Medley Zeigler Bokun and her husband, Kevin, were just three weeks into their marriage when tragedy struck, and they were both involved in a home gas explosion. The two newlyweds found themselves spending what typically is considered the "honeymoon phase" in the ICU.

In today's podcast episode, Medley joins Rachel and Amber to talk about her burn injury, the struggles she faced after going home from the hospital, and how she and Kevin navigated their journeys with their unwavering family and friends by their side. ❤️ We also chat about motherhood and fears Medley had before having her son Levi, the common struggle of overheating, and the fantastic drink Body Armor.

Tune in today to see how Medley truly embodies the word resilient!

⭐️ 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!

Medley Zeigler Bokun, BSN, RN graduated from nursing school at Southeastern Louisiana University at the end of 2017 and immediately began her career at a Women’s Hospital in Baton Rouge, LA working as a med-surg and oncology nurse. In June of 2019 she married her wonderful husband, who at the time was a third year medical student. Just three short weeks after their wedding, they were in a gas explosion in their home. It was nearly fatal for both of them, but Medley especially sustained second, but mostly third degree burns across 96% of her body. Her chance of survival was not high, but God had other plans. Now Medley and her husband, Kevin, feel that God has called them from a place of medical ministry to a ministry that’s focused on spiritual and emotional healing. Medley and her husband now travel and speak at conferences, churches and social gatherings sharing their story of survival. And most recently in February of 2024, they welcomed their first baby into the world, a sweet baby boy named Levi.

• Follow Medley Zeigler Bokun on Instagram
• Read “Working Through Guilt after a Burn Injury”
• Get Amber’s “Scars are Tattoos” shirt

Today’s podcast is powered by Exsurco Medical! Exsurco engineers high precision products for both the healthcare and tissue bank professionals and are dedicated to advancing the healing power of skin to patients who need it the most. Learn more at www.Exsurco.com.

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

What's something that rhymes with no-handed? Bandit!

In today's podcast episode, podcast hosts Rachel and Amber are joined by Samoana Matagi, better known as the No-Handed Bandit. Sam talks about the high-voltage electrical accident that caused him to lose both arms and how the No-Handed Bandit was born. We also chat about Sam's first time through a toll booth, his recent encounter with a moose, his experiences wakeboarding, and the power of peer support. Tune in today!

⭐️ 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!

Samoana Matagi earned a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism in 2004. After two years in the field of Broadcast Journalism, he changed career paths to a high-voltage electrical line worker. Three years into his apprenticeship, he was involved in an electrical work accident that cost him his hands. He then became critically acclaimed for his recovery story, which drove him to create a YouTube channel to help other amputees. Now, he speaks to audiences about resilience. Learn more at www.nohandedbandit.com or by connecting with him on YouTube, Facebook, or Instagram.

• Follow the No Handed Bandit on YouTube
• Follow the No Handed Bandit on Facebook
• Follow the No Handed Bandit on Tik Tok
• Learn more about Phoenix SOAR and become a Peer Supporter
• Subscribe to Journey Magazine
• Get Amber’s “Scars are Tattoos” shirt

Today’s podcast is powered by UL Solutions! A global leader in applied safety science, UL Solutions transforms safety, security and sustainability challenges into opportunities for customers in more than 110 countries.

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

Play and work with joy is a mantra Michael Van Every lives by. In today's episode, Rachel and Amber are joined by Michael, who was injured in a house fire as a child. Growing up, Michael knew he was different from his peers but never let that stop him. Over time, he found his own voice through playing sports, from the support of his parents, and believing in himself.

Now, Michael is the President and Managing Partner of Republic Urban Properties and is deeply committed to giving back. His journey has led him to reconnect with the Regional Burn Center at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, where he was once a patient. Through fundraising events and advocacy efforts, Michael is dedicated to helping survivors overcome their emotional and mental battles. His unwavering dedication is a moving testament to the power of resilience and the human spirit.

⭐️ 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!

Michael Van Every is the President and Managing Partner of Republic Urban Properties, the Bay Area flagships of the Republic Family of Companies. Mr. Van Every works with Federal, State and Local governments on the creation and development of ‘smart growth’ projects, such as master-planned communities near transportation hubs; urban mixed-use projects near major employment centers; and innovative, public-private partnerships. The Republic Family of Companies is known for developing institutional-quality real estate throughout the United States, from land development, to historic adaptive reuse to shopping malls.

In his 25 years of working experience representing major institutional and private real estate developers in the greater Bay Area, Van Every has earned the reputation as a man with the leadership, the knowledge, the experience, and tenacity to see complicated projects through from land acquisition to completion. Under Van Every’s leadership, RUP has gained national attention for its Transit Orientated Development (TOD) projects at key transit stations working as the premier public-private partner with many transit authorities across California.

Since 2006, as the managing partner of RUP, Van Every has been involved with the planning, financing, construction and delivery of 1,238 multifamily units and 145,000 square feet of mixed-use commercial space. In addition to the multifamily pipeline, RUP has approximately 380 hotels rooms, 151,000 square feet of office, and 120,000 square feet of retail in various stages of development. The estimated hypothetical market value among projects is projected at $1.5 billion in value.

A third-generation San Jose native, Van Every holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from California State University at Fresno. Van Every is an active member of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, and he serves as a Board Member on San Jose Stage Company. Michael is married and lives with his wife Jennifer and Jacob in the Willow Glen Neighborhood of San Jose.

• Learn more and support the “San Jose Q&A: A Trivia Showdown in Support of Burn Recovery”
• Meet the team at the Regional Burn Center at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center
• Learn more about the Winchester Mystery House

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.