Beyond Brave

In this Brave Mom episode, I sit down with Liz, a fellow bereaved and medical mom, to honour and share the story of her beautiful son, Mathias. This conversation was healing in a way only another SCID mom could understand. Liz and I share so many parallels in our stories… from navigating a SCID diagnosis, to battling CMV, to watching our babies endure bone marrow transplants. There are moments in this episode that felt like looking...

In this episode, I sit down with my friend and event-planning powerhouse Jen Draper to talk all things Bella’s Birthday Ball, how it began, why it matters, and the incredible heart behind it. We dive into Jen’s world as an author, creator, event planner, oracle-card reader, and community builder, and explore how she uses all her talents to bring meaning and magic into the spaces she creates. It’s a conversation full of heart, purpo...

Hubby Lyle is back! It’s been a minute since we've sat down together and there’s a lot to catch up on. From planning our first Disney World trip and celebrating one year of Beyond Brave, to my recent keynote and the launch of my new Brave Moms Series. Lyle and I also open up about how grief continues to evolve 16 months after losing our Bella, what it looks like to find joy alongside heartache, and how we're shaping the nex...

Make sure you listen right to the end, after my outro, Ashley and I keep chatting about self-care and share a heartfelt side conversation.

In this powerful second episode of my Brave Mom Series on Beyond Brave, I talk with Ashley Hernandez from Kleefeld, Manitoba; a bereaved mom whose courage allows her to open up to me about her unimaginable loss. Ashley’s daughter, Aliyah, was diagnosed with an aggressive neuroblastoma just days a...

Maria & Her Miracle Micro Preemie, George
Born at just 22 weeks, George’s story is one of pure resilience and his mom Maria shares it with beautiful honesty.

What does it mean to raise a miracle? In this first episode of our Brave Mom Series, I sit down with fellow medical mama Maria Panayiotou , whose little boy George, born at just 22 weeks and 5 days, weighing only 1 pound, 4 ounces — has defied every odd in the book.

Ma...

In this episode, Lyle & I are catching up on where we’re really at ... from health updates and kidney results to Kyla’s first mammogram experience. We also dive into the new trend of major coffee chains adding protein to their menus (and what that actually means for your health), plus a round of rapid-fire grief questions that get surprisingly real. I also share much about a recent fundraising walk I attended & spoke at thi...

Most people don’t realize that palliative care isn’t just about end-of-life... it’s about helping medical families live better, right now. In this episode, I sit down with Kira Goodman, Project Director for Canada’s Pediatric Palliative Care Alliance, to talk about the launch of their brand-new Resource Hub designed to support families caring for seriously ill children. From navigating life at home to finding tools for caregivers a...

A new health update.
A bittersweet birthday.
A wink from Bella in the most unexpected place.
And a powerful new resource for medical families across Canada.

In this solo episode of Beyond Brave, I open up about life after my stage 3 kidney failure diagnosis and what’s shifted since my last update. I share the mix of emotions that came with celebrating Waylon’s 7th birthday, how grief shows up even in joy, and a beautiful sign from Bell...

Well, if you haven’t been following my stage 3 kidney failure diagnosis… you are now. In this episode of Beyond Brave, we open up about the latest health updates, including what my recent bloodwork revealed and the questions I’m asking as I dig into it all. We also reflect on our nearly two-week US camping trip — Oregon Coast and all — and what it taught us about family, laughter, and resilience on the road. But the heart of today’...

Lyle’s back on the mic! In this episode, we catch up on health updates (including our 36-hour fasts), answer your quick-fire Q&A from Instagram, and dive into what it’s like to keep Bella in our lives while moving forward. I also share about the 52 precious notes I recently lost, including journals since Bella’s passing, and why no one gets to dictate your grief. Plus, by the time you’re listening to this, we’ve already started...

This week on Beyond Brave, I’m sharing a lot; signs from Bella, my health struggles that have me drained and I open up about a painful betrayal that’s tested my faith and the inner battle between calling someone out or choosing peace. I also reflect on recent heartbreaking losses in the medical mom community and share how I’m preparing for an upcoming trip. Stick around for the listener Q&A at the end,  this solo episode covers...

Join me in a deeply heartfelt conversation with Benny and Dr. Nick Capaul, the empathetic identical twins who co‑host Let’s Talk About Death With the Capaul Twins. Benny, a funeral director following his family’s legacy, offers grounded, professional insight; while Dr. Nick, a psychologist, explores the emotional and healing dimensions of loss  .

In this special joint episode, I open up about my daughter Bella, sharing moments of gr...

In Part 2 of this deeply personal two-part episode, we continue sharing the story we’ve held closest to our hearts: the week our daughter Bella died. If Part 1 opened the door to those final days, Part 2 walks you through them. From the hospital room to Bella’s final moments, we recount the raw reality of saying goodbye, the sacredness of our time together, and the weight of decisions no parent should ever have to make.

We speak ope...

In this deeply personal two-part episode, we’re opening up about something we’ve never shared before: the week our daughter Bella died. As we mark one year without her, we take you back to those final days , what they looked like, what we felt, and the moments that changed us forever. In Part 1, we ease into the conversation with a touching story from Bella’s school before diving into a vulnerable discussion about how others acknow...

In this heartfelt conversation, Kyla sits down with Laura Lawrence , the founder of Youth Matter Canada, speaker, author, and host of the HeartTalk Podcast. Together, they explore Laura’s powerful journey through motherhood, grief, and mental health advocacy. From the raw truths in her memoir Behind Closed Doors, to the comforting wisdom in her children’s grief books, Laura’s mission to support struggling youth and families shines ...

In this tender, unfiltered conversation, Lyle opens up about navigating grief as a dad, the quiet heaviness, the unexpected moments of connection, and the signs that Bella is still close. From a mysterious golden orb caught on camera to a Killdeer returning to their yard, Kyla and Lyle share stories that are equal parts heartbreaking and hope-filled. Also: bird drama, pie miracles, and some laugh-worthy “dad truths” you won’t want ...

In this solo episode, Kyla shares deeply personal stories about her daughter Bella. Many precious moments and life lessons she’s never shared on Beyond Brave until now. A heartfelt conversation about grief, memory, and keeping love alive through story. > You can follow along with the Thomsons' daily life on Kyla's Instagram @kylact, where they continue to honour and carry forward their daughter Bella's brave legacy. ...

In this epsiode of Beyond Brave, I finally got Lyle back in the Brave Cave studio with me as we dive into your powerful listener questions. We talk about everything from when we flew home without Bella to the first transplant call that didn't go through. We also chat about the upcomming Golf For Wishes tournoment, share laughs and tears reflecting on recent signs from Bella and a lot more. Thanks for being here, your support me...