Barren not Broken

Crystal is one of my oldest and dearest friends. We go all the way back to high school days! I have watched Crystal navigate the trials and triumphs that the infertility journey brings with such determination and grace. In this episode, we get into some raw conversations about identity, expectations, intimacy, and dreams vs. reality. You will hear Crystal share her story of IUI, IVF, miscarriage and more, and the affects it had on her marriage, physical body, and emotions. She tells us how she has fought to be who she is today while embracing the ups and downs in the pages of her story. She bravely steps out with vulnerability, as she shares some of her inner thoughts and self-talk that I know we all often face. Crystal and her husband, Jason, have a sweet little girl Logan (Lo), who is a reminder of the goodness that can come from hardship and pain! Crystal reminds us all in this episode that nothing we go through is wasted. We have the opportunity to rise up no matter what pages fill our story. We hope that as you join in on our conversation, you will be reminded that no matter the barren places in our lives, we don’t have to live broken.

This might be the most vulnerable episode on Barren Not Broken yet. My friend Lauren interviews me and we tackle the tough topic of Mothers day! For many of us it brings incredible joy and for some of us it is a day filled with utter darkness. Not only do we discuss how we can go into this day with grace and a warrior mindset. I open up and share some difficult decisions Jason and I have been faced with. These decisions are reshaping mothers day for me. Please join me for this honest and emotional conversation.

Join me, along with my BFFs, as we navigate friendship in the midst of infertility. Meet my friends, Lauren and Melanie! Lauren is married with three boys and owns her own business. Melanie and her husband are currently in Sweden for a 6 month work assignment with Erikson and are not quite ready for children. They are two strong, loving, and brave women. We have a blast together! We are each in very different seasons of life. As many of you know, Jason and I have walked an 18 year infertility journey. We have had to learn to embrace each other despite the differences, navigate hard conversations, be willing to understand, and always support each other. Together we address the real issues that can arise in friendship when someone is journeying through infertility. We tackle tough issues like, baby showers, not knowing what to say, and cheering each other on even when it's hard. We navigate through the inner fears, presumptions and the difficulty of being willing to have hard conversations. Laugh with us, cry with us and let’s learn together how to maintain meaningful friendships in the midst of infertility. No matter the barren places in your life, let’s not live broken!

Join me, along with my BFFs, as we navigate friendship in the midst of infertility. Meet my friends, Lauren and Melanie! Lauren is married with three boys and owns her own business. Melanie and her husband are currently in Sweden for a 6 month work assignment with Ericsson and are not quite ready for children. They are two strong, loving, and brave women. We have a blast together! We are each in very different seasons of life. As many of you know, Jason and I have walked an 18 year infertility journey. We have had to learn to embrace each other despite the differences, navigate hard conversations, be willing to understand, and always support each other. Together we address the real issues that can arise in friendship when someone is journeying through infertility. We tackle tough issues like, baby showers, not knowing what to say, and cheering each other on even when it's hard. We navigate through the inner fears, presumptions and the difficulty of being willing to have hard conversations. Laugh with us, cry with us and let’s learn together how to maintain meaningful friendships in the midst of infertility. No matter the barren places in your life, let’s not live broken!

Jason and I step into a place we honestly have never gone before within our own story. We share the inner workings of our hearts and our raw thoughts. This is our story. We know it won’t be like everyone else's, and while it might have similarities, it is our story. We hope we have shared it in a way that will help someone else as they walk their own story. Do you ever wonder, “Am I the only one to think or feel this way?” “Will we ever get through this?” Are you tired of feeling isolated in your own heartache? Jason and I hope that as we talk about real life, disappointments, loss, fears, intimacy, and hope that you will find your own place of settled peace and not be ashamed of where you are in your own journey!

Jason and I step into a place we honestly have never gone before within our own story. We share the inner workings of our hearts and our raw thoughts. This is our story. We know it won’t be like everyone else's, and while it might have similarities, it is our story. We hope we have shared it in a way that will help someone else as they walk their own story. Do you ever wonder, “Am I the only one to think or feel this way?” “Will we ever get through this?” Are you tired of feeling isolated in your own heartache? Jason and I hope that as we talk about real life, disappointments, loss, fears, intimacy, and hope that you will find your own place of settled peace and not be ashamed of where you are in your own journey!

This first episode is all about the why! Why a podcast, why now, why the name, why these guests, why my story matters, and why your story matters.