In this episode, Ellie talks with Karina, Executive Director of Bridging Voice, about the assistive technology and resources available – from eye-gaze devices to voice preservation and AI voice cloning.

This week, Derek Calderara from Kesem joins the podcast. For 25 years, Kesem has offered free camps and year-round support for kids ages 6 to 18 navigating a parent’s cancer diagnosis, at any stage of the journey.

This week, meet Carissa Hodgson, LCSW, OSW-C, Director of Programs at Bright Spot Network. Carissa’s own experience with childhood loss shaped her work: helping parents raising young kids navigate a cancer diagnosis, and helping them believe their children will be okay.

Julie May, National Outreach Coordinator and child life specialist with 23 years of experience, shares how national nonprofit Wonders & Worries supports children ages 2–18 navigating a parent’s serious illness or injury—from cancer and ALS to burns and spinal cord injury. And it’s completely free. 

In this episode, April McClure, Chief Engagement Officer at GiveWillow, shares how the first funeral registry platform, often described as “a wedding registry, but for funerals”, helps families communicate their needs during one of life’s most overwhelming seasons.

In this episode, Alicia Lee, founder of Faithly, takes us inside the platform she built after a pivotal moment of faith changed everything. Faithly is a digital networking platform built specifically for those serving in ministry. Think LinkedIn, but designed with the church community in mind.

 In this episode, Jackie Herigodt introduces us to this remarkable free resource that personally matches cancer fighters, survivors, previvors, and caregivers with a “Mentor Angel”.

In this episode, Ellie talks with Marriage and Family Therapist Kim Virrueta, about how to have meaningful legacy conversations. Kim shares practical, compassionate guidance for navigating difficult emotions, creating safe invitations for honest dialogue, and approaching complicated relationships with grace and intentionality.

In this episode, Ellie talks with Marriage and Family Therapist Kim Virrueta, about how to have meaningful legacy conversations. Kim shares practical, compassionate guidance for navigating difficult emotions, creating safe invitations for honest dialogue, and approaching complicated relationships with grace and intentionality.

This week, Erin VanDorsten joins the podcast. Erin is a child life specialist and the Children and Families Program Lead at The Gathering Place, a free cancer support community in Cleveland, Ohio.

On today’s episode, licensed marriage and family therapist Kim Virrueta, introduces the idea of “legacy themes”: financial, relational, carrying-it-forward, and spiritual and gently reframes how we think about the impact we leave behind. The conversation opens a deeper, more personal way of seeing legacy, inviting you to consider not just what you pass on, but how love, meaning, and values continue to live through everyday life.

In this episode of Inheritance of Hope, Ellie sits down with licensed clinical social worker Lisa Pahl, to explore ideas on starting these conversations early to ease fear, reduce chaos, and bring clarity during times of crisis. 

 In this episode, Lisa Pahl, a licensed clinical social worker with 20 years of hospice experience, breaks down some of the common myths around Hospice and Palliative Care. With compassion and clarity, she shares helpful insights and real-world perspective to make these important aspects of end-of-life care easier to understand and navigate.

 In this episode, Mackensi, now a college student, reflects on her experience as an only child in elementary school navigating her father’s cancer diagnosis.

This episode explores the landscape of grief offering practical advice and helpful language along with personal reflections to guide you on how to lean in and show up authentically, for those you love.

In this episode, Allie, a Certified Child Life Specialist, educates us about anticipatory grief, its impact on families, and how to navigate this challenging experience with children. 

In this episode, a Legacy Video coach defines the concept of Legacy Videos and guides us through the simple process of creating one or more video messages for people you love.

In this episode, you will learn about the heart, purpose and impact of Legacy Retreats®, our multi-day experiences for families living with terminal illness.

 In today’s episode, you will hear from Jordan Cassidy, co-founder of LifeLegacy, as he guides us, step-by step, through the entire process of creating a will.

Hope Hubs™ are ongoing, local monthly gatherings with loving volunteers and other families who get it. They offer a safe place for connection with others in your home community who have experienced and understand living with illness and life after loss.

Alyssa shares her powerful journey of being diagnosed with Stage IV cancer while pregnant, navigating treatment and motherhood, and finding hope in the midst of an overwhelming diagnosis.

Jon faced testicular cancer two times, and this episode unpacks what that experience was like for the Strebe family. Through the hardest part of their lives, they found bold courage to share their story, and they experienced God deeply because of it. 

This episode recaps some of the highlights of this year as well as some exciting things to come in the new year. Thank you to our incredible team of donors and volunteers who makes this meaningful work possible. 

In this episode, Mackensi shares her story as well as tips for parents to make it easier for their children to talk to them about the struggles they’re facing.

Bonnie shares what it’s been like to step into people’s stories and befriend those facing the unimaginable, especially when many people experiencing loss and grief often feel like they lose their support system in the process.

Hear from previous guests as they share the life-changing work of Inheritance of Hope and the impact of your dollars. This Giving Tuesday, link arms with Inheritance of Hope to provide joy in terminal illness by giving today!

In this episode, Natalie shares a compelling invitation for each of us to show up and give of ourselves, even if we feel unprepared or not equipped.

 In this episode of the Inheritance of Hope Podcast, Jen and Mike share their experience and insight from what they’ve learned as a couple navigating a terminal diagnosis. If you feel alone in your journey, listen to their compelling invitation to join the Inheritance of Hope community!

After serving on over a dozen Legacy Retreats® over the years, Paul and Ellen reflect on their experiences as Inheritance of Hope volunteers. The beautiful stories they share in this episode will inspire you to use the gifts, talents, and resources you have to give joy to those facing the loss of a parent due to terminal illness. As Ellen shares, we can all be “gloves on the hand of God”!

In this episode of the Inheritance of Hope Podcast, Aisha shares what it’s been like to both carry the “caregiver’s backpack” and navigate life after losing her best friend and husband, Brad.

October 13th is Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day, but all of us at Inheritance of Hope and the Kendra Scott Foundation also call it “Holley Day”. Kendra Scott’s dear friend, Holley Rothell Kitchen, was diagnosed with Metastatic Breast Cancer and was served on a Legacy Retreat® through Inheritance of Hope, which started a beautiful collaboration.

When her mom was diagnosed with Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC), Shelby was a teenager already navigating a lot of big life decisions and transitions. She shares what it was like being a primary caretaker for her mom while also being a high school and college student, juggling responsibilities that most of her peers never had to face. 

Beth woke up from a colonoscopy only to hear that they had found a tumor, and this episode journeys through what that experience was like for her and everything that followed. She shares her experience as a mom parenting young kids and still needing to show up to all the roles she previously had, but now with Stage 4A Colorectal Cancer. 

Nearly 15 years after losing her dad to Pancreatic Cancer, Nicole reflects on what life has looked like without her dad. Even as she parents and navigates life as an adult, grief is still a companion. Her story serves as an inspiration to many parents who are either facing terminal illness themselves or who are married to someone who is that their children can lose a parent and still be okay. 

Joe Quirarte shares his journey as a 20-year Army veteran diagnosed with terminal glioblastoma. He and his wife, Ashleigh, explain the ways in which they have prioritized legacy building so that their two kids (ages 1 and 3) will always know how much their dad loves them, including through creating a Legacy Video™ and a Legacy Song™ with Inheritance of Hope

Lauren vulnerably shares her story as a young widow and single mother, knowing that other people listening may feel less alone in hearing it.

In this episode of the Inheritance of Hope podcast, Jenae Dryden shares her profound journey with grade four glioblastoma brain cancer. Diagnosed unexpectedly, Jenae recounts the initial shock of her diagnosis, the challenges of treatment, and the impact on her family.