The EMBER Project Podcast

In this solo episode of The EMBER Project Podcast, Susan talks about three powerful threats from the book Be Your Future Self Now and how they show up in the lives of young mothers. This is not just a conversation about personal development. It is a conversation about poverty, survival mode, low expectations, money, relationships, and what happens when the world around you stops expecting more fro...

If you've ever wondered what The EMBER Project is really all about, this is the episode to listen to. In this deeply personal solo episode, Susan shares the beliefs that keep so many women stuck: the idea that we have to earn support, earn belonging, earn encouragement, and even earn love. Drawing from her own journey as a young mother, she explores how shame, self sufficiency, and the need to pro...

In this episode of The EMBER Project Podcast, Susan is joined again by Meghan D. Gregory for a powerful conversation about ACEs and PACEs. Together, they talk about adverse childhood experiences, protective factors, trauma, resilience, and the people who help change the direction of a life. Meghan brings both lived experience as an early mother and years of knowledge from her work in mental health...

In this episode of The EMBER Project Podcast, Susan sits down with author, entrepreneur, wife, mother, foster and adoptive mom Christine Shuck for a raw and honest conversation about survival, young motherhood, trauma, self-advocacy, and building a life no one else imagined for you. Christine shares what it was like growing up with emotionally immature parents, running away from home before her se...

Most people assume that financial struggles come from bad decisions. But what if you're doing everything right and still can't seem to get ahead? In this solo episode, Susan shares the story of a young woman trying to build a better future. She's researching financial aid, building credit, working nearly full-time hours, saving money, and making what she believes are responsible decisions. Yet one...

In the second episode of our two part series, I am joined again by co-parenting coach Clover Johnston to unpack the emotional and practical realities of co-parenting as an early mother. They discuss how teen marriages often come with higher divorce rates, which can make co-parenting more complex. The conversation covers essential topics such as maintaining a child-first mindset, introducing new pa...

Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of emotional abuse, substance use, domestic violence, pregnancy loss, and custody trauma. Please listen with care. In this deeply moving episode, we hear from Darian—a young woman whose story begins in the shadows of childhood emotional abuse, teen pregnancy, and devastating betrayal. Her path includes losing custody of her daughter, surviving an a...

In this insightful first episode of a two part series, I sit down with co-parenting coach Clover Johnston to explore the emotional and logistical challenges of raising children in a co-parenting dynamic, particularly for young and early parents. Drawing from her personal experience, Clover offers practical advice on communication, boundary-setting, and prioritizing a child’s emotional well-being....

She was a little rebellious. Strong-willed. A dreamer. And then she became a mom at 16 — a moment that changed the course of her life forever. In this episode of The EMBER Project Podcast, we meet a woman who didn’t just beat the odds — she rewrote the story entirely. After having seven children by age 30, she refused to accept the narrative society handed her. She graduated high school, earned he...

She had her first child at 14. By 30, she was a mother of four, a bakery owner, and the unexpected face of a viral internet scandal known as Cake-Gate. But behind the headlines and the frosting is a story of deep resilience, generational healing, and bold reinvention. In this candid conversation, Kylie Allen opens up about growing up fast, staying committed to her high school sweetheart and co-par...

What happens when the life you’ve built burns down—emotionally, legally, even literally? In this episode of The EMBER Project Podcast, we sit down with a woman whose story is a masterclass in resilience. From navigating a traumatic marriage and leading a military family support group, to being blindsided by divorce on Christmas Day and surviving a house fire, court battles, and long COVID—her life...

In this powerful episode of The EMBER Project Podcast, we sit down with Ariana, who opens up about her journey from emotional abuse to emotional freedom. Through raw reflection and unflinching honesty, she shares how years of manipulation and control affected her sense of worth—and how returning to school became an unexpected but life-changing path to healing. This episode explores the deep, often...

**This episode contains discussion of domestic violence, stalking, and attempted murder. Listener discretion is advised, especially for those sensitive to these topics. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, please reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org.** At The EMBER Project, we say that potential is like an ember, ready to be fan...

What happens when a third-generation teen mom, dismissed by doctors and disconnected from her roots, decides to trust her body and rewrite her story? In this powerful episode of The EMBER Project Podcast, we sit down with The Rooted Female—a former nurse turned holistic healer, course creator, and intentional living advocate. Pregnant at 16, she overcame addiction, married her children’s father, a...

She isn't a gynecologist, she is a Pelvic Florist, and she is here to talk all things bloom, bladder and bounce back after birth. We talk about everything from her college pregnancy and the preconceived notions that came with it, to why some women tinkle when they sneeze. It is a great episode for all women, young or old. I consider myself well educated about my body and I learned a few things. In...

Welcome to Season Two of The EMBER Project Podcast!! This episode bounces from Walmart shifts and unpaid clinicals to landing two job offers in one day. You will meet a young woman who will teach you that resilience isn't always loud or flashy. She teaches us that early motherhood doesn't mean the end of ambition, it just means a new beginning.   Great things are happening at The EMBER Project. To...

This is the fourth installment of our 4 part series recognizing Women's Health Awareness and Mental Health Awareness Month. We are joined by Kelly, a Mental Health Care Professional who thrives on creating ways for people to learn, grow, and take care of their well-being. She shares actionable steps to improve our mental health in minutes. As always, for more information about The EMBER Project pl...

In this episode, we meet Leslie, a Maternal Mental Health Counselor with One Health Ohio - Baby on Board Program. We talk about postpartum depression and how it can affect teen moms in different ways than other mothers. To find help for your postpartum depression concerns, please scroll down. This is the third installment of our 4 part series recognizing Women's Health Awareness and Mental Health...

In our second episode honoring Mental Health and Women's Health Awareness month, we talk not only about domestic violence, but the way women were supported (or not) in the 60s and 70s as opposed to now. We've come a long way baby, and although domestic violence is still a horrific experience, there are resources. You can call the domestic violence hotline at 1.800.799.7233 or text the word START t...

Welcome to Week 1 of our 4 part series on Mental Health, Women's Health and how it's a little different for teen moms. This week I talk with Rea, who experienced a lot of stigma and shame related to her pregnancy at 14. We discuss how the things said to us and about us stayed with us, and played a part in shaping who we became. Although our situations were different, they were the same in many way...

In this long awaited episode, (I have been pestering Katrina for months to get her to let me interview her... ) You may have seen Katrina's story on Instagram or even on the news! It is an amazing story and I admire Katrina immensely even though she maintains that she is "Just a mom...." As always please like subscribe and most importantly share with someone who may be encouraged by this story. Fo...

In this episode, we talk to Meghan, teen mom, mental health nurse and one of the driving forces behind Thrive 10:10. She is another great example of early parenthood paving the way for a heart for helping other women (and men) to live the life they were created for. To learn more about Thrive 10:10 you can visit them on ⁠FACEBOOK HERE ⁠ or visiting their website at www.thriveneighbors.org for more...

I am so very excited about this interview. In this episode, we meet Gabby. She is an amazing example of a teen mom maturing into a wonderful example of an advocate for women.. particularly the ones who happen to come to work at her restaurant. I first saw Gabby on Gordon Ramsay's "Kitchen Nightmares" and although I was sure she would never answer, I tracked down her email address and asked her to...

In this episode, we meet Heather, teen mom, 2016 Miss America and the driving force behind the Ohio non profit, Clothed In Strength. I was blown away by Heather's humble beauty and willingness to devote her time and money to other women in need. It was amazing meeting her and hearing about her journey and how she has transformed hardship into healing with her mission to bridge the gap between gove...

In this episode we have the pleasure of meeting Jerrie, a wildly successful woman, who got pregnant the very first time she had sex at 14. Rather than allowing that to derail her dreams, she hits here first set of life goals before she was 30!! It is amazing how resilient we can be when we have to! As always, please Like, Subscribe and share this episode with someone who might find it helpful. To...