In this episode, we sit down with Bill Bender to talk about a journey that didn’t follow the traditional script — and why that ended up being its greatest strength. Bill shares the twists, setbacks, and pivotal moments that shaped his unconventional climb to success, offering an honest look at what it means to keep going when the timeline you imagined for yourself no longer applies.

A powerful highlight of the conversation centers on Bill’s decision to return to college later in life and the emotional significance of completing that chapter with his mother in attendance to witness it. It’s a moment that represents perseverance, growth, and the quiet pride that comes from finishing something you once thought might be out of reach.

Throughout the episode, Bill reflects on redefining success, learning from failure, and embracing the long road — proving that progress doesn’t have an expiration date. This conversation is a reminder that there’s no single path to fulfillment, and that sometimes the most meaningful achievements come from staying the course, even when it takes longer than expected.

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In Part II, Kathleen Kane continues her conversation with Liz Scott, diving deeper into Alex’s enduring legacy and the extraordinary foundation built in her name. Liz reflects on how Alex’s simple childhood mission grew into Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, now one of the leading organizations funding childhood cancer research and supporting families nationwide. Together, Kathleen and Liz explore the ripple effect of Alex’s courage, generosity, and belief that one person, no matter how young, can truly change the world.

This episode is a powerful reminder that hope, purpose, and love can live on far beyond a single lifetime.

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In Part One of this episode, we’re honored to sit down with Liz Scott, founder of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. Liz shares the powerful story of her daughter Alex—who she was, what inspired her iconic lemonade stand, and how a simple childhood idea grew into a global movement.

Together, we reflect on Alex’s courage, compassion, and legacy, and explore the profound impact she continues to have on childhood cancer research and families around the world. This conversation sets the foundation for understanding not just the organization, but the heart and hope behind it.

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In this reflection episode of Through the HurriKane, Kathleen and Alexandra pause to look back on the first six episodes — stories that carried deep emotion, hard truths, and powerful resilience. Together, they reflect on what it was like to hold space for vulnerability, revisit painful moments, and move through conversations that weren’t always easy but were necessary. This episode is about what happens between the storms: what we learn when the winds settle, how sharing stories can heal both the speaker and the listener, and why reflection is just as important as forward motion. A moment to breathe, honor what’s been shared so far, and ground ourselves before continuing the journey ahead.

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In this episode, I sit down with my dear friend Dale Hadley to talk about her son Brian Patrick Hadley, a bright, funny, twelve-year-old boy whose sudden passing changed her life forever. Dale shares what it was like to live through that loss, how she found the strength to keep going, and the ways she’s learned to carry Brian’s memory forward.

Check out the featured song on our website: “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother.”

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In this episode of Through the HurriKane, I sit down with my dear friend Dr. Linda Barrasse, a cardiologist, author, and mother who lost her son, Cody, in a tragic accident. Linda shares the story of Cody’s final act of generosity—donating his organs—and how she found hope and purpose through unimaginable grief. We talk about love, faith, and learning to live again after loss. The song of the episode, chosen by Linda in memory of Cody, is “You Are My Sunshine” by Johnny Cash.

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In this fourth and final conversation with my niece Lexi, I share the hardest part of my journey and the lessons that kept me moving forward when everything inside me wanted to stop. Prison was a world I never imagined. There were moments I thought I could not survive, moments I believed my boys were better off without me. But there were also moments of grace, kindness, and even laughter. I also share the wild story of my bail and why that day, which should have broken me, became a reminder that love and family can carry you through anything.

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Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.