Last night was one of those rare and unforgettable evenings that reminds you just how powerful human connection can be. After months of working together to bring Undermined into the world, I finally had the opportunity to meet Carrie Nyman—my ghostwriter, editor, and the emotional compass who helped shape my story into the book it is today.
Carrie and her family were passing through Dallas, and we arranged to meet for dinner. What followed wasn’t just a meal—it was an evening of deep connection, storytelling, laughter, a few tears, and genuine appreciation. Brandi and the kids came with me, and they finally got to meet the woman whose words had become such a huge part of our lives. It was important to me that they understood who she was—not just as a professional, but as the kind, thoughtful, and inspiring human being she is.
From the moment we sat down, it felt like we’d known each other for years. There was an ease to the conversation, a shared sense of having walked through something significant together. Over the course of the evening, we laughed about the quirks of the writing process, cried as we revisited some of the more emotional parts of the story, and shared stories that never made it into the final draft—but still mattered. It wasn’t just a dinner. It was a celebration of everything we’d created together.
Carrie is more than just a writer—she’s a translator of emotion. When I was struggling to figure out how to tell my story, how to put pain into words, and how to make it resonate with people who had never walked in my shoes, Carrie was there. Patient, encouraging, and honest. She asked the hard questions, guided me through the dark parts, and always found a way to bring out the human truth in every chapter. Without her, Undermined simply wouldn’t exist—not in the way it does now.
And in many ways, it was a true collaboration. I was her editor, and she was mine. We challenged each other, refined each other’s ideas, and pushed the story to a place it couldn’t have reached alone. The mutual respect we developed along the way turned into a friendship I deeply value.
Watching my family talk with hers—seeing our kids laugh together, seeing Brandi connect with her—was something I’ll always treasure. It reminded me that this book isn’t just a personal story. It’s a shared one. It’s a story that came to life because someone believed in it, and because someone believed in me. That someone was Carrie.
I’m grateful beyond words for her talent, her heart, and her friendship. She brought my voice to life in a way I never thought possible. And now, having had the chance to sit across the table from her, I can honestly say: Carrie Nyman is every bit as beautiful in person as she is on the page—inside and out.
Thank you, Carrie. For everything.
If you haven’t yet read Undermined, it’s available on Amazon. It’s more than a book—it’s a piece of my soul, carefully shaped and brought to life by a remarkable writer I’m proud to know.
