These days, everyone has their favorite podcasts, even old ladies like me. But I am proud to say that my favorite podcast is a Mississippi creation from start to finish.
Hannah’s Heart is a weekly podcast that can be heard every Saturday evening from 5:00 to 5:30 on American Family Radio (AFR): https://afr.net/podcasts/hannahs-heart/. Hosted by two young Mississippi moms, Kendra White and Anne Cockrell, the show is dedicated to encouraging couples who are walking through some of life’s most difficult trials of infertility and miscarriage.
But this Mississippi-made podcast is more than mere words of encouragement. Hannah’s Heart is a “been-there, done-that, and have the wounds and scars to prove it” experience, with Kendra and Anne openly sharing those wounds and scars with all their listeners.
For me, it is kind of ironic that I love this podcast so much. After all, I have been married for over 46 years and gave birth to two boys a long, long time ago. Over 40 years ago, to be exact. During both of those experiences, I had no issues with infertility, and I never had to deal with the heartache of a miscarriage. Yet, the compassion that these two women show to their guests and listeners is so engaging, and I never cease to be amazed at just how many people share this heartache.
In fact, each week, the ladies host guests from every imaginable walk of life, and each guest has a unique story to tell about life and loss. Though heartbreaking at times, every story has one common thread – hope. And that shared hope comes across in each episode of Hannah’s Heart, a hope that speaks of resiliency, determination, and love. Because whether it’s a story of fostering, adoption, in vitro fertilization (IVF), or the loss of a child, every episode reminds listeners of the unending love of parents for their children.
Now, I have to admit that my appreciation of this podcast grew when I was asked to be a guest on the show to share about the loss of our grown son in the summer of 2023 after a 6-year battle with leukemia. Kendra and Anne made me feel right at home, and we all cried as I shared my love for Chris and the hope that we have found in living a life of joy without one of our two sons.
But don’t think that Hannah’s Heart is just a weekly tear fest. It is packed full of laughter and joy, as well as facts and options for couples facing infertility or loss. Plus, these girls don’t sidestep the controversy surrounding IVF and other aspects of this topic.
So, if you are looking for a new podcast to enjoy, take the time to listen to Hannah’s Heart, and make sure to share this Mississippi treasure with a friend who might be travelling the same road as Anne, Kendra, and thousands of other young couples in America. And find Hannah’s Heart on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/HannahsHeartAFR/.
