Hard Knocks

November 21, 2019

Episode 70: Viva Clark – Sexual, Physical and Emotional Abuse

In this episode, I chat with my friend Viva about the abuse, both physical and emotional, she suffered as a child by her mother and the sexual abuse by a well-respected uncle. It took Viva years to be able to realize that the sexual abuse really did happen. She shares how those things have affected…

November 18, 2019

Episode 69: Meghan Draheim – Depression and Anxiety

In this episode, I chat with Meghan about dealing with depression and anxiety. She believes it started when she was just 10 years old and bullied for her weight. Meghan was officially diagnosed with depression about 15 years ago and went through a ton of medications before she found the one that was right for…

November 14, 2019

Episode 68: Emily Hessey – Navigating through Divorce and Becoming Friends Again

In this episode, I chat with my friend Emily about going through a three year divorce and how they ended up being friends in the end. Emily shares the other things she struggled through during that time and the things people said to her that helped her get back on her feet.* At just 6…

November 12, 2019

Episode 67: Annie Highwater – A Mother’s Perspective on Her Child’s Drug Addiction

In this episode, I chat with Annie about her son’s drug addiction that started when he was just a Junior in High School. Annie’s own mother fed into her son’s addiction by covering for him, keeping secrets for him and even taking him to get pills. This episode is a mother’s perspective on her child’s…

November 9, 2019

Episode 66: Brandy Walker – How Growing Up in a Bubble Affected Her Life

In this episode, I chat with Brandy about how growing up very sheltered and gendered (meaning girls did only certain things and boys did only certain things) affected her life as she got older. Once she was 18, she did all the things she’d never been allowed to do. Shortly after that, she found herself…

November 8, 2019

Episode 65: “Emma” – Abortion

In this episode, I read a story that an anonymous guest wrote in about her experience with abortion. She shares about when she found out she was pregnant, how she felt, how she tried to work through her tough feelings, but ultimately chose the decision of getting an abortion. She shares her raw and real…

November 5, 2019

Episode 64: Emily Hessey – The Kindness Matters Project

In this episode, I chat with my friend Emily about the project she started called – the Kindness Matters Project. There are eight different shirts to represent the word “kindness” and they each say something different, but encouraging. There is also a wonderful message on the back of every shirt. Emily’s goal with this project…

November 1, 2019

October’s Top 10

Each month, I will do a post just like this that will include the top 10 podcasts for the previous month. I may be biased and I think you should listen to all of them.. There really are so many lessons to learn in each episode, even if you think you won’t relate to their…

October 31, 2019

Episode 63: Kirsten D. Samuel – Sexual Assault, Husband’s Porn Addiction & Miscarriage

In this episode, I chat with Kirsten about two sexual assaults that happened to her – one that she hid for nearly 40 years. We also talked about her husband’s porn addiction and the shocking truth that it revealed about her. Kirsten also talked about her experience with a miscarriage. She offers lots of great…

October 28, 2019

Episode 62: Katelin Gentry – Having Two Babies 14 Months Apart, Single Motherhood & Self Image Struggles

In this episode I chat with Katelin about what it’s like to be the single mom of two daughters only 14 months apart by two different fathers. She shares the struggles that she faces with her own self-image and how she has overcome some things that people, including one of the fathers, has said to…