A Fresh Story

Olivia had a secret—and not the bad kind. This week on A Fresh Story , she shares a joyful surprise: after quietly enrolling in and completing a certification, she’s now a certified divorce coach. For someone who’s spent years writing about divorce, supporting others through it, and building an entire support ecosystem, it wasn’t about adding another title. It was about taking responsibility for h...

Chloe Sexton didn’t plan on becoming a mom—or a business owner shipping massive cookies across the country. But life has a way of rewriting the script. When Chloe’s mother was diagnosed with brain cancer and later became pregnant, Chloe stepped up to help raise her baby sister, Charlotte. Years later, that unexpected bond transformed into guardianship. And just as Chloe was navigating pregnancy, j...

There’s a certain kind of magic that happens when sisters talk—not about the big milestones, but about the quiet moments in between. In this emotional and deeply honest episode of A Fresh Story’s Weekly Wrap-Up , Olivia and Jenny invite listeners into one of those rare, intimate conversations where laughter and longing intertwine. What begins as playful banter about Dunkin’ Donuts and “noise viola...

In this episode of A Fresh Story , we sit down with Leslie Gray Streeter—journalist, memoirist, and now debut novelist—to unpack the heartbreak, humor, and honesty woven into her new book, Family and Other Calamities . With wit and grace, Leslie shares how she turned personal loss and professional scandal into fiction that cuts close to the bone. We follow Leslie’s journey from writing about her o...

In this episode of Weekly Wrap-Up , hosts Olivia Howell and Jenny Dreizen of Fresh Starts Registry share an engaging and heartfelt reflection on the week's events. They kick things off with the exciting news that their podcasts have been named semifinalists in the Quill Podcast Awards, highlighting their deep commitment to creating impactful and community-focused conversations. This recognition is...

Emily Westerfield’s journey into surrogacy began not with a grand plan, but with a simple, profound desire to help others. After experiencing her own ups and downs with pregnancy, Emily found herself drawn to the idea of carrying a child for another family—a selfless act of compassion and strength. Her story unfolds with heart and honesty as she shares the transformative experience of being a surr...

In this episode of the Weekly Wrap-Up, Olivia and Jenny reflect on their week, sharing personal updates, business insights, and reflections on growth and resilience. They kick off the episode by talking about the importance of having an agenda and how the weather can shape their productivity and mood. Jenny shares the experience of buying their first coffee table for their apartment, navigating th...

It began with a mother’s intuition, an uneasy text from her daughter, and a phone call that would shatter the world as she knew it. In this unforgettable episode of A Fresh Story , Shawnee Baker walks us through the life-altering days that followed a tragic accident involving her daughter Baylie Grogan, a brilliant pre-med student with her entire future ahead of her. As Shawnee and her husband rac...

In this week’s jam-packed episode of The Weekly Wrap-Up , Olivia and Jenny catch you up on all the behind-the-scenes wins, woes, and wisdom. From award nominations to media features to the eternal struggle of finding a summer camp that actually has spots left , this episode is equal parts celebration and commiseration. Jenny shares the thrill of a long-awaited breakthrough—years in the making—and...

Welcome to Weekly Wrap-Up with Olivia and Jenny! This week, Olivia and Jenny are pulling back the curtain and letting you all the way in! 🎤✨ Listen in as they chat about the real story behind launching this podcast idea (spoiler alert: it started with a casual convo and a big dream), the highs and lows of running a bootstrapped startup, and why community feedback literally shapes everything they...

When Trystan Reese received a call from a social worker about two toddlers in need of a home, he and his partner made a decision that would change everything—they said yes. What followed was a beautifully complex journey into parenthood as a transgender man, one shaped by love, learning, and the fierce desire to build a family rooted in connection. In this moving episode, Trystan shares the raw tr...

When Lorraine Connell stepped into the classroom, she didn’t expect her most profound lessons on leadership to come from the very students she was there to guide. But over the years, it became clear: the traditional model of leadership—titles, hierarchy, perfection—wasn’t serving the teens she worked with. In this episode of A Fresh Story , Lorraine, a seasoned educator and Teen Leadership Coach,...

When Olivia Howell’s life took an unexpected turn, she found herself standing at the edge of everything she thought family was supposed to be. In the aftermath of her divorce, she wasn’t just rebuilding a household—she was rebuilding an identity, a rhythm, and a new kind of love for her children and herself. In this episode of A Fresh Story , Olivia shares how she not only survived one of the most...

What happens when love finds you across an ocean? In this episode of A Fresh Story , Olivia Howell sits down with her sister, Genevieve Dreisen, to talk about the beautifully complex journey of building a life—and a family—across continents. From a chance meeting in Scotland to the quiet triumphs of long-distance love, this is a story that blends vulnerability, resilience, and deep-rooted connecti...

In the kickoff episode of A Fresh Story’s new Family Season, sisters and co-hosts Jenny Dreizen and Olivia Howell sit down to reflect on the evolution of their podcast and their ever-deepening curiosity about what truly defines a family. With over 200 episodes under their belt, the duo shares how their fascination with storytelling—and particularly stories rooted in family dynamics—has shaped both...

Olivia and Jenny sit down with Ashley Spivey and Alexa Spivey to discuss their relationships as sisters and the support they provide to each other. They talk about their childhood nicknames, their close bond, and how they supported each other through their father's passing. They also discuss their ambitious nature and where it comes from, as well as their upbringing in a small town in North Caroli...

We chatted with our aunt and uncle about the family dynamics after divorce in our own family system. Jon Dreizen and Leslie Dreizen Kilgour are our father's younger siblings, who walk us through their own parents' divorce in the 1980s. In this heartfelt conversation, we explore the impact of divorce on sibling relationships, caregiving roles, and childhood memories in a large family. Jon and Lesli...

We chatted with filmmakers Dara Resnik and James Takata about their upcoming film California Scenario , a drama exploring intergenerational trauma and resilience within diverse Californian families. Inspired by James’ family history and Isamu Noguchi’s sculptural garden of the same name, the story weaves past and present narratives, addressing themes like Japanese American internment, the Holocaus...

We chatted with siblings Skyler Day and Dalton Day about the unique dynamics of their relationship and their creative journeys as musicians. Skyler and Dalton reflect on how their different strengths—Skyler as a planner and Dalton as a go-with-the-flow type—complement their work and inspire each other. They share stories about their transition from homeschooling to public school, their creative pu...

We chatted with writer Cindy DiTiberio about her transformative journey through divorce, motherhood, and personal growth. Cindy opened up about how MDMA therapy helped her confront the truth about her marriage, leading to the difficult decision to leave. She reflected on the financial challenges of divorce and the systemic issues that make it particularly hard for women. Cindy also shared how list...

This episode answers the question: How can I prepare to interview for jobs without getting so burned out and stressed? We chatted with Tara Bodine, founder and CEO of True North People Consulting, about strategies to navigate job interviews without burning out. Tara shared how crafting a compelling personal story and preparing a “bank” of answers for common questions can reduce stress and boost co...

We chatted with Tami Hackbarth about her inspiring journey from navigating trauma in her early life to becoming a dedicated advocate for justice, equity, and personal well-being. Tami shared how her experiences shaped her mission to create change through activism, teaching, and self-care. We explored the power of guilt-free rest, the importance of community support during life transitions, and how...

On this episode of The Sibling Series , we chatted with sisters Maria Avgitidis (you may know her as the famous Matchmaker Maria ) and Chrisoula Mavrianos about growing up in a Greek American household, navigating the dynamics of working together, and their journey into the matchmaking business. They opened up about how their upbringing shaped their values, the challenges of caregiving within thei...

This episode answers the question: How can I use my astrological info to learn more about myself? We chatted with Lauren DeGolia about using astrology as a tool for self-discovery and personal growth. Lauren shared how focusing on key aspects like your sun, moon, and rising signs can provide meaningful insights into your personality and energetic expression. She emphasized simplifying astrology to...

This episode answers the question: What is nervous system regulation and how can I regulate my nervous system? We chatted with Jessica Addeo, an occupational therapist and nervous system coach, about the fascinating concept of nervous system regulation and its impact on our daily lives. Jessica explains that regulation isn’t about staying in one state but about the ability to transition smoothly b...