Beyond Brave

Lyle is back on the mic with me, and we have a lot to catch up on. In this episode of Beyond Brave, we share stories from our recent family adventure in PV, Mexico...complete with Waylon’s hilarious bargaining skills, unexpected wildlife encounters, and a few moments that felt like little signs from Bella. We also introduce the newest member of our family! We also talk about upcoming events honoring Bella’s impact, and reflect on a few powerful grief lessons I’ve learned recently from in-person and virtual grief groups. And somewhere in the middle of it all…I reveal a brand-new idea that completely catches Lyle off guard! Reminder: If you'd like to tell your medical mom, bereaved mom story or brave story on Beyond Brave, please email me (Kyla) at: Hello@bella-brave.com Thank you for being here and always stay brave.

In this solo episode of Beyond Brave, I open up about the recent fatigue that’s been weighing on me and how discouraging it’s felt…until a shift happened after I took the time to research and understand what was really going on. I reflect on a recent post I shared on social media, reading through your comments that reminded me how powerful community can be!In the heart of the episode, I share my top ten comfort items, simple, grounding things that bring me peace, safety, and softness in grief. This episode is an honest, gentle reminder that comfort matters, rest is not weakness, and sometimes the smallest things are what carry us through the heaviest days.Please reach out if you’d like to be a part of our Brave Mom series: Hello@bella-brave.comFind me on socials: @kylact on Instagram & TikTok/ BellaBrave on Facebook

In Part One of this special two-part Beyond Brave episode, I sit down with fellow medical mom Kennedy from Minnesota, whose daughter Huxley shares striking medical similarities with my Bella, a connection first brought to me by my TikTok community. We talk about how this unexpected introduction turned into an instantly deep, healing conversation between two medical moms navigating rare diagnoses, hospital life, and the emotional weight of raising medically complex children. Kennedy shares Huxley’s journey, including her recent second bone marrow transplant, and what life looks like inside the thick of it all. This conversation was so real and so full that we couldn’t fit it into one episode, so stay tuned for Part Two, where we continue this powerful medical-mom-to-medical-mom chat.

In this episode, Lyle and I finally share our full Ronald McDonald House story. From our very first stay in Calgary when we walked in terrified and exhausted, to our last days in Toronto with our Bella. Ronald McDonald House wasn’t just a place to sleep; it became our family. We talk about the rooms we lived in, the meals that kept us going, the programs that lifted us up, the volunteers who saw us on our hardest days, and the milestones Bella reached inside those walls. We also open up about what it was like to return to the House after Bella passed, and how they held us in our grief. If you’ve ever wondered what Ronald McDonald House truly means for families like ours, this is our story — start to finish — and why we’re so honoured to support them this Season of Giving.

In this Brave Mom episode, I sit down with Liz, a fellow bereaved and medical mom, to honour and share the story of her beautiful son, Mathias. This conversation was healing in a way only another SCID mom could understand. Liz and I share so many parallels in our stories… from navigating a SCID diagnosis, to battling CMV, to watching our babies endure bone marrow transplants. There are moments in this episode that felt like looking into a mirror… moments only a mom who has lived this kind of love and loss could connect to. I’m so grateful Liz trusted me with Mathias’ story, and I know her strength, honesty, and love for her boy will stay with you long after you listen. Find Liz on Instagram at @li_zarrd.If you’re a medical or bereaved mom who feels ready to share your brave story on Beyond Brave, I would love to hear from you. Please reach out anytime at hello@bella-brave.com.

Hubby Lyle is back! It’s been a minute since we've sat down together and there’s a lot to catch up on. From planning our first Disney World trip and celebrating one year of Beyond Brave, to my recent keynote and the launch of my new Brave Moms Series. Lyle and I also open up about how grief continues to evolve 16 months after losing our Bella, what it looks like to find joy alongside heartache, and how we're shaping the next chapter of the podcast and our lives, with bravery, fun, and everything in between.Follow along on Instagram @kylact and Facebook (Bella Brave).If you are, or know, a Brave Mom or Medical Mom whose story should be featured on the podcast, reach out on Instagram or email hello@bella-brave.com.

At just 34, Megan survived two strokes that left her with paralysis in one arm and limited movement in her leg. Through some of her hardest moments, she found hope and strength in Bella’s brave journey. In this episode, Megan opens up about her recovery, the emotional battles she’s faced, and how she’s redefining what it means to be truly brave.

Make sure you listen right to the end, after my outro, Ashley and I keep chatting about self-care and share a heartfelt side conversation.In this powerful second episode of my Brave Mom Series on Beyond Brave, I talk with Ashley Hernandez from Kleefeld, Manitoba; a bereaved mom whose courage allows her to open up to me about her unimaginable loss. Ashley’s daughter, Aliyah, was diagnosed with an aggressive neuroblastoma just days after her 18-month birthday and passed away two months later, in March 2025. With honesty and grace, Ashley shares how she continues to carry Aliyah’s light through this life of grief & her and I connect over heart-breaking truths of losing our daughter's.💛 This episode is part of my Brave Mom series ,honouring mothers who continue to live bravely through heartbreak, healing, and endless love.✨ You can learn more about Ashley and her journey on Instagram at @ashley_Hernandez92.Connect with me on TikTok and Instagram @kylact, and on Facebook at Bella Brave.

Maria & Her Miracle Micro Preemie, GeorgeBorn at just 22 weeks, George’s story is one of pure resilience and his mom Maria shares it with beautiful honesty.What does it mean to raise a miracle? In this first episode of our Brave Mom Series, I sit down with fellow medical mama Maria Panayiotou , whose little boy George, born at just 22 weeks and 5 days, weighing only 1 pound, 4 ounces — has defied every odd in the book.Maria and I instantly connect through our shared experiences as moms who’ve lived inside hospital walls, fought through fear, and celebrated the smallest victories that mean everything.Maria shares George’s incredible fight for life, the strength it takes to parent through uncertainty, and the joy that comes from seeing your child thrive after so much pain. Together, we laugh, reflect, and honor the community of brave moms who carry both the heartbreak and the hope that comes with medically complex motherhood.Tune in for a heartfelt, honest, and uplifting conversation that reminds us: our kids are the bravest teachers we’ll ever have.Follow along:🎙️ Beyond Brave Host: @kylact on Instagram & TikTok | Facebook: Bella Brave💛 Guest: @maria_panayiotou & @george__10c

In this episode, Lyle & I are catching up on where we’re really at ... from health updates and kidney results to Kyla’s first mammogram experience. We also dive into the new trend of major coffee chains adding protein to their menus (and what that actually means for your health), plus a round of rapid-fire grief questions that get surprisingly real. I also share much about a recent fundraising walk I attended & spoke at this weekend, advocating for organ donation.

Most people don’t realize that palliative care isn’t just about end-of-life... it’s about helping medical families live better, right now. In this episode, I sit down with Kira Goodman, Project Director for Canada’s Pediatric Palliative Care Alliance, to talk about the launch of their brand-new Resource Hub designed to support families caring for seriously ill children. From navigating life at home to finding tools for caregivers and siblings, this hub is about Care for Every Short Life. Kira shares how the Alliance is creating national coordination, what families can expect to find, and why the campaign to Share Your Journey is so vital for building awareness and community. This is a conversation about resources, hope, and ensuring families across Canada receive the support they deserve. Instagram: @pedpallcarecaCourageous Parents Network: https://courageousparentsnetwork.org/Website: pediatricpalliativecare.caPodcast: The Sunflower - Palliative Care PodcastsMy IG Page: @kylact

A new health update.A bittersweet birthday.A wink from Bella in the most unexpected place.And a powerful new resource for medical families across Canada.In this solo episode of Beyond Brave, I open up about life after my stage 3 kidney failure diagnosis and what’s shifted since my last update. I share the mix of emotions that came with celebrating Waylon’s 7th birthday, how grief shows up even in joy, and a beautiful sign from Bella that reminded me she’s still close. Finally, I introduce you to an incredible Health Canada–funded initiative that will change the way families of seriously ill children access support and care.This one is heartfelt, raw, and filled with hope. Thank you for listening.

Well, if you haven’t been following my stage 3 kidney failure diagnosis… you are now. In this episode of Beyond Brave, we open up about the latest health updates, including what my recent bloodwork revealed and the questions I’m asking as I dig into it all. We also reflect on our nearly two-week US camping trip — Oregon Coast and all — and what it taught us about family, laughter, and resilience on the road. But the heart of today’s conversation is grief: how leaving home can stir tears, and how returning can feel even heavier, as memories and absence collide. We share Waylon’s honest reflections, the beautiful sign from Bella we received while traveling, and how we’re learning to carry both the joy and the ache wherever we go. If you’re navigating health struggles, family travel, or the complexities of grief, this one’s for you.

Lyle’s back on the mic! In this episode, we catch up on health updates (including our 36-hour fasts), answer your quick-fire Q&A from Instagram, and dive into what it’s like to keep Bella in our lives while moving forward. I also share about the 52 precious notes I recently lost, including journals since Bella’s passing, and why no one gets to dictate your grief. Plus, by the time you’re listening to this, we’ve already started our big two-week camping trip through the US and down to the Oregon Coast, and we can’t wait to tell you all about it! Follow along on my socials for current stories and adventures! @kylact on IG & TikTok. Bella Brave on Facebook. 

In Part 2 of this deeply personal two-part episode, we continue sharing the story we’ve held closest to our hearts: the week our daughter Bella died. If Part 1 opened the door to those final days, Part 2 walks you through them. From the hospital room to Bella’s final moments, we recount the raw reality of saying goodbye, the sacredness of our time together, and the weight of decisions no parent should ever have to make.We speak openly about what it felt like to hold her hand through the unknown, and how those last hours continue to shape every part of who we are now. It’s painful. It’s real. And it’s filled with a love so deep, we had to share it, not just for Bella, but for every family walking a similar road.This episode is for those who need to know they’re not alone in their grief… and for those trying to understand what it truly means to survive the unthinkable.As always, we invite you to come closer , follow along with us on Instagram and TikTok: @kylact and @lylemt. And if you’d prefer to watch rather than listen, the Beyond Brave podcast is also available on my YouTube channel: @KylaCT.

In this deeply personal two-part episode, we’re opening up about something we’ve never shared before: the week our daughter Bella died. As we mark one year without her, we take you back to those final days , what they looked like, what we felt, and the moments that changed us forever. In Part 1, we ease into the conversation with a touching story from Bella’s school before diving into a vulnerable discussion about how others acknowledge, or avoid , the grief of a parent. Lyle and I explore our very different perspectives on what it means when someone says nothing at all. This episode is for every grieving parent, and for anyone who wants to better understand what it means to carry the love and the loss forward. As always, Lyle and I invite you to take a closer look into our lives from our socials: @kylact and @lylemt on Instagram & TikTok. If you'd like to watch our episodes instead of just listen, you can find our Beyond Brave podcast on my YouTube channel: @KylaCT as well.

In this heartfelt conversation, Kyla sits down with Laura Lawrence , the founder of Youth Matter Canada, speaker, author, and host of the HeartTalk Podcast. Together, they explore Laura’s powerful journey through motherhood, grief, and mental health advocacy. From the raw truths in her memoir Behind Closed Doors, to the comforting wisdom in her children’s grief books, Laura’s mission to support struggling youth and families shines through. They also share a personal connection rooted in loss and resilience and look ahead to the Youth Matter Fall Symposium, where Kyla will speak. This episode is a reminder that even in deep pain, purpose can rise. You can find Laura and learn more about her books and advocacy on her Instagram page: @itslauralawrence

In this tender, unfiltered conversation, Lyle opens up about navigating grief as a dad, the quiet heaviness, the unexpected moments of connection, and the signs that Bella is still close. From a mysterious golden orb caught on camera to a Killdeer returning to their yard, Kyla and Lyle share stories that are equal parts heartbreaking and hope-filled. Also: bird drama, pie miracles, and some laugh-worthy “dad truths” you won’t want to miss.

In this solo episode, Kyla shares deeply personal stories about her daughter Bella. Many precious moments and life lessons she’s never shared on Beyond Brave until now. A heartfelt conversation about grief, memory, and keeping love alive through story. > You can follow along with the Thomsons' daily life on Kyla's Instagram @kylact, where they continue to honour and carry forward their daughter Bella's brave legacy. > You can support the Bella Brave Legacy Project and help carry Bella's brave spirit forward by purchasing Bella Brave merch at Bella-Brave.com. ~With gratiitude from the Thomsons'.

In this epsiode of Beyond Brave, I finally got Lyle back in the Brave Cave studio with me as we dive into your powerful listener questions. We talk about everything from when we flew home without Bella to the first transplant call that didn't go through. We also chat about the upcomming Golf For Wishes tournoment, share laughs and tears reflecting on recent signs from Bella and a lot more. Thanks for being here, your support means the world in carrying on our Brave Bella's legacy.