This Unexpected Life

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! * Get my new resource: 5 Practices For Processing Grief [https://share.hsforms.com/1WC85N-GRTCmZT0cNOmU-7Asw7e4] * Click here [https://share.hsforms.com/1lPdJHmkuS1-jwV2-6hRogAsw7e4] if you want to be a guest on the show * Carrie’s Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/carriemholtwriter] or Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/carriemholt/#] * Find me on Substack [https://substack.com/@cmholt] * My book: The Other Side of Special [https://www.amazon.com/Other-Side-Special-Navigating-Joy-Filled/dp/0800742117]  *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 Yes Is On The Table: Trusting God Through Disability Parenting, Adoption, and Trauma with Johnna Hensley

What does it look like to keep saying “yes” to God when life feels chaotic, exhausting, and completely unexpected? In this heartfelt conversation, Carrie Holt sits down with author, disability mom, and “coordinator of chaos,” Johnna Hensley. With six children—including a son with complex medical needs and three adopted children—Johnna shares what it really means to live a life of unexpected yeses. From navigating disability parenting and biracial adoption to processing trauma, grief, and the reality of “forever nesting,” this episode dives deep into the everyday surrender required to follow God in the hard places. Johnna offers honest insight into: * Letting go of control and trusting God’s bigger story * The shift from big, visible “yeses” to small, daily obedience * Advocating for disability awareness and belonging * Parenting through trauma triggers and emotional overwhelm * Reframing expectations around independence and adulthood * Finding peace in the questions instead of rushing to answers This conversation is a powerful reminder that faith isn’t about having it all figured out—it’s about being willing to be willing and trusting God one small “yes” at a time. If you’re a parent navigating disability, adoption, or the unexpected turns of life, this episode will meet you right where you are—with honesty, hope, and grace. Eps. 48; May 12, 2026 Resources: Johnna’s Website [http://johnnahensley.com]Her Book: Reckless Yes [https://www.amazon.com/Reckless-Yes-Exchanging-Worldly-Adventure/dp/1951350073]Children’s Book: HP and the VIP’s [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G5GW9MC2?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title] Social Media: IG [https://www.instagram.com/johnna.hensley/], FB [https://www.facebook.com/JohnnaHensleyAuthor/], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@johnnahensleyauthor] Listen to This Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/listen-to-this/id1845164365] If you enjoyed the show, leave a 5-star review! * Get my new resource: 5 Practices For Processing Grief [https://share.hsforms.com/1WC85N-GRTCmZT0cNOmU-7Asw7e4] * Click here [https://share.hsforms.com/1lPdJHmkuS1-jwV2-6hRogAsw7e4] if you want to be a guest on the show * Carrie’s Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/carriemholtwriter] or Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/carriemholt/#] * Find me on Substack [https://substack.com/@cmholt] * My book: The Other Side of Special [https://www.amazon.com/Other-Side-Special-Navigating-Joy-Filled/dp/0800742117]  *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 Special Needs Parenting Journey: Faith, Marriage & Finding Hope in the Life You Never Expected with Dr. Joe & Cindi Ferrini

What happens when the life you planned is suddenly replaced with one you never expected? In this powerful and deeply practical episode of This Unexpected Life, Carrie sits down with Dr. Joe and Cindi Ferrini, authors of The Special Needs Parent: A Guide to the Life You Never Expected, to talk about what it really looks like to raise a child with special needs over the long haul. With over 45 years of caregiving experience, Joe and Cindi share honest insight into the shock of diagnosis, the strain on marriage, the weight of caregiving, and the beauty of a life shaped by faith. From navigating sibling dynamics and isolation to handling public judgment and building a support system, this conversation is filled with wisdom you can apply right now. You’ll hear: *  How special needs parenting reshapes marriage—and how to stay united  *  Practical ways to support siblings without neglecting their needs  *  What to do when people stare, judge, or don’t understand  *  How to build a “team” when you feel completely alone  *  Real encouragement for caregiver fatigue and long-term burnout  *  Why embracing your unexpected life can lead to deeper purpose and joy  This episode is for any parent walking the special needs journey—whether you're in the early shock, the daily grind, or years into caregiving and needing renewed hope. You are not alone. Your story matters Eps. 47; May 5, 2026 Resources: New Book: The Special Needs Parent [https://www.amazon.com/Special-Needs-Parent-Guide-Expected/dp/0802437702]Cindi’s Website [https://cindiferrini.com/] If you enjoyed the show, leave a 5-star review! * Get my new resource: 5 Practices For Processing Grief [https://share.hsforms.com/1WC85N-GRTCmZT0cNOmU-7Asw7e4] * Click here [https://share.hsforms.com/1lPdJHmkuS1-jwV2-6hRogAsw7e4] if you want to be a guest on the show * Carrie’s Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/carriemholtwriter] or Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/carriemholt/#] * Find me on Substack [https://substack.com/@cmholt] * My book: The Other Side of Special [https://www.amazon.com/Other-Side-Special-Navigating-Joy-Filled/dp/0800742117]  *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.

Desperate Prayers and Deep Faith: Finding God in Long-Term Caregiving and Loss with Rachel Wojo

What do you do when you don’t have the words to pray? In this deeply honest and hope-filled conversation, Carrie sits down with author and speaker Rachel Wojo to talk about caregiving, grief, and how prayer transforms in life’s hardest seasons. After walking a 22-year journey caring for her daughter Taylor, who was diagnosed with a rare terminal disorder, Rachel shares how suffering reshaped her faith, her understanding of God, and her approach to prayer. Together, they unpack what it looks like to move from asking “Why, God?” to “Show me You,” how to pray in moments of exhaustion and overwhelm, and why God’s presence matters more than His intervention. Rachel offers practical, grace-filled ways to build rhythms of prayer in unpredictable caregiving life, including “prayer habit stacking” and letting go of prayer perfectionism. If you’re a special needs parent, caregiver, or someone walking through grief, this episode will remind you that even your simplest prayers—“God help me”—are heard, held, and answered with His presence. Eps. 46; April 21, 2026 Resources: Rachel’s Website [https://rachelwojo.com]Book: Desperate Prayers [https://www.amazon.com/Desperate-Prayers-Embracing-Darkest-Moments/dp/1510781625/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3JMGB9DC7YDWA&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.cPhIXUyGIgh7M40z-0_4Kjx6RF2Ca1OqYIHkPJCaeSU9TLIG6s-rVTzGo5d-giNw9QHJhI6HyY3ZpMfPIWJVp22mTbm0S-eHhF5_FddOXSsYYi4vD7J9sTvL74CH0OfuxEwWWnuX1ZNS_dQ1YwA86du-LBUz0yBPO76wHJNEktQMLmWf05-KW-YJiPL4_0ru_4en78eaQPCO18-YYWt7jif6b-2dfJ2HjM8cCj4wumc.UoO8Gddra_eKlTzsVfU5De2xrGu52NFW6u9zl3zMeDw&dib_tag=se&keywords=Rachel+wojo&qid=1776532902&sprefix=rachel+woj%2Caps%2C510&sr=8-2]Praying Through Life’s Battles [https://www.amazon.com/Praying-Through-Lifes-Battles-Strengthen/dp/0736992537/ref=sr_1_4?crid=3JMGB9DC7YDWA&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.EXVfFytobNwXIRtTE95aMOGeEl4Jq-it3PGurgoICNGq7pqs2NtPB57LE1AGO3sAk0ReMb4W8PLh2EhAGykeWwJcK-M0asLjNI33T0Zj9BUYYi4vD7J9sTvL74CH0OfuxEwWWnuX1ZNS_dQ1YwA86du-LBUz0yBPO76wHJNEktQMLmWf05-KW-YJiPL4_0ruGpBm6XttpOWEPCOyHF_7fhLU5nmngbZ43Tx9fUF6mjc.G-dt-KVeuElR0h2InRsQFX67JBU5ti7igXXNLpIf4zY&dib_tag=se&keywords=Rachel+wojo&qid=1776532942&sprefix=rachel+woj%2Caps%2C510&sr=8-4] If you enjoyed the show, leave a 5-star review! * Get my new resource: 5 Practices For Processing Grief [https://share.hsforms.com/1WC85N-GRTCmZT0cNOmU-7Asw7e4] * Click here [https://share.hsforms.com/1lPdJHmkuS1-jwV2-6hRogAsw7e4] if you want to be a guest on the show * Carrie’s Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/carriemholtwriter] or Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/carriemholt/#] * Find me on Substack [https://substack.com/@cmholt] * My book: The Other Side of Special [https://www.amazon.com/Other-Side-Special-Navigating-Joy-Filled/dp/0800742117]  *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.

From Disability to Calling: Finding Purpose, Identity & Joy in Christ with Anna Harp (Part 2)

In Part 2 of this powerful conversation on This Unexpected Life, Carrie M. Holt continues her interview with Anna Harp, a young writer living with cerebral palsy who is discovering her God-given purpose through storytelling. Anna opens up about the ongoing grief that can come with disability and the freedom of realizing that grief is not failure—it’s part of the journey. Through reflections on Psalm 23 and God’s “withness” in the wilderness, she shares how God meets us in our hardest places and gently reshapes our understanding of purpose. You’ll also hear how Anna discovered her calling as a fantasy writer, creating stories where characters with disabilities are seen, valued, and empowered. Her passion is to help teens with disabilities feel understood, less alone, and full of hope. This episode is a deeply encouraging reminder that: * Your child’s story matters * Disability does not disqualify purpose * God uses the broken things for beauty and impact Whether you are parenting a child with special needs or walking through your own unexpected journey, this conversation will strengthen your faith and remind you that God is always at work—even in the wilderness. Eps. 45; April 14, 2026 Resources: * Subscribe to Anna’s Monthly Newsletter [https://anna-harp-author.kit.com/9db4061f56] * Purchase Book Featuring Her Writing [https://www.annaharpauthor.com/store/p/voices-of-the-future-stories-of-fellowship-and-freedom] * Anna’s Website [http://annaharpauthor.com] If you enjoyed the show, leave a 5-star review! * Get my new resource: 5 Practices For Processing Grief [https://share.hsforms.com/1WC85N-GRTCmZT0cNOmU-7Asw7e4] * Click here [https://share.hsforms.com/1lPdJHmkuS1-jwV2-6hRogAsw7e4] if you want to be a guest on the show * Carrie’s Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/carriemholtwriter] or Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/carriemholt/#] * Find me on Substack [https://substack.com/@cmholt] * My book: The Other Side of Special [https://www.amazon.com/Other-Side-Special-Navigating-Joy-Filled/dp/0800742117]  *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.