Her Comeback Story
Season 1
Liz: A Second Chance at Life
Melenda: Grief, Gratitude and Purpose
Rebecca - Motherhood and Living a Life of Purpose
Wanda: Finding Hope in the Brokenness
by Mary Dreliszak
At 19, Liz Kaylor survived a suicide attempt and experienced what she describes as a life-changing encounter with God. When she was offered a second chance, she said yes—but returning to life meant learning how to adjust, heal, and discover why she was still here. In this episode of Her Comeback Story, Liz shares how she gradually found the courage to open up about her experience, how her faith grew stronger, and why she now believes her story can bring hope to others. Her journey is a powerful reminder that our lives have meaning, our stories are not over, and even the darkest chapter can lead to renewed faith and purpose. Listener Advisory: This episode includes mention of a past suicide attempt and conversations about mental health and recovery. If you or someone you know is struggling or in emotional distress, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Free, confidential support is available 24 hours a day
In this moving episode of Her Comeback Story, Melenda Murphy Stewart shares how profound grief led her on a journey back to faith, identity, gratitude, and purpose. After losing her husband and feeling lost and alone, a simple reminder—“Remember who you are”—helped her begin to shift her mindset and trust that God could still work through her hardest chapter. If you’ve experienced loss, Melenda’s story offers a reminder that healing, hope, and purpose can still be found—one breath and one step at a time.
In this episode of Her Comeback Story, Mary Dreliszak talks with Rebecca Ashby, author of Rediscover Your Self, Redefine Your Life, entrepreneur, and founder of The Village. Rebecca shares how becoming a mother caused her to question the path she had been following and reconsider what truly mattered. She opens up about trusting God through major life transitions and creating a community where women can find connection, encouragement, and support. Rebecca also offers a powerful first step for anyone seeking to live the life God is calling them to live: slow down, audit your time, and get honest about what you are filling your life with. Are you simply spending your time—or are you redeeming it? This conversation is a reminder that your comeback may begin with one honest question: Is this how God is calling me to live?
What happens when life asks more of you than you ever imagined you could give? In this episode of Her Comeback Story, I sit down with Wanda Anker, author of Broken: A Journey Through Long-Term Care, to talk about the emotional journey of caregiving, navigating anxiety and grief, and finding strength through faith. Wanda shares how God met her in one of life's most challenging seasons and reminds us that even in our brokenness, hope, healing, and restoration are possible. Whether you're caring for a loved one or walking through a difficult chapter of your own, this conversation will encourage you to trust God's presence, one life chapter at a time.
What if one difficult experience could shape the course of your life—and reveal God’s purpose in ways you never expected? In this inspiring episode of Her Comeback Story Podcast, Heather Bollinger shares how a pivotal experience in her teenage years became the beginning of her comeback story and influenced the way she lived her adult life. Together, we explore faith, healing, resilience, and how God can use even our hardest seasons to shape who we become. This conversation with Heather is a powerful reminder that God is always at work in our story, bringing hope, growth, and purpose to every season of our lives.
What if you said yes—even when you didn’t feel ready? In this first episode of Her Comeback Story, meet Val, who took a bold leap of faith, driving from Pennsylvania to the Florida Keys to pursue her dream job—despite not knowing how to play the instrument required. Through uncertainty, prayer, and perseverance, Val learned to move beyond worry and trust God in the process. Now back home, she’s doing what she loves—playing the ukulele and performing with confidence. If you’ve ever felt held back by fear or unsure of your next step, this story will remind you: you don’t have to feel ready to begin. ✨ Read Val's full story in my newly published book, Drawing on Faith: How to Make an Emotional Comeback and Reclaim Your Joy.