Truth Wins Seriously: Karen Simpson-Neasby

Karen Simpson-Neasby joins host Valerie Howe for a personal and honest conversation rooted in decades of friendship, faith, and real-life challenges. Karen shares how she became part of Valerie’s family at a young age, caring for her children and building a lifelong bond that carried into her career and life back in Lebanon, where she now serves as Executive Director of the Mercy Health Foundation.  At the center of the episode is Karen’s battle with triple negative breast cancer. She walks through receiving the diagnosis, going through months of chemotherapy and radiation, and the emotional weight that came with it—including losing her hair and facing uncertainty head-on.  Karen also shares the mindset that helped carry her through. Instead of focusing inward, she made it a point to encourage others during treatment, finding purpose even in the middle of difficulty. The conversation highlights the importance of support, access to care close to home, and the reality that many people face these journeys alone.  Throughout it all, faith remains the foundation. Karen talks about trusting God through fear, dealing with the anxiety that comes with follow-up scans, and choosing to believe there is purpose in the struggle. Her story ultimately centers on one message—using her story for His glory and showing that even in the hardest moments, truth still wins.