"Held in the Breaking"Grief, Motherhood, and the God Who Stays Near

Guest: Judy Connolly

Anchor scripture: Psalm 34:18"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

Today's guest is someone very dear to me — my aunt by marriage, and truly a woman of faith and grace, Judy Connolly. For more than forty years, Judy poured her heart into teaching — shaping generations of students not just in French, but in faith, character, and courage. Her classroom was never just about vocabulary and verbs — it was about values. Now, as she steps into a new season of retirement, she joins us to share her reflections on loss, motherhood, and what it means to trust God's steady hand through every transition.

What does it take to overcome unimaginable hardship and change millions of lives?In this powerful Part One of a special two-part conversation, Marion MacKenzie sits down with internationally acclaimed eye surgeon, scientist, inventor, and humanitarian Dr. Ming Wang, MD, PhD.

Before pioneering breakthrough technology that restored sight to millions around the world—and inspiring the Angel Studios feature film Sight—Dr. Wang survived one of history's darkest chapters and most brutal dictatorships during China's Cultural Revolution.

At just 17 years old, he arrived in America with only $50 and an English dictionary. Through extraordinary perseverance, faith, and determination, he would earn degrees from Harvard Medical School and MIT, becoming one of the world's foremost ophthalmologists and laser physicists.

In Part One, you'll discover:

• What life was really like during China's Cultural Revolution

• How Dr. Wang survived religious persecution and political oppression

• Why America represented hope, freedom, and opportunity

• The incredible journey that led him to earn degrees at Harvard and MIT, and graduate Magna Cum Laude

• The faith that sustained him through impossible circumstances as he pioneered research that would change the worldThis inspiring conversation is about far more than medicine. It's a story of courage, freedom, gratitude, perseverance, and discovering purpose through adversity.

Be sure to watch Part Two next week, where Dr. Wang shares his awakening to faith, the groundbreaking medical innovations that have restored sight to millions, and why his life's mission extends far beyond healing eyes—it's about helping people see one another with compassion, dignity, and hope.

A SPECIAL GIFT TO OUR UPSIDE CONVERSATION AUDIENCES:

WATCH the FREE movie Sight: https://sight.drmingwang.com

️ Learn more about Dr. Ming Wang and the Wang Vision Institute https://www.drmingwang.com

Enjoyed this conversation?Please SUBSCRIBE, LIKE, COMMENT, and SHARE to help us bring hope-filled conversations to more people around the world.

About The UPside Conversations

Hosted by award-winning television journalist Marion MacKenzie, The UPside Conversations features inspiring discussions with today's leading voices in faith, science, medicine, leadership, entertainment, and culture—sharing stories that encourage, challenge, and illuminate.

Produced by Highlander Studios in Brentwood, Tennessee.

https://www.highlanderstudios.org

SEO Keywords

Dr. Ming Wang, Ming Wang, Dr Ming Wang interview, Sight movie, Angel Studios Sight, Angel Studios, Cultural Revolution, Communist China, Harvard Medical School, MIT, ophthalmologist, eye surgeon, laser physicist, Wang Vision Institute, Christian testimony, faith and science, inspirational stories, overcoming adversity, religious persecution, Chinese Cultural Revolution, restoring sight, vision restoration, humanitarian, Marion MacKenzie, The UPside Conversations, Highlander Studios, Christian podcast, Christian talk show, inspirational interview, freedom, perseverance, hope, Christian leadership

Hashtags

#DrMingWang #SightMovie #AngelStudios #TheUPsideConversations #MarionMacKenzie #HighlanderStudios #FaithAndScience #ChristianPodcast #ChristianTalkShow #CulturalRevolution #CommunistChina #Harvard #MIT #EyeSurgeon #WangVisionInstitute #Inspiration #Perseverance #Freedom #Hope #Purpose

Envíanos un Mensaje

En el episodio anterior hablamos de los principios bíblicos que deben gobernar la sexualidad dentro del matrimonio. Pero una pregunta quedó pendiente:

¿Qué hago ahora?

En esta segunda parte compartimos pasos muy prácticos para comenzar un proceso de restauración cuando existen heridas, pecado sexual del pasado, expectativas distorsionadas o dificultades para vivir la intimidad conforme al diseño de Dios.

Hablamos sobre el arrepentimiento específico, tomar decisiones concretas, buscar ayuda con humildad, cómo orar de manera intencional por esta área, cultivar el amor hacia el cónyuge y aprender a conversar sobre la intimidad sin vergüenza ni manipulación.

Si anhelas que tu matrimonio refleje cada vez más el diseño de Dios, este episodio te ayudará a dar los primeros pasos.

Citas Bíblicas: Salmo 32 Génesis 3  Salmo 139:13-16 Efesios 4:25-32 

Escucha también:

• 78 | Sexo en el Matrimonio Parte 1
• 23 | Sientes que tu cónyuge no te entiende? 4 claves bíblicas para una comunicación sana en el matrimonio.

Support the show

Siguenos en Instagram y Facebook @losdetallesdetuvida Puedes escribirnos a [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

What is Jesus really like? Is heaven real? Can you actually hear God's voice?

After sharing his near-death experience with millions, Mike McKinsey returns to the Peaceful Presence Podcast to share the part of his story he kept private for more than 20 years. Mike describes what happened after he returned from heaven, when he says Jesus came to his hospital room, sat beside his bed for three hours, and changed the course of his life.

In this conversation, Mike shares what Jesus taught him during those three hours and how it changed the way he prays, hears God's voice, trusts God through difficult seasons, and sees heaven.

▶️ Watch Part 1: Hear Mike's complete near-death experience, his journey to heaven, and the events that led to this conversation. https://youtu.be/ydoB2mYTLwM

In this episode:

➡️ Why Mike waited 20 years to tell this part of his story
➡️ What he says Jesus was really like
➡️ Why Jesus told him, "I had to get you flat on your back so you could hear Me."
➡️ Why prayer is a dialogue, not a monologue
➡️ How Mike recognizes God's voice
➡️ The prayer God answered 40 years later
➡️ Why Mike no longer fears death


00:00  Heaven Is Real
01:20  The Story Mike Was Afraid to Tell
06:20  Jesus Sat Beside His Hospital Bed
07:24  "I Had to Get You Flat on My Back"
11:28  The Promise Jesus Made That Took 20 Years to Understand
17:02  "Tell the Whole Story"
22:21  What Jesus Is Really Like
26:13  Prayer Isn't a Monologue
28:27  Can You Actually Hear God's Voice?
31:34  Why Most People Miss God's Voice
33:22  Why Following Jesus Can Feel Harder
40:20  The Prayer God Answered 40 Years Later
44:27  Why Mike No Longer Fears Death
47:10  Angels, Demons & Spiritual Warfare
55:10  If You Want to Know Jesus, Start Here
59:07  Mike's Final Message


Connect with Mike McKinsey
Website (books, podcast & more)
https://www.mikemckinsey.com/

I Held the Hand of Jesus in Heaven
Available on His Website and Amazon
https://a.co/d/0c4ApvWH

️ After Heaven Podcast
@MikeMcKinseyNDE


✅ Subscribe to Peaceful Presence
If this conversation encouraged you, I'd love to have you join our Peaceful Presence community by subscribing. New conversations are released each week to help you draw closer to God through teachings and real stories of faith, hope, and miracles.

Thank you for listening and being part of the Peaceful Presence Podcast Community! 

The Peaceful Presence Podcast exists to help people grow closer to God through honest conversations, life-changing testimonies, miracles, healing, and stories that reveal His faithfulness in every season.

Connect with your host, Olivia Figuered:
https://linktr.ee/oliviafiguered
 

Send us Fan Mail

What does it look like to trust God when life no longer makes sense? Speaker and author Kathy Rogers shares her journey through triple-negative breast cancer, a BRCA2 family diagnosis, and the devastating loss of both her mother and 29-year-old daughter. She opens up about grief, depression, perseverance, gratitude journaling, and finding steady ground in Ephesians 3:14–21. Through God winks, a healing road trip, and a memorial marathon, Kathy reminds us that joy and grief can coexist—and that identity in Christ brings freedom when life feels fragile.

Kathy's contact info:

Email - [email protected]

Website - www.thekathyrogers.com

Kathy's book:

Look for Good: Discovering God in Grief, Celebration and the Every Days

Kathy's podcast:

The Kathy Roger's Podcast: Your Best Friends Mom

Featured Hope Unlocked Partner: Reliht

Welcome to Reliht, the brand new and easy-to-use, online no-chat tool you didn’t know you needed, but will love.

Designed as an alternative to social media, Reliht gives you quiet space to reflect, journal, grow with God, capture and share what He’s speaking—without the distractions of endless scrolling and chat.  Sit with God, listen, reflect, journal, receive, and share.

✨ As a special launch welcome, sign up FREE through September 1, 2026.

Learn more at reliht.com 

️Hope Unlocked Listener Exclusive! Feeling stirred but not sure what to do next? Book a 45-minute Holy Spirit-led 1:1 coaching session w/ Hope Unlocked host Kristin Kurtz, founder of New Wings Coaching. This powerful conversation will help you move from stirred to activated—with peace, clarity, & a Spirit-led next step. Book your call HERE now–special pricing to listeners!

Support the show

The Hope Unlocked Podcast is a clarion call to keep going. Wild testimonies of faith & courage cut through the noise & ignite hope. Every financial gift helps amplify these voices & spread hope around the world — and you can also leave a note to share how the podcast has encouraged you. Join me in carrying this sound of freedom forward. Partner HERE

Ways to connect with Kristin Kurtz, the Hope Unlocked Host -
Website - https://www.newwingscoaching.net/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/renew.wings/

Facebook -  https://www.facebook.com/moodykurtz/ 

Join the Hope Unlocked FB group (for women) - https://www.facebook.com/groups/hopeunlocked

Join the NEWSletter HERE

Podcast Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for informational and inspirational purposes only. The views, opinions, experiences, and testimonies shared by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or New Wings Coaching Content shared is not intended to replace p...

After surviving multiple strokes without permanent damage, I was left wrestling with a question I could not answer. Did God step into my kitchen to warn me?

This is a story about an unexpected answer to prayer, and the deeper truth about the God who sees us, knows us, and is far closer than we realize.

--
NEW Everyday Miracle compilation book on Amazon:
https://a.co/d/45cgbP8

Everyday Miracle compilation book on Barnes & Noble:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/everyday-miracles-julie-hedenborg/1146173449?ean=9798881501808

Subscribe to Julie's YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@everydaymiraclespodcast1395

Website for Everyday Miracles (APPLY!):
http://everydaymiraclespodcast.com/

To follow Everyday Miracles Podcast on iTunes:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everyday-miracles-podcast/id1447430033

On Social:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/everydaymiraclespodcast/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everydaymiraclespodcast
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@everydaymiraclespodcast
X: https://x.com/miracles9598
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hedenborg-452028a7/

To email Julie directly:
[email protected]

--
Scripture ✝️:

Matthew 7:11
Psalm 46:1
Psalm 139:1-3
Matthew 10:29-31

Have you ever wondered what the world would be like with no speed limits? Today we're talking about limits — why they're not the enemy, and how one I set for myself just last fall completely changed how I show up for my boys and my clients.

I'm sharing the story of finally taking Saturdays off after years of "working while someone else has the kids," what happened when I didn't know what to do with myself, and a recent book signing that taught me (the hard way) about my own limits with noise and migraines.

5 Takeaways from this episode:

1. The most fruitful lives are often the most focused ones — limits aren't restrictions, they're protection from overextending.
2. Working every "free" moment may look productive, but it can quietly cost you presence with the people who need you most.
3. Learning to rest isn't always natural — sometimes it takes time just to figure out what rest even looks like for you.
4. Limits aren't selfish — they come back to a simple question: if I truly believe I'm loved for who I am, do I need to do more to prove it?
5. This week's challenge: what limits do you have — or need — in your life? What story is your relationship with limits telling about you?

Grab my book, Step Out & Thrive: Finding God in the Everyday When Nothing Makes Sense → https://a.co/d/0bEoBuU1

Join the free Step Out & Thrive community → https://community.stepoutandthrive.com

Dare to do more than just survive. Step Out & Thrive.

Nicole C. Mullen, Dove Award- Winning and Grammy Nominated singer- wrote "My Redeemer Lives" in the middle of personal devastation. In this episode of She Roars, Nicole sits down with Jenifer for a raw, unfiltered conversation about what happens when your anointed calling and your breaking heart collide.

We get into:

✨ The story behind "My Redeemer Lives" you've never heard✨ How women break cycles of shame and silence, for themselves and their daughters✨ What God actually does with our setbacks (it's not what you think)✨ Why the hardest seasons can become your most powerful testimony

Whether you're a high-achieving woman who secretly feels empty, or you're clinging to faith by a thread, this one is for you.

Nicole's new book: It's Never Wrong to Do the Right Thing https://a.co/d/0iQ55z0G

Follow Nicole C. Mullen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolecmullenofficial/

Website: https://nicolecmullen.com/

Don't miss an episode: Subscribe and turn on notifications.

From the opening words of Genesis 1 to the promise of the new creation in Revelation 21, the Bible tells one magnificent story framed by powerful prepositions. Beginning with Colossians 1:16—"all things have been created in Him, through Him, and for Him"—we journey through the Genesis creation account to see how prepositions reveal God's order, purpose, and relationships in creation, culminating in the hope of the new heaven and new earth. Join us as we discover how these small words paint the grand canvas of creation, redemption, and eternity while strengthening both our faith and our English.

Can you love the Bible… and still miss the heart of God? In this episode, we're exploring the difference between knowing God's Word and truly knowing the One who wrote it. Jennifer explores the purpose of Scripture and asks an important question: Have we sometimes become more dependent on the written Word than on the Author Himself?

While affirming the inerrancy, authority and beauty of the Holy Bible, she challenges listeners to pursue a deeper relationship with God by learning to recognize His voice, cultivate ongoing conversations with Him, and rely on His daily guidance. Whether you've been following Jesus for years or are just beginning your faith journey, this episode will challenge you to examine where you've placed your trust—and inspire you to cultivate a deeper, more personal relationship with the God who is still speaking today.

Let’s Connect!

Greater Depth Coaching: https://program.thenoblemarriage.com/coach_jen

Instagram: @DepthsPodcast

https://intothedepthspodcast.com 

Links for Free Resources: 3 L’s Worksheet and 10Reflection Journal Prompts

Thanks for tuning in! Please write a review, or you canlike, rate, follow and subscribe – your support means so much! If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a friend!