Abbey Normal

Abbey embarks on a riotous weekend of punk rock and bowling in Las Vegas, Nevada. She learns some life lessons from the weirdest of them all- Old Punk Rockers. *This episode contains many curse words.* 

Why is the wedding industry so freakin expensive, and also generic and boring?? Why is it so hard to find a non-traditional bridal look? Abbey explores these questions with an industry expert, who provides some insight into wedding apparel, makeup and lashing artists, and photography! 

Part 4 is the grand finale, her wedding weekend. When all of Vicky's family, friends, and dogs, SHOW UP to celebrate. You get an inside look into the beauty of committing to long-term, later-in-life love. Plus, discover if Vicky can keep her chill in the face of event coordination hassles.  Abbey's best friend is finally getting married. Her dreams are coming true, it's time to  say "I do"! Song:...

After three short months of wedding planning, riding the emotional highs and lows, it's time for Vicky to step back and soak it all up. To decide now how to protect her peace on the big day. And to soak up the love, encouragement, and advice from her besties during the Bachelorette weekend. Plus, do some literal soaking in mineral hot springs! Abbey's best friend is finally getting married. Her dr...

Part 2 is Vicky's Grow Up, the discoveries she makes about herself and her relationship once the glow of engagement fades. She's sharing three short months of wedding planning, including all the weird that comes along with being an Adult Woman Bride. Abbey's best friend is finally getting married. Her dreams are coming true, it's time to say "I do"! 

Abbey's best friend is finally getting married. Her dreams are coming true, it's time to say "I do"! These are the three short months of wedding planning, including all the weird that comes along with being an Adult Woman Bride. Part 1 is Vicky's Glow Up, floating on a cloud of love and happiness, preparing to throw a party for yourself!

*Teen gayness!* Abbey gets the lowdown on life from her LGBTQ teens- Max and Eddie. And talks with Max' mom about parenting a gay teen. We share what's hard for teens (school bathrooms), and for parents (we're confused...), and offer some advice to all the olds out there.  As Max says: "We live in a floating rock!" So, take a deep breath and learn something new.

After getting kicked out of their church community and spending a decade outside, these crazy kids decide to go back. But this time they have their own mission.  Songs by Kim Taylor: The Abyss Cover Me Build You Up Raise Me From The Dead Make Me a Channel of Your Peace  

Raised in Evangelical fundamentalism, these young marrieds thought they were pursuing a path of righteousness- living life outside the box, serving in a neglected community, studying holy scripture. So when they questioned the church's teachings and were told "this is not the place for you", it sent them into a tailspin. How could they live outside the only religious framework they knew? Would the...

What is it like for men, or boys, to participate in an abortion decision? Aaron shares his experience handling an unintended pregnancy while in high school. And reflects upon the messages received in church, how his theology of "life" has evolved, and what the Christian church should be doing now.

Erin found herself in an unexpected, untenable situation. She managed it. In the years after, she matured, and the situation resolved in her mind and heart. So, there was really no reason to share this secret - until now. Now, she knows how much is on the line. Song: Like a Woman Can by Kim Taylor

OG driver, Stephanie, shares her experience Lyfting in the very beginning of rideshare. During the days of the pink mustache, when everyone asked "WHAT do you do??". She loved the serendipity of her driving days, a little bit of magic and a lot of bartender-style therapy. She shares her best rides, i.e. the ones that led to dates, and advice for how to not be a terrible passenger.    Original air...

These young love break up stories are both heart-crushing and humorous. They span trivial, yet intense, middle school breakups, to that first love you were trying to "fix". Plus, we go back to Abbey's Notes to determine if any of the relationship advice offered by 12 year-olds holds up in real #adult life.   Original air date: November 23, 2020

Families choose to give up stable shelter and take their home on the road. Some for adventure and an unschooled experience. Others to find work, with quality family time on the way. They make memories, mistakes, and reinvent themselves as they go. Originally aired May 2, 2020

Do you have a juicy story that's been whispered about during family gatherings? One of Abbey's family legends is the story of a boy embarking upon a cross-country journey to meet a girl, despite his parents wishes. Today we bring the legend into the light- hearing what happened from the perspective of all involved. And reflecting on what the legend says about the family- that rebellion is in the g...

Inclusion and diversity strategist Amber Cabral, shares candid advice on how to be an ally, build inclusion, and maybe even fix a bro-culture. Offered as an expert perspective on the WEN series, we explore corporate “mistakes”, how to apologize well, and how to speak up for what’s best. She claims that the efforts of change-making are worth it but get ready to be uncomfortable. Pick up her book, A...

Check in from Abbey on the THREE YEAR Anniversary of this show! From one human to another- thank you for listening.  This month we're rereleasing five past episodes. If you missed 'em over the years, now's the time to tune in and enjoy. 

As a bookend to the Not The Same series, we're talking to a friend who's still in the EWCCCV*. Choosing to be in the Evangelical community may mean living in the tension, suspending some things to remain in relationships. Katie finds value in that community, so she doesn't get too weighed down by the issues that plague any institution. She tries to peaceably live her life in a middle place, showin...

In celebration of Father's Day we're talking about unplanned (and VERY planned) pregnancies. Dads share how it felt to get one of life's biggest surprises! And Reverend Maggie is back to explain the big decision she and her wife had to make in family planning. 

Religious affiliation can be so closely tied up in ethnic identity, you're not sure where one ends and the other begins. But academically-minded Carmelita found that her faith did not hold up when life fell apart. Battling depression and alcoholism, she wondered where the omnipresent God of the Catholics was. There was light at the end of that dark tunnel, but where would it lead her? TW: Suicidal...

Did you know there's yoga specifically for Christians? Yep, it exists because Evangelicals are nervous about the "bad juju" of traditional yoga. But it turns out even "holy" yoga may be too much for the church, at least when it's a woman's idea.  This is a story of trauma and betrayal, of pulling your family out of the ashes, and trying to find healing. With a little bit of yoga on the side.    

Sometimes we walk away right quick from our faith tradition of origin and live happily on the outside. Then one day, well into adulthood, G-d shows up unexpectedly. This spiritual journey is full of twists and turns, trauma and healing; a life that accidentally comes full circle. 

Rachel had a tight-knit community growing up in the LDS church. But as cracks in her belief system have widened, she's struggled deciding how she can continue to participate, authentically. Will those cracks become a chasm separating her from the culture she knows best? Will she discover a Truth that doesn't cause harm?  

Ready to burn it down? There's a lot that Evangelical wanderers want to burn away from our early faith, and what it represents now. But there are also changes afloat in the broader church. New ideas being explored, that redefine what church is, what happens there, and who's invited in.  Not The Same series: Not all Christians are the same. There’s an accelerating trend toward religious disaffiliat...

Dynamic duo, Maggie and Spencer, met in seminary preparing for ordination in the Episcopal Church. They explain some of the history and theology of this denomination, how change is made (and what is allowed). Plus, answer some pressing Evangelical-style questions like, How are YOU a Reverend? and Can you be gay? and But, how do you get saved? Not The Same series: Not all Christians are the same. T...