Show Notes
In this episode of Beyond Brave, we are excited to honor Green Shirt Day and raise awareness for Organ Donation Awareness Month. Kyla, who has shared the journey with our daughter Bella, welcomes two very special guests—Sarah and her mom, Cindy. Sarah, a multi-organ transplant recipient, opens up about her incredible journey, starting with her birth diagnosis of a rare genetic condition called Megacystis Microcolon Intestinal Hypoperistalsis Syndrome (MMIHS). Together, we talk about the challenges and triumphs Sarah has experienced living post-transplant, the importance of advocating for organ donation, and why spreading awareness is so vital. Cindy, from the perspective of a medical mom, shares her insights and offers advice to other parents who might be navigating similar challenges. This episode is filled with inspiring personal stories, the significance of organ donation advocacy, and the joy that comes from overcoming medical hurdles. We can’t wait to share it with you!
More from Beyond Brave
Pull up a chair, because today is an intimate, heart-to-heart solo catch-up. In this episode, I’m diving into all the personal updates we didn't have time for last episode...from what life looks like six months off Sertraline and recent community moments to answering your IG questions and exciting plans for Bella’s Birthday Ball. I also read a special letter from the Saskatchewan government. In this episode I also unpack two deeply impactful social posts in our “How’s It Griefing?” segment, share how the Bella Brave Foundation is expanding its reach with hospital baskets and new grad scholarships, and open up an invitation for medical and bereaved mothers to join our Brave Mom Series. Whether you’re walking through hospital corridors, navigating the heavy waves of grief, or just need a gentle reminder that you’re not alone, this episode is a soft place to land. If you ever want to reach out or contact me, please message me on Instagram @kylact.
It’s been a minute, but we are finally back behind the mics! In this comeback episode, Lyle joins me to catch up on where we’ve been and why taking a pause was exactly what my heart needed as the heavy waves of grief hit in the months leading up to Bella’s death anniversary (July 14th 2024). But before we dive into our summer updates, the beautiful signs Bella has been sending us, and a deeply moving dream Waylon recently had, I have a very raw, "griefy" bone to pick with Lyle. We tackle the agonizing situation every loss parent dreads & how to answer when a stranger asks, "How many children do you have?" We unpack our very different responses in this episode. We’re also introducing a brand-new segment called How’s it Griefing?, designed specifically to hold space for the messy, everyday reality of child loss. We are balancing the heavy with the hilarious today as we read through some of the most "unhinged" text messages you can send to a grieving friend. Throw in a rapid-fire Q&A, exciting news about the Bella Brave Foundation’s official non-profit status, and a look at where we’re speaking and connecting this fall, and it just feels so good to be back with this community. Grab a coffee, hit play, and be sure to listen for a special discount code just for our Beyond Brave listeners!
In this episode of Beyond Brave, I sit down with Krysta Shacklock, Executive Director of Empty Arms (Perinatal & Early Childhood Loss Support Services), for a conversation that holds both heartbreak and hope. Krysta shares her personal story of loss after the stillbirth of her son, Henry Finn, and how that journey led her to become a guiding force for other grieving families through Empty Arms. We talk about the incredible supports the organization offers across Saskatchewan, the importance of community in navigating life after loss, and the heart behind their upcoming “A Night to Remember” fundraising event. Krysta gives us a behind-the-scenes look at what attendees can expect...from the powerful memorial moments to the immersive experience of the evening and even drops a special announcement about the event that hasn’t been shared publicly yet. This episode is a reminder that even in the heaviest grief, connection, remembrance, and support can create something truly meaningful. Visit Empty Arms on Instagram @emptyarmsyxe to learn more.
Lyle is back on the mic with me, and we have a lot to catch up on. In this episode of Beyond Brave, we share stories from our recent family adventure in PV, Mexico...complete with Waylon’s hilarious bargaining skills, unexpected wildlife encounters, and a few moments that felt like little signs from Bella. We also introduce the newest member of our family! We also talk about upcoming events honoring Bella’s impact, and reflect on a few powerful grief lessons I’ve learned recently from in-person and virtual grief groups. And somewhere in the middle of it all…I reveal a brand-new idea that completely catches Lyle off guard! Reminder: If you'd like to tell your medical mom, bereaved mom story or brave story on Beyond Brave, please email me (Kyla) at: [email protected] Thank you for being here and always stay brave.
In this solo episode of Beyond Brave, I open up about the recent fatigue that’s been weighing on me and how discouraging it’s felt…until a shift happened after I took the time to research and understand what was really going on. I reflect on a recent post I shared on social media, reading through your comments that reminded me how powerful community can be!In the heart of the episode, I share my top ten comfort items, simple, grounding things that bring me peace, safety, and softness in grief. This episode is an honest, gentle reminder that comfort matters, rest is not weakness, and sometimes the smallest things are what carry us through the heaviest days.Please reach out if you’d like to be a part of our Brave Mom series: [email protected] me on socials: @kylact on Instagram & TikTok/ BellaBrave on Facebook