Welcome to Episode 26, the first episode of SEASON 2!!!

Today, I am so happy to bring you my interview with Alex Slate. Alex has a unique journey to motherhood - and now she has two boys who are twiblings! Listen in to find out what twiblings are and how they came to be. This interview involves infertility, pregnancy loss, fertility treatment, surrogacy, and how a community joined together to grow a family.

Follow Alex on IG: @rockabyemaybe

https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Breathe-story-micropreemies-defied-ebook/dp/B083S6R3CN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=RUDD8XIP3YUT&keywords=learning+to+breathe+heather+evans&qid=1675870004&sprefix=learning+to+breathe+heather+evans%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-1

You can find my book, The NICU Mama Survival Guide, at:

https://www.amazon.com/NICU-Mama-Survival-Guide-Post-Partum/dp/B09MGJ7RSX/ref=sr_1_1?crid=24Q2C9CKTALJ2&keywords=the+nicu+mama+survival+guide&qid=1675870037&sprefix=the+nicu+mama+survival+guide%2Caps%2C113&sr=8-1

Have a great week!

Heather

Welcome to the finale of Season 1!

Today, I have the joy of bringing you my conversation with Amanda Beedle. Amanda shares about her two beautiful daughters, Annabelle and Abigail, both of whom have Batten Disease, a rare disorder that requires a visit every two weeks to what Amanda has termed "the brain spa." I left this interview with such an appreciation for Amanda's strength, hope, and faith. I feel like this was the perfect closing episode for Season 1 - I look forward to seeing you all in September!

Follow their journey at: https://www.facebook.com/BeedlesBravingBatten

Check out their webpage: https://p2p.charityengine.net/Beedles-Braving-Batten

You can find my book, Learning to Breathe, at:

https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Breathe-story-micropreemies-defied-ebook/dp/B083S6R3CN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=RUDD8XIP3YUT&keywords=learning+to+breathe+heather+evans&qid=1675870004&sprefix=learning+to+breathe+heather+evans%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-1

You can find my book, The NICU Mama Survival Guide, at:

https://www.amazon.com/NICU-Mama-Survival-Guide-Post-Partum/dp/B09MGJ7RSX/ref=sr_1_1?crid=24Q2C9CKTALJ2&keywords=the+nicu+mama+survival+guide&qid=1675870037&sprefix=the+nicu+mama+survival+guide%2Caps%2C113&sr=8-1

Have a great week!

Heather

Welcome to Part 2 of my interview with CJ Shane. In this episode, she shares how her journey to motherhood continued (spoiler alert - there's a happy ending!) amidst the COVID pandemic and caring for her father. CJ's story is one of family - of love and loss, death and life - and her spirit and positivity left me feeling SO inspired. She also shares her advice for others and talks about the importance of gratefulness, despite hard times. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did!

You can find my book, Learning to Breathe, at:

https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Breathe-story-micropreemies-defied-ebook/dp/B083S6R3CN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=RUDD8XIP3YUT&keywords=learning+to+breathe+heather+evans&qid=1675870004&sprefix=learning+to+breathe+heather+evans%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-1

You can find my book, The NICU Mama Survival Guide, at:

https://www.amazon.com/NICU-Mama-Survival-Guide-Post-Partum/dp/B09MGJ7RSX/ref=sr_1_1?crid=24Q2C9CKTALJ2&keywords=the+nicu+mama+survival+guide&qid=1675870037&sprefix=the+nicu+mama+survival+guide%2Caps%2C113&sr=8-1

Have a great week!

Heather

My guest today is CJ Shane, a friend of mine for EIGHTEEN years! Her motherhood story involves so many different things that we are breaking it up into two episodes. Today's episode takes you through her adventurous life with her husband who has cystic fibrosis - these two climb mountains, run marathons, and more! She shares how his cystic fibrosis affected their fertility journey which involves IVF and miscarraige. During this time, CJ also experienced the tragic loss of her best friend and began caring for her father as his health failed. On top of all this, she was then diagnosed with colon cancer. Amidst all of this, when you listen, you can hear and feel her positive attitude as she and her husband continued to persevere as life threw more and more at them. I can't wait to share this episode with you, and stay tuned for Part 2 next week!

You can find my book, Learning to Breathe, at:

https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Breathe-story-micropreemies-defied-ebook/dp/B083S6R3CN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=RUDD8XIP3YUT&keywords=learning+to+breathe+heather+evans&qid=1675870004&sprefix=learning+to+breathe+heather+evans%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-1

You can find my book, The NICU Mama Survival Guide, at:

https://www.amazon.com/NICU-Mama-Survival-Guide-Post-Partum/dp/B09MGJ7RSX/ref=sr_1_1?crid=24Q2C9CKTALJ2&keywords=the+nicu+mama+survival+guide&qid=1675870037&sprefix=the+nicu+mama+survival+guide%2Caps%2C113&sr=8-1

Have a great week!

Heather

Today is such a beautiful episode. Tricia Tayrien shares with us about the tragic and unexpected loss of her son, Tylor, at age 16. She also shares about how she used yoga, both in her own practice and while teaching others, to discover herself, build her faith, and work through her grief. Her story is raw and honest, yet also encouraging and filled with hope.

Check out the studio where Tricia works: https://createandlivealifeyoulove.com/

The book she mentions "Angelspeake:" https://a.co/d/29lAR0V

You can find my book, Learning to Breathe, at:

https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Breathe-story-micropreemies-defied-ebook/dp/B083S6R3CN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=RUDD8XIP3YUT&keywords=learning+to+breathe+heather+evans&qid=1675870004&sprefix=learning+to+breathe+heather+evans%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-1

You can find my book, The NICU Mama Survival Guide, at:

https://www.amazon.com/NICU-Mama-Survival-Guide-Post-Partum/dp/B09MGJ7RSX/ref=sr_1_1?crid=24Q2C9CKTALJ2&keywords=the+nicu+mama+survival+guide&qid=1675870037&sprefix=the+nicu+mama+survival+guide%2Caps%2C113&sr=8-1

Have a great week!

Heather

It was such an honor to talk with Lacey Bracken today about her beautiful daughter, Finley, who bravely battled neuroblastoma at only two years old. Lacey also shares about the Finley Forever Foundation which is doing so many unique and and amazing things around the Chicago area. Grab a tissue and get ready to be inspired!

To learn more about the foundation, check out the following links:

www.finleyforever.com

https://www.facebook.com/finleyforeverfoundation

https://www.donorbox.org/finley-forever-foundation

IG: finleyforeverfoundation

You can find my book, Learning to Breathe, at:

https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Breathe-story-micropreemies-defied-ebook/dp/B083S6R3CN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=RUDD8XIP3YUT&keywords=learning+to+breathe+heather+evans&qid=1675870004&sprefix=learning+to+breathe+heather+evans%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-1

You can find my book, The NICU Mama Survival Guide, at:

https://www.amazon.com/NICU-Mama-Survival-Guide-Post-Partum/dp/B09MGJ7RSX/ref=sr_1_1?crid=24Q2C9CKTALJ2&keywords=the+nicu+mama+survival+guide&qid=1675870037&sprefix=the+nicu+mama+survival+guide%2Caps%2C113&sr=8-1

Have a great week!

Heather

Today, I have the privilege of talking with Chelsea Butler. Chelsea spent her first fourteen years in the IBLP, a group she describes as a cult. Some of us are familiar with the Duggar family from 19 Kids and Counting, but I know that I, for one, did not truly know much about the IBLP, the belief system they follow. Chelsea explains how these teachings, including their specific home school model, oppress women and children. She discusses disciplinary methods, a typical day in the life of a family in the IBLP, and how her mother finally had enough. She tells the story about how her mother left the IBLP with her children in tow, leading them toward freedom and a better life. Chelsea has two children of her own today, and we discuss how her experience with this group affects how she parents her kids. Such an interesting and inspiring story!

You can find my book, Learning to Breathe, at:

https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Breathe-story-micropreemies-defied-ebook/dp/B083S6R3CN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=RUDD8XIP3YUT&keywords=learning+to+breathe+heather+evans&qid=1675870004&sprefix=learning+to+breathe+heather+evans%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-1

You can find my book, The NICU Mama Survival Guide, at:

https://www.amazon.com/NICU-Mama-Survival-Guide-Post-Partum/dp/B09MGJ7RSX/ref=sr_1_1?crid=24Q2C9CKTALJ2&keywords=the+nicu+mama+survival+guide&qid=1675870037&sprefix=the+nicu+mama+survival+guide%2Caps%2C113&sr=8-1

Have a great week!

Heather

This is such an exciting episode!

Today, I have the honor of chatting with Jessie Boeckmann, whose daughter was born via surrogacy in Ukraine the day before Russia attacked. Jessie takes us along her journey as she escapes Ukraine with her husband and her newborn, driving and even walking to safety. You definitely don't want to miss this fascinating story that will keep you on the edge of your seat!

You can find my book, Learning to Breathe, at:

https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Breathe-story-micropreemies-defied-ebook/dp/B083S6R3CN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=RUDD8XIP3YUT&keywords=learning+to+breathe+heather+evans&qid=1675870004&sprefix=learning+to+breathe+heather+evans%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-1

You can find my book, The NICU Mama Survival Guide, at:

https://www.amazon.com/NICU-Mama-Survival-Guide-Post-Partum/dp/B09MGJ7RSX/ref=sr_1_1?crid=24Q2C9CKTALJ2&keywords=the+nicu+mama+survival+guide&qid=1675870037&sprefix=the+nicu+mama+survival+guide%2Caps%2C113&sr=8-1

Have a great week!

Heather

Today, I have the joy of talking with Jessie Henderson. Jessie is a mother of four, and after you hear her story, I'm sure you will be as amazed as I am at how tough this mama is! Jessie shares her story which involves several unique factors including multiple pregnancy losses, birth trauma, the process of becoming pregnant with her twins via embryo donation, and what it is like being a military family. This message has something for everyone and makes you want to cheer on all of the other moms out there!

You can find my book, Learning to Breathe, at:

https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Breathe-story-micropreemies-defied-ebook/dp/B083S6R3CN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=RUDD8XIP3YUT&keywords=learning+to+breathe+heather+evans&qid=1675870004&sprefix=learning+to+breathe+heather+evans%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-1

You can find my book, The NICU Mama Survival Guide, at:

https://www.amazon.com/NICU-Mama-Survival-Guide-Post-Partum/dp/B09MGJ7RSX/ref=sr_1_1?crid=24Q2C9CKTALJ2&keywords=the+nicu+mama+survival+guide&qid=1675870037&sprefix=the+nicu+mama+survival+guide%2Caps%2C113&sr=8-1

Have a great week!

Heather

Today's guest is Marin Cole. Marin was born with a birth defect that led to abdominal surgery before she was 1 year old. Because of this, the future in regards to pregnancy, delivery, and breast feeding were uncertain. Right as she began trying to conceive, she ended up unable to eat and in the hospital with another major surgery as the recommended plan. Listen in to follow her journey as she DID become pregnant with her daughter, Ensleigh, and how their first seven months have gone. This is a great episode for everyone, but especially for those who might have questions about their fertility and ability to carry a baby in the future.

You can find my book, Learning to Breathe, at:

https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Breathe-story-micropreemies-defied-ebook/dp/B083S6R3CN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=RUDD8XIP3YUT&keywords=learning+to+breathe+heather+evans&qid=1675870004&sprefix=learning+to+breathe+heather+evans%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-1

You can find my book, The NICU Mama Survival Guide, at:

https://www.amazon.com/NICU-Mama-Survival-Guide-Post-Partum/dp/B09MGJ7RSX/ref=sr_1_1?crid=24Q2C9CKTALJ2&keywords=the+nicu+mama+survival+guide&qid=1675870037&sprefix=the+nicu+mama+survival+guide%2Caps%2C113&sr=8-1

Have a great week!

Heather