Thrive Through the Fire

In this episode of Thrive Through the Fire, I talk about one of the deepest fears we experience as humans. It is not always the pain itself that overwhelms us. Often it is the uncertainty of not knowing how long the pain will last. This conversation is especially meaningful to me because learning how to face the unknown without fear was one of the reasons I created this podcast in the first place....

In this episode of Thrive Through the Fire , I sit down with my dear friend Stephanie as she vulnerably shares her journey through one of the hardest heartbreaks a mother can experience, child abandonment and separation from her daughter. Stephanie opens her heart about the pain of missing her child, the daily surrender required to trust God in unanswered prayers, and how she continues to faithful...

In this episode of Thrive Through the Fire , I share an honest and deeply personal conversation about food, nourishment, weight gain during chemo, and what it really looked like for me to support my body during treatment. When I was first diagnosed, I assumed I would lose weight during chemotherapy. I think a lot of people believe that’s what happens. You picture constant nausea and no appetite. B...

In this episode of Thrive Through the Fire , I share why I continue to talk about colon cancer, even years after my diagnosis — and why this conversation is not meant to scare you, but to equip you. As colorectal cancer rates rise, especially in younger adults, awareness matters more than ever. But this episode is about more than statistics. It’s about stewardship. It’s about obedience. It’s about...

In today’s episode, I’m talking about something I’ve had to learn the hard way: doing what’s best for you, even when everyone around you has advice, opinions, or fears they’re projecting onto your situation. This conversation was shaped deeply by my cancer journey. I share how I was offered support groups and advice from many well-meaning people, but had to be intentional about what voices I allow...

In this episode of Thrive Through the Fire, I’m talking about grief. Not just the kind we associate with death, but the quieter, often overlooked grief that comes with loss, change, unmet expectations, and the life we thought we would have. This conversation was inspired by Session 4 of Megan Fate Marshman’s Bible study Relaxed, where she addresses grief and mistakes in a way that stopped me in my...

In today’s episode of Thrive Through the Fire, I’m talking about peace and not the surface-level calm the world offers, but the kind of peace that keeps showing up for me in Scripture, in Bible study, and through sermons at church. When a word keeps repeating like that, I’ve learned it’s an invitation to slow down and pay attention. I share how Proverbs 3:5–6 has been reshaping my understanding of...

In today’s episode, I’m sitting down with my friend Sara for an honest and deeply meaningful conversation about addiction, identity, and the sanctification process. Sara shares how her struggle with addiction didn’t begin with drugs or alcohol, but much earlier, through relationships, validation, and looking for worth in the wrong places. Over time, those patterns led her into substance abuse, bro...

Welcome back to Thrive Through the Fire. In today’s episode, I’m talking about a phrase that can sound harsh at first but has actually become one of the most freeing mindset shifts in my life. This episode is called Nobody Cares. I share why this conversation was inspired by something my grandma used to say and how, as an adult, I’ve come to understand the wisdom behind it. We talk honestly about...

As we step into a new year, there is so much conversation around fresh starts, clean slates, resolutions, and becoming a new version of ourselves. In this episode, I talk honestly about why that idea can feel both hopeful and heavy at the same time. While the new year promises possibility, it often brings pressure, comparison, and unrealistic expectations that leave many of us discouraged before w...

In this episode of Thrive Through the Fire, I talk about something many of us quietly struggle with but often feel uncomfortable admitting. The holidays can be hard. They are hard even when everything in life is good, and they can feel especially heavy when we are walking through something difficult. As a mom of four, I feel the pressure every year to make the season magical, to give my family mem...

In this episode of Thrive Through the Fire, I talk about naturopaths, what they are, what they actually do, and why they can be such an important part of a healing journey. As someone who walked through cancer and learned to support my body in new ways, this topic has become incredibly personal and meaningful to me. I explain how naturopaths look at the whole body instead of treating symptoms in i...

In this episode of Thrive Through the Fire , I talk about something that’s been one of the hardest lessons for me, rest. Not just sleep or downtime, but real rest that allows your body, mind, and spirit to heal. As a mom of four, I’ve always been a doer. Slowing down never came naturally to me. But after walking through cancer, I learned that rest isn’t optional, it’s essential for healing. I shar...

In this week’s episode of Thrive Through the Fire, I open up about what it really means when we say “the church is a hospital, not a façade.” For so long, I thought church was a place where everyone had it together, the smiling faces, the perfect families, the calm marriages. I’d sit in my seat and feel like the only one falling apart. But once I started building real relationships, joining life g...

In this week’s episode of Thrive Through the Fire , I open up about the anxiety that comes with medical follow-ups after cancer, the way even a simple doctor’s appointment can stir old fears and memories. As a wife, mom, and stage 3 cancer survivor, I share candidly about how easily fear can creep back in and how important it is to take those thoughts captive and bring them under God’s truth. I ta...

In this episode of Thrive Through the Fire , I open up about a question that’s followed me through some of the hardest seasons of my life — where is God in the midst of suffering? As a mom, wife, and stage 3 cancer survivor, I’ve wrestled deeply with the tension between faith and pain. Today, I’m diving into what Scripture says about suffering, what I’ve learned through my own battle with cancer,...

In this week’s episode of Thrive Through the Fire , I sit down with my dear friend Evelyn — a woman whose warm hugs and kind spirit carried me through some of the darkest days of my life. I first met Evelyn in the sanctuary doorway at church, where she greeted every person who walked in with a smile and a heart full of love. What I didn’t realize then was that God would use her presence to remind...

In this episode, we’re talking about the biblical importance of fasting, how it impacts our health, and why it can be especially powerful for people walking through cancer or recovery. I’ll also share some of my personal experiences, the ways I’ve fasted, what I’ve learned, and how God has been changing my mindset through it all. Section 1: Why We Fast — Biblical Foundations Fasting isn’t just ski...

Today’s episode is on a topic that’s often misunderstood—PTSD. Most people think it only belongs to soldiers or first responders, but the truth is, trauma comes in many forms: cancer, abuse, sudden loss, medical crises, or any life-shattering event. I share both my husband’s journey as a Marine Corps veteran who returned from combat with scars you can’t see, and my own story of how PTSD showed up...

In this episode, I open up about something that often gets overlooked when we talk about illness—the actual dollars and cents of being sick. When I walked through my cancer journey, I was blessed to have insurance, but even then, the out-of-pocket costs were overwhelming. From upfront payments to waiting for reimbursements, the financial side of cancer was a burden I never expected. I’ll share how...

In this episode, I’m unpacking the weight we put on names like “cancer,” “divorce,” or “unemployment.” These things are experiences, not identities. They’re what we go through, not who we are. I’m sharing how God often uses difficult seasons to rewrite our stories, and yes — even to rename us. In the Bible, we see this when Abram became Abraham, “father of many,” when God promised to make him the...

In this episode, I sit down with my friend Stephanie Latchford to talk about how God has been wooing her closer to Him in this season of life. Stephanie shares how she’s stepping out of her comfort zone and learning to trust God even in the unknown, holding tight to the truth of Joshua 1:9 “Be strong and courageous.” We dive into why it’s so important to practice Sabbath and truly unplug , not jus...

In this episode, I’m talking about the difference between knowing about God and actually knowing Him—walking with Him, having a relationship with Him, and trusting Him no matter what comes. I share my own story of how I began seeking God before my cancer diagnosis and how that made all the difference when my world was turned upside down. My testimony didn’t feel dramatic at first—it was simply me...

In this episode, I’m sharing some of my favorite book recommendations that have encouraged, challenged, and filled my mind during difficult seasons. Whether you’re the one sitting in a hospital room, going through treatments like chemo, or you’re a family member waiting and watching alongside someone you love, books can be a lifeline. I truly believe that what we feed our minds matters. When we’re...

In this episode of Thrive Through the Fire , I’m sharing one of the most personal parts of my story — what it’s really like to walk through chemotherapy. When I first heard the word “chemo,” I didn’t know what to expect. TV shows and stories painted one picture, but the reality was far more complex and personal. I talk through my experience with Oxaliplatin, the side effects I never saw coming, an...