When Life Throws Curveballs: How One Mama Found Hope and Humor Amidst Heartbreak and Healing

In this powerful episode, host Emily Cleghorn welcomes Jessica Danel, whose journey through motherhood reads like a testament to unbreakable resilience.

Jessica candidly shares navigating her daughter Piper's heart surgery, cerebral palsy, and autism diagnosis, her son's Asperger's, the devastating loss of her million-dollar preschool business, and surviving a high school shooting.

Rather than surrendering to adversity, Jessica pursued her bachelor's and master's degrees, built a media career, and channeled her extraordinary life experiences into her book, Bucket List from a Redneck Girl — proving that even the most turbulent stories can inspire others to keep moving forward.

Connect with Jessica:  Website: https://www.jesssaying.net  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jessdanel  X (Twitter): https://x.com/jessdanel          Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessdanel/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jessicadanel3  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-danel-mba-88970283/  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jessicadanel4240 

Take the quiz here: https://freebie.mamahoodaftertrauma.ca/calmquiz  

If you’re ready to go deeper and connect with a community of women who get it, I’d love to invite you into the Rising Room—our safe space for mamas navigating healing, growth, and motherhood after trauma. https://coaching.mamahoodaftertrauma.ca/risingroom 

💬 And if you’ve got a story, insight, or wisdom to share, I’m always looking for new voices for the podcast! You can connect with me on Podmatch to be a guest and share your experience with our growing community. https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/riseandshinewithemilyc