Welcome to An Ordinary World Story Cellar podcast. Stories of inspiration that highlight how we are all connected in this world.

In this deeply moving episode, we continue our conversation with the incredible Carol Thomas. From her journey starting at community college to her time at Harvard, Carol’s resilience and faith have guided her through extraordinarychallenges—including surviving a traumatic brain injury, overcoming homelessness, and even working as a bike repairer while studying at one of the world’s most prestigious universities.

Host Christine shares how Carol’s perseverance inspired her own battle with cancer, creating a powerful connection between their stories of endurance. Carol opens up about the moment she was diagnosed with a brain injury, the struggles of memory loss, and how she still managed to excel academically. Through every challenge, her faith remained unshaken, guiding her step by step.

This episode is a testament to the power of determination, faith, and the impact one story can have on another. Tune in for an unforgettable conversation filled with hope, inspiration, and unwavering courage.

Special thanks to Jet Beardsall and Lev Roth & Micah Kermanfor your original music used in our intro and outro.

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ORDINARY WORLD PODCAST 
website | https://rebeccabeardsall.com/podcasts/

REBECCA BEARDSALL
website | https://rebeccabeardsall.com
Instagram | @author_rebeccabeardsall

If you have a story to share or would like to bepart of our story cellar, please reach out to: [email protected]

Welcome to An Ordinary World Story Cellar podcast. Stories of inspiration that highlight how we are all connected in this world.

In this inspiring episode, we welcome back Carol Thomas as she shares the next chapter of her incredible journey to Harvard. From overcoming a devastating moped accident during video production school to battling imposter syndrome and homelessness while pursuing her dream, Carol’s story is one of resilience, faith, and unwavering determination.

Hear how a series of challenges—including financial hurdles, housing struggles, and even multiple cycling accidents—couldn’t stop her from pushing forward. Through moments ofdoubt and unexpected miracles, Carol’s belief in her calling carried her through.

Join us as we dive deep into this powerful story of perseverance, divine intervention, and the courage to keepmoving forward—no matter the obstacles.

Special thanks to Jet Beardsall and Lev Roth & Micah Kermanfor your original music used in our intro and outro.

Socials

ORDINARY WORLD PODCAST 
website | https://rebeccabeardsall.com/podcasts/

REBECCA BEARDSALL
website | https://rebeccabeardsall.com
Instagram | @author_rebeccabeardsall

If you have a story to share or would like to be part ofour story cellar, please reach out to: [email protected]

Welcometo An Ordinary World Story Cellar podcast.

In this inspiring episode, Christine welcomes her longtime friend Carol Thomas to share her powerful journey from being labeled a "slow learner" to earning a degree from Harvard Extension School.

Carol takes us through her early struggles in education, the deep-seated insecurities she carried, and the pivotal moment in her late 40s when she decided to go back to school—startingat a fourth-grade level. With perseverance, faith, and unexpected encouragement, she went on to achieve academic success she once thought impossible.

This conversation is a testament to the power of resilience, the importance of rewriting personal narratives, and how it’s never too late to pursue education. If you've ever doubted yourpotential or needed a reminder that change is possible, this episode is for you.

Special thanks to Jet Beardsall and Lev Roth & Micah Kermanfor your original music used in our intro and outro.

Socials

ORDINARY WORLD PODCAST 
website | https://rebeccabeardsall.com/podcasts/

REBECCA BEARDSALL
website | https://rebeccabeardsall.com
Instagram | @author_rebeccabeardsall

If you have a story to share or would like to bepart of our story cellar, please reach out to: [email protected]

Welcome to An Ordinary World: Full of Unforeseen Circumstances podcast!

In this episode, Rebecca had the wonderful experience of interviewing Christine’s mom, Debbie DeMers. During our conversation, we talked about the role of a caregiver and the faith that Debbie leaned on while walking alongside Christine during her healing journey. Debbie is a powerhouse of determination, tenacity, and love, and all of that and much more made her the perfect person to step into this caregiver role.

Throughout the conversation, there were many chill-inspiring moments. This was a delight, and we hope you enjoy this insightful chat as much as we did.

Socials

ORDINARY WORLD PODCAST

website | ⁠⁠https://rebeccabeardsall.com/podcast/⁠⁠

CHRISTINE CRICCHIO

LinkedIn | ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-cricchio-msw-951a6b7?lipi⁠⁠

REBECCA BEARDSALL

website | ⁠⁠https://rebeccabeardsall.com⁠⁠

Instagram | ⁠⁠@author_rebeccabeardsall⁠⁠

NMDP*

website | ⁠⁠https://bethematch.org/⁠⁠

Instagram | ⁠⁠@nmdp_org⁠⁠

TikTok | ⁠⁠@nmdp_org⁠⁠

Be The Match has rebranded and is now NMDP. A new name but the same mission. Find cures. Save lives.

Welcome to An Ordinary World: Full of Unforeseen Circumstances podcast!

In this episode, we welcome back Nurse Andi Bowen, a nurse who specialized in helping cancer patients for over 47 years. We learn about the process of what happens between cell donation and transplant.

We also learned more about the Hickman line, a central venous catheter used to administer chemotherapy and other medications. And that Andi worked with Dr. Hickman in Seattle. It was fascinating to hear about Andi’s experience with these major breakthroughs in medicine.

This episode was a beautiful conversation between Christine and the nurse who took care of her during her stay at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (now known as Fred Hutch Cancer Center). During the interview, Andi shared the heart and love she poured into her nursing practice when she talked about the excitement of “someone new to love” when a cancer patient came to her floor.

Socials

ORDINARY WORLD PODCAST

website | ⁠⁠https://rebeccabeardsall.com/podcast/⁠⁠

CHRISTINE CRICCHIO

LinkedIn | ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-cricchio-msw-951a6b7?lipi⁠⁠

REBECCA BEARDSALL

website | ⁠⁠https://rebeccabeardsall.com⁠⁠

Instagram | ⁠⁠@author_rebeccabeardsall⁠⁠

NMDP*

website | ⁠⁠https://bethematch.org/⁠⁠

Instagram | ⁠⁠@nmdp_org⁠⁠

TikTok | ⁠⁠@nmdp_org⁠⁠

Be The Match has rebranded and is

*Please note: we are not affiliated with NMDP, but if you

Welcome to An Ordinary World: Full of Unforeseen Circumstances podcast!

In this episode, we talk with Andi Bowen, a nurse who worked for over 47 years in the cancer wing of Fred Hutch and UW Medical/Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. As she said in the interview, “I found something I wanted to do, and I stayed.” During this interview, we learn about the differences between bone marrow transplants and stem cell transplants and explore the treatment process after transplant day.

Socials

ORDINARY WORLD PODCAST

website | ⁠⁠https://rebeccabeardsall.com/podcast/⁠⁠

CHRISTINE CRICCHIO

LinkedIn | ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-cricchio-msw-951a6b7?lipi⁠⁠

REBECCA BEARDSALL

website | ⁠⁠https://rebeccabeardsall.com⁠⁠

Instagram | ⁠⁠@author_rebeccabeardsall⁠⁠

NMDP*

website | ⁠⁠https://bethematch.org/⁠⁠

Instagram | ⁠⁠@nmdp_org⁠⁠

TikTok | ⁠⁠@nmdp_org⁠⁠

Be The Match has rebranded and is

*Please note: we are not affiliated with NMDP, but if you

Welcome to An Ordinary World: Full of Unforeseen Circumstances podcast!

In this episode, we hear from Christine as she progresses through her 100 days and her time at the Pete Gross House in Seattle. We learn about the magical Tan Team as they partner alongside her and her caregiver (her mom) through her healing journey.

We talk about the importance of sharing our stories and how it is a process of healing as well as a moment to join the other stories that are out there in the world… Christine’s cancer journey is her own, but it is also part of a large story.

Socials

ORDINARY WORLD PODCAST

website | ⁠https://rebeccabeardsall.com/podcast/⁠

CHRISTINE CRICCHIO

LinkedIn | ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-cricchio-msw-951a6b7?lipi⁠

REBECCA BEARDSALL

website | ⁠https://rebeccabeardsall.com⁠

Instagram | ⁠@author_rebeccabeardsall⁠

NMDP*

website | ⁠https://bethematch.org/⁠

Instagram | ⁠@nmdp_org⁠

TikTok | ⁠@nmdp_org⁠

Be The Match has rebranded and is now NMDP. A new name but the same mission. Find cures. Save lives.

*Please note: we are not affiliated with NMDP, but if you want to learn more about them, here are some of their channels.