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