Welcome to Our Box

Historically, women have been communal, sharing the majority of our lives with each other. More and more it now feels like we’re islands onto ourselves, sometimes alongside each other but not still not with each other. We talk about why this might be, what it means, and whether or not it’s a bad thing.

Amy is one week post-maternity leave, adjusting back to work and this time with baby. We talk about the differences in back-to-work between our kids and how strange it is that American culture hasn’t figured out a better set of options for working parents.

Does your brain ever feel like the inside of a hoarder house? It’s no secret women carry the mental load of the family - planning, directing, creating, check-listing, remembering, organizing, teaching, reminding … it’s a lot and even though it’s done for the people we love and are surrounded by, it can leave us feeling alone. Why does this happen, even when we have amazing partners and teach our k...

Where does the pressure to achieve come from and how do we balance an internal desire to grow with a need to embrace the present? In this episode, we talk about how in the middle of the busy, it can be hard to add or strengthen a skill. And yet, even with all we have going on, we desire more.

Maturity, anticipation, task-mastering, pivoting, selflessness. Adulting is a lot of things - some liberating, some infuriating. While saying farewell to Amy’s house, we talk about what defines adulthood for us.

Some seasons of life require a pause from doing alllllll the things. This was such a season for us. We were burning the candles at both ends along with our husbands and just had to let some things go. Can you relate? Fortunately, those seasons don’t last forever and we get to return our energy and joy to this fun podcast experience with all of you! We talk about this and more in this episode. Than...

Gifts, parties, school and church programs, traditions, family obligations, we’ve got it all jam-packed into what often becomes a holly jolly nightmare. Let’s take a pause and consider what really means happiness and joy this season.

Restlessness seems to find us when we’re unhappy, unfulfilled, or feeling “behind.” But why do we try to patch these holes with things that won’t last?

Whether it’s daycare, K-12, or college, when we let our kids out into the world, we embrace the help and the fun, but man do we fear the loss of control and the unknowns about to come our way.

Autoimmune encephalitis derailed the career and life plan Jackie was pursuing and succeeding at. Everything was stripped bare. She shares her journey back to health, peace and some sense of normalcy that was filled with numerous mental and emotional challenges.

After being married for more than a decade, Michelle learned that her husband is gay. The major life transition and healing that followed her divorce changed her life. Though not perfect, grace and forgiveness led the way.

A child of divorce, losing her brother in the line of duty, brain surgeries, and shifting from stay-at-home mom to school counselor, Kathleen’s life defines transition. She believes it’s our task - and it can be a task - to find the beauty in the muck.

Finishing college, starting a career, getting engaged … and completing her reign as Miss North Dakota. Transitions abound for Reyna Bergstrom, who is taking the world by storm and jumping into every opportunity afforded her.

We kick off Season 3 with the first of a multi-part series on transitions. Life is full of ‘em. Some are welcome, some are painful, and not everyone approaches handling them the same way. Amanda admits she’s slow, Amy admits she jumps in with both feet. But ultimately the only thing that never changes is, of course, change.

Sometimes life’s circumstances can dictate that failure is not an option. Such was the case with Rachael Howard as she launched into two business endeavors - one to pay the bills and one to pay it forward.

The dynamic team behind Bismarck Magazine, Bismarck Bridal, and River + Ranch share their unique journey through building their impactful brand. Learning on the fly and pushing harder than they thought possible has solidified presence in the business world and dominated the landscape of local business advertising.

Staiger Consulting Group owner Stacy Krumwiede poses this deep thought: when did achieving 18 out of 10 become the expectation? Her commitment to being present, her openness to personal growth, and her willingness to try offer a calm, yet deeply driven perspective on business ownership.

Buying a business, expanding a business, closing a business, creating a business, Anne has done it all. At the tender age of 22 she launched herself into the world of business ownership and shares her insights, trials and triumphs.

We’re back after a huge hiatus that involved a new human entering the world. Welcome baby Audrey as she makes her first podcast appearance!

We just can’t get enough of these TV classics! All the actors, the big-city-meets-small-town angles, the baking, the decorating, the kisses, the misunderstandings, the TRUE LOVE!

We’ve both been through it and too many of you have, too. The situation, physically and emotionally, can be so different from one woman to the next. We’re not carbon copies of each other. But it’s still important to connect, share and comfort. Also, the lack of resources from the medical community is abysmal.

Current you probably has a lot more perspective than old you, let’s be honest. We’re reflecting on the things we wish we’d known or tried or done. Because obviously at this stage we have it all figured out.

It’s so easy to do what’s right in front of you - work, kids, family, work, kids, work, kids … you get it. But what really are YOUR priorities? It doesn’t make us selfish to go for them.

Talk about a land mine. Body image is so precarious and tied to so many moments in our lives, big and small, vivid and vague. We’re peeling back the layers of this onion together.

Goodness knows we all need second chances. Whether from a bad day or a whole messed up era, no one is perfect. We dive into the great need we have to try again.