The Commons with Karla

Do you remember what it was like making decisions as a 17 year old?  In this episode, I am chatting with Lisa and she, like you, like me, was 17 once - living her life and making decisions - about love, work, health, and life. As a teenager it is difficult to understand how much those decisions we make as a teenager will impact our future. In this episode, Lisa shares with us her story of becoming...

Why not me?   This was a question that our guest, Stephanie, asked herself while standing on the sidelines watching friends run. Stephanie is a wife, mom, teacher, and a wonderful friend.  She went from cheering on the sidelines to training for her first marathon back in 2011. She has gone on to run 22 full marathons, running, coaching, leading, and cheering on thousands of women with her positivi...

Life can be full of twists and turns. In all of our lives, we experience pivotal moments that can change everything we once knew. When you look back at those moments, you can see an image of your life before in comparison to what it may look like now.  In today’s episode, my dear friend Brooke is here to tell her story. As a child Brooke was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, and scoliosis. Things th...

Welcome back to another Since You Asked Episode! In this episode, I am going to be answering questions from women in The Commons Community. In our Since You Asked episodes, we talk about everything: life, work, and relationships. In this specific episode we dive deep into The Royal Family, responding to overwhelm, wisdom from the Bible, and I will also give you one of my favorite book recommendati...

Today I am chatting with Amanda, a wife and stay-at-home mom, doing the more than full-time work of raising a family and caring for a home. She grew up in a strong community and still actively nurtures her community with intention and time.   Amanda’s Story: ●     Being a wife and stay at home mom  ●     Amanda’s childhood community growing up  ●     Faith Journey starting in Junior High    Going...

Welcome to Episode 64 of The Commons. Today I am in conversation with Kari. Kari knows the realities of a busy life - navigating family, social, hobbies/sports, and careers. She has two careers and a family of boys. Kari has experienced many achievements and also deep loss. Unfortunately, she unexpectedly and tragically lost her son. In this episode, Kari walks us through the journey of grief that...

Do you struggle with fear and anxiety? You are not alone. Today I am in conversation with Brooke. Brooke knows what it is like to experience anxiety and fear. She also knows what it is like to experience transformation and healing. Brooke Gundersen is unrecognizable to the person she was in 2020. She credits her healing to God and her parent’s love, patience, and prayer.  If you are struggling wit...

Today I am welcoming Crystal, from episode 9, back to The Commons. Crystal loves people and makes it her mission to help others feel their best.  Whether she is helping them recover from an illness or injury or helping them change their habits for movement or diet, she shows up fully as a coach and encourager. If you have struggled with health, and maintaining healthy habits, you’re not alone. In...

Welcome to the latest “Since you asked” episode!  In this episode, I am answering questions from everyday women from The Commons community. Usually on the podcast and in Memory Lane Chats, I am the one asking questions. But commonly in my real life I get to answer a lot of questions and share wisdom and advice. Since You Asked episodes were born out of that from a community suggestion. In this epi...

In today’s episode, I am talking with Katie. If you listened to episode 55 of the podcast, you heard Lisa, Katie’s mom, and I talk about adventures. Now, I am privileged to meet and speak with Katie for the first time. Katie values relationships with her friends and family and loves to partake in deep conversations. As a psychiatrist, Katie works with patients who have severe mental health issues....

This week I am in conversation with Robin, a wife and mother to teens. Robin is a speaker and educator, as well as the founder of Embrace the PATH. Robin started her business, and to grow her business she began speaking all over the country. As her business grew, Robin admits her ego did too. Eventually, she found herself more in tune with work rather than her family at home. Things looked perfect...

Today I am in conversation with Nicole. Nicole loves helping people, which led her to the medical profession. After feeling like she needed a change due to burnout, Nicole pivoted in her career. She started her own business named Bukit. Bukit is where you can shop local small businesses online and have your items delivered right to your door. It took courage and bravery for Nicole to make the leap...

Welcome to our very first “Since You Asked” episode. Today I am in conversation with YOU! I am taking the time to answer questions from The Commons community. I am going to offer advice solicited from women in our community. My main goal is to give you ideas and inspiration. Our questions cover a variety of topics about life, work, and relationships.  Thank you to those who submitted questions. If...

Today I am in conversation with Kasee. Kasee is a hard working woman, who is strong and determined.  As Kasee was growing up, she unfortunately had to witness and experience abuse in her home. This trauma followed her into adulthood, as she found herself in relationships that mimicked the abuse she experienced as a child. The impact of these experiences left Kasee finding it very hard to trust. As...

Today I am chatting with Lisa Randall. Lisa is a loving and generous wife, mother, grandmother, and audiologist. In this episode we dive deep into Lisa’s journey of traveling. Her adventures started when she was young as she traveled with her parents, and this “travel bug” stuck with her as she grew up and discovered she could travel all around the world as an audiologist to help people hear. Lisa...

Today I am speaking with Julie. She is a loving wife, a devoted mom, and a high achieving professional. Julie always pushes herself to be the best she can be in order to reach her full potential. She is very driven, and always wanted to invest in her career. However, she reached a point where she realized investing in her career meant a lack of investing time with her children and family. She also...

In today’s episode - we are shaking things up! Normally I am the one interviewing others about their lives, but today I am going to be in the hot seat. I am being interviewed by my great friend, Bethany. You are going to get a closer look at my life, background, and how I ended up where I am today. Throughout my life, there was a common theme of control. I liked the thought of being in control of...

Where are they now?! In today’s encore episode we are hearing from six of our guests that we heard from during year one of the podcast. We are welcoming back Jennette, Lauren, Elena, Jessica, Kari, and Tanya. Each one of these women brought such great insight and wisdom to us the first time that we heard from them, that I couldn’t wait to hear more about their stories and how things have been goin...

Today I am in conversation with Juls. When I think of the word discipline, Juls is one of the first people that comes to mind. She shares with us how she grew up in a loving family where she  learned about discipline, trust, and resilience. If you are one of those people who struggle to “stick” with something - you are not alone! Juls gives us practical tips on how to create consistency, routine,...

Do you love your kids, but sometimes feel like you don’t always like them? You are not alone. Parenting can be full of joy and happiness, mixed in with challenging and hard times. This week I am in conversation with Franki. She is a wife, mother, Academic and Behavioral Consultant, Teacher, Coach, Blogger, and published author. In this episode Franki validates the feeling of overwhelm that all par...

This week I am in conversation with Stacie, a woman who loves God, her family, and celebrating other women. In early 2020, right when the pandemic hit, Stacie and her family faced a trial that no family ever wants to have to face. Her family all got COVID, when it was still very new. Unfortunately, her husband’s battle with COVID landed him in the hospital in a coma and on a ventilator. Stacie did...

In today's episode, I am in conversation with Dottie. Dottie is a wife, mom, businesswoman, and is very active in her community. Dottie knew early on in her motherhood journey that she wanted to be a stay-at-home mom. She took great pride in taking care of children and her home. Nurturing comes very naturally to Dottie, and she fostered wonderful relationships with all of her children. Her gi...

Today we are in conversation with Denise. Denise is a wife and a mother of 5 children. She is a woman who has a servant’s heart, a strong love for God, and from a young age has had a desire to bring people closer together. Denise talks in this episode about the importance of true connection, and community. Throughout all of the changing circumstances in her life, Denise can look back and recall a...

Today we are talking with Julie, a mother of three adult children who is fueled by her faith. Julie is also a writer, creator, and coach.  She shares how circumstances from her childhood were impacting her more than she realized. She expresses the true power that supportive groups can have for growth and healing.  In our conversation, Julie dives deeper into the meaning and purpose of a focus word...

With the beginning of a New Year, a lot of us have health goals in mind that we would like to achieve in 2022. This week I am in conversation with my friend Karen. Karen takes us on her journey to health - not only physically, but mentally and spiritually as well. At 40, Karen was diagnosed with her first autoimmune disease which left her feeling defeated and stuck. She knew that she needed to mak...