Abbey Normal

Growing up in a strict Nigerian (+Southern Baptist) household, there were big expectations placed on little Kenny's shoulders. He tried his best to achieve every goal, and meet everyone's needs. But eventually, at Seminary, it all caught up with him and his dreams came crashing down. Was it possible to work in Church ministry... and be gay?  Not The Same series: Not all Christians are the same. Th...

Tiffany was always the good church girl, singing in the choir, playing handbells, winning Sword Drills. Growing up with no "secular" television, movies or music. Then she watched Pretty Woman and everything went downhill. Just kidding! Actually, she went to Seminary and discovered that the Bible didn't say what she thought it did. Not The Same series: Not all Christians are the same. There’s an ac...

During the pandemic season Christian Worship Leader, Keith, was forced to sit with himself, and what he found was not pretty. Within the depths of depression, he realized he needed to focus on getting healthy, and his church work was not helping. Now he is reclaiming and integrating all the parts of himself. His heritage and culture mixtures, mental health, sexuality, and identity as a Christian a...

Growing up Southern Baptist in the South, Jason was super happy. Life was all about church, Jesus and family. Then a secret splintered his perfect family, leaving him feeling betrayed and confused. He ran toward his safe spaces: God, youth group, and then Liberty University. Could he stay curious while being indoctrinated? Did he want a future within the Church+Capitalism model? Not The Same serie...

Growing up in the Evangelical church, Emily had a "lingering sin issue". She tried her best to get rid of it, becoming a missionary, joining a Christian 12-step program, and finally, going to seminary. She wasn't going to give up on finding the truth, whatever that may be. Not The Same series: Not all Christians are the same. There’s an accelerating trend toward religious disaffiliation. But there...

Not all Christians are the same. There’s an accelerating trend toward religious disaffiliation. But there are some Christians who simply don’t fit into a box- who take their own faith seriously, and actively question the beliefs and practices of the U.S. Evangelical church. Those who would like to attend church services but can’t find one that “fits” them, right where they’re at. This series is th...

As we roll into the holidays, the Abbey Normal Podcast is taking a break. No tears please, because we're getting ready to bring you something super weird in the new year. Tune in for a teaser of what's coming soon!

A top secret project at a Fortune 100 tech company, sure to revolutionize artificial intelligence? Sign me up! Charlie and Jess follow their dreams, ditching tedious jobs for ambitions in the tech world. Did they help create the world's most advanced A.I.? Listen to find out. 

We have developed some unhealthy habits born of boredom and a longing for fun. Annie shares how she reset her relationship with alcohol and Abbey tries to figure out how to move her bod while working from home. Our Apple Watches mock us.

U.S kids are Back to School! In Person! All Day! And even though most kids need it, parents need it, and the economy needs it, there are many kids that need a (safe) alternative option. 

Growing up gay in the 90's in rural Colorado, Eric didn't feel like he fit in any "box". He didn't have much hope that things would get better. So, he took his own struggles and tried to make it better for other people. This is his story of regrets, being unapologetically you, and living with joy.    Be safe, be wise, be home, Eric Chase (Ash) Goodman-Worthington

Love in the time of COVID is a complicated thing. This story chronicles one couples journey from the hot beginning, through physical and emotional roadblocks, to their final decision. One they did not take lightly.

Finding your fellow "weirdos" is a journey, and can be life-changing if you're able to do it. Art school drop out, Chelsea, shares how she manages some of her mental health diagnoses, what she loved about her social work career, and how she chooses to use her superpowers.

Abbey and Annie catch up on life- weird dreams, being a "Squatcher", listening to podcasts (duh), and wondering whether Nick (Handmaids Tale) is hot or not!

We have some common language around relationship breakups, but it's difficult to talk about friend breakups in the same way. They hurt just as much (maybe even more), leaving us angry and confused. Is it because female friendships are especially intense, or are our expectations of friends too high? Friend breakups stories, and trying to understand other perspectives, even if ultimately we don't ag...

Abbey and Annie are back in the Plounge after a year of social distancing! We got the Fauci ouchie so we can sit together on the couchie. We talk vaccines, masks, and the anxiety of moving into post-pandemic life.

Handmaids Tale is coming back!! This is how we felt about the show in 2019 . . . but 2021 is different times and our souls are weary.

"Can I live a life without a romantic partner and be happy and fulfilled?"  Abbey's sister Holly asks the question so we dive into the social pressures to partner, the pros and cons, and what kind of partner she would even want. Annie shares her dream of a partner on the Taller Side of Lumberjack (T.S.O.L). Abbey's parents- married 45 years- join in to share their young love story.

Kiley lost half her body weight. She hasn't changed, but the way people look at her and treat her certainly has.

Linda is used to being the only girl. On the mat, on the track, at the corporate office. 

We're bringing in the experts to help us understand what happened in the WEN story! This time around, we get to pick the brain of an actual HR professional.  People and Culture leader, M Valentine, shares why HR may be resistant to change, and how change-makers can get things moving in way that minimizes organizational trauma. Hint: FINESSE.

The WEN story may have left you with more questions than answers. So, we're bringing in the experts! Inclusion and diversity strategist Amber Cabral, offers candid advice on how to be an ally, build inclusion, and maybe even fix a bro-culture. She claims that the efforts of change-making are worth it, but get ready to be uncomfortable. Pick up her book, Allies and Advocates: Creating an Inclusive...

#6 How do you make change? This series follows a group of women within a male-led organization as they rise up, and speak up. This is the end of WEN's story. Find out if WEN survived 2020, what happened to our changemakers, and whether or not the pain was worth the gain.

#5 WEN dares to ask whether there is equal pay for equal work. Abbey meets the inevitable conclusion of her story. How do you make change? This series follows a group of women within a male-led organization as they rise up, and speak up.

#4 People were suffering under supervisors who offered little flexibility and teams that "sludged". WEN wondered if there was a way to better care about caregivers. How do you make change? This series follows a group of women within a male-led organization as they rise up, and speak up.