Episode 134: Disaster Is Instant, Recovery Is Not with Hannah Helmke

Make sure to send us text message with any questions or comments!In this episode, hosts Heath and Josh sit down with their friend Hannah Helmke to unpack a Christmas Eve she and her family will never forget.Late at night on Christmas Eve, lightning struck Hannah’s family home, instantly turning what should have been a peaceful holiday into a traumatic emergency. Hannah walks listeners through the terrifying moments as the strike tore through the house—describing the chaos, fear, and disbelief as her family scrambled to make sense of what had just happened while the night (and the holiday) unraveled around them.But the disaster didn’t end once the storm passed. Much of the episode focuses on the long, exhausting aftermath: months of displacement, uncertainty, and the seemingly endless battle with insurance companies. Hannah candidly shares the “second nightmare” of the experience—navigating claims, delays, confusing paperwork, and constant setbacks while trying to get her family’s home repaired and livable again. Heath and Josh balance the heavy subject matter with empathy, humor, and moments of reflection, while also asking the questions listeners are thinking. The episode is a powerful reminder that surviving the disaster is sometimes only the beginning, and that the road back to “normal” can be far more difficult than anyone expects.Thanks for listening! We are on all major podcasts platforms. Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Threads and remember to like, follow and share!