Short Story Long, Always

Today's episode is a little bittersweet as Elisa shares the decision to press pause on the podcast a little earlier than planned. Between wedding preparations, running a growing business, stepping into new leadership responsibilities, and preparing for a month-long adventure in Alaska, life has become fuller—and busier—than anticipated. In this honest conversation, she reflects on the importan...

Pack your bags, grab your snacklebox, and gather around the campfire because it's time for a full Camp Elisa recap. Elisa is taking you behind the scenes of her Parent Trap meets Camp Bach inspired bachelorette weekend—a five-day adventure filled with camp games, matching Meredith Blake outfits, canoe races, heartfelt surprises, handwritten letters, lakeside cabins, bookstore stops, and memories s...

Today Elisa is diving into the world of women’s health in honor of National Women’s Health Month. From hormone health and menstrual cycles to burnout, birth control, fertility awareness, and the gaps in women’s health research, this conversation blends personal experience with approachable science and education. Elisa shares her own hormone health journey, including coming off birth control, learn...

We’re continuing the conversation on mental health in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month with part two of Elisa’s conversation with her friend and school psychologist, Jordan. Together, they talk about the realities of working on the front lines of student mental health. From navigating burnout and compassion fatigue to responding to crisis situations in schools, Jordan opens up about the emot...

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re opening up the conversation of mental health and diving into one of the mental health professions that may not be as widely talked about. Today on the podcast, Elisa sits down with one of her closest friends, Jordan, for an honest look into the world of school psychology, student mental health, and the realities of supporting others through difficul...

It’s finally time to recap Elisa & Josh’s very first Alaskan adventure! During this episode, Elisa is sharing why Alaska and why now – especially since it’s during what Alaskan’s call their “Break-Up Season”. Let’s just say that she quickly realized why this is the least popular time of the year to visit.  Elisa also shares more behind the scenes from their engagement photo session and other e...

This week is National Infertility Awareness Week and Elisa sits down with infertility advocate and IVF warrior, Stephanie Booe, to talk about infertility and how this diagnosis has changed her life. This episode is raw and vulnerable as Stephanie shares her journey through infertility, IVF, and motherhood after infertility. She offers an honest look at both the clinical understanding and also the...

You don’t have to cry to know it’s the dress.  For this episode of SSLA, Elisa is taking the podcast to a pink paradise that is Ivory Rose Bridal Boutique in Appleton, Wisconsin. She is joined by bridal stylist, Lauren, to talk about all things weddings, but specifically what you need to know when it comes to wedding dress shopping, including the parts no one prepares you for. From unexpected “yes...

Somewhere along the way, we’ve lost the real meaning of weddings. Too often, the focus shifts from celebrating love to chasing the glitz and glam. In today’s episode, Elisa brings back the “I Do” Diaries —her personal audio journal of wedding planning—and dives into one of the biggest challenges modern brides face: the pressure to create the perfect wedding day. Planning a wedding today can feel o...

Hold onto your cowgirl hats & buckle up because ya’ll are in for a RIDE with this episode!  Today on Short Story Long, Always, Anna Erdos, the powerhouse behind Off the Coast Creative (and 4 other brands), is joining Elisa for an encouraging episode about social media and content creation. This episode is equal parts chaotic, educational, encouraging, and deeply meaningful, and it might just c...

The funny thing about life is that we only get one, so why not live it the best we can?  In today’s encouraging episode, Elisa is joined by community builder, entrepreneur, founder of The Passion Pursuit Co., and owner of Camp Climb, Haley Thomas, for a conversation that beautifully blends mindfulness, motherhood, and the messy magic of building a life you always dreamed of. We’re beginning this e...

Press play on today’s unique episode where Elisa is stepping into the guest seat for a podcast episode collaboration with The Sustainable Creator Podcast hosted by Business Coaches, Jo & Lyndon! This episode originally aired on their podcast a few weeks ago, and we are so grateful to be able to share it with you here, today! Elisa, Jo, & Lyndon talk about all things podcasting for creative...

Are you a fellow recovering people pleaser? If you said yes, you’re going to want to love this episode! Today, Elisa is joined by Britt Hall, founder of Pattern and Purpose, for an honest conversation about people pleasing, time management, burnout, and what it truly means to live in alignment with your life purpose.  Through her Vibe Blocking Method, Britt helps Type A, creative women overcome fe...

Have you been noticing this shift in entrepreneurship, too? Industry powerhouses like Jenna Kutcher, Amy Porterfield, Lindsey Roman, and Evie McLeod are stepping away from what they’ve become known for, and this just feels like the end of an era. But it’s also the beginning of something new.  Jenna completed season one of The Goal Digger Podcast, Amy is closing the doors to Digital Course Academy,...

When Apple Podcasts announced it’s integrating a new video experience into the app, Elisa felt called to open up the conversation regarding video podcasting in general, on the podcast. In this episode, Elisa is putting on her podcast manager hat to unpack the bigger conversation—because while video may be the next chapter of podcasting, that doesn’t automatically mean you have to turn your show in...

Settle in for a conversation that feels like two friends catching up over coffee. Elisa sits down with Karley, marketing strategist and founder of Bud to Bloom Marketing, to talk about the real and messy seasons of entrepreneurship. From starting as a side hustle while juggling a 9–5, to taking the leap full-time, and even hitting the point where you want to burn it all down, this episode covers i...

Let’s dive in deeper on the wedding plans! Today, we’re continuing on with the “I Do” Diaries Series to chat more about choosing an intimate, non-traditional destination wedding in Alaska, navigating family conversations, vendor decisions, and the emotional rollercoaster of wedding dress shopping. You’ll hear how they planned a week-long experience for their closest people, and what it really look...

After fifteen years together — including a breakup, a five-year long-distance season, and more than one moment where the proposal almost happened — Elisa shares the full backstory of her relationship with her fiancé and the long road that led to their engagement. From high school sweethearts and military life to waiting seasons, missed expectations, and learning to let go of control, this episode...

Let’s talk about the realities of launching a podcast: the planning (or lack there of), the technical details, the mental challenges, and strategies that can help you launch your own podcast! Today, Elisa is pulling back the curtain and letting you in on how this podcast really came to be – Spoiler alert: it may not be what you’re expecting!    Even as a podcast manager herself, Elisa didn’t have...

Welcome to the very first episode of Short Story Long — Always ! It’s so crazy to be finally typing this out! This is a podcast for women navigating life, career, motherhood, and all the seasons in-between. In this introductory episode, you’ll meet your host of the show, Elisa, a podcast manager, creative entrepreneur, and founder of ZealCast Studios. This show is a space for honest storytelling,...

Welcome to the podcast where "long story short" simply does not exist! We're diving into the full stories and not skipping a single detail! Short Story Long, Always was created for the woman trying to navigate all the aspects of life. It's the space where people can come and feel seen, inspired, learn, and then be motivated to put it into action. Episodes are coming soon mid-Janu...