Inheritance of Hope Podcast

Inheritance of Hope
  • 5.0 (15)
  • Christianity
  • Weekly

The Inheritance of Hope Podcast invites you into deeply personal conversations with those navigating the unthinkable: young families facing the loss of a parent to terminal illness. Each episode explores what it means to leave a legacy - not just in death, but in how we choose to live. Whether you're living with a diagnosis, supporting someone who is, or simply searching for meaning and hope in hard places, this podcast shows that joy is possible, even in terminal illness! Find joy in terminal illness at⁠⁠⁠ https://InheritanceOfHope.org/⁠⁠ Give joy in terminal illness at ⁠https://www2.inheritanceofhope.org/Give

  1. 2d ago

    Tim Timmons: What No One Tells You After a Diagnosis

    Life is really hard, and God is still good. What if both are true at the same time? Tim Timmons was given five years to live 25 years ago, and he’s still living with stage 4 cancer today. He’s a singer-songwriter, a dad to four teenagers, and Hilary’s husband of 28 years. (“I’m a big fan of that human,” he says.) You may know his story from the film I Can Only Imagine 2. In this episode, Tim reflects on watching an actor play him in a movie he’s now seen “800 bajillion times,” and what it gave him that he couldn’t find on his own. He also opens up about the exhausting work no one talks about after a diagnosis: emotional management. Here’s What You’ll Learn in This Episode: - Why “and” gives you a permission that “but” never does: permission to cry today and laugh at an Office rerun tonight - The 10,000 minutes each week that matter most when life falls apart - What gets lost when we rush to tie someone’s suffering up with a Bible verse - The Sharpie mark Tim makes every morning, and the lifelong habit it’s helping him break - A simple breath prayer you can try today, on your own or as a family Tim ends with a dare: try one simple practice for a week. If it doesn’t change you, he wants to hear about it. Chapters 00:00 — Why Tim Timmons Quit Working for God 01:30 — Living 25 Years With Stage 4 Cancer 03:07 — What It’s Like to Watch Your Life in I Can Only Imagine 2 04:58 — Is It Okay to Laugh While You’re Grieving? 11:07 — What No One Tells You After a Cancer Diagnosis 16:30 — Why Bible Verses Don’t Always Help Someone Who’s Hurting 18:11 — How to Stop Worrying and Practice Trust 22:55 — What Is 10,000 Minutes? Plus a Breath Prayer to Try 30:03 — How to Practice Faith as a Family in Hard Seasons Follow Tim on Instagram and Facebook: @timmonsmusic Instagram | Facebook Check out Tim's music at https://www.timtimmonsmusic.com/ Learn more about 10000 Minutes here. Looking for the movie? https://www.lionsgate.com/movies/i-can-only-imagine-2 Tim's book, "Waking Up Again," is on Amazon. Sissy Goff's book, "Helping Kids Through Grief," can be found on Amazon.

    Tim Timmons: What No One Tells You After a Diagnosis

  2. Oct 27

    How do I tell my kids I have cancer?

    You might be waiting for the right time, or the right words to tell your kids you have cancer. Meanwhile, your kids are noticing. Missed games. A parent who's tired more often. Without an explanation, they may decide it's somehow their fault. Christen Bradbury has spent more than 20 years walking alongside children and families. She helps parents find language and posture for the hardest conversations. In this episode, she shares why she gently advocates for telling your kids, even when the yes feels so hard. Here's What You'll Learn in This Episode: - Why kids who sense something has changed often assume they did something wrong - How to prepare yourself first, before talking with your kids - When and how to use the word "cancer," and simple ways to explain what's happening in your body - What a first conversation can sound like, starting with one question: "Have you heard of the word cancer before?" - What to do with the guilt if you haven't told your kids yet, and why it's never too late to begin - If you're in the middle of this season or know someone who is, this conversation can help with the first step. Connect with Christen on Instagram and Tiktok - @supportingchildhood Find the Simply Saying App on this website. Chapters: 00:00 — Why Kids Blame Themselves When a Parent Is Sick 00:44 — Why Parents Keep a Cancer Diagnosis From Their Kids 01:48 — How to Prepare Before Telling Your Kids You Have Cancer 05:57 — What Happens When Kids Aren't Told About a Parent's Cancer 08:57 — What Teens Lose When a Parent's Diagnosis Is Kept Secret 10:26 — Do I Have to Use the Word "Cancer" With My Kids? 14:55 — What to Say When Telling Your Kids You Have Cancer 19:27 — Is It Too Late to Tell My Kids I Have Cancer?

    How do I tell my kids I have cancer?

  3. Oct 20

    Who do I call first when someone dies?

    When someone you love dies, the first few hours can feel like a blur. Grief arrives at the same time as phone calls, decisions, and questions you've never had to ask before. Erica Hill founded Sparrow, a contemporary funeral home in Brooklyn. In this episode, she walks you through what actually happens in those first hours, and how much say you have in the process. Here's What You'll Learn in This Episode: - Who to call first, depending on whether your person dies at home, in hospice, or in a hospital - Why you don't have to rush your person out of the house, and how to take time for a final goodbye - Small, meaningful rituals families ask for, from washing a loved one's hands to placing a letter or photo in the casket - How to choose a funeral home, and why the first phone call tells you so much - Why a few calls made ahead of time can take pressure off later If you're caring for someone near the end of life, or you've wondered what to expect, this conversation is for you. It's a tender topic, so feel free to pause and come back whenever you need. Chapters 00:00 — You Don't Have to Rush Your Goodbye 01:04 — Who to Call First When Someone Dies 03:33 — How Long Can a Body Stay at Home After Death? 06:42 — What Can You Put in a Casket or With Someone Being Cremated? 08:23 — Can You Choose Your Own Funeral Home? 08:49 — What Is a Death Doula and How Can One Help? 09:26 — How to Choose a Funeral Home You Can Trust 11:16 — Why It Helps to Call Funeral Homes Before a Death For more information about Sparrow, click here

    Who do I call first when someone dies?

  4. Oct 13

    How do I tell my kids I'm dying?

    "Are you going to die?" It may be the hardest question your child could ask. And when it comes, the instinct to protect them kicks in fast. Christen Bradbury is a Child Life Specialist who has spent years walking alongside families facing serious illness. In this episode, she offers honest, age-appropriate words you can use and adapt when your child asks the question no parent wants to hear. Here's What You'll Learn in This Episode: - What your child may really be trying to understand underneath the words - Why "I'm going to be okay" can lead to confusion and mistrust later - Sample language for preschoolers, school-age kids, and teens - Why young children ask the same question again and again, and how to respond - Two picture books Christen recommends for little ones If you're dreading this moment, or it's already come, this conversation is for you. 00:00 — What to Say When Your Child Asks If You're Dying 00:46 — What Kids Really Mean When They Ask "Are You Going to Die?" 02:56 — Why "I'm Fine" Can Hurt Kids More Later 06:38 — How Children Grieve Again at Every Age 07:17 — How to Explain a Terminal Diagnosis to Kids by Age 14:40 — Promises You Can Make When You Can't Promise Time 15:11 — Why Young Kids Keep Asking the Same Question About Death 18:24 — What If I'm Not Ready to Tell My Kids? If this conversation leads you to more questions, learn from Christen on Instagram and Tiktok: @supportingchildhood. Here are the links to the books Christen recommends: Ida Always and The Invisible String Christen mentions Camp Kesem as an important resource for families with children facing a parent's terminal illness. You will find that resource and others on this webpage.

    How do I tell my kids I'm dying?

  5. Oct 6

    How can their funeral tell their story?

    Most of us will attend a funeral in our lifetime. And yet, so many of us shy away from talking about how we'd want to be celebrated when that day comes. But those conversations are what help a funeral tell the true story of someone you love. Erica Hill owns Sparrow, a funeral home built around one idea: honoring someone's life should feel as personal as celebrating it. Here's What You'll Learn in This Episode: - The real reason so many funerals don't feel like the person who died: it's rarely anyone's fault - What it actually looks like to personalize a funeral: a room turned into an art gallery, a favorite tracksuit, a son in a matching suit as his buried father - A simple, low-pressure way to bring up funeral wishes with your family, without it feeling heavy - The real cost of avoiding this conversation, and how it changes what your family has to carry later If you've never talked with your family about what you'd want, or you're not sure how to bring it up, this conversation is for you. 00:00 — A Family's Final Trip: Honoring a Mother's Wish 01:04 — Meet Erica Hill, Owner of Sparrow Funeral Home 02:00 — Inside Sparrow: A Light-Filled, Gallery-Like Funeral Home in Brooklyn 03:25 — Casket, Urn, or Something Else? Funeral Planning Basics 06:18 — What to Wear to Your Own Funeral 08:25 — How to Start Talking About Death With Your Family 10:22 — Free Resources for End-of-Life Planning 12:40 — Why You Should Plan Your Funeral Now For more information about Sparrow, click here Learn about the Death Deck in a recent episode: How Do I Start a Conversation About End of Life Care? (with Lisa Pahl) Learn more about Give Willow's Funeral Registry in this episode

    How can their funeral tell their story?

  6. Sep 29

    What does my teenager need from me right now?

    Your teenager isn't handling this well, and you don't know what to do about it. You're not alone, and neither are they. Ellie Visitew was twelve when her dad was diagnosed with stage 3B testicular cancer. Her family was served by Inheritance of Hope in 2019 following his diagnosis. In this episode, she looks back on the years that followed: the anger, the slammed doors, the distance she couldn't explain even to herself. Now years out from it, she shares what actually helped and what she wishes her parents had done differently. Here's What You'll Learn in This Episode: - Why teens act out when a parent is sick, and why it's not really about you - How to offer support without forcing it, and why "here if you need it" works better than an intervention - A simple gut check for whether your teen needs an outlet, not another conversation - Why what your child says in anger isn't what they mean - How to trust that your relationship with your child will be okay, even when it feels furthest from it right now If you have a teenager who feels like a stranger right now, this conversation is for you. Chapters 00:00 — Meet Ellie: Her Dad's Cancer Diagnosis at Age 12 01:00 — How I Acted Out When My Dad Got Sick 06:13 — Why Trauma Changes Family Dynamics 10:04 — What Parents Should Know: Advice for Supporting a Struggling Teen 16:01 — Giving Your Teen a Healthy Outlet 20:05 — Trusting Your Child Will Be Okay If you are interested in the book that was shared in the episode, "What Happened to You" by Oprah Winfrey, click here.

    What does my teenager need from me right now?

  7. Sep 22

    How do I help my kids feel safe when their world is changing?

    Kids notice more than we think. Long before they have the words for it, they can sense when something in their world has shifted. So how can we, as parents and caregivers, help our kids feel safe and secure during this time? Today's guest is Erin VanDorsten, a Child Life Specialist experienced in helping families navigate change. She shares practical tips and helps us understand how kids process what's happening around them. Here's What You'll Learn in This Episode: - Why an absence of play can be a sign your child is struggling - What actually scares kids most, and how it differs from adult fears - Signs to watch for: regression, sleep changes, disruptions in eating - Why emotional safety is an ongoing process, not a one-time talk - Simple ways to help kids feel grounded: routines, small choices, and community support If you're watching a child navigate a season of change and wondering how to help them feel safe again, this conversation offers real, practical steps forward. Find more helpful resources on our Other Helpful Organizations page. Timestamps 00:00 — Signs Your Child Might Be Struggling With Grief 01:52 — What Scares Kids Most During a Parent's Illness 04:12 — Do Kids Know Something's Wrong Even When We Don't Tell Them? 05:24 — Regression, Sleep Changes, and Other Signs of Stress in Kids 06:39 — What Emotional Safety Looks Like for Kids 08:44 — How to Help Kids Feel Grounded During Uncertainty 10:34 — How Friends and Family Can Support a Grieving Child 13:23 — The One Thing Kids Need Most During Hard Seasons

    How do I help my kids feel safe when their world is changing?

  8. Sep 15

    Who am I now after everything changed?

    You don't feel like yourself anymore. Maybe it's a diagnosis. Maybe caregiving feels overwhelming. Maybe your life just looks nothing like it used to. Kim Virrueta, a licensed marriage and family therapist, helps people find their way back to who they are today, even when it feels far from who they were before everything changed. In this episode, she offers a practical framework for finding your new identity along with a simple exercise you can do at home. Here's What You'll Learn in This Episode: - Why grieving who you used to be is a real, valid form of grief, even if no one died - The TEAR model, a four-step grief framework originally developed for palliative and hospice care, adapted for any loss - Why holding pain inside shows up in your body, and what to do instead - A simple at-home exercise to identify your priorities and values today, using just a notebook or your phone - How one small daily choice, even five minutes, can move you toward feeling like yourself again If you feel like you don't know who you are anymore, this conversation can help you find who you are today. Timestamps: 00:00 How Five Minutes Can Change Your Day 01:20 How Do I Find My Identity After a Diagnosis or Loss? 04:09 Why Grieving Who You Used to Be Is Real Grief 06:50 What Is the TEAR Model of Grief? 07:31 What Happens When You Hold In Grief? 11:06 How Does Culture Shape the Way We Grieve? 11:49 A Simple At-Home Exercise to Find Who You Are Today 16:16 How Do I Start Feeling Like Myself Again? To access the helpful resources from this conversation, visit this page: https://inheritanceofhope.org/podcast-who-am-i-now-after-everything-changed/ Check out our Other Helpful Resources page for more support. You can learn more about Kim here.

    Who am I now after everything changed?
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About

The Inheritance of Hope Podcast invites you into deeply personal conversations with those navigating the unthinkable: young families facing the loss of a parent to terminal illness. Each episode explores what it means to leave a legacy - not just in death, but in how we choose to live. Whether you're living with a diagnosis, supporting someone who is, or simply searching for meaning and hope in hard places, this podcast shows that joy is possible, even in terminal illness! Find joy in terminal illness at⁠⁠⁠ https://InheritanceOfHope.org/⁠⁠ Give joy in terminal illness at ⁠https://www2.inheritanceofhope.org/Give

Information

  • Creator
    Inheritance of Hope
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    72
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Inheritance of Hope
  • Show Website
    Inheritance of Hope Podcast