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Artwork for This Unexpected Life

This Unexpected Life

Carrie M Holt
Autism
Christian Faith
Disability
Grief
Caregiving
Special Needs Parenting
Marriage
God
Faith
Psalm 23
Prayer
Gospel
Jesus
Bainbridge-Ropers Syndrome
Advent
Attachment Theory
Community
Jesus Christ
Labeled and Loved
Mary

Welcome to This Unexpected Life, a podcast designed to equip and encourage parents and caregivers of children with disabilities so they can embrace their journey with hope, faith, and resilience. With over twenty years of parenting experience, Carrie M Holt is a story-telling companion for caregiving mothers, exploring the hope and healing found in Jesus Christ—one story at a time.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes55Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Kids & FamilyChristianityReligion & SpiritualityParenting

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Artwork for This Unexpected Life

Latest Episodes

In this powerful episode of This Unexpected Life, Carrie sits down with author, speaker, coach, and special needs mom Sandy Ramsey-Trayvick to explore what it means to trust God when life doesn't unfold the way we imagined.

After hearing the audible... more

When Jenn Soehnlin's two young sons began receiving diagnoses including hearing loss, apraxia, autism, and anxiety, her world quickly filled with therapies, specialists, grief, and questions for God. What started as a season of overwhelming uncertain... more

When Sarah Mays first heard her newborn son cry, she knew something wasn't right. What followed was a long journey of medical appointments, therapies, genetic testing, autism, ADHD, and learning how to advocate fiercely for her child.

In this heartf... more

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When Brianna Johnson's son was diagnosed with Bainbridge-Ropers Syndrome, a rare genetic condition affecting only a few hundred people worldwide, her family entered a journey they never expected. Faced with uncertainty, unanswered questions, and the ... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Jenn Soehnlin
Special needs mom of two with hearing loss, apraxia, autism, and anxiety; author of Embracing This Special Life
Author of Embracing This Special Life; Speaker
Episode: Learning to Embrace the Life You Didn't Expect: Finding Peace, Purpose, and Prayer in the Special Needs Parenting Journey with Jenn Soehnlin
Sarah Mays
Single mom, lifelong caregiver; advocate with The Lucas Project
The Lucas Project
Episode: The Autism Caregiver's Journey: Finding Jesus in Perfectionism, People-Pleasing, and Isolation with Sarah Mays
Brianna Johnson
Mother of three boys; caregiver navigating a rare genetic diagnosis
Episode: When You Feel Alone: Finding God’s Provision and Presence in a Rare Diagnosis with Brianna Johnson
Becky Davidson
Founder of Rising Above Ministries; special needs advocate
Rising Above Ministries (Cookeville, Tennessee)
Episode: There Was Jesus: Knowing God’s Presence in Trauma, Loss & Disability Parenting with Becky Davidson
Katie Seelig
Mom of six, advocate for her child with a rare neuromuscular condition
Family of six; Western New York
Episode: When Your Child Asks Difficult Questions: Navigating Faith, Medical Motherhood and Rare Disease with Katie Seelig
Johnna Hensley
Bestselling author, podcaster, international speaker, coordinator of Chaos
Chaos (coordinator)
Episode: When Your Yes Is On The Table: Trusting God Through Disability Parenting, Adoption, and Trauma with Johnna Hensley
Joe Ferrini
Dr. Joe Ferrini, husband of Cindi; father to a son with special needs
Episode: The Special Needs Parenting Journey: Faith, Marriage & Finding Hope in the Life You Never Expected with Dr. Joe & Cindi Ferrini
Cindi Ferrini
Cindi Ferrini, wife of Dr. Joe Ferrini; mother to a son with special needs
Episode: The Special Needs Parenting Journey: Faith, Marriage & Finding Hope in the Life You Never Expected with Dr. Joe & Cindi Ferrini
Rachel Wojo
Christian speaker and author; caregiver advocate
rachelwojo.com
Episode: Desperate Prayers and Deep Faith: Finding God in Long-Term Caregiving and Loss with Rachel Wojo

Host

Carrie Holt
Host of This Unexpected Life

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 21 ratings
  • Needed Encouragement

    As the mom of an adopted child with multiple disabilities, this podcast has been so encouraged! Hearing other parents express their grief, hopes, fears and joys on this unexpected journey has given me permission to hold the nuances and paradoxes of disability parenting in both hands, with a tender open heart.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    stephanie hoffer
    United States2 months ago
  • Always Pointing to Christ

    I highly recommend listening to This Unexpected Life. This is my favorite special needs podcast because the focus is clearly on Christ. Carrie does such a good job of asking questions that dive below the surface of the special needs “story” to get at the heart of the struggle and how that struggle in all aspects of life intersects with our faith. And then she skillfully turns the conversation to Hope, specifically our hope in Christ.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Celeste Shally
    United States5 months ago
  • So encouraging!

    Being a mama of a child with a disability is so challenging.Carrie provides encouragement during these challenging days.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JSchoolz
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The show is described as encouraging and deeply supportive for caregivers.
Guests appreciated for authentic, practical takes on disability and faith.
Listeners repeatedly praise the host for compassionate, Christ-centered guidance.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Autism Caregiver's Journey: Finding Jesus in Perfectionism, People-Pleasing, and Isolation with Sarah Mays
Q: How has your view of what it means to be a “good mom” changed over time?
My definition shifted from achieving a spotless home and perfect meals to embracing the gaps where I need God's grace. I prioritize my child's needs, set non-negotiables, and allow others to help. I've learned to let go of control and to show up for my kids with presence and mercy rather than perfection.
The Autism Caregiver's Journey: Finding Jesus in Perfectionism, People-Pleasing, and Isolation with Sarah Mays
Q: What advice would you give to a mom currently in the thick of diagnosis days?
Know you're not alone, find a faith-based support person, and soak scripture or worship in your home to quiet the constant thoughts. It helps to have someone who says, I see you, I hear you, and I'm with you, and to remember that grace is there even when things feel overwhelming.
The Autism Caregiver's Journey: Finding Jesus in Perfectionism, People-Pleasing, and Isolation with Sarah Mays
Q: What were some of the emotions you were hiding in the early days of your son's diagnosis?
There was anger and the sense of wanting to fix everything, coupled with fear and grief. I wrestled with God, asking why this happened and how to navigate a new normal that felt burdensome. Over time, I learned to bring those emotions to God and to accept that healing may look different than hoped, while grace can still sustain the journey.
Finding Purpose and Perseverance in Suffering with Dr. Nicole Wilke
Q: Could you speak to that a little bit too?
Dr. Wilke explains that faith acts as a lens to understand identity and purpose amidst suffering, and that higher spirituality correlates with better mental and physical health. She emphasizes practical steps like grounding a child's experience in Jesus' work on the cross and ensuring they understand they are not alone, which strengthens resilience.
Finding God in the Autism Journey: Jeanetta Bryant on Hope, Healing, and Advocacy
Q: How did the diagnosis affect your faith and family, and how did you channel that into advocacy?
The diagnosis led to a renewed faith and a conviction to pay it forward. The guest felt guided by church connections and mentors, which helped her re-engage with faith and community and inspired the creation of Abilities Workshop as a way to support others navigating similar journeys.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Unexpected Life

What is This Unexpected Life about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on faith-filled parenting and caregiving for children with disabilities, often through personal family journeys, medical advocacy, and resilience in the face of ongoing challenges. Episodes frequently explore faith, community support, and practical tips for navigating medical systems, therapy, homeschooling, and sibling dynamics, all through a lens of hope and Christian faith. A notable strength is the host's storytelling approach that invites candid conversations about grief, uncertainty, and joy, making it a welcoming space for parents and caregivers seeking honest, faith-driven guidance and practical resources.

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What are the audience demographics for This Unexpected Life?

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Which podcasts are similar to This Unexpected Life?

These podcasts share a similar audience with This Unexpected Life:

1. Rising Above with Becky Davidson
2. Don't Mom Alone Podcast
3. The Ruth Chou Simons Podcast
4. Java with Juli - Making Sense of God and Sex
5. Mama Bear Apologetics

How many episodes of This Unexpected Life are there?

This Unexpected Life launched a year ago and published 55 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact This Unexpected Life?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for This Unexpected Life?

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What guests have appeared on This Unexpected Life?

Recent guests on This Unexpected Life include:

1. Jenn Soehnlin
2. Sarah Mays
3. Brianna Johnson
4. Becky Davidson
5. Katie Seelig
6. Johnna Hensley
7. Joe Ferrini
8. Cindi Ferrini

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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