Épisodes

  • Overcoming Adversity: A Journey of Resilience with Dr. Nicole Wilke
    Jul 22 2025

    In this episode, host Carrie M. Holt engages with Dr. Nicole Wilke, a researcher and therapist, discussing the challenges and triumphs of parenting children with special needs. They explore the importance of resilience, the impact of early adversity, and the role of attachment in healing. Dr. Wilke shares her personal experiences and insights, emphasizing the need for faith, community, and support in navigating this complex parenting journey.

    Eps. 18; July 22, 2025

    Resources:

    • Would You Change it? My Article on Substack
    • Learn more about Overcoming and Caleb Koala's Comeback Ride
    • Helping Children with Disabilities Thrive ebook
    • Purchase the book Overcoming: What Scripture & Science Say About Resilience
    • Purchase the book Caleb Koala's Comeback Ride: A Journey to Overcoming
    • Follow Dr. Nicole Wilke on Instagram
    • Find Dr. Nicole Wilke on LinkedIn
    • Learn more about Dr. Nicole Wilke on the CAFO Website
    • Learn more about the Christian Alliance for Orphans

    If you enjoyed the show, leave a 5-star review!

    • Get my new resource: 5 Practices For Processing Grief
    • Click here if you want to be a guest on the show
    • Carrie’s Facebook or Instagram
    • Find me on Substack
    • My book: The Other Side of Special

    *This podcast features honest conversations with special needs parents and faith-filled guests. While I deeply value the stories and insights shared, the views and opinions expressed may not always reflect my own. Any resources listed are shared for reference, not necessarily a personal recommendation. I invite you to listen with spiritual discernment and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in what you hold onto and set aside.

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    27 min
  • A Journey of Acceptance With Kara Ryska
    Jul 15 2025

    In this episode of This Unexpected Life, host Carrie M Holt engages in a heartfelt conversation with Kara Ryska, a dedicated advocate for families navigating the challenges of raising children with disabilities. Kara shares her personal journey as a mother of four, including her experiences with her son's brain tumors and the complexities of parenting a child with diverse disabilities. The discussion delves into themes of grief, faith recovery, repeated acceptance of circumstances, and the importance of finding joy amidst adversity.

    Eps. 17; July 15, 2025

    Resources:
    Kara’s Website
    The Special Needs Mom Podcast

    Kara Ryska on IG


    If you enjoyed the show, leave a 5-star review!

    • Get my new resource: 5 Practices For Processing Grief
    • Click here if you want to be a guest on the show
    • Carrie’s Facebook or Instagram
    • Find me on Substack
    • My book: The Other Side of Special

    *This podcast features honest conversations with special needs parents and faith-filled guests. While I deeply value the stories and insights shared, the views and opinions expressed may not always reflect my own. Any resources listed are shared for reference, not necessarily a personal recommendation. I invite you to listen with spiritual discernment and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in what you hold onto and set aside.

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    32 min
  • Finding Hope In The Unexpected Grief With Paula Romang
    Jul 8 2025

    In this episode, Carrie M Holt interviews Paula Romang, who shares her journey of motherhood, particularly the challenges and joys of infertility, premature twins, and a son with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome. Paula discusses her initial expectations, the reality of caregiving, and the profound grief that accompanies the realization of having a special needs child. She emphasizes the importance of faith, the struggle to understand God's plan amidst hardship, and the necessity of finding hope in Christ.

    Ep. 16, July 8, 2025

    Resources:
    Paula Romang’s Website
    Instagram
    Thriving in the Barren Place

    If you enjoyed the show, leave a 5-star review!

    • Get my new resource: 5 Practices For Processing Grief
    • Click here if you want to be a guest on the show
    • Carrie’s Facebook or Instagram
    • Find me on Substack
    • My book: The Other Side of Special

    *This podcast features honest conversations with special needs parents and faith-filled guests. While I deeply value the stories and insights shared, the views and opinions expressed may not always reflect my own. Any resources listed are shared for reference, not necessarily a personal recommendation. I invite you to listen with spiritual discernment and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in what you hold onto and set aside.

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    34 min
  • Bringing Hope, Humor, and Healing to this Unexpected Journey With Amber Pierson & Chelsea Kuhn
    Jul 1 2025

    In this episode, Carrie M Holt interviewed Chelsea Kuhn and Amber Pierson from Making Lemon Cake, who share their journeys as medical mothers. They discuss the challenges and triumphs of parenting children with medical complexities, emphasizing the importance of community, finding joy in small victories, and the role of surrender in their experiences. The conversation underscores the importance of support, understanding, and connection among parents navigating similar paths, while also providing practical advice and encouragement for those in similar situations.

    Ep. 15: July 1, 2025

    Resources:
    Find Chelsea & Amber on Instagram
    Making Lemon Cake Website
    20% off ebook: Code: UNEXPECTEDLIFE

    If you enjoyed the show, leave a 5-star review!

    • Get my new resource: 5 Practices For Processing Grief
    • Click here if you want to be a guest on the show
    • Carrie’s Facebook or Instagram
    • Find me on Substack
    • My book: The Other Side of Special

    *This podcast features honest conversations with special needs parents and faith-filled guests. While I deeply value the stories and insights shared, the views and opinions expressed may not always reflect my own. Any resources listed are shared for reference, not necessarily a personal recommendation. I invite you to listen with spiritual discernment and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in what you hold onto and set aside.

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    46 min
  • Creating Family Memories Through Travel: An Interview with Kristin Faith Evans
    Jun 17 2025

    In this episode, Carrie Holt interviews Kristin Faith Evans, who shares her journey as a mother of a child with disabilities. Kristin discusses the challenges and joys of parenting, the importance of family travel, and practical tips for families with medically fragile children. She emphasizes the need for a positive mindset, baby steps in travel, and the significance of creating lasting family memories.

    Ep. 14: June 17, 2025

    Resources:

    Disability Parenting

    How to Build a Thriving Marriage Book

    Find Kristin on Instagram or Facebook

    If you enjoyed the show, leave a 5-star review!

    • Get my new resource: 5 Practices For Processing Grief
    • Click here if you want to be a guest on the show
    • Carrie’s Facebook or Instagram
    • Find me on Substack
    • My book: The Other Side of Special

    *This podcast features honest conversations with special needs parents and faith-filled guests. While I deeply value the stories and insights shared, the views and opinions expressed may not always reflect my own. Any resources listed are shared for reference, not necessarily a personal recommendation. I invite you to listen with spiritual discernment and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in what you hold onto and set aside.

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    33 min
  • Courageous Travel With Medically Fragile Kids: An Interview with Erika Weise
    Jun 10 2025

    In this episode, Carrie Holt interviews Erika Weise about the challenges and joys of traveling with a child with special needs. They discuss the importance of family travel, the planning involved, and the memories created through these experiences. Erika shares her family's journey, the obstacles they face, and the courage it takes to make travel happen. The conversation emphasizes the need for flexibility, trust, and the value of creating lasting memories as a family.

    Ep. 13; June 10, 2025

    Resources:
    Interview with Erika Weise on Take Heart

    Access Tracks

    If you enjoyed the show, leave a 5-star review!

    • Get my new resource: 5 Practices For Processing Grief
    • Click here if you want to be a guest on the show
    • Carrie’s Facebook or Instagram
    • Find me on Substack
    • My book: The Other Side of Special

    *This podcast features honest conversations with special needs parents and faith-filled guests. While I deeply value the stories and insights shared, the views and opinions expressed may not always reflect my own. Any resources listed are shared for reference, not necessarily a personal recommendation. I invite you to listen with spiritual discernment and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in what you hold onto and set aside.

    Voir plus Voir moins
    28 min
  • When You Want To Do Big Things For God, and The Unexpected Happens
    Jun 3 2025

    Today, we hear from Miranda Bailey, a mother of four whose plans for their family didn’t turn out the way she expected when the country closed to adopting the girl they wanted to bring home, and then their fourth son was born with Holoprosencephaly. Listen as she shares her story of navigating grief, expectations, how jealousy leads to isolation, surrender, and finding purpose when caregiving feels never-ending. Connect with Miranda, as she’s vulnerable and honest about gaining perspective and how to hold on to hope when the unexpected happens.

    Ep. 12: June 3, 2025

    Resources:
    Absolute Surrender by Andrew Murray
    His Glory and My Good by CityAlight
    When God Doesn’t Answer Your Prayer by Jerry Sittser

    If you enjoyed the show, leave a 5-star review!

    • Get my new resource: 5 Practices For Processing Grief
    • Click here if you want to be a guest on the show
    • Carrie’s Facebook or Instagram
    • Find me on Substack
    • My book: The Other Side of Special

    *This podcast features honest conversations with special needs parents and faith-filled guests. While I deeply value the stories and insights shared, the views and opinions expressed may not always reflect my own. Any resources listed are shared for reference, not necessarily a personal recommendation. I invite you to listen with spiritual discernment and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in what you hold onto and set aside.

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    31 min
  • Encouragement For Sharing Your Story in the Unexpected: Part 2 with Mackenzie Walters
    May 20 2025

    In part two of this interview with Mackenzie Walters, she shares the different types of faith stories, some guardrails for sharing, and how to decide what and when to share with others. She also offers some practical advice on knowing when you’re not ready to tell your story and how our stories are often a guide for others.

    Episode 11: May 20, 2025

    Resources:
    Faith Storytellers
    Book: Faith Storytellers

    If you enjoyed the show, leave a 5-star review!

    • Get my new resource: 5 Practices For Processing Grief
    • Click here if you want to be a guest on the show
    • Carrie’s Facebook or Instagram
    • Find me on Substack
    • My book: The Other Side of Special

    *This podcast features honest conversations with special needs parents and faith-filled guests. While I deeply value the stories and insights shared, the views and opinions expressed may not always reflect my own. Any resources listed are shared for reference, not necessarily a personal recommendation. I invite you to listen with spiritual discernment and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in what you hold onto and set aside.

    Voir plus Voir moins
    28 min