PODCAST · society
An Unexpected Launch
by Kirsten Duncan
An Unexpected Launch is a series of stories about ordinary people who have navigated extraordinary circumstances. Our stories are filled with heartbreak and hope, loss and discovery, grief and transformation but most of all love and friendship. Let our stories inspire you.
Episodes
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Ep 30. Brian's Story: Storms in Life Have a Definite Beginning and a Definite End
Brian’s dad profoundly impacted his life; Brian wasn’t raised to be like anyone else. Brian was taught to stand in the gap, to be an intentional encourager. Brian has endured hardship in his adult life and has used those experiences to propel himself into projects that he is passionate about....
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Ep 29. Patti's Story: The Struggle is Real and So is the Love
Patti recently published her first book: When He Was Anna: A Mom’s Journey Into the Transgender World. This chapter of Patti’s own story began when her youngest daughter, Anna, announced at the age of 17 that she is transgender. Patti’s husband explains in the foreword, this book is about a...
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Ep. 27. Matthew and Cha's Story: Showing Up Gloriously For Others
For more than ten years, Matthew knew something wasn’t right. After countless doctor visits, Matthew was finally diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, IGA nephropathy. His immune system attacked his kidneys necessitating a grueling dialysis regimen and ultimately an unsuccessful kidney…
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Ep 26. Sara’s Story: In Sharing Your Truth, You Open Yourself to Joy
At 17 years old, Sara was raped and became pregnant. Unbeknownst to Sara, the woman counseling her through her pregnancy made plans for Sara’s baby to be fostered and ultimately adopted. Sara fought for her son and called the foster family to inform them that she was taking her son home. At a…
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Ep 25. Shari’s Story: Strength Comes from the Struggle
Abandoned at birth in a parking lot in Seoul, South Korea, Shari’s life had a traumatic beginning. Shari’s American family didn’t hide her adoption, yet it wasn’t something that was discussed. It wasn’t until later in her life that Shari would begin processing her adoption and the impact that it...
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Ep 24. Renee and Piripi’s Story: Taking the Gloss Off, Sharing Their Raw Truth
Renee and Piripi met at 13 years old, started dating at 15, and were together for 11 years before marrying. Eighteen months into their marriage, Piripi disclosed that he is gay. Knowing from a young age that he was different, it was a long and slow journey for Piripi to accept that he is gay....
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Ep 23. Marquina’s Story: The Emotional Elephant in the Room – Will My Cancer Recur?
A moment of absolute shock, disbelief, and fear. A death sentence. Fear that she would leave her three and a half year old son motherless. “I heard ‘malignant’ and thought, I must not know the definition of that word.” Previously healthy, feeling fine. Except for that lump. Her gynecologist...
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Ep 22. Cha’s Story: We Are Seeing The Best of Us Rise
Cha believes in the best of us. She desires that we learn to ask good questions. Ones that lead to transformation, open our minds and our hearts. The right questions are ones that help us to be seen and understood. Cha was raised in the Bahamas where the color of her skin did not impact how…
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Ep 21. Morhaf’s Story: I want to be authentic, I’m inviting others to be authentic
Morhaf’s diagnosis of metastatic lung cancer was revealed gradually in the conversation with his lung doctor who walked him through a series of images and pathology results. Given a moment to absorb the news, Morhaf cried and then asked “What’s next?” Despite feelings of sadness and loss, he...
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Ep 20. Kelly’s Story: Sharing Our Stories is Essential for Healing
Self-described as one-dimensional and intense, pre-coma Kelly loved her job, her colleagues, her award-winning real estate company, and working hard. Always pushing forward, evolving her business was top of mind. Then the unexpected. After a long workday, Kelly didn’t feel well. She knew…
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Ep 19. Daniela’s Story: In Pursuit of Connection, Love, and Purpose
Daniela was 5 years old when she and her mom left communist Romania seeking asylum in Germany. Unable to live together as a family, Daniela and her mom were only able to see her dad in secret. Daniela’s primary concern was to not worry her parents, and this marked the beginning of Daniela…
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Ep 18. Valli and Harper’s Story: Navigating Through the Fog and Finding the Light
Valli and her husband were in a state of shock upon learning their newborn son, Battle, was born with a genetic mutation that resulted in severe hearing loss. Valli stuffed her anxiety and didn’t share her fears with anyone. She felt alone, ashamed, and that she was not allowed to have these...
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Ep 17. Merf’s Story: How Does it Feel When No-one Wants To See You Or Wants You To Show Up?
Merf, born Martha Sue, grew up in a small, poor town in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Fishing and shooting guns. Wearing cut-off shorts and jerseys. A tomboy. There were unspoken rules for how a girl was to dress and behave. A home-made yellow, gingham graduation dress served as a...
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Ep 16. Sarah’s Story: The Trauma Club. Worst Club Ever. Welcome.
Sarah and Shawn met at Microsoft; they shook hands and Sarah heart sparked. They married in 1997, began building their community, and shared incredible adventures. In 2001, they had a child, Carson, who completed their family of three. Carson was their focus; Sarah and Shawn were deeply committed...
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Ep 15. Jodie’s Story: I Took Control of My Husband’s Infidelity Story And Am Using It For Good
Jodie and Erik had been married twenty years and had two beautiful children. Life felt pretty typical. However, knowing that the news of his infidelity would be breaking on the 5:00 news, Erik admitted his affair with a co-worker to Jodie. Jodie’s heart raced, she couldn’t breathe, she lost sense...
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Ep 14. Susan’s Story: What Brené Brown Did for Shame and Vulnerability Susan Cottrell Is Doing for Love and Inclusion
A typical Christian family, Susan and Rob raised their five children in the Evangelical Church. Then, two of their daughters, Annie and Hannah, came out causing Susan and Rob to rethink life, primarily their relationship with religion. When Annie was twenty, she called Susan; their conversation…
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Ep 13. Gill’s Story: The Biggest Gift of My Incurable Brain Tumor is The Outpouring of Love and Support
Three years ago, Gill, a father of four, was diagnosed with a golf-ball sized, grade 4 glioblastoma (GBM), an aggressive, incurable brain cancer with a dire prognosis. Gill has undergone surgery, radiation, 95 rounds of chemotherapy, and wears 36 ceramic electrodes on his head to disrupt cancer...
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Ep 12. April’s Story: My Son’s Cancer and Disability Provide a Unique Perspective on the Beauty of Life
April fell in love with Billy when she was 16 and they married three years later. Just two months into their marriage, April discovered she was pregnant. April had big plans: she was going to earn her doctorate, conduct research, move to a big city. Being pregnant was not part of this plan....
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Ep 11. Cindy’s Story: Finding My Voice After My Father Sexually Abused Me Allowed Me To Flourish
Cindy is a mother, a wife, a friend, a writer, and a daughter. Cindy was “just your average kid”. She has wonderful memories of her childhood, including Sunday night dinners with her family, playing barbies and kickball in the cul-de-sac, doing chores, and participating in sports. Although…
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Ep. 10. Luanne’s Story: Living Free From the Secret My Husband Is Gay Paved My Way to Joy
Luanne and Matt met at a small Christian college in Indiana trying out for a music ensemble. As their friendship deepened, with shared values and interests, they fell in love. Luanne and Matt married and have four children. A true team, Luanne and Matt created a close and loving family. It was…
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Ep. 9. Aidan's Story: I am More Than my Brain Injury
The last thing Aidan remembers of December 4, 2015 was getting into a friend’s car for a sleepover. He doesn’t recall their car reaching speeds of 80 mph in a residential area. That the driver, who was under the influence, lost control of the car. That they hit a brick wall. Head on. Aidan was…
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Ep. 8. Bella's Story: The Ultimate Gift - The Gift of Life
Bella, the President and Founder of Alexander’s Hope, has a long-standing history of non-profit work and volunteering. At the age of 12, she traveled to Uganda where her heart was opened to non-profit work. She saw the world through a new lens and was inspired by the people she met who were not...
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Ep 7. Marie's Story: Filled With Pride For My Transgender Son
Being one of eight daughters, raising two little girls was comfortable for Marie. Her youngest, Erin, wasn't a girly-girl. Although Marie didn't think too much about it at the time, Erin wasn't interested in dolls or dress-up and gravitated towards Legos and puzzles. She resisted her older…
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Ep 6. Todd’s Story: My Wife Is Lesbian. What Does This Mean? Where Do I Fit?
Within 6 months of dating, Todd fell in love with Lisa’s beauty, intellect, and shared interests. They married, have two beautiful children and enjoyed life in the San Francisco Bay Area. Raising their children, spending time together, and traveling are cherished memories. Todd never suspected…
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Ep 5. Mike's Story: Being Gay Isn't a Choice. It's Who I Am.
Mike has known Janine since the eighth grade. On one of their early dates, they were so immersed in their conversation, they didn’t realize they closed down the restaurant. Chairs on the tables, floor being mopped, they were asked to leave. In that moment, Mike knew he was in love. Janine fit...
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Ep 4. Sally's Story: My Marriage Blew Up
Sally met a rugby player at a bar. She fell in love with this rugby player – also a firefighter – when she witnessed his compassion at the scene of an accident. They married and have two incredible boys. Sally and her husband were true partners in raising their boys; their lives were filled with...
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Ep 3. Janine's Story: Writing My Gay Husband's Dating Profile
Janine and Mike met in junior high. After admitting her crush on him, they began dating in university and fell in love, married, and had three beautiful children. They were partners. Unbreakable. With trust and respect, they navigated good times and bad with humor and friendship. Two years before...
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Ep 2. Ethan's Story: My Dad is Gay
My oldest son Ethan was 18 years old and six weeks into college when his dad, Matt, came out. Now 22 and a college senior, Ethan is ready to tell his story in hopes that it will provide hope and guidance to parents and children. One of Ethan’s most confusing days was accidentally stumbling upon...
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Ep 1. Kirsten's Story: My Husband Came Out
Welcome to the inaugural episode of An Unexpected Launch, hosted by Kirsten Duncan. Episode one is the beginning of My Story. After 24 years of marriage, my best friend and husband came out as gay. Just two months later, our 16-year old son was in a near-fatal car accident and suffered a severe...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
An Unexpected Launch is a series of stories about ordinary people who have navigated extraordinary circumstances. Our stories are filled with heartbreak and hope, loss and discovery, grief and transformation but most of all love and friendship. Let our stories inspire you.
HOSTED BY
Kirsten Duncan
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does An Unexpected Launch have?
An Unexpected Launch currently has 29 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is An Unexpected Launch about?
An Unexpected Launch is a series of stories about ordinary people who have navigated extraordinary circumstances. Our stories are filled with heartbreak and hope, loss and discovery, grief and transformation but most of all love and friendship. Let our stories inspire you.
How often does An Unexpected Launch release new episodes?
An Unexpected Launch has 29 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to An Unexpected Launch?
You can listen to An Unexpected Launch on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts An Unexpected Launch?
An Unexpected Launch is created and hosted by Kirsten Duncan.
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