When the Doula Becomes the Healer: Rachel’s Journey Through Trauma and Grief

Rachel Pinkerton’s life has been marked by one deep initiation after another — narcissistic abuse, widowhood, single motherhood, and the complex pain of estrangement. But through it all, she has chosen service over silence.In this episode, Rachel shares how her lived experience led her to become a trauma-informed doula for women escaping domestic violence and, later, a death doula walking with grieving families. Her story is layered, raw, and full of sacred redemption. She reminds us that even in our deepest grief, God can equip us to hold space for others — and still be held by Him. If you’re carrying a story or testimony and sense a quiet stirring to do something more with it, but you’re unsure what that next step should be, I’ve created a resource to help you discern that.The Story Discernment Guide is a reflective guide designed to help you pause, pray, and gain clarity around the story you’re stewarding — before you write, publish, or share it publicly.You can explore the Story Discernment Guide at storycalling.info.Your story is not an accident.You are healed.You are whole.You are called — and stewarding your story well matters.