The Only Child Diaries Podcast

Send us Fan Mail This episode is a heartfelt reflection on the transitions we face as the year turns, addressing themes of letting go, setting achievable goals, and embracing the new year with positivity. I try to focus on small wins and personal engagement while looking ahead to 2025. Some discussion points in this episode: • Reflecting on the year past and setting intentions for the new year • I...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever found yourself caught up in the whirlwind of holiday preparations, only to realize that spreading joy is the true gift? On this joyful episode of the Only Child Diaries podcast, I'm sharing my personal adventure of transforming my front yard into a festive wonderland, culminating in winning the "Best Theme" category in my city's holiday decorating...

Send us Fan Mail As this week's episode goes live, I'm still waiting to hear if our festive front yard Christmas decorations were judged a winner or not!  Oh the waiting is the hardest part!  Tom Petty was a genius!  Here about the night the community judges visited and woke up my neighbors!    There's also a personal celebration on the horizon—our upcoming wedding anniversary. Whil...

Send us Fan Mail Yes!  It's ANOTHER update on my root canal journey!  I thought the follow-up visit was supposed to be easier ? But no, I found myself enduring a string of Novocaine shots and shaky-handed procedures—and silly me, I thought I could get through without taking Xanax. If you've ever had your expectations challenged in the dentist's chair, this story might just resonate...

Send us Fan Mail Ever found yourself caught in the whirlwind of holiday expectations, only to realize you've done more napping than prepping? In this episode of the Only Child Diaries podcast, I'm laughing about holiday burnout and the pitfalls of overambitious holiday plans. Picture this: a Thanksgiving spent blissfully snoozing until noon, followed by the inevitable 3 a.m. insomnia. De...

Send us Fan Mail Thanksgiving with my family has always been a comedy of errors, with dry turkey and awkward conversations taking center stage. Remember those flavorless, obligatory meals at Grandma's? They're forever etched in my memory, alongside my mother's bizarre kitchen concoctions. This week I'm reminiscing about the tasteless chaos of past Thanksgivings and how I eventu...

Send us Fan Mail Can physical fitness overcome the rigors of age?  Can we back Father Time into a corner?  What happens when a gentle soul like me stumbles into the raucous world of boxing? This week I'm sharing my unexpected fascination with the recent Mike Tyson-Jake Paul showdown and a night of electrifying matches streamed on Netflix. Despite never having been a boxing enthusiast, I found...

Send us Fan Mail Every lesson I ever needed I learned in the dentist's chair?  OK, maybe not really, but sort of in a way.  I've done more than one episode now about dental anxiety, but here's the update now on my root canal.  I could've lived my whole life and never had one of these and been alright with that!  I was lucky to have a lot of emotional support for my procedure......

Send us Fan Mail How do you feel about....rain?  Rain once conjured memories of cozy childhood days indoors, but when my life embraced the equestrian lifestyle, it turned into a muddy nemesis. Ever tried keeping a horse dry and your husband mud-free during a downpour? Spoiler: it’s messy. This week as we had our first light rain, I'm sharing my sharing these slippery challenges, sharing tales...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever stumbled upon an old passion in the most unexpected way? That's exactly what happened to me when a simple Facebook post reignited my love for improv. This week on the Only Child Diaries podcast, I recount my return to an improv group, a decade after my first try. This group had initially been part of a church in Los Angeles, but not in the way you might think—th...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I'm revisiting my previous dental anxiety.  I had faced it squarely about 3-4 years ago, and thought with regular visits I had overcome most of it.  But after a recent lapse in visits to the dentist, I realized I was right back where I started.  Square one.  And it didn't turn out good.  The thing that always got me through was the report that I didn&apo...

Send us Fan Mail What if the thrill of watching horror movies has less to do with fear and more to do with a hidden psychological craving we all share? This week on the Only Child Diaries podcast I'm talking about the timely subject of scary films just in time for Halloween. From the chilling dreamscapes in "Nightmare on Elm Street" to the spine-tingling mysteries of "Poltergei...

Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is about teamwork—a topic that might not seem like a natural fit for us only children. I kick things off with a hilarious tale involving a younger colleague and a day at the amusement park, proving that it's always best to keep your sense of humor about you as you get older. The heart of this episode is a discussion about teamwork, The good and the bad of...

Send us Fan Mail Ever found yourself on a familiar path, only to be led astray by technology? Join me, Tracy Wallace, on the Only Child Diaries as I recount a nerve-wracking journey through my hometown that ended up being anything but routine. Despite knowing multiple ways home, I placed blind trust in my GPS, leading me down steep and narrow roads with no guardrails in sight. Feel the tension as...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever experienced the profound impact of losing a cherished family pet? This week on Only Child Diaries, I'm giving an update on how I'm doing six months after losing Dallas, our horse.  He was part of our family for nearly 23 years. His absence has permeated every corner of our daily lives, altering routines, emotions, and even our interactions. Listen in as I r...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when your vision starts to blur, and you're confronted with the daunting reality of cataracts? Join me, Tracy Wallace, as I share my personal and often humorous journey through this eye-opening experience on this heartfelt episode of the Only Child Diaries podcast. From the uneasy anticipation of eye exams to the overwhelming diagnosis, I lay bare my initial fear...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a great vacation turns into a harrowing nightmare? Join me this week as I share our personal story of surviving a traumatic car accident in Las Vegas. My husband Bill and I were rear-ended by a drunk driver, just six months after Bill's neck fusion surgery. The chaos and fear were overwhelming, but the swift response of emergency services and the unwavering...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how a tranquil nudist colony could become the center of a true crime mystery? Picture this: an elderly couple, known for their strict routines and endearing chihuahua named Cuddles, disappears without a trace amidst the quiet chaparral landscape of Southern California. Their sudden absence sends shockwaves through their tight-knit community, and days later a major SW...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how a heavy metal icon transitions into a classical music composer? Join me as I share an intriguing conversation about Kip Winger, the frontman of Winger, who has remarkably shifted from the world of metal to composing classical masterpieces. Kip has opened up about his artistic evolution, the personal tragedies that fueled his transformation, and the intricate beau...

Send us Fan Mail Can you remember the magic of a fresh, new notebook and the excitement of wearing your new school outfit on the first day? Join me, Tracy Wallace, as I walk you through my back-to-school memories on this episode of the Only Child Diaries podcast. From picking out three-ring binders over the ever-popular Pee-Chee folders to the nervous anticipation of meeting new teachers and class...

Send us Fan Mail What goes through your mind when the ground suddenly starts to shake beneath you? Join me, Tracy Wallace, as I navigate the unnerving yet fascinating world of earthquakes in this special episode of the Only Child Diaries podcast. Originally planned to discuss the back-to-school jitters, I pivot to recount my personal experiences with seismic activity, especially growing up in eart...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered what it’s like to witness the grandeur of the Olympics from a personal perspective? Join me, Tracy Wallace, on the Only Child Diaries podcast as I take you through my unforgettable experiences at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, including an up-close encounter with Prince Philip. Despite not being a die-hard sports fan, I find myself captivated by the breathta...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever given advice only to see it go unheard? Join me, Tracy Wallace, as I tackle the delicate art of offering support without crossing boundaries on this week's episode of the Only Child Diaries podcast. We'll explore how to strike that perfect balance of being helpful while respecting others’ personal journeys. Tune in to hear about my own experiences with unso...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how your vote can shape the future of your country? This episode of the Only Child Diaries podcast is perfect for you! Join me, Tracy Wallace, as I share my personal journey of civic duty, starting from the excitement of casting my first vote at the age of 18. We'll walk through the historical struggles that granted women the right to vote and discuss why it&apo...

Send us Fan Mail Can you believe it? We've hit our 100th episode milestone on Only Child Diaries! Join me in this heartfelt celebration as I look back on the journey that has brought us here. From the joy and camaraderie of building a global community—spanning 32 countries and 447 cities—to the personal trials like the emotional loss of my horse, Dallas, this podcast has been a testament to r...