In this episode of Girls with Grafts, Amber and Rachel are joined by 19-year-old burn survivor and aspiring author and speaker, Lovely Bruce. Lovely shares her burn story, her experience growing up as a survivor, and the moments that taught her resilience, faith, and the courage to embrace her scars. 💪

Together, we explore how Lovely found confidence in her identity, the power of speaking with purpose, and why she’s passionate about helping others find strength in their own stories. 🫶 Lovely also reflects on her first-ever Phoenix World Burn Congress—what it meant to feel truly seen and supported by community, and why connection is such an essential part of healing.

This is a conversation filled with wisdom, heart, and the powerful voice of a young survivor determined to make an impact!

#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!

Lovely Bruce is a nineteen-year-old Alabama native and a student at Alabama State University. She dreams of becoming a book writer, motivational speaker, and social media influencer. At the age of six, she survived a backyard fire that resulted in third-degree burns covering forty percent of her body. That life-changing experience shaped who she is today, teaching her resilience, faith, and the power of speaking with purpose.

As a burn survivor, Lovely is passionate about advocating for the burn community, spreading awareness, and helping others embrace their true selves. She loves encouraging people to find strength in their stories and to see their scars—whether physical or emotional—as reflections of endurance and hope.

👉Learn more about Phoenix World Burn Congress: https://www.phoenix-society.org/phoenix-wbc

👉Follow Lovely on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/burntbae/?hl=en

👉Follow Lovely on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atlantis.love.16

Today’s podcast is powered by Johnson Controls! Johnson Controls is a global leader in fire safety and suppression technologies, helping to save lives and protect people around the world. Learn more about Johnson Controls by visiting their website: https://www.johnsoncontrols.com.

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

In our latest episode of Girls with Grafts, we sit down with Dr. Kenny Tello, Corporate Director of Team Member Well-Being at Orlando Health, where he leads initiatives that empower people, elevate leaders, and build cultures rooted in care, connection, and transformation.

Together, we dive into the healing world of pet therapy! 🐾 Dr. Tello helps us understand the science behind pet therapy, the importance of proper pet handling and program design, and the emotional benefits that animals offer in restoring trust, reducing anxiety, and supporting trauma recovery. He also offers practical guidance for anyone interested in launching a pet therapy program—from safety and structure to purpose and impact.

Join us as Dr. Tello helps us rethink care, embrace empathy, and explore how even four paws can help transform the human spirit! 🐶

#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!

Dr. Kenny Tello serves as the Corporate Director of Team Member Well-Being at Orlando Health, where he leads initiatives that empower team members and equip leaders to foster a culture of care and organizational transformation. With over 20 years of clinical experience and extensive research in Industrial and Organizational Psychology and Leadership, he is recognized as an expert in mental health and human performance. Dr. Tello has been instrumental in developing nationally recognized programs and has consulted globally on critical incident protocols. Dr. Tello continues to champion science-based strategies to help individuals and organizations thrive.

👉 Read Dr. Tello’s article “Pet Therapy as a Healing Art: How Animals Help Us Heal in Hospitals:” https://www.phoenix-society.org/resources/pet-therapy-as-a-healing-art-how-animals-help-us-heal-in-hospitals

👉 Read “One Family, Two Dogs, and a Whole Lot of Love:” https://www.phoenix-society.org/resources/one-family-two-dogs-and-a-whole-lot-of-love

👉 Read “FAQ: Pets at Home After Burn Injury:” https://www.phoenix-society.org/resources/faq-pets-at-home-after-burn-injury

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.

In this episode of Girls with Grafts, Amber and Rachel are joined by 20-year-old burn survivor and future Occupational Therapist, Ali Moll. Ali shares her story of becoming a burn survivor at just two and a half years old after falling into a campfire and how that moment shaped her journey, identity, and purpose.

Together, we explore the powerful impact of her support system growing up, how her experiences influenced her self-confidence, and how she learned to embrace her scars as a source of strength rather than a limitation. ✨

Now a student at the University of Wisconsin–Madison studying to become an Occupational Therapist, Ali talks about her passion for helping others heal. 💛 She shares why she became a Phoenix SOAR Peer Supporter, her desire to help survivors feel seen and supported, and her advice for those learning to navigate their own healing journey.

#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!

Today's guest is Ali Moll! Ali is 20 years old and became a burn survivor at the age of two and a half when she fell into a camp fire. She is currently in college at UW Madison studying to become an Occupational Therapist!

👉 Learn more about Phoenix SOAR (Survivors Offering Assistance in Recovery): https://resources.phoenix-society.org/phoenix-soar

👉 Download “Beyond Surviving: Tools for Social Empowerment:” https://resources.phoenix-society.org/beyond-surviving-whitepaper

Today’s podcast is powered by the National Fire Protection Association! NFPA is a nonprofit that seeks to save lives and reduce loss with information, knowledge, & passion. Learn more about fire safety and explore their educational resources by visiting www.nfpa.org.

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

We’re celebrating 100 episodes of Girls with Grafts—and we couldn’t think of a better guest to mark this milestone than our friend and returning guest, Kechi Okwuchi! 🎉

In this special episode, Amber and Rachel look back at how the podcast began, the stories that shaped it, and the incredible community that has grown around it. Then we catch up with Kechi, who brings her warmth, honesty, and humor to a conversation that reminds us why this community matters so much. Together, we explore what it means to surround yourself with the right people, how community lifts us through every chapter, and the shared resilience. 💪

This episode is a celebration of every listener, every survivor, every supporter, and every story shared along the way. Here’s to 100 episodes—and the community that makes it all possible! 🫶

#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!

Meet Our Guest

Kechi is a Nigerian-born author and powerful singer. She is an inspirational and TEDx keynote speaker, MBA graduate, and bullying prevention advocate. Her dramatic story, as well as her impactful messages of resiliency and overcoming combine powerfully to inspire personal and cultural transformation.

Kechi found her true voice after her accident- a plane crash that took the lives of 107 of 109 passengers in Nigeria in 2005. Throughout the difficult journey of burns recovery, Kechi was sustained by her Christian faith, her family and her music. Becoming a finalist on America’s Got Talent 2017 was Kechi’s truest dream realized, and on June 10th 2018, she released her debut single, ‘Don’t You Dare’ on all digital music platforms.

Kechi hopes to use her voice and her story to ignite hope all over the world within those that need it.

Links

👉 Follow Kechi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kechiofficial/?hl=en

👉 Learn more about Phoenix World Burn Congress: https://www.phoenix-society.org/phoenix-wbc

👉 Make a Giving Tuesday gift: https://give.phoenix-society.org/campaign/748897/donate

👉 Share your story with Phoenix Society: https://resources.phoenix-society.org/triptych-october-eom

👉 Listen to “Healing Hands: Pediatric Burn Care & Reconstructive Surgery with Dr. Shaun Mendenhall:” https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/healing-hands-pediatric-burn-care-reconstructive-surgery/id1646466634?i=1000693641360

👉 Follow Dr. Shaun Mendenhall on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pedshanddoc/?hl=en

Podcast Sponsor

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.

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

In this powerful episode of Girls with Grafts, Rachel and Amber sit down with Brooke DelGaudio, a nurse practitioner, mom, and childhood burn survivor who’s turned her pain into purpose. 💙 Brooke opens up about growing up as a burn survivor, the invisible scars of childhood trauma, and the ways those experiences continue to shape her adult life.

Together, they dive into what it means to live with “hidden burns,” navigate imposter syndrome, and bring empathy into healthcare from a survivor’s perspective. 🩺 Brooke also shares how becoming a mom has invited new layers of healing—and how she’s breaking cycles through self-awareness, compassion, and intentional parenting.

Plus, Brooke and Amber swap stories about the house rules and kitchen safety lessons they now practice with their own families: Reminders that healing isn’t just about recovery, it’s about rewriting the future.✨

#BurnSurvivor #GirlsWithGrafts #Podcast #SurvivorPodcast #BurnSurvivorStories #ChildhoodTrauma #BurnCare

⭐️ 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!

Brooke DelGaudio is a 40-year-old nurse practitioner based in Denver, Colorado, specializing in wound care. Her passion for this work is deeply rooted in her personal experience as a burn survivor. At 18 months old, she sustained 3rd- and 4th-degree burns over 35% of her body after climbing into a sink with a faulty water temperature gauge. By the age of 10, she had undergone 25 surgeries. These early experiences—and the resilience they required—continue to shape her both personally and professionally.

Growing up, Brooke attended Cheley Burn Camp, where she learned to embrace her scars and began building confidence in herself. While there are still moments of struggle—like when friends invite her for pedicures, reminding her she doesn’t have toenails, or when sore feet make her wish for “normal skin”—she has come to accept that her scars are an integral part of her story.

Outside of her professional work, Brooke volunteers with Phoenix SOAR,offering the guidance, empathy, and realistic perspective she once needed herself is particularly meaningful to her.

In her free time, Brooke enjoys baking, snowboarding, and spending time with her husband and their three-year-old. She believes in the lifelong journey of healing and embodies the message of her tattoo: “strength is beautiful.”

👉 Learn more about Phoenix SOAR: https://resources.phoenix-society.org/phoenix-soar

👉 Read “Hidden Burns Matter:” https://phoenix-society.org/resources/hidden-burns-matter

👉 Read “Learning to Live with Hidden Burns:” https://www.phoenix-society.org/resources/learning-to-live-with-hidden-burns

👉 Read “Burnout in Burn Care: A Call to Care for Ourselves and Each Other:” https://www.phoenix-society.org/resources/burnout-in-burn-care-a-call-to-care-for-ourselves-and-each-other

Today’s podcast is powered by Cunningham Law Firm! Located in Phoenix, Arizona and helping clients nationwide, the Cunningham Law Firm specializes in personal injury, wrongful death and burn related cases. Learn more by visiting https://cunninghamlawfirm.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 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.