68 | Dads Hurt Too: A Father's Grief Matters | Eric Schumacher

**In this heartfelt and powerful Father’s Day episode, Ashley welcomes back her friend and returning guest, Eric Schumacher. Eric is a pastor, biblical counselor, husband, and father of nine children—five on earth and four in Heaven. Through his own journey of miscarriage and grief, Eric has become a compassionate voice for grieving dads, and today he joins us to share about his newest book: *Dads Hurt Too: A Father’s Memoir of Miscarriage*.** Together, Ashley and Eric have an honest, gospel-centered conversation about the often-overlooked grief of fathers who have lost a baby. Eric vulnerably shares the raw emotions he experienced during each of his family’s four miscarriages—and the spiritual battle he faced with what he calls the “little foxes” of comparison, shame, culture, and loneliness. Through Scripture, story, and deep theology, Eric offers dads a pathway to healing: not by hiding their pain, but by bringing it into the light of Christ. Whether you are a grieving father, a wife who wants to better understand her husband’s grief, or a ministry leader supporting families through loss—this episode will give you language for the ache, truth for the lies, and hope rooted in the character of God. **In this episode, we discussed:** - Why Eric wrote *Dads Hurt Too* and the story behind its humble beginnings - Why men often grieve miscarriage in silence and how shame or comparison can silence their sorrow - The “four foxes” that threaten our healing: comparison, shame, culture, and loneliness - What it means to abide in Christ when grief feels isolating and unspoken - How Jesus’ own grief, sorrow, and physical weakness give men permission to feel and express emotion - The danger of believing false gospels in the midst of suffering—and how right theology leads to deeper healing - The importance of spiritual community and safe spaces where dads can be honest about their pain - How the culture’s devaluation of life impacts grieving parents, and how Scripture restores the dignity of every baby lost - The true gospel of Jesus: that He meets us in our sorrow, carries our burdens, and will return to make all things new **This episode is an invitation for every dad to know: Your grief matters. You are not alone. And Jesus sees you. He is the perfect Father who draws near to the brokenhearted—and He promises to one day restore what has been lost.** **GET THE BOOK!** Cradled in Hope is sold on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, Christianbook, and Baker Bookhouse. \[www.bridgetscradles.com/book] **EPISODE SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT:** \[www.bridgetscradles.com/post/episode68] • **CRADLED IN HOPE PODCAST WEBSITE:** Sign up here to receive email updates and hope-filled resources \[www.bridgetscradles.com/podcast] • **CRADLED IN HOPE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY FOR GRIEVING MOMS:** \[www.facebook.com/groups/cradledinhope] • **FOLLOW BRIDGET'S CRADLES** \[www.facebook.com/bridgetscradles] \[www.instagram.com/bridgetscradles] \[www.pinterest.com/bridgetscradles] • **CONNECT WITH THE HOST | ASHLEY OPLIGER** \[www.ashleyopliger.com] \[www.facebook.com/ashleyopliger] \[www.instagram.com/ashleyopliger] #cradledinhope #cradledinhopepodcast #bridgetscradles [**★ Support this podcast ★**](https://www.bridgetscradles.com/donate "★ Support this podcast ★")