Laugh, Cry, Scream: Life with Grief & Estrangement

Chris Workman & Joe Sassmen
  • 4.6 (41)
  • PARENTING

Laugh Cry Scream is a raw, honest, and deeply human podcast about life with grief and estrangement. Hosted by Joe Sassmen and Chris Workman, the show dives into the messy, complicated, and often unspoken parts of loss, family pain, healing, and survival. With real conversations, dark humor, hard truths, and zero fake positivity, this podcast creates space for people who are carrying the weight of grief while trying to keep going. Some days you laugh. Some days you cry. Some days you scream. Here, all of it is welcome.

Episodes

  1. When Your Adult Child Cuts You Off: The Guilt Loop Nobody Talks About

    14H AGO

    When Your Adult Child Cuts You Off: The Guilt Loop Nobody Talks About

    When your adult child walks away, the pain is not just the silence. It is the guilt, the shame, the judgment, and the endless replay of every moment where you wonder what you could have done differently. In this episode of Laugh, Cry, Scream: Life with Grief and Estrangement, Chris Workman and Joe Sassman talk honestly about the guilt and shame loop that so many estranged parents live with. From the 2 AM thoughts that won’t stop, to the pressure of feeling like society has already decided you are the villain, this conversation gives language to the pain many parents are carrying quietly. Chris and Joe discuss why estranged parents often stay silent, how shame can keep people isolated, what overcompensation can look like in parent-child relationships, and why support matters when you are trying to heal from estrangement. This episode is not about blaming one side. It is about acknowledging that estrangement is complicated, painful, and full of nuance. Parents can make mistakes. Adult children can hurt too. And still, no one deserves to be shamed into silence. If you are an estranged parent who has ever thought, “I must have failed,” “I should have done more,” or “Why can’t I stop replaying this?” this episode is for you. Visit us at: www.laughcryscream.com Subscribe for more honest conversations about grief, estrangement, family loss, healing, and the messy reality of learning how to keep living after the relationship you thought would last forever changes. Timestamps 00:00 Welcome to Laugh, Cry, Scream00:45 Why estranged parents are often blamed and shamed02:10 The myth that every estranged parent “deserved it”03:30 Why parents stay silent about estrangement05:00 The guilt and shame loop begins06:25 Joe shares the 2 AM thoughts that still show up08:00 Chris talks about moving forward and feeling guilty for it09:25 “Why did I even have kids?” and the pain behind that thought10:45 The Garth Brooks lyric that explains the pain of loving anyway12:00 Overcompensating as a parent after past mistakes14:10 Joe shares his experience gaining custody and trying to create stability16:45 When giving too much becomes expected18:20 The “pros and cons” of parenting and why it is never that simple20:00 Why kids have struggles too, even when parents are carrying adult responsibilities22:15 How to stop the guilt loop when you cannot control the situation23:20 Why support groups matter for estranged parents25:00 The shame of telling people your child no longer speaks to you26:45 Lying when people ask, “How are your kids?”28:00 Social media, family memories, and emotional triggers30:10 Missing grandchildren and the guilt that comes with being cut off31:45 How estrangement changes your trust in other relationships33:45 Guardrails, protection, and fear of being hurt again35:00 The pain of wanting to send gifts but fearing rejection36:30 Coping tools, support, and knowing your triggers37:20 Final reminders, resources, and how to follow the podcast

    38 min
  2. Everything Happens for a Reason” & Other Lies: Navigating the Loss of a Child

    3D AGO

    Everything Happens for a Reason” & Other Lies: Navigating the Loss of a Child

    In this deeply emotional episode of Laugh, Cry, Scream, Chris and Joe talk about the unimaginable reality of losing a child. They share the phone calls, the final moments, the shock, the numbness, and the memories that never leave. Joe opens up about the final conversation his son had with his own child before his death, and Chris shares the heartbreaking day she lost her son after years of navigating his medical needs. Together, they talk about the things people say after loss, especially phrases like “everything happens for a reason,” and why those words can feel so painful to a grieving parent. This episode is not about perfect healing. It is about truth, love, grief, survival, and the reality of trying to keep going after a loss that changes everything. Chris and Joe are not therapists. They are two parents sharing lived experience, honest conversation, and support for others walking through grief, estrangement, or loss. For resources, support, and more, visit:www.laughcryscream.com

    44 min
  3. My Parents Had Dementia. Then a Stranger Told Me My Whole Life Was a Lie.

    APR 30

    My Parents Had Dementia. Then a Stranger Told Me My Whole Life Was a Lie.

    Could you handle the truth if your entire foundation was a lie? In this episode of Laugh, Cry, Scream: Life with Grief and Estrangement, hosts Chris Workman and Joe Sassman sit down with Al Isaacs, a man whose life changed with a single, accidental phone call at age 52. As Al was navigating the heavy waters of anticipatory grief—caring for both parents as they battled dementia—a call from his mother’s oncologist dropped a bombshell: Al was adopted. Because of his parents' cognitive decline, the people who raised him could no longer give him the answers he deserved. We dive deep into: The Silence of the Family: How Al dealt with the "omission estrangement" of realizing his entire extended family kept this secret for five decades. Compounded Grief: The unique pain of losing your parents and your identity at the exact same time. Nature vs. Nurture: How Al, a comedian and drummer, discovered his birth mother was a 1960s "American Idol" style star produced by Quincy Jones. Finding Molly: The "pinnacle" moment of finding a sister who had been searching for him for 20 years. Al’s story is a testament to the idea that identity isn't just about who we were born to, but how we process the secrets that find us. Connect with Al Isaacs:📘 Book: Finding Mary Smith🌐 Website: AlIsaacs.com Join our Community:If you are walking through the fire of estrangement or loss, you aren’t alone.✨ Website: LaughCryScream.com✨ Support Group: Wednesdays at 7:00 PM Central on Facebook/Zoom.✨ Resources: GriefAndHealingWithChris.com

    1h 2m
  4. When Your Child Uses “Boundaries” to Shut You Out

    APR 23

    When Your Child Uses “Boundaries” to Shut You Out

    What happens when the word boundary becomes the end of the relationship instead of the beginning of a real conversation? In this episode of Laugh, Cry, Scream, Chris Workman and Joe Sassman dig into one of the most painful realities of family estrangement: being cut off by an adult child with little to no conversation, often through language that feels scripted, sudden, and final. They talk about the labels parents hear over and over again like toxic, narcissistic, gaslighting, and boundary, and what it feels like when those words are used as a wall instead of a bridge.  This conversation explores: adult child estrangementfamily boundariestoxic family languagetherapy and estrangementsocial media’s influence on family conflictgrief after estrangementacceptance without agreementwhat parents wish their children understood before cutting contactChris and Joe are not speaking as therapists. They’re speaking as parents trying to survive a deeply painful, complex reality while creating space for other people walking through grief and estrangement too.  If you are navigating estrangement, grief, emotional loss, or complicated family dynamics, this episode is for you. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and join the conversation below. https://www.laughcryscream.com 00:00 Intro and opening banter01:10 Are all boundaries automatically right?03:05 When “this is my boundary” becomes a shutdown05:30 Toxic, narcissistic, gaslighting: the repeated script08:20 Therapy, timeouts, and the missing conversation12:00 Parenting without perfection16:15 Why nuance matters in family conflict19:40 Social media, influence, and borrowed language23:20 Immediate gratification and instant emotional cutoffs26:10 What happens when parents respect the boundary29:10 Acceptance without agreement32:15 The grief of knowing the relationship may never be the same35:30 Resources, support groups, and where to connect

    36 min
  5. What Hurts More: Grief or Estrangement?

    APR 16

    What Hurts More: Grief or Estrangement?

    In this episode of Laugh, Cry, Scream, we take on a question that hits hard for a lot of people living through loss: What hurts more, grief or estrangement? If you have experienced physical loss, estrangement, or both, you already know this is not a simple comparison. One comes with finality. The other comes with unanswered questions, rejection, silence, hope, and the pain of someone still being alive but no longer being in your life.  In this conversation, we talk about: why grief and estrangement are not the samewhy “at least they’re still alive” is not always helpfulhow estrangement can leave you without closurethe difference between physical loss and voluntary rejectionbirthdays, milestones, and what it means to still celebrate someonethe emotional weight of being treated like the villainhow journaling, unsent messages, and support can helpThis episode is for anyone navigating family estrangement, child loss, complicated grief, or the messy middle of trying to survive something people do not fully understand. You are not crazy.You are not weak.And you do not have to do this alone. Subscribe, follow, and share this episode with someone who needs this conversation. Resources and support:Visit laughcryscream.comJoin the Facebook support community: Letting Go: Life After Estrangement Chapters 00:00 Welcome back to Laugh, Cry, Scream00:45 The sports roast begins01:48 Grief vs. estrangement: can you even compare them?03:10 “At least your child is still alive” and why that misses the point05:18 Physical loss vs. voluntary rejection07:02 Why estrangement can feel impossible to get closure from08:32 The questions estranged parents keep asking themselves10:18 Society treats death and estrangement very differently12:08 From victim to villain13:34 Does death impact estrangement too?14:52 How Chris honors her son’s birthday and death day16:15 What do you do on an estranged child’s birthday?18:02 Frozen in time vs. watching life go on without you19:28 Joe realizes he has not celebrated his daughter21:12 Sending cards, holding space, and thinking about their day23:06 Why this conversation matters in real time24:05 So which hurts worse?25:35 A reminder not to compare pain26:28 Tools that actually help: journaling and not minimizing the hurt27:42 Writing unsent texts can be therapeutic29:35 Talking to your child after loss or estrangement30:38 We are not therapists, and support matters31:15 Website, Facebook group, and Tuesday support calls32:20 Resources, books, and final encouragement My recommendation for the final combo Title:Grief vs. Estrangement: Which One Hurts More? Thumbnail:Which Hurts More? First line of description:What hurts more, grief or estrangement? In this episode of Laugh, Cry, Scream, we talk about why those two losses are different, why neither should be minimized, and why comparison rarely helps. If you want, I can do the Facebook caption, TikTok caption, Instagram caption, and YouTube shorts hook lines for this episode next.

    29 min
  6. Estranged Parent, Grieving Parent: The Pain No One Talks About

    APR 12

    Estranged Parent, Grieving Parent: The Pain No One Talks About

    What does it really feel like to be an estranged parent while also carrying deep grief? In the first episode of Laugh, Cry, Scream, Chris Workman and Joe Sassmen share their stories of child loss, estrangement, shame, guilt, and healing. They introduce the heart behind the podcast and share the deeply personal stories that brought them here. They talk about child loss, parental estrangement, guilt, shame, healing, and what it means to keep going when life changes you forever.This conversation covers:what it feels like to be an estranged parentthe grief of losing a childhow shame and self-blame can take overthe difference between boundaries and avoidancehow grief impacts the whole familylearning to give yourself gracewhy honest conversations matter in healingThis is not a polished version of pain.This is not toxic positivity.This is real life, real grief, real estrangement, and the hard conversations most people avoid.If you are navigating grief, estrangement, family loss, or trying to figure out how to move forward without losing yourself, you are not alone here.Like, subscribe, and share to help us reach more people who need these conversations.Follow along for more episodes, guest conversations, live discussions, resources, and support. Important links: Our Website: www.laughcryscream.comEstranged Parent Support Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/lettingitgolifeafterestrangement 00:00 Welcome to Laugh, Cry, Scream01:18 Why this podcast needed both a male and female perspective03:00 Clearing up rumors and why this is not about money04:27 The age gap jokes and setting the tone05:38 Grief and estrangement are never one emotion06:30 Chris shares the loss of her son09:08 Losing both parents in 202011:32 Her wedding day and the turning point with estrangement14:35 Shame, blame, and realizing you are not 100% at fault17:12 Missing grandchildren and living with the ache19:42 Joe shares his backstory and family history22:06 Losing his son in a car accident23:55 The text that changed everything with his daughter26:40 Was it a boundary or was it avoidance?28:02 How grief fed guilt, shame, and self-destruction30:14 When grief and estrangement collide32:15 Giving yourself grace after loss33:55 Why this podcast exists35:05 Understanding both sides of estrangement36:30 Why tough conversations matter37:42 Resources, Facebook group, Zooms, and where to connect39:05 Final encouragement and closing

    40 min
  7. Loading: Laugh, Cry, Scream: Life with Grief and Estrangement

    APR 2

    Loading: Laugh, Cry, Scream: Life with Grief and Estrangement

    Something amazing is loading... A raw 20-second moment from Laugh, Cry, Scream with Chris Workman, a podcast about grief, family estrangement, emotional healing, and life after loss. This short episode speaks to the real emotions that come with grief, parent-child estrangement, broken family relationships, and the healing journey. If you are looking for grief support, estrangement support, or honest conversations about loss and emotional pain, visit www.griefandhealingwithchris.com

    20 sec
  • 7 Episodes

4.6
out of 5
41 Ratings

About

Laugh Cry Scream is a raw, honest, and deeply human podcast about life with grief and estrangement. Hosted by Joe Sassmen and Chris Workman, the show dives into the messy, complicated, and often unspoken parts of loss, family pain, healing, and survival. With real conversations, dark humor, hard truths, and zero fake positivity, this podcast creates space for people who are carrying the weight of grief while trying to keep going. Some days you laugh. Some days you cry. Some days you scream. Here, all of it is welcome.

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