The Sacred Space of Sorrow: Erin Leigh Nelson & Allie Marie Smith

*This episode mentions suicide and may be triggering for some listeners.

This week, we’ll hear from Erin Leigh Nelson, founding executive director of Jessica’s House, a grief support center for children, teens, young adults, and their families coping with the loss of a parent or sibling. Erin’s story is marked by deep personal loss—waves of tragedy that shaped her life and inspired a mission to help others heal. Through heartbreak and resilience, she’s found a way to create a space where young hearts can find hope, expression, and connection.

Later in the episode, we’ll hear from Allie Marie Smith, a writer, speaker, mental health advocate, and founder of Wonderfully Made, a nonprofit that helps young women discover their worth. Once a high-achieving student and athlete, Allie faced a battle with depression and trauma that reshaped her path. 

 

Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

Jesus Calling Podcast

Jesus Calling

Jesus Always

Jesus Listens

Past interview: Jay Lowder

Upcoming interview: David Thomas & Sissy Goff

Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith on UPTV

 

Erin Leigh Nelson

Jessica’s House

Psalm 68:5-6 NIV

Dougy Center in Portland, Oregon

When Grief Comes Home

 

Allie Marie Smith

Wonderfully Made

Social Media Reset

Interview Quotes:

“After Carter died, I just had this sense that I felt unsafe in the world. I wondered where God was and if He noticed. I had prayed so much for protection for my children, and I went into a raw place of grief.” - Erin Leigh Nelson 

“I experienced this beholding of love that was so deep—and it was beautiful in some way—because I had this feeling of God surrounding me even in the darkness.” - Erin Leigh Nelson

“I adopted a practice of just sitting in silence in God’s love for ten minutes every morning. I think it really did increase my intimacy with Him because I was able to be so honest and be in a place of unbelief for as long as it took.” - Erin Leigh Nelson 

“When a child has support, when they can express what they’re going through, when they can find ways of expression through art and music and play, they are more likely to experience post-traumatic growth.” - Erin Leigh Nelson 

“If you don’t take the time to be with your healing, to surrender to the grief process that God has placed in each of us, sometimes we can miss the depth of how much healing we can discover for ourselves.” - Erin Leigh Nelson

“Every day was a battle. I was struggling silently, and no one knew. The way I coped was I hustled for my worth, and I pushed back against the depression through overachieving and through perfectionism.” - Allie Marie Smith 

“I felt abandoned by God. I thought that when I gave my life to Him, I wouldn’t have any more troubles or I would never struggle with mental health issues again.” - Allie Marie Smith 

“I have been waiting my entire life to hear that I wasn’t an accident, that there was a God who intentionally and lovingly created me with awe and dignity and purpose, and that I was so loved and held by God.” - Allie Marie Smith 

“As we meditate on things that are true and good and lovely, God can actually heal the neural pathways in our brain. We can live our lives to the fullest without any regrets.” - Allie Marie Smith