This Unexpected Life

Carrie M Holt
  • 5.0 (11)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to This Unexpected Life, a podcast designed to equip and encourage parents and caregivers of children with disabilities so they can embrace their journey with hope, faith, and resilience. With over twenty years of parenting experience, Carrie M Holt is a story-telling companion for caregiving mothers, exploring the hope and healing found in Jesus Christ—one story at a time.

  1. 20h ago

    Finding Jesus in Chronic Illness, Weakness and Caregiving with Kristen Wetherell and Sarah Walton

    For anyone walking through chronic illness, relentless suffering, caregivers, and special needs parenting, this conversation offers gentle biblical encouragement for the days when life doesn’t improve. Carrie sits down with bestselling authors Kristen Wetherell and Sarah Walton to discuss their new book, Jesus Will Meet You There, and the surprising ways Christ meets us—not after the pain ends, but right in the middle of it. Together they share their deeply personal stories of chronic Lyme disease, parenting children with complex neurological needs, making heartbreaking residential care decisions, wrestling with doubt, and discovering God's faithfulness when healing doesn't come. In this episode, you'll hear: Why weakness isn't something God asks us to hideHow shame often keeps caregivers from receiving God's graceWhat Jesus teaches us about suffering through the GospelsThe difference between doubt and unbeliefEncouragement for parents making impossible caregiving decisionsHow suffering changes the way we prayPractical hope for caregivers wondering how they'll keep going tomorrowIf you've ever wondered whether Jesus still sees you in the exhaustion of caregiving, chronic illness, and ongoing trials, this conversation reminds us that He isn't waiting on the other side of our suffering—He's already with us in it.  Eps. 56; July 21, 2026 Resources: Jesus Will Meet You There  Video Series Sarah Walton IG Sarah’s Substack Kristen’s IG Kristen’s Website There Was Jesus Spotify Playlist If you enjoyed the show, leave a 5-star review! The Podcast is on YouTubeCheck out my new websiteClick here if you want to be a guest on the showCarrie’s Facebook or InstagramFind me on SubstackMy 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.

    Finding Jesus in Chronic Illness, Weakness and Caregiving with Kristen Wetherell and Sarah Walton

  2. Jul 14

    When Shame Shapes Your Story: Finding Freedom, Healing, and God's Love in the Special Needs Parenting Journey with Dr. Zoe Shaw

    For many parents raising children with disabilities, shame quietly becomes part of the journey. We question our parenting, compare ourselves to other families, wonder if we've somehow failed, and sometimes even believe God is disappointed with us. In this deeply honest conversation, licensed psychotherapist, author, and special needs mom Dr. Zoe Shaw shares her own unexpected story of placing her first child for adoption, raising a daughter with a rare genetic disorder, and wrestling with the painful belief that God was punishing her. Together, Carrie and Dr. Zoe explore the difference between guilt, shame, and the concept Dr. Zoe calls Complex Shame—a deeper form of shame that often develops through repeated painful experiences and can quietly shape our relationships, parenting, and even how we see God. Whether you're newly navigating a diagnosis or have been caregiving for years, this episode offers biblical hope, practical wisdom, and compassionate encouragement for anyone longing to step out of hiding and experience the freedom Christ offers. In this episode, you'll learn: What Complex Shame is and why it affects many caregiversThe difference between guilt, shame, and identityHow shame influences our relationship with GodPractical first steps toward healingHow to recognize shame before it controls your decisionsWays to parent without passing shame to your childrenWhy it's okay to grieve the life you didn't choose while still loving your child deeplyHow God's pursuit of us continues even in seasons of anger and doubtEps. 55; July 14, 2026 Resources: Dr. Zoe’s Website Dr. Zoe on Instagram Book: Stronger in The Difficult Places Book: A Year of Self-Care: Daily Practices and Inspiration for Caring For Yourself There Was Jesus Spotify Playlist If you enjoyed the show, leave a 5-star review! The Podcast is on YouTubeCheck out my new websiteClick here if you want to be a guest on the showCarrie’s Facebook or InstagramFind me on SubstackMy 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.

    When Shame Shapes Your Story: Finding Freedom, Healing, and God's Love in the Special Needs Parenting Journey with Dr. Zoe Shaw

  3. Jul 7

    When God Doesn't Prevent Suffering: Wrestling with Difficult Questions in Disability Parenting with Sandy Ramsey-Trayvick

    In this powerful episode of This Unexpected Life, Carrie sits down with author, speaker, coach, and special needs mom Sandy Ramsey-Trayvick to explore what it means to trust God when life doesn't unfold the way we imagined. After hearing the audible voice of God tell her she would have a son, Sandy expected God had extraordinary plans for his life. But when her healthy toddler contracted bacterial meningitis at just 13 months old, everything changed. Doctors told her he would never walk, talk, or live outside an institution. Instead of the future she imagined, Sandy found herself walking a lifelong journey of disability parenting, caregiving, advocacy, and wrestling honestly with God. Together, Carrie and Sandy discuss the questions every special needs parent eventually asks: Why would God allow this?Can I trust Him when I don't understand?Where is Jesus in the middle of suffering?How do I continue believing God's promises when life still hurts?Sandy shares remarkable stories of God's quiet provision—from unexpected doctors arriving at just the right moment to discovering that God's greatest miracles were often not the ones she prayed for, but the ones that transformed her heart. Whether you're raising a child with disabilities, walking through caregiving, grieving unmet expectations, or simply wondering where God is in your own suffering, this conversation offers Biblical encouragement and practical hope for recognizing Jesus' presence in the middle of life's hardest seasons. Sometimes we don't see Him while we're living the story. But looking back... There was Jesus Eps. 54; July 7, 2026 Resources: Sandy’s Website Sandy on Instagram When Dreams are Disrupted There Was Jesus Spotify Playlist If you enjoyed the show, leave a 5-star review! The Podcast is on YouTubeCheck out my new websiteClick here if you want to be a guest on the showCarrie’s Facebook or InstagramFind me on SubstackMy 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.

    When God Doesn't Prevent Suffering: Wrestling with Difficult Questions in Disability Parenting with Sandy Ramsey-Trayvick

  4. Jun 23

    Learning to Embrace the Life You Didn't Expect: Finding Peace, Purpose, and Prayer in the Special Needs Parenting Journey with Jenn Soehnlin

    When Jenn Soehnlin's two young sons began receiving diagnoses including hearing loss, apraxia, autism, and anxiety, her world quickly filled with therapies, specialists, grief, and questions for God. What started as a season of overwhelming uncertainty led Jenn into a crisis of faith as she wrestled with why God would allow so much hardship in her family's life. Then, during a desperate moment, God whispered a single word to her heart: embrace. In this encouraging conversation, Jenn shares how that one word transformed the way she viewed her children, her marriage, herself, and even God. Together, Carrie and Jenn discuss learning to embrace the life you didn't choose, releasing unrealistic expectations and mom guilt, finding peace in the middle of chaos, and discovering God's faithfulness through every stage of the special needs journey. Jenn also shares how praying Scripture changed her relationship with God, practical ways parents can begin praying God's Word over their children, and how to persevere when prayers seem unanswered. If you've ever wondered where God is amid your family's struggles, this episode is a reminder that His presence is often closer than we realize. In this episode: • Learning to embrace the special needs journey • Finding peace in the middle of uncertainty • Releasing mom guilt and unrealistic expectations • The power of praying Scripture • Persevering through unanswered prayers • Recognizing God's presence in suffering • Encouragement for special needs parents Eps. 53; June 23, 2026 Resources: Jenn’s Website On The Same Page With God by Jenn Soehnlin Embracing This Special Life Spotify Playlist: There Was Jesus Praying the Bible by Donald Whitney Praying Through Life’s Battles by Rachel Wojo Every Moment Holy  Scripture: Psalm 116:2, Luke 2:52 If you enjoyed the show, leave a 5-star review! The Podcast is on YouTubeCheck out my new websiteClick here if you want to be a guest on the showCarrie’s Facebook or InstagramFind me on SubstackMy 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.

    Learning to Embrace the Life You Didn't Expect: Finding Peace, Purpose, and Prayer in the Special Needs Parenting Journey with Jenn Soehnlin

  5. Jun 16

    The Autism Caregiver's Journey: Finding Jesus in Perfectionism, People-Pleasing, and Isolation with Sarah Mays

    When Sarah Mays first heard her newborn son cry, she knew something wasn't right. What followed was a long journey of medical appointments, therapies, genetic testing, autism, ADHD, and learning how to advocate fiercely for her child. In this heartfelt episode of This Unexpected Life, Sarah shares how caregiving has been woven throughout her entire life—from caring for her younger sister as a child to raising a son with complex medical needs and autism as a single mom of five. Together, Carrie and Sarah discuss the grief that accompanies every stage of the special needs parenting journey, the church hurt many disability families experience, and the importance of finding safe people who will simply sit with you in the pain. Sarah offers powerful encouragement for caregivers struggling to see Jesus in their suffering, reminding us that God's greatest work isn't always found in deliverance—but often in His presence as He carries us through the hard things. Through honest conversations about perfectionism, people-pleasing, isolation, and grace, Sarah invites listeners to embrace the messy middle and discover that they were never meant to walk this journey alone. If you're navigating a diagnosis, caregiving, autism parenting, disability, chronic illness, or the ongoing grief that comes with raising a child with special needs, this episode will remind you that God's grace is sufficient for today Eps. 52; June 16, 2026 Resources: Spotify Playlist: There Was Jesus If you enjoyed the show, leave a 5-star review! The Podcast is on YouTubeCheck out my new websiteClick here if you want to be a guest on the showCarrie’s Facebook or InstagramFind me on SubstackMy 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.

    The Autism Caregiver's Journey: Finding Jesus in Perfectionism, People-Pleasing, and Isolation with Sarah Mays

  6. Jun 9

    When You Feel Alone: Finding God’s Provision and Presence in a Rare Diagnosis with Brianna Johnson

    When Brianna Johnson's son was diagnosed with Bainbridge-Ropers Syndrome, a rare genetic condition affecting only a few hundred people worldwide, her family entered a journey they never expected. Faced with uncertainty, unanswered questions, and the reality of parenting a child with complex needs, Brianna discovered that even the rarest diagnoses don't have to be walked alone. In this episode of This Unexpected Life, Brianna shares how finding community across state lines and even across oceans helped her family feel seen and supported. She opens up about raising three boys with different needs, navigating school supports and IEP meetings, learning to celebrate "inchstones" instead of just milestones, and embracing the grace to parent one day at a time. As part of our There Was Jesus series, Brianna reflects on the unexpected ways God has shown up throughout her family's journey—through teachers, doctors, friendships, and the small moments that reveal His faithfulness. If you've ever felt isolated by your child's diagnosis, discouraged by slow progress, or wondered where God is in the middle of the unknown, this conversation will remind you that you are not alone and that God's presence is often found in the people and provisions He places along the way. Eps. 51; June 9, 2026 Resources: Brianna’s Website Instagram Spotify Playlist: There Was Jesus If you enjoyed the show, leave a 5-star review! The Podcast is on YouTubeCheck out my new websiteClick here if you want to be a guest on the showCarrie’s Facebook or InstagramFind me on SubstackMy 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.

    When You Feel Alone: Finding God’s Provision and Presence in a Rare Diagnosis with Brianna Johnson

  7. Jun 2

    There Was Jesus: Knowing God’s Presence in Trauma, Loss & Disability Parenting with Becky Davidson

    This month kicks off the new podcast series entitled, There Was Jesus. In this deeply honest episode of This Unexpected Life, Carrie M. Holt sits down with returning guest Becky Davidson to discuss recognizing God’s presence in the middle of suffering, trauma, grief, and caregiving exhaustion. Becky shares how years of hospital stays, caregiving stress, widowhood, and parenting her adult son with profound disabilities shaped her faith journey. Together, Carrie and Becky discuss how trauma impacts the way we see God, the healing power of EMDR therapy, imaginative prayer, attachment wounds, anxiety, and learning to recognize the presence of Jesus in painful memories. This conversation offers hope for special needs parents, caregivers, widows, and anyone walking through grief or chronic stress. If you’ve ever wondered where God was in your hardest moments, this episode is a reminder that Jesus was there — even when you couldn’t see Him. You’ll also hear encouragement about: Processing trauma safely in communityEMDR and Christian counselingLearning spiritual rhythms of remembering God’s faithfulnessHealing attachment wounds and anxietyFinding God’s presence in caregiving burnoutEps. 50; June 2, 2026 Resources: Register for By The Brook or Purchase it for Later! Rising Above Podcast Spotify Playlist: There Was Jesus Becky on Episode 9: Worst-Case Scenario By The Brook: Restore Retreat Experience By The Brook: Flourish Retreat Experience John Eldredge’s Podcast: Wild At Heart John Eldredge’s Books Mentioned: Get Your Life Back Resilient Experience Jesus Really One Minute Pause App Healing Care Center Adam Young’s Podcast: The Place We Find Ourselves Allender Center: Story Work If you enjoyed the show, leave a 5-star review! The Podcast is on YouTubeCheck out my new websiteClick here if you want to be a guest on the showCarrie’s Facebook or InstagramFind me on SubstackMy 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.

    There Was Jesus: Knowing God’s Presence in Trauma, Loss & Disability Parenting with Becky Davidson

  8. May 19

    When Your Child Asks Difficult Questions: Navigating Faith, Medical Motherhood and Rare Disease with Katie Seelig

    In this heartfelt episode of This Unexpected Life, Carrie sits down with homeschooling mom of six, Katie Seelig, to discuss raising a child with a rare neuromuscular condition, navigating medical uncertainty, and learning to trust God in the unknown. Katie shares the emotional journey of discovering her son’s scoliosis at age three, pursuing answers through specialists and genetic testing, and eventually learning he had a rare FLNC gene mutation connected to congenital myopathy and cardiomyopathy. Along the way, she opens up about medical motherhood, grief, postpartum anxiety, advocacy, sibling dynamics, homeschooling, and the challenge of carrying heavy burdens while trying to stay strong for everyone else. Together, Carrie and Katie discuss what it means to steward a child’s care faithfully, how to respond when your child asks hard questions like, “Am I going to die?”, and why vulnerability, therapy, and community support are vital for special needs parents. This conversation is filled with honest faith, practical encouragement, and the reminder that even in sorrow and uncertainty, God remains faithful Eps. 49; May 19, 2026 If you enjoyed the show, leave a 5-star review! The Podcast is on YouTubeCheck out my new websiteClick here if you want to be a guest on the showCarrie’s Facebook or InstagramFind me on SubstackMy 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.

    When Your Child Asks Difficult Questions: Navigating Faith, Medical Motherhood and Rare Disease with Katie Seelig
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5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Welcome to This Unexpected Life, a podcast designed to equip and encourage parents and caregivers of children with disabilities so they can embrace their journey with hope, faith, and resilience. With over twenty years of parenting experience, Carrie M Holt is a story-telling companion for caregiving mothers, exploring the hope and healing found in Jesus Christ—one story at a time.

Information

  • Creator
    Carrie M Holt
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    57
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 This Unexpected Life
  • Show Website
    This Unexpected Life

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