Thrive Through the Fire

In today’s episode of Thrive Through the Fire , I’m talking about something we all wrestle with at some point: when life just doesn’t feel fair. From childhood moments to deep adult pain—"unfair" is a thread that runs through many of our stories. I’ll walk through that feeling with you, share personal moments from my journey with cancer, and open the Word to show that even in Scripture, we’re not...

In this episode, I sit down with Bob and Linda Lotich, authors of Simple Money, Rich Life, to talk about something so many of us struggle with: money. But we don’t just talk dollars and cents. We talk about faith . About trusting God when your bank account is empty. About surrendering control when things feel impossible. And about what happens when we invite God into every area of our finances. Bo...

In this episode, I’m diving deep into something we all need, especially in a season of recovery— peace . And more importantly, how to protect that peace with healthy, God-honoring boundaries . As a cancer survivor, I know firsthand what it’s like to come out of a life-altering experience and feel overwhelmed by the world’s demands. After treatment, everyone wanted my time again—but I wasn’t ready....

Today’s episode of Thrive Through the Fire is one that’s close to my heart, because it’s something that changed my own life—especially during cancer and the tough unknowns that followed. I’m diving into the power of our words—specifically the ones we say to ourselves. We all know how important it is to use kind words with others. But how often do we forget to speak kind words to ourselves? Words c...

Whether you're walking through joy or pain, chaos or calm, we all need something consistent to hold onto. In this episode, I’ll walk you through why spiritual habits matter more than hype, how Jesus modeled a daily rhythm with the Father, and practical ways you can start connecting with God in meaningful, life-giving ways—even if you only have 15 minutes. This isn’t about being perfect. It’s about...

In this powerful episode, I sat down with my friend Paula—a licensed professional counselor with a heart for helping others through the lens of faith. Paula shared her deeply personal journey from struggling with depression as a teenager to discovering her purpose through Christian counseling. She opened up about her experiences with postpartum depression, a spiritual crisis moment during the pand...

In this episode, I’m opening up about something we don’t talk about enough— vulnerability . So many of us have been taught to hold it all together, to smile through the pain, and to act like everything’s fine. But vulnerability isn’t weakness—it’s one of the strongest, most Christ-like things we can embody. Together, we explore what the Bible says about vulnerability, how Jesus modeled it, and why...

In this episode of Thrive Through the Fire, I’m diving into one of the most powerful things we can do with our faith—share our story. I know firsthand how scary it can be to speak up, especially when you feel like your story isn’t dramatic enough or you’re still walking through it. But here's the truth: your testimony carries weight, and someone out there needs to hear it. I’ll walk through: Why y...

In this episode of Thrive Through the Fire , I’m pulling back the curtain on radiation therapy—what it actually is, what it feels like, and how to prepare for it—mentally, emotionally, and physically. When I started my own cancer journey, I was overwhelmed and scared. Radiation felt like a mystery, and I couldn’t find anyone who could walk me through it from a patient’s perspective. So that’s what...

In this episode, I talk about something we all need to learn—how to show up well for someone who’s walking through a hard season. Let’s be real. Most people have no idea what to do when a friend or loved one is struggling. We want to help, but we freeze. We overthink. We say things we didn’t mean or say nothing at all. And often, we do more harm than good—even when we’re trying our best. As someon...

Introduction In this episode of Thrive Through the Fire, I explore the importance of faith community, especially during difficult seasons. I share my personal journey of navigating life’s challenges, including my battle with cancer, and how a faith community was a source of strength and support. Episode Highlights The Danger of Isolation: I explain how isolation can be a tool of the enemy, making...

In this powerful and heartfelt episode of Thrive Through the Fire , I sit down with Jim Sneddon —a disabled Air Force veteran , retired firefighter , and cancer survivor since 2003 . Diagnosed with stage 3 testicular cancer while on active duty, Jim shares the raw, real, and sometimes humorous moments of his journey from diagnosis to healing. If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to fight can...

In this powerful and honest episode, I share about the hard moments in life that shake our faith, and shares the scriptures that gave me strength during my cancer journey. If you’ve ever asked, “Where is God in this?” or felt like you’re drowning in fear, doubt, or heartbreak—this episode is your lifeline. You’ll learn: Bible verses that anchor your soul in times of fear, weakness, and heartbreak...

In this deeply moving and faith-filled episode of Thrive Through the Fire , I welcome Debbie Simmons—CEO of Anchor Point, mom to thirteen, speaker, and author of The Heart of Legacy . Debbie vulnerably shares her story of devastating loss, including the death of her four biological sons, and how God turned that pain into a powerful purpose. Through her testimony of healing, obedience, and unwaveri...

Thrive Through the Fire – Episode 6: Faith and Obedience When Life is Hard In this vulnerable and faith-filled episode, I dive deep into what it really looks like to walk in faith and obedience when life feels anything but easy. As a mom, nurse, and colorectal cancer survivor, I know firsthand the tension between trusting God and asking, "God… are You serious right now?" From biblical stories of r...

Let’s talk about something that no one really wants to talk about—but far too many people are facing: colorectal cancer. In this candid and compassionate episode, I’m sharing my personal journey and walking you through what this diagnosis actually means—from symptoms to testing, treatment, and ultimately, remission. I was 37 years old, healthy, active, and had no family history of colorectal cance...

Welcome Back! Hey friend, welcome back to Thrive Through the Fire! If you’re new here, I’m Alyssa Kilgore —a mom, nurse, Jesus-lover, and someone who knows firsthand what it’s like when life doesn’t go according to plan. I don’t know about you, but I love a good plan. I have multiple calendars, a planner (or three), and a color-coded system for keeping my life organized. I love knowing what’s comi...

Welcome Back! Hey friend! Welcome back to Thrive Through the Fire . If this is your first time here, I’m Alyssa Kilgore—a mom, a nurse, a believer, and someone who walked through the fire of a stage 3 colorectal cancer diagnosis. Today’s episode is all about the things I wish I had known before my diagnosis. My goal? To help you feel prepared, not afraid. In this episode, we’re talking about: The...

Welcome Back! Hey friend! Welcome back to Thrive Through the Fire . If life has ever thrown you into the deep end without a floatie , you’re in the right place. Today’s episode? It might sting a little—because we’re talking about something none of us really want to hear: God is more concerned with your character than your comfort. I know, I know. Wouldn’t it be nice if life was just cozy blankets,...

Welcome to the Podcast! Hey friend! Welcome to the very first episode of Thrive Through the Fire ! You know, it’s kind of an unwritten rule that the first episode of a podcast has to start with an introduction—so here we are. Obligatory intro episode. But don’t worry, I promise it won’t be boring! I’m Alyssa Kilgore —a wife, mom of four, nurse, accidental tech guru, coffee reheater extraordinaire,...

Podcast Trailer: Welcome to Thrive Through the Fire If you’ve ever felt like life threw you straight into the fire—I see you. I’m Alyssa Kilgore , and at 38 years old, as a mom of four, I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer out of the blue. One moment, life was normal. The next? Everything changed. And let’s be real—the hardest part of anything isn’t just the battle itself… it’s the unknown. Not...