The Story Night Podcast

From an early age, Abi Bowden learned to face life's challenges on her own. Born with both hips displaced, she grew up as a Shriners kid, navigating surgeries and, later, severe anxiety and depression. In this heartfelt episode, Abi shares her journey through infertility, a devastating miscarriage, and the shocking discovery of a large brain tumor. Recovering from surgery just as the world shut down for COVID, Abi experienced the incredible love of a community that rallied around her family. Her story is one of heartbreak, healing, unexpected blessings, and the joy of welcoming a miracle rainbow baby. Along the way, Abi discovered a beautiful truth: we aren't meant to face life's hardest seasons alone. Sometimes we need to let others fill our empty wells, so that when our own wells are overflowing, we can pour into the lives of others. Learn more about Shriner's Learn more about Seeds of Hope Thank you to our 2026 Headline Sponsor GrazeCraze! Thank you to our Premiere Sponsor R&R Therapy and Wellness! Get connected and learn more about Story Night! Invite your girlfriends and get your free tickets to our next live event: Website Facebook Instagram Story Night would be honored to have your tax-deductible donation so we can continue to bless women through the power of stories.

For the month of October, Story Night is partnering with With Courage to bring you a series of stories about breast cancer survivorship. This episode is the recording of our event from October 1st, 2026.  325 women registered and filled the ballroom to hear Amy Widmer's beautiful story.  Amy shares her story of motherhood, an unexpected diagnosis, and the power of community. In this heartfelt evening, Amy shares how grief and joy, fear and hope, and strength and vulnerability can exist side by side, reminding us that we were never meant to walk life's hardest seasons alone. You can watch the video version of the full program on our YouTube Channel here. Click here to learn more about With Courage and all the ways to get connected and support this amazing nonprofit. Thank you to our 2026 Sponsors: Headline Sponsor GrazeCraze Premiere Sponsor R&R Therapy and Wellness Diamond Sponsors GoForth Inspired, First Federal, Atticus Hotel, Alpine Fitness, Lucetta Elmer, JB Landscaping, Scott's Automotive, AM Apothic Massage, Heather Acker, KMZ Consulting, and Tekora Homes. Get connected and learn more about Story Night! Invite your girlfriends and get your free tickets to our next live event: Website Facebook Instagram Story Night would be honored to have your tax-deductible donation so we can continue to bless women through the power of stories.

For the month of October, Story Night is partnering with With Courage to bring you a series of stories about breast cancer survivorship. In this episode, we share the recording of a conversation between Jessica Campbell and Susan Day. Life has a way of taking us places we never expected. For Susan Day, an artist from the East Coast, a trip to Oregon to explore an art market turned into a place to call home. But just a few years ago, life took another unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Susan shares her deeply personal decision to undergo a double mastectomy and “go flat,” rather than pursue the lumpectomy her doctor recommended. With honesty and vulnerability, she talks about life after surgery, the physical and emotional realities of living without her breasts, and the everyday adjustments that often go unspoken. As a woman in her 70s who lives alone, Susan also shares the incredible gift of finding community through With Courage. Her story is a beautiful reminder that no matter our age or circumstances, we all need connection, understanding, and people who remind us we are not alone. Click here to learn more about With Courage and all the ways to get connected and support this amazing nonprofit. Thank you to our 2026 Headline Sponsor GrazeCraze! Get connected and learn more about Story Night! Invite your girlfriends and get your free tickets to our next live event: Website Facebook Instagram Story Night would be honored to have your tax-deductible donation so we can continue to bless women through the power of stories.

For the month of October, Story Night is partnering with With Courage to bring you a series of stories about breast cancer survivorship. In this episode, we share the recording of a conversation between Jessica Campbell and Megan Sandman At 36, Megan Sandman was a wife, mom of two young boys, teacher, lifelong athlete, and training for an Ironman when a breast cancer diagnosis changed everything. After a mastectomy and treatment, Megan believed the worst was behind her—until the cancer returned. In this episode, Megan shares the realities of facing cancer as a young mom, the village that carried her through, and how survivorship changed the way she sees her life. Once always focused on what was next, Megan learned to slow down, lean into the people around her, and notice the moments that matter most. Today, survivorship means more to her than being cancer-free. It means moving beyond simply surviving and choosing to build a life where she can truly thrive. Click here to learn more about With Courage and all the ways to get connected and support this amazing nonprofit. Thank you to our 2026 Headline Sponsor GrazeCraze! Get connected and learn more about Story Night! Invite your girlfriends and get your free tickets to our next live event: Website Facebook Instagram Story Night would be honored to have your tax-deductible donation so we can continue to bless women through the power of stories.

For the month of October, Story Night is partnering with With Courage to bring you a series of stories about breast cancer survivorship. In this episode, we share the recording of a conversation between Jessica Campbell and Emily Sims.  Emily is a wife, mom, and library teacher.  Knowing her risk factors for breast cancer, Emily felt that annual mammograms and ultrasounds weren't enough, and pushed to get regular MRIs. During one of those MRIs, the doctors found breast cancer that was... not in her breast.  Her story is a powerful reminder to women to advocate for themselves and to find a village of support, because no one should fight alone. Click here to learn more about With Courage and all the ways to get connected and support this amazing nonprofit. Thank you to our 2026 Headline Sponsor GrazeCraze! Get connected and learn more about Story Night! Invite your girlfriends and get your free tickets to our next live event: Website Facebook Instagram Story Night would be honored to have your tax-deductible donation so we can continue to bless women through the power of stories.

For the month of October, Story Night is partnering with With Courage to bring you a series of stories about breast cancer survivorship. In this episode, we share the recording of a conversation between Jessica Campbell and Caitlin Sticka. Caitlin shared her story at a Story Night event in 2025.  You can listen to her story on epsiode 23 or watch the recording on our YouTube channel. Click here to learn more about With Courage and all the ways to get connected and support this amazing nonprofit. Thank you to our 2026 Headline Sponsor GrazeCraze! Get connected and learn more about Story Night! Invite your girlfriends and get your free tickets to our next live event: Website Facebook Instagram Story Night would be honored to have your tax-deductible donation so we can continue to bless women through the power of stories.

Though technically retired, Carla Schrock’s life is anything but quiet. From serving on her church board and holding babies in the nursery to meeting community needs through Hope on the Hill, Carla has a heart for showing up for others. Carla shares about walking through divorce, the shocking and tragic loss of her son, and recent health challenges of her own. Through it all, her faith has remained a steady anchor. This is a story that encourages trust in a greater plan and reminds us that sometimes the smallest gestures can mean the most to someone who is hurting. As Carla says, when hardships hit, just "start serving." Thank you to our 2026 Headline Sponsor GrazeCraze! Get connected and learn more about Story Night! Invite your girlfriends and get your free tickets to our next live event: Website Facebook Instagram Story Night would be honored to have your tax-deductible donation so we can continue to bless women through the power of stories.

In Part 2 of Heather’s story, we pick up at age 20, when Heather was a single mom determined to change the trajectory of her life. She joined the military, where she discovered not only her own strength, but the incredible power of community and learning to lean on others. Heather shares openly about the difficult chapters that followed—including a toxic relationship, an abortion, motherhood, and eventually confronting wounds from her past that she realized she needed to heal. Through faith, therapy, forgiveness, and healthy boundaries, Heather has worked to break generational patterns and create a different future for herself and her two children. Her story is a powerful reminder that there is strength in both the fight and the healing. Thank you to our 2026 Headline Sponsor GrazeCraze! Thank you to our Premiere Sponsor R&R Therapy and Wellness! Get connected and learn more about Story Night! Invite your girlfriends and get your free tickets to our next live event: Website Facebook Instagram Story Night would be honored to have your tax-deductible donation so we can continue to bless women through the power of stories.

Reba is a wife, mom, and business owner. She is a strong, grounded woman whose life has been shaped by grit and grace. As a teen, she found the faith that would ultimately save her life after a traumatic event that lead her to suicidal thoughts. In this raw and powerful conversation, she shares her journey toward healing and how learning to surrender control became an important part of moving forward. Today, Reba has a huge heart for women and believes deeply in the power of sharing our stories. She reminds us that healing doesn't erase what we've been through—it allows the wounds of our past to become scars instead of open wounds, part of our story without continuing to define us. This is a conversation about faith, resilience, surrender, and the freedom that can come when we realize we don't have to carry our stories alone. Thank you to our 2026 Headline Sponsor GrazeCraze! Get connected and learn more about Story Night! Invite your girlfriends and get your free tickets to our next live event: Website Facebook Instagram Story Night would be honored to have your tax-deductible donation so we can continue to bless women through the power of stories.

In honor of Oregon Adoption Day, this special Story Night episode features Vennisa Gomez-Gerberg, whose life has been shaped by foster care and adoption from nearly every side. Vennisa shares her journey from foster care to adoption, reconnecting with her biological family, becoming a teen mother in an abusive relationship, and ultimately finding her way home to the adoptive parents who welcomed her back with open arms. Years later, Vennisa and her husband opened their own home to children in foster care, caring for countless children over many years. Today, she serves as Executive Director of With Love, an organization supporting foster and adoptive children and families. Vennisa's story is a powerful reminder of what can happen when someone chooses to keep showing up—with love, compassion, and an open door. Learn more about With Love at withloveoregon.org Thank you to our 2026 Headline Sponsor GrazeCraze! Get connected and learn more about Story Night! Invite your girlfriends and get your free tickets to our next live event: Website Facebook Instagram Story Night would be honored to have your tax-deductible donation so we can continue to bless women through the power of stories.