Blended, Blessed & Always A Mess

We would love to hear from you!!! In this episode, Aric and Angie answer listener questions. They discuss the possibility of writing a book about their life story, coping with longing after the loss of a child, and how their parenting style has changed since Hallie's passing. They also talk about how they come up with podcast topics, their self-care routines, and their approach to discipline...

We would love to hear from you!!! Do you cry when your kids go back to school or too overjoyed to cry? In this episode, we discuss recent experiences with back-to-school season and the emotions that come with it. We share personal stories about our kids starting school, the challenges of letting go, and the importance of rest and self-care. We also provide tips for setting study schedules and gett...

We would love to hear from you!!! In this episode, Angie shares her 10 tips for survival in life. We are all put on this earth for purpose. And every experience in life has something to teach us. So, grab a pen and paper and hit play as Angie walks through the ways she has learned to survive through the hardest of times. You are stronger than you think! Thanks for listening! Angie & Aric Refer...

We would love to hear from you!!! In this episode, Aric and Angie discuss the experience of finding REAL joy after the loss of their daughter, Hallie. They share their journey of grief and how they were able to feel true joy again at a wedding. They talk about the importance of giving oneself grace and patience during a long and hard season, and how dancing can be a powerful way to combat depressi...

We would love to hear from you!!! In this episode, Aric and Angie discuss the challenges of living in a divided world and the importance of staying true to oneself. Not one person escapes this world without experiencing some type of division whether it's politics or personal events. They share their experiences of facing judgment and criticism for their beliefs and actions, particularly in re...

We would love to hear from you!!! In this episode of Blended Blessed and Always A Mess, the trial of Hallie Phillips is discussed.  The hosts, Aric and Angie, share their experience and emotions leading up to the trial and the verdict. They clarify misconceptions about the criminal justice system and emphasize that they had no control over the charges or the trial process. The trial revealed the l...

We would love to hear from you!!! In this episode, Aric and Angie reflect on the emotional toll of preparing for the upcoming trial. It's gut wrenching, which naturally leads into sharing 10 things they recommend you can do to support people going through extreme grief and loss. They emphasize the importance of reaching out to those individuals and offering specific help, such as cleaning the...

We would love to hear from you!!! Ever get so wrapped up with discomfort that you forget about the people right in front of you that can help you through it? In this episode, we discuss Angie's first major speaking engagement and all the emotions and challenges that came with it. Communication is so key in relationships and it can easily get overlooked when insecurities raise their ugly head....

We would love to hear from you!!! In this conversation, Aric and Angie delve into the topic of grief and share three valuable lessons Angie has learned from her grief journey: finding a firm foundation in faith, recognizing that everything is temporary, and zooming out to gain perspective. They reflect on the impact of grief and the importance of kindness in navigating through difficult times. The...

We would love to hear from you!!! In this episode,  Angie shares a powerful message from a homeless man she encounters in Chicago. There is a level of fear of losing a child that we all encounter as parents. But once you experience such great loss, the fear of losing another child is something that doesn't seem so far fetched. Angie is also learning more about the healing power of horses. Joi...

We would love to hear from you!!! In this episode, Aric and guest, David Hockman,  discuss the challenges and experiences of fatherhood, reflecting on their own upbringing and parenting styles. They explore the themes of grace, love, and the pursuit of their children's hearts, highlighting the importance of open communication and understanding in parenting. The conversation covers various asp...

We would love to hear from you!!! In this episode, Aric and Angie discuss various topics that happen during summertime. They start by diving into new beginnings and then move on to Angie's experience with her horse, Phoenix, and her learning journey as a horse owner (a little embarrassing)! Aric and Angie talk through chores for the summer and a recent add to the Crew's chore list that m...

We would love to hear from you!!! This episode was hard for us to listen to after we recorded it. We are raw and real about the challenges with intimacy and connection in the face of deep personal struggles and grief.  We explores the impact of trauma on our identity and the LONELY  journey to healing.  How do we attempt to keep our connection? Put in the AirPods and hit play! Thanks for listening...

We would love to hear from you!!! In this episode,  Angie and Aric celebrate Carter's high school graduation!  Angie also shares details on a  trip back to her old school that involved a mishap that felt very much like kindergarten.  They express gratitude for their family, friends, and moments of joy.  Everything minus Jesus equals nothing. Thanks for listening! Angie & Aric PS If you ha...

We would love to hear from you!!! In this episode, Aric and Angie discuss their experiences during their daughters' graduations and Mother's Day. They share their emotions, grief, and the importance of their faith in navigating through difficult times. They also introduce the concept of the 'Seven F's' as guiding principles for dealing with grief and storms in life. 1. Fai...

We would love to hear from you!!! In this episode, Angie speaks directly to female listeners on Mother's Day, acknowledging the challenges and importance of being a mom. She shares her own journey of self-discovery and growth, from growing up in a large family to becoming a fierce, independent, resilient, and empowered woman. Angie discusses her experiences as a single working mom, a communit...

We would love to hear from you!!! In this episode, Aric and Angie discuss their recent challenges and experiences, including health issues, and a car accident involving a best friend's daughter. They emphasize the importance of surrendering to God and finding peace in the midst of chaos and uncertainty. Angie also shares a snippet from his upcoming book, 'Are You With Me?' Takeaways...

We would love to hear from you!!! In this episode, Angie and Aric celebrate their third wedding anniversary and reflect on their journey of grief and healing. They share moments of joy and signs from their daughter, Hallie, who passed away. They discuss the constant presence of grief and the waves of joy that come and go. They emphasize the importance of vulnerability and communication in a marria...

We would love to hear from you!!! In this episode, author Katie Kuperman discusses her book inspired by Amanda Todd's story and the issue of bullying. She shares how she found her inspiration and the journey of writing her book. Katie also talks about the importance of speaking up and breaking the silence around bullying and mental health. The conversation delves into the impact of social med...

We would love to hear from you!!! In this episode, Shannon Self, a bereavement coordinator, joins Aric and Angie to discuss various aspects of grief and loss. They emphasize that grief is individual and there is no right or wrong way to grieve. The importance of listening, being vulnerable, and supporting each other is highlighted. Communication and asking for what you need are crucial in navigati...

We would love to hear from you!!! In this episode, we are joined by Shannon Self, a bereavement coordinator, to discuss the topic of grief. Shannon shares her personal journey of losing her mother and how it led her to her current role. The conversation explores the importance of understanding grief and the difference between grieving and mourning. They also discuss the challenges of supporting so...

We would love to hear from you!!! In this episode, we discuss the significance of Easter Sunday and the hope found in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. They talk about finding refuge in God and share a personal story of receiving a surprise gift that symbolizes refuge. The Psalms are highlighted as a source of comfort and guidance, and the importance of being raw with God and accepting His love is...

We would love to hear from you!!! In this conversation, we discuss with our guest, Laurence Bowers,  the importance of resilience and overcoming challenges in life. We talk about how resilience can be learned through both hardship and positive examples. Laurence shares his personal journey of growing up in a challenging environment and how he was able to overcome adversity with the help of support...

We would love to hear from you!!! We went away together...re-connected and felt like we had one of the best trips we've ever taken as a couple. That's saying something because we both like to travel. Sedona, Arizona is a place for healing and we did our absolute best to heal both personally and as a team. Our goal for this episode: Share all things Sedona and give you the inspiration to...

We would love to hear from you!!! As you grow in your faith, you learn that God ask you to "Wait Patiently" in every season of life. In this episode, we discuss all the things we've been up to lately from a new podcast recording tool, Aric's birthday, our therapy session, PLUS ALL the things we are "waiting patiently" for. What are you waiting patiently for? Thanks fo...