Barren not Broken

Dustin and Amy are dear friends who have walked through unimaginable loss and grief. After years of trying to conceive, they were so excited to find out they were pregnant. Their dreams were unexpectedly crushed when they discovered that their daughter, Leila, was going to be still born and would have to be delivered via c-section Christmas week.

As you listen to this episode, you will be gripped with both sadness and a sense of hope. In the midst of heart wrenching loss, they have discovered how to strengthen their marriage, dream again and hold firm to their faith. Leila is honored daily and her parents live out her miraculous legacy with such grace and love. I hope that as you hear their story, you will be marked with a sense of promise in the midst of devastation. I pray you discover the  strength to stand firm in who you are even in the darkest of days.

Dustin and Amy are unfiltered and raw as they give us some  relational and practical wisdom on how to walk with someone who has experienced deep and unexplainable loss. These two incredible parents have done an incredible job of allowing Leila’s legacy to be present, while still looking forward to all that God has for them. They are two of the bravest people I know, so lean in, take in and allow their story to impart purpose to your own.

Join me and three of my dearest friends, as we discuss the importance of learning to advocate for ourselves in the midst of joy and grief colliding. Edna is a wife, nurse, mom of a baby in heaven and soon to come baby Eden. She is saucy in the best kind of way, full of wisdom and diligently aims to live out truth.  Gayle is a wife, mom, life coach and cancer survivor. She is brave and bold wrapped in the kindest heart I know. I have learned so much from her. Sara is a single mom who has overcome heartache and learned to use her voice when it matters most. She lives boldly in her faith and brilliantly expresses her creativity.  We’ve all had to speak up and stand up for ourselves, determining that the pages of our story will be defined by purpose and not our pain. We get real and vulnerable as we share our personal experiences of being faced with the question, “How do I advocate for myself in this moment?”. Come along with us as we seek to answer that question. No matter the barren places in our lives, let’s not live broken! 

Andrea and Dustin have walked through years of infertility, exploring every option available. Despite trying IUI, IVF, acupuncture and everything in between, they were left with empty hands and discouraged hearts. After years of being met with traumatic loss, their story is one of unexpected beauty and unforeseen miracles.  They have determined to know hope in spite of disappointment and now live with hands full and hearts abounding in love. No matter the barren places in our lives, we do not have to live broken.

Join me as I talk to these two Bff's who have walked through sharing two different moments; one of incredible Joy and the other a very deep sadness.  One friend is welcoming new life into the world while at the same time her friend is grieving the loss of a life hoped for. 

Join in on my conversation with my sister-n-law, Neci. She shares her story of having Turner Syndrome and how it has affected her ability to have kids. Neci and her husband, Steven, are the best balance of each other with a love that shines bright. While her legacy looks differently then she expected, she has purposed to serve and care for children over the last 13 years as a pediatric special needs nurse. Neci, who is sweet, spunky and smart, lives a fulfilled and beautiful life marked by love. During World Childless Week, you won’t want to miss this episode. Neci and I did this interview 4 weeks after my hysterectomy. It was a conversation between two women whose bodies have forced them to choose life differently. Neci is bold in her honesty about choosing to not have children and gives practical tips on how to face the tough days. She inspires us to live life filled with joy despite what we can’t control. This woman is not just family, but someone I deeply admire. My life is better because of her and I know yours will be too!

I had the privilege of interviewing my parents Bobby and Rose Bogard.  We share how it has been to journey as family through mine and Jason’s years of infertility.  Join us as we talk about how we have navigated each others hearts in the highs and the lows. These two are the most selfless warriors that have fought along side us. They share incredible nuggets of truth how to grieve with and have faith with loved ones, fighting the battle of infertility. 

Be ready to shed some tears, have some laughs, and we hope you walk away encouraged.

I’m giving you a glimpse into my life as I recover from a hysterectomy at the age of 40 and rediscover myself after 19 years of chronic health issues that caused infertility. It can feel as if everyone’s life is moving forward while mine is paused in time, as I grieve and heal. Join me as I take you on the journey of how to get through the after life of making a huge decision and how I have had to navigate relationships and my own thoughts.  I hope you’ll discover something helpful for your own story as I open the pages of mine

Join my friend LaShai and I as she shares her story of surviving three miscarriages and still thriving in marriage.

She reveals practical tips throughout her story on how to become self aware, grieve healthy as a family unit  and how to win in marriage. LaShai has one of the most tender loving hearts and out of that I believe we can all learn from the pages of her story. Her declaration of hope will inspire us all to thrive and not just survive in the midst of pain.

As a Barren Not Broken  community I want to encourage us that no matter the barren places we may have in our lives let’s not live  broken.

Jacob and Neeli Brisky

This couple is a breath of fresh air. They are wise, fun, authentic and inspiring. Jacob and Neeli share their faith in God, each other, the need for community and the importance of holding tightly to hope. They have walked bravely on the path of emotional awareness. I am so humbled that they would open up and share the tender and dark places they have walked through.  Jason and I had a blast talking with this beautiful couple! We held nothing back and took on the hard topics that often don’t get addressed. We hope this episode ignites determination to never give up, never lose site of  the important things and people in the process, and to let love be the guide no matter the destination. No matter the barren places in our lives, let’s not live broken.

Jacob and Neeli Brisky

This couple is a breath of fresh air. They are wise, fun, authentic and inspiring. Jacob and Neeli share their faith in God, each other, the need for community and the importance of holding tightly to hope. They have walked bravely on the path of emotional awareness. I am so humbled that they would open up and share the tender and dark places they have walked through.  Jason and I had a blast talking with this beautiful couple! We held nothing back and took on the hard topics that often don’t get addressed. We hope this episode ignites determination to never give up, never lose site of  the important things and people in the process, and to let love be the guide no matter the destination. No matter the barren places in our lives, let’s not live broken.