The Only Child Diaries Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Facing overwhelming challenges requires intentional self-care and perspective. This episode explores personal struggles with a broken washer, community concerns about ICE raids, and a family friend's health crisis, while offering reminders about maintaining healthy habits during difficult times. • Broken washing machine leads to laundromat visits and unexpected complications...

Send us Fan Mail Amidst sensationalized headlines and political rhetoric claiming Los Angeles is "burning," I'm pulling back the curtain to reveal what's actually happening on the ground in my city. Having spent over two decades working in the heart of downtown LA, I offer perspective that goes beyond the dramatic footage you've seen on the news. Let me take you on a journ...

Send us Fan Mail Taking care of yourself is vital to both physical and mental health, yet it's often neglected during busy periods. After working 50-hour weeks for a major fundraising event, I share my experience with post-event exhaustion and the importance of intentional recovery. • The challenges of being an overachiever/perfectionist when planning events • How intense work periods cause b...

Send us Fan Mail Coming off a lot of work, putting on a fundraising event, this week I'm reflecting on the importance of teamwork. I'm exploring how communication, relationship-building, and humor create stronger workplace connections and better outcomes despite the challenges faced by only children. • Working on a major fundraising event t • Recognizing that no single person, regardless...

Send us Fan Mail Summer has officially arrived with Memorial Day weekend, bringing with it a mix of challenges and simple joys in Southern California's unpredictable weather patterns. • Constantly postponing car washing due to intermittent rain cycles • Questioning how people working outside the home manage to keep up with daily tasks • Using delivery services for groceries and meals to save...

Send us Fan Mail A simple compliment from a stranger about my "nice energy" sparked this heartfelt exploration of how kindness shapes our world. When someone acknowledged the very quality I'm always cultivating, it validated a philosophy I've built my adult life around: the transformative power of approaching others with compassion and positivity. My journey toward kindness was...

Send us Fan Mail Motherhood comes in many forms, and for some of us, our furry companions become the children we nurture and protect with fierce devotion. This Mother's Day weekend took an unexpected turn when my diabetic cat Bubbie began experiencing concerning episodes of vomiting that sparked an all-night adventure at the emergency veterinary clinic. Again. We're regular visitors ther...

Send us Fan Mail Spoiler Alert!  Every now and then, our favorite forms of entertainment betray us in unexpected ways. After becoming emotionally invested in the TV show 9-1-1 during my recovery from knee surgery, my husband and I made it our weekly ritual. We loved the creative emergencies, the ensemble cast led by Angela Bassett and Peter Krause, and the camaraderie among the fictional firefight...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we're continuing on with some of the things I've learned about being married.   People change. We evolve. I'm certainly not the same person who met my husband decades ago – I'm more confident for one.  I'm also more tired!  But yes, also carrying lessons from countless experiences that have shaped me. Marriage becomes an extraordinary adve...

Send us Fan Mail Spring has arrived with its characteristic light green foliage, flourishing plants, and yes—even weeds. This season of renewal offers the perfect backdrop for reflecting on transitions in both personal and professional life. After four years of working on my garden, I've finally feel like I've accomplished something.  Like I'm maintaining more than I'm redoing...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever had that coworker whose energy completely threw you off balance? The one who talks non-stop, interrupts conversations, or - and imagine this in a professional setting - sings? Until you're ready to scream? You're not alone. In this deeply relatable episode, I dive into the complex world of workplace triggers and how to navigate them with grace. Drawing from...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever felt that true friendships become more precious as you age? That's exactly what we explore in this heartfelt episode of Only Child Diaries. Friendships aren't passive connections—they're active relationships requiring cultivation, maintenance, and mutual investment. Unlike family relationships that come with built-in connections, friendships must be de...

Send us Fan Mail The uncomfortable and often frustrating truth about healthcare is that being heard by your doctor isn't guaranteed—it's something you must sometimes fight for. Through relatable personal stories about navigating my husband's chronic conditions, I explore why questioning medical authority isn't just acceptable, but necessary for proper care.  The bottom line is...

Send us Fan Mail A gabapentin recommendation at the emergency vet triggers my inner monologue: "Yeah, this isn't my first rodeo." After a week that included a pre-dawn drive to work, a $1,200 emergency vet visit for my beloved diabetic cat Bubbie, and a marital squabble over proper cat-medicating techniques, I'm   sharing the rollercoaster of a birthday week with equal parts fr...

Send us Fan Mail Grief finds its own way sometimes. As I find myself at the one year anniversary of losing my beloved horse Dallas, the day culminated with several other losses and calamities that left me feeling DONE for the day. This episode takes you through the reality of what happens when the universe decides to "pile it all on" during an already difficult day.  I should have just s...

Send us Fan Mail Grief has a way of marking our calendars doesn't it? What was once just March—my birthday month—has become a landscape of painful anniversaries that I'm still learning to navigate with grace. This deeply personal episode explores the losses that have transformed my usually happy birthday month. From the sudden passing of my barn friend Manny in 2019, through the difficul...

Send us Fan Mail Unpredictable moments can redefine our outlook on life in profound ways. This episode of the Only Child Diaries features two riveting narratives, both laced with lessons on resilience and the importance of community. I reflect on a recent visit to a nursery devastated by fire, confronting the stark realities of loss and the slow journey toward recovery. You’ll hear how witnessing...

Send us Fan Mail Ever feel like you missed the how-to guide on adulting? Join me as I unravel the complexities and surprises that come with marriage, particularly from the perspective of an only child. This episode dives deep into my 17-year journey leading to my marriage with Bill, where we explored the meaning of commitment beyond traditional timelines. I'm also talking about the unexpected...

Send us Fan Mail  While winter lingers, I'm on a mission to infuse a little spring cheer by revitalizing my garden's aging hedge with new plants. From my weekend adventures at the local nursery to the delightful (and sometimes prickly) surprises hidden within my hedge, this episode is packed with garden insights, and a bit of gardening tips – even if some YouTube advice doesn't quit...

Send us Fan Mail The Super Bowl is more than just a game, it's a cultural phenomenon that unites us all, right?  So who cares if I actually watch the GAME?  This week I'm exploring the  allure of the Super Bowl, even for those of us who aren't die-hard football fans. Through the lens of my own experiences, particularly, I reflect on the ritual of gathering with friends and family, t...

Send us Fan Mail Recently I questioned if my self-analysis was correct.  Was my insight meter in good shape?  I've always thought my instincts, my insights were good.  But a recent experience made me question that, and if I did all I could.  This week I'm discussing that very topic, and also not having regrets.  No matter what you do, it's important to do what you need to do so that...

Send us Fan Mail This episode reflects on the fragility of life in the face of unexpected disasters, specifically a recent house fire in the neighborhood, unveiling insights about community resilience and personal loss.  How grateful are we all for first responders who risk their lives to protect others? • Personal account of witnessing a fire truck response  • Discussion about the immediate commu...

Send us Fan Mail This episode reflects on the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. while addressing the personal and societal challenges of racism and environmental crises like wildfires. Through personal anecdotes and community reflections, it emphasizes the importance of ongoing conversations around equity and safety. • Honoring Martin Luther King Day as a time for reflection • Personal stories of g...

Send us Fan Mail Ever found yourself trapped in an electric recliner during a power outage while your Christmas decorations take flight in a windstorm? This week I'm sharing tales about a week of unexpected chaos and resilience in Los Angeles, marked by the anniversary of my mother's passing. Reflecting on the unpredictable nature of life, I recount how a simple morning spiraled into an...

Send us Fan Mail Reflecting on the new year, this week I'm exploring the tensions between personal aspirations and familial responsibilities. The conversation delves into themes of identity, sacrifices, and strategies for prioritizing self-care while embracing the new year’s possibilities. • Personal productivity during the holiday season • Cultural expectations tied to the new year • Insight...