At just 34, Megan survived two strokes that left her with paralysis in one arm and limited movement in her leg. Through some of her hardest moments, she found hope and strength in Bella’s brave journey. In this episode, Megan opens up about her recovery, the emotional battles she’s faced, and how she’s redefining what it means to be truly brave.

Make sure you listen right to the end, after my outro, Ashley and I keep chatting about self-care and share a heartfelt side conversation.

In this powerful second episode of my Brave Mom Series on Beyond Brave, I talk with Ashley Hernandez from Kleefeld, Manitoba; a bereaved mom whose courage allows her to open up to me about her unimaginable loss. Ashley’s daughter, Aliyah, was diagnosed with an aggressive neuroblastoma just days after her 18-month birthday and passed away two months later, in March 2025. With honesty and grace, Ashley shares how she continues to carry Aliyah’s light through this life of grief & her and I connect over heart-breaking truths of losing our daughter's.

💛 This episode is part of my Brave Mom series ,honouring mothers who continue to live bravely through heartbreak, healing, and endless love.

✨ You can learn more about Ashley and her journey on Instagram at @ashley_Hernandez92.
Connect with me on TikTok and Instagram @kylact, and on Facebook at Bella Brave.

Maria & Her Miracle Micro Preemie, George
Born at just 22 weeks, George’s story is one of pure resilience and his mom Maria shares it with beautiful honesty.

What does it mean to raise a miracle? In this first episode of our Brave Mom Series, I sit down with fellow medical mama Maria Panayiotou , whose little boy George, born at just 22 weeks and 5 days, weighing only 1 pound, 4 ounces — has defied every odd in the book.

Maria and I instantly connect through our shared experiences as moms who’ve lived inside hospital walls, fought through fear, and celebrated the smallest victories that mean everything.

Maria shares George’s incredible fight for life, the strength it takes to parent through uncertainty, and the joy that comes from seeing your child thrive after so much pain. Together, we laugh, reflect, and honor the community of brave moms who carry both the heartbreak and the hope that comes with medically complex motherhood.

Tune in for a heartfelt, honest, and uplifting conversation that reminds us: our kids are the bravest teachers we’ll ever have.

Follow along:
🎙️ Beyond Brave Host: @kylact on Instagram & TikTok | Facebook: Bella Brave
💛 Guest: @maria_panayiotou & @george__10c

In this episode, Lyle & I are catching up on where we’re really at ... from health updates and kidney results to Kyla’s first mammogram experience. We also dive into the new trend of major coffee chains adding protein to their menus (and what that actually means for your health), plus a round of rapid-fire grief questions that get surprisingly real. I also share much about a recent fundraising walk I attended & spoke at this weekend, advocating for organ donation.

Most people don’t realize that palliative care isn’t just about end-of-life... it’s about helping medical families live better, right now. In this episode, I sit down with Kira Goodman, Project Director for Canada’s Pediatric Palliative Care Alliance, to talk about the launch of their brand-new Resource Hub designed to support families caring for seriously ill children. From navigating life at home to finding tools for caregivers and siblings, this hub is about Care for Every Short Life. Kira shares how the Alliance is creating national coordination, what families can expect to find, and why the campaign to Share Your Journey is so vital for building awareness and community. This is a conversation about resources, hope, and ensuring families across Canada receive the support they deserve. Instagram: @pedpallcarecaCourageous Parents Network: https://courageousparentsnetwork.org/Website: pediatricpalliativecare.caPodcast: The Sunflower - Palliative Care PodcastsMy IG Page: @kylact

A new health update.
A bittersweet birthday.
A wink from Bella in the most unexpected place.
And a powerful new resource for medical families across Canada.

In this solo episode of Beyond Brave, I open up about life after my stage 3 kidney failure diagnosis and what’s shifted since my last update. I share the mix of emotions that came with celebrating Waylon’s 7th birthday, how grief shows up even in joy, and a beautiful sign from Bella that reminded me she’s still close. Finally, I introduce you to an incredible Health Canada–funded initiative that will change the way families of seriously ill children access support and care.

This one is heartfelt, raw, and filled with hope. Thank you for listening.

Well, if you haven’t been following my stage 3 kidney failure diagnosis… you are now. In this episode of Beyond Brave, we open up about the latest health updates, including what my recent bloodwork revealed and the questions I’m asking as I dig into it all. We also reflect on our nearly two-week US camping trip — Oregon Coast and all — and what it taught us about family, laughter, and resilience on the road. But the heart of today’s conversation is grief: how leaving home can stir tears, and how returning can feel even heavier, as memories and absence collide. We share Waylon’s honest reflections, the beautiful sign from Bella we received while traveling, and how we’re learning to carry both the joy and the ache wherever we go. If you’re navigating health struggles, family travel, or the complexities of grief, this one’s for you.

Lyle’s back on the mic! In this episode, we catch up on health updates (including our 36-hour fasts), answer your quick-fire Q&A from Instagram, and dive into what it’s like to keep Bella in our lives while moving forward. I also share about the 52 precious notes I recently lost, including journals since Bella’s passing, and why no one gets to dictate your grief. Plus, by the time you’re listening to this, we’ve already started our big two-week camping trip through the US and down to the Oregon Coast, and we can’t wait to tell you all about it! Follow along on my socials for current stories and adventures! @kylact on IG & TikTok. Bella Brave on Facebook. 

This week on Beyond Brave, I’m sharing a lot; signs from Bella, my health struggles that have me drained and I open up about a painful betrayal that’s tested my faith and the inner battle between calling someone out or choosing peace. I also reflect on recent heartbreaking losses in the medical mom community and share how I’m preparing for an upcoming trip. Stick around for the listener Q&A at the end,  this solo episode covers a lot!

Join me in a deeply heartfelt conversation with Benny and Dr. Nick Capaul, the empathetic identical twins who co‑host Let’s Talk About Death With the Capaul Twins. Benny, a funeral director following his family’s legacy, offers grounded, professional insight; while Dr. Nick, a psychologist, explores the emotional and healing dimensions of loss  .

In this special joint episode, I open up about my daughter Bella, sharing moments of grief, resilience, and love. Producer Kelley described our discussion as “their best episode they’ve ever done,” and credited us for the deeper connection and authenticity brought to the mic. She believes Bella must have been smiling down, proud of her amazing mama.

This conversation isn’t just testimony, it’s an invitation. If you’re navigating grief, or simply seeking a genuine space for healing, you’re not alone. The twins’ compassion and professional insights combine to uplift and guide, packing real emotional resonance and practical wisdom.