Patience in Progress

Not every red flag is obvious, and not every relationship starts out unhealthy. In this episode, we're talking about the warning signs that too many people ignore. From manipulation and gaslighting to controlling behaviors, lack of accountability, and emotional abuse, we discuss the red flags that can show up in romantic relationships, friendships, family dynamics, and even the workplace. We also...

Have you ever ignored a phone call after texting someone? Hidden snacks from your family? Left someone on read? Or pretended you just saw an email from three days ago? In this episode of Patience in Progress, Mel, Shel, and Karissa tackle hilarious "Am I the Jerk?" scenarios that every one of us has probably been guilty of. From social etiquette and family life to texting habits and awkward public...

For years, we've been told that strength means handling everything on our own. But what happens when being "the strong one" becomes the very thing that keeps us isolated? In this heartfelt episode, we dive into why strong, capable people often struggle the most when it comes to asking for help. We discuss the fear of being a burden, the pressure to keep it all together, trust issues, vulnerability...

We've all had them, the moments that make us want to disappear, laugh uncontrollably, or replay the event in our heads for years afterward. In this hilarious episode of Patience in Progress, Shel, Mel, and Karissa share some of their most embarrassing stories, from wardrobe malfunctions and public mishaps to awkward work moments, parenting fails, texting disasters, and Zoom call catastrophes. Join...

Summer should be filled with adventure, fun, and memories—but it can also be one of the busiest seasons for pediatric trauma injuries. In this episode of Patience in Progress, Shel and Mel sit down for an eye-opening conversation about the real-life accidents and injuries that bring children to the trauma unit every summer. Drawing from years of experience as a pediatric neuro trauma nurse, Shel s...

What happens when co-parenting isn’t cooperation but control? In this episode, we continue Darren’s story and unpack the reality of high-conflict co-parenting. From emotional manipulation to court system frustrations, this conversation exposes the unseen battles many parents face behind closed doors. We explore how children are affected, how narratives get twisted, and what it takes to keep fighti...

In this episode of Patience in Progress, we take a deep dive into negative core beliefs, the hidden thoughts and stories we carry about ourselves that quietly shape our relationships, confidence, boundaries, and self-worth. We open up about personal experiences that planted beliefs like “I’m not good enough,” “People always leave,” and “If I rest, I’m lazy,” and discuss how childhood experiences,...

In this episode of Patience in Progress, we dive into the complicated world of confidence, what it is, where it comes from, and why it can disappear so quickly. From negative self-talk and perfectionism to body language, sports, parenting, relationships, and professional growth, we unpack the small things that shape how we see ourselves. We talk about surviving hard seasons, learning to trust your...

This week on Patience in Progress, the girls are diving into the ultimate controversial questions, the kind that somehow turn into full-blown debates. From the “correct” way to load a dishwasher to whether pineapple belongs on pizza, nothing is off limits. The conversation gets hilarious as they tackle hot dogs being sandwiches, milk-before-cereal people, clapping when planes land, checking your p...

This week on Patience in Progress, we’re keeping it real… like really real. No scripts, no structure, just honest, slightly chaotic, very relatable “real talk.” We’re diving into anxiety, overstimulation, and those moments where one tiny thing (looking at you, messy house or whining dog) sends us completely over the edge. You know… the “how did I get here?” kind of moments. We laugh through the ch...

What do you do when you’ve hit your limit… when you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, and feel like you have nothing left to give? In this episode of Patience in Progress, we talk about “juniper tree moments” those breaking points in life where everything feels too heavy, too hard, and too much. Inspired by the story of Elijah, we open up about burnout, mental exhaustion, and the quiet truth that even th...

This is the final chapter of Darren’s story and it’s one that so many parents will feel. We talk about the emotional, financial, and mental toll of battling through a system that doesn’t always feel fair. From repeated court appearances to the impossible balance of providing while still trying to be present, this episode dives into the reality many fathers face but few talk about. And in the middl...

In Part 2 of this series on Patience in Progress, we dive into what happens when a toxic marriage finally breaks, but the chaos doesn’t stop. From manipulation and control to high-conflict court battles and emotional exhaustion, this episode uncovers the reality of trying to separate from someone who refuses to let go of control. This episode also sheds light on something people don’t talk about e...

Cancer changes everything.......not just for the person diagnosed, but for everyone who loves them. In this episode, we share our personal experiences with cancer, from the moment of diagnosis to the reality of treatment, fear, family, and resilience. We talk about the emotional highs and lows, the unexpected humor that sometimes gets you through, and the strength it takes to keep going. If you or...

In this episode of Patience in Progress, we go beyond the surface and into the reality that so many people experience but don’t always have the words for. What starts as connection, chemistry, and excitement can slowly turn into confusion, control, and emotional exhaustion. We talk about the red flags that are easy to overlook in the beginning… the subtle shifts that make you question yourself… an...

Social media isn’t just part of our kids’ lives anymore, it’s their world. In this episode, we talk about the real impact social media is having on teenagers: comparison, cyberbullying, anxiety, and the pressure to chase likes and validation. We share personal experiences as parents trying to figure out how to protect our kids while still giving them room to grow. We also discuss monitoring phones...

What if “starting over” isn’t the end… but the beginning of something better? In this episode of Patience in Progress, Mel and Karissa hold down the fort (sorry, Shel 😘) and dive into what it really means to start over. In this episode we have menopause brain moments, forgotten laptops… to pillow meltdowns and career pivots… to divorce, addiction, and rebuilding life in your 40'; nothing is off t...

Remember when you thought adulthood meant freedom, money, and no curfew? Yeah… same. In this episode of Patience & Progress, we’re talking about what our teenage selves believed adult life would look like, and the reality check that followed. From paying registration every year (WHY?!) to learning insurance doesn’t cover everything, we’re unpacking the funny, frustrating, and humbling parts of gro...

In this Part 2, we pick up right where we left off going deeper into the aftermath of addiction and the choices that come when survival becomes the priority. Lisa opens up about boundaries, self-preservation, and the moment when empathy has to coexist with hard decisions. This part of the conversation explores what healing looks like when trust has been broken, and how choosing yourself doesn’t me...

In this first part of our special interview, we sit down for an honest, unfiltered conversation about what addiction leaves behind, not just for the person struggling, but for the people who love them. Lisa shares her story of loving someone through addiction, navigating betrayal, and surviving the emotional fallout that comes with broken trust, confusion, and hope that keeps getting tested. This...

In this deeply personal episode of Patience in Progress, Mel, Shel, and Karissa sit down to explore a question many people wrestle with quietly: Can grief and faith exist at the same time? Through honest conversation, raw stories, and faith-centered reflection, the hosts talk about what it feels like to pray, receive answers, and still feel unsettled. They discuss the reality of moving forward whe...

In this episode of Patience in Progress, we talk about the mental load, the invisible, exhausting work of managing life that so many women carry every single day. From being the household “CEO” to emotional labor, constant anticipation, and the resentment that builds when the load isn’t shared, we break down why this weight is so hard to explain and even harder to put down. We discuss relationship...

In this episode, we put Gen X and Gen Z side by side and ask the questions everyone’s thinking but not always saying out loud. From values and communication styles to expectations about work, relationships, and life, this conversation shows just how different and surprisingly similar these generations really are. No scripts, no filters, just honest perspectives and a few laughs along the way. Let’...

Have you ever said yes when you wanted to say no, then felt resentful and didn’t quite know why? Or worried that setting boundaries makes you difficult, selfish, or unkind? This episode is for you. In Episode 7 of Patience in Progress, Mel, Shel, and Karissa dive deep into what boundaries really are, and what they’re not. We break down why boundaries feel so uncomfortable, especially for people pl...

The new year is supposed to feel fresh and motivating… so why does January often feel so heavy? In this episode of Patience & Progress, Mel, Shel, and Karissa sit down for an honest conversation about what real growth actually looks like as we step into 2026. We talk about what we’re leaving behind from last year, habits, mindsets, and survival patterns that once protected us but may now be holdin...