DAVID: A Mother's Journey With Grief Artwork

We All Go Forward

We All Go Forward is a podcast about self-leadership through setbacks. Simply put, setbacks are undesirable, unexpected outcomes. They’re inevitable. Some are truly negative experiences. Others, though initially perceived as such, become welcomed (necessary, even) experiences once viewed from the right vantage point. Regardless of their nature, the only way through any setback is through it. A great indicator of life and vitality is movement. When setbacks render us inactive while life around us continues to move along its ever progressing, ever developing path, we feel resistance & fatigue. If we glean the lessons, wisdoms, and clarity hard moments afford us, we’ll be set back—but only in preparation to be catapulted forward into a more progressed, developed version of self. This podcast will help listeners learn & practice self-leadership in order to maintain a forward trajectory through life's setbacks. It will teach us how to overcome inconvenience in a timely, beneficial manner. Furthermore, we will learn that as we move in the right direction (that is, forward and progressing, never stagnate), we become a resource to help others move in the right direction, and the cycle continues— but only if we move. Remember: If you go, and I go, then we all go…FORWARD. Let’s get moving!

All Episodes

We All Go Forward

DAVID: A Mother's Journey With Grief

July 09, 2026 • Kimberly Demosthene • Season 2 • Episode 22

0:00 | 1:08:46

#022- Disclaimer: Today's episode includes sensitive topics that may be triggering to some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.

I think we can all agree that there is no pain like the loss of a loved one. The loss of a child, however, becomes uniquely difficult because it seems to go against the natural progression of life, order, and time. The size of the wound it leaves...unimaginable to grasp, capture, or explain.

Loss is an inevitable part of life. As a result, grief becomes an inevitable process. But giving ourselves (and others) permission to grieve does not seem to come easy. Perhaps because we're taught to "fix" what's broken and "hide" what's scarred. But what happens when what's broken & scarred, is us? (Loss does that). What happens when what we try to fix and hide is too rare and too great? (Love IS that).

In this episode, I speak with a woman I love dearly: Wanda Francois. In college & pregnant, she goes through a whirlwind of loss and grief, including the death of her 1st born infant son, David. Though her pain remains palpable 18 years later, her grace and wisdom resound just as powerfully. Grief has indeed journeyed with Wanda. Yet, she demonstrates that our scars & brokenness require acceptance because that's the only way we acknowledge what was & what still is-- LOVE. Great, overwhelming love.

In memory of David.

Kimberly Demosthene

Host