy amid sadness, and the importance of speaking openly about loss. Her journey of healing serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring love of a mother.

#3 - Gina Schuster - A Widow's Journey Through Love, Loss, and Healing

In this powerful episode of Survival in the Trenches Presents: Life Beyond Loss, Gina Schuster shares her deeply personal journey through grief, mental health struggles, and the tragic loss of her husband, Corey, to suicide. Gina, a medical social worker, reflects on how her professional expertise in crisis intervention and end-of-life care intersected with the personal challenges she faced as Corey, diagnosed with bipolar disorder and struggling with alcoholism, navigated his mental health battles. Despite the knowledge and resources at her disposal, Gina explains how caring for Corey became a deeply emotional and painful reality, especially as they raised three children together. Her candid and heartfelt account of how Corey’s mental health struggles eventually led to his passing serves as a powerful reminder of the complexities of mental illness and the impact it has on families.
Gina's story is one of resilience and transformation. She openly discusses how her family has worked through their grief, emphasizing the importance of honesty, community support, and seeking help. With the help of therapeutic tools like EMDR and involvement in a local widows’ group, she has not only found healing for herself but also dedicated herself to supporting other widows through the STL Crew. Her reflections on Corey’s life and struggles, coupled with her desire to raise awareness about the importance of mental health care and suicide prevention, offer hope to listeners facing similar challenges, underscoring the message that no one should have to face their struggles alone.

#4 - Nick Smith - Behind the Badge: The Humanity of First Responders

This episode of Survival in the Trenches: Life Beyond Loss delves into the experiences of a veteran firefighter and paramedic who has faced unimaginable loss both on and off the job. Sharing his journey of resilience, he discusses the challenges of balancing grief, trauma, and the physical demands of his career. From the personal tragedy of losing twins to the daily trials of saving lives, his story is a testament to human strength and purpose.
This episode is for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the human side of first responders. Whether you're a professional in the field, a supporter of EMS workers, or someone exploring resilience in the face of adversity, you'll gain invaluable insights into the challenges and triumphs of those who dedicate their lives to serving others.

#5 - Steve Kiefer - A Father's Mission: End Distracted Driving and Save Lives

This episode of Survival in the Trenches: Life Beyond Loss features Steve Kiefer, founder of the Kiefer Foundation, who shares his heartbreaking yet inspiring journey after losing his son, Mitchel, to a distracted driving accident. Steve discusses the mission of his foundation, which works to raise awareness, advocate for legislation, and promote technology to eliminate distracted driving. Through resilience and purpose, Steve turns tragedy into action, championing initiatives that save lives and inspire others to make a difference.
This episode is a must-listen for parents, young drivers, and anyone who has ever been tempted to use their phone while behind the wheel. It offers a powerful reminder of the devastating consequences of distracted driving and provides actionable insights into how we can all help combat this issue. By listening, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how small changes in behavior and advocacy can lead to safer roads and saved lives.

#6 - Stephanie Battelle: Surviving the Shock of Suicide

In this heartfelt episode of Survival in the Trenches: Life Beyond Loss, Stephanie Battelle opens up about losing her son Dale to suicide and the profound journey of grief, healing, and advocacy that followed. Stephanie shares her personal story, from Dale’s early life and struggles with mental health to the devastating moment that changed her world forever. Through candid reflections, she highlights the importance of mental health awareness and breaking the stigma surrounding it.
This episode is for anyone touched by grief, mental health challenges, or suicide loss—whether directly or through someone they love. Listeners will gain insight into navigating grief, practical advice for finding support, and inspiration from Stephanie’s resilience and mission to honor Dale’s legacy.

#7 - Jasen Jones: Breath by Breath - Coping with Grief Through Yoga

In this episode of Life Beyond Loss, Jasen Jones shares his deeply personal journey of coping with the loss of his infant son and how he has transformed his grief into a mission to help others. Through practices like yoga, mindfulness, and the Healing Hearts class he created, Jasen opens up about finding peace, resilience, and purpose in the face of unimaginable pain. His story is a testament to the power of vulnerability, community, and self-care in navigating life after loss.
This episode is for anyone who has experienced loss and is seeking ways to heal and find hope, as well as those looking to support loved ones through grief. Listeners will learn about the transformative power of yoga, meditation, and mindfulness in coping with grief, and hear practical advice for embracing emotions and creating a positive path forward. Tune in to discover how to turn pain into purpose and explore steps to begin or deepen your own healing journey.