329: The 82 Percent #6: What if you became your husband’s guardian?
Digest
The episode begins with a recap of the "The 82%" series, a six-part mini-series exploring modern stories of love and family. The host expresses gratitude to listeners for their engagement and announces a live event celebrating the series and season finale, featuring storytellers and the Modern Family Institute. The host then shares personal reflections on a challenging and transformative year, including a near-death experience, and expresses gratitude for the podcast community. The episode then announces a six-week summer break, during which fan-favorite episodes will be rebroadcast. Season 14 will return with new episodes on September 10th. The main focus of the episode is a personal story about a woman who became her husband's guardian after he suffered a severe traumatic brain injury. The story explores the challenges of caregiving, grief, and finding meaning in the face of tragedy. The woman shares her experiences navigating the legal system, the emotional and physical demands of caregiving, and the financial burden. She also discusses the loss of her own identity and the difficulty of finding a new sense of purpose. The woman's story highlights the importance of love, compassion, and resilience in the face of adversity. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to support the podcast, rate and review the show, and engage with the community.
Outlines
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
Introduction, Content Warning, and Series Finale
The podcast introduces itself as a show featuring real experiences, often including traumatic events. It advises listeners to consult the show notes for content warnings and support services. The episode marks the end of the six-part "The 82%" mini-series, exploring modern stories of love and family. It also concludes season 13 of the podcast, with a six-week summer break to follow.
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
Gratitude, Live Event Announcement, and Reflections
The host expresses gratitude to listeners for engaging with the "The 82%" series and announces a live event celebrating the series and season finale, featuring storytellers and the Modern Family Institute. The host shares personal reflections on a challenging and transformative year, including a near-death experience, and expresses gratitude for the podcast community.
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
Summer Break and Season 14 Announcement
The podcast announces a six-week summer break, during which fan-favorite episodes will be rebroadcast. Season 14 will return with new episodes on September 10th.
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
Episode 329: "What if you became your husband's guardian?"
The episode features a personal story about a woman who became her husband's guardian after he suffered a severe traumatic brain injury. The story explores the challenges of caregiving, grief, and finding meaning in the face of tragedy.
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
Episode Conclusion and Call to Action
The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to support the podcast, rate and review the show, and engage with the community.
Keywords
The 82%
A six-part mini-series on the podcast "This is Actually Happening" exploring modern stories of love and family. The series delves into diverse experiences and challenges faced by individuals and families in contemporary society.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
A brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head. TBI can result in a range of impairments, including cognitive, physical, and emotional challenges.
Caregiving
The act of providing care and support to an individual who needs assistance due to illness, disability, or aging. Caregiving can be physically, emotionally, and financially demanding.
Modern Family Institute
An organization dedicated to promoting understanding and support for diverse families. The institute provides resources, education, and advocacy for families facing various challenges.
Guardianship
A legal process where a court appoints an individual to make decisions for another person who is deemed unable to do so themselves. Guardianship is often granted in cases of disability, illness, or incapacity.
Q&A
What is the main theme of the episode?
The episode explores the challenges of caregiving, grief, and finding meaning in the face of tragedy, as told through the personal story of a woman who became her husband's guardian after he suffered a severe traumatic brain injury.
What are some of the challenges the woman faced as a caregiver?
The woman faced challenges such as the emotional and physical demands of caregiving, the financial burden, the loss of her own identity, and the difficulty of navigating the legal system to obtain guardianship.
How did the woman's faith evolve throughout her experience?
The woman's faith evolved from a more traditional, exclusive view to a more inclusive understanding of God and Jesus. She realized that God is good even when awful things happen and that good can happen in the midst of heartbreak.
What is the significance of the woman's decision to become her former husband's guardian?
The woman's decision to become her former husband's guardian demonstrates her unwavering commitment to him, even after their marriage ended. It highlights the enduring nature of love and the importance of family, even in unconventional forms.
What is the message the woman wants to convey to listeners?
The woman wants to convey that even in the face of immense challenges, love, compassion, and resilience can prevail. She encourages listeners to find meaning in their own experiences, to embrace the complexities of life, and to recognize the inherent value of all human beings.
Show Notes
At 21 years old, Kris marries Brandon, the love of her life, but after Brandon suffers a severe traumatic brain injury, Kris must restructure everything about how she imagined what her family would be.
Today’s episode featured Kris Amstrong. You can donate to the Go Fund Me effort to purchase Brandon Smith a new sports wheelchair at gofund.me/d34ed0ea. You can contact Kris at KArmstrong@mickeytravels.com and you can find out more about her, and her family on TikTok and on Instagram @followmetothemouse. Kris is currently writing a book.
This episode is the final of a six-part miniseries called the 82 Percent: Modern stories of love and family, produced in collaboration with the Modern Family Institute. If you’d like to find out more about the Modern Family Institute, donate to help advance their work, or get engaged, please visit their website, modernfamilyinstitute.org.
We are hosting a live This Is Actually Happening event on July 24th in San Francisco at Manny’s to celebrate the series. To find tickets to the event, go to www.welcometomannys.com/events and find “The Other 82%” or, for a direct Eventbrite link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-other-82-living-and-loving-beyond-the-monogamous-nuclear-family-tickets-940666046467
Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits, Jason Blalock
Content/Trigger Warnings: traumatic accident, traumatic brain injury, explicit language
Social Media:
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Twitter: @TIAHPodcast
Website: thisisactuallyhappening.com
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Website for Jason Blalock: jasonblalock.com
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Intro Music: "Illabye" – Tipper
Music Bed: “Uncertain Outcomes” – SkyeVoyager
Services
If you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of trauma or mental illness, please refer to the following resources:
National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Text or Call 988
National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264
National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.