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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 Nov 11, 2025
Tuesday Nov 11, 2025
About Nikki:
Nikki McIntosh is the founder of Rare Mamas®, a resource and community dedicated to empowering mothers of children with rare diseases, and host of the Rare Mamas Rising podcast. Her mission stems from the profound need she felt after her son was diagnosed with a rare disease, fueling her with a passion and purpose to offer a lifeline of hope and connection to other rare moms.
Nikki is a sought-after speaker and a trusted voice in the rare disease space. From national conferences and patient advocacy group gatherings to biotech industry meetings and media interviews, Nikki passionately advocates for the rare disease community. She lives in Southern California with her husband Tony and their sons Mason and Miles.
About the Episode:
In this heartfelt episode, Nikki McIntosh shares her transformative journey as a mother navigating the challenges of raising a child with a rare neuromuscular disease. From the initial shock of diagnosis to becoming a beacon of hope and support for other rare moms, Nikki's story is one of resilience, faith, and community. Join hosts Becky Davidson and Nikki as they discuss the creation of the Rare Mamas organization, the power of advocacy, and the importance of finding strength in shared experiences. Whether you're a parent, caregiver, or simply seeking inspiration, this episode offers valuable insights and encouragement. Tune in to discover how Nikki's journey can empower you to face life's challenges with hope and determination.
Related Links:
Respite for Your Mind: Up in the Night
About the Show
Rising Above with Becky Davidson is created & produced by Rising Above Ministries. To learn more about us and our resources for special-needs families, visit our website at www.risingaboveministries.org. If you’ve enjoyed listening and want to hear more, we’d love for you to subscribe to our podcast or share it to encourage a friend.
*Theme music and editing by Open Mic Studios.
Tuesday Nov 04, 2025
Tuesday Nov 04, 2025
About the Episode
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Allison Hernandez as she shares her journey of raising a child with cerebral palsy. From the unexpected diagnosis to navigating daily challenges, Allison opens up about the strength and resilience she's found through faith and community. Discover how her experiences have reshaped her beliefs and brought unexpected blessings into her life. This episode is a story of love, support, and the power of community in overcoming life's hurdles.
About Allison
Allison is a single full time working mom. She works a highly demanding job and manages her home, which includes her and her child, and numerous caregivers.
Related Links
Moment of Reflection
I really love how open and honest Allison was about her faith — how the challenges she faced before Roxie led her to walk away for a time, but through her journey as Roxie’s mom, she found her way back to God. She realized just how much she depended on Him.
Take a moment to think about where you are on your faith journey. Are you feeling angry with God? Does He seem distant or far away? Or maybe He feels close and present right now. Wherever you are, invite Him into that space. Ask God to show you His heart — for you, and for your child.
Tuesday Oct 28, 2025
Tuesday Oct 28, 2025
About the Muzichuk Family
Paul Muzichuk has served at The Springs Church in Florida for more than ten years, where he leads as both Missions Pastor and Counseling Pastor. He and his wife Maria, to whom he has been married for 19 years, founded Arise Biblical Counseling in 2017. The ministry has since served hundreds of individuals and families, offering biblical counseling and healing with a focus on crisis care, strengthening marriages, and preparing engaged couples through pre-marital counseling.
Paul and Maria are strong advocates for special needs families, giving leadership to a growing ministry at The Springs Church that creates opportunities for children and their families to worship, grow, and thrive in the life of the church.
Alongside counseling and special needs ministry, Paul is passionate about the Great Commission and has led missions teams across the United States and internationally, ministering in countries such as Ireland, Costa Rica, Vietnam, Colombia, Hungary, Romania, Ukraine, Germany, Canada, the Philippines, and Haiti. His heart is to see the gospel transform lives through both local outreach and global partnerships.
Paul and Maria treasure life with their four children Julianna, Philip, Nathan, and Amelia and are committed to serving God together as a family.
About the Episode
In this episode, join Becky Davidson as she sits down with Paul and Maria Muzichuk to explore their journey as parents of a son with autism. From the challenges of early diagnosis to the creation of a supportive church community, Paul and Maria share their experiences, insights, and the profound impact of faith on their lives. Discover how their story of resilience and hope is inspiring others and fostering a sense of belonging for families facing similar challenges.
Related Links
Catch up on the Rising Above Dads podcast before the new season releases soon.
Moment of Reflection:
Maria shared how she prayed specifically for her son’s protection the night before their terrifying elopement incident. How important it is to pray for our children.
Reflect: What are some specific things you can begin praying over your own child, your family, or even the families around you? How might God be leading you to intercede on someone else’s behalf? Spend some time with those questions and then spend some time talking to God about it.
Tuesday Oct 21, 2025
Tuesday Oct 21, 2025
About the Episode
In this deeply honest episode, host Becky Davidson sits down with guest Mandy Rawls for a powerful conversation about the emotional complexities of parenting children with special needs. Together, they unpack the concept of the “dark side rules”—an unspoken agreement that both parents can’t emotionally spiral at the same time. Through personal stories and lived experiences, Becky and Mandy explore how this principle helps families stay afloat in the midst of overwhelming challenges.
Listeners will hear candid reflections on grief, strength, vulnerability, and the vital role of support systems. From coping mechanisms to the importance of community, faith, and friendship, this episode offers a raw yet hopeful look into the reality of special needs parenting. Whether you're a parent on a similar path or someone seeking to better understand and support those who are, this conversation will leave you encouraged and inspired.
Key Takeaways:
- The “dark side rules” offer emotional balance in high-stress parenting situations.
- It’s essential for one parent to stay grounded when the other is struggling.
- Grief, overwhelm, and joy can coexist—and acknowledging all is part of the journey.
- Vulnerability and community are not weaknesses but lifelines.
- Faith and trusted relationships can be sources of deep strength and healing.
Join Becky and Mandy as they shine a light on the hard, holy work of special needs parenting—and the hope that can be found even in the darkest places.
Related Links
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
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- 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?