Our Rough Draft

“Leaders eat last is such bullshit.” That’s Denise’s opening position. Tim, her Army husband, sees it differently. Drawing on their experiences in the military, corporate leadership, and education, Denise and Tim explore what it means to take care of other people without losing yourself in the process. Tim remembers a night spent chipping ice out of a Starbucks drive-through. Denise recalls learni...

What Do We Hope for Our Kids as They Leave Home? Denise Waters and Tim reflect on what it feels like to watch their kids step into the world, using a recent college visit for Mason as their starting point. They explore how parents can hold excitement, hope, and worry at the same time—and how differently two people can respond to the same big transition. The conversation grows into a broader reflec...

This week, Thatcher joins us for a conversation that starts with social media and sports, then wanders into belonging, democracy, echo chambers, empty nesting, and what it means to build a family people want to come back to. We talk about the difference between connection that keeps us grounded and connection that narrows us, why online spaces can both help and harm, and how real-life communities...

In this episode, Denise and Tim talk about publishing, social media, platform numbers, and the ache of putting creative work into the world without always knowing if it is reaching anyone. What begins as a conversation about gatekeeping in publishing becomes a larger reflection on how we engage with each other online and in real life. They talk about likes versus real responses, discussion boards,...

In this episode, Denise and Tim begin with football Sunday, cooler Arizona mornings, and the small rituals that mark the changing of a season. From there, the conversation turns toward networking, putting yourself out into the world, and the difference between transactional connection and relationships built over time. Tim reflects on the skills he has developed through facilitation, military serv...

In this episode of Our Rough Draft , Denise and Tim talk about their recent trip to Seattle and what it stirred up about place, memory, spontaneity, and the way our worlds can slowly get smaller if we are not intentional about expanding them. Together, they reflect on returning to Madison Park, visiting Pike Place Market, riding a ferry to Vashon, and remembering the places they loved when they li...

In this episode of Our Rough Draft, Denise and Tim celebrate the start of year two by asking what it means to still be a rough draft. Together, they talk about confidence, belonging, work, aging, marriage, parenting adult children, and the parts of ourselves we are still learning how to bring into the room. Denise reflects on the experience of feeling like she had to prove her worth in certain spa...

In this episode, Denise and Tim celebrate Tim’s 55th birthday and use the occasion to think about birthdays, memory, family stories, and the ways we mark time together. Together, they reflect on the birthdays they remember most, why some memories stay vivid while others disappear, and how years of parenting, deployment, work, and ordinary life can blur together. Along the way, they talk about the...

What happens when you stop checking grades? In this episode, Denise and Tim talk about the start of a new school year, the rituals they no longer participate in, and how their relationship with school has changed after raising three kids through the public education system. Together, they reflect on why they don’t check grades, why they skipped curriculum night, and what it means to trust both the...

A conversation about home, memory, and the stories our spaces hold. What turns a house into your house? In this episode, Tim and Denise look around their own home and talk about the things that have gathered there over time—from family paintings and an old woodworking tool to typewriters, books, glassybabys, and even a cactus skeleton brought home from a hike. Together, they explore why ordinary o...

A conversation about service, uncertainty, and preparing for the unknown. How do you prepare for something you've never experienced? In this episode, Tim shares the story of traveling to Iraq for the first time—from the long months of training to landing in Baghdad and the reality of stepping into a combat zone. Along the way, Denise reflects on what it was like preparing for war from home as a ne...

A conversation about connection, marriage, and the people who help us find our way back. What if the way you naturally reconnect isn't the same as your partner's? In this episode, we take Denise's new Connection Quiz for the very first time and discover that the results aren't nearly as important as the conversations they begin. From a spontaneous river crossing in Leavenworth to the loss of a lif...

Why does outrage feel so powerful—and what if it's hiding something deeper? In this episode of Our Rough Draft , Denise and Tim explore what fuels outrage and why it's become such a defining part of our culture. What begins as a conversation about a podcast's reaction to homeschooling grows into a broader reflection on emotion, power, systems, and our shared humanity. Together, they consider how o...

What kind of legacy are you leaving—whether you realize it or not? In this episode of Our Rough Draft , Tim turns the microphone around and interviews Denise about her memoir, One of the Heard . Together, they explore the stories that shaped the book, the courage it takes to write honestly, and why being heard—and helping others feel heard—can change the course of a life. Their conversation moves...

What happens when the expectations we never talk about don't match reality? In this episode of Our Rough Draft , Denise and Tim reflect on their family's senior year journey—the surprises, disappointments, and meaningful moments that reminded them parenting rarely follows the plan. Through honest stories and thoughtful conversation, they explore the unspoken expectations parents and students often...

Creating Belonging: A Conversation on Values, Trust, and Family In this episode, we explore the significance of belonging within families, communities, and organizations. Our discussion dives into defining core values, building trust, and cultivating environments where everyone feels safe, seen, and celebrated. Main Topics - Key Insights: How belonging extends beyond superficial inclusion to emoti...

Denise and Tim celebrate Denise's birthday talking about their best adventures including kayaking in the San Juans, Mazatlan and San Diego. They list their favorite adventures spots including Rainier and the Grand Canyon.

Denise and Tim share the couch once again, debrief Denise's trip and discuss ways to make sure coming back together feels right. Ideas around keeping connected with kids while also having grand adventures!

Tim and Denise talk about the importance of Memorial Day before getting into details of the Road Trip and fears along the way!

Tim and Denise connect, Denise in Orlando and Tim at home. WDW conversations and more. How do you like to do Disney? How do you approach new situations? (Minor swearing; we don't count that as explicit!)

Welcome to summer! How would you spend your time if it was always summer? Or if someone gave you four weeks and a budget to go with it? Tim & Denise get into summer stories and all their favorites around the best season or at least the current season!

Tim and Denise talk about moving stories, the good, the bad, the ugly plus ways to feel more settled in your current space! Denise gets totally awkward at the end!

Tim & Denise celebrate 25 years of marriage with a special podcast talking about the highs, lows and favorite stories! Marriage advise and lots of learning along the way! Here's to another 25!

Join Tim & Denise as they share insights from a recent writer's retreat, discuss the complexities of transitions and scar tissue, and explore the evolving landscape of publishing and self-publishing. This episode offers a deep dive into personal growth, writing, and the power of voice. Your prompt this week: What is a trigger that you are growing scar tissue over?

Explore how facing fears, like crossing a daunting bridge, reveals deeper truths about vulnerability and connection. Discover personal stories that highlight the power of small moments in shaping our lives. Tim & Denise share stories about small moments, phone calls and simple daily events shape fear, vulnerability and connection.