My guest today is Ashley Gloeckner, a wife, mom of 4 and teacher who experienced several hardships in her life that impacted her career opportunities, her health, and her family.

Ashley’s perspective is that there are reasons things happen and we learn from it! We may not always know in the moment or understand what we are going through or why but we learn from it and figure out what to do next!

She’s exactly right – every experience does create wisdom and she shared so much of her wisdom with me! I hope you walk away from listening to this episode with a sense of inspiration and motivation and wisdom for what you have experienced in your own life too! 

My guest is Bridget Hamilton, who shares about her journey with Guillain-Barre, while pregnant with her 4th child. Guillain-Barre is a rare disorder in which your body's immune system attacks your nerves. Bridget’s health quickly deteriorated in a matter of only several days going from experiencing tingling on a Friday evening to being unable to walk on Sunday and in ICU on Wednesday. Bridget spent an extensive amount of time in the hospital.

With the support of her family and finding motivation in reminders of accomplishments made day to day, Bridget had success in learning to swallow again, sit up, walk. Things we really take for granted day to day.

Bridget's family created this video about her journey. It is a dynamic showcase of what she went through and will leave you inspired. It sure inspired me!

Bridget's video link: 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HCC1b622MUY

Today my guest is Sara McIntosh who shares about her journey into motherhood. Sara married Adriel and became a step mom to 2 amazing boys. As a family of 4 already,  Sara and Adriel wanted to add to their family and several years and methods were tried. Finally after 5 years, Sara became pregnant and she shares her joy in seeing a perfect baby at her 20 week ultrasound only to be told that there could be something wrong with the baby.

Sara reminds us that faith is strong but God is stronger and that God does provide and sometimes it's not the way we envision because it can be even greater and better than what we wanted.

This story is just amazing and I am so inspired by Sara and her journey to motherhood and I hope you are too!

Today my guest is Shelby Shumacher who shares about her son Brody. Brody and his twin sister Leah were born at 25 weeks after Shelby’s water broke. Leah was able to come home after spending 4 months in the hospital. Brody endured some health issues and was released when he was 14 months old. In December of 2009, Brody was diagnosed with a rare liver cancer and Brody lost his battle with cancer on January 5, 2010.

Shelby shares of her family's resiliency and connecting with the phrase, you don’t know how strong you are until you have to be. In a time of sorrow and loss, it also brings reflection of appreciating the small things and spending time at home together.

Shelby is a woman of strength and total inspiration and I was so honored to have had a chance to sit down and talk with her! Thanks for taking a listen!

Today my guest is Molly Knuth. Molly shares of her daughter, Charlotte’s journey with acute flaccid myelitis, AFM. AFM is a neurologic disease that is very rare but very serious. It’s been referenced as a polio like illness. Charlotte was just 5 years old and enjoying summer and preparing to go to kindergarten when she was experiencing weakness and further deterioration with her functionality.

As parents, the well being of our children is of such importance so to hear from Molly what it was like to see your child go through a health journey that as a parent makes you feel helpless because you can’t take away the pain or trade places.

Hearing from Molly reminded me that strength happens at every age, even at the tender age of 5! Also, that having a support system and positive outlook and not giving meaning to the “what if” can really help during hardship times.

I was so uplifted talking with Molly and I hope you are too!

Today my guest is Kristina Fudge. Kristina journeyed through living with Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak (CSF) which is basically a hole in lining of spinal chord and it’s very rare. Can you imagine laying flat being the only way to get comfortable well Kristina did just that for 2 years!

Kristina’s perception on life is extremely uplifting and very honest and raw in going through struggles of chronic pain and how what she has had to go through has given her a new appreciation for living!

I had an opportunity to sit down and talk with Emma Leuchs who shared with me the journey she and her husband Ryan had on starting their family.  Emma shares of the struggles that included loss, uncertainty and truly going against the grain on statistics.

So many couples struggle with fertility. 1 in 8 couples have trouble getting pregnant and I learned that the natural fertility rate is only 15-20%.

Many rely on their faith and science to aid in fertility.

I hope you are inspired by Emma and Ryan’s journey! 

I had an opportunity to meet and talk with Ann Butzier who experienced tragic losses with the passing of her husband, Doug, from an airplane crash and her son, Chris's death as a result of suicide. Ann shares with me the heartache she experienced and her advocacy for ending the stigma around brain disorders and mental health. She is channeling the conversation on brain health much like we talk about cardiac health or gut health.

Suicide does not discriminate and if you are in a crisis or need someone to talk to, please call the toll free National Suicide prevention lifeline at 1-800-273-Talk.

I took so many things away from my sit down with Ann and I hope you find this informational for you and those around you! We hope this can pave the way for people to be OK talking about what they are going through and finding the help and support they need. Thank you for listening!

I had an opportunity to meet and talk with Ann Butzier who experienced tragic losses with the passing of her husband, Doug, from an airplane crash and her son, Chris's death as a result of suicide. Ann shares with me the heartache she experienced and her advocacy for ending the stigma around brain disorders and mental health. She is channeling the conversation on brain health much like we talk about cardiac health or gut health. 

Suicide does not discriminate and if you are in a crisis or need someone to talk to, please call the toll free National Suicide prevention lifeline at 1-800-273-Talk.

I took so many things away from my sit down with Ann and I hope you find this informational for you and those around you! We hope this can pave the way for people to be OK talking about what they are going through and finding the help and support they need. Thank you for listening!

I sit down with my dad who recalls the destruction of a wild, unexpected storm back on June 30, 2019 that took out a 60 foot silo and destroyed the barn yet left the house untouched that was only yards away. The farm was one he grew up with his 8 siblings and parents and one I was fortunate to grow up on also. The farm's multi-generation meaning is deep rooted and the storm damage was devastating. The rebuild of the barn allowed some exciting opportunities and family ties continue to run strong and more memories are meant to be made! Hope you enjoy this episode!