Unraveled & Unwritten

Remember how LL Cool J rapped "Don't call it a comeback?" It was because it wasn't really a comeback...because he was still there - he never actually left. And that's how it's been for me. *Side Note: If you don't any any clue what I'm talking about, consider "Mama Said Knock You Out" required listening. The last episode I published was about a year and a half ago...and I haven't been gone - I've...

I know I know...I hype up the return of the podcast, and then don't drop anything for nearly a month. I feel a bit lame, and I wanted to acknowledge that. All the reasons why I "took a break" in 2024 are the same things that contributed to my "long pause" between episodes #138 and #139. This isn't how it's always going to be, but it may be how it is for a while. And that's OK with me. I hope it's...

No, you're not seeing things. The name of the podcast has changed. Welcome to the first episode of "Unraveled & Unwritten," and the start of Season 3. It felt like it was time for a change (as I type this I can't help but think of Peter Brady when his voice started to change), and while "Awaken The Extraordinary" felt inspirational and empowering, I began to realize that part of "awakening" to...

I know "where's Kristi and why did she stop recording the podcast?" probably hasn't been at the top of your mind. But if it's a thought you've had over the lsat 10 months, you might get some answers if you press "Play." Oh! And you may also get a sneak peek as to when the show is coming back...and its new title! Did you love this episode? If so, I want to know! Send me a DM @itsactuallykristi on I...

Many of us love those cheesy Hallmark Christmas movies, right? There's something about the picture-perfect holiday that just gives us the warm fuzzies. But a lot of us love The Griswold family and their "Not Quite Hallmark Holiday." Why is that? Because for many of us, the holidays depicted in those Hallmark movies are something we aspire to, but the Griswold's "Fun Old-Fashioned Family Christmas"...

You know the story of "Rudolph," right? But do you know the story BEHIND the story of "Rudolph?" Did you know that "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer" was written by a guy who worked at Montgomery Ward - yes, that old department store - as a promotion for its customers? If you didn't know that, or even if you did and are curious to learn more, pull up an ice block, lend an ear, and hit "Play" now. An...

Did you watch that stop-animation movie about "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" as a kid? And if so, have you watched it as an adult? And maybe even as a parent? I grew up watching that show, and it holds a very special place in my heart. But watching it as an adult gave me an entirely different perspective on pretty much every character, and I realized Santa, and even Rudolph's parents, kinda suck...

Have you seen that Christmas movie with Vince Vaughn? Not the uncomfortable one about multiple Christmases where he's in an awkward relationship with Reese Witherspoon. But the one where he plays Santa's brother, Fred? If not, then you may want to press "Play" on this one. Yes, the movie is about Christmas, but it's also much deeper than that. It gets into family dynamics (aka "dysfunction"), gett...

You know the Christmas Story, right? But do you know the Chanukah Story? If you're anything like me, you may know some...but not much. And if you're looking at my boat, thinking you should be sitting beside me, then this episode is for you. I realized one morning that, although I didn't know much about Chanukah, my friend Chaya DID! And so I invited her on to share about the holiday, its origin, a...

You've seen "Elf," right?  If you haven't, we can't be friends. Seriously though - most of us have seen that movie about the elf that's not really an elf, but has more Christmas spirit than any of those other elves. You know, the “real” elves. And we know how it ends - with everybody singing, and Santa's sleigh soaring high into the sky because the "Christmas Spirit" has been restored. Watchi...

The holidays are an emotionally charged time of year, right? You're excited and basking in the ooey gooey warmth of the holidays. Christmas movies are on rotation, Sirius is playing holiday music, you're spending way too much money on holiday decorations when you visit Target, Hobby Lobby and/or Home Depot. Or is that just me? ;) But you know...sometimes the holidays have you feeling a bit like Ch...

Where were you when you found out we'd lost a beloved friend? I was sitting at the dining room table when a friend texted me with the news. And I thought it was a cruel, sick joke. But unfortunately, it wasn't. Many of us were introduced to Matthew Perry as Chandler Bing, the witty and quippy neighbor to Monica Geller, and best friend of her brother, Ross. Over the course of 10 years, Matthew stol...

We all know what it's like to feel scared, right? And a lot of us like that feeling - it's why we enjoy movies that make us jump and check under our beds before we go to sleep. It's why we fork over $20 and wait in line for an hour just to be chased by zombies and chainsaw-wielding psychopaths. But do you ever stop to think about how often you feel scared "in real life?" What do you want to do, bu...

When was the last time you felt JOY? Like, pure JOY? The other day, we had our first snowfall of the season, and I felt like a kid on Christmas morning. And what made it even better...is that my KID, upon seeing the snow, reacted like he would as though it were Christmas morning, and it melted my heart. Feeling the excitement bubbling up inside me as I hurried to the window in the wee hours of the...

How do you feel about the "hard stuff" in life? Do you grab your battle gear, channel your best Bill and Ted, and say "Party On, Dudes!" or do you throw your battle gear into the bushes, and then dive into them yourself...wishing your battle gear was camo? I recently completed an obstacle course race, my first in ages, and realized how so much of what I encountered during that experience was a met...

Has this last week, and what's going on in the world, made your heart feel super heavy? I know MY heart felt like a ton of bricks had been piled upon it. So I took a break from social media. Not because I don't care, but because I DO. In spite of not watching the news or going on social media this week, I've been thinking a lot about the state of the world. What we are allowing to divide us? What...

It's October, and you know what that means? Yes yes...pumpkins, scary movies, moms stressing out about making their kid's Halloween costumes IG-worthy, Halloween (of course), and Hallmark's "Countdown to Christmas." (Yes, I am counting down the days) But it's also Breast Cancer Awareness month, and breast health and I have a bit of a complicated relationship. Starting at the age of 22, being aware...

Are you a "hustler & grinder?" Do you feel "less than" when you're NOT going at warp speed at work or in your personal life? Do you feel "lazy" if you spend a weekend at home not doing much of anything? Or...are you exhausted by the "hustle & grind" and "I'll sleep when I'm dead" lifestyle and mentality, and just want to take a break and relax, giving yourself time to re-charge? If you rel...

How often do things in your life go the way you planned or expected? If you're anything like me (I'm sorry, btw...), probably not often. But let's say...there are actually times where things go as you anticipated. In either of these situations, when you look at your role in them, do you focus on what you did or accomplished or achieved or whatever other word you want to insert here, or do you focu...

Have you ever had a pet you loved so much it felt like they were your soul mate? And then...did you ever have to say goodbye, and experience one of the most heartbreaking and soul-crushing moments of your life? 5 years ago tomorrow, I said goodbye to my little football with legs, Snickers. And it devastated me. I dropped this episode last year as a tribute to him, and I decided I am going to do th...

Have you ever been on a date that you knew was not going to end in a love connection? Did you stick it out? Or did you bail? Well, I was on a bad date and I stuck it out because I didn't want to be rude. haha Looking back, I wish I had left sooner, but if I did, I wouldn't have this funny story to share with you! So it's Friday. Sit back, relax, press "Play," and be glad it wasn't YOU on this date...

When we're watching a super hero movie, most of us root for the "good guys," right? Because the "bad guys" are, well...BAD! But are they? What if they're just misunderstood? What if the story we're being told about why someone is the villain isn't even true? Have you ever been cast as "The Villain" in someone else's story? I have, and it sucks because I know I'm not the bad guy. And another thing?...

Everyone loves a good story, right? That's why we go to the movies, binge-watch shows (even those terrible "reality" ones), or pre-order the latest book from Stephen King or some new author I know nothing about. But you know who else has interesting, moving and inspiring stories? You! And your stories are YOUR experiences from YOUR perspective. And you have a right to share them. Now...this doesn'...

Has anyone ever said something about you that wasn't kind, and wasn't true? How did you respond? My son recently told me that a kid at his school told him that my husband and I were "dumb," and it hurt his feelings. We talked about why his feelings were hurt, why this child may have said what he did, and how we can CHOOSE how to respond. We also talked about how other peoples' opinions about us, o...

Have you wondered where the idea for this podcast came from? What made me think "hey - you know what I should do? I should start a podcast!" Well, you learn that, and way more, in this episode. You learn where I was when the idea struck, how I came up with the title, and everything I wanted "Awaken The Extraordinary" to be. This is the very first episode I recorded, and to this day, I'm proud of m...