Lunchtime in Rome Podcast Episode 281: Gab Hershman’s Inspiring Journey
In Episode 281 of the Lunchtime in Rome podcast, hosts Jay, Brian, and Eric welcome Gab Hershman , the founder of Sola Gratia Vita Ministry, for a heartfelt and inspiring conversation. Gab shares her remarkable life story, from her challenging childhood to her transformative journey as a bereavement doula and ministry leader, offering listeners a powerful testament to resilience, faith, and purpose.
A Journey Through Adversity Gab’s story begins in Penn Hills, Pittsburgh, after being born in Long Island, New York. Raised by her mother following her parents’ separation, Gab navigated a complex childhood, traveling alone to visit her father in New York from a young age. Despite forming close bonds with friends, her need for belonging was tested early on when she became pregnant at 16, leading her to leave high school and earn a GED. This life-altering experience brought shame and isolation, but also unexpected support, such as a compassionate response from a church member that left a lasting impact on her mother.
As a single mother to her daughter Lila, Gab faced significant challenges, balancing co-parenting and a career in the beauty industry. She witnessed profound brokenness in her clients, mirroring her own struggles, which sparked a desire to help others. During this time, she met her husband, Ben, at a party, marking the beginning of a new chapter. Together, they welcomed a son and later faced the heartbreaking loss of their daughter, Catalina, at 24 weeks due to Turner syndrome. This tragedy, coupled with the support of their church community, deepened their faith and set Gab on a path of service.
From Grief to Purpose: Becoming a Bereavement Doula Catalina’s loss introduced Gab to the role of a bereavement doula, a professional who provides emotional, educational, and logistical support to families experiencing pregnancy loss or high-risk pregnancies. Inspired by her own bereavement doula, Heather Bradley, Gab trained to become a doula herself, initially focusing on standard childbirth support before specializing in bereavement care. Her work involves guiding families through unimaginable grief, helping with memory-making, funeral arrangements, and emotional processing, ensuring they feel supported during their darkest moments.
Gab’s experiences led her to found Sola Gratia Vita Ministry, which focuses on counseling and supporting women through traumatic childbirth experiences. She emphasizes the importance of addressing the emotional and spiritual needs of grieving mothers, who often feel isolated and overlooked after medical care ends. Her recent presentation at a hospital, equipping healthcare providers with counseling skills, highlights her growing impact in bridging faith-based support with clinical care.
A Ministry of Belonging and Comfort Gab’s story is deeply tied to her high relational needs for belonging and comfort, shaped by her childhood and reinforced through her ministry. Sola Gratia Vita offers a lifeline to women navigating the aftermath of childbirth trauma, providing counseling and community to help them process their grief and reclaim their identity. Gab’s journey from a struggling teen to a compassionate leader underscores the podcast’s mission to “rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15).
How to Support Sola Gratia Vita Listeners are encouraged to support Gab’s mission by visiting the Sola Gratia Vita Instagram page for more information or donating through the GiveSendGo platform (links available in the podcast show notes). Gab welcomes opportunities to connect with those who want to learn more or contribute to her ministry’s work.
Join the Conversation Episode 281 is a moving exploration of Gab Hershman’s life, from personal trials to a calling that brings hope to others. Tune in to hear her full story, including personal updates from the hosts, and stay connected by subscribing to Lunchtime in Rome on your favorite podcast platform or visiting lunchtimeinrome.com. Take the relational needs questionnaire to reflect on your own journey, and join the hosts next week for Episode 282.
Listen now on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts, and don’t forget to give Lunchtime in Rome a five-star review!
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