Has life ever felt like it’s throwing one curveball after another, leaving you desperate for a little hope?
You’re not alone in feeling that way.
In her book, One Call Away, Brenda Warner shares how her unshakable faith guided her through unimaginable heartbreak, public humiliation, a terrifying natural disaster, and one family crisis after another. All of this unfolded with NFL superstar Kurt Warner, her husband, right by her side.
I’m going to walk you through how her powerful story delivers honest life lessons without ever sounding preachy. So, let’s see if this inspirational story deserves a spot in your checkout cart or a download to your Kindle app.
Key Takeaways
Brenda Warner’s memoir, “One Call Away: Facing the Unexpected with Resilient Faith,” shares her raw and honest struggles. She details losing her parents in a 1996 tornado in Arkansas, raising a son with special needs after a devastating accident, and facing public humiliation from a divorce before marrying NFL superstar Kurt Warner.
The book explores how unshakable faith and trust in God’s plan were her anchors through heartbreak, family crisis, and the financial stress of medical bills and credit card debt.
Faith is woven into her daily life, not just reserved for Sundays. Brenda turns to prayer in her darkest moments, showing how hope can grow even when faith feels stretched thin.
Readers get an inside look at Brenda’s marriage to Kurt Warner. You’ll see how their teamwork, especially after major setbacks, helped rebuild their family. His support is evident, from her personal tragedies to his time on Dancing with the Stars.
The book serves as a timely reminder about transparency. As of 2025, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has reinforced rules requiring clear disclosures if books are received for free, ensuring readers can trust the authenticity of reviews.
Table of Contents
What is “One Call Away: Facing the Unexpected with Resilient Faith” about?
Brenda Warner, a former Marine and the famously outspoken wife of NFL superstar Kurt Warner, holds nothing back in “One Call Away.” The book, co-authored with Jennifer Schuchmann, is an unflinching look at her life, from the pain of a broken heart to surviving a natural disaster that took everything from her.
She confronts public humiliation, deep family crisis, and even death, shining a light on how her unshakable faith served as a guide through every storm. Her story is a journey through dark and difficult places, but it always leads back to hope and encouragement.
You’ll walk with Brenda as she navigates the challenges of raising children alone while battling financial troubles, including maxed-out credit cards and overwhelming medical bills. Each “shattering phone call” she receives tests her spirit, but in those raw moments of fear, she discovers the strength of God’s love.
Her path crosses with Kurt’s at the perfect moment. Together, they become a powerful symbol of resilience, reminding us that sometimes God’s plan involves facing the toughest storms before finding true peace.
Faith is seeing light with your heart when all your eyes see is darkness.
Brenda Warner’s Personal Journey
Brenda Warner’s story is one of walking through fire and emerging stronger. Her journey with NFL superstar Kurt Warner is a powerful testament to finding hope after loss and shows that you can rise again, no matter what life throws your way.
How did Brenda Warner’s marriage to NFL quarterback Kurt Warner shape her story?
When Kurt Warner entered Brenda’s life, he wasn’t yet an NFL superstar. He was a college student stocking shelves at a Hy-Vee grocery store to make ends meet. Their relationship, which began with line dancing at a country bar in Iowa, became a turning point in her story. She writes about tackling incredible challenges together, from heartbreak to public humiliation.
Faith became their guide, even as they navigated different religious backgrounds. One of the most touching parts of their story is how Kurt embraced her two children from a previous marriage, adopting them after they married in 1997.
He has always been her biggest supporter, whether she was by his side during his Hall of Fame career or he was cheering for her during his appearance on season 11 of Dancing with the Stars in 2010. While many know Kurt for his football achievements or the First Things First Foundation, this book reveals the loving partner who helped Brenda heal and find hope.
Their story, also captured in the 2021 film American Underdog, shows how love and teamwork can do more than win a Super Bowl, they can rebuild a life.
What challenges of heartbreak, family crisis, death, and destruction does she face?
Brenda Warner has navigated storms that would break most people. One of the most devastating was in 1996, when a tornado tore through her parents’ town in Mountain View, Arkansas, killing them both. This event reshaped her life in an instant.
As a Marine mom, she faced single motherhood after a difficult divorce. This came after the most shattering phone call of her life: her infant son, Zachary, had been accidentally dropped by his biological father. The fall caused a traumatic brain injury that left him partially blind and with developmental disabilities.
Brenda writes, “Some days faith felt thin as tissue but it was all I had.”
Her marriage to Kurt Warner didn’t magically erase these deep scars. The journey of raising a blended family of seven children, including a child with special needs, came with its own set of challenges. Through every crisis, from death and destruction to the daily struggles of family life, Brenda shares how she found God’s love in the most difficult moments. It’s what makes “One Call Away” an authentic story of hope for anyone facing their own life’s challenges.
How does Brenda Warner find true love and self-discovery?
Brenda’s path to self-discovery was paved with resilience. As a Marine and a single mom, she found strength in caring for her children, especially her son, Zachary, after his life-altering accident. Raising two kids alone on food stamps while attending nursing school tested her faith daily.
Meeting Kurt Warner was a new chapter, but not an escape from hardship. They faced financial struggles together, living in her parents’ basement while he worked at a grocery store, dreaming of the NFL. Instead of giving up, Brenda leaned into her unshakable faith in God’s plan. This trust became the foundation of her self-worth, something no spotlight from Dancing With the Stars or an NFL stadium could provide.
Through it all, she found her voice. She became an outspoken advocate for her family and a source of hope for others through the First Things First Foundation. She discovered she was more than just a survivor or a football wife, she was a woman of strength who found her purpose right where she was.
Faith and Religious Themes in the Book
Brenda’s deep trust in God is the thread that ties her story together, weaving hope and strength through every trial. If you’ve ever felt like prayer was all you had left, her journey will feel incredibly familiar.
How does faith provide strength during Brenda’s challenges?
For Brenda Warner, faith isn’t just a belief, it’s an action. It’s the anchor she holds onto after a shattering phone call or during times of public humiliation. She relies on her trust in God’s plan to navigate heartbreak, family crisis, and the destruction of a natural disaster.
During her marriage to NFL superstar Kurt Warner, their different religious upbringings could have been a hurdle. Instead, their shared faith became a bond that strengthened them. This unshakable faith was her source of strength while caring for her son Zachary after his accident.
As an outspoken wife and Marine mom, Brenda has never shied away from sharing how her hope and encouragement come directly from God’s love. Her story, brought to life with the help of co-author Jennifer Schuchmann, shows that every setback was met not with fear, but with a deep trust in something greater. If you find inspiration in stories like this, you might also enjoy other faith-filled resilience stories that offer hope during life’s challenges.
How is religion integrated into Brenda Warner’s life story?
In “One Call Away,” faith isn’t a footnote, it’s part of the conversation. You see God’s love show up in quiet, practical ways during moments of crisis, loss, and public humiliation.
Brenda turns to prayer during her darkest nights, whether it’s after a devastating phone call or while navigating life as an outspoken wife to an NFL superstar. Religion is woven into her daily routine with a refreshing honesty.
She talks about finding hope in scripture to get through the aftermath of the tornado that killed her parents. Whether she’s connecting with other Marine moms or working with their First Things First Foundation, her faith feels like a natural part of her life. The Christian Broadcasting Network has praised her story for showing that religion doesn’t have to feel forced. Instead, it can be a genuine source of comfort that never sounds preachy.
How is the writing style and emotional impact of the book described?
Brenda Warner, with help from her talented co-author Jennifer Schuchmann, writes with a raw honesty that pulls you in. If you’re looking for a story that delivers tears, smiles, and a powerful dose of hope, this is one to add to your list.
Is the book well-paced and easy to follow?
The writing style in “One Call Away” is direct and engaging. You won’t have to reread sentences to understand what’s happening. The book, which is 272 pages long, flows smoothly from one chapter to the next, making it easy to follow Brenda’s journey through her many challenges and triumphs.
The narrative never feels rushed or slow. Even during heavy topics like public humiliation or family crisis, the story maintains a steady rhythm.
Scenes detailing her life with NFL superstar Kurt Warner and his time on Dancing With the Stars are woven naturally alongside moments of deep heartbreak. The clear and vivid writing paints a picture that will keep you captivated from the first page to the last.
What emotional connections does the book create with personal experiences?
“One Call Away” creates a powerful emotional connection because Brenda Warner is so open about her heartbreak, loss, and hope. Her story of facing public humiliation as Kurt Warner’s wife will resonate with anyone who has ever felt judged.
Her memories of surviving the tornado that killed her parents are raw and real, striking a chord with anyone who has experienced sudden loss.
| Brenda’s Experience | Who It Connects With |
|---|---|
| Coping with grief after losing her parents. | Readers who have experienced the death of a loved one. |
| Receiving a life-altering phone call about her son. | Anyone who has faced unexpected and difficult news. |
| Raising children as a single mother after tragedy. | Women who have navigated the challenges of single parenting. |
| Finding a lifeline in faith during life’s storms. | People who turn to their faith for comfort and strength. |
Brenda also shares the personal growth that came from moments many would want to forget, like financial stress and health scares. Her story is a reminder that no one is alone in their most difficult chapters, offering hope and encouragement to keep moving forward.
How Will Faith-Based Memoirs Like “One Call Away” Evolve in 2025?
In 2025, faith-based memoirs like “One Call Away” are trending toward even greater honesty. Authors are sharing more raw details about heartbreak, public humiliation, and the moments when even unshakable faith is put to the test. This genre is seeing significant growth, with religious book publishing revenues up 7.8% in recent years according to the Association of American Publishers.
Readers are craving real stories of overcoming adversity from people they can relate to. The global book market is expected to hit nearly $92 billion in revenue, and personal stories are a huge part of that.
Additionally, the Federal Trade Commission has put a major emphasis on transparency. New FTC rules are cracking down on fake or undisclosed paid reviews, meaning readers can have more trust in the recommendations they see online. This push for authenticity helps build a stronger connection between authors and their audience.
Ultimately, first-hand accounts of surviving a natural disaster or navigating sudden loss make God’s plan feel both personal and powerful, and that’s a trend that will continue to resonate.
People Also Ask
What is “One Call Away” by Brenda Warner about?
It’s Brenda Warner’s deeply personal story about her journey of unshakable faith through life’s challenges, from being an enlisted Marine and single mom on food stamps to becoming the wife of NFL superstar Kurt Warner. The book covers devastating moments like her son Zack’s traumatic brain injury and her parents’ death in a 1996 tornado, showing how she found hope in God’s plan.
How does Brenda’s faith shape her story in “One Call Away”?
Faith is the constant anchor that provides her with hope and encouragement through every personal growth challenge and natural disaster. Brenda shares how she leaned on God’s love to navigate the grief of losing her parents and to find the strength to care for her son, Zack, after his life-altering injury.
Who might enjoy reading this inspirational story?
This inspirational story is perfect for anyone who appreciates honest life lessons about overcoming adversity and finding strength through faith. It will especially connect with readers interested in the work of the First Things First Foundation, which Brenda and Kurt Warner started to promote Christian values and provide support to those in need.
Does Jennifer Schuchmann play a role in this book?
Yes, Jennifer Schuchmann, a New York Times bestselling author who specializes in collaborations, is the co-author who helped Brenda craft her powerful faith journey.
What sets “One Call Away” apart from other memoirs about sports families?
Unlike many sports memoirs, this book focuses less on the NFL superstar lifestyle and more on Brenda’s personal journey of overcoming adversity before and during her marriage to Kurt Warner. It explores her resilience as a Marine mom, dealing with public humiliation, and finding her identity in faith rather than football.
