John O’Leary welcomes Laura Wifler onto the Live Inspired Podcast to share how motherhood, faith and poetry helped her embrace an unexpected life, find beauty in everyday moments, and make room for grief and joy.
Laura Wifler is a bestselling author, poet and co-founder of Risen Motherhood who finds beauty in life’s mix of brokenness and joy. Her daughter, who has intellectual disabilities, has taught her so much about loving others just as they are and finding joy in the unexpected.
Today, Laura shares how childhood rejection inspired her to help others feel included, how motherhood changed the life she imagined, and how poetry helped her put words to both the beautiful and difficult moments. We talk about finding strength in faith, creating even when we doubt ourselves, and why her son is grateful disability is part of their family.
My friends, if life looks different from what you hoped, this conversation is for you. Laura reminds us that we can carry grief and still experience joy, and that every one of us has something valuable to offer. You’ll leave encouraged to give yourself a little grace, help someone feel seen, and notice the beauty right in front of you.
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- After being rejected by her friends in fifth grade, Laura became intentional about welcoming others. The girl who delivered that painful message is now her best friend, a beautiful reminder that our stories can leave room for forgiveness.
- “See needs and meet them.” Her mother’s simple advice continues to guide Laura’s parenting. Whether it’s noticing a child sitting alone at lunch or spending time with someone who feels overlooked, small acts of kindness help people know they belong.
- Make room to slow down. After pushing through major transitions until she burned out, Laura learned to say no and protect time for herself and her family.
- Laura rediscovered poetry while teaching her children during the pandemic. Writing alongside them felt like coming home, eventually inspiring This Side of the Sky. Despite her own self-doubt, she chose to keep creating and sharing honestly.
- “I’m really glad we have disabilities in our family.” Her son’s words capture the joy, compassion and understanding that his sister brings to their lives.
- “It is not really asking you to care about disability. It is asking you to care about people.” You don’t need the perfect words to help someone feel welcome. Your willingness to try matters.
- “My hope is bigger than my doubts.” Laura’s faith reminds her that unanswered questions don’t have to keep her from choosing hope.
- In her poem “The Bad Thing,” Laura shares how hardship can grow compassion, courage and resilience without asking us to be grateful for the pain.
- Get a copy of Laura Wifler’s book This Side of the Sky here.
Did you enjoy today’s episode?
You’ll love my conversation with Jay and Katherine Wolf. After Katherine survived a life-changing stroke, they faced a future that looked very different from the one they’d imagined. Together, they share what it means to grieve what’s changed, find strength in each other, and discover joy right in the middle of the hard. Listen Jay and Katherine Wolf on ep. 258 now.
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LAURA WIFLER'S LIVE INSPIRED 7
- Q. What is the best book you’ve ever read?
A. Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss and The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. - Q. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today?
A. Optimism. - Q. Your house is on fire, all living things and people are out. You have the opportunity to run in and grab one item. What would it be?
A. My Bible and my computer. - Q. You are sitting on a bench overlooking a gorgeous beach. You have the opportunity to have a long conversation with anyone living or dead. Who would it be?
A. C.S. Lewis. - Q. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
A. It's all God's money anyway. Let him spend it how he wants. - Q. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self?
A. Slow down and stop trying to do so much. - Q. It’s been said that all great people can have their lives summed up in one sentence. How do you want yours to read?
A. She spent it all for Christ.
