18) You Don’t Have to Win to Rise: Lessons from Odyssey of the Mind World Finals

24) Born Too Soon: A Mom’s Incredible NICU Journey: Extremely Premature Triplets & MORE Part 1

When Krystina’s oldest son needed kidney surgery as a toddler, she had no idea it was only the beginning of her family’s medical journey. In this deeply moving first conversation, Krystina shares the story of welcoming her extremely premature triplets into the NICU and the roller coaster that followed. We talk about the fear, uncertainty, tiny victories, and the resilience that carried her family through one of the hardest seasons of their lives. As a NICU nurse and medical mom, these conversations remind me why hope matters so much inside hospital walls. This episode also marks the beginning of an even bigger story. Before we close, Krystina shares how her family’s experience in the NICU unexpectedly opened the door to foster care, introducing us to the premature twins who would forever change the course of her life. Whether you’re a NICU parent, medical family, healthcare professional, or someone who simply loves stories of courage and resilience, Krystina’s journey is one you won’t soon forget. In this episode you’ll hear: Krystina’s oldest son’s early kidney diagnosis and surgery The pregnancy and delivery of her extremely premature triplets Life inside the NICU from a parent’s perspective Finding hope through uncertainty The unexpected beginning of a foster care journey that started in the NICU This is Part 1 of Christina’s incredible story. In Part 2 and 3, we’ll continue her journey into fostering medically complex children, adoption, and the lives forever changed by saying “yes” To multiple children! She’s a ROCKSTAR! Warm Memories - Emotional Inspiring Piano by Keys of Moon | https://soundcloud.com/keysofmoon Attribut(ion 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/

23) 5 Impossible Rescues That Shouldn’t Have Happened: True Survival Stories of Hope

Some survival stories seem too incredible to be true. In this Rise Story Collection, we explore five impossible rescues that united strangers, inspired nations, and proved that hope can survive even the darkest circumstances. From twelve boys trapped deep inside a flooded cave in Thailand… to a man who survived nearly 60 hours inside an overturned ship… to an immigrant who scaled a Paris apartment building to save a child… these are true stories of courage, resilience, and ordinary people doing extraordinary things. In this episode of Holyoaks Rise, you’ll hear the unforgettable stories of: • The Thai Cave Rescue • Harrison Okene’s unbelievable survival beneath the ocean • Mamoudou Gassama’s heroic climb in Paris • The 33 Chilean miners rescued after 69 days underground • The Miracle on the Hudson and the leadership that saved 155 lives As a NICU nurse, I couldn’t help but notice a common thread running through every one of these stories. None of these rescues happened because people gave up. They happened because someone chose courage over fear, hope over despair, and action over helplessness. Whether you’re facing your own impossible situation or simply need a reminder that goodness still exists, I hope these remarkable survival stories encourage you to keep believing that even in life’s darkest moments, people have an incredible capacity to rise through the unexpected. 🌳 If this episode encouraged you, please follow, leave a review, and share it with someone who could use a little more hope today.

22) 5 Extraordinary People Who Refused to Give Up | True Stories of Resilience and Hope

What does it take to keep going when life tells you to quit? In this first Rise Collection, we’re exploring five extraordinary true stories of people who refused to give up in the face of overwhelming obstacles. From a Major League Baseball pitcher born with one hand, to the world’s first licensed pilot born without arms, to a prisoner of war who found freedom through forgiveness, these stories remind us that resilience isn’t about having an easy life—it’s about choosing one more step when giving up would make perfect sense. In this episode, you’ll hear the inspiring stories of: 🌳 Jim Abbott – proving that limitations don’t have to define your future. 🌳 Jessica Cox – redefining what’s possible through determination and courage. 🌳 Louis Zamperini – surviving unimaginable hardship and discovering the power of forgiveness. 🌳 Bethany Hamilton – finding purpose and identity after life changed in an instant. 🌳 Dashrath Manjhi – the man who spent 22 years carving a road through a mountain, one swing at a time. After each story, Amanda shares a Rise Reflection, connecting these incredible journeys to the unexpected challenges we face in everyday life—from medical diagnoses and caregiving to grief, setbacks, and the quiet courage it takes to keep moving forward. Whether you’re navigating the NICU, raising a medically complex child, caring for someone you love, or simply walking through a difficult season, this episode is a reminder that your story isn’t over. Topics discussed: ● Resilience and perseverance ● Overcoming impossible odds ● Finding hope after tragedy ● Forgiveness and healing ● Medical parenting and caregiving ● Personal growth through adversity ● True stories that inspire If this episode encouraged you, please follow Holyoaks Rise, leave a review, and share it with someone who could use a reminder that even the smallest step forward is still progress. Holyoaks Rise is a storytelling podcast hosted by NICU nurse and medical mom Amanda Holyoak, sharing inspiring true stories, interviews, education and reflections that help us all rise through the unexpected. Warm Memories - Emotional Inspiring Piano by Keys of Moon | https://soundcloud.com/keysofmoon Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/

21)The Girl Who Fell From the Sky: The Incredible Survival Story of Juliane Koepcke(LANSA Flight508)

How does someone survive a 10,000-foot fall into the Amazon rainforest? In this immersive episode of Holyoaks Rise, we tell the extraordinary true story of Juliane Koepcke, the only survivor of LANSA Flight 508, which broke apart after being struck by lightning over the Peruvian Amazon on Christmas Eve in 1971. Based primarily on Juliane’s memoir, When I Fell From the Sky, this episode follows her remarkable journey from her childhood growing up in the rainforest with scientist parents, to the terrifying moments aboard the doomed flight, her unbelievable fall through the jungle canopy, and her incredible 11-day fight for survival while injured, alone, and grieving the loss of her mother. More than a survival story, this episode explores resilience, preparation, hope, and the unexpected ways life’s ordinary experiences can equip us for extraordinary challenges. If you enjoy true survival stories, inspiring biographies, aviation history, wilderness survival, and stories of overcoming impossible odds, this episode is for you. In this episode, you’ll hear about: • Who Juliane Koepcke was before the crash • The events aboard LANSA Flight 508 • How she survived a fall from the sky • Eleven days alone in the Amazon rainforest • Her rescue • How she returned to the rainforest and became a biologist • The powerful lessons her story teaches about resilience and rising through the unexpected If this story encouraged you, please follow Holyoaks Rise, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs a reminder that even in life’s darkest moments, hope can still be found. Resources When I Fell From the Sky by Juliane Koepcke Warm Memories - Emotional Inspiring Piano by Keys of Moon | https://soundcloud.com/keysofmoon Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/ I8h8

20) Raising a Daughter with Smith-Kingsmore Syndrome: A Medical Mom’s Journey (Part 2)

In Part 2 of this conversation, Amanda continues her discussion with Jasmine, a homeschooling mother raising a daughter with Smith-Kingsmore syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that has brought significant medical challenges, developmental delays, feeding difficulties, and a severe seizure disorder. This episode moves beyond the diagnosis and into the heart of family life. Jasmine shares who her daughter is beyond her medical complexities, the beautiful relationship between her daughters, and how her family’s journey changed again when her younger daughter was diagnosed with celiac disease. Together, Amanda and Jasmine discuss: • Who her daughter is beyond her diagnosis and what makes her special • How she communicates and connects with her family • Some of Jasmine’s proudest moments as her mom • The impact of medical complexity on siblings and family relationships • Navigating a second diagnosis when her younger daughter developed celiac disease • How their family has adapted to multiple unexpected challenges • Seasons of wondering, “I don’t know if I can do this” • How resilience, hope, and perspective have changed over time • Encouragement for parents receiving a life-changing diagnosis today • What it truly means to rise through the unexpected This conversation is a reminder that every child is more than a diagnosis, every family carries a story that others cannot always see, and hope can grow even in the middle of uncertainty, caregiving, and unexpected challenges. If you’re raising a child with complex medical needs, navigating a rare disease, adjusting to a new diagnosis, or simply walking through a season that looks different than you expected, this episode is for you. If this episode encouraged you, please follow, share, and leave a review to help more families discover stories of hope and resilience. ❤️ Follow for more rise stories. Until next time—everyone’s alive, I probably forgot something… but I’m going to sleep, and I’ll see you next week.