A Thousand Tiny Steps

When Amy's best friend's parents were murdered she suddenly didn't just have a brother, but three new siblings who needed a lot of help after the trauma. That left Amy in limbo with her family dynamics and not feeling like she had a place. It shaped her identity as she went on to become a therapist. Key Takeaways:   [2:33] Amy's friends parent was murdered and suddenly they were all living with he...

I got to talk with Emily, a former runner of mine who was a highliner, dealt with Lyme Disease, chatted about how the cycle of trauma can continue, and the life that she's living now. A nomadic one with more freedom to run her own business and take of her own life.  Key Takeaways:   [2:33] How Emily got into highlining  [12:09] Dealing with Lyme disease  [20:37] Splitting up from her husband  [25:...

In this episode, I talk about my season of guests, how the podcast has changed, and debating what will happen in the future with the podcast. I have some amazing guests lined up who are all in some way connected to me.  Key Takeaways:   [3:28] My first season was about Jack and the second was about Molly [4:21] My third season about trauma and the fourth season was about being a mom  [6:17] Season...

Filing a lawsuit came with its trials and tribulations, but it also came with a check: dead Molly money. It has taken me so much time to process Molly's death and put together a foundation. I have finally decided it's time to really make the foundation into something, instead of just giving money away because doing so will help the true spirit of Molly.  Key Takeaways:   [1:45] Having to be quiet...

This week, I sat down with my friend Jenn, a teacher who has helped create a thrift store and a period program for students. The Red Dot Program helps people have access to all types of period products and clothing without having to go to the nurse or make a big announcement.  Key Takeaways:   [2:56] What the Red Dot Program is and Jenn's first period  [7:22] Periods are not taken as seriously as...

I'm just angry. I don't know if I'll ever stop feeling angry when it comes to certain trauma, but I'm learning new ways to mitigate it. In this episode, I dig into what people think anger is, how I'm mad at myself, and why it's okay to be angry, but what really matters is how you express it. Key Takeaways:   [2:07] I make plans, they don't go my way, I know they won't, and then I get angry  [5:34]...

Period poverty and the stigma surrounding getting products, learning how to use them, and having them on you is an uphill battle. People miss school, sports events, and other important life activities all because they might not be able to afford period products or are too ashamed to ask for free ones.  Key Takeaways:   [2:07] The pop culture movies that shaped how many women feel about periods  [9...

When you hear the word period, what word comes to mind? Probably not something happy or optimistic. It's most likely something rooted in misogyny or self-hatred. There is still so much stigma surrounding periods today and how they are seen as something gross. They are seen as something to be hidden.  Key Takeaways:   [5:49] Starting my period and how people feel about them when they hear the word...

Birth control is big business and they will do anything to make a profit, even if it means putting people's lives at risk. I looked into the historical and political aspects of the pill as well as the most dangerous ones. In the episode, I reveal the lies told to women about birth control and how it should all fall on us.  Key Takeaways:   [2:01] My period and experience with birth control  [9:57]...

I went to Bali for a month and it was the most unexpected experience. I saw the juxtaposition of wealth and poverty as well as pollution. But I also saw a culture of respect, beauty, and it opened up conversations in ways I could never talk about here. It helped me finalize my plans for the new year.  Key Takeaways:    [2:22] Expats in Bali  [3:52] Seeing poverty next to wealth  [7:05] Doing Bound...

I watched a movie that went through how IVF was invented and it made me reflect on my IVF journey as well. But just because the science in the movie was real, does not mean anything else was. All the relationships, drama, and other mini storylines were made up to make - a good story.  Key Takeaways:    [2:15] My IVF journey  [7:50] Often in religion women are seen as less than if they can't have k...

Wow, the amount of movies that take someone's life and completely misrepresent it? Too many to count. It hurts the lives of the people who the movie was made about, but also anyone that is like them. Because if they believe the story, they get false ideas in their head.  Key Takeaways:    [3:05] The Pocahontas movie was a downright lie  [7:13] The I, Tonya movie was exaggerated  [11:33] A Beautifu...

As Christmas is upon us, I decided to dig up some lies on it, along with some of my childhood memories and how Christmas has differed for my kids. The biggest lie of all? When Jesus's birthday occurs and what actually went down. I suppose it shall just remain another mystery. Happy Holidays.  Key Takeaways:    [3:05] My best Christmas time memory as a child  [6:32] Finding out Santa wasn't real an...

I watched a movie on how Americans shop and consume, consume, consume. It was terrifying. It was even worse to see the devastating impacts it had on other countries and how quickly people will buy something new if it stops working.  Key Takeaways:    [4:57] How online shopping changed things  [6:40] Just one click has made it easy to buy more things  [8:34] Sell more by making an emotional connect...

The fitness and health industry thrives on lies upon lies. From saying that you'll lose 30 pounds in 30 days to saying that weightlifting is dangerous as a woman. So many of these ideas shaped the younger me and I want women to know the truth about what they can do to live a fit life.  Key Takeaways:    [4:57] Strength training makes you bulky  [6:40] Cardio training burns fat and you have to swea...

As I go into the holidays and my 9th year grieving, here are some lies surrounding grief that I never stop hearing. Some of them just piss me off and some of them I understand better as I'm farther along. Either way, the important part is that you can grieve how you want to, it's not going to be linear, and take your time.  Key Takeaways:    [3:08] Grief can be temporary or forever  [5:21] Christm...

The school lunch program in this country is not healthy and creates a divide between the rich and poor. The amount of rules and regulations make it difficult to operate and none of these kids are getting something that is actually fresh and nutritious.  Key Takeaways:    [3:20] How the school lunch program works  [6:52] Schools buy lunches and the different menus for the wealthy and poor [9:14] Sc...

The food industry is full of lies because of greedy people that set out to make a lot of money and it's costing Americans something even greater - their health. From lies about how great low fat is, to how fulfilling a bowl of Fruit Loops are, to how milk will make you healthy, the list of lies never stops growing.  Key Takeaways:    [0:43] Eating whole foods makes my body feel better  [2:54] Brea...

I'm having a not great week and it got me into the lies I constantly tell myself to feel better. The lies around grief, around my life changing, around my business working, around Kenny, and how I have a functioning life. In this episode, I also dive into the different types of grief and the lies that surround it.  Key Takeaways:    [1:45] I was always telling myself a story  [3:29] Going to self...

My dad died and it made me think about his life and actions. The lies that he was told as a man that he had to uphold in society and how that made him treat people. It makes me wonder if much has changed, but him being dead has also given me a sense of peace because of the abuse.  Key Takeaways:    [2:54] My dad looked like he had a normal childhood, but was neglected emotionally  [7:29] My dad th...

Women are told so many lies around their bodies, sex, and social rules. From being told they're unclean to being told that they can just turn their period off, sometimes men just really have no idea. In this episode, I dive into some of the wildest lies women are told versus what men hear and how that impacts their growth.  Key Takeaways:    [5:41] Growing up in the 60s and how I was treated diffe...

There are many lies we are told in school with the most major ones being that Native Americans broke bread with pilgrims, that the food pyramid was healthy, and that racism ceased to exist because slavery was abolished. In this episode, I dive into the lies I was told, how that shaped my worldview, and how I changed it.  Key Takeaways:    [2:17] You'll need algebra in real life they say  [3:36] Pu...

Is it true or is it just your perspective? People are told lives throughout their childhood and often go on to tell the same lies to their children. It's a vicious cycle, but everyone sees truth in a different manner based on their life experiences.  Key Takeaways:    [3:34] Summary of the 12 steps  [8:19] What are the lies you told your kids or other people?  [18:11] I was a secret keeper as a ch...

This is a new season all about lies: lies we were told, lies we tell, the morality of it all, and how perception can make a large difference between a lie and the truth. In this episode, I dive into the often silly lies that people were told as children like Santa Claus or that they're pet "went to a farm" and how that impacts others. Key Takeaways:    [0:46] Why I'm done with last season  [9:42]...

In the additional step of 13 in AA it talks about if God exists, why do bad things still happen and how he has suffered as much as us. I also see how through my suffering I was able to find great support with my angel moms, even though others have condemned me.    Key Takeaways:    [2:04] Step thirteen of AA  [3:32] If God exists then why do bad things happen? [5:00] God suffered just like the peo...