The Dr. Lee Warren Podcast 2024 Podcast Award Semifinal #1: Mattie Jackson-Smith vs. Pete Greig
Jul 24, 2024
Mattie Jackson-Smith, author and podcaster who writes about grief and hope after losing her husband, shares her journey from sudden tragedy to restored joy. She recounts medical crisis, spiritual doubt, learning daily surrender, and small actions that rebuild life. She also discusses identity after loss and the unexpected turn toward remarriage and new life.
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The Accident That Changed Everything
- Mattie Jackson-Smith recounts the Florida boat accident where her husband Ben slipped, hit his head, and later suffered swelling, strokes, and brain death during a 12-day neuro ICU stay.
- Off-duty EMTs directed them to the hospital, surgeries and a medically induced coma followed, and Ben died on day 11 at age 28 three weeks before their first anniversary.
Doubt Comes Before Anger In Grief
- Doubt, not immediate anger, was Mattie’s first spiritual response as prayers for a miracle felt unanswered while she watched pain and confusion unfold.
- She questioned the effectiveness of prayer and whether trusting God still made sense after sincere, public prayers and hymns failed to produce the miracle they expected.
Do One Tiny Action A Day
- Do one small intentional action each day to reclaim agency and interrupt grief, even if it feels trivial or you resist it.
- Mattie forced herself to buy and arrange pumpkins weeks after Ben died and found the tiny creative choice temporarily lifted her out of despair.
