Acceptance: Learning to Live, Grieve, and Thrive in a Life You Didn’t Expect episode artwork

EPISODE · Nov 11, 2025 · 20 MIN

Acceptance: Learning to Live, Grieve, and Thrive in a Life You Didn’t Expect

from This Unexpected Life · host Carrie M Holt

In this episode, Carrie Holt closes her grief-cycle series by exploring acceptance, a stage often misunderstood in the journey of raising a child with disabilities or receiving an unexpected diagnosis. Carrie explains what acceptance is not—it’s not “moving on,” it’s not pretending everything is fine, or always a permanent emotional destination. Instead, she unpacks acceptance as surrender, rest, identity rebuilding, active waiting, learning to see God’s beauty again, and believing that life can still hold goodness even when it looks different than what we planned. Through Scripture, honest reflection, and practical insights, this episode invites special-needs moms to gently receive the life they’re living—while trusting the One who holds their future.Eps. 30; November 11, 2025Resources:Why Fixing Feels So Heavy & Acceptance (and Acceptance Feels So Light) with Carrie HoltThe Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Volume 5How Can You Survive Without…Part 1 - Wild At Heart Podcast with John EldredgeIf you enjoyed the show, leave a 5-star review!Get my new resource: 5 Practices For Processing GriefClick here if you want to be a guest on the showCarrie’s Facebook or InstagramFind me on SubstackMy 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.

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Nov 11, 2025

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In this episode, Carrie Holt closes her grief-cycle series by exploring acceptance, a stage often misunderstood in the journey of raising a child with disabilities or receiving an unexpected diagnosis. Carrie explains what acceptance is not—it’s not “moving on,” it’s not pretending everything is fine, or always a permanent emotional destination. Instead, she unpacks acceptance as surrender, rest, identity rebuilding, active waiting, learning to see God’s beauty again, and believing that life ...

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Acceptance: Learning to Live, Grieve, and Thrive in a Life You Didn’t Expect

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