• About
    • Meet Kristin
  • The Book
  • Podcast
  • Blog
    • Turquoise Table Stories
    • Suppers for Sharing
    • Recipe Collection
    • Conversations
  • Speaking
  • Media
  • Shop
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • About
    • Meet Kristin
    • Meet the Team
  • Start Here
  • Join the Community
  • Register Your Table
  • The Book
  • Podcast
  • Blog
    • Turquoise Table Stories
    • Suppers for Sharing
    • Recipes
    • Conversations
  • Media
  • Speaking
  • Shop
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

The Turquoise Table

Kristin Schell

  • Start Here
  • Register Your Table
  • The Community

in Podcast· Season 2

S2E9: Awful Beautiful Life with Becky Powell and Katherine Reay

S2E9: Awful Beautiful Life with Becky Powell and Katherine Reay

(? Today’s conversation is a hard one. I want you to know that while it is full of hope, friendship, and a powerful story of community, it begins with the tragedy of suicide. I have included an article below from the Wall Street Journal, featuring Becky and her children as they discuss the hope they have found in the aftermath of losing husband/father, Mark.) 

In today’s episode of The Turquoise Table, host Kristin Schell interviews Becky Powell and Katherine Reay. Katherine is an award-winning author of novels, including Lizzy and Jane and The Printed Leather Bookshop. Katherine recently wrote her first non-fiction book with Becky called Awful Beautiful Life: When God Shows up in the Midst of Tragedy. 

On May 13, 2013, Becky faced the unthinkable: she learned her husband had taken his own life and had borrowed millions of dollars over the years from friends and colleagues. While grieving her husband’s death, she became the focus of open FBI, SCC and Department of Justice investigations. Today’s episode is a gripping story, but it is filled with grace, faith, and community.




Show Notes

Becky bravely shares how she tried to hold things together for her children, but constantly felt behind for the first six months after the tragedy. She learned that her husband had borrowed 21 million dollars, that she now owed multiple creditors, and lawsuits were coming at her. Amidst the investigations and FBI agents taking computers and files from the house, Becky’s community rallied around her in support. Throughout it all, God used her friends, family and attorneys to show her He was there for her. Becky’s priority was her children, making sure they felt they could talk about things and that they didn’t play the victim; that they instead were going to move forward. 

The lawyers predicted Becky’s legal battle would be tough and would go on for three or four years, but in the end, the entire proceedings took 18 months and Becky paid back 100% of the principal owed to each creditor. Becky herself pushed to pay back the creditors, and it helped with her healing process, to move forward knowing she paid her debts. Katherine and Becky met and began the process of writing the story together. Katherine explains how she crafted the story arc, conducted interviews, and held space for Becky to share her emotions and deepen the story. Becky shares her lessons and just how beautiful her community was to her and her family, as well as how God taught her to receive. 

⭐️ Rate, review and subscribe to the podcast wherever you are listening! ⭐️



Links

Check out our 2019 Holiday Gift Guide.

Two of my favorite novels by Katherine:

  • Lizzy and Jane
  • The Printed Leather Bookshop

Becky’s story, written by Katherine, is available on Amazon:

Awful Beautiful Life: When God Shows up in the Midst of Tragedy

The playlist for the book’s chapters is available at:

awfulbeautifullife.com



Podcast Discussion Guide

DOWNLOAD NOW


Episode Extras

Katherine, Becky, and Kristin recording the podcast a few weeks ago. This was Becky’s first podcast interview! Can you spot Mojo under the coffee table? He’s the official podcast producer.

Katherine Reay, Suzanne Bell, and Becky Powell at The Turquoise Table. Suzanne is the “link in the chain” who connected Katherine and Becky.


Wall Street Journal Article

Becky and her children were featured in the December 2nd issue of the Wall Street Journal. The article discusses emerging treatments offering hope to loved ones who are left behind after suicide. 

As Suicides Rise, More Attention Turns to the People Left Behind, WSJ, Dec 2, 2019.


  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print

Filed Under: Podcast, Season 2

« The 2019 Turquoise Table Gift Guide
S2E10: Grumble Free Hospitality with Tricia Goyer »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Meet Kristin

Welcome! I'm so glad you're here.

I'm on a mission to love my neighbors. I put an ordinary picnic table in my front yard, painted it turquoise and invited neighbors, friends, and even strangers to hang out and do life together at the Turquoise Table®.

I hope you'll join us!

About Kristin

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

The Book

Buy Now

The Podcast

The Turquoise Table Podcast with Kristin Schell

Listen Now

Subscribe for Updates

[convertkit form=4988356]

Join the Movement

  • Start Here
  • Join the Community
  • Register Your Table
  • Your Tables

Subscribe for Updates

Quick Links

  • Media
  • Speaking
  • Contact
  • Shop
Inauguration January 20, 1993. 🇺🇸 I was a br Inauguration January 20, 1993. 🇺🇸 I was a bright-eyed, young Hill staffer, full of enthusiasm for politics, our government, and America. I actually thought I’d be a senator or maybe even President one day. 🤪

I’m more realistic, reserved and battle weary thirty years later. But, I still believe in a place called hope.
Winter wonderland in #atx 🤷🏻‍♀️❄️🙌🏽
Said goodbye to 2020 and welcomed 2021 in our happ Said goodbye to 2020 and welcomed 2021 in our happy place @ymcarockies We’ve packed it all in— sledding, skating, hiking, vision boards, celebrated our 23rd anniversary, and kicked off the New Year this morning with a 5k. I even found time to sit and stitch by the fire. 

Sure feels like we are making up for lost time and setting our hope for the year ahead. Happy New Year friends!! 

#2021
Cheers to twenty-three! 🥂 Cheers to twenty-three! 🥂
No coffee on the porch for me this morning! I’ll No coffee on the porch for me this morning! I’ll stay by the fire. We made the 16 hour trek to start the new year in our happy place. We’ve never been here the week between Christmas and NYE and we’re excited to explore in the snow. ❄️ I’m already laughing at our summer stash of clothes we keep here —cotton leggings, hoodies, and fishing boots. Feel free to laugh with and at me. Also winter friends—give me all your tips. 

#winterwonderland #estespark #summerTexans #babyitscoldoutside #letitsnow
Merry Christmas friends! xo, Kristin Merry Christmas friends! xo, Kristin
Follow on Instagram

Copyright ©2005-2019 Kristin Schell · Site by Design by Insight

Get Your Free Download

This site uses cookies: Find out more.