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 parent the grief of losing a child how shame and self-blame can take over the difference between boundaries and avoidance how grief impacts the whole family learning to give yourself grace why honest conversations matter in healing This 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.com Estranged Parent Support Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/lettingitgolifeafterestrangement 00:00 Welcome to Laugh, Cry, Scream 01:18 Why this podcast needed both a male and female perspective 03:00 Clearing up rumors and why this is not about money 04:27 The age gap jokes and setting the tone 05:38 Grief and estrangement are never one emotion 06:30 Chris shares the loss of her son 09:08 Losing both parents in 2020 11:32 Her wedding day and the turning point with estrangement 14:35 Shame, blame, and realizing you are not 100% at fault 17:12 Missing grandchildren and living with the ache 19:42 Joe shares his backstory and family history 22:06 Losing his son in a car accident 23:55 The text that changed everything with his daughter 26:40 Was it a boundary or was it avoidance? 28:02 How grief fed guilt, shame, and self-destruction 30:14 When grief and estrangement collide 32:15 Giving yourself grace after loss 33:55 Why this podcast exists 35:05 Understanding both sides of estrangement 36:30 Why tough conversations matter 37:42 Resources, Facebook group, Zooms, and where to connect 39:05 Final encouragement and closing