Advertise on podcast: My Brutiful Life

What happens when you hand the microphone to someone you trust and give them full permission to take the conversation wherever they want?Well… this. In today’s episode, Helana Griggs flips the script and interviews me. Yep. I had zero idea what she was going to ask, and honestly? That made it even better. Helana showed up the way only she can real, fun, unfiltered, and full of heart. And what followed was a long, rich, laughter-sprinkled conversation about life, motherhood, healing, survival, becoming, and the sacred work we do when no one’s clapping yet. We talk about raising kids while losing yourself and finding yourself again… surviving seasons that should have taken you out… and becoming the kind of woman who can finally say,“She raised them. She survived. And they are becoming.” If you love honest stories, hard-won wisdom, and conversations that feel like the best kind of therapy-without-the-couch, this one’s for you.

In this episode of My Brutiful Life, I get the honer to sit down with someone very special My oldest son’s girlfriend, Ruby Evenly Joy Kelley. Ruby is a former college volleyball player with a competitive spirit, a deep well of joy, and the kind of strength that is both steady and soft. Together, we talk about: Growing up in a close-knit family rooted in love and hard work Life on the volleyball court and the identity that forms around performance What happens when a season ends and you have to rediscover who you are The fun life she lives with my son This conversation is full of laughter, honesty, and heart Whether you're navigating transition, redefining identity, or learning how to hold both strength and softness in your story — this one’s for you. Grab a drink and I hope you enjoy my conversation... With Ruby!

🎙️ Part Three: The Brutiful Conclusion After a long road of healing, retelling, and a few editing hiccups along the way (thanks for hanging in there, friends 😅), here it is Part Three, the short but powerful conclusion to Adam’s story. This final part may be brief, but it’s full, full of gratitude, reflection, and the reminder that even in the aftermath of life’s explosions, beauty really can rise from the ashes. If you’ve been following this journey, we can’t thank you enough for walking it with us your messages, prayers, and patience have meant the world. ❤️ If you missed the earlier episodes, take a moment to go back and listen to Part One and Part Two — they set the stage for everything God has done through this miracle story. Because what we’ve learned through it all is this:Faith, Hope and Love doesn’t just survive the fire it’s refined by it. 🔥💛 Rachel Lohr! Xoxo

🎙️ Episode Update: A Little Delay, A Lot of Heart Hey friends! first, thank you for your patience! ❤️ I know it’s been a long wait for Part Two of Adam and me sharing his incredible journey after the accident. Trust me, I’ve been just as eager to get it out to you! We ran into some unexpected technical and editing challenges (aka: the not-so-glamorous side of podcasting 😅). Between lost files, audio hiccups, and life doing what life does, this one has taken a bit longer to piece together. But good news it’s finally coming your way! 🙌 And because there was so much story still left to tell, there will now be a short Part Three to wrap it all up beautifully. In the meantime, if you haven’t already, go back and relisten to Part One or share it with someone who needs a little hope and a reminder that miracles still happen. That first episode lays the foundation for everything that follows, and it’s worth another listen. Thank you for being part of this journey with me your support, encouragement, and grace mean more than you know. 💛 Rachel Lohr! Xoxo

In September 2023, my husband Adam was in a horrific explosion—an event that changed everything in an instant. In this two-part episode, we’re sharing the story for the very first time. The fire may be out, but what followed was just as hard—emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and relationally. In Part One, we tell the story of that day: what happened, how he survived, and the miracles that still leave us speechless. In Part Two, we open up about the aftermath—the invisible scars. We talk about the toll it took on our marriage, Adam’s mental health, and our faith. We share what we fought for, what we had to rebuild, and how God met us in the ashes. This is a story of fire and survival—but also of restoration, redemption, and love that wouldn’t quit. Because it didn’t end when the fire went out.

🎙Life can be so full of heavy things—grief, growth, healing... you know, all the brutiful parts. But sometimes, we just need to breathe and laugh. So today, we're flipping the script. No deep dives, no tissue boxes—just a bunch of lighthearted questions to kick off some good conversation and give your soul a little exhale. We’re calling it our “Questions to Make You Laugh” So grab your drink of choice, kick off your shoes, and get ready to laugh, reflect, and maybe learn something new!

🎙️ Episode #051 – Hair Through the Generations with Helana Griggs This week, I’m joined by a very special guest: the talented and rising stylist Helana Griggs—who just happens to be my son Jaxson’s girlfriend and my co-worker at Cocopellies! We’re pulling back the salon curtain to talk about what it’s like being a hairstylist in two totally different eras—me, starting out in 1995, and Helana, stepping into the beauty industry now. We’re sharing stories, laughing about trends that made a comeback (hello, butterfly clips), and talking about how the industry has changed—from building a clientele to the power of social media. This episode is fun, heartfelt, and full of love for the craft of doing hair—and the unexpected connections it brings. Whether you're a seasoned stylist, a client who loves the salon chair, or someone who's just here for the laughs, you're going to love this one. 🎧 Listen now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. helanagriggs.hair

🎙️ I Would Have Missed the Dance (A My Brutiful Life Reflection) In this deeply personal and raw episode of My Brutiful Life, I open my heart to share my journal entries written to my late husband, Shon—a man she spent over three decades of her life with. In the quiet, unexpected waves of grief, beauty begins to rise again. Through tears, truth, and remembrance, I honor the complexity of my story—the brutal and the beautiful. I reflect on the dance we once shared, the legacy Shon left behind, and the freedom I now get to walk in. This episode is for anyone navigating grief, forgiveness, or the ache of unfinished stories. Because even in the heartbreak, there was still a dance worth remembering.

🎙 NEW EPISODE DROP — "Heart Work is Hard Work" Pt 2 💔➡️💗 The hardest battles? They’re the ones no one sees—the ones inside our hearts. This week on My Brutiful Life, we're diving into the deep, raw, soul-level work that can leave us feeling drained, disoriented, and desperate for a breakthrough. I call it HEART WORK—and yes, it’s hard. It’s the kind of work that leads to real freedom, lasting healing, and authentic wholeness. Maybe you're right in the middle of it—doing the messy, gut-wrenching work of healing from pain, trauma, or disappointment. If so, this episode is for you. 💬 ✨ Here’s the hope: even in the mess, God delights in you. He’s not waiting for you to “arrive” before He rescues you—He’s already with you in the thick of it, leading you into a wide-open space… one faithful step at a time.

#048: Heart Work is Hard Work After a short pause, My Brutiful Life is back—and in this deeply personal episode, Medda and I catch up on what’s been unfolding in our lives during the break. Spoiler alert: it’s been raw, stretching, and sacred. I open up about the hard work of heart work—the kind that doesn’t show on the outside but demands everything on the inside. Healing from spiritual abuse isn’t a linear journey. It’s layered. It’s lonely at times. And it often calls us to face parts of ourselves we didn’t even know were still hurting. Together, we talk about what it looks like to keep walking with the Lord when the systems that once claimed to represent Him have caused harm. We share the messy middle of deconstructing religion while holding tightly to a very real and faithful Father. If you’re in the middle of your own unraveling, or trying to make sense of the wounds you carry from spiritual spaces, this conversation is for you. You’re not alone—and you’re not crazy for questioning what once felt untouchable. We see you. We’re with you. And we’re doing the hard work, too.

“Sometimes the word God gives you doesn’t feel exciting—it feels necessary.” This year, my word is Refresh. And honestly? I didn’t even realize how deeply I needed it. New on the podcast: answering some of the most common questions I get about hearing from God for a word, and how this one found me. 🎙️ My Brutiful Life | Episode: “Refresh Q&A Short”

In this heartfelt episode of My Brutiful Life, Medda and I dive into the word God gave me for 2025: Refresh. After walking through years of stripping, healing, and redefining everything I thought I knew, this word feels like a breath of fresh air—both gentle and powerful. We talk about what Refresh means to me personally, how it showed up in unexpected ways, and why I believe it’s not just a word for me, but for others who are coming out of wilderness seasons and learning how to live again. “I didn’t even know how much I needed refreshing until I started to feel it.” We also reflect on the beautiful reminder in Proverbs 11:25 (NIV) – “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” Because sometimes, the very healing we long for comes as we pour into others from the overflow of what God is doing in us.

Join Me in this deeply personal episode as I talk about the complexities of life after a tragic explosion, watching my husband navigate a new path of resilience, faith, and community support. Whether you’re facing your own challenges or seeking inspiration, this episode offers a heartwarming reminder that hope and healing are always possible. Xoxo Rachel Lohr 🎙 Have You Subscribed to My Brutiful Life Podcast Yet? 🎙 Life is Brutal & Beautiful,  Brutiful—and we’re diving into it all. 💛 If you're on a journey of healing, faith, and rediscovering your true identity beyond the pain, this podcast is for you. Each episode is raw, real, and filled with hope as we navigate life after covert abuse, religious deconstruction, and the pursuit of true freedom in Christ. ✨ What You Can Expect:✔️ Real conversations about everything, healing & faith✔️ Breaking free from toxic cycles✔️ Embracing the life you were meant to live 🔥 Don't miss an episode! Subscribe now on [Apple Podcasts/Spotify/etc.] and join me in this journey of redemption, courage, and transformation. https://open.spotify.com/episode/3Gm16CnvGKDjVtg2zSw4fj?si=65883defc50b4f76 💬 Have you listened yet? Drop a comment and let me know your thoughts! ⬇️

Sit down with me as we continue on with Part 2 of Medda's Journey to Motherhood. In this deeply personal podcast episode, Medda shares her incredible journey of fertility, hope, and ultimately becoming a mother through in vitro fertilization (IVF) after experiencing multiple ectopic pregnancies. Her story is a testament to faith, perseverance, and the unexpected ways divine intervention can manifest, culminating in the birth of her son and highlighting the emotional complexity of trying to conceive.

In this heartfelt and deeply personal podcast episode, I sit down with my long-time friend, Medda Burdick, together we explore her profound and emotionally challenging journey to motherhood. Medda opens up about her struggles with multiple ectopic pregnancies, the medical obstacles she endured, and the transformative role foster care and divine intervention played in shaping her story. Her candid and inspiring account sheds light on resilience, faith, and the unexpected paths life can take.