A Fresh Story

Welcome to a special season of A Fresh Story Podcast: The Divorce Announcement Season. This season is co-produced by Divorce.com; Divorce.com offers a streamlined path through divorce that helps couples avoid unnecessary conflict and costs. 

On this episode of The Divorce Announcement Season, Olivia Dreizen Howell, the CEO and co-founder of Fresh Starts Registry, talks about her own divorce announcement and why/how this Divorce Announcement season came to be.

You can find Olivia on Instagram and Twitter as @thedigitalyenta

For more information on Divorce Announcements, check out the links below!

Announcing the Divorce Announcement: https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/blog/divorce-announcements

3 Reasons to Write a Divorce Announcement: https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/blog/3-reasons-to-write-a-divorce-announcement

What is a Divorce Announcement? https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/blog/what-is-a-divorce-announcement

The Importance of Divorce Announcements: https://divorce.com/blog/what-is-divorce-announcement/

In this conversation, Cole discusses her book What's Eating Us? and the epidemic of body anxiety. She shares her personal experience with an eating disorder and her journey to recovery. The conversation explores the concept of finding joy in food and how to navigate diet culture. Cole also talks about her recent food experiences in New York and the vibrancy of food in different cities. In this part of the conversation, we discuss the shift in diet culture and the introduction of weight loss drugs. We chat about the complexity and importance of this topic, as well as the potential dangers of these drugs. The conversation also explores the under-diagnosis of eating disorders and the need for better education and awareness. We emphasize the importance of connecting with our bodies and rejecting societal pressures.

We discuss the impact of diet culture on our relationship with food and the joy of embracing our true desires. In this conversation, Cole Kazdin discusses the journey of relearning what you enjoy in food and the importance of experimenting and loosening up rigidity. They also explore the challenges of finding time for self-care and prioritizing oneself in a busy and overwhelming world. The conversation emphasizes the importance of embracing gray areas in life and using food as a tool for self-discovery. We also share our favorite salad recipes and discuss the sensory experience of food. Overall, the conversation highlights the broader themes of self-care, self-discovery, and the connection between food and well-being.

Key takeaways from this episode with Cole Kazdin:

Fresh Conversations with Rachel Sobel: do you have to hate your husband?

On this episode of A Fresh Story, we chat with Rachel Sobel about all the things! We discussed the process of healing and finding love after divorce, and explore the challenges of integrating a new partner into a single parent's life and the importance of setting expectations and boundaries. She emphasized the significance of communication, transparency, and being each other's rock in a relationship, and also discuss the role of timing, rebounds, and learning from past relationships.

The conversation highlights the importance of prioritizing children and creating a safe space for open communication and vulnerability. They challenge societal expectations and emphasize the importance of maintaining intimacy and connection in a long-term relationship. In this conversation, Olivia and Jenny discuss their experiences with stepfathers and blended families with Rachel Sobel. They talk about the impact of stepfathers on their lives and the importance of seeing their mothers happy. They also discuss the challenges and joys of blending families and the importance of creating individual relationships within a blended family.

We discuss the importance of choosing the right partner and navigating conflict in a healthy way, and also discuss the impact of blended families on children and the importance of seeking support and advice. Overall, the conversation highlights the complexities and rewards of blended families and the importance of intentional dating and authenticity.

Topics discussed in this episode:

Fresh Conversations with Christine Gritmon: do you have to be miserable to want a fresh start?

We talked to marketing and branding expert Christine Gritmon about packing up her family’s life in America and moving abroad. We discussed all of the details of the big move, why they made the decision, and why Christine ultimately made the decision to give up her dream house and lead her family on a fresh start journey to England. If you’ve ever wondered about moving your family abroad, take a listen to this lovely episode with the wonderful Christine Gritmon!

Learn more about Christine Gritmon on her website: https://www.gritmon.com/

Fresh Conversations with Rob Abney: can a marriage have a fresh start?

In this conversation, Olivia, Rob, and Jenny discuss various topics, including Rob's new podcast, the challenges of marketing a podcast, Jenny's honeymoon experience, and the dark side of the honeymoon period. They also explore the dynamics of early marriages, the identity shift that comes with marriage, and the importance of commitment in maintaining a relationship. The conversation highlights the ups and downs of relationships and offers insights into navigating the different phases of a partnership.

In this conversation, Rob discusses the importance of commitment and remaining committed in a relationship. He shares his experiences of making mistakes and learning from them, as well as the challenges of having fresh starts. Rob emphasizes the need for effective communication, defining the problem, and assuming good intentions in relationships. He also highlights the importance of reframing arguments and taking a moment to communicate effectively.

Topics discussed in this episode of A Fresh Story with Rob Abney:

Fresh Conversations with Alex Alexander: why do we need friends?

Alex Alexander wears many hats as a founder, speaker, podcaster, and soon-to-be-published author, but her work always centers around one passion - exploring the dynamics of community and friendship in our daily lives, uncovering what's working and what's not. Through her work, Alex provides relatable examples and practical insights, empowering you to create a support system that truly resonates with you.

Alex Alexander discusses the importance of community and friendship in our lives. She shares her personal journey of discovering the value of support and realizing her own worthiness. Alex also talks about her career in the wedding industry and how it influenced her understanding of emotional connections and the importance of creating meaningful experiences. She emphasizes the role of friend group culture and the impact of friends' parents in building a strong support system. Ultimately, Alex believes that a healthy support system is the ultimate form of self-care. In this conversation, Alex Alexander discusses her journey from being a wedding planner to focusing on friendship and connection. She emphasizes the value of connection and the importance of appreciating the relationships we already have. Alex provides practical advice for making friends in a new country and encourages individuals to be specific about the type of friendships they want. She also highlights the significance of leaving one's comfort zone and finding communities where one feels a sense of belonging.

Topics discussed on this episode of A Fresh Story with Alex Alexander:

Fresh Conversations with Raena Boston: how can we show up for each other?

Raena Boston is a rising thought leader in the women’s and maternal rights space with a fresh, imperative voice. She is a working mom of three, fierce advocate, co-founder of the nonprofit focused on mothers’ rights Chamber of Mothers, and an HR corporate baddie. By night, she writes and creates content for her online platform, The Working Momtras. The Working Momtras is a community designed to help empower moms to unsubscribe from the scams of motherhood, resign from doing it all, and instead lean into their inherent worth.

Raena has appeared on Good Morning America, PBS Newshour, and many of your favorite podcasts. She is regularly tapped to provide thought leadership on the intersection of working motherhood, paid leave, and childcare.

She and her family reluctantly reside in Florida.

Raena Boston shares her journey of experiencing burnout, panic attacks, and a fresh start in 2020. She re-evaluated her career, her marriage, and her own self-worth, leading to significant changes in her life. Raena's story highlights the importance of prioritizing mental health, setting boundaries, and redefining success. In this conversation, Raena Boston discusses her journey through marriage, motherhood, and advocacy. She emphasizes the importance of choice and wanting what's best for oneself and the other person in a relationship. Raena shares how the birth of her daughter and her experience with paid leave inspired her to start the Chamber of Mothers, an organization focused on paid family leave, affordable childcare, and improved maternal health outcomes. She highlights the need for community care and collaboration, asking better questions, and supporting each other. Raena encourages individuals to trust themselves and approach challenges with curiosity instead of fear. She also shares her love for food, particularly a delicious lobster roll. Finally, Raena invites listeners to get involved with the Chamber of Mothers and make a difference in creating a better system for mothers and families.

Topics discussed in this episode of A Fresh Story with Raena Boston:

Reema Zaman is an author, speaker, and screenwriter. She is the author of the critically acclaimed memoir I Am Yours and the forthcoming novel Woman in Flight. Her essays have been published in Vogue, The Guardian, Salon, The Rumpus, and several others. She is an Oregon Literary Arts Fellow and you may recognize her from her viral interview with Cheryl Strayed on the Dear Sugars podcast. Born in Bangladesh and raised in Thailand, she now lives in Los Angeles with her chihuahua-daughter Fia the Fierce. For more, please visit www.reemazaman.com.

Reema Zaman, author and speaker, shares her journey of finding her voice and reclaiming her power after leaving an abusive relationship. She discusses the importance of using language to shape our beliefs and the transformative power of writing. Rima also highlights the significance of living alone and embracing one's true self. Her story is a testament to the resilience and strength of women. In this conversation, Reema Zaman discusses her journey as a writer and the importance of finding one's voice and reclaiming oneself. She shares her experiences of moving to different cities, staying with her parents, and working various jobs to pursue her writing career. Reema also talks about the challenges she faced in the publishing industry and the power of social media in connecting with others. She emphasizes the need for women to support and uplift each other and offers advice for those going through a fresh start.

Topics discussed in this episode of A Fresh Story with Reema Zaman:

Fresh Conversations with Skyler Day: what if you could produce your own music?

Skyler Day is a singer-songwriter/producer whose confessional approach to music has definitely made her an artist to watch. Her recent single "The Best Worst Thing", garnered her 2nd place in the International Songwriting Competition out of 21,000 entries and she also caught the attention of GRAMMY-winning Kacey Musgraves, who handpicked Skyler for a mentorship that led her to play at ACL Fest. Her latest single “Monsters” is out now! In addition to her music career, the Georgia-native is a well-established actress recurring on shows such as NBC’s Parenthood, Law & Order: SVU, Pretty Little Liars, Raven's Home and FOX’s The Resident.

Skyler Day, a singer-songwriter and producer, discusses her journey in the music industry and her recent foray into producing her own music. She shares her experiences and challenges in learning to produce and the freedom it has given her in expressing her musical ideas. Skyler also talks about the inspiration behind her song 'Monsters' and the universal theme of falling in love with someone who turns out to be different than expected.

She discusses her plans for future music projects and the potential for producing other artists. Skyler emphasizes the importance of breaking stereotypes and creating music that resonates with people's real-life experiences. Skyler Day discusses the importance of honesty in music and how it resonates with listeners. She draws inspiration from the music scene in Laurel Canyon and the artists who were unafraid to tackle real issues. Skyler emphasizes the value of leading with kindness and creating a good space for collaboration.

She reflects on her role in representing real issues on the TV show Parenthood, particularly the impact of the abortion episode. Skyler cautions against the dangers of comparison and encourages individuals to embrace their unique selves. She shares her love for making pasta from scratch and reveals the romantic story of how she met her husband at a commercial audition.

Topics discussed in this episode of A Fresh Story with Skyler Day include:

You can learn more about Skyler on her website, Instagram, and Spotify.

Fresh Conversations with Shani Silver: are dating apps a total scam?

In this episode of A Fresh Story, Olivia and Jenny talk to Shani Silver, an author and podcaster, about the exploitative nature of dating apps and the societal pressure to be in a relationship. They discuss the evolution of dating apps from websites to apps, and how these platforms prioritize profit over helping users find love. Shani emphasizes the importance of reframing single-hood and finding happiness while single. They also touch on the reactions to Shani's content and the lawsuit against Match Group for making love elusive on purpose. In this conversation, Shani Silver discusses the predatory nature of dating apps, the pressure to find love, and the importance of living authentically.

She highlights the lack of safety measures on dating apps and the need for change in dating app culture. Shani emphasizes the importance of living a fulfilling life and challenging societal expectations. She encourages individuals to define their own identities and celebrate single-hood. Overall, the conversation explores the complexities of modern dating and the impact it has on individuals' mental health and self-worth.

Shani Silver is an author and podcaster originally from Fort Worth, Texas. Her name is pronounced like “rainy” with a “sh.” Her book, A Single Revolution: Don't look for a match—light one, helps singles reframe singlehood to see its value and validity, for as long as we happen to be single. She is not an advocate for singlehood, she's an advocate for people being happy while single, and there is a difference. Her podcast, A Single Serving Podcast, launched in April of 2019 in the hopes of giving single women content that—for once—didn’t revolve around dating, and to support singles around the world in shedding the societal shame of singlehood. Shani has lived and dated in Austin, TX, Los Angeles, CA, Chicago, IL, Philadelphia, PA, and Brooklyn, NY. She currently lives in New Orleans. Following ten years of use, Shani permanently deleted her dating apps in January of 2019. She has loved her life ever since.

Topics discussed in this episode of A Fresh Story with Shani Silver: