PODCAST · society
Milkweed & Monarchs
by Dawn Klem
Welcome to our podcast Milkweed & Monarchs
Episodes
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EP84 - The Ring
Some stories don’t just come from the past — they flutter back into our lives like monarchs returning home, carrying pieces of who we once were. In today’s episode, I’m sharing a memory that resurfaced at my 50‑year high school reunion, a story that began in first grade with a shy crush, a very...
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EP83 - Honeymoon in Maine
Welcome back to Milkweed and Monarchs. I’m Dawn Klem, and today I’m taking you on a trip straight into the heart of one of my favorite stories — our honeymoon. Now, if you know me, you already know I’m an outdoors girl through and through. So while most people picture tropical beaches and…
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EP82 - You Think You Know
Some stories ask to be told only once, and some insist on being revisited so we can finally lay them down. This episode is one of those. It’s painful, honest, and necessary—not because it is the last chapter, but because the remaining chapters belong together in a different kind of light. Today,...
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EP81 - Elvis
Hi friends, it’s Dawn Klem, and welcome back to Milkweed and Monarchs. Today’s episode is pure sunshine — a story about a little cockatiel named Elvis who brought joy, music, and a whole lot of laughter into our home. He wasn’t just a bird; he was a traveler, a singer, a companion, and a tiny...
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EP80 - The Deck
Hello friends, and welcome back to Milkweed & Monarchs. I’m Dawn Klem, returning to the microphone this month while my book makes its way toward publication. Today I’m sharing a story that sits right at the intersection of love, personality, and the tiny quirks that shape a marriage. It’s about…
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EP79 - Unrealistic Expectations
Today’s episode comes from a place I never expected to reach — not sorrow, not confusion, but clarity. For two years I carried the weight of being cut out of my daughters’ lives after giving them everything I had to give. I carried the hurt of being left with their choices, their silence, and…
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EP78 - The Paint Can
Some stories feel dramatic in the moment not because of what actually happened, but because of what we didn’t know. This episode is one of those. For years, I carried the weight of thinking I had done something wrong — replaying conversations, filling in the silence with blame, trying to make…
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EP77 - The Final Chapter
There are stories women carry in their bones — stories of being dismissed, doubted, or dragged through systems that were supposed to protect them. Stories of judges who didn’t listen, lawyers who didn’t care, and a culture that still asks women to be both the evidence and the advocate for their…
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EP76 - Angels and Demons
Today’s episode is different. It’s heavier, more vulnerable, and rooted in a truth I carried quietly for a long time. What you’re about to hear isn’t easy — not for me to say, and not always easy to take in. But it is part of my life, part of what shaped me, and part of why I tell stories at all.…
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EP75 - It Takes a Whole Family
Some stories break your heart a little, but somehow leave it bigger than before. Today’s episode is one of those. It’s a reminder that even in the hardest moments, people show up for one another in ways that are quiet, unexpected, and deeply human. This isn’t a story about perfection or happy...
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EP74 - The Struggle Was Real
Some people enter our lives as teachers. Others as companions. And then there are the ones — like my brother — who arrive as walking, talking tests of patience. Growing up with him was… a lot. He could push every button I had, sometimes just by breathing in my direction. I spent years thinking he...
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EP73 - Urgency!
There are some stories that sit in two places at once—where your heart aches and softens at the same time. This episode is one of those. It’s a chapter filled with endings and beginnings, with the kind of tenderness that only shows up when life asks you to hold joy in one hand and grief in the...
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EP72 - Lighthouses and Tina Turner
Some stories don’t start with sunshine — they start with rain clouds rolling in over Lake Michigan, muddy shoes, frizzy hair, and a husband with a stubborn streak of optimism. Today’s episode is one of those stories. In this chapter of Milkweed & Monarchs, I’m taking you with Craig and me on a...
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EP71 - Maine to Michigan
Welcome to Episode 71 — which feels impossible, because somehow we’ve arrived at that number one story, one lesson, one wild detour at a time. Today’s episode is one of those stories that didn’t wait its turn or arrive neatly wrapped. It barged in, made itself comfortable, and demanded to be…
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EP70 - Faruk
Some stories arrive gently. This is not one of those stories. Today’s episode is a full‑tilt ride through one of the most chaotic chapters of my life — a time when I was juggling graduate school, managing an oncology unit, navigating the emotional hurricane of IVF, and trying to plan a trip to...
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EP69 - Katahdin
Every adventure has a beginning, though it rarely announces itself with fanfare. More often, it starts in the middle of an ordinary day—when a question lingers a little longer than usual, or a small shift inside nudges us toward something new. This story begins in that familiar place, where life…
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EP68 - Sierra Nevada
Every adventure begins with a moment—small, almost forgettable—when something inside us whispers that life is about to shift. Sometimes it’s a choice. Sometimes it’s a chance. And sometimes it’s simply the feeling that the ground beneath us is nudging us forward, asking us to trust what we can’t...
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EP67 - Intro to Season 3
Looking Ahead: The Future of Milkweed and Monarchs Chapters (00:00:01) - No More Milkweed and Monarchs Podcast
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EP66 - The Early Days with Our Girls
Some stories arrive softly, and others enter our lives like a storm — disorienting, humbling, and transformative all at once. When my daughters first came to the United States, we stepped into a season filled with new language, new routines, and new fears we didn’t yet have words for. Those early...
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EP65 - The Mayor
Welcome back to Milkweed & Monarchs. I’m Dawn Klem, and today’s episode invites you into one of the most unforgettable patient journeys I witnessed during my years in the brain tumor clinic. This story isn’t just about illness—it’s about the human spirit, the ways we cope with devastating news…
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EP64 - Good Habits
Welcome back to Milkweed & Monarchs! In today’s episode, Dawn Klem takes us on a heartfelt journey through the everyday habits that shaped her childhood and continue to inspire her life today. From her mother’s bowling league nights that offered a glimpse into women’s camaraderie and teamwork, to...
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EP63 - The Harbor
"Welcome back to Milkweed & Monarchs. In today’s episode, we’re setting sail into one of the most unforgettable chapters of my time on Guam. What began as a simple afternoon of sailing with friends quickly turned into a harrowing encounter with the raw power of the Pacific. It’s a story of…
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EP62 - The Quarter Pounder
Sometimes the smallest choices—like what we order for lunch—can lead to the biggest twists in our lives. In this episode of Milkweed & Monarchs, I take you back to my 18-year-old self, a waitress at the Old 99, navigating work, friendships, and the excitement of a simple Quarter Pounder with...
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EP61 - The Field House
Hi friends, and welcome back to Milkweed & Monarchs. I’m your host, Dawn Klem, and today I’m inviting you into a memory that’s etched into my heart—a story of childhood innocence, unexpected friendships, and the quiet magic of growing up in a simpler time. In this episode, I take you back to the...
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EP60 - Football at Notre Dame
Welcome back to Milkweed & Monarchs, where stories bloom with heart and humor. In this episode, Dawn takes us deep into the soul of Michigan football culture—from high school championships and family traditions to the unforgettable clash between Michigan State and Notre Dame. What starts as a...
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EP59 - Sometimes You Deserve It
There are moments in life when everything shifts—quietly, unexpectedly, like the hush before a monarch takes flight. In today’s episode, we explore one of those turning points. It’s a story stitched together with vulnerability, courage, and the kind of grace that only comes from weathering the...
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EP58 - Aunt Sue
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,...
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EP57 - The Limousine
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...
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EP56 - The Periscope
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...
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EP55 - The Advocate
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…
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EP54 - The Best for Last
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...
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EP53 - The Fire Hydrant
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,...
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EP52 - The Journey
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...
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EP51 - The Hunter
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,...
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EP50 - Devine Intervention
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...
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EP49 - Kate and Goosebumps
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...
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EP48 - The 99th Running of the Indy 500
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...
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EP47 - My First 5k Run
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...
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EP46 - Three Teachers
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,...
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EP45 - The Grape Seeds
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…
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EP44 - Barbie
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...
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EP43 - Orientation
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…
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EP42 - Adopting and Adapting
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...
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EP41 - Healthcare on the Inside
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…
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EP40 - Jeanne
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...
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EP39 - Ed
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…
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EP38 - Wanda
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...
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EP37 - One Year Celebration
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...
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EP36 - Theona
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...
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EP35 - Gotcha Day
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,...
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Milkweed & Monarchs have?
Milkweed & Monarchs currently has 84 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Milkweed & Monarchs about?
Welcome to our podcast Milkweed & Monarchs
How often does Milkweed & Monarchs release new episodes?
Milkweed & Monarchs has 84 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Milkweed & Monarchs?
You can listen to Milkweed & Monarchs on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Milkweed & Monarchs?
Milkweed & Monarchs is created and hosted by Dawn Klem.
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