Beyond Brave

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: Hello@bella-brave.com 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: Hello@bella-brave.comFind me on socials: @kylact on Instagram & TikTok/ BellaBrave on Facebook

Part 2 of Episode 47 continues my Brave Mom conversation with Kennedy as we go deeper into her journey with her brave girl, Huxley. In so many ways, Huxley reminds me of my late Bella, and simply talking about the two of them together brings healing to my heart. We talk about Kennedy returning to school to become an RN while Huxley undergoes her second bone marrow transplant, and she asks me about Bella’s bowel surgeries...opening up an honest, tender exchange between two medical moms who truly get it. We also dive into homecare support for medical families, sharing our own experiences, discussing the financial support Minnesota provides, and of course touching on the TikTok stories that have connected so many of us. You can find Kennedy & Huxley on TikTok at @kgeis27 and on Instagram at @kennedyy_klehr. 💛