There are moments in life that divide everything into before and after. For Betsey Young, that moment came on January 31st, 2022 — the day her four-year-old son Sage was diagnosed with leukemia. What had been a steady, beautiful, ordinary life — raising two boys, building community, dreaming about the future — suddenly shifted into hospital rooms, whispered prayers, and a reality no parent ever imagines. But what unfolds in Betsey’s story is not just devastation. It’s faith. It’s clarity in the dark. It’s purpose. This conversation is honest, hope-filled, and deeply human. If you are walking through a diagnosis, loving someone who is, or wondering whether your suffering has meaning — this episode is for you. Grab a cup of coffee and settle in. Here is my chat with my friend and real life super hero mom, Betsey Younge.

Today on Desert Stories, we’re sitting with a story of spiritual exile—the kind of grief that comes when following God costs you your calling, your community, and the version of yourself you once knew.  My guest today is a former Protestant pastor who, after years of ministry, stepped into the desert of loss and uncertainty on his way to the Catholic Church. This is a conversation about grief that doesn’t come from death, but from letting go—of titles, relationships, and the safety of what once felt like home—and trusting that God still meets us on the road when everything familiar falls away. This episode is so important and highlights such a real and raw kind of grief we don’t speak to enough. I can’t wait for you to hear it. Grab a cup of coffee and settle in. Here is my chat with my new friend and fellow Catholic Convert, Aaron Gunsaulus.

In this episode, I open up about the journey of writing my upcoming memoir, Under the Fig Tree. I share how the process stretched and shaped me—spiritually, emotionally, and creatively—and the meaning behind the title that came to define it all. Together, we’ll explore the themes woven through the pages: wandering in the wilderness, healing through grief, and the quiet faithfulness of God. Whether you’re walking through your own season of loss or seeking hope in the desert, this episode offers a glimpse into how Under the Fig Tree came to life—and what I pray it will mean for those who read it.

Luke & I chat about all the things in this episode! Navigating love after loss—exploring how two people build a new life after grief, how roles evolve (from bachelor to father, widow to wife), and how to honor the past while embracing the future.

Katlyn and Natalie shared their personal experiences as young widows, discussing their journeys of grief, remarriage, and blending their families. They also discussed their experiences with online dating, introducing their children to new partners, and communicating the concept of death to their children. The conversation also touched on their personal journeys, their experiences with grief, and their exploration of their faith and relationships with God.

I met Kevin Scharper over a decade ago at his family’s kitchen table. I had a thing for his oldest son. That night in February of 2012 I shared my first meal with him, and little did I know I would go on to spend significant time and space with him at kitchen tables during all the years that followed. We have shared dozens and dozens of meals and conversations since then. But lately, our time together at the kitchen table has been spent in grief. Lately, our time at the table has consisted of missing Riley. My husband, and his son. Kevin is my father in law by definition, but over the course of the last year and a half he has quickly become a safe place to unravel, a listening ear filled with grace and true empathy and his voice of reason and wise counsel has healed my grieving heart on so many level. He means so much to me and I can’t wait for you to meet him. Grab your cup of coffee, and maybe a tissue or two, here is my chat with Riley’s dad, the incredibly wise and witty, Kevin Scharper.

In this episode, we are discussing a topic that many people shy away from, a topic that might make you feel uncomfortable, but I am walking and talking proof that this topic is incredibly important and just plain necessary. This episode we chat about how to get your finances and business in order before you die. Planning for the future isn’t just about making investments or saving for retirement it is also about insuring that your loved ones aren’t left with a financial mess to sort out after your gone. We are going to cover some practical steps you can take to future-proof your finances and business affairs. Making the transition easier for your those that you leave behind, and ultimately give you and your loved ones the gift of peace and security.

There is something valiant to be said about a friend who stands with you on the mountain and grieves with you in the valley… someone who walks out into the wilderness and purposely sits beside you on the desert floor. Someone who voluntarily inserts themselves in your pain, in your suffering, in your anguish. They celebrate the wins in your life BIG, but tough it out through the losses. I have a friend who has done these things, her name is Marie and I can’t wait to tell you all about her. I remember so vividly the nights after losing Riley…when I didn’t even have the energy to physically get up. I was so lost and depressed. Marie would come over after Khloe went to sleep and sit with me on the couch. Side by side in the darkness. She would cry with me, laugh with me, and listen to me late into the night. She prayed for me, she fed me good food, and she grieved beside me, literally. Marie is a picture of what Christ’s hands and feet look like. She’s a picture of grace and love and JOY that only comes from Jesus. Marie CHOOSES to stand beside me, listen to me, and voluntarily inserts herself in my chaos on the regular. She’s the real deal, and I can’t wait for you to meet her.

Stephanie Keller was born and raised in Iowa, where she resides today with her husband, Charlie, and daughter, Avrielle.  When her Plan A didn’t result in the desired outcome, Stephanie learned that she would do anything to fulfill her dream of becoming a mother.  With the struggle of infertility comes marriage challenges, grief, and doubt.  But, God schlepped through the mess with her. In her debut book, Bold Hope, Stephanie pins stubborn hope against societal norms and shares stories of shattered dreams, messy faith in the complicated gray, and the relentless love of God.

Grief comes with so many complicated emotions. I think we often think of anguish, and sorrow, and depression. But what I have learned in my grief journey is there is also important and sacred space for laughter, and joy, and comic relief. Hi, I’m Katlyn, the host of Desert Stories podcast. I’m so glad you're listening in! If you are part of the grieving community, you have just landed in the perfect place. If you are not part of the grieving community, I know this episode is still for you! Because we all need a little laughter in our lives. Today’s episode I am going to be sharing some pretty bizarre and hilarious stories from my grief journey. Some of these stories may seem irrational or silly, but they are all true and unfiltered times of what I have experienced during the comic relief periods of grieving my husband Riley.