When Grief Comes Home

When Grief Comes Home is a podcast that supports parents who are grieving while raising children living through the loss of a parent or sibling. From how to talk to your child about the death to healing practices for resiliency, this podcast addresses challenges parents face after a significant death and ways to process, honor, and integrate the loss over time. Listeners will feel understood and better equipped to process and express their own grief as they support their child.

The When Grief Comes Home podcast goes along with the book of the same name. The book can be ordered at https://www.amazon.com/When-Grief-Comes-Home-Supporting/dp/1540904717

Contributors

Host

Brad Quillen

Brad Quillen is on staff at Jessica’s House and host of the podcast, When Grief Comes Home with colleagues Erin and Colleen. He started at Jessica’s House in April of 2012 and moved back to full time pastoral ministry in the fall of 2024 at Crossroads Church in Turlock. During his time at Jessica’s House, Brad served full time as program director. He also led various groups, starting in teen groups and then moving to adult groups for Hope after Homicide and Hope after Suicide the past 8 years.

Brad is married to Lori, a dedicated teacher, and together they have three active boys. In his spare time, you can find Brad tackling home projects or coaching one of his sons' teams.

Co-host

Colleen E. Montague

Colleen Montague is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over ten years of experience working with individuals and families. Her passion for grief support began early in her career.

Colleen is the program director for Jessica’s House. Colleen’s role as a facilitator for parents who are grieving the death of their partner or child inspires her writing on grief support for families as they teach her common themes and the unique ways they find healing.

Colleen writes resources and speaks on best practices for grief support to educators, first responders, and mental health professionals.

Co-host

Erin Leigh Nelson

Erin Nelson is the founder and executive director of Jessica's House, a grief support center for children and families. Her desire to support others in grief began after the death of her husband, Tyler, when her children were young. She later faced additional losses, including her mother's suicide, which left her supporting her teen sister alongside her young children, and the death of her son, Carter, in a 2019 car accident. An advanced certified trauma practitioner, Erin has over 20 years of experience supporting grieving families. She is a trusted community resource for grief support, often writing and speaking on best practices for helping grieving children and families. Her favorite role remains working with the littles in Jessica's House support groups.

Erin and her husband, Bryan, live in Turlock, surrounded by their children and grandchildren. Erin loves queso and long walks.