This Was Supposed to be Easy Podcast

What turns an ordinary cup of coffee into something you look forward to? Why does Sunday dinner feel different from simply eating dinner? And why are there certain little things we do with family, friends, or coworkers that we would genuinely miss if they disappeared? In this episode, Amy and Cheryl explore the power of rituals—the repeated moments that carry meaning and help ground us in our live...

What makes someone more than a favorite singer or celebrity? In this special episode, Amy and Cheryl are joined by friends Holly Hoffman and Kim Davidson for a conversation about why Dolly Parton became something more - a source of joy, possibility, generosity, and, of course, plenty of sparkle. There are Dolly wigs (yes, on an audio podcast), concert tickets that definitely blew the budget, Dolly...

There’s something about the shift into fall that just feels different. The sweaters come back out, favorite drinks taste better, the leaves start changing, and suddenly there are little things everywhere to look forward to. In this episode, we’re talking about the sights, smells, tastes, traditions, and plans that make us excited to welcome the “-ber” months. But maybe our love of fall is about mo...

Season 3 is here—and we're starting with a question: What do you want to be new at? We're talking about trying things without needing to master them, letting curiosity lead the way, and remembering that growth doesn't always mean doing more or becoming better. Sometimes it's about play, discovery, a little bit of awe—and continuing to become more fully who we already are. Takeaway You don't have t...

What exactly happens at a writing retreat? Maybe you picture a quiet room, laptops open, and hours of focused writing. And while that can certainly be part of it, writing retreats can take on all kinds of shapes. They can include conversation, collaboration, coffee, meals, laughter, brainstorming, long stretches of focused work, and, in our case, the occasional reminder that eventually we really s...

August 26 is Women’s Equality Day in the United States. Did you know that? We will admit that, despite being two women who spend a lot of time thinking, talking, teaching, advocating, and occasionally getting pretty fired up about issues affecting women, this was not a day that had regularly made it onto our calendars. So when Cheryl noticed Women’s Equality Day while flipping through her daily pl...

Social media makes it look easy, doesn’t it? Take a picture, make a Reel, hit post, gain followers, and maybe even get a few free vacations along the way. But, as we tend to discover on This Was Supposed to Be Easy, there is a whole lot happening behind the scenes. In this episode, Amy and Cheryl sit down with Kelsey Padgett, creator of Doing Mom Things, to talk about what it actually takes to bui...

What happens when a deeply logical researcher, educator, and leadership coach begins seeing angels? In this episode, Amy and Cheryl take a joyful step into what they lovingly call “the woo-woo” with their friend and guest, Dr. Michelle Burkhard. Together, they explore intuition, spiritual connection, personal freedom, and the possibility that the logical and spiritual parts of our lives may not be...

Introduction In Part 2 of our conversation with early childhood leader and entrepreneur Rhonda Meyers, we move beyond leadership strategies and into something even deeper: how leaders sustain themselves while continually pouring into others. Rhonda shares the intentional practices, mentors, and accountability relationships that help her stay grounded, continue growing, and lead with authenticity....

What does it take to build something meaningful? According to this week's guest, it starts with saying "yes" to possibilities before you know exactly how they'll unfold. In this inspiring 2 episode conversation, Cheryl and Amy sit down with longtime friend and early childhood leader Rhonda Meyers to talk about entrepreneurship, leadership, courage, and the power of surrounding yourself with people...

Last week, we talked about what it means to give feedback with care, clarity, timing, and relationship in mind. This week, we are stepping into the other side of that conversation: receiving feedback. And whew… sometimes receiving feedback can come with an “ouch” moment. In this episode, we talk about what it means to be open, coachable, and self-aware when feedback comes our way. Sometimes feedba...

This week, we are starting a two-part conversation about feedback. Feedback is something we all give and receive in so many areas of our lives - as parents, friends, coworkers, leaders, educators, students, partners, and humans just trying to figure things out together. In this first part, we focus on giving feedback. We talk about why feedback is more than simply telling someone what they did rig...

We Thought Traveling Abroad and Feeling Connected to your Ancestors Was Supposed to Be Easy Episode Description What happens when a lifelong dream finally becomes reality? In this 2 part episode, Amy sits down with Cheryl to unpack her May 2026 adventure through Sweden, Finland, and Estonia. As someone who has spent years reading about Nordic culture, hygge, cozy living, and her own Nordic roots,...

Episode Description What happens when a lifelong dream finally becomes reality? In this 2 part episode, Amy sits down with Cheryl to unpack her May 2026 adventure through Sweden, Finland, and Estonia. As someone who has spent years reading about Nordic culture, hygge, cozy living, and her own Nordic roots, Cheryl shares what it was like to finally experience these places firsthand. From Swedish me...

Trying something new sounds exciting… until you're actually the beginner. In this episode, Amy and Cheryl sit down with friend and guest Erin Smith-Gaken to explore what happens when we step outside of our comfort zones. The conversation begins with children and activities sports, dance, hobbies, and the growing pressure to specialize at younger and younger ages but quickly expands into a larger d...

This week, Amy and Cheryl sit down with residence hall director and higher education professional Jessa Heroux-Croy for an honest conversation about the transition to college - not just for students - but for the families and supporters who love them. From roommate dynamics and campus culture to homesickness, connection, and learning how to support young adults without rescuing them, this episode...

In this episode of This Was Supposed to Be Easy, Amy & Cheryl sit down with Dr. Allison Arnekrans, counselor educator, clinician, and private practice owner, for an honest conversation about therapy, emotional wellness, relationships, and what it really means to care for ourselves in a world that often expects us to “just keep going.” Together, they explore the realities of counseling, the mis...

What if something as simple as stepping outside… isn’t actually simple anymore? In this reflective and eye-opening conversation, Amy and Cheryl sit down with Dr. Joellen Lewsader to explore what it really means to slow down, reconnect, and be present in nature. What starts as a conversation about a sabbatical becomes a deeper realization that many of us have lost touch with something essential. Th...

What if one of the biggest things we were taught about life… wasn’t entirely true? In this deeply honest and eye-opening conversation, Amy and Cheryl sit down with Dr. Sherene McHenry to unpack a belief many of us were raised with: If you’re kind, if you follow the rules, if you treat people well… everything should work out. But what happens when it doesn’t? Dr. McHenry shares her personal and pro...

We’ve all had those moments, the quick errand that turns into a three-hour adventure, the “simple” task that somehow spirals into a full-day project, or the thing we swore would take five minutes… and absolutely did not. In this episode, Amy and Cheryl go back to the heart of their podcast title and unpack the reality behind it: life rarely goes as easily (or quickly) as we expect. Through relatab...

In this episode of This Was Supposed to Be Easy, Amy and Cheryl are joined by special guest Ranee Conley for a heartfelt and thought-provoking book club-style conversation about The Midnight Library authored by Matt Haig. What begins as a casual discussion quickly unfolds into a deeper exploration of life’s choices, regrets, wishes, purpose, and the stories we tell ourselves about “what could have...

In this episode of This Was Supposed to Be Easy, Amy and Cheryl dive into a thoughtful and relatable conversation about books, reading, and the way stories shape connection. What starts as a simple reflection on shared reading habits unfolds into something deeper, how books become bridges between people, spark meaningful conversations, and open doors to new perspectives. Whether you’re an avid rea...

In this episode, Cheryl and Amy welcome guest Casey Sterle for a conversation that feels both deeply personal and incredibly relatable - parenting, but through the lens of joy. Casey begins by sharing her story as both a longtime educator and a mother of four, offering a perspective shaped by decades of working with children and raising them across many stages of life. From early childhood through...

What happens when a fiction book opens the door to a very real conversation about time, memory, connection, and the lives we’re living right now? In this episode, Amy and Cheryl start by talking about The Seven Year Slip and quickly find themselves reflecting on something much bigger: how strangely time can feel, especially in the years since the pandemic. They explore how easily we lose track of...

When was the last time you truly paused to celebrate something you did? Not brushed past it. Not minimized it. Not immediately moved on to the next thing—but actually let it land. In this episode, Cheryl and Amy explore something that felt surprisingly hard to answer in real time: why we struggle to celebrate our own accomplishments. Through personal stories—from milestone birthday trips to promot...