Episode Details

She lost him. Then she found a way through.

Lt. James Crawford (Ret.) of the Chicago Police Department was a pastor, a mentor, and the man everyone leaned on. Months after retiring, he died by suicide. His wife, Erie S. Crawford, LSW, PhD — a licensed social worker who saw the signs — made a decision in her darkest hour: this loss would not take her too.

She buried him on a Saturday. By Monday, she was in therapy, fighting for her own healing. What she built from that fight is now helping suicide-loss families across the country find their way back to life.

In this episode, Dr. Crawford joins hosts Lt. David Dachinger (ret.) and guest co-host Lynette Shaw-Butler for a conversation about loss, love, and the long road back.

In this episode:

 ▪ Why the "strong ones" carry pain silently — and how families can gently open that door
 ▪ The warning signs she saw, and what she wants other spouses to know
 ▪ The retirement transition: why a plan for what's next matters as much as the pension
 ▪ What suicide-loss families need after the funeral, when the initial support fades
 ▪ The S.U.N.R.I.S.E. Healing Journey: Surrender, Understand, Nurture, Reconcile, Integrate, Strengthen, Engage
 ▪ Her guiding truth: when night ends, the sun rises

If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline). Healing is possible — and you don't have to walk it alone.

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