67K
Downloads
297
Episodes
Rising Above with Becky Davidson is a place of encouragement, honesty, and hope for families navigating the unique joys and challenges of life with disability. Each episode offers heartfelt conversations, practical wisdom, and faith-filled insights to help you know you’re not alone on the journey. Becky shares stories from her own life as well as uplifting perspectives from guests who understand the road, equipping you with tools and inspiration to face each day with courage. Whether you’re seeking community, strength, or a fresh reminder of God’s faithfulness, this podcast invites you to rise above the struggles and discover joy in the midst of it all.
Episodes
Tuesday Oct 14, 2025
Tuesday Oct 14, 2025
About Celeste
Celeste Shally is a devoted mother and full-time caregiver to her adopted son with autism and intellectual disability. She is the author of While We Wait: Clinging to Christ in the Trenches of Special Needs Parenting, Since We're Friends: An Autism Picture Book, and The Bully Blockers: Standing Up for Classmates with Autism. Together with her husband, Mike, and their sons, Cooper and Jaxon, Celeste resides in Northwest Arkansas, where they founded Thrive, a flourishing ministry dedicated to ministering to special needs adults and their families.
About the Episode
In this episode, we sit down with Celeste Shally as she opens up about her family’s powerful journey through adoption and parenting a child with special needs. Celeste shares the emotional and spiritual challenges that came with adopting her son, Cooper, and how discovering his developmental delays became a defining moment for their family.
She candidly discusses the grief, strain on her marriage, and the overwhelming realities of special needs parenting—yet through it all, Celeste found strength in her faith, a deepened spiritual life, and the support of a loving community. From seeking out interventions to leaning into humor and hope, her journey is one of resilience, vulnerability, and surrender.
Now, through her book, Celeste offers a message of understanding and encouragement to others walking a similar path.
Related Links:
Moment of Reflection: While We Wait
-
- Persevere through the waiting: Suffering and uncertainty can feel endless, but Celeste reminds us that waiting is not wasted. It’s a space where God meets us—in our doubts, our grief, and our hope.
- Look for God in the chaos: In the hardest moments, try to pause and ask, “Where is God here?” It might be in small acts of kindness, unexpected laughter, or quiet peace amid the storm.
- Persevere through the waiting: Suffering and uncertainty can feel endless, but Celeste reminds us that waiting is not wasted. It’s a space where God meets us—in our doubts, our grief, and our hope.
Tuesday Oct 07, 2025
Tuesday Oct 07, 2025
About the Episode:
Join Steve and Becky as they reflect on 20 years of Rising Above, a ministry dedicated to supporting families with special needs. In this heartfelt and candid conversation, they look back on the joys and heartaches of their journey — from building a welcoming community to walking through grief, growth, and the continuing impact of Jeff, Becky's late husband and co-founder.
Steve and Becky open up about the unique challenges faced by special needs families, especially the painful feeling of being “uninvited” — a quiet but persistent social barrier that many experience. Through personal stories and deep insights, they share how Rising Above became a beacon of inclusion, connection, and hope.
Whether you're part of the special needs community or simply looking for inspiration and a deeper understanding of what real community looks like, this episode will encourage and challenge you in all the best ways.
Moment of Reflection:
Before we close, I want to leave you with a Moment of Reflection.
Think back on your week. Was there a moment when you felt truly included — really seen and welcomed? Now think about someone in your life who may not always feel that way — a family navigating disability, a caregiver, a parent, a child — someone who’s often left out, not intentionally, but quietly... repeatedly.
What would it look like for you to extend an invitation?
Not just to a party or a gathering, but to belonging.
To say with your actions, “You matter here. You are wanted.”
Tuesday Sep 30, 2025
Tuesday Sep 30, 2025
About the Episode
In this conversation, Katie shares her experience of navigating the challenges of caring for her family, including a cousin with special needs, during Hurricane Helene. The discussion covers the impact of the hurricane on their lives, the challenges of living without power, and the importance of community support. Katie reflects on the lessons learned from the experience, including the significance of faith, family resilience, and the role of the church in providing aid during disasters. She emphasizes the need for preparedness and the importance of trusting in God's provision during difficult times.
Related Links:
20 Year Family Fundraiser - Join us!
Katie's previous episode
Moment of Reflection:
Who in your life needs to know they’re not alone right now?
Maybe it’s a friend walking through a tough season, a caregiver feeling unseen, or even someone in your own family. This week, take a moment to reach out—a text, a call, a prayer. Just like Katie and I talked about, community makes all the difference when the storms of life hit.
Tuesday Sep 23, 2025
Tuesday Sep 23, 2025
About Erica
Erica Kingsbury is an author and special needs mom whose debut book, Not Alone: God’s Presence on the Path of the Special Needs Mom, offers heartfelt encouragement to mothers navigating a road they never expected to walk. With honesty, warmth, and unwavering faith, Erica shares her journey of discovering God’s presence in the midst of her son Jack’s diagnosis with Williams Syndrome. She speaks to the grief, beauty, and unexpected joy that come with raising a child with special needs — reminding listeners that even in their hardest moments, they are never alone. Erica lives in rural Washington with her husband and three children and is passionate about helping women recognize God’s faithfulness in every season.
About the episode
Join Becky Davidson as she sits down with Erica Kingsbury to discuss the challenges and triumphs of raising a child with Williams syndrome. Erica shares her personal journey, from the early days of her son Jack's diagnosis to finding peace and strength through faith. This heartfelt conversation explores the emotional landscape of parenting a child with special needs and the unexpected blessings that come with it.
Related Links:
Erica's Book: "Not Alone: God's Presence on the Path of the Special Needs Mom" available on Amazon and her website.
Erica's Website: ericakingsbury.com
Tuesday Sep 16, 2025
Tuesday Sep 16, 2025
About the Episode
In this episode, Becky Davidson and Kristi Farrow explore the theme of resilience in the face of life's relentless challenges. Through personal anecdotes, they discuss how to navigate continuous hardships, from unexpected diagnoses to everyday disruptions. Kristi shares her family's journey and the importance of processing emotions in real-time, while Becky emphasizes the power of community and faith. Together, they offer insights on shifting perspectives from "what if" to "even if," finding peace amidst chaos, and the significance of staying connected with supportive networks.
Related Links
Moment of Reflection
What area of your life feels the heaviest right now—and what would it look like to surrender it from a place of “Even if,” instead of “What if?”
What would it look like to shift from asking “What if?” or thinking of worst cast scenarios to trusting God in your current season?
Tuesday Sep 09, 2025
Tuesday Sep 09, 2025
About Melanie
Melanie is a married mom to two young men. Her youngest was born with a rare genetic disorder 24 years ago. Over those years she has been a stay-at-home mom, working career mom, and homeschool mom. Through it all, her passion to reach other moms on this wonderfully complex journey has remained. She lives to share the story of grace and hope she has found in Jesus and desires to pass it on to others.
About the Episode
In this episode, Melanie Gomez and Becky Davidson explore the journey of finding joy and resilience amidst life's challenges. Through personal stories and shared experiences, they discuss the importance of community, faith, and the power of perspective in overcoming adversity. Join them as they delve into the transformative impact of embracing joy, even in the darkest moments, and learn how to reclaim your joy from life's trials. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that will uplift and encourage you to find strength in every circumstance.
Related Links
Up in the Night - Respite for Your Mind
“Steal Back Your Joy” - by Chris Renzema
Moment of Reflection
What’s been weighing on your mind lately? What is something that has felt like clouds over your heart.
And what's one small thing you can do to keep moving forward with a sense of hope—even if the situation hasn’t changed?
Tuesday Sep 02, 2025
Tuesday Sep 02, 2025
About Daniel
Daniel is a speaker, author and the Vice President of the Southern Baptist Convention. He is husband to Heather and daddy to two.
About the Episode
Join Becky Davidson as she sits down with Daniel Ritchie, a motivational speaker and author, to explore his incredible journey of overcoming adversity. Born without arms, Daniel shares his birth story, the challenges he faced growing up, and how his faith played a pivotal role in his life. Discover how Daniel's unique perspective on disability and faith inspires others to find purpose and joy in their own stories.
Related Links
Extraordinary Legacy Small Group study
Moment of Reflection: “Where in my parenting journey have I seen unexpected beauty grow out of hardship?”
Tuesday Aug 26, 2025
Tuesday Aug 26, 2025
About Julie
Mom of four and pastor’s wife, navigating the unexpected journey of having a terminally ill child. I desire to honor the Lord in all I do — as a wife, mom, and friend — while advocating in an overwhelming medical world that often underestimates my son’s value and needs.
About the Episode
In this heartfelt episode, we dive into the life of Julie Schiller, a devoted mother of four living just outside Memphis, Tennessee. Julie shares the joys and challenges of raising her children, including her son with a rare genetic condition, KCNT1, which causes severe epilepsy. With her husband serving as a children's pastor, their days are filled with homeschooling, medical appointments, and therapies, all while nurturing a strong community bond. Join us as Julie opens up about her family's journey, the unexpected turns, and the unwavering faith that guides them through each day.
Related Links
Tuesday Aug 19, 2025
Tuesday Aug 19, 2025
About the Episode
In the second part of this powerful two-part series, Becky Davidson sits down again with licensed professional counselor Catherine Virden to go deeper into the emotional and relational dynamics of raising children with disabilities. They discuss how to find the right kind of therapeutic support, unpack trauma responses, and offer real-life strategies to help families maintain connection and emotional health amidst ongoing challenges.
Whether you're a parent, caregiver, or professional supporting special needs families, this episode offers compassionate insight and actionable guidance for strengthening your relationships and emotional resilience.
Related Links
Restore Retreat Experience
Dr. Christine Baker ig: @drcbtherapy
Dr. Larry Crabb - several books
Tuesday Aug 12, 2025
Tuesday Aug 12, 2025
About the Episode
In this powerful episode Becky is joined by Licensed Professional Counselor, Catherine Virden for an honest and insightful conversation about the impact of trauma and stress—especially within families navigating disabilities. Becky shares her personal path into counseling, how her lived experiences shaped her approach, and the importance of recognizing both big “T” and little “t” trauma.
Together, they explore how the nervous system responds to stress, introduce practical tools for managing trauma responses (fight, flight, freeze, and fawn), and emphasize the importance of listening to your body.
Whether you're a caregiver, parent, or simply someone seeking a deeper understanding of trauma, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and encouragement.
Related Links
Find a Community Group!
Hey Friend Videos on App