Two Tragedies, One Family… How I Survived Losing Them Both

There are moments in life that split everything into “before” and “after.” And for Ben Longshore, it began with one sentence from his father: “Take care of your mom and sister.” Hours later, he learned there was no pulse.

In this raw and deeply human conversation, I sit down with my cousin Ben, someone I’ve known my entire life, as he opens up about the night his dad unexpectedly passed away, the weight of being 16 when everything changed, and the choice to step into a role he never asked for. His story doesn’t end there. Seven years later, another tragedy struck our family, forcing him to face grief all over again and ask the questions no one wants to ask: Why now? How do you keep going? Where is God in all this?

This episode is about loss, faith, resilience, family, and the quiet strength you don’t know you have until life demands it. If you’ve walked through grief, felt responsible for others, or wondered how to rebuild after tragedy, this conversation will stay with you.

Watch this episode to hear Ben’s powerful journey and be reminded that even in the heaviest moments, hope still has a voice.

Key Moments:
0:00 The Last Words His Dad Ever Said
3:00 The Day That Changed His Life Forever
7:04 The Moment He Knew Something Was Wrong
12:18 The Night Before Everything Went Wrong
17:10 The Prayer That Shifted the Room
21:45 Telling His Sister Their Dad Was Gone
25:40 How the Community Showed Up Overnight
30:12 The Spiritual Perspective That Saved Him
35:40 The Father-Son Moments He Still Misses
39:54 Dreams, Football, and a Life Rewritten
43:02 Why Showing Up Matters More Than Words
49:35 The 30-Hour Drive They'll Never Forget
51:20 Seven Years Later, Another Tragedy Hits
55:24 “Nick Is in the Hospital”: Reliving Old Trauma
59:58 The ATV Accident That Changed Everything
1:03:49 Praying for a Miracle That Didn’t Come
1:07:22 Helping His Sister-in-Law Survive the Impossible
1:12:28 The Organ Donor Story No One Expected
1:17:08 How That Meeting Changed Their Family Forever
1:23:56 How He Leads His Family Differently Now
1:28:40 Why “Stepping Up” Matters More Than Ever

Guest Info:
IG: @‌ben.longshore (instagram.com/ben.longshore)