How do a mother and daughter reconnect after eight years of family estrangement? Rachel Inouye and her daughter, Grace Roetman, join John Gallagher on Talks with Gallagher to share the story behind their book, Waiting on Grace—and the faith, forgiveness, and vulnerability that helped them rebuild their relationship. Rachel, an author, speaker, and host of the real deal podcast, reflects on holding on to hope without knowing when she would hear from her daughter again. Grace shares her experience of isolation and emotional abuse, the turning point that helped her recognize controlling behavior, and the process of reclaiming her identity after divorce. Together, they recount the letter that reopened communication, their emotional reunion in Chicago, and the ongoing work of rebuilding trust. They also discuss how journaling, prayer, supportive community, and honest conversations shaped their healing. Plus, Grace shares an update on her recent marriage and what a loving, supportive relationship looks like in this new chapter of her life. At the heart of this conversation is hope: not only celebrating reconciliation, but also finding strength during the years when the outcome remains unknown. In this episode Experiencing family estrangement from a mother’s and daughter’s perspectivesRecognizing manipulation, gaslighting, and isolation in a relationshipRediscovering identity, autonomy, and joy after emotional abuseFinding the courage to contact family after years apartExtending forgiveness and rebuilding trust through vulnerabilityThe role of Christian faith, prayer, and community during difficult seasonsTimestamps 00:00 — Welcome and introducing Rachel and Grace 01:55 — How Waiting on Grace began as a journal 04:15 — “Meanwhile in Michigan”: Bringing two perspectives together 08:35 — Unexpected reminders of home: “Thank you so much, Rachel” 11:31 — Holding on to faith without knowing the outcome 14:42 — Prayer, identity, and hope during family estrangement 20:03 — Grace on isolation, fear, and struggling to recognize hope 29:18 — The missed wedding that became a turning point 35:34 — Writing the letter that reopened communication 39:12 — A recorded prayer and the “heart surgery” connection 43:27 — Reclaiming identity and autonomy after emotional abuse 51:03 — Rachel remembers their reunion in Chicago 56:21 — Grace remembers hugging her parents again 1:00:20 — Rebuilding trust, acknowledging pain, and extending grace 1:08:09 — Encouragement for strained and estranged families 1:12:00 — Vulnerability and starting difficult conversations 1:18:08 — Grace’s life today: Marriage and a new beginning 1:24:38 — A wedding promise and her father’s role 1:27:25 — Closing prayer for hope, healing, and reconciliation Connect with Rachel and explore Waiting on Gracehttps://rachelinouye.org/ Watch the video interview https://youtube.com/live/QpoCILTP__A?feature=share Follow Talks with Gallagher on your favorite podcast app for more honest conversations about faith, life, and the stories that shape us. If this episode encouraged you, leave a review or share it with someone who may need hope. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/talks-with-gallagher--6106098/support. Visit talkswithgallagher.com for more information and support the future of this podcast. Want to be a guest on Talks with Gallagher? Send John Gallagher a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/talkswithgallagher
