Grief is often misunderstood, even by those experiencing it. Why do we think grief is something that will end or something that can be left in the past? Is closure a myth? And why does guilt often play a role in grieving? And how can our own fear cause even more pain and isolation for those we care about most?
The Letter host Amy Donaldson discusses these questions with grief therapist Claire Bidwell Smith (New Day) in a wide-ranging discussion about one of society’s most misunderstood topics.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Season One Bonus: Embracing Grief

On a winter morning in 1982, two young fathers were found shot to death in a van parked outside an upscale Utah restaurant. The killer soon confessed, but his story about what happened - and why he chose violence - would create more pain, conflict, and questions for the families left in the wake of the murders.
As the families of the men struggle to rebuild their lives, they face questions they never anticipated. Does everyone deserve a second chance? Who is forgiveness for? And if you can inherit trauma, can you also inherit forgiveness? Through their stories, we discover even the most personal decisions can unintentionally ripple through lives, through generations, even impacting the lives of people we’ve never met. From KSL Podcasts (Cold), Lemonada Media (Blind Plea) and WorkHouse Media.
Sales and Distribution by Lemonada Media https://lemonadamedia.com/  

True crime

On this holiday week, we are giving you a sample of one of our premium bonus episodes. Episode 7 will be released next week.

Does everyone in our criminal justice system deserve defending? Ed Brass was on Michael Moore’s defense team. Ed is also Amy’s husband (but she didn’t realize the connection until after she started researching the case). Ed and Amy share some remarkable stories from Ed’s career, including even more unlikely tales of forgiveness. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BONUS: Tales of Forgiveness from a Defense Attorney

Feelings of rage and retribution were melting away as Leslie Rasmussen drafted a letter to the man who murdered her brother, Jordan. She wrote the letter without talking to any of the family members, who nearly simultaneously came to their own conclusion. Michael Moore writes back.

For more on the Letter Season 2: Ripple Effect, including pictures, find us on social @theletterpodcast or visit our website, theletterpodcast.com. If you want to hear more and would like to support us, please consider subscribing on Apple podcasts for access to our bonus episodes. We drop a bonus episode every week. 

Written by Amy Donaldson and Andrea Smardon. 
Production and sound design by Andrea Smardon, Nina Earnest and Aaron Mason. Mixing by Trent Sell. 
Special thanks to Becky Bruce, KellieAnn Halvorsen, Ryan Meeks, Ben Kuebrich, Feliks Banel, Josh Tilton and Dave Cawley. 
Main musical score composed by Allison Leyton Brown.
With Lemonada Media, Executive Producers Jessica Cordova Kramer and Stephanie Wittels Wachs.
For WorkHouse Media, Executive Producer Paul Anderson. 
And for KSL Podcasts, Executive Producer Sheryl Worsley. 

The Letter is produced by KSL Podcasts and Lemonada Media in association with WorkHouse Media.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Whisperings

A decade passes since the brutal murders of Buddy Booth and Jordan Rasmussen. As their families wrestle with loss and rage, the man who killed them, Michael Patrick Moore, readies another plea for his parole. But as the Rasmussens prepare for war, they are caught off guard by what Moore does next. 
For more on the Letter Season 2: Ripple Effect, including pictures, find us on social @theletterpodcast or visit our website, theletterpodcast.com. If you want to hear more and would like to support us, please consider subscribing on Apple podcasts for access to our bonus episodes. We drop a bonus episode every week. 

Written by Amy Donaldson and Andrea Smardon. 
Production and sound design by Andrea Smardon, Nina Earnest and Aaron Mason. Mixing by Trent Sell. 
Special thanks to Becky Bruce, KellieAnn Halvorsen, Ryan Meeks, Ben Kuebrich, Feliks Banel, Josh Tilton and Dave Cawley. 
Main musical score composed by Allison Leyton Brown.
With Lemonada Media, Executive Producers Jessica Cordova Kramer and Stephanie Wittels Wachs.
For WorkHouse Media, Executive Producer Paul Anderson. 
And for KSL Podcasts, Executive Producer Sheryl Worsley. 

The Letter is produced by KSL Podcasts and Lemonada Media in association with WorkHouse Media.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our Brother

The families of Jordan Rasmussen and Buddy Booth realize the end of a trial doesn’t mean the end of their struggles. And only a year after Michael Moore is handed two life sentences, he makes a case for early release. But is the killer ready to take responsibility for the damage he caused?

For more on the Letter Season 2: Ripple Effect, including pictures, find us on social @theletterpodcast or visit our website, theletterpodcast.com. If you want to hear more and would like to support us, please consider subscribing on Apple podcasts for access to our bonus episodes. We drop a bonus episode every week.

Written by Amy Donaldson and Andrea Smardon. Production and sound design by Andrea Smardon, Nina Earnest and Aaron Mason. Mixing by Trent Sell. Special thanks to Becky Bruce, KellieAnn Halvorsen, Ryan Meeks, Ben Kuebrich, Feliks Banel, Josh Tilton and Dave Cawley. Main musical score composed by Allison Leyton Brown. With Lemonada Media, Executive Producers Jessica Cordova Kramer and Stephanie Wittels Wachs. For WorkHouse Media, Executive Producer Paul Anderson. And for KSL Podcasts, Executive Producer Sheryl Worsley. The Letter is produced by KSL Podcasts and Lemonada Media in association with WorkHouse Media. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Life Sentences

As lawyers prepare for trial, no one can make sense of Michael Moore’s motives. In the courtroom, the double murder suspect tells a paranoid story of assassins and organized crime. The widows of his victims testify at the trial, which will determine if Moore will face a firing squad.

For more on the Letter Season 2: Ripple Effect, including pictures, find us on social @theletterpodcast or visit our website, theletterpodcast.com. If you want to hear more and would like to support us, please consider subscribing on Apple podcasts for access to our bonus episodes. We drop a bonus episode every week. 

Written by Amy Donaldson and Andrea Smardon. 
Production and sound design by Andrea Smardon, Nina Earnest and Aaron Mason. Mixing by Trent Sell. 
Special thanks to Becky Bruce, KellieAnn Halvorsen, Ryan Meeks, Ben Kuebrich, Feliks Banel, Josh Tilton and Dave Cawley. 
Main musical score composed by Allison Leyton Brown.
With Lemonada Media, Executive Producers Jessica Cordova Kramer and Stephanie Wittels Wachs.
For WorkHouse Media, Executive Producer Paul Anderson. 
And for KSL Podcasts, Executive Producer Sheryl Worsley. 

The Letter is produced by KSL Podcasts and Lemonada Media in association with WorkHouse Media. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Season One Bonus: Embracing Grief

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