Ash to Dusk

We’ve all heard it before… money doesn’t buy happiness. But what if not having it is the very thing keeping you stuck? In this episode of Ash to Dusk , I’m opening up about my personal relationship with money—the mistakes, the fear, the shame, and the reality of what it’s like to hit rock bottom and have to rebuild from nothing. This conversation was sparked by a listener who reached out asking, “...

Hey friend 🤍 This week is a little bit of a shift for Ash to Dusk … and I’m really excited about it. We’re starting to create more intentional space in the podcast—where Sundays focus on life, motherhood, and the personal side of things… and midweek, we lean into leadership, growth, and building something of your own. And today is the first episode in that new direction. We’re talking about somet...

Sometimes the world can feel heavy. Between the constant noise on social media, the news, and the everyday stress of life, it can start to feel like everything around us is negative. But this week something small happened that reminded me there is still so much good in the world. In this episode of Ash to Dusk , I’m sharing a story about a quiet act of kindness that completely shifted my perspecti...

In this episode of Ash to Dusk, I’m trying something a little different for our midweek moment. Wednesdays are going to start focusing more on leadership, entrepreneurship, and career growth, while Sundays will continue to be our deeper conversations about life, relationships, and personal growth. And today’s lesson comes from something that happened this week. I had to block someone. Phone. Email...

Parenting a child with ADHD can come with a lot of questions and, if we’re being honest, a lot of mom guilt. In this episode of Ash to Dusk , Ashley shares a very real moment that happened in her home when her son forgot to take his ADHD medication and later admitted he didn’t like the way it made him feel. That conversation opened the door to something many parents quietly wrestle with… wondering...

Co-parenting is not always 50/50. And sometimes the hardest part is carrying the weight while still protecting the other parent. In this episode of Ash to Dusk , I share a deeply personal conversation sparked by something as simple as tax season. What started as frustration and resentment forced me to confront a truth I’ve been avoiding for years about co-parenting, burnout, and overcompensating f...

This week’s midweek moment is a vulnerable one. After years without a panic attack, I woke up in the middle of the night with numbness, chills, a racing heart, and fear that something was seriously wrong. I thought I had moved past this chapter of anxiety. I was frustrated. I was embarrassed. And I had to remind myself of something important. In this episode, I’m talking about high-functioning anx...

Have you ever wondered why you’re still showing up to a job that no longer makes you happy? In this episode of Ash to Dusk , Ashley shares a powerful response from her email community that sparked today’s conversation: “If nothing changes in six months, I’m worried I’ll still be at a job that doesn’t make me happy.” We unpack:  • What it really means to outgrow your career  • Why comfort keeps us...

This week’s Midweek Moment is a little different. I’m recording from my rental car in Birmingham, Alabama after a speaking engagement, and it truly feels like a FaceTime call between friends. In this episode, I’m sharing: Why dating your spouse still matters, especially in busy seasons of life A simple Valentine’s Day at home that reminded me what connection really looks like The importance of set...

Confidence isn't  something you are born with. It is something you build. In this episode of Ash to Dusk , Ashley dives into imposter syndrome, leadership, and the truth about what real confidence actually looks like behind the scenes. If you have ever felt unqualified, questioned yourself in a leadership role, or believed you needed a degree, title, or more experience before stepping into yo...

In this midweek moment, I’m having an honest conversation about social media burnout, boundaries, and what it really means to stay connected in a world that never stops scrolling. Lately, I’ve been asking myself a question I never thought I would ask: Am I supposed to be here? Social media has always been a powerful tool for connection, but somewhere along the way it started to feel heavy, overwhe...

Feeling exhausted, disconnected, and stuck in your own head? You’re not alone, friend. In this episode of Ash to Dusk , Ashley Morena opens up about the real reason so many high-functioning leaders feel burned out, overextended, and emotionally drained, even when it looks like they have it all together. Drawing from survey responses, personal experiences with divorce, leadership, and entrepreneurs...

Life doesn’t always go according to plan. Schedules change. You get sick. The week starts strong and then suddenly feels off course. In this midweek Ash to Dusk episode, Ashley offers a grounding reset focused on consistency and showing up for yourself , even when life throws a wrench into your plans. This isn’t about doing more or pushing harder. It’s about making small adjustments and continuing...

There’s a cost to constantly proving yourself and it’s not just emotional. It impacts your confidence, your income, and your ability to build the life you actually want. In this episode of Ash to Dusk , Ashley shares real, behind-the-scenes moments from her career. From accepting a low starting salary as a school food service director, to qualifying for reduced-price meals while managing a million...

This midweek moment is different. Today’s episode is not a how-to, a checklist, or a step-by-step guide. It’s a pause. A check-in. An honest conversation for anyone feeling the weight of the world right now and wondering how to keep moving forward with integrity, compassion, and purpose. In this episode, I share what it feels like to hold multiple truths at once. To care deeply. To feel conflicted...

In Episode 29 of Ash to Dusk , Ashley talks about the power of how you show up and why dressing for the life you want can quietly build confidence, clarity, and momentum. From working from home routines to intentional comfort, I AM statements, and elevating yourself even in everyday roles, this episode is a reminder that small shifts can change how you feel and how you move through the world. You’...

Life doesn’t pause just because you set a goal. In this Midweek Moment of Ash to Dusk , Ashley checks in with you during that point in the year when New Year’s resolutions start to fade, routines get disrupted, and life feels a little chaotic. Snow days, schedule changes, long to-do lists, and stress can quickly throw us off track, and this episode is a reminder that you’re not alone in that. In t...

In this episode of Ash to Dusk , I’m sharing something deeply personal. It all started with a handwritten letter sent to my PO Box. A simple card. A powerful message. And a metaphor that stopped me in my tracks. The letter came from a listener who described feeling like a crab. Caring deeply. Working hard. Trying to leave a mark. Only to feel washed away by the tide and unseen by others. If you’ve...

Feeling off track halfway through the week? This Midweek Moment is your reminder that it’s okay to pause, reflect, and course correct. In this episode of Ash to Dusk , Ashley shares a candid reflection on slowing down in the middle of a busy week, questioning identity, and giving yourself permission to evolve. From childhood lessons about work ethic and maturity to adult seasons of asking “Who am...

In today’s episode of Ash to Dusk , we’re slowing the noise down and talking about something that affects all of us: how much power we give away when we react instead of respond. From new dietary guidelines and political headlines to leadership decisions, health scares, and everyday stress, it’s easy to feel pulled in a hundred directions emotionally. Ashley shares a deeply personal perspective sh...

This Midweek Moment is imperfect, cozy, and real — just like the season you might be in right now. In today’s episode, I’m recording from my living room with a blanket, a phone on a tripod, and about twenty minutes before my kids get off the bus. And honestly, that’s exactly the point. We’re talking about goal setting , especially the kind of goals that scare you a little. The dreams that feel exc...

This episode is a clarity update and an invitation. Ashley Morena shares what’s changing, what’s staying the same, and what’s coming next, explained like moving into a cozy home with different rooms. Project School Nutrition (PSN) remains its own business (with its own website and social media) and continues serving school districts, while Ash to Dusk stays the space for real-life personal growth...

Feeling overwhelmed as the new year begins? You’re not alone. In this Midweek Moment of Ash to Dusk , Ashley shares a real-life look at resetting her home, her routine, and her mindset during one of the messiest weeks of the year. Between moving her office, rearranging bedrooms for her growing boys, hosting a New Year’s Eve party, and feeling completely exhausted, she walks you through the simple...

This week on Ash to Dusk , Ashley invites you into the quiet space between the end of the year and the beginning of what’s next. If you’re feeling tired, overstimulated, emotionally drained, or just not ready to set big goals yet, this episode is for you. Instead of pushing New Year’s resolutions, Ashley shares why this final week of the year is meant for rest, reflection, and choosing an intentio...

It’s Christmas Eve, and this Midweek Moment is coming to you straight from the real, messy middle of life. In this short episode of Ash to Dusk , Ashley pauses in the middle of holiday chaos. A messy bedroom, last-minute shopping, kids in the hallway, and the reminder we all need this time of year. It’s okay if you’re behind. What matters is what you do next. This episode is a gentle invitation to...