Kelly and Miguel open their hearts as they reflect on the life and death of their daughter, Adelaide, who lived with epilepsy and a rare neurodegenerative brain condition. As Adelaide's terminal diagnosis unfolded, Kelly was a full-time caregiver and advocate for her daughter and mother to her older son, Jackson, while Miguel balanced the demands of the stage with the journey of Adelaide's illness unfolding at home. Together, they protected the bond at the center of their family.

This episode is about bearing witness, honoring love, and learning how two people can grieve differently yet still reach for one another while caring for their two children with very different needs. This episode is for anyone who has loved deeply, lost profoundly, and wondered whether connection is still possible after everything has changed. A powerful testament to resilience, devotion, and the courage it takes to keep choosing love—amidst the asteroids.

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About Our Guests:

MIGUEL CERVANTES recently wrapped up his time playing Alexander Hamilton in the Broadway and Chicago productions after almost eight years and 2013 performances.

Other Broadway credits include IF/THEN, AMERICAN IDIOT, and 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE. A few of his TV credits include LAW & ORDER SVU, PERSON OF INTEREST, MADAME SECRETARY, and THE BLACKLIST.

Miguel grew up in Dallas, TX, and received a BFA in Musical Theater from Emerson College. His favorite roles have been "Daddy" to Jackson, Anessa, Adelaide, and husband to superhero wife Kelly.

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KELLY CERVANTES is an award-winning writer, speaker, and advocate best known for her blog Inchstones and her USA Today bestselling book, Normal Broken: The Grief Companion for When It's Time to Heal But You're Not Sure You Want To.

She has been published in the Chicago Tribune, Cosmopolitan, and Fortune as well as featured by MSNBC, New York Times, and CNN.

She sits on the boards of CURE Epilepsy and The Undiagnosed Diseases Network Foundation and hosts CURE Epilepsy's podcast, Seizing Life.

Born and raised in the Midwest, Kelly now resides in Maplewood, New Jersey, with her family. Her latest book, The Luckiest: A Memoir of Love, Loss, Motherhood, and the Pursuit of Self, was published in November by Ben Bella Books.

After moving from a conservative Midwestern suburb to New York City to pursue an acting career, Kelly Cervantes never could have imagined what life had in store for her—or how much she would fundamentally change along the way.

Now, in her memoir The Luckiest, Kelly shares the experiences that shaped who she is today—the pain of unrealized dreams, navigating her husband Miguel's Broadway spotlight, fighting for their child's life, finding purpose after loss, and rebuilding her life and marriage.

Throughout her wildly unpredictable journey, she has reflected on the role luck has played in her life, both good and bad. "Are we lucky if we escape life with soft skin and minimal layers," she asks. "Or are we lucky to have the battle scars that show a life of survival and meaning?"

As we begin 2026, Elaine Miller-Karas, the host of Resiliency Within, airs an encore podcast with Aziza Hasan, Executive Director, and Andrea Hodos, Associate Director of New Ground, a nonprofit dedicated to bridging divides and convening constructive conversations around challenging social issues.

New Ground envisions what is possible in a world deeply divided which is as pertinent today as it was when first aired. They will share their wisdom on how New Ground envisions an America where Muslims and Jews are empowered to create lasting partnerships and engage in authentic communication and mutual cooperation.

This vibrant model of engagement – not bound by history, theology, or politics – affirms that conflict is inevitable and yet not intractable. NewGround empowers Muslims, Jews, and allies to bridge divisions and leverage shared values to strengthen our communities' well-being and our fragile democracy.

NewGround is a community-building organization that creates, connects, and empowers Jewish and Muslim Change-makers in America.

Through a professional fellowship, high school leadership council, and public programming, NewGround transforms Muslim-Jewish relations and advances a shared agenda for change. They will share what we need to do differently to bring about lasting change.