Ep 093: Kaitlynn Smalley on Liver Failure, Faith & Finding Peace Through the Fight

Ep 093: Kaitlynn Smalley on Liver Failure, Faith & Finding Peace Through the Fight

At 22 years old, Kaitlynn Smalley went from Christmas break… to sudden liver failure, the ICU, and an emergency transplant list. Kaitlynn Smalley never imagined her newlywed life and nursing school journey would suddenly turn into a fight for survival. What started as severe stomach pain during Christmas break in 2022 quickly spiraled into liver failure, ICU care, dialysis, and an emergency race against time. Only 16 hours after being placed on the transplant list, a liver became available — a miracle in itself. But the transplant wasn’t the end of the story. Since then, Kaitlynn has faced infection after infection, hospital stays, chronic health diagnoses, and setbacks she never expected. In the middle of the pain, anxiety, uncertainty, and asking God, “What more can I take?” … she discovered something deeper: A peace that didn’t come from circumstances. Through faith, temple experiences, personal revelation, and feeling profoundly known and loved by God, Kaitlynn learned that peace can exist even inside ongoing battles. Her story is a powerful reminder that sometimes healing doesn’t mean the struggle disappears — but that we don’t walk through it alone. 🎧 Listen to the full episode now. 💬 Share this episode with someone walking through illness, uncertainty, or a difficult season. ❤️ Don’t forget to subscribe, follow, and leave a review. #KaitlynnSmalley #FaithInHardTimes #LiverTransplant #HandOfGod #HealingJourney #LDSPodcast #HopeAndHealing #FaithStory #JesusChrist #ChronicIllnessJourney

Ep 092: Katie Loveless on Depression, Mental Health & the Unexpected Research Project God Used to Bless Thousands

What if the thing that felt like your life falling apart… was actually preparing you for a purpose you couldn't yet see? Katie Loveless had a strong faith foundation, a mission call, and a deep love for the gospel. But during her mission, chronic pain changed everything. Severe headaches led to depression. Depression led to years of medical struggles, wrong medications, hospital stays, and moments so dark she didn’t know how she would move forward. Even after getting married, life felt heavy. Yet in the middle of that darkness… one unexpected encounter changed her path. A dinner with friends. A unique style of Aboriginal dot art depicting gospel themes. And a spark of curiosity that would quietly begin a years-long journey. Katie dove into research connecting Aboriginal art, faith, missionary work, and the restored gospel. She had no idea that years later, missionaries in Australia would discover her research and use it to help Aboriginal communities better understand the gospel through their own culture, stories, and artistic language. What seemed like a forgotten academic project became part of something much bigger. Today, Katie is the founder of Soul of Great Worth, a Christ-centered community helping people navigate mental health challenges with faith, scripture, and hope. Her story is a reminder that God is often working through the chapters that make the least sense while we’re living them. 🎧 Listen to the full episode now 💬 Share this episode with someone walking through mental health struggles or questioning their purpose ❤️ Follow Katie’s work at @soulofgreatworth on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram 📖 Find her scripture resources, workshops, and workbook at soulofgreatworth.com #KatieLoveless #SoulOfGreatWorth #MentalHealthAndFaith #LDSMentalHealth #FaithInHardTimes #RecognizeHisHand #MentalHealthJourney #JesusChrist #ChristianPodcast #HopeAndHealing

Ep 091: Carrie Yost on Illness, Depression & the Unexpected Music Journey That Changed Her Life

What if the thing that saved you… was something you never planned to do? Carrie Yost never expected severe illness to completely redirect the course of her life. A farmer’s wife, mother of seven, athlete, photographer, and follower of Christ, Carrie was used to constantly serving everyone around her. But in 2021, while raising her busy family and supporting her husband in his calling as bishop, her health suddenly began to collapse. Gut issues turned severe. Exhaustion became overwhelming. Depression followed. For someone who had always been active and full of life, it felt like she was drowning. And strangely enough… music became the lifeline God placed in front of her. What started as helping her daughter’s friend improve a simple song about Peter nearly drowning became the beginning of an entirely new purpose she never saw coming. Carrie had no formal music training. She wasn’t a songwriter. She couldn’t even sight read music. But one by one, the right people kept appearing: a mentor, vocalists, producers, collaborators. Doors kept opening. And through songwriting, Carrie began turning her testimony, struggles, and healing into music centered on Jesus Christ, covenants, and hope. Her story is a powerful reminder that God often works through the very seasons we would never choose for ourselves. Sometimes the hardest chapters become the beginning of the thing we were actually called to do. 🎧 Listen to the full episode now 💬 Share this episode with someone walking through illness, discouragement, or uncertainty 🎶 Find Carrie’s music and free children’s songs at carrieyostmusic.com 📱 Follow her on IG: @carrieyostmusic ▶️ YouTube: [Carrie Yost Music YouTube Channel](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMdqs_Mi3rPquy18jd52t-A) #CarrieYostMusic #FaithInHardTimes #ChristianMusic #LDSWomen #HandOfGod #FaithJourney #HealingThroughMusic #JesusChrist #ChristianPodcast #HopeAndHealing

Ep 090: Nish Weiseth on Faith With Grit, Hospice Care & Finding God in Life’s Tender Moments

What do people care about most when life is coming to an end? After years as a hospice chaplain, Nish Weiseth says the answer is always the same: relationships, love, and the people who matter most. In this deeply moving episode, hospice chaplain and bereavement specialist Nish Weiseth shares how walking alongside people at the end of life has transformed the way she sees faith, purpose, and what truly matters. Raised in an atheist home in the South, Nish wasn’t handed a belief system growing up. Instead, she was encouraged to figure things out for herself. Everything changed when she attended a Christian camp as a young girl. For the first time, she encountered the idea of God and Jesus — and something inside her immediately clicked. That moment became the beginning of a lifelong journey of faith, discernment, and learning how to hear God’s invitations. Over time, her faith developed what she calls “grit and texture” — not because life became easier, but because she learned to trust God through uncertainty, hard seasons, and difficult decisions. One pivotal moment came when she and her husband were considering a church position in Houston. After a vivid dream and a strong spiritual impression, they chose not to go — a decision that later proved deeply important, even though the path ahead was still difficult. Today, Nish serves families during some of the hardest moments of their lives as a hospice chaplain. She helps patients and loved ones navigate grief, peace, fear, and the sacred questions surrounding death and dying. And through all of it, she’s learned this:  The greatest things in life are not achievements or accomplishments. They are people. They are relationships. They are the moments we choose to love deeply. Her message is powerful: When we recognize the hand of God in our lives, we realize it’s an invitation into something greater than ourselves. And there's no greater adventure than walking with Him. 🎧 Listen to the full episode now 💬 Share this episode with someone navigating grief, caregiving, or faith questions ⭐️ Follow the podcast for more conversations about faith, healing, and purpose Follow her story @nishweiseth Find her workbooks and guides @mightygoodness  #NishWeiseth #FaithWithGrit #HospiceChaplain #GriefAndHealing #MultiplyGoodness #ChristianPodcast #FaithJourney #HopeInHardTimes #RecognizeHisHand #EndOfLifeCare

Ep 089: Matt Richardson on Addiction, Identity & Rebuilding Your Life in Christ

What happens when you lose everything — your identity, your direction, and even your sense of control? In this episode, Matt Richardson shares his raw and powerful journey through addiction, identity struggles, and ultimately finding true freedom in Jesus Christ. Raised in a strong, faith-filled home, Matt had a solid foundation — but still found himself battling deep internal challenges. From early identity struggles and same-sex attraction, to injuries that ended his athletic path, to years of addiction and destructive behaviors… his life slowly unraveled. Even after serving a mission and experiencing powerful spiritual moments, he fell back into old patterns — eventually leading to divorce, depression, and feeling like he had lost everything. But that breaking point became the turning point. Through intentional repentance, addiction recovery, and choosing to build a personal relationship with Christ, Matt began to rebuild his life from the ground up. He shares what it really means to: * Lose your agency to addiction — and take it back * Stop outsourcing your faith and make it personal * Shift your identity from what you do… to who you are in Christ Today, Matt helps others do the same — guiding people out of addiction and into clarity, freedom, and purpose. His message is clear: God is always giving. But we have to choose to receive. Looking for Christ-centered coaching, DM Matt on Instagram @mattrichardson_podcast for more information. 🎧 Listen to the full episode now ⭐️ Follow the podcast for more real, faith-filled conversations 💬 Share this with someone who needs hope and a fresh start #MattRichardson #AddictionRecovery #FaithInChrist #IdentityInChrist #ChristianPodcast #HealingJourney #BreakFree #RecognizeHisHand #MensMentalHealth #HopeAndHealing