This Unexpected Life

In this heartfelt episode of This Unexpected Life, Carrie M. Holt sits down with her husband, Bruce, to share the often-unspoken perspective of fathers in the world of special needs parenting. Together, they revisit the day they received their son Toby’s diagnosis, the wave of grief that followed, and the heavy burden of guilt Bruce carried for years. With raw honesty, Bruce describes the struggle of wrestling with thoughts he never expected to face, the power of prayer that changed his heart in an instant, and the long journey of learning to forgive himself.

As they reflect on 18 years of parenting, Bruce and Carrie discuss the tensions and tenderness in marriage, the moments of joy that shine through the challenges, and the surprising truth that caregiving can become an act of worship. This conversation is both vulnerable and deeply encouraging—reminding us that even in the darkest valleys, God meets us with grace, hope, and renewal.

Eps. 24; September 16, 2025

If you enjoyed the show, leave a 5-star review!

• The Podcast is on YouTube
• Check out my new website
• Click here if you want to be a guest on the show
• Carrie’s Facebook or Instagram
• Find me on Substack
• My book: The Other Side of Special 

*This podcast features honest conversations with special needs parents and faith-filled guests. While I deeply value the stories and insights shared, the views and opinions expressed may not always reflect my own. Any resources listed are shared for reference, not necessarily a personal recommendation. I invite you to listen with spiritual discernment and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in what you hold onto and set aside.

In part two of this conversation, Carrie M Holt continues her conversation with Breena Holt as she shares the heartbreaking diagnosis of Batten Disease for her son Ezekiel—and the faith and hope that carried her family through his final days. Breena vulnerably unpacks her dreams of God’s glory, the paradox of relief and grief in a terminal diagnosis, and the spiritual battle she faced as Zeke entered heaven.

Together, Carrie and Breena also discuss the raw mom-guilt that special needs mothers carry, how siblings process loss differently, and why God’s faithfulness continues to anchor their family, even years later. This episode is both heartbreaking and profoundly hopeful, reminding us that in the valley of the shadow of death, we are never alone.

Eps. 23; September 9, 2025

If you enjoyed the show, leave a 5-star review!

• The Podcast is on YouTube
• Check out my new website
• Click here if you want to be a guest on the show
• Carrie’s Facebook or Instagram
• Find me on Substack
• My book: The Other Side of Special 

*This podcast features honest conversations with special needs parents and faith-filled guests. While I deeply value the stories and insights shared, the views and opinions expressed may not always reflect my own. Any resources listed are shared for reference, not necessarily a personal recommendation. I invite you to listen with spiritual discernment and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in what you hold onto and set aside.

In this vulnerable conversation, Carrie sits down with guest Breena Holt to share her family’s journey of raising and ultimately losing her son, Ezekiel, who battled Batten Disease. Breena honestly shares about her anxiety, honest questions about God and suffering, and the dreams God used to prepare her heart for the road ahead. 

Together, Carrie and Breena explore the difference between the suffering Scripture promises (persecution for our faith) and the heartbreaking suffering of disease, disability, and death. Breena explains how Ezekiel’s illness brought “chaos” to his brain, and how she came to see that God is not the author of that chaos—the enemy is. Yet, even in the darkest moments, she discovered God’s presence, kindness, and faithfulness, redeeming what was broken.

This episode invites weary, grieving, or questioning parents to cling to the hope of Revelation 21: that one day every tear will be wiped away, and all will be made right. Until then, we live between grace—the cross and resurrection of Jesus—and glory, the day all will be made right again. 

Eps. 22; September 22, 2025

If you enjoyed the show, leave a 5-star review!

• The Podcast is on YouTube
• Check out my new website
• Click here if you want to be a guest on the show
• Carrie’s Facebook or Instagram
• Find me on Substack
• My book: The Other Side of Special 

*This podcast features honest conversations with special needs parents and faith-filled guests. While I deeply value the stories and insights shared, the views and opinions expressed may not always reflect my own. Any resources listed are shared for reference, not necessarily a personal recommendation. I invite you to listen with spiritual discernment and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in what you hold onto and set aside.

In this conversation, Carrie Holt shares her personal journey as a special needs mom, reflecting on the profound insights she has gained from Psalm 23. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing God as our shepherd, surrendering control, and finding renewal in the wilderness. Through her experiences, she highlights the significance of rest, celebration, and lamenting losses while trusting in God's presence and goodness. The discussion culminates in a call to rejoice in God's faithfulness and to recognize the blessings that come even amidst challenges.
Eps. 21: August 26, 2026

Resources:

Rising Above App

Base Camp
By The Brook
Rising Above Community Groups

If you enjoyed the show, leave a 5-star review!

• The Podcast is on YouTube
• Check out my new website
• Click here if you want to be a guest on the show
• Carrie’s Facebook or Instagram
• Find me on Substack
• My book: The Other Side of Special 

*This podcast features honest conversations with special needs parents and faith-filled guests. While I deeply value the stories and insights shared, the views and opinions expressed may not always reflect my own. Any resources listed are shared for reference, not necessarily a personal recommendation. I invite you to listen with spiritual discernment and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in what you hold onto and set aside.

In this episode, Carrie M. Holt speaks with Julie Hornok and Dr. Regina Crone, co-founders of Labeled and Loved, an organization dedicated to supporting families with children who have disabilities. They share their personal journeys into the disability space, the importance of community and faith, and how to navigate the unique challenges of motherhood and sibling dynamics. The conversation emphasizes the need for caregivers to find joy, support, and connection, especially through events like the Weekend of Hope retreat.

Eps. 20; August 19, 2025

Resources:
$50 OFF Weekend of Hope with the code: UNEXPECTED50
Labeled & Loved Website
Register for Weekend of Hope
Weekend of Hope
Julie Hornok
Dr. Regina Crone
Labeled & Loved on the Kelly Clarkson Show

If you enjoyed the show, leave a 5-star review!

• The Podcast is on YouTube
• Check out my new website
• Click here if you want to be a guest on the show
• Carrie’s Facebook or Instagram
• Find me on Substack
• My book: The Other Side of Special 

*This podcast features honest conversations with special needs parents and faith-filled guests. While I deeply value the stories and insights shared, the views and opinions expressed may not always reflect my own. Any resources listed are shared for reference, not necessarily a personal recommendation. I invite you to listen with spiritual discernment and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in what you hold onto and set aside.

In this, the second part of Carrie M. Holt’s interview with Dr. Nicole Wilke, they discuss the importance of faith in overcoming challenges, the lens through which we should view suffering in our lives, and how children of all abilities need to know they have a purpose and a role in their families. This conversation highlights the importance of hope and the unique, beautiful calling of parents who raise children with invisible and visible disabilities.

Eps. 19; July 29, 2025

Resources:

• Glass Children: Special Needs Siblings on Display
• Learn more about Overcoming and Caleb Koala's Comeback Ride
• Helping Children with Disabilities Thrive ebook 
• Purchase the book Overcoming: What Scripture & Science Say About Resilience
• Purchase the book Caleb Koala's Comeback Ride: A Journey to Overcoming
• Follow Dr. Nicole Wilke on Instagram
• Find Dr. Nicole Wilke on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Dr. Nicole Wilke on the CAFO Website
• Learn more about the Christian Alliance for Orphans

If you enjoyed the show, leave a 5-star review!

• The Podcast is on YouTube
• Check out my new website
• Click here if you want to be a guest on the show
• Carrie’s Facebook or Instagram
• Find me on Substack
• My book: The Other Side of Special 

*This podcast features honest conversations with special needs parents and faith-filled guests. While I deeply value the stories and insights shared, the views and opinions expressed may not always reflect my own. Any resources listed are shared for reference, not necessarily a personal recommendation. I invite you to listen with spiritual discernment and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in what you hold onto and set aside.

In this episode, host Carrie M. Holt engages with Dr. Nicole Wilke, a researcher and therapist, discussing the challenges and triumphs of parenting children with special needs. They explore the importance of resilience, the impact of early adversity, and the role of attachment in healing. Dr. Wilke shares her personal experiences and insights, emphasizing the need for faith, community, and support in navigating this complex parenting journey.

Eps. 18; July 22, 2025

Resources:

• Would You Change it? My Article on Substack
• Learn more about Overcoming and Caleb Koala's Comeback Ride
• Helping Children with Disabilities Thrive ebook 
• Purchase the book Overcoming: What Scripture & Science Say About Resilience
• Purchase the book Caleb Koala's Comeback Ride: A Journey to Overcoming
• Follow Dr. Nicole Wilke on Instagram
• Find Dr. Nicole Wilke on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Dr. Nicole Wilke on the CAFO Website
• Learn more about the Christian Alliance for Orphans

If you enjoyed the show, leave a 5-star review!

• The Podcast is on YouTube
• Check out my new website
• Click here if you want to be a guest on the show
• Carrie’s Facebook or Instagram
• Find me on Substack
• My book: The Other Side of Special 

*This podcast features honest conversations with special needs parents and faith-filled guests. While I deeply value the stories and insights shared, the views and opinions expressed may not always reflect my own. Any resources listed are shared for reference, not necessarily a personal recommendation. I invite you to listen with spiritual discernment and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in what you hold onto and set aside.

In this episode of This Unexpected Life, host Carrie M Holt engages in a heartfelt conversation with Kara Ryska, a dedicated advocate for families navigating the challenges of raising children with disabilities. Kara shares her personal journey as a mother of four, including her experiences with her son's brain tumors and the complexities of parenting a child with diverse disabilities. The discussion delves into themes of grief, faith recovery, repeated acceptance of circumstances, and the importance of finding joy amidst adversity.

Eps. 17; July 15, 2025 

Resources:
Kara’s Website
The Special Needs Mom Podcast

Kara Ryska on IG

If you enjoyed the show, leave a 5-star review!

• The Podcast is on YouTube
• Check out my new website
• Click here if you want to be a guest on the show
• Carrie’s Facebook or Instagram
• Find me on Substack
• My book: The Other Side of Special 

*This podcast features honest conversations with special needs parents and faith-filled guests. While I deeply value the stories and insights shared, the views and opinions expressed may not always reflect my own. Any resources listed are shared for reference, not necessarily a personal recommendation. I invite you to listen with spiritual discernment and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in what you hold onto and set aside.

In this episode, Carrie M Holt interviews Paula Romang, who shares her journey of motherhood, particularly the challenges and joys of infertility, premature twins, and a son with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome. Paula discusses her initial expectations, the reality of caregiving, and the profound grief that accompanies the realization of having a special needs child. She emphasizes the importance of faith, the struggle to understand God's plan amidst hardship, and the necessity of finding hope in Christ.

Ep. 16, July 8, 2025

Resources:
Paula Romang’s Website
Instagram
Thriving in the Barren Place

If you enjoyed the show, leave a 5-star review!

• The Podcast is on YouTube
• Check out my new website
• Click here if you want to be a guest on the show
• Carrie’s Facebook or Instagram
• Find me on Substack
• My book: The Other Side of Special 

*This podcast features honest conversations with special needs parents and faith-filled guests. While I deeply value the stories and insights shared, the views and opinions expressed may not always reflect my own. Any resources listed are shared for reference, not necessarily a personal recommendation. I invite you to listen with spiritual discernment and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in what you hold onto and set aside.

In this episode, Carrie M Holt interviewed Chelsea Kuhn and Amber Pierson from Making Lemon Cake, who share their journeys as medical mothers. They discuss the challenges and triumphs of parenting children with medical complexities, emphasizing the importance of community, finding joy in small victories, and the role of surrender in their experiences. The conversation underscores the importance of support, understanding, and connection among parents navigating similar paths, while also providing practical advice and encouragement for those in similar situations.

Ep. 15: July 1, 2025

Resources:
Find Chelsea & Amber on Instagram
Making Lemon Cake Website
20% off ebook: Code: UNEXPECTEDLIFE

If you enjoyed the show, leave a 5-star review!

• The Podcast is on YouTube
• Check out my new website
• Click here if you want to be a guest on the show
• Carrie’s Facebook or Instagram
• Find me on Substack
• My book: The Other Side of Special 

*This podcast features honest conversations with special needs parents and faith-filled guests. While I deeply value the stories and insights shared, the views and opinions expressed may not always reflect my own. Any resources listed are shared for reference, not necessarily a personal recommendation. I invite you to listen with spiritual discernment and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in what you hold onto and set aside.