In September 2023, my husband Adam was in a horrific explosion—an event that changed everything in an instant.

In this two-part episode, we’re sharing the story for the very first time. The fire may be out, but what followed was just as hard—emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and relationally.

In Part One, we tell the story of that day: what happened, how he survived, and the miracles that still leave us speechless.

In Part Two, we open up about the aftermath—the invisible scars. We talk about the toll it took on our marriage, Adam’s mental health, and our faith. We share what we fought for, what we had to rebuild, and how God met us in the ashes.

This is a story of fire and survival—but also of restoration, redemption, and love that wouldn’t quit.

Because it didn’t end when the fire went out.

🎙Life can be so full of heavy things—grief, growth, healing... you know, all the brutiful parts. But sometimes, we just need to breathe and laugh. So today, we're flipping the script. No deep dives, no tissue boxes—just a bunch of lighthearted questions to kick off some good conversation and give your soul a little exhale. We’re calling it our “Questions to Make You Laugh” So grab your drink of choice, kick off your shoes, and get ready to laugh, reflect, and maybe learn something new!

🎙️ Episode #051 – Hair Through the Generations with Helana Griggs
This week, I’m joined by a very special guest: the talented and rising stylist Helana Griggs—who just happens to be my son Jaxson’s girlfriend and my co-worker at Cocopellies!

We’re pulling back the salon curtain to talk about what it’s like being a hairstylist in two totally different eras—me, starting out in 1995, and Helana, stepping into the beauty industry now. We’re sharing stories, laughing about trends that made a comeback (hello, butterfly clips), and talking about how the industry has changed—from building a clientele to the power of social media.

This episode is fun, heartfelt, and full of love for the craft of doing hair—and the unexpected connections it brings.

Whether you're a seasoned stylist, a client who loves the salon chair, or someone who's just here for the laughs, you're going to love this one.

🎧 Listen now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

helanagriggs.hair

🎙️ I Would Have Missed the Dance

(A My Brutiful Life Reflection)

In this deeply personal and raw episode of My Brutiful Life, I open my heart to share my journal entries written to my late husband, Shon—a man she spent over three decades of her life with. In the quiet, unexpected waves of grief, beauty begins to rise again. Through tears, truth, and remembrance, I honor the complexity of my story—the brutal and the beautiful. I reflect on the dance we once shared, the legacy Shon left behind, and the freedom I now get to walk in.

This episode is for anyone navigating grief, forgiveness, or the ache of unfinished stories. Because even in the heartbreak, there was still a dance worth remembering.

🎙 NEW EPISODE DROP — "Heart Work is Hard Work" Pt 2 💔➡️💗

The hardest battles? They’re the ones no one sees—the ones inside our hearts. This week on My Brutiful Life, we're diving into the deep, raw, soul-level work that can leave us feeling drained, disoriented, and desperate for a breakthrough.

I call it HEART WORK—and yes, it’s hard. It’s the kind of work that leads to real freedom, lasting healing, and authentic wholeness.

Maybe you're right in the middle of it—doing the messy, gut-wrenching work of healing from pain, trauma, or disappointment. If so, this episode is for you. 💬

✨ Here’s the hope: even in the mess, God delights in you. He’s not waiting for you to “arrive” before He rescues you—He’s already with you in the thick of it, leading you into a wide-open space… one faithful step at a time.

#048: Heart Work is Hard Work
After a short pause, My Brutiful Life is back—and in this deeply personal episode, Medda and I catch up on what’s been unfolding in our lives during the break. Spoiler alert: it’s been raw, stretching, and sacred.

I open up about the hard work of heart work—the kind that doesn’t show on the outside but demands everything on the inside. Healing from spiritual abuse isn’t a linear journey. It’s layered. It’s lonely at times. And it often calls us to face parts of ourselves we didn’t even know were still hurting.

Together, we talk about what it looks like to keep walking with the Lord when the systems that once claimed to represent Him have caused harm. We share the messy middle of deconstructing religion while holding tightly to a very real and faithful Father.

If you’re in the middle of your own unraveling, or trying to make sense of the wounds you carry from spiritual spaces, this conversation is for you. You’re not alone—and you’re not crazy for questioning what once felt untouchable.

We see you. We’re with you. And we’re doing the hard work, too.

“Sometimes the word God gives you doesn’t feel exciting—it feels necessary.”
This year, my word is Refresh. And honestly? I didn’t even realize how deeply I needed it.
New on the podcast: answering some of the most common questions I get about hearing from God for a word, and how this one found me.
🎙️ My Brutiful Life | Episode: “Refresh Q&A Short”

In this heartfelt episode of My Brutiful Life, Medda and I dive into the word God gave me for 2025: Refresh. After walking through years of stripping, healing, and redefining everything I thought I knew, this word feels like a breath of fresh air—both gentle and powerful.

We talk about what Refresh means to me personally, how it showed up in unexpected ways, and why I believe it’s not just a word for me, but for others who are coming out of wilderness seasons and learning how to live again.

“I didn’t even know how much I needed refreshing until I started to feel it.”

We also reflect on the beautiful reminder in Proverbs 11:25 (NIV) – “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” Because sometimes, the very healing we long for comes as we pour into others from the overflow of what God is doing in us.

Join Me in this deeply personal episode as I talk about the complexities of life after a tragic explosion, watching my husband navigate a new path of resilience, faith, and community support. Whether you’re facing your own challenges or seeking inspiration, this episode offers a heartwarming reminder that hope and healing are always possible.

Xoxo Rachel Lohr

🎙 Have You Subscribed to My Brutiful Life Podcast Yet? 🎙

Life is Brutal & Beautiful,  Brutiful—and we’re diving into it all. 💛

If you're on a journey of healing, faith, and rediscovering your true identity beyond the pain, this podcast is for you. Each episode is raw, real, and filled with hope as we navigate life after covert abuse, religious deconstruction, and the pursuit of true freedom in Christ.

✨ What You Can Expect:
✔️ Real conversations about everything, healing & faith
✔️ Breaking free from toxic cycles
✔️ Embracing the life you were meant to live

🔥 Don't miss an episode! Subscribe now on [Apple Podcasts/Spotify/etc.] and join me in this journey of redemption, courage, and transformation.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3Gm16CnvGKDjVtg2zSw4fj?si=65883defc50b4f76

💬 Have you listened yet? Drop a comment and let me know your thoughts! ⬇️

Sit down with me as we continue on with Part 2 of Medda's Journey to Motherhood. In this deeply personal podcast episode, Medda shares her incredible journey of fertility, hope, and ultimately becoming a mother through in vitro fertilization (IVF) after experiencing multiple ectopic pregnancies. Her story is a testament to faith, perseverance, and the unexpected ways divine intervention can manifest, culminating in the birth of her son and highlighting the emotional complexity of trying to conceive.