the anastasiya podcast

This week we dive right back into the messy middle of becoming “mom.” The journey into motherhood hasn’t been linear - especially since I was never the girl who “dreamed of being a mom.” I knew I would be a mom (one day), but I didn’t think about it much more than that- which I feel made my transition into motherhood a little more complex. BUT like any challenge in life, that is where faith steps...

I’m opening up about how the enemy doesn’t go after you where you’re strong, he targets the areas where we’re most vulnerable. For me, that’s been the transition into motherhood. After nine months of sleepless nights and constant change, it honestly felt easier to go back to work and feel “useful” than to sit still and face the storm of becoming “mom.” But this season has reminded me, once again,...

This week it’s just me, coming to you solo with my sights set on the long game for The Anastasiya Podcast . I’m sharing where I see this podcast heading, the kinds of stories I can’t wait to share- entrepreneurial journeys, soul-mate love stories, and marriages that thrive through different seasons. The deeper purpose behind it all? I want this podcast to be a constant place of encouragement and r...

When life feels impossibly hard: sleepless nights, endless weeks, and the same struggles on repeat, it’s easy to think that you’re failing. In this episode, we talk about giving yourself grace, lowering the bar when you need to (especially while trekking through uncharted territory), and the little things we cling to that help us stay grounded in blurred hard seasons. Because no matter how heavy i...

We’re back from our first extended family vacation and sharing all the details: what we loved, what challenged us, and what we’d redo if we had the chance. Our cozy beachside rental was the perfect backdrop for lifelong memories, and we all (Volkie included!) felt the post-ocean blues as soon as we got home. We’re especially grateful that we adjusted our expectations ahead of time for how this vac...

We pause our usual podcasting style to sit with some heartbreak unfolding behind the scenes and across the world. While we don’t claim to have all the answers, I felt called to speak honestly about the weight many of us are carrying. Even when the divide feels impossibly wide, I believe most hearts, on each political side desire the same thing: safety & security for the people we love, and for...

This week we lean into the less than glamorous feeling of living groundhog day in motherhood. How solo parenting can quickly take its toll on your attitude and how perspective, gratitude and the G-man are always there to not only turn things around, but remind you how blessed you truly are. I ponder why we try to run from a God given calling when it feels heavy and hard, but we stick it out at cor...

This week we unpack self sabotaging doom-loops that seem to appear every time packing for a vacation is on the horizon... running for 20+years straight without fail. (Hint: it's always baking & staying up way too late.) In this new season of life we are reaching for understanding why the brain reacts this way when overwhelmed, instead of slipping into deeper frustration. Breaking the cycle sta...

In this continued episode we share how we found realistic rhythms with fitness, balancing household roles, & how the gift of marriage has made the journey of parenthood even more special. We share why choosing your spouse wisely matters, the blessing in leaning into hard conversations, how they are essential for lifelong connection, & how self worth isn’t just about you- it’s about family...

6months in and someone's teeth finally broke through! But not after the wildest string of all nighters and a sleep regression that made us rethink becoming parents. I ended my pumping journey and a mastopexy just got added to my neverending to-do list! We also share what inspired us to make it a point to have Noli (& all our future kids) grow up loving movement. Hiking, surfing, skiing, and ev...

This week’s episode is packed with life updates from Volkie’s second and third emergency surgeries, Noli’s gnarly sleep regression, and surviving what felt like 100 days of rain. We chat about what’s playing in our world, why we’re pressing pause on our business Coast to Cabin (for the meantime), and how we're learning to honor the season of life that we're in—even when it means letting go of some...

In this episode, we're sharing the wild behind-the-scenes of our dog, Volk’s emergency surgery after swallowing a golfball-sized rock (yes, really) and how post-op recovery took us by total surprise. From customized baby-to-doggy diaper hacks and dressing him in Walmart tights, to two weeks of medicating him with a conveyor belt of medication—we're so glad it's over! We also share some takes how o...

In this episode we have a special guest, my sweet friend Val, who happens to be a reality tv show aficionado! Join us as we dive into the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Season 2 Reunion Show! We promised not to voice-note/text/or chat about the reunion until we filmed this episode - so this conversation is raw, unfiltered, and full of first reactions. Take a walk through SLOMW memory lane with us as...

From Volkies medical scare to dating apps and potential catfishing- We share the story of how our dog Volkie went from playful wrestlemania to emergency, life saving surgery in 24 hours, why we swear by pet insurance, and how modern dating culture is missing the mark. Plus, 12 years in, did we catfish each other?

Summary: We dive into the raw and real of what the last four months have looked like as first-time parents. From missing parts of our old life to adjusting to a brand new reality, we open up about where our hearts and minds are now—on the other side of pregnancy. We also talk honestly about how husbands and wives often experience this season differently, and what that’s looked like for us. What We...

*DISCLAIMER: Everyone's birth story and experience is different* Summary: In this episode of The Anastasiya Podcast , I share my full birth story—every intense, beautiful, painful, and unforgettable moment. From naturally inducing labor, to an unexpected prolonged delay in the ER, to finally being admitted, getting an epidural, and welcoming our baby girl into the world (when we thought we were ha...

Summary: Join us (Matt & Ana) as we share the nitty gritty and raw behind finding out we’re pregnant, along with all the behind-the-scenes thoughts that came with this life-changing news. This episode is especially for our late-20s and early-30s peers who haven’t yet taken the leap into parenthood—and might still be wrestling with the “Do we? Don’t we?” questions. What We Talk About: – Feeling...

Sharing a quick little recap of why “The Anastasiya Podcast” was born, the things I am most passionate about, and why I will be taking you along for the ride!