In this episode of the I Witness podcast, we are honored to have Kathy Brasby share her extraordinary journey of how she found hope in the midst of faith, love, and loss. Kathy navigates the complexities of life’s ups and downs, always steadfastly believing in God. Kathy bears her soul and tackles the challenging questions about God’s role in our suffering. Her narrative takes a painful turn as she recounts her endeavor to understand hope.
For women going through phases of grief and brokenness, Kathy’s story serves as a testament that you are never alone, even in your darkest hours. Tune in for an episode that promises to tug at your heartstrings and offer a glimmer of hope in the face of life’s most challenging moments.
When Kathy was a little girl, her aunt confronted her mother: “Can’t you teach her not to ask so many questions?”
This is Kathy’s worst trait and her best: she is curious. She loves to learn and study.
She’s a former journalist and also has been blogging for a number of years. She published Cutting Through Despair: Dare to Hope in 2022 with stories about people – modern-day and biblical – who overcame hardships.
Her Christian faith is the foundation of all her work.
Her BA is in English, and she also holds an MA in Theological studies. She lives on a hobby farm in northeast Colorado and has six children and ten grandchildren.
A favorite theme in her stories is overcoming – and some stories are serious.
Connect with Kathy on her website or the following social media channels
Kathy Brasby touches on the power of faith in finding love and companionship, revealing how she met her husband at church after losing his first wife in a tragic accident. Kathy’s story serves as a testament that sometimes, even when we least expect it, new beginnings can unfold in unexpected places.
Opening up about the raw emotions of experiencing a miscarriage, Kathy talks about feeling hollow and wrestling with anger and distance from God. Her journey offers a candid look at the internal turmoil that comes with grief. The difficult feelings she grapples with are a reminder that it’s okay to be angry and to question your faith during times of hardship.
Kathy’s life takes a heart-wrenching turn when her husband becomes seriously ill and eventually passes away. Her experience grappling with this devastating loss while still holding onto her faith offers a glimmer of hope for women navigating their own personal tragedies. Even through intense pain, there can still be room for hope and spiritual connection.
Kathy’s view of God’s love as a relentless and unconditional “waterfall” serves as an uplifting message for women facing grief and brokenness. According to Kathy, God’s love isn’t conditional upon our readiness to accept it. It is ever-present and powerful, waiting for us even when consumed with sorrow or anger. This imagery could be a comforting reminder that you’re never truly alone in your struggles. God’s love is always there, waiting to envelop you when you’re ready to receive it.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Resources for You
We all want hope, but we aren’t sure what it is or even if it can be had. How does one find hope? Cutting Through Despair: Dare to Hopeshares stories of people wrestling with hardships. When I asked each, “How did you find hope in these horrendous circumstances?” they told me. Discover with me how these people become overcomers. And how you can too.
In the latest episode of the I Witness Podcast, Kelly Jo dives deep with CJ Milacci into a compelling dialogue about faith, life challenges, and the transformative power of community.
Their candid conversation navigates CJ’s unique life experiences from the Disney college program to her spiritual immersion in Italy, shedding light on the significant role of faith in shaping her responses to life’s twists and turns.
A dark time had CJ questioning her purpose. She discusses how she battled loneliness and a loss of direction that caused her to drop to her knees.
Listen to Part 1 here
IW EP008 CJ Milacci Part 1
Listen to Part 2 here
Meet CJ Milacci
CJ writes stories for teens and young adults with heart-pounding action and hope. As a referee, she’s always relearning the hard lesson that it’s impossible to make everyone happy, and she’s discovered that stories can be found anywhere, even on a lacrosse field. She’s passionate about crafting stories of good overcoming evil, finding hope amid seemingly hopeless circumstances, and true acceptance.
CJ’s story touches on many different themes, such as overcoming isolation, the reality of faith in dark times, and being honest with God during life’s greatest challenges. Kelly and CJ offer insights into the blend of personal journeys.
The top takeaways that really encompass the themes of the podcast discussion between Kelly and CJ are:
Incorporating Faith into Everyday Challenges: Both Kelly and CJ discuss how their faith has been a guiding force in their lives. Whether it’s confronting isolation or handling the life challenges of unfamiliar emotions, CJ Milacci shares how faith plays a pivotal role in shaping her decisions. Their experiences emphasize the significance of faith in everyday life, not just during profound spiritual moments.
Community and Connection: The podcast highlights the importance of a religious community and the human need for connection. CJ’s contrasting experiences at Disney College and in Italy underline the significance of spiritual fellowship. Fellowship grounds and broadens experiences.
Empathy and Vulnerability: CJ’s interactions with young people from various backgrounds showcase the need for understanding and empathy. CJ discusses how the differences in upbringing and experiences of others shed light on the power of genuine connection.
God’s Guidance through Life Transitions: Kelly and CJ touch upon surrendering to God’s plan, even during life’s challenges. CJ’s shift from direct youth ministry to writing emphasizes God’s role in guiding individuals through various phases of life. CJ’s personal challenges have made a broader impact, and the same can happen for us.
Addressing Young Adult Issues: CJ gives a raw account of the issues facing young adults today, many fearing judgment and being shunned by the church if they share what’s truly on their hearts.
Struggling With Doubts: CJ shares how most of us struggle with doubt and question God. Thus, the enemy tries to isolate us, but she encourages us to reach out and talk about what’s happening in our lives. It’s okay to tell our problems to God, no matter how awful.
You’re not alone.
Bible Verses for Encouragement
Galatians 3:28, NKJV: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Romans 8:28: “And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
Luke 12:7: “But the very hairs on your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”
Psalms 139:14: “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.”
2 Corinthians 12:9: “And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
Resources for You
Check out CJ Milacci’s two-time, award-winning book Recruit of Talionis.
“Forget where you came from. Forget the life you knew. You are now recruits of Talionis!”
America has fallen.
Seventeen-year-old Bria Averton grew up in a small town of survivors near the ruins of Portland, Maine. It’s all she’s ever known — until she’s kidnapped along with hundreds of other teens and brought to the city of Talionis. A city no one knew existed.
The soldiers tell them the intense trainings are for the good of the survivors, and Bria resists being forced into a new life as a recruited soldier. But she soon finds the dangers in the city are greater than she imagined.
Escape is impossible, and Bria fears drowning in the evil of the city… and the guilt from her own past. But can she find hope, even here?
In the latest episode of the I Witness Podcast, Kelly Jo dives deep with CJ Milacci into a compelling dialogue about faith, life challenges, and the transformative power of community.
Their candid conversation navigates CJ’s unique life experiences from the Disney college program to her spiritual immersion in Italy, shedding light on the significant role of faith in shaping her responses to life’s twists and turns.
A dark time had CJ questioning her purpose. She discusses how she battled loneliness and a loss of direction that caused her to drop to her knees.
Listen to Part 1 here
IW EP008 CJ Milacci Part 1
Meet CJ Milacci
CJ writes stories for teens and young adults with heart-pounding action and hope. As a referee, she’s always relearning the hard lesson that it’s impossible to make everyone happy, and she’s discovered that stories can be found anywhere, even on a lacrosse field. She’s passionate about crafting stories of good overcoming evil, finding hope amid seemingly hopeless circumstances, and true acceptance.
CJ’s story touches on many different themes, such as overcoming isolation, the reality of faith in dark times, and being honest with God during life’s greatest challenges. Kelly and CJ offer insights into the blend of personal journeys.
The top takeaways that really encompass the themes of the podcast discussion between Kelly and CJ are:
Incorporating Faith into Everyday Challenges: Both Kelly and CJ discuss how their faith has been a guiding force in their lives. Whether it’s confronting isolation or handling the life challenges of unfamiliar emotions, CJ Milacci shares how faith plays a pivotal role in shaping her decisions. Their experiences emphasize the significance of faith in everyday life, not just during profound spiritual moments.
Community and Connection: The podcast highlights the importance of a religious community and the human need for connection. CJ’s contrasting experiences at Disney College and in Italy underline the significance of spiritual fellowship. Fellowship grounds and broadens experiences.
Empathy and Vulnerability: CJ’s interactions with young people from various backgrounds showcase the need for understanding and empathy. CJ discusses how the differences in upbringing and experiences of others shed light on the power of genuine connection.
God’s Guidance through Life Transitions: Kelly and CJ touch upon surrendering to God’s plan, even during life’s challenges. CJ’s shift from direct youth ministry to writing emphasizes God’s role in guiding individuals through various phases of life. CJ’s personal challenges have made a broader impact, and the same can happen for us.
Addressing Young Adult Issues: CJ gives a raw account of the issues facing young adults today, many fearing judgment and being shunned by the church if they share what’s truly on their hearts.
Listen to Part 2 here
IW EP008 CJ Milacci Part 2
Bible Verses for Encouragement
Galatians 3:28, NKJV: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Romans 8:28: “And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
Resources for You
Check out CJ Milacci’s two-time, award-winning book Recruit of Talionis.
“Forget where you came from. Forget the life you knew. You are now recruits of Talionis!”
America has fallen.
Seventeen-year-old Bria Averton grew up in a small town of survivors near the ruins of Portland, Maine. It’s all she’s ever known — until she’s kidnapped along with hundreds of other teens and brought to the city of Talionis. A city no one knew existed.
The soldiers tell them the intense trainings are for the good of the survivors, and Bria resists being forced into a new life as a recruited soldier. But she soon finds the dangers in the city are greater than she imagined.
Escape is impossible, and Bria fears drowning in the evil of the city… and the guilt from her own past. But can she find hope, even here?
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