Get out your journal and a pen! You're going to want to take notes while listening to my guest Tabitha Westbrook who is a therapist and an expert in coercive control. This is an important episode about all kinds of abuse: what it is, what it's not, what happens when we come to realize we're in a relationship or a part of a system that's more than just difficult, what steps to take to get out, what we can do to receive support for understanding the abuse, the impact it has on us, and how to grow moving forward. 

Story Work is a narrative, embodied method of engaging your stories of childhood trauma and abuse created by Dr. Dan Allender. In this episode, me and fellow Story Work coach Amy Glazier talk about our experience with finding Story Work, Dan Allender, and The Allender Center. Both of us were trained and certified in Narrative Focused Trauma Care (Story Work) through the Allender Center and have spent the last year soaking in the many, layered benefits this deep, good work has brought to our lives as well as dreaming of ways to bring it to others. It's our hope that more people are able to experience the grief and goodness of Story Work just as we have. 

In this episode, I explore what trauma is and isn't. One thing is certain: it's not a buzzword. It's an important conversation centered around real experiences that deeply change us. It's not a matter to be diminished, dismissed or shamed. Instead, what we need is validation, compassion, education, and hope for healing. 

In this episode, I talk to spiritual director Kaysie Strickland about whether or not we are allowed to change what we believe. Many of us grew up in churches that did not invite mystery and questioning. Now, as adults, some of us wonder whether the changes we've made in our faith are OK. Some of us have left the faith traditions we grew up in. Some of us have chosen to explore other traditions. Others of us have left the church and, perhaps, God behind entirely because of the lack of compassion shown by those who say they represent him. In this episode, Kaysie and I explore the changes we've made and the very real experiences and feelings behind those changes. We hope you'll find kindness and refuge in our conversation, wherever you are on your journey.  

This episode is for those who feel their wants and needs aren't fairly considered. It's for those who often feel overwhelmed and burnt out but don't know how to manage what they feel, let alone learn to use the words to ask for the support they need. If you've ever been taught that considering others' needs above your own is Godly, this one is for you. 

Grief and love are two sides of the same coin. At any age, learning to live with both is foundational to being human. Unfortunately, grief is stigmatized and minimized for many different reasons. In this episode, grief expert Dr. Kailey Bradley teaches us what grief is, why we feel it, what happens when we don't feel it, and what we can do to learn to welcome it into our and others' lives. Don't miss this episode! As Dr. Bradley says "grief is preventative mental healthcare." It's normal and natural, and we're all better off if we learn to befriend it. 

In childhood, we can develop insecure attachments based on the difficult relationships we have with our caregivers and family members. Once we develop those insecure attachments, we carry them with us into adulthood, often making our adult lives and relationships harder. This can be frustrating and exhausting. Is there any hope? Can we grow? Can we heal? Can we ever experience safe, good and secure relationships with ourselves and others? Trauma research says yes. Earned Secure Attachments are new, safe, kind, compassionate, repairable relationships that help us heal from past relational damage. These relationships are a big deal and it's worth it for us to learn how to be one for others as well as to show our appreciation for those in our life who are healing us more than they know. 

In this episode I have a special, funny, and meaningful conversation with one of the best friends I've ever had, Tracy Gantz. We talk about meeting as adults, how we met, how we keep our friendship going despite ever changing life and family schedules, and the beauty, goodness and depth our friendship has added to our lives. Together, through years of intentional work, we're setting new standards for the kinds of relationships we want to welcome in the future, ones built on mutuality, respect, delight, clear communication, non competitiveness, laughter, depth, safety, trust, and ultimately healing. 

One of the goals I had for myself in 2026 was to learn how to have a guest on the podcast. Well, guess what? I did it! I met with three friends who let me know their tips and tricks and kindly guided me toward making this goal a reality. While my first official guest episode comes out soon, my 14 year old daughter Maddie agreed to let me practice with her. I want you to hear this short practice episode, because I want you to be a part of my whole journey, the raw beginning, the ups and downs, and the many successes and failures that are ahead. I'm considering this a success. 

A new year is approaching. Can you believe it? How was last year? What are you hoping to add or subtract from your life next year and in the years to come? In this episode we explore the practice of pausing, taking stock of, considering and exploring our year, our stories, and our lives for the sake of heading in the direction of freedom, healing and joy. The gentle invitation is to consider how one year of intentional story exploration could impact your life. After all, taking your stories more seriously and compassionately is the most important work you will ever do.

Life is full of both joy and grief. Love and loss. It's easy for us to talk about joy, but not as easy to talk about, notice, welcome, hold and move through grief. We need to be able to talk more honestly about grief, acknowledge it, learn what it is, what to do with it, and normalize it for ourselves and each other. 

Are you familiar with the moments that tempt you to throw in the towel? To stop dreaming, stop planning, stop working toward a goal or a desire? How about the difficult seasons that make you just want to quit all together? Same, friend.  I've been there many times. In this episode, I talk about having one of those moments recently, as well as two people who inspire me and what it takes for each of us to keep the flame of a dream alive. 

It's ironic how life can work sometimes, isn't it? When I created this episode I couldn't figure out how to upload and edit the intro/outro music. My inner critic tried shaming me by convincing me I couldn't release an episode without it. Well, here I am, releasing it anyway. I'm tired of holding myself back because I show up imperfectly! I'll figure out the music eventually. In the mean time, let's talk about inner critics and how they work to keep us from taking the next, courageous step. 

This podcast has been a dream for years! If you're anything like me, what holds me back from my first try of anything is ME. I'm my biggest obstacle. I talk myself out of courage with self-shame: "I don't have the right recording equipment, I don't know how to edit, I don't understand technology, I have a broken laptop, does my microphone even work, and who will want to listen anyway?"  A wise friend once told me to start with what I have. So, here I am. I can't wait another day, because I'll think of another reason not to. Come and listen to Same, Friend! A podcast that talks about all of life: the good, the bad, and the ugly. Each time, I hope you feel more human and less alone.