A Mother’s Strength: Adrienne Bender on Loss, Resilience & Healing

A powerful conversation with Adrienne Bender as she shares her
children’s stories, her journey through loss, and the strength it
takes to keep living with purpose and love.

In this heartfelt episode of Chatting with Betsy, host Betsy Wurzel
speaks with author, Registered Nurse, and grief recovery specialist
Adrienne Bender about her courageous path through unimaginable loss
and the resilience that shaped her into the woman she is today.
Adrienne became a single mother at seventeen when her son Kyler was
born.

 She worked tirelessly to build a future—putting herself
through college, becoming a Registered Nurse, marrying, and
welcoming her daughter Mackenzie. But her life took heartbreaking
turns as she faced Mackenzie’s battle with AML leukemia and Kyler’s
struggle with addiction. Adrienne shares these stories with
honesty, love, and deep reflection. Betsy and Adrienne discuss the
impact illness has on the entire family and the emotional toll of
losing both of her children and her father in such a short
time.

Adrienne also served as a caregiver for her grandfather, giving
listeners a raw and real view of how caregiving and grief shape a
family’s life. A central theme of their conversation is emotional
truth—acknowledging feelings rather than numbing them through
unhealthy coping habits. Adrienne emphasizes that healing begins
with honesty and compassion toward ourselves. Adrienne continues to
honor Kyler and Mackenzie through joyful traditions: placing treats
in their Christmas stockings, celebrating their birthdays with
massages and dinners, and keeping their memories alive through
stories and love. This deeply emotional episode is dedicated to
Kyler and Mackenzie, whose lives continue to inspire strength and
resilience.

To learn more about Adrienne’s work, speaking, and her book The
Almost Miracle Years, visit her website:
http://adriennebender.com/

Chatting with Betsy brings forward real conversations about loss,
healing, caregiving, and courage — stories that remind us we are
not alone.
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