The Only Child Diaries Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered why some people seem naturally confident while others struggle to find their footing? Join me, Tracy Wallace, as I unravel the complexities of confidence, drawing from my own life as an only child. In this episode of the Only Child Diaries podcast, I peel back the layers of parent-child relationships to reveal how they shape our self-assurance. From fear-based teachi...

Send us Fan Mail Ever felt like holiday weeks are a whirlwind of excitement and stress? I sure have! On this special Independence Day episode of the Only Child Diaries podcast, join me, Tracy Wallace, as I share my own 4th of July plans—from yard work to streaming marathons—and reflect on the unique joys and challenges of summer holidays. Discover how I balance relaxation with productivity, even w...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever felt faint just hearing the word 'blood'? You're not alone. Join me, Tracy Wallace, as I recount my journey from childhood fainting episodes to becoming an adult who can tolerate blood draws—almost. I’ll share how my husband played a crucial role in desensitizing me, and how I went from feeling woozy at just the thought of blood in high school biology...

Send us Fan Mail What if your worst headaches were more than just headaches? Join me, Tracy Wallace, as I unravel my battle with migraines, shedding light on the unexpected turns and lessons learned along the way. Discover how a gentle nudge from my husband led to a pivotal doctor's visit, confirming that my debilitating pain was, in fact, chronic migraines. I'll walk you through my jour...

Send us Fan Mail Ever thought a simple clogged sink could unravel a web of home maintenance nightmares? Discover how a routine plumbing fix turned into an unexpected adventure in homeownership on the latest episode of Only Child Diaries. I’m Tracy Wallace, sharing my firsthand experiences of dealing with a pipe disaster, the surprising complications that followed, and the crucial lessons I learned...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine a world where black-and-white TV brings you more joy than the latest high-def series. We're taking a nostalgic trip back to one of the greatest comfort shows of all time, "I Love Lucy." I'll be sharing my personal love affair with Lucy, from the days it brightened my childhood to how it continues to be my go-to comfort on streaming services like Pluto T...

Send us Fan Mail Ever been playfully accused of looking like an "old lady" by a cheeky four-year-old? That's exactly what happened to me, Tracy Wallace, sparking a mix of laughter and self-reflection. And let's face it, angst!  Join me as we navigate the uncharted waters of relating to children when you're not a parent yourself, reflecting on how my upbringing as an only c...

Send us Fan Mail This week we're finally back with our peppy intro music .  The shadow of loss has draped itself over recent days, with the departure of my cherished horse, Dallas, on March 17th. Yet, in the gentle sway of life's unyielding pendulum, I find a glimmer of hope and the resilience to carry on. Join me as I navigate the terrain of grief with a touch of humor and unfiltered ho...

Send us Fan Mail As the sun sets on another day, I find myself walking the familiar path of reflection and remembrance, a journey many of us know all too well. This week's episode is a heartfelt exploration of the persistent echoes of loss, marking the 8th week without Dallas and how a blend of work and family has become a beacon of light in darker times. I also pay homage to Gina, my dearest...

Send us Fan Mail This week I'm continuing my journey through the loss of Dallas, my cherished horse. Here we are, seven weeks later, unraveling the layers of grief that have enveloped my days. I explore the surreal void left by Dallas's absence, the haunting quiet of routines we once shared, and the tangled emotions that come with giving away some of the leftover horse supplies I still h...

Send us Fan Mail Navigating the ebb and flow of grief is a journey few can walk alone. As I recount the ongoing process of healing after the loss of my beloved Dallas, I share not just the sadness but also the strength found in the weeks thereafter. This episode is an intimate reflection on personal loss, the struggle with pet care, and the unexpected challenges life throws our way. Late-night vet...

Send us Fan Mail The journey through grief is as unique as the bonds we form, and this episode is a candid exploration of my own path, marked by both sorrow and unexpected moments of joy. Reflecting on author and philosopher Judith Butler's insights, I delve into the profound disorientation that comes with the loss of someone integral to our identity. Join me in understanding the intricate da...

Send us Fan Mail As I reach the four week mark after the loss of Dallas, I find myself in denial.  Denial over his passing.  And denial that the grief doesn't exist I guess.  It's been hard to process continually and yet I know somehow I must process it, as painful as it is.    I open up about the time in 2007 when Dallas fell ill, sharing the story of our struggle and my profound gratit...

Send us Fan Mail This week I'm giving an update on how I'm managing and navigating my grief over losing Dallas, my horse.  It's been another rough week.  Not that the grief isn't hard enough, but our cat Bubbie needed to be rushed to the emergency vet.  This would be hard enough emotionally but I didn't realize how much of a trigger it would be for me.  Waiting to talk to...

Send us Fan Mail As I navigate the beginning of my life - our lives - without our beloved horse Dallas, I share a couple of the heart wrenching experiences from this  past week.  There is solace I suppose in rituals that ease the burden of grief, or at least help you navigate the world. His stall at the barn is now a tribute to him, with  flowers and heartfelt notes, each message a testament to th...

Send us Fan Mail Last week brought an unexpected and heavy-hearted farewell as my husband and I grappled with the sudden loss of our horse Dallas, a beloved family member for nearly 23 years. Stripped of the usual fanfare, this episode is an intimate recollection of the emotional journey from the urgent call that something was amiss, to the heart-wrenching decision we faced in the final moments of...

Send us Fan Mail Dealing with emergencies.  This is something that as humans we are going to experience.  The question is, how do we react and can we learn to react better?  Emergencies can take many forms.  In this episode, I will tell you about my experience with floods that take over living spaces, dealing with my husband's diabetes and horses.  I recount the upheaval of my friend's r...

Send us Fan Mail Do you ever misplace your keys?  Well, of course you do.  It's just something that happens, right?  These small yet crucial things often send you into a tailspin?   They sure do me!  That's the chaos underpinning today's episode of the Only Child Diaries podcast, where we unlock the power and pitfalls of those tiny gatekeepers of our lives: keys.  I'll share a...

Send us Fan Mail I started by pondering where are my episodes going?  And where have we been?  As our 80th milestone episode unfolds, I'll take you through the enchanting lessons gleaned from my garden and the admiration for a redwood giant that stands as a testament to endurance. It's a journey that also revisits the bittersweet echoes of my friendship with Gina, whose legacy in the bea...

Send us Fan Mail Ever reminisce about the whimsy of childhood gardens and the silent wisdom of trees? Join me, Tracy Wallace, as I take you back to the roots of my family's legacy in the Only Child Diaries podcast. With memories ripened like the tangerines from the very tree my parents planted back in the 70s, we'll share the sweet and sometimes nutty tales of backyard gardening. From th...

Send us Fan Mail Ever found yourself sipping tepid coffee at dawn, wondering when 'me time' turned into 'squeeze in a five-minute shower time'? You're not alone! Join me, Tracy Wallace, as I humorously tackle the juggling act of self-care in a life cluttered with distractions. This episode of the Only Child Diaries podcast is an open diary entry on the art of self-prioriti...

Send us Fan Mail As I stood amidst the pouring rain, watching my horse dance restlessly in his stall, a melody played softly in my head—reminding me of the solace music offers even on the stormiest of days. This episode of the Only Child Diaries is a homage to the timeless power of music, a journey through its profound impact on our lives, from the way it shapes our emotions to the memories it etc...

Send us Fan Mail Do you visit places in your mind?  The places you might have spent your childhood or countless hours of your life?  Every corner of a home holds a story, from the creak of a floorboard to the hum of the fridge. This week I unwrap layers of nostalgia that envelope the places of my past.   It's not just a trip down memory lane; it's an homage to the spaces that molded me a...

Send us Fan Mail Life keeps surprising me!  Recently I found myself cooking.  Cooking?  What??  What happened to me?  The kitchen is a place where that feels somewhat unnatural to me.  But here I am, putting on an apron.  Well, okay, not really.  Join me as I serve up a feast of laughter and the occasional kitchen disaster. From the lofty expectations of healthy home cooking to the gritty reality...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever found yourself grappling with the relentless ebb and flow of change, much like the never-ending cycle of falling leaves each autumn? Join me, Tracy Wallace, as I muse on the universal constant of change, framed by the simple yet poignant task of raking leaves in the Only Child Diaries podcast. This episode, enriched by personal tales and a dash of humor, delves into...