Milkweed & Monarchs

Welcome back to Milkweed & Monarchs , where stories bloom with resilience, connection, and the quiet power of transformation. I’m your host, Dawn Klem. Today’s episode is a tribute—raw, personal, and deeply human. It’s about my Aunt Sue: a woman whose life was stitched together with compassion, quiet strength, and an unwavering devotion to others. From her years as a social worker to her porch...

Welcome to Milkweed & Monarchs – Episode 57: The Limousine Hi everyone, I’m Dawn Klem, and today I’m taking you on a ride—literally and emotionally. In this heartfelt episode, I share the story of how Craig and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary in a way that completely defied my “plain Jane” nature. From cryptic clues and single roses to a surprise limousine ride and a pearl necklace,...

Welcome to Milkweed & Monarchs — the podcast where stories bloom and quirks are celebrated. I’m your host, Dawn Klem, and today we’re diving into a tale that’s equal parts hilarious and heartfelt. In this episode, The Periscope , I reflect on the beauty of embracing our oddities — those little quirks that make us uniquely ourselves. From childhood insomnia to toe-wiggling anxiety, I share a st...

In this episode of Milkweed and Monarchs , I invite you into one of the most defining moments of my nursing career—a story that captures the grit, heart, and sometimes the fire it takes to truly advocate for a patient. Over four decades in health care taught me many things, but nothing more enduring than the responsibility to speak up when others can’t. Today, I share a raw and honest account from...

Welcome back to Milkweed and Monarchs , where stories bloom with resilience and connection. I’m Dawn Klem, and today I’m inviting you into one of the most profound chapters of my nursing career—the moment I stepped into the role of a brain tumor navigator. This wasn’t just a job change. It was a soul-shifting experience that arrived late in my professional journey, yet left the deepest imprint. Fr...

The Fire Hydrant:  There are stories we tell because they make people laugh—and then there are stories we carry, quietly, because they remind us who we were and how far we’ve come. This one happens to be both. In today’s episode of Milkweed & Monarchs, I’m sharing a tale I’ve never been proud of, one that still makes me cringe and laugh in equal measure. It begins with an anxious sixteen-year-...

The Journey In this episode, we explore what it means to truly move forward—not just across miles, but through moments that shape us. It’s the story of letting go, reaching back, and learning to hold both joy and uncertainty in the same hand. From the quiet ache of change to the unexpected beauty found along the way, this is a reflection on resilience, belonging, and the invisible threads that car...

In this episode of Milkweed & Monarchs , I take you on a journey that begins on a quiet soybean farm in northern Ohio and winds through hospital corridors, hunting trails, and the sacred spaces of human connection. "The Hunter" is more than a story about one man's diagnosis—it's about dignity, purpose, and the heartbreaking choices we sometimes face in the face of loss. This one changed me, an...

This episode of Milkweed & Monarchs , titled "Divine Intervention," is an intimate and heartfelt reflection on friendship, redemption, and fate. Dawn Klem, the host, recounts her deep bond with a tight-knit group of friends from Hillsdale, Michigan, and the ways life inevitably pulled them in different directions. She shares a touching story of her attempt to reconnect with her old friends by...

Welcome to Milkweed and Monarchs . I’m Dawn Klem, and today, I share the story of Kate—a patient who became a friend, a fighter who defied expectations, and a presence that lingers long after she’s gone. Kate’s journey began in an elevator, where a simple exchange turned into an unforgettable connection. Months later, I found myself sitting across from her in a hospital room, delivering news no on...

Welcome to Milkweed and Monarchs . I’m Dawn Klem, and today, I take you back to an unforgettable experience—the 99th running of the Indianapolis 500. For my husband, Craig, cars have always been more than just machines—they’re a passion, a lifelong fascination that started with childhood trips to stock car races and evolved into a love for Formula One and IndyCar. So when our daughters surprised h...

Welcome to Milkweed and Monarchs . I’m Dawn Klem, and today, I share the story of how I unexpectedly became a runner—motivated not by personal ambition, but by the desire to encourage my daughters to embrace team sports. Growing up, I never considered myself an athlete. I was a cheerleader, but I always wished my mother had pushed me toward something more—perhaps cross country or track. When my da...

Welcome to Milkweed and Monarchs . I’m Dawn Klem, and today, I dedicate this episode to the teachers who shape lives in ways they may never fully realize. Teachers often don’t get the appreciation they deserve. Behind the scenes, they work tirelessly to guide, encourage, and uplift students, sometimes in ways that go unnoticed. But for me, three teachers stand out—three women who made a lasting im...

Welcome to Milkweed and Monarchs . I’m Dawn Klem, and today, I take you back to a childhood moment that shaped my imagination and curiosity in unexpected ways. Growing up in Hillsdale, Michigan, I was surrounded by stories—ones my mother read to me, ones I saw on television, and ones I created in my own mind. Two stories in particular stuck with me: The Princess and the Pea and Family Affair . One...

Welcome to Milkweed and Monarchs . I’m Dawn Klem, and today, I share a story about childhood, friendship, and the unexpected ways in which lost things find their way back to us. Growing up in Hillsdale, Michigan, my neighborhood was filled with adventure—blanket forts, backyard baseball, and long summer days spent with my best friend, Marianne. We did everything together, including playing with ou...

Welcome to Milkweed and Monarchs . I’m Dawn Klem, and today, I take you back to the beginning of my journey in healthcare—the rigorous training that shaped me into the nurse I would become. At 19, fresh out of boot camp, I arrived at Great Lakes, Illinois, for hospital corpsman training. I had never cared for a patient before, never set foot in a hospital beyond my own childhood surgeries. But ove...

Welcome to Milkweed and Monarchs . I’m Dawn Klem, and today, I take you back to the early days of parenthood—when my husband Craig and I brought our daughters home from Romania and began the journey of adoption. Adjusting to life as a family was filled with surprises, laughter, and plenty of learning curves. From navigating language barriers with a Romanian dictionary to figuring out meals that fe...

Welcome to Milkweed and Monarchs . I’m Dawn Klem, and today, I reflect on the defining moments of my 45-year career in healthcare—moments that shaped my understanding of medicine, humanity, and the unexpected intersections of politics and patient care. Two events stand out: the AIDS epidemic, which marked the beginning of my career, and COVID-19, which brought it to a close. Both crises forced hea...

Welcome to Milkweed and Monarchs . I’m Dawn Klem, and today, I share the story of Jeanne—a leader, a mentor, and a woman whose wisdom shaped my understanding of healthcare and leadership. During my years at the Barron Center, I had the privilege of working alongside Jeanne, whose approach to leadership was both refreshing and impactful. She wasn’t just a director—she was a true guide, someone who...

Welcome to Milkweed and Monarchs . I’m Dawn Klem, and today, I share the story of Ed—a man whose infectious joy, larger-than-life personality, and unwavering support shaped my journey in ways I never expected. Ed was the first person I met at the Barron Center, and from the moment I sat down for my interview, I felt like I was reconnecting with an old friend. He had a way of making everyone feel s...

Welcome to Milkweed and Monarchs . I’m Dawn Klem, and today, I share the story of Wanda—a dear friend, a mentor, and a woman whose resilience shaped my understanding of life, loss, and advocacy. Wanda’s journey was one of strength. Raised in the projects of Boston, she and her sister navigated hardship early, losing their father in middle school and watching their mother battle multiple sclerosis....

Welcome to Milkweed and Monarchs . I’m Dawn Klem, and today, I take you back to a milestone moment—the first anniversary of my daughters’ arrival in the United States. What started as a simple gathering quickly turned into something much bigger. Friends, colleagues, and an entire community came together to celebrate, filling our home with laughter, support, and unexpected surprises. My mother, eve...

Welcome to Milkweed and Monarchs . I’m Dawn Klem, and today, I share the story of Theona—a neighbor who became family, a mentor who shaped my perspective, and a woman whose simple, steadfast way of life left an unforgettable mark on mine. When Craig and I lived in North Yarmouth, Maine, Theona was more than just the woman next door. She was a true Mainer—resilient, resourceful, and deeply connecte...

Welcome to Milkweed and Monarchs . I’m Dawn Klem, and today, I share one of the most defining moments of my life—the day I became a mother. November 14th is our Gotcha Day, the anniversary of the day my husband and I brought our daughters home from Romania. Adoption is a journey filled with hope, uncertainty, and profound love, and ours was no exception. From navigating infertility treatments to f...

Welcome to Milkweed and Monarchs . I’m Dawn Klem, and today, I share a story of resilience, love, and the unexpected ways in which people find each other. This episode centers on Bud and Mary—a couple whose journey began with a simple phone call and grew into a lifelong partnership. Bud, a pilot with Wings of Mercy, dedicated his life to helping patients reach medical care they otherwise couldn’t...