In this episode of Girls with Grafts, Rachel sits down with Emily Hespeler, a burn survivor, storyteller, and certified therapeutic recreation specialist (CTRS). Emily shares how recreation therapy empowers survivors to heal, grow, and reclaim independence after trauma, and how sharing your story can open doors to connection and community. 🧘‍♂️

Together, Emily and Rachel explore what it means to feel confident in your own skin, the power of affirmations (like Emily’s go-to: “I’m a baddie”), and the importance of showing up authentically in every space. 💛 Emily also gives us a glimpse into their community meet-ups in New York City, where creativity, connection, and resilience thrive.

#BurnSurvivor #GirlsWithGrafts #Podcast #SurvivorPodcast #BurnSurvivorStories

⭐️ Enjoyed the show? Tell us by leaving a 5-star review and sharing on social media using hashtag #GirlswithGrafts and tagging Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors!

Emily Hespeler is a certified therapeutic recreation specialist (CTRS), burn survivor, speaker, and storyteller based in New York City. Drawing from their personal journey of recovery and resilience after their burn injury, Emily combines professional expertise in recreation therapy with powerful storytelling to inspire others to embrace their inner strength. In their everyday life, Emily finds joy in simple routines: daily walks, spontaneous conversations with strangers, and their weekly jar of peanut butter.

👉 Visit Emily’s website: https://www.emilyhespeler.com/

👉 Watch Emily’s 2025 Edinburgh Fringe show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQMhLYgMGsA

👉 Learn more and register for Phoenix World Burn Congress 2025: https://events.phoenix-society.org/event/PWBC2025/summary

👉 Join Phoenix Society’s Virtual Support Group: https://www.phoenix-society.org/what-we-do/virtual-support-group

👉 Submit your story to our Virtual Open Mic: https://www.phoenix-society.org/open-mic-submission

Today’s podcast is powered by the Donor Alliance Foundation & the Brookby Foundation! Both of these foundations play a critical role in supporting Phoenix Society and our programs. Their partnerships help us continue to create spaces for healing, connection, and advocacy—and we couldn’t do it without them!

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the show? Email us at info@phoenix-society.org.

It’s Fire Prevention Week! This year’s campaign, Charge into Fire Safety™: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home, raises awareness about safe use, storage, and disposal of the batteries powering our everyday devices. 🔥

Joining us is Brandon Ingram, a seasoned fire protection engineer with Summit Fire Consulting. With 14+ years of experience spanning fire modeling, code consulting, sprinkler design, and combustible dust hazards, Brandon brings expert insight into keeping your home and family safe.

In this episode, powered by Summit Fire Consulting, we break down the dangers of thermal runaway: when a lithium-ion battery overheats, vents gas, and ignites. Learn the key causes, how to prevent risks, safe storage and disposal practices, and why choosing cheaper electronics could actually increase fire hazards! 🔋

#BurnSurvivor #GirlsWithGrafts #Podcast #SurvivorPodcast #BurnSurvivorStories #FirePreventionWeek #FirePrevention #FireSafety

⭐️ Enjoyed the show? Tell us by leaving a 5-star review and sharing on social media using hashtag #GirlswithGrafts and tagging Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors!

Brandon Ingram is a fire protection engineer with Summit Fire Consulting. He studied Mechanical Engineering and Fire Protection Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Maryland. He has over 14 years of experience in the fire protection industry including fire modeling, code consulting, fire/explosion investigation, sprinkler systems, and combustible dust hazards. He currently lives in Washington, DC.

• Learn more about Fire Prevention Week: https://www.nfpa.org/fpw
• Learn more and contact Summit Fire Consulting: https://summitfireconsulting.com
• Read Corey Kingsman’s “Staying Safe with Lithium‑Ion Batteries in Our Homes” article: https://www.phoenix-society.org/resources/staying-safe-with-lithium-ion-batteries-in-our-homes
• Learn more about lithium-ion batteries: https://www.nfpa.org/lithiumion

Today’s podcast is powered by Summit Fire Consulting, a national fire protection engineering and code consulting firm dedicated to helping people design and maintain complex buildings. Their team of experts interpret modern fire and building codes, design fire suppression and smoke management systems, assess risk, and ensure means of egress are safe in a wide variety of facilities—from healthcare, industrial, and historical buildings to stadiums and multi-family housing. Learn more here: https://summitfireconsulting.com.

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the show? Email us at info@phoenix-society.org.

In this heartfelt episode of Girls with Grafts, Rachel is joined by author and advocate Jenny Brandemuehl and Phoenix Society's Senior Director of Programs and Services, Jill Sproul. Jenny shares her deeply personal journey of love, loss, and resilience after the tragic plane crash and burn injury that claimed her husband Mark's life. 💛 Together, they explore the moments that reshaped Jenny's path, her upcoming memoir Forever Fly Free, and how she continues to find healing and purpose. Jill offers insight from her decades in burn care, sharing guidance for both survivors and the professionals who support them.

This episode is a moving reminder of the strength found in community, the courage to tell your story, and the power of hope in the face of life's most difficult chapters.

📚 Get Jenny's book, Forever Fly Free, at: foreverflyfree.com/category/all-products.

Use code "PSBS" for 10% off orders placed before October 14, 2025, with the link above.

#BurnSurvivor #GirlsWithGrafts #Podcast #SurvivorPodcast #BurnSurvivorStories #Author #ForeverFlyFree

⭐️ Enjoyed the show? Tell us by leaving a 5-star review and sharing on social media using hashtag #GirlswithGrafts and tagging Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors!

Jenny Brandemuehl is the author of Forever Fly Free: One Woman’s Story of Resilience and the Power of Hope and Love, coming October 2025 from Regalo Press. She’s an advocate for families who have lost a loved one to traumatic accidents and speaks widely on personal resilience, grief, and healing. She’ll be a featured speaker at the 2025 Phoenix World Burn Congress (WBC) hosted by Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors.

Jenny describes herself as an “ordinary person who had an extraordinary experience.” After the sudden death of her husband Mark following a small engine plane crash and severe burn injuries, she found herself transformed by the compassion of the burn care team and the unexpected power of hope. Her journey through loss and healing has led her into a new chapter as a writer and speaker, with a mission to inspire others to access their own inner strength and wisdom.

Before becoming an author, Jenny spent decades as a corporate leader, most recently as Chief People Officer at Chegg, Inc., where her team helped earn the company a spot on Fortune’s Top 100 Best Places to Work. She’s held leadership roles at JDS Uniphase, Gap Inc., and Hewlett Packard, and served on the Wellesley College Business Leadership Board and the board of Women’s Initiative for Self-Employment (WISE), which empowers low-income women to become entrepreneurs.

Jenny is an avid skier, hiker, and tree-hugger. She lives with her partner Robert, who keeps her laughing daily, and adores her two sons, who share her love of travel, food, and music.

👉 Get Jenny’s book, Forever Fly Free, at: https://www.foreverflyfree.com/category/all-products **Use code “PSBS” for 10% off for orders placed before October 14, 2025, with the link above**

👉 Order Jenny’s book from Amazon: https://a.co/d/iW9Db3C

👉 Order Jenny’s book from Target: https://www.target.com/p/forever-fly-free-by-jenny-brandemuehl-hardcover/-/A-1003087061#lnk=sametab

👉 Order Jenny’s book from Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/forever-fly-free-jenny-brandemuehl/1147370213?ean=9798895650301

👉 Follow Jenny’s Substack: https://jennybrandemuehl.substack.com

👉 Learn more and register for Phoenix World Burn Congress 2025: https://events.phoenix-society.org/event/PWBC2025/summary

Today’s podcast is powered by the Bert Martin Foundation! The Bert Martin Foundation was established to assist those who help others and provide financial support for nonprofit organizations. We’re honored to have the Bert Martin Foundation as a long-standing Phoenix Society Partner.

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the show? Email us at info@phoenix-society.org.

In this bonus episode of Girls with Grafts, we welcome John O'Leary — internationally acclaimed speaker, bestselling author, former Phoenix Society board member, and now the inspiration behind the powerful new feature film Soul on Fire. 🎬 John shares his journey from survivor to storyteller, what it was like to see his life translated to the big screen, and the deeper message of Soul on Fire.

As part of this launch, Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors is partnering with John, World Wide Technology, PolyNovo, and Sony to host free private screenings of Soul on Fire across the country. 🎉 Learn more and find a screening near you: https://www.phoenix-society.org/soul-on-fire

John's story reminds us that true heroes are found in everyday moments of connection and that community has the power to carry us through. 🫶

#BurnSurvivor #GirlsWithGrafts #Podcast #SurvivorPodcast #BurnSurvivorStories #SoulOnFire #LiveInspired

⭐️ Enjoyed the show? Tell us by leaving a 5-star review and sharing on social media using hashtag #GirlswithGrafts and tagging Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors!

Once expected to die after a devastating burn injury, John O’Leary now empowers audiences around the world to truly live. An internationally acclaimed speaker, bestselling author, renowned podcast host, and former Phoenix Society board member, John has inspired hundreds of thousands of people with his powerful storytelling, heartfelt insights, and unexpected humor. His journey of resilience and hope continues to reach new audiences with the upcoming release of Soul on Fire, a feature film based on his extraordinary life and message.

👉 Add your name to our private screening interest list: https://www.phoenix-society.org/soul-on-fire

👉 Learn more about Soul on Fire: https://soulonfiremovie.com/

👉 Find Soul on Fire in a theater near you: https://soulonfiremovie.com/tickets/

👉 Learn more about John O’Leary: https://johnolearyinspires.com/

Today’s podcast is powered by PolyNovo! PolyNovo is a leader in advanced wound care solutions that support healing for burn survivors and patients with complex wounds. With a commitment to improving outcomes and quality of life, PolyNovo’s groundbreaking technology is transforming the future of reconstructive and burn care around the world.

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the show? Email us at info@phoenix-society.org.

In this episode of Girls With Grafts, we sit down with Terry Boyd, a 37-year burn survivor whose story is a testament to resilience, faith, and the enduring strength of the human spirit. 💪 At just 20 years old, Terry sustained burns over 93% of his body, resulting in the amputation of both legs. His journey has taken him from survival to fatherhood, from working in mental health and addiction recovery to founding his own recruiting company, and now to becoming an author. Terry’s upcoming children’s book, Still Me, inspires families and communities to embrace new normals with courage and hope. 💙

#BurnSurvivor #GirlsWithGrafts #Podcast #SurvivorPodcast #BurnSurvivorStories

⭐️ Enjoyed the show? Tell us by leaving a 5-star review and sharing on social media using hashtag #GirlswithGrafts and tagging Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors!

Terry A. Boyd is a 57-year-old father and 37-year burn survivor. At the age of 20, in 1988, he sustained burns over 93% of his body, resulting in the amputation of both legs. His survival is a testament to resilience, faith, determination, and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

Professionally, Terry has dedicated his life to helping others. He has worked in mental health with at-risk youth and in the addiction recovery field, supporting individuals and families through some of life’s toughest challenges. In 1999, he founded STAFF-RITE Personnel Services, launching a successful career in recruiting that has spanned more than two decades.

Most recently, Terry became a first-time author with the upcoming release of his children’s book, Still Me, the story of Jordan, a young boy who survives a burn injury. Through this book, Terry hopes to encourage children, families, and communities to embrace new normals with courage, compassion, and hope.

As a proud father of a 21-year-old son, Terry shares his journey not only as a survivor, but as a parent, professional, and storyteller—living proof of the power of faith, perseverance, humor, and love.

👉 Explore our resources and tools on mental health: https://www.phoenix-society.org/resources?hierarchicalMenu%5Bfields.topics.lvl0%5D=Mental%20%2F%20Emotional%20Healing&page=1

👉 Get connected with the Amputee Coalition: https://amputee-coalition.org

Today’s podcast is powered by Jensen Hughes! Since 1939, Jensen Hughes has been a global leader in fire protection engineering and safety solutions. With expert knowledge, innovative strategies, and groundbreaking research, they help clients protect lives, property, and reputations—making the world a safer, more resilient place.

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the show? Email us at info@phoenix-society.org

At just four years old, Cathy Marie Morton survived third-degree burns over 80% of her body, enduring 19 graft operations. Her story didn’t end there—she later survived 20 years of domestic violence. Despite unimaginable trauma, Cathy chose to transform her pain into purpose. Today, she is a Reiki Master, life force harmonizer, and emotional alchemy specialist, helping others reclaim their strength and healing. ✨

In this episode, Cathy opens up about pivotal turning points in her recovery and learning to feel safe in your body after trauma. 💛 We also explore the tools and practices that supported her journey, from physical healing to spiritual growth, and her mission to give back to the survivor community.

#BurnSurvivor #GirlsWithGrafts #Podcast #SurvivorPodcast #BurnSurvivorStories

⭐️ Enjoyed the show? Tell us by leaving a 5-star review and sharing on social media using hashtag #GirlswithGrafts and tagging Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors!

At the age of 4, Cathy Marie Morton survived third-degree burns over 80% of her body, enduring 19 graft operations. Later, she also became a survivor of domestic violence at the hands of her father for 20 years. Her determination to survive and heal led her on a path of transformation—becoming a Reiki Master, life force harmonizer, and emotional alchemy specialist. Cathy merged her metaphysical knowledge and survivor story in her book “A Healer Forged in Fire.” Today, she continues to guide others in their healing, embodying resilience and hope.

👉 Visit Cathy’s website: https://cathymariemorton.com/

👉Watch Cathy’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CathyMarieMorton

👉Visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline: https://www.thehotline.org

👉Visit the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence: https://nrcdv.org

👉 Get Cathy’s book “A Healer Forged in Fire” here: https://www.amazon.com/Healer-Forged-Cathy-Marie-Morton/dp/B0FJZQMHP1

👉 Learn more and register for Phoenix World Burn Congress 2025: https://events.phoenix-society.org/PWBC2025

Today’s podcast is powered by Buses by the Beach! Buses by the Beach is a community of VW bus enthusiasts based in West Michigan. They come together to camp, host amazing events, and raise funds to support Phoenix Society. And mark your calendars for Bus Boo 2025, happening October 3 - 5th in Dorr, Michigan.

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the show? Email us at info@phoenix-society.org

In this episode of Girls with Grafts, we sit down with bereavement counselor Donna McCartney, LISW, MHA. Donna shares her extensive experience supporting families and survivors as they navigate grief, loss, and life after trauma. 💪 From her time at Shriners Hospital for Children - Cincinnati to her work with the Goldstein Family Grief Center, Donna has dedicated her career to providing compassionate support and building community for burn survivors and grieving families. Join us as we talk about resilience, peer connection, and the ways we can support one another in the healing process. 🫶

#BurnSurvivor #GirlsWithGrafts #Podcast #SurvivorPodcast #BurnSurvivorStories

🔗 Looking for links? Check out our show’s description on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

⭐️ Enjoyed the show? Tell us by leaving a 5-star review and sharing on social media using hashtag #GirlswithGrafts and tagging Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors!

Donna McCartney, LISW, MHA has been a bereavement counselor with the Goldstein Family Grief Center since November 2020. She has a Master in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago and a Master in Healthcare Administration from Ohio University. Prior to working at Hospice of Cincinnati, she worked at The Shriners Hospital for Children - Cincinnati, where she provided support for patients and families following burn injuries, facilitated peer support programs, and developed programming for burn survivors and their families. Her experience as a clinician is extensive—helping individuals and families navigate the unique challenges that present when grieving a death loss and other life-changing losses. Donna is passionate about being an advocate for those who are grieving and educating the community on grief and loss.

👉 Learn more about the Goldstein Family Grief Center: https://hospiceofcincinnati.org/services/grief-services

👉 Read “Supporting the Grief Journey After a Burn Injury:” https://www.phoenix-society.org/resources/supporting-the-grief-journey-after-a-burn-injury

👉 Learn more about helping children deal with grief: https://childmind.org/article/helping-children-deal-grief/

👉 Register and join us at Phoenix World Burn Congress 2025: https://events.phoenix-society.org/event/PWBC2025/summary

Today’s podcast is powered by Gropper & Nejat, a personal injury firm dedicated to supporting burn survivors in New York and New Jersey. They understand the physical, emotional, and financial challenges that come with burn injuries and fight tirelessly to secure justice and compensation for their clients. Receive a free consultation today by visiting groppernejat.com.

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the show? Email us at info@phoenix-society.org.

In this episode of Girls with Grafts, Rachel sits down with Mike Lopez, burn survivor, amputee, and grappler who's turned his lived experience into a mission. 💪 From growing up as the youngest of eight in a tight-knit family to navigating the physical and emotional challenges of his burn injury, Mike shares how vulnerability became a key part of his healing.

Together, they dive into what it means to look confident vs. feeling confident, how body image has evolved throughout Mike's journey, and why embracing authenticity has been so powerful. 💛 He also opens up about using his Make a Move vlog to spotlight stories of everyday resilience, and offers meaningful advice for those attending Phoenix World Burn Congress for the first time!

#BurnSurvivor #GirlsWithGrafts #Podcast #SurvivorPodcast #BurnSurvivorStories

⭐️ Enjoyed the show? Tell us by leaving a 5-star review and sharing on social media using hashtag #GirlswithGrafts and tagging Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors!

Martin Michael Lopez is the youngest of eight and a proud uncle to more than a dozen nieces and nephews. Rooted in family and shaped by their resilience, Mike carries his values with humility, knowing he’s had access to opportunities his loved ones did not.

His life changed forever after surviving a devastating car crash caused by a close friend. The accident left him in a coma, resulted in the loss of his left eye and hand, and caused burns over 30% of his upper body. Despite the odds, Mike left the hospital in just three months and went on to earn a degree in Economics from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo - juggling surgeries, recovery, and self-discovery along the way.

The traditional 9-to-5 world didn’t align with his values, but the burn community did. Inspired by mentor Dr. Ruth Rimmer, Mike began sharing his story to help others - showing up not for attention, but in service.

Today, he is a competitive grappler and the creator of Make A Move, a vlog series amplifying the voices of amputees, burn survivors, and others reshaping their communities. Through these stories, Mike is challenging assumptions and spotlighting the strength found in adversity

👉 Follow Make a Move: https://linktr.ee/makeamove.mml

👉 Learn more about Mike’s journey: https://www.phoenix-society.org/resources/from-the-ashes-my-journey-to-make-a-move

👉 Learn more and register for Phoenix World Burn Congress: https://events.phoenix-society.org/event/PWBC2025

👉 Learn more and get peer support through Phoenix SOAR: https://resources.phoenix-society.org/phoenix-soar

Today’s podcast is powered by one of our fire prevention partners, Telgian! Telgian is committed to providing effective and innovative fire protection, life safety and security programs. Learn more by visiting www.telgian.com.

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the show? Email us at info@phoenix-society.org.