Just Me

This will be the only episode where it's just me. Before I ask others to share their stories, I want you to understand mine — and why this podcast matters to me.Yes, motherhood changed everything. But I lived a lot of life before that moment.I was raised by a mother whose strength still humbles me —working two and sometimes three jobs to keep a roof over our heads. I grew up with an alcoholic father…a relationship that led to years of estrangement. I attended eleven schools across three states before graduating from high school.Instability was familiar. Resilience had to be learned.I married young into a blue-collar, working-class family. My husband was the first in his family to attend college. We started with very little, and those early years were lean and uncertain. Through grit, sacrifice, and relentless determination, he built a business that transformed not just our lives, but the lives of his family, as well.That marriage did not last.My life has held scarcity and abundance. Stability and upheaval. Deep love and deep loss. Nothing about it has been simple, though it always felt charmed. But through every season, I held tight to my principles.This episode is about how and where those principles were forged — and why I believe there is more than one way to live them out.If you’re here for honest conversation, I’m glad you’re here.Before I ask others to share their stories, I want you to understand mine — and why this podcast matters to me.Yes, motherhood changed everything. But I lived a lot of life before that moment.I was raised by a mother whose strength still humbles me —working two and sometimes three jobs to keep a roof over our heads. I grew up with an alcoholic father…a relationship that led to years of estrangement. I attended eleven schools across three states before graduating from high school. Instability was familiar. Resilience had to be learned.I married young into a blue-collar, working-class family. My husband was the first in his family to attend college. We started with very little, and those early years were lean and uncertain. Through grit, sacrifice, and relentless determination, he built a business that transformed not just our lives, but the lives of his family, as well.That marriage did not last.My life has held scarcity and abundance. Stability and upheaval. Deep love and deep loss. Nothing about it has been simple, though it always felt charmed. But through every season, I held tight to my principles.This episode is about how and where those principles were forged — and why I believe there is more than one way to live them out.If you’re here for honest conversation, I’m glad you’re here.DISCLAIMER: Any reference to a 'husband' in this podcast refers to my long-term partner with whom I cohabitate. We are not legally married. This clarification is provided to ensure accuracy in any context where marital status may be relevant.