In the powerful conclusion of Juana’s conversation with Christal Brown Heyward, they explore the intersection of grief, culture, and celebration in Black ecclesial traditions. Christal reveals her doctoral research on "Joy and Pain: The Marriage of Music and Mourning in Black Ecclesial Traditions," examining how music functions as healing in the Black church—from homegoing services that celebrate life to the careful selection of songs that carry communities through loss. She offers profound wisdom from her personal grief journey, sharing her most important prayer: "Lord, keep my mind." Christal reminds us that we are not machines, that rest is the greatest currency we can give ourselves, and that grief teaches us to stay close to God while giving ourselves permission to be fully human. This episode is a love letter to Black women and Black people, honoring the unique ways we hold both sorrow and celebration together.

Produced by Wesley's Revival, a ministry of Studio Wesley.

In Part 1 of this heartfelt episode, Rev. Dr. Juana Jordan sits down with Christal Brown Heyward, a certified grief coach, thanatologist, and worship leader who has transformed personal compassion into powerful ministry. Christal shares the touching story of how "A Time of Refreshing" was born—starting with simple home visits to a friend who lost her son, bringing a keyboard, a meal, and sacred space for honest conversation. What began as acts of friendship grew into a calling, leading Christal to pursue a Master's degree in Thanatology (the study of death) to better serve her community. She discusses why conversations about death remain taboo, the importance of marrying music with mourning, and introduces us to her innovative "Grief Boot Camp" approach that creates safe spaces for people to navigate the unknown terrain of loss with practical tools and spiritual grounding.

In this intimate episode of In the Processor, Rev. Dr. Juana Jordan sits down with four of her college girlfriends, Angel Manago-Collins, Kathy Goins, Raquel Jackson and Tamara Thompson, who are navigating the profound reality of losing parents. They courageously share their journeys through anticipatory grief, the running phase of avoidance, and the moments when grief demands to be faced. Together, the women explore what grief has taught them about gratitude, seizing opportunities, trusting God's word, and understanding that their parents' final acts were rooted in deep love. This is sacred space for anyone who has lost someone they cherish and needs to hear that tomorrow might look different than today's pain.

Produced by Wesley's Revival, a ministry of Studio Wesley.