In this deeply moving episode of Life in the A-Zone, Peggy Sweeney-McDonald sits down with author Karen McCord to talk about the life and legacy of her daughter, beloved sports journalist Carley McCord, who tragically lost her life in a 2019 plane crash while traveling to cover the LSU playoff game in Atlanta.

Karen shares memories of Carley’s vibrant life—from her early days as a pageant queen to her rising career in sports journalism—and reflects on the unimaginable grief that followed her sudden loss.

In the midst of this tragedy, Karen had recently lost her father, and her mother was living in a nursing home with Alzheimer’s—yet she found a way to navigate both grief and caregiving at the same time.

Karen’s memoir Only Rainbows: The Carley McCord Story tells the story of her family’s journey through heartbreak toward healing, reminding us that grief changes us—but it doesn’t have to destroy us.

Peggy and Karen also reflect on how they met while walking around a neighborhood lake, encouraging each other to keep writing and share their stories.

This episode is a powerful conversation about loss, grief, faith, resilience, and the unexpected moments of grace that sometimes appear in the darkest times.

Listen now and share with someone who may need a little hope today.

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