Start Scared

For four years, our cat, Connor, was the most mischievous, spicy, lovable indoor/outdoor cat. He brought us lizards, birds, mice, and even a bunny. He had his routines, his treats, his bell, his favorite sleeping spots, and his own very big personality. And then one ordinary Tuesday night, he disappeared. In this episode, I'm sharing what happened, how we've been searching for him, and w...

This weekend was one for the memory bank. 🦒💛 I wen to Fredericksburg to celebrate my friend Joy’s birthday with Kally, Joy, her sisters, Jess and Jenn, and her mom Mechele. Our girls’ weekend involved feeding giraffes and a sloth and getting up close and personal with rhinos. In this episode, I’m taking you along for my experience at Longneck Manor and sharing what made this place so incredibly...

Sometimes rediscovering yourself looks deep and meaningful. And sometimes it looks like putting on leopard-print pants, sweating through your armpits, and walking down a runway. 😂 Because sometimes the best things happen when we simply say yes. 💰GREENLIGHT: Earn $30 when you sign up for Greenlight using the following link - https://share.greenlight.com/181376382 With the money app and debit card...

Lately, I've been feeling more irritable, impatient, and short-tempered than usual, and honestly, I don't really know why. So today, I'm inviting you for an honest conversation about emotions, motherhood, stress, guilt, repair, and what it feels like when the people we love sometimes get the overflow of what we're carrying. If you've been feeling burned out, overwhelmed, a...

This week, my 11 year old son, Bruce, played his very first baseball game. And as his mom, I walked away from that field thinking about so much more than baseball. I decided to sit down with Bruce and ask him about why he wanted to play baseball, what he's learning, what's been hard, what he wants to improve, and what he's looking forward to this season. If you're standing at y...

Have you ever looked at another woman’s life and suddenly felt like you were behind? I certainly have. In this episode, I’m talking about the sneaky way comparison can make us feel like we’re failing simply because someone else appears to be farther ahead. I’m reminding myself (and you!) that someone else’s timeline is not a deadline for our own. We can be grateful for where we are, want more for...

Dolly Parton was so much more than a country music legend. She was a reminder of what can happen when we stop trying to become someone else and start becoming more fully ourselves. If you've been feeling like you've lost a little piece of yourself in the chaos of motherhood, this one is for you. You don't have to become somebody else. You just have to start becoming more YOU. 💰GREE...

I don't think moms need another self care checklist. I think we need permission to admit we're exhausted. In this episode, I'm talking about the difference between neglecting ourselves and simply admitting that we're tired. I'm reminding us that we can love our families deeply and still need a break, be grateful and overwhelmed, and feel incredibly fulfilled and completely...

I think perfectionism has robbed me of more joy than failure ever has. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the perfectionism I didn’t always recognize in myself and how easily it can disguise itself as “high standards,” preparation, ambition, or simply wanting to do things well. If you’ve been stuck, overthinking, procrastinating, comparing, or quietly wondering if you’re doing enough...

My son starts middle school today, so in this special episode, I ask him what he's excited about, what he's nervous about, what he hopes middle school will be like, and what advice he'd give another kid who's feeling scared. His answers are honest, funny, thoughtful, and such a sweet reminder of how our kids see the world. Whether your child is starting middle school, another g...

Last week, I thought I was surprising my son, Bruce, with tickets to see Forrest Frank. What I didn't expect was that God would surprise ME. In this episode, I'm sharing one of the sweetest memories we've ever made together, from secretly planning the surprise for months to standing inside an arena with more than 13,000 people worshiping Jesus. You'll also hear Bruce join me at...

In this episode, I'm sitting down with one of my sweet friends, Kally McNeil, the founder of Cactus Creek Clothing Company, to talk about what it really looks like to chase a dream before you feel completely ready. We go behind the scenes of launching a clothing brand—from the late nights, self-doubt, and unexpected challenges to the excitement of creating something that's been on your h...

Have you ever looked back over a season of your life and realized God had been teaching you the same lesson over and over again? If you've been finding it hard to release control, embrace change, or trust what's next, I hope this episode reminds you that you're not walking through it alone. 📖 REDISCOVER YOU is a 30-day guided journal designed to help you reconnect with who YOU are...

Have you ever looked back at old pictures of your kids and thought, “I wish I could go back and tell myself something?” In this episode of Start Scared, I’m sharing the things I wish I could tell the younger version of myself when I was deep in the beautiful, exhausting, messy season of new motherhood. 💰GREENLIGHT: Earn $30 when you sign up for Greenlight using the following link - https://share....

I took my 11 year old son, Bruce, to see Toy Story 5 after we rewatched all four previous movies together! In this spoiler free episode, I'm sharing what surprised me most, the lessons that stuck with me, and why this movie felt especially relevant for parents raising kids in a world full of screens. 💊GUT PERSONAL: Personalized supplements and programs to heal your gut and improve your overa...

I'm sharing what God taught me through Matthew 7:1-12 this weekend at church. From judging others to trusting Him through prayer and living out the Golden Rule, this passage challenged my heart in ways I didn't expect. This isn't about perfection... It's about becoming more like Jesus one small act of obedience at a time. 📖 REDISCOVER YOU is a 30-day guided journal designed to...

In this special Father's Day episode, I sit down with my husband, Frank, and our three kids, Malcolm, Addison, and Bruce, for a heartfelt family conversation about fatherhood, memories, life lessons, and legacy. 💰GREENLIGHT: Earn $30 when you sign up for Greenlight using the following link - https://share.greenlight.com/181376382 With the money app and debit card for kids and teens, we can s...

This week, I'm sharing the story of a beautiful weekend in Wimberley, Texas, where my husband Frank and I had the honor of officiating our friends' wedding. From a last-minute dress rescue and an adorable black lab puppy to handmade necklaces, a rainbow during the reception, and the reminder that true friendship is one of life's greatest gifts, this episode is about partnership, bel...

Last Friday started with happy hour, sushi, and a fun trip to a new hat bar with friends. It ended with me unexpectedly spending the night at my friend's house, staying up until 1:30 a.m. laughing, talking, watching TV, and snuggling with dogs. In this episode, I'm sharing why this spontaneous night reminded me how important friendship, connection, and a little bit of unplanned fun can b...

I just turned 42 and in today's episode I am looking back on everything life has taught me so far. From motherhood and grief to rediscovering myself outside of the hats I wear, I’m sharing the biggest lessons I’ve learned, the things I’m still working on, and why I finally believe growth is a journey and not a destination. If you’ve ever felt like you’re still figuring yourself out… this one’...

A hard but beautiful conversation with a friend opened my eyes to how much control I was trying to hold onto in motherhood and marriage. In this episode, I share what it looks like to finally step back, let my husband and son build their own relationship, and realize that sometimes love means letting go a little. 💊GUT PERSONAL: Personalized supplements and programs to heal your gut and improve yo...

Bruce is graduating from 5th grade and I’m feeling alllllll the emotions. In this episode, I’m sharing the bittersweet reality of watching your child grow up, being so proud of who they’re becoming while quietly grieving the little version of them that you’re slowly saying goodbye to. If you’ve ever looked at your child and thought, “How did we get here so fast?” this episode is for you. 📖 REDISC...

Last year, I tried The Tox for the first time and now it’s become one of my favorite forms of self-care. In this episode, I’m sharing my experience with lymphatic massages and facials, why I keep going back every few weeks, and how taking care of myself physically has also helped me feel more confident and refreshed mentally. If you’ve ever struggled to prioritize yourself, this one’s for you. You...

Today’s episode hit me in a way I didn’t expect. I’m sharing what I took from our pastor's sermon this weekend on Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” and how that actually plays out in real life (and online). 💊GUT PERSONAL: Personalized supplements and programs to heal your gut and improve your overall health - www.gutpersonal.com/Chrysty10 (co...

I’m sharing a deeply personal story about what happened to my nana in assisted living and the moment we realized something was very wrong. If you have a loved one in assisted living or memory care, this episode is for you. This is your reminder to ask questions, follow up, and advocate fiercely. 📖 REDISCOVER YOU is a 30-day guided journal designed to help you reconnect with who YOU are beyond the...