The P-I-G: Episode 10
Charting the Course: A Father’s Legacy of Loss, Love & Living Well
(part one)
What does it mean to love with your whole heart after losing a child, a spouse, and the future you thought you were building?
In this profoundly moving episode of The P-I-G, we sit down with our dad—a retired physician, Navy veteran, and quietly extraordinary human—who has navigated unimaginable grief with strength, softness, and an unwavering capacity to love. His story weaves through post-war America, remote service during the Vietnam era, the devastating loss of his 17-year-old daughter Laurie, the ending of one marriage, and the creation of a blended family with our mom, Marsha.
Together, they built a beautiful life—and a profound legacy.
At the heart of this episode is resilience: the ability to open your heart again and again, even when it’s been broken. From supporting Marsha in her final months and helping her launch The Boxes legacy project, to embracing life with Katie (if you haven’t already, listen to Katie’s story in Episode #09: Rooted in Love and Legacy: The Unexpected Gift of Katie) and more children, our father’s story reminds us that grief doesn’t erase love—it simply expands it.
🎙️ In this episode, we reflect on:
Growing up in post-war Kansas City and building a life of service
Pivoting from veterinary to human medicine to put patients first
Practicing medicine in the remote Australian outback during Vietnam
Losing his daughter Laurie in a tragic accident—and the ripple effects of that grief
Blending families (and later adopting the two of us!) with love, intention, and gentleness
Supporting our mom Marsha through terminal cancer and helping deliver her legacy boxes
Learning to love again—and continuing to honor every chapter of his life with purpose and presence
💗 From Our Hearts to Yours…
The P-I-G is a heartfelt, purpose-driven podcast exploring life, love, loss, and legacy through real conversations and meaningful stories. Together, we unpack the moments that shape us—the stories we carry, the messiness of being human, and what it means to leave something meaningful behind.
Each episode invites us to honor what matters most, remember that grief isn’t linear, navigate life’s hardest moments with PURPOSE, INTENTION, and GRATITUDE, and to be reminded that legacy isn’t just what we leave… it’s how we live—right now.
“Hearing the stories of others helps us create a more meaningful connection to our own—because legacy isn’t just what we leave behind, it’s how we live right now.”
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The P-I-G Podcast is 100% self-funded and ad-free. Each episode is a true labor of love and we couldn’t do this work without the support of our listening audience. If you have feedback, a story to tell, or expertise to share, we’d love to hear from you.
