In this final episode of the month, Carrie is joined once again by her husband, Bruce, for a candid conversation about marriage in the midst of caregiving. From survival mode in the early years after their son Toby’s diagnosis, to counseling and intentional connection in later years, Carrie and Bruce share the real struggles, arguments, and victories of 25-plus years together. They reflect on the importance of teamwork, practical communication tips, and how family, friends, and faith sustained them. With honesty and encouragement, they offer wisdom for couples learning to love well while navigating hard seasons.

Eps. 25; 9/23/25

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• Get my new resource: 5 Practices For Processing Grief
• Click here if you want to be a guest on the show
• Carrie’s Facebook or Instagram
• Find me on Substack
• My book: The Other Side of Special

*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.

In this heartfelt episode of This Unexpected Life, Carrie M. Holt sits down with her husband, Bruce, to share the often-unspoken perspective of fathers in the world of special needs parenting. Together, they revisit the day they received their son Toby’s diagnosis, the wave of grief that followed, and the heavy burden of guilt Bruce carried for years. With raw honesty, Bruce describes the struggle of wrestling with thoughts he never expected to face, the power of prayer that changed his heart in an instant, and the long journey of learning to forgive himself.

As they reflect on 18 years of parenting, Bruce and Carrie discuss the tensions and tenderness in marriage, the moments of joy that shine through the challenges, and the surprising truth that caregiving can become an act of worship. This conversation is both vulnerable and deeply encouraging—reminding us that even in the darkest valleys, God meets us with grace, hope, and renewal.

Eps. 24; September 16, 2025

If you enjoyed the show, leave a 5-star review!

• Get my new resource: 5 Practices For Processing Grief
• Click here if you want to be a guest on the show
• Carrie’s Facebook or Instagram
• Find me on Substack
• My book: The Other Side of Special

*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.

In part two of this conversation, Carrie M Holt continues her conversation with Breena Holt as she shares the heartbreaking diagnosis of Batten Disease for her son Ezekiel—and the faith and hope that carried her family through his final days. Breena vulnerably unpacks her dreams of God’s glory, the paradox of relief and grief in a terminal diagnosis, and the spiritual battle she faced as Zeke entered heaven.

Together, Carrie and Breena also discuss the raw mom-guilt that special needs mothers carry, how siblings process loss differently, and why God’s faithfulness continues to anchor their family, even years later. This episode is both heartbreaking and profoundly hopeful, reminding us that in the valley of the shadow of death, we are never alone.

Eps. 23; September 9, 2025

If you enjoyed the show, leave a 5-star review!

• Get my new resource: 5 Practices For Processing Grief
• Click here if you want to be a guest on the show
• Carrie’s Facebook or Instagram
• Find me on Substack
• My book: The Other Side of Special

*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.