In this deeply personal episode of the Never Alone Podcast, Iris and Karen open their hearts to share one of the most difficult parts of life—watching your child suffer.

From serious injuries to lifelong challenges and heartbreaking loss, they reflect on the moments that tested their strength as mothers. Through it all, they share how faith, friendship, and community helped carry them through the pain.

If you’ve ever faced fear, loss, or helplessness as a parent—or walked through a difficult season with someone you love—this conversation will remind you that you are not alone.

This episode is about:
• The emotional weight of parenting through crisis
• Finding strength in faith during life’s hardest moments
• The power of friendship and support
• Learning to trust God through pain

Get your copy of Never Alone: https://irisfsmith.com

If this episode touched your heart, please like, share, and leave a comment—we’d love to hear your story.

#NeverAlonePodcast, #ParentingStruggles, #FaithThroughPain, #GriefAndHealing, #ParentingJourney, #ChristianPodcast, #HopeInHardTimes, #FamilyMatters, #LifeChallenges, #EmotionalHealing, #FaithAndFamily, #YouAreNotAlone

In this episode of the Never Alone Podcast, Iris sits down with her friend Rachel to talk about a topic that is affecting more and more people today—celiac disease.

Together, they share their personal journeys of living with this autoimmune condition, from years of unexplained symptoms to finally receiving a diagnosis. They also break down what celiac disease is, how it affects the body, and why it’s becoming more common in today’s world.

If you or someone you love struggles with food sensitivities, digestive issues, or autoimmune conditions, this conversation offers both insight and encouragement. You’ll hear real-life experiences, practical tips for managing a gluten-free lifestyle, and a reminder that even in difficult health challenges—you are never alone.

👉 Learn more and find gluten-free recipes: https://celiacdisease.tips

👉 Get your copy of Never Alone: https://irisfsmith.com

If this episode helped you, please like, share, and leave a comment—we’d love to hear from you.

#NeverAlonePodcast, #CeliacDisease, #GlutenFreeLiving, #AutoimmuneDisease, #HealthJourney, #FaithAndHealing, #ChronicIllness, #WellnessJourney, #FoodSensitivity, #HealingJourney, #PodcastLife, #ChristianPodcast

In Episode 22 of the Never Alone Podcast, we turn the tables as Karen interviews Iris about one of the most influential experiences of her childhood—summer camp.
From learning discipline and independence to discovering faith, friendship, and personal strength, Iris shares how her time at camp shaped who she is today. Through horseback riding, structured routines, and meaningful life lessons, this experience became a foundation for resilience—especially as she navigated serious health challenges growing up.
This episode is a powerful reminder of how early life experiences can mold character, build confidence, and influence the way we approach life’s hardships.
If you’ve ever wondered how childhood experiences shape adulthood—or how to find strength through challenges—this conversation will resonate with you.
Watch now and discover how growth often begins in the most unexpected places.

Order your copy of Never Alone: https://irisfsmith.com

👍 Don’t forget to LIKE, SHARE, and COMMENT—we’d love to hear your story!

Watch Episode 22 here: https://youtu.be/JAGFY4yaiZk

#NeverAlonePodcast, #LifeLessons, #SummerCampMemories, #FaithAndGrowth, #PersonalDevelopment, #OvercomingChallenges, #ChildhoodExperiences, #Resilience, #ChristianPodcast, #Inspiration, #HealingJourney, #MindsetMatters

Welcome to The Never Alone Podcast with Iris Fischer Smith — Episode 21.

In this special episode, Iris is joined by her younger brother Lance Fiser as they take a heartfelt walk down memory lane — sharing stories from childhood, growing up in Sharon, Massachusetts, and the experiences that helped shape who they are today.

From playful moments and family traditions…
to difficult experiences and life-changing lessons…
this conversation reflects on how both the good and the challenging moments of childhood leave a lasting impact.

In this episode, they discuss:

• Growing up together as siblings and lifelong friendship
• Childhood memories from the 1960s and 70s
• How family and neighborhood life shaped their values
• Lessons learned from difficult and unsafe situations
• The transition from childhood innocence to real-world awareness
• How early experiences influence identity, relationships, and character

They also reflect on cultural moments of the time — from classic TV shows to major historical events — and how those experiences shaped an entire generation.

This episode is a reminder that while life brings both joy and hardship, the relationships we build — especially within family — help carry us through it all.

Order Iris’s book Never Alone:
https://irisfsmith.com

Watch Episode 21 here:
https://youtu.be/GNKBDHfbTXU

If you enjoy the podcast, please Like, Subscribe, Comment, and Share to encourage someone else today.

Welcome to The Never Alone Podcast with Iris Fischer Smith — Episode 20.

In this episode, Iris sits down with her friend Cindy Kenny to talk about something every person needs but many people struggle to find — true friendship.

Together they discuss what makes a friendship healthy, how trust is built over time, and why loyalty and honesty matter so much in relationships.

Cindy shares openly about her difficult experiences growing up, lessons learned through an abusive marriage, and how faith helped her rebuild her life and discover what healthy relationships really look like.

In this episode we talk about:

• What makes a true friend
• Why trust and loyalty matter in relationships
• Learning from unhealthy relationships
• How addiction and peer pressure affect friendships
• Why it’s important to become healthy yourself before building relationships
• The importance of real, face-to-face community in a world dominated by social media

In a time when many people feel lonely and disconnected, this conversation reminds us that real friendship takes time, honesty, and care for one another.

Order Iris’s book Never Alone : IrisFSmith.com

If you enjoy the podcast, please Like, Subscribe, Comment, and Share to help encourage someone else today.

▶️ Watch Episode 20 here:
https://youtu.be/6qkgZSgddAY

#NeverAlone, #Friendship, #HealthyRelationships, #FaithAndFriendship, #TrustAndLoyalty, #ChristianPodcast, #FindingCommunity, #LifeLessons, #WomenOfFaith, #RelationshipWisdom

Welcome to The Never Alone Podcast with Iris Fischer Smith — Episode 19.

In this heartfelt and honest episode, Iris, Karen, and returning guest Ann Averill talk about that “little voice inside” — the conscience.

From childhood stories about Girl Scouts, incubators, and swimming pools…
to teenage rebellion, shame, and identity struggles…
to adult consequences and spiritual freedom…

This episode explores:

• When do we first recognize right and wrong?
• What’s the difference between guilt and shame?
• How do small compromises shape our identity?
• Why do we sometimes ignore our conscience?
• And how do forgiveness and faith restore what’s broken?

Ann shares openly about how years of violating her conscience eventually led to a deeper spiritual awakening — discovering that true freedom comes not from hiding our failures, but from bringing them into the light.

If you’ve ever wrestled with regret, shame, or identity — this conversation will encourage you.

Order Iris’s book Never Alone: irisfsmith.com
Find Ann Averill’s book Unmoored: How an Adoptee Found Her True Identity on Amazon

Please Like, Subscribe, and Share to encourage someone else today.

Watch Episode 19 here: https://youtu.be/MsfhRjh2rQQ

Welcome to The Never Alone Podcast with Iris Fischer Smith — Episode 18.
In this episode, Iris and Karen are joined by longtime friend and author Ann Averill for a heartfelt conversation that spans generations — from the cultural upheaval of the Woodstock era to the deeply personal journey of writing, teaching, adoption, and discovering true identity.
Ann shares:
• What it was like coming of age during the dramatic cultural shift of the late 1960s
• The confusion young women faced as roles rapidly changed
• Her journey from young mother to writer and teacher
• The heartbreak of burnout and redefining purpose
• Searching for her biological roots as an adoptee
• And ultimately, how she discovered an identity deeper than career or genetics
Through laughter, honesty, and decades-long friendship, this episode reminds us that identity is not found in trends, titles, or even family history — but in something far more secure.
💛 If you've ever asked, “Who am I really?” — this conversation will resonate.
📘 Order Iris’s book Never Alone at : IrisFSmith.com
📚 Find Ann C. Averill’s books on Amazon : https://a.co/d/0emhOl9W

Watch Episode 18 here: https://youtu.be/5fScde-PAVA

Please Like, Subscribe, and Share to encourage someone else today.
#NeverAlone, #WoodstockGeneration, #BabyBoomers, #FindingYourIdentity, #AdoptionStory, #WomenOfFaith, #FemaleFriendship, #AuthorInterview, #ChristianPodcast, #LifeStories

Welcome to The Never Alone Podcast with Iris Fisher Smith —Episode 17. In this episode, Iris and her longtime friend and
co-host Karen Huerth Whitty talk about generational living — what it’s really
like when families live closer together (or under the same roof), and why so
many families are returning to that model today. Karen shares her family’s journey to Maine, the
challenges and blessings of living near her daughter and grandchildren, and how
love, faith, and community can bring healing after heartbreaking loss. Iris
connects it to a powerful reminder: we weren’t created to do life alone — and
sometimes the hardest seasons lead us back to what matters most.

Thanks for listening to The Never Alone Podcast – Episode 17 Have you ever lived
in a multi-generational home (or would you consider it)?

Tell us what worked—and what was hard. If this episode encouraged you, please LIKE ,
SUBSCRIBE , and SHARE . We’d love to hear from you: Have you experienced
generational living—or would you consider it?

Order Iris’s book Never Alone at: https://irisfsmith.com/

Watch Episode 17 here: https://youtu.be/cWnGgZCTrVo

#NeverAlone, #IrisFischerSmith, #Family, #GenerationalLiving, #Grandparents, #Faith, #Healing, #GriefAndHope, #Friendship, #Community