In this episode of Authentically Rachel, Rachel speaks with Anne Howard, a longtime educator, missionary, two-time cancer survivor, caregiver, and leader of a thriving cancer support ministry.

Anne shares how her faith sustained her through stage 4 colon cancer, breast cancer, her husband’s Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s diagnoses, and the unexpected loss of her daughter. Through every painful season, she has held tightly to the truth that God knows, God cares, and He remains with us in the fire.

Rachel and Anne also discuss the healing power of serving others, the importance of Christian community, and how churches can support individuals and families facing cancer, caregiving, and grief. Anne’s story reminds us that suffering does not have to leave us isolated or bitter—it can become an opportunity to encourage others and shine the light of Christ.

In this episode:

• Surviving stage 4 colon cancer and breast cancer
• Finding strength through Scripture and Christian mentors
• Caring for a husband with serious neurological conditions
• Walking through the unexpected loss of a daughter
• What to say—and what not to say—to someone who is grieving
• Why serving others can be an important part of healing
• Building meaningful support within the church
• Sharing the gospel through compassion and community
• Choosing faith over fear of the future

Scriptures mentioned:

• Proverbs 31:25
• 2 Corinthians 1:3–4
• Proverbs 3:5–6
• 1 Peter 5:7
• Luke 5:31–32
• Daniel 3

To learn more about Anne’s cancer support ministry, visit the Woodmen Valley Chapel website and look under Congregational Care and Support Groups.

https://rms.woodmenvalley.org/page/1810?Worker=46ddc815-fb4c-4b28-8aac-1c79754dfa26

Check out Authentically Rachel on Instagram, YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts 

http://www.youtube.com/@Authentically-Rachel-Podcast

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If this conversation encouraged you, please subscribe and share it with someone who needs hope and subscribe to Authentically Rachel for more honest conversations about faith, resilience, and the power of personal testimony.

Ep 18 - Tiny Miracles with Mel Woodworth 

In this heartfelt episode of Authentically Rachel, Rachel sits down with author Mel Woodworth to discuss the deeply personal journey that inspired her book, Tiny Miracles. From growing up as a military child to navigating autoimmune disease, multiple miscarriages, infertility, and ultimately experiencing God's faithfulness, Mel shares how suffering became the foundation of an even greater testimony.

Together, Rachel and Mel explore the grief that often remains hidden, the hope found in Christ, and the reminder that God is still writing our stories—even when life doesn't unfold the way we planned.

In This Episode

Memorable Quotes

"God isn't finished yet. Watch what He can do."

"Authenticity is embracing every part of your story—the beautiful and the broken."

"Motherhood comes in many forms, and every one of them matters."

Scripture Mentioned

About Mel Woodworth

Mel Woodworth is the author of Tiny Miracles, where she shares her journey through autoimmune disease, infertility, recurrent miscarriage, and God's faithfulness. Her passion is encouraging women who feel unseen or hopeless to trust that God is still at work—even in life's hardest seasons.

Resources

Connect with Rachel

If today's conversation encouraged you, please:

The Power of Your Testimony with Jennifer Huffman

In this heartfelt conversation, Rachel sits down with her friend Jennifer Huffman to discuss the life-changing power of sharing our personal testimonies. From a chance meeting while Rachel searched for a lost hearing aid to a friendship rooted in faith, this episode reminds us that God often works through the most unexpected moments.

Jennifer shares how God has used her testimony to encourage others, why no testimony is too small, and how authenticity allows us to live out our God-given purpose. Together, Rachel and Jennifer explore biblical examples of courageous faith, the importance of trusting God's timing, and why our greatest struggles can become someone else's greatest source of hope.

Whether you've been hesitant to tell your story or you're wondering if your experiences really matter, this conversation will encourage you to step out in faith and trust that God can use every chapter of your life for His glory.

In This Episode

Memorable Quote:

"No testimony is wasted. Sometimes the very thing you've walked through becomes the breakthrough someone else needs."

Scripture References

Connect with Jennifer Huffman

TicTok: Jennifer Miracle (@jennifer.miracle7) | TikTok

Youtube:  Jennifer Miracle - YouTube

Connect with Rachel

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authenticallyrachel_podcast/

Youtube: Authentically Rachel - YouTube

Website: https://authentically-rachel.com/

Apple Podcasts: Authentically Rachel - Podcast - Apple Podcasts

Spotify: Authentically Rachel | Podcast on Spotify

If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who could use a little hope today.

In this episode of Authentically Rachel, Rachel sits down with a longtime friend Sarah Carter to talk about living with OCD, receiving a diagnosis in adulthood, and navigating faith in the middle of invisible struggles. Sarah shares honestly about mental health, suffering, and the importance of compassion, reminding listeners that even in the hardest seasons, they are not alone.

Resources Mentioned:

Notable Quotes:

Connect with Authentically Rachel:

If this episode encouraged you, please:

Apple Podcasts: Authentically Rachel - Podcast - Apple Podcasts

Website: Home | Authentically Rachel

Spotify: Authentically Rachel | Podcast on Spotify

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Instagram: @authenticallyrachel_podcast

Welcome back to Authentically Rachel—your space for meaningful conversations that inspire faith, deepen resilience, and encourage authentic living.

In the second half of Rachel’s conversation with Brittany, they reflect on the lasting impact of trauma and the journey toward healing. Brittany shares her powerful decision not only to forgive the man who harmed her, but to recognize his humanity by calling him by name. The episode closes with a thoughtful discussion on what it truly means to live authentically.

In this episode:

Do you have a story and want to share it? 

Connect with Rachel

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachel.bailey.58760/

Instagram: Instagram

Website: Authentically-Rachel.com 

Welcome back to Authentically Rachel—your home for inspirational conversations that strengthen faith and build resilience.

In this powerful Season 2 premiere, Rachel sits down with Brittany Todd for the first installment of a deeply moving two-part conversation. Brittany shares how her life changed in an instant after a violent home invasion led to her young daughter being taken. What follows is a story marked by unimaginable fear, unwavering faith, and a miracle that would ultimately bring hope in the midst of trauma.

This episode dives into the beginning of Brittany’s journey—her raw emotions, the immediate aftermath, and the strength she found in her darkest moment. It’s a gripping and emotional conversation that sets the stage for part two of her story.

In this episode:

Connect with Rachel:

Merry Christmas Everyone! Over the past year I have been so fortunate to get to do this podcast. I will be forever grateful to those who have so vulnerably shared their stories with me. From my first interview with Rachel Wagner discussing how God sustained her through her many miscarriages, to Kelly Hall, discussing how God guided her through the chaos of life raising three children with disabilities and moving every two to three years. I will forever be grateful to my guests! 

Me: Being born with a rare genetic chromosomal condition that left me with a host of problems, infertility, short stature, hearing loss, to a near fatal car accident in college that left me with my head being separated from my spine and severe traumatic brain injury

Rachel Wagner: A worship leader in Oklahoma who had 6 miscarriages, importance of allowing your spouse to grieve differently, how important worship is to our grieving hearts. God sees you and knows your struggles. 

Irene Inda: Growing up in Guatemala to living a fulfilled life in America, Irene and Rachel discuss the reality of moving away from your country, starting a family, to having an autistic son. Irene goes into extraordinary detail about the challenges she faced and how God sustained her.

Diana Plummer: Diana shares her life story where she has battled with loss after loss. From loosing her father at 16 to her first husband in her 20’s Diana opens up about how God reached down and redeemed her life and brough her close to himself. 

Jamie Phillips: Suffering from three traumatic births, Jamie goes into detail about how God was with her allowing her to grow closer to him with each trial she faced. Jamie discusses the strength of her family and faith in God has kept her rock solid. 

Regina and Kaci Caves: In a special two-part episode, Regina discussed how her daughter was diagnosed with Rasmussen’s Encephalitis. Dr. Ben Carson performed a left Hemispherectomy on Kaci and while the media documented it for John’s Hopkins. Kaci ends the two-part episode with sharing the hope she has in Christ and an encouraging word.

Beth Wahl: 20 years ago, Beth suffered a tragedy that is every parent’s worst nightmare, her son took his own life. A teacher and lover of God’s word, Beth describes how to look for God’s goodness in the midst of such pain.

Rachel Peterson: Born to two drug addicted parents, Rachel and her two siblings were adopted by two giving and selfless parents. The trauma of her early childhood gave her a host of problems, but God sought after her heart and after marring the man of her dreams she gave her life to Christ and his redemptive work. 

Linda Graf: A talented musician, Linda obtained a job at her local church. During her time there Linda was confronted by her church elder and friend stating she suffered from bitterness. Since then, she has been on a mission helping others dig their way out of the roots of bitterness. 

Kelly Hall: Bible teacher and fellow podcaster, Kelly goes into depth about how to find unshakable hope when we feel lost and the circumstances of life are out of our control. Three of her four children have special needs, and Kelly goes into detail about how God ministered to her through his word and shares how He put it on her heart to step into podcasting.

Why does Gods timing seem so slow? Join Rachel for another authentic conversation with Kelly Hall. Kelly is an author and host of the Unshakable Hope Podcast, for which she has won the “Hidden Treasure Podcast Award”. Through her podcast, Kelly has conversations with women who have gone through challenging circumstances. In each episode she expertly guides every conversation showing God’s faithfulness and how we can trust him with our circumstances. Kelly is no stranger to life’s hardships, and she discusses her own faith journey and how God has helped her raise three children with special needs and become the woman she is today. 

Take Away 

• Trusting in God is a choice
• How do we believe God when his ways are so very different than ours

Bible Verses Mentioned

• Proverbs 3: 5-6
• Deuteronomy 31:8
• Isaiah 41:10
• Psalm 34:18

Kelly's Website: https://kellyhall.org
Kelly's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelly.marie.hall/

Have you ever struggled with bitterness? You're not alone. In this episode, Rachel sits down with Linda Graf — wife, mother, Bible teacher, musician, and author of Bitter Truth: My Story of Bitterness, Grace, and Repentance. Linda opens up about her personal journey through bitterness and how she was healed by God’s grace. She shares powerful insights from her book and the accompanying Bible study, offering encouragement to anyone walking a similar path. Rachel and Linda dive into the importance of repentance, and Rachel reflects on timeless wisdom she learned from her mother.

What You’ll Hear:

• Linda’s story of recognizing and confronting bitterness
• Encouragement for anyone struggling with unforgiveness
• A candid conversation about spiritual growth and healing

Resources Mentioned:

• Bitter Truth: My Story of Bitterness, Grace, and Repentance by Linda Graf
• Bitter Truth Study Guide (10 lessons to fight bitterness) by Linda Graf
• Linda's Website: https://lindagraf.org
• The Speed of Trust by Stephen MR Covey
• Unoffendable by Brant Hansen
• Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges

Bible Verses Mentioned:

• James 5:16 “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power, and it is working.” ESV
• Philippians 2:3-4 “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” ESV
• Jeremiah 17:5-9 “Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a shrub in the desert and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?" ESV
• Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” ESV
• Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” ESV

Join Rachel as she leads Rachel Peterson in an in-depth conversation about disability, identity, redeeming love, and finding her purpose as she transverses life with joint-breaking dystonia and spirit crushing complex PTSD. God has shown himself in a real tangible way through relationships, hope, and identity in Christ. Near the end, the two women catch up as friends and Rachel Peterson is the one asking the questions! Rachel talks about what life was like for her during those early days in the hospital as well as how her life has changed since starting Authentically Rachel. 

External Links

• Podcast Website: https://authentically-rachel.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authenticallyrachel_podcast/
• YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsrDAVfvraYALSVTI5karxg